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1942 National Football League All-Star Game (December)
All-Pro
List of Pro Bowl broadcasters
List of Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl selections
List of Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl selections
List of Green Bay Packers Pro Bowlers
List of Houston Texans Pro Bowl selections
Template:Pro Bowl
Retrieved from "https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Pro_Bowl"
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Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim to Boroujerdi : Baghdad Summit of Parliaments of Iraq Neighboring Countries establishes a common vision on various issues
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Head of the Reform and Reconstruction Alliance, Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim, in his office in Baghdad received representative of the Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council, Mr. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, and the Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad, Mr. Iraj Masjedi Saturday, 20/4/2019
His eminence discussed developments of local and regional political situations, and ways to strengthen relations between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressed that Iraq is taking confident steps towards opening up to the countries of the region and the world and building balanced relations with all based on common interests. His eminence also pointed to the importance of holding the Baghdad Summit of Parliaments of Iraq Neighboring Countries, that establish joint vision towards various issues.
Boroujerdi praised Iraq's stance towards the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressed the importance of holding the Baghdad Summit of Parliaments of Iraq Neighboring Countries to enhance parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
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IMDb Movies & TV 12+
Trailers, Reviews & Showtimes
#61 in Entertainment
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"Never show anyone. They'll beg you and they'll flatter you for the secret, but as soon as you give it up... you'll be nothing to them." Christian Bale was right in The Prestige - you won't see the changes in this update, and we're not telling! (Bug fixes and under-the-hood changes). Thanks for using IMDb!
KelseyNova , 10/05/2017
I love the app...
Edit: Thanks to the devs for responding to the issue. It's either stopped or you fixed it! I love the app! It's helpful and I use it a lot!
**previous review** Recently there has been an invisible ad that pops up when I search for something. I don't have a problem with ads if it keeps the app free, my issue is that I can't click on anything while it's there. Example: I open the app and search for a title, on the search page an empty see-through box appears. If you try to click on something behind/within the box it goes to a video ad. There's no other way around it. I'm not sure if it's on purpose - again I don't mind ads to keep the app free - but it's a little intrusive in that I can't get around it. If it is on purpose, like I need to watch it before continuing, then the feature needs a tune up. The only way to get around it is to close the app entirely and go back in and start over.
Otherwise I love the app, use it a lot, it's very helpful and in my opinion the app is even better than the actual website.
Yes, we fixed it! Thanks
H16H_C0MM4ND3R , 03/07/2018
Unfortunate
I’ve long looked to IMDB for most, if not all of my pop culture news... and unfortunately with the last update I’m forced to use google news instead... The news topic list drones on without a seeming end and in order for me to switch topics (Top, Movies, Tv, Celeb) I either have to scroll all the way back to the top or I have to back out of the news and then open it again and switch. There was a similar issue a few updates back but it was resolved. It’s too clunky now and really like it if they streamlined it again. Until then I’m left giving it a 3 star review... 😞
(Update: I had known about tapping the top of the screen, as I said it’s just a clunky design. Before the update, the topics were at the top and immediately accessible for switching with just a tap. It just felt more streamlined. I am understanding of change and I accept it freely, especially when it makes things easier and functions better. I’m a big fan of the bug fixes that were addressed like when the app would restart as I was changing back and forth between this and other apps. Or when it would close the page I was on when my screen would lock.... Those fixes were great, and I thank you for them.)
Hi H16H_C0MM4ND3R, this is the IMDb iOS Team. We've improved News in the app to enable showing all news items in our database from only showing the last 100. To scroll back to the top, simply tap on the iPhone system bar (where you'd usually see time, battery, wifi and other system information) and it will bring you back to the top of the news. Let us know if it works for you.
-IMDb iOS Team
Saftymn , 07/04/2019
The BEST APP EVER!
I use the IMDB Every Day, normally SEVERAL times a day! The only other App that even comes close is my Bible apps! The amount of information available at the tip of my fingers is Outstanding! The only thing I wish The owners the IMDB app would bring back is the ability to note “Goofs”! I love the ability to note “Trivia” is Great but I sure do miss reading the goofs that people were able to notice and comment on. I wish y’all would consider bringing that one little feature back. Other than that, it’s amazing how much information that’s stored and available to us free of charge! I frequently ask other people who don’t have the IMDB on their Smartphone one simple question: “WHY?”
On a side note, when the window popped up in the app asking me to rate IMBD, I gave you the highest available star, but when I went to write my comments, the message line on the “Write a Review” section of the review said to “Tap a Star to Rate”. Although I tried tapping on the fifth star, meaning the Highest Rating, nothing happened. Just thought I’d let you know!
Bryan Phillips
Thanks so much for the nice feedback, and for using IMDb!
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Video of work
DK-640E-220
MainDirectoryWood splittersDK-640E-220
30 m3/work shift
The wood splitter DК-640Е-220 rail type is designed for chopping firewood of any kind of wood and any humidity up to 640 mm. The wood splitter is powered by an electric motor with a power of 2.2 kW with 220 V power supply. The pusher of the wood splitter acts on the log with a force of 12 tons so the wood splitter is not afraid of any boughs. The travel time of the wood splitter is 1.5 s, which makes it possible to work with high productivity. The wood splitter frame has wheels for easy moving.
Price: 1 250 Euro
OVERALL DIMENSIONS AND MASS CHARACTERISTICS
MAIN WORKING CHARACTERISTICS
Max. productivity:
Log max. length:
Log max. diameter:
Force of splitting:
Speed of rod move:
ENGINE CHARACTERISTICS
Max. turns on engine shaft:
The wood splitter DK-640E-220 is designed for chopping firewood of any kind of wood and any humidity up to 500 mm in diameter and up to 640 mm in length.
The wood splitter operates according to the principle of operation of the pusher driven by a rack. When working, the wood splitter can develop a force of up to 12 tons, which allows it to cope with any kind of wood and any knots. The speed of the wood splitter is only 1.5 seconds, which is much higher than the speed of the splitting of hydraulic splitters. Due to these characteristics, the productivity of the wood splitter lies in the range from 15 to 30 m3 per shift. Productivity directly depends on the quality of raw material preparation and the number of personnel involved in the work.
The main working element of the wood splitter is a knife on which the process of cutting is directly passing. The woodcutter knife is made of high-quality steel which necessarily passes the heat treatment process at our enterprise with the help of modern HIGH FREQUENCY INDUCTION HEATING MACHINE installation.
On the woodcutter DK-640E-220, an electric motor with a power of 2.2 kW is installed, which is connected to the network via a magnetic starter with a thermal relay that operates under excessive loads. The power of the wood splitter motor is made from the 220 V network. Also, on the shaft of the electric motor, a friction clutch is installed as an additional degree of protection of the wood splitter.
The woodcutter DK-640E-220 is installed on a rigid frame made of I-beam and profile pipe. On the frame there are two pneumatic wheels for the convenience of moving the wood splitter through the territory. The wood splitter table has special stiffeners that allow you to withstand large logs.
The wood shredder DK-640E-220 is completely manufactured at our enterprise. We control the quality of all stages of our production, all landing surfaces are obligatory grinding. Quality control of welded joints is carried out. Before painting, all structures are stripped. The wood shredder is covered with powder paint, which significantly extends the service life of the structures.We are confident in our products, so we provide a 12-month guarantee for wood shredder DK-640E-220. In addition, we, as a manufacturer, produce both warranty and post-warranty maintenance of the wood splitter DK-640E-220.
By purchasing a chipper from us you get a reliable assistant on the way to your energy independence!
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Ukraine, Vinnitsa, Nemirov highway, 76
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Cutting modules
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Deal Almost Agreed: Arsenal target confirm his January move with Instagram post
Fernando Calero has got Arsenal fans very excited by revealing that he is in London amid rumours that he could make a cut-price £10million move to the Emirates.
Unai Emery is in the market for a new centre-back after Rob Holding’s season was ended prematurely through injury, while Laurent Koscielny is still working his way back after tearing his Achilles in May.
‘If we can take one player to help us at centre-back, I think it’s a good option,’ Emery confirmed earlier this month. ‘But a transfer is not easy.’
Real Valladolid centre-back Calero is believed to be top of their list, while his release clause of just €11m (£10m) has already attracted interest from clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla. And the 23-year-old fanned the flames of speculation further on Sunday night by posting an image on Instagram from London Waterloo.
Arsenal have been forced to play Granit Xhaka at centre-back in recent weeks due to their defensive crisis, but Calero would ease their problems considerably.
Be the first to comment on "Deal Almost Agreed: Arsenal target confirm his January move with Instagram post"
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Juppé vs. Zemmour
Interesting passe d'armes:
Labels: foreign policy
Another Affair
François Pupponi, mayor of Sarcelles, has resigned from the inner circle of Martine Aubry's campaign after being investigated by the police judiciaire for subornation of perjury in a case involving a gang of Corsican criminals. And what did Pupponi do for Aubry? He was in charge of security.
Labels: Socialist Party
Yglesias on the EU
Matt Yglesias has a nice analogy:
The Eurozone has created a kind of governance version of a collateralized debt obligation. Sovereignty has been pooled, and then tranched, and then re-allocated. Each government has some authority over the economic outcomes in all the different countries, but by the same token has only partial authority over its own economy.
Political Addendum to the Previous Primer
The previous post links to a primer on the economics of the euro crisis; Henry Farrell covers the politics.
A Primer on the Eurozone Crisis
By Kash Mansouri, part 1 and part 2.
Polanski Apologizes, DSK Doesn't
For the former, here; for the latter, here.
Labels: scandal
Daniel Cohn-Bendit likes Arnaud Montebourg but not his project of démondialisation, as he makes clear with characteristic forthrightness:
"Mais démondialiser c'est un peu dire n'importe quoi. Montebourg ne sera pas président, c'est pas grave pour l'instant", a poursuivi M. Cohn-Bendit. "Je l'aime bien, mais s'il était président il en serait de sa démondialisation la même chose que ce qu'a été le programme commun après un an de Mitterrand".
Bernard Girard takes a positive view of the form, if not the substance:
Montebourg a du talent, des idées et la capacité, évidente également chez François Hollande, d'éclairer une position, de l'exposer avec clarté dans un français impeccable.
Labels: economy, Greens, Socialist Party
Germany Comes Around
The Bundestag approved the bailout deal, so now we move on to the next stage of the crisis.
Second Socialist Debate
I didn't see it. I welcome comments from anyone who did. Mediapart has what seems to be a good summary.
Scandals Everywhere
Another scandal: Philippe Courroye, the Nanterre prosecutor who obtained the phone records of a journalist investigating the Bettencourt Affair, will be mis en examen. And Mediapart claims to have established a link between Sarkozy and the financier/arms merchant Takkiedine.
I was going to say something about Audrey Pulvar's new gig on On n'est pas couché. The show runs later on TV5Monde here in the US than in France, so I've just seen the episode in which she faces Martine Aubry. I gather that Ségolène Royal has been on since then. It does seem odd to me that Pulvar, who is Arnaud Montebourg's companion, is allowed to play this role. Not that I thought she was any better or worse than any other chroniqueuse would have been in that spot. It's just that the potential is there. And there was no disclosure of her special relationship to another candidate, in case any viewer was unaware of it. I guess in France it is just assumed that everyone is in the know about everything. In any case, it seems that Pulvar has commented on another blog, defending herself against criticism of this sort.
Labels: media, presidency
"He knows everything about flowers."
Christine Ockrent interviews Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, in English, for the BBC: "I said to myself, I must marry this man, he is the president, and he knows everything about flowers as well ... this is incredible."
Indeed. Incredible.
Labels: presidency
Marine Snags an ex-Chevènementiste
A former directeur de cabinet of Jean-Pierre Chevènement has joined Marine Le Pen's party. It's one thing for the left to lose part of its rank-and-file to the populist right, but the desertion of former cadre of the left of the left suggests that Le Pen has succeeded--alas!--in her effort to remove the stigma from her father's party. The article suggests, however, that her success is far from complete.
Labels: Front National
The PS and the Economists
Mediapart investigates which economists are supporting and/or consulting with which candidates. Unsurprisingly, Hollande is surrounded by more economists than any other candidate (my colleague Philippe Aghion gets around: he is listed as backing Hollande while consulting with Royal). Aubry has essentially one prominent economist in her entourage: Daniel Cohen. Royal has, among others, Jacques Attali, which should disqualify her. Montebourg has an anti-globalization team. And Valls has--nobody.
Labels: economy, Socialist Party
The Senate and the Golden Rule
The French Senate may not have much power, but the Constitution cannot be amended without it, so one consequence of Sunday's power shift is that there will be no balanced budget amendment: Sarkozy's Golden Rule is dead, and may it rest in peace with a stake through its heart. This was an ill-considered electoral ploy, nothing more. The president may still try to use the threat to maneuver his opponent into a corner, but there's no danger of this nonsense actually becoming law.
A Reader Asks ...
Comment from Brent on previous post:
In contrast to this presumably US-supported intervention via the IMF, I am interested to read Mélenchon's charge that the US is engaged in 'aggressive destabilization' of the Euro:
http://www.jean-luc-melenchon.fr/2011/09/26/de-nerac-aux-lilas/#more-7697
Can someone with more economics training that mine weigh in with some evaluation of this rather vehement accusation?
Oy, where to begin? Mélenchon's analysis ignores the fundamental fact that Europe's crisis is largely a story internal to Europe. Diverging unit labor costs (Germany became more efficient while other countries, including but not limited to Greece, allowed their labor costs to rise) during the era of cheap credit led to large trade imbalances within the EU. These imbalances were financed by lending from rich countries. In essence, German banks lent Greek importers what they needed to pay for German products. So Germany boomed, and Greece became indebted. French and German banks lent to Spain to finance a building boom, which temporarily improved the lot of Spanish workers but ended in an unemployment boom when credit collapsed.
None of this has anything to do with the US money supply. Mélenchon is right to observe that M2 has increased rapidly in the US, but he is totally wrong to say that demand for US Treasury bills and bonds has collapsed. Demand is stronger than ever, as the current 1.97% interest rate on 10-yr bonds shows. It is true that US money market funds have become reluctant to lend to European banks in the repo market, because the health of European banks is in doubt, but this is not some sort of US conspiracy to bring down the euro. It's a panic, like the panic that gripped US and international markets in 2008 with the Bear and Lehmann collapses.
Mélenchon's reasoning is sustained by anti-American bias, a belief in the conspiratorial nature of capitalism, and general ignorance of international economics. To be sure, left-wing economists in the US do not agree on the adequacy of the latest European bailout plan. I got the previous link from Jared Bernstein, a former White House advisor, who thinks the plan has a chance, but Paul Krugman thinks that neither this nor any other plan that focuses solely on stabilizing the banking system can succeed if policymakers remain committed to austerity in fiscal policy. Note that the IMF does not figure in Krugman's argument: the IMF is on the side of the angels here, favoring monetary easing and fiscal stimulus in the short run. It is one of Mélenchon's many blind spots that he cannot see this.
Latest Euro Bailout Plan
This one might have a chance to work. 1.7 trillion euros is real money:
The package is expected to involve a quadrupling - from the current projected level of 440bn euros - in the firepower of Europe's main bailout fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF).
This would be done by putting in place an arrangement that would allow the European Central Bank (ECB) to lend alongside the fund.
The EFSF would take on the main risk of lending to governments struggling to borrow from normal commercial sources - governments like Italy.
The political fallout remains to be seen, especially in Germany.
Banks and States
Nicolas Véron argues that European banks must sever their ties with individual states and be placed under a transnational European Banking Authority with "supervisory and resolution authority." In other words, the EU should regulate banks, insure deposits, and be empowered to shut down undercapitalized banks and wipe out their shareholders. He argues that it has become clear that one of the routes by which fiscal instability in one country spreads to other parts of the Eurozone is via the "banking channel." (h/t Martha Zuber)
One-Two Punch
One remarkable aspect of the unfolding Takieddine investigation is that it may not only destabilize the current president but also knock a future contender, Jean-François Copé, out of the running. The latest allegation is that both men took expensive vacations paid for by the arms dealer. Until now, one of the marvels of Sarkozy's long political career is that he has avoided any hint of corruption, even though he came up in the rough-and-tumble environment of northwest suburban Paris, where political corruption was a way of life. Somehow he avoided the missteps of Pasqua et cie., but here he is caught up in a scandal of his own, and one of his chief intraparty rivals along with him.
Of course, nothing is yet proven. My French friends, who so often reminded me during the DSK affair that we Americans "don't believe in the presumption of innocence," are now witnessing how irresistible it is to leap from allegation to condemnation, especially when the leaked evidence is so juicy. It may not be justice, but it is one heck of a spectacle.
Labels: scandal, UMP
The Left Takes the Senate
A first in the history of the Fifth Republic and another sign that Sarkozy's unpopularity has crippled the governmental right: the left has captured the Senate:
La gauche est majoritaire au Sénat pour la première fois
La gauche a remporté, dimanche, au moins 23 sièges aux élections sénatoriales. Elle obtient ainsi la majorité absolue. Le président du Sénat, Gérard Larcher (UMP), annonce qu'il sera tout de même candidat à sa succession. Retrouvez les résultats détaillés et les biographies des sénateurs élus en "une" du Monde.fr.
UPDATE: MYOS asks in a comment to another post how the Senate could have been "designed" to return a safe right-wing majority. The design was sociological: by having mayors elect senators, the constitution ensured that small communes would have disproportionate representation. These were mostly rural at a time when left-wing power was concentrated in and around industrial cities. The rural constituency outweighed the urban in terms of communes but not in terms of population. So this rigged things in favor of the right. But the demographics have changed. clerical and industrial workers, state employees, and other non-farmers have been priced out of many urban areas and now live in less expensive suburbs scattered over the countryside. Hence their representation has increased. Furthermore, the left dominance of regional governments has made even more traditional rural areas more dependent on left-leaning regional councils, etc.
Labels: election
Central Moment
Bernard Girard is right: this is Borloo's moment. But will he seize it? With the Right crumbling under the combined assaults of Marine Le Pen and le juge van Ruymbeke, now is the time. But Borloo has always been the most laid-back of politicians: "fire in the belly" is not his style.
What about other centrists? Bayrou? Morin? The former has been on the stump often enough, but he doesn't seem to be able to close the deal. I don't know why. To be sure, his 16% in the first round of 2007 was swelled by legions of "anybody but Sarkozy" voters, who may have had no special affinity for Bayrou and who may have ceased to care quite so much about finding a non-Socialist alternative to a UMP presidency. By contrast, Morin has gone out of his way to minimize the importance of the unfolding affairs, as if explicitly disavowing any ambition for the presidency.
So, France's next "centrist" president is likely to be François Hollande. Dominique Strauss-Kahn must be regretting his faute morale more than ever. This election would have been his to lose.
Labels: parties
Sarkozy at the UN
I neglected to comment on Sarkozy's speech at the UN. Here is the text. I thought he acquitted himself quite well, maintaining his balance while offering a modest proposal to move things forward:
Faut-il pour autant exclure une étape intermédiaire ? Pourquoi ne pas envisager pour la Palestine le statut d’Etat observateur aux Nations Unies ? Ce serait un pas important, nous sortirions après 60 ans de l’immobilisme, l’immobilisme qui fait le lit des extrémistes. Nous redonnerions un espoir aux Palestiniens en marquant des progrès vers le statut final.
To be sure, he wrapped himself in the mantle of the Arab Spring, overstating its achievements in a manner befitting his identification with its latest and most ambiguous episode, regime change in Libya:
Je veux le dire avec une profonde et sincère amitié pour le peuple israélien : Ecoutez ce que criait la jeunesse des printemps arabes. Ils criaient : « Vive la liberté ! ». Ils ne criaient pas : « à bas Israël ». Vous ne pouvez pas rester immobiles alors que ce vent de liberté et de démocratie souffle dans votre région.
This passage conveniently ignored the attack on the Israeli embassy in Egypt, where cries of "à bas Israël" were indeed heard. This Le Monde article tries hard to paint Sarkozy as somehow uniquely fitted for the peacemaking role, playing up his Jewish ancestry, about which we rarely hear in any other context, and his supposed rupture with past French policy, which is unfairly maligned. I see Sarkozy's Middle East policy as evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Operating under tight constraints, Sarkozy maintained his footing and his credibility as a potential broker, not wedded to the American position and sensitive to the desiderata of both sides. This was as much as he could accomplish at the UN, and he was equal to the occasion.
Was Astérix a Fascist?
The philosopher Michel Serres, reading rather flat-footedly in my view, has launched a polemic.
Michel Serres affirmait sans rire que la potion magique du Gaulois était une forme d'"éloge de la drogue" et que l'écrasement régulier du barde Assurancetourix représentait un"mépris de la culture" et, motif récurrent, une glorification de la "force pure".
A political scientist, Damien Boone, has taken up the challenge of responding to Serres, who has visibly gone off the rails. As for mépris de la culture, Prof. Serres had better be careful: having attacked one of the great icons of French culture, he now has a target on his back. (h/t KB)
Labels: popular culture
The Princess Tells All
I'm not sure what sort of title "princess of Yugoslavia" is, exactly, mais la belle Hélène de Yougoslavie is certainly giving her estranged husband Thierry Gaubert the royal treatment. She is "disgusted," she told Le Monde, at discovering that her ex had opened Swiss bank accounts in her name in which to hide the occult money that was used to finance Balladur's 1995 presidential campaign, so she's spilled all:
Avez-vous subi des pressions ?Oui, beaucoup de pressions, et des menaces, émanant de mon mari. Cela a commencé après que sa maison a été perquisitionnée, au mois de juillet. Il s'attendait à ce que je sois convoquée par la police. Alors il m'a dit : "Si tu parles, tu ne verras plus les enfants. Si je coule, tu coules avec moi, car nous ne sommes pas divorcés. " Il ne fallait absolument pas que je parle des comptes à l'étranger et des remises d'argent.
Que s'est-il passé après votre audition ?Déjà, durant l'audition, il m'inondait de textos ! Et puis, le 14 septembre, il m'appelle et me dit : "J'ai quelque chose à te donner, descends, je suis garé dans la rue. " Une fois dans la voiture, il m'a incendiée, il était furieux. "Qu'est-ce que tu as été raconter aux flics, il paraît que tu m'as balancé ? Tu es complètement folle, tu vas partir à l'asile. " J'ai compris qu'il avait eu des informations très précises sur ma déposition.
More and more this looks to be one of the great scandals of the Fifth Republic.
UPDATE: Mediapart has lots more.
Labels: presidency, UMP
How Sausage Is Made
For a glimpse of the future of the Socialist Party, come what may, have a look at Frédéric Martel's article in L'Express. There you will discover the parallel trajectories of Manuel Valls and Benoît Hamon: both Rocardians at the beginning, both young party activists, one (Valls) maturing at Matignon under Jospin, the other (Hamon) learning the ropes under Aubry. Valls chose to position himself on the right wing of the party, the incarnation of the "second second left," while Hamon claims the mantle of Emmanuelli, the maverick of the left. Yet their opposition, Martel hints, may be no more than tactical, a matter of pure "positioning," since this contest between "old left" and "new" is one of the "structuring" myths of the party--a myth that may no longer have any connection with sociological reality. Interesting piece.
The Affairs
It seems I've been too blasé about the several affairs currently closing in around the president. Here's the latest leak:
Affaire Karachi : des interceptions téléphoniques mettent en cause l'ex-ministre de l'intérieur Brice Hortefeux
Les enquêteurs, dans le volet financier de l'affaire Karachi, disposent d'extraits d'une conversation téléphonique, datée du 14 septembre 2011, entre Thierry Gaubert et Brice Hortefeux. L'ex-ministre de l'intérieur explique à son ami que sa femme, la princesse Hélène de Yougoslavie, "balance beaucoup". ("Le Monde")
Le contexte devient brûlant pour l'exécutif. "Si Sarko il passe pas en 2012, ils sont tous dans la merde…", affirme ainsi la fille de Thierry Gaubert à son petit ami, dans une conversation téléphonique interceptée par les policiers, le 19 juillet 2011.
Now, this is no way to run a justice system. These endless leaks are frankly shocking and make the New York Post in the DSK affair look like the soul of probity and decency. Yet if any of this can be believed, it's getting awfully close to Nicolas Sarkozy, to the point where one begins to wonder, as Bernard Girard does, whether a challenger will step forward on the right. It's a remote possibility, I think. But might François Fillon already have made the first move? His proposal yesterday to align French retirement policy with Germany's is radical and, I think, off the reservation: Sarkozy has never made any such proposal, and it could complicate his position in the campaign. For Fillon, however, it makes sense as a declaration of independence, a promise of David Cameron-like austerity on which to base a challenge candidacy from the right.
Labels: justice, scandal, UMP
Le Mot du Jour
Philippe Meyer, à l'instant sur France Culture : "Un pays qui prend Bernard Tapie pour un entrepreneur, Bernard-Henri Lévy pour un philosophe, Jacques Attali pour un penseur, Claire Chazal pour une journaliste, Alain Minc pour un économiste, etc. ne peut s'étonner d'avoir Nicolas Sarkozy comme président de la République". (h/t LB)
Karachigate
"Magistrates accuse the Élysée of violating le secret de l'instruction," reads the Le Monde headline. Well, why not? one is tempted to respond. Everyone else is violating with abandon. Médiapart has a new revelation every day, court documents on display. People close to the president are mis en examen. "This is the most serious scandals in the history of the Fifth Reublic," says Martine Aubry.
No doubt. So here we are, once again in the thick of occult campaign financing. No doubt I should feel more engaged, but the global economy is collapsing again, and somehow I can't bring myself to think that an affair that dates from 1995, even if it did perhaps result in the death of a busload of innocent French engineers, is going to be more than a footnote to the history that we are witnessing. But this is the way of the world:
About suffering they were never wrong, The Old Masters; how well, they understood Its human position; how it takes place While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along; How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting For the miraculous birth, there always must be Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating On a pond at the edge of the wood: W. H. Auden, The Musée des Beaux-Arts
SVU Does DSK
Apparently, NYPD Special Victims Unit opened its new season with an episode (loosely) based on the DSK affair, but I missed it.
Interactive Debt Map
A fun toy to see just how bad shape your bank is in. The politicians are saying everything is fine; the IMF disagrees.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag ..."
Jean-François Copé wants every French man and woman to pledge allegiance to France and declare his or her readiness to die, if need be, in her defense. He is shocked that anyone is upset by this proposal, but even the military is unenthusiastic: one general commented that "ce type de mesure n'est pas dans la tradition française. Elle est de surcroît plus dans la tradition d'une armée de conscription que d'une armée professionnelle." And Bruno Le Maire, in charge of the UMP presidential platform, was silent when asked if this idea would be part of it. But the best reaction came from Marine Le Pen, who knows how to surenchérir on Copé's cocorico nationalism: "Encore un serment, s'est-elle étonnée. L'américanisation, qu'est-ce qu'on aime ça chez Sarkozy. Ils vont bientôt nous sortir la Bible!"
Labels: symbolism, UMP
The Chirac Trial
With the prosecutors pleading for the innocence of the chief among the accused, the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
Labels: justice
The History of "The Pact"
Admirably recounted by Romain Pigenel.
OFCE Blog
The OFCE now has a blog.
The Incarnation
Stéphane Rozès gives his interpretation of Hollande's lead in the polls:
Ce qui fait aujourd’hui la prévalence de François Hollande sur les autres candidats, ce sont pour l’heure des éléments de posture, qui sont décisifs en amont de la présidentielle. Après son départ de la rue de Solférino, il a déjà commencé à donner à voir aux Français au travers d’un travail sur lui, une préparation y compris sur son apparence, qu’il était un homme libre, certes socialiste, mais se préparant à se laisser habiter par le pays et à co-construire un projet avec les Français. Une présidentielle est un rite laïque où il faut donner des signaux aux Français et donc s’insérer dans l’imaginaire français. Il y a en République, en monarchie républicaine dans les périodes inquiètes une attente de verticalité, de lien direct entre le candidat et le pays sans écran, le PS ou la Gauche. Et François Hollande s’est mieux inséré dans cet imaginaire.
I have mixed feelings about this sort of political analysis: Tout commence en mystique, tout finit en politique (dixit ValéryPéguy), and here there is a bit too much mysticism and a bit too little politics. Still, the interview is worth reading in its entirety.
The Ratings Are In
Five million viewers watched the Socialist debate. Thirteen million watched "The Confessions of Dominique Strauss-Kahn." Jus' sayin'...
Labels: scandal, Socialist Party
The Marrakech Pact
The long-rumored Marrakech pact between Aubry and Strauss-Kahn was reluctantly confirmed last night by the latter. So Aubry would have stood aside to allow DSK to run for president head-to-head against Hollande. And then, no doubt, he would have named her prime minister: it's hard to imagine such a bargain without a quid pro quo. Hollande's minions are already using this pact against Aubry. And what about Royal? In some versions of the rumor, she, too, was party to the pact. There's nothing illegitimate about such a deal, but of course one wants to know more. Was DSK afraid of losing the primary? Why did he choose Aubry rather than Hollande? Were there overtures to Hollande, which he rejected?
If Claire Chazal had been doing her job, she might have asked some of these questions. She might also have asked what, since it wasn't un rapport tarifié ou forcé, Ms. Diallo found so irresistible about the naked IMF director. But as Anne Sinclair's friend, Chazal knew what her function was and performed as intended.
Labels: media, scandal, Socialist Party
Pigenel on Mélenchon
Romain Pigenel, who is backing Hollande, has some harsh but well-chosen words for JLM:
Il jubile, Jean-Luc. Et on le comprend. Lui qui avait quitté, il y a trois ans, le Parti socialiste peu glorieusement, dans la nuit du Congrès de Reims, avec les forces militantes et l’analyse d’un ultra-minoritaire – expliquant alors que la victoire de la motion de Ségolène Royal sonnait la droitisation ultime du parti – il joue aujourd’hui le faiseur de roi à la Fête de l’Huma. Moitié professeur en gauchisme, moitié Saint-Louis sous son chêne, il reçoit les candidats socialistes, leur remettant son petit livre rouge et prenant la pose avec eux devant un logo Front de Gauche.
Il assure, nous dit-on dans les gazettes, ne pas vouloir « se mêler de la primaire ».
Heureusement qu’il le précise. Car, à lire les comptes-rendus, on avait justement l’impression, au contraire, qu’il tend à s’en mêler, et pas qu’un peu. Sur les candidats aux primaires : « D’abord je note ceux qui ne sont pas venus [à la fête de l'Huma] Quand on est de gauche, on marque sur son calepin la date de la Fête de l’Humanité et on ne prévoit rien d’autre ». Sur Montebourg : « Il me souhaite bon vent, je lui souhaite aussi. ». Sur Ségolène, mi-condescendant, mi-dithyrambique : « j’ai trouvé Royal plus consciente du niveau de rupture à opérer que les autres […] Elle commence à parler notre langue ». Sur François Hollande, sans surprise : « l’arrogance comme on a vu jeudi soir avec Hollande qui se voit déjà président ». Quant à Martine Aubry, qui n’a pu s’empêcher de ré-affirmer ce qui reste sa ligne programmatique la plus claire, le Hollande-bashing (« Je pense que quand on est un responsable de gauche on doit être à la Fête de l’Huma, là où est la gauche. »), elle n’a (nous dit-on) fait qu’une photo muette avec le Chavez-like français, peut-être échaudée par lafraicheur de son accueil au grand raout communiste.
For a more positive take on Mélenchon's influence on the PS, see Bernard Girard.
Labels: parties, Socialist Party
The New Conventional Wisdom
Jacques Sapir, an ecoonomist and anti-globalization activist, has this to say in a Le Monde interview:
Jacques Sapir : La réaction de Jacques Delors est juste, mais bien tardive. Comment pouvons-nous prendre au sérieux un homme qui a conçu un système dont l'aboutissement logique est la crise actuelle, et qui vient maintenant déplorercelle-ci ? Il faut rappeler le rôle extrêmement néfaste qu'ont eu un certain nombre d'hommes politiques français, ainsi que des hauts fonctionnaires, qu'il s'agisse de Jacques Delors, de Pascal Lamy ou d'autres, dans la déréglementation financière généralisée que nous avons connue en Europe à partir de 1985-1986. Sur le fond, on a voulu faire avancer la solution d'une Europe fédérale sans le dire aux populations.
Delors, Lamy, and others, responsible for globalization and hence for the current crisis: the refrain is familiar, perhaps because we also heard it as recently as last week in a Le Monde op-ed from another, more surprising source: Aquilino Morelle, a former aide to Lionel Jospin, now backing Arnaud Montebourg. In short, an old fight has erupted on the Left, a fight that harks back to divisions in the Mitterrand administration in the period 1981-83. Delors and Lamy, with Fabius, were among those who led the fight for a "more modern" left, one that sought to manage rather than topple capitalism, in particular by lifting restrictions on capital flows.
The story is well-told in a book cited by Rawi Abdelal, Capital Rules, cited by Morelle, and which I am in the midst of reading. I think it's short-sighted, however, to portray this history as one of division within the left and a "betrayal" by a "free-market faction." This interpretation ignores the structural factors that militated in favor of an internationalization of capital. And it's wrong to interpret the current crisis as an inevitable consequence of one bad decision--an original sin, as it were. The initial decision wasn't bad, although as Abdelal points out, the evidence of greater efficiency and growth from a deregulation of capital was at best mixed. But marking Delors and Lamy as fall guys is just wrong, and the cause in which this very partial interpretation is currently being mobilized--the cause of isolationism and protectionism, what was derisively branded "the Albanian solution" in 1982 by those who favored greater openness--calls for the closest critical scrutiny.
Labels: economy, history, Socialist Party
A Comment on Moral Error
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, in his interview with Claire Chazal on TF1 yesterday, said the following:
"Ce qui s'est passé ne comprend ni violence ni contrainte ni agression ni aucun acte délictueux, c'est le procureur qui l'a dit", a-t-il assuré.
This is false. The prosecutor said that there was no evidence of violence or force and that he could not prove that a crime had occurred on the basis of testimony from a woman whose credibility he had reason to doubt. What did happen in the Sofitel remains unexplained. Since I have no evidence by which to judge, it's best to remain silent. Strauss-Kahn's confession of "moral error" is a first step toward making amends, but it leaves a good many questions unanswered.
UPDATE: Le Monde compares DSK's statements to the report. And Philippe Bilger here: "Le service calamiteux à rendre à une personnalité intelligente confrontée médiatiquement à un exercice difficile est précisément de lui offrir toutes les facilités et de lui laisser croire qu'elle pourra se dispenser de l'efficacité de la sincérité et de la spontanéité."
Labels: justice, scandal
Une faute morale
Le 20 heures du 18 septembre 2011
Labels: scandal, sexual politics, Socialist Party
Petitions and Professions of Faith
Changes afoot in Europe and in French universities with talk of a European superstate and of ill-adapted quantitative evaluation of French professors in the social sciences..
Labels: Europe, universities
Berlusconi knows what his are:
Berlusconi, who boasted to one TV showgirl that he was only "prime minister in my spare time", told Tarantini in September 2008 that he needed to reduce the flow of women since he had a "terrible week" ahead seeing Pope Benedict, Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel and Gordon Brown. Berlusconi has long insisted that his private parties are informal but elegant affairs, that extend only as far as joke telling and songs, but is revealed on the tapes as putting pressure on Tarantini and his associates to conjure up beautiful female guests.
Labels: foreign policy, scandal
Has the DSK Affair Changed French Mores?
It would be pretty to think so:
Du monde de la finance à celui de l'industrie, les femmes se sont mises àraconter leurs histoires. Ce qui leur était arrivé dans l'ascenseur ou dans un bureau avec un supérieur. L'affaire DSK a fait sauter un verrou. "Elle a libéré la parole des femmes", atteste Patricia Barbizet, directrice générale d'Artemis, la holding financière du groupe Pinault.
Labels: sexual politics
Ségo Courts Mélenchon
In 2007 it was Bayrou, in the center; this year it's Mélenchon, on the left. Ségolène Royal, running well back in the polls and with time running out, has apparently decided to try a Hail Mary pass, and JLM, way out on the left flank, is headed downfield with arms outstretched hoping to make the play. Right about now I'm sure the folks at the NPA are patting themselves on the back for not falling in with Mélenchon. And the Communists may be wondering if they haven't been snookered into another Programme Commun, out of which they'll get a couple of portfolios in the Ministries of Transporation and Sports.
How all of this might be playing in Peoria, or, rather, Poitiers, remains to be seen. Our own tireless commentator from la France profonde, MYOS, reports that Royal has made a solid connection with the "red base" in her (his--male or female, MYOS?) part of rural France. If so, the polls haven't registered it yet. I wouldn't be entirely surprised. But how would an alliance with the Front de Gauche affect this part of the electorate? In any case, I think back to Ségolène's visit to Harvard, where she described her ambition as uniting the entire anti-Sarkozy opposition "from Besancenot to Bayrou." Now I guess it's "Mélenchon to Morin." At dinner I asked her how she planned to do this. She was of course evasive: by being more convincing than the others, or words to that effect. But her new strategy is clear: by attacking the banks. Mélenchon welcomes this rhetoric.
The Socialist Debate
Mediapart thinks Aubry won the debate. I'm not in a good position to deny this, since my video feed failed during much of Aubry's presentation. I thought her opening statement was weak, her closing stronger. I wasn't terribly persuaded by her attacks on Hollande or Hollande's on her: this was just trivial point-scoring by candidates whose declared differences on the important issues are probably irrelevant to what they will actually do if elected, constrained as these future decisions will be by unknowable contingencies. On atmospherics, Hollande seemed to be trying to strike an angry, forceful pose, somewhat reminiscent of Sarkozy, while Aubry seemed to be aiming for firm but ratcheted down a peg or two.
Royal was the surprise of the evening: confused, nervous, hesitant. She read her opening statement, which none of the others did. Empathy is her trump card, but she seems tired of playing it, and telling people that "I feel as you do" may in any case not be the right formula for a time when people are confused and frightened and want someone to tell them what to think rather than claim to share their confusion and anxiety.
Montebourg might appear to be the party's jeune espoir if I agreed with anything he said, but I don't. Still, he says it well. Valls, the other jeune espoir from the opposite end of the spectrum, flew the banner of désendettement, which is but austerity by another name and hardly likely to get anyone's pulse racing. "Deleveraging" may indeed be essential to recovery, but it's a politician's job to wrap the idea in a more attractive package. Valls would like to be accepted as the new DSK (or even Pierre Mendès-France, whose name he invoked once) but failed to clothe his "virtuous scold" persona in the splendid robes of supposed economic competence.
And Baylet: what can I say? Two cheers for the legalization of marijuana, which I was astonished to find becoming a major issue in the race for the Socialist nomination. His accent is entertaining, though. As for other atmospherics, Hollande's upper-lip flop sweat made him look like Richard Nixon in 1960; Montebourg would make an excellent choice to portray a politician in a film about politics; Royal is five years older than she was in 2006; Baylet needs a new sartorial advisor; and whoever designs sets for France2 ought to be fired--the giant TV screen in the middle of the table, the lecterns out of a TV quiz show with time scores displayed in front of each candidate, the Lenin-sized portraits projected on the back wall, the seating of a woman with distracting cleavage directly behind Mme Fressoz ... what were they thinking? The journalists' questions were decent, better than American journalists in this role. I particularly liked Namias, who followed up aggressively on evasive answers.
Thank you all for your comments on the previous debate thread post. I stand by my previous assertion that televised presidential debates are an invention of the devil, guaranteed to force candidates to fall back on pre-tested answers rather than grapple in a thoughtful way with issues on which the pros and cons are rarely as clear-cut as one has to make them when sharing the stage with five other braying contenders.
Banning Beggars
President Sarkozy, continuing Claude Guéant's push to blame most Paris crime on "Romanians," has banned begging on the Champs-Élysées from 10 AM to 10 PM. The begging--particularly the "gang begging" that has become common of late, in which a hapless tourist is surrounded and besieged by a group of young people with their hands out, if not actually in the mark's pockets--has indeed become a major nuisance, so this measure will be popular, though undoubtedly effective mainly as an excuse for police to check more identity papers and expel more Romanians. As a victim myself of a theft at an ATM machine by two young people who bystanders assured me were Romanians, though I'm not sure how they could tell, I suppose I should be more enthusiastic about this latest get-tough tactic, but to my eyes it seems rather pathetic, more an admission of helplessness than a genuine response, especially when policemen have been complaining (see Mediapart) about pressure from their hierarchy to faire du chiffre rather than attack the real roots of crime.
Socialist Debate Thread
I'm watching the Socialist debate but would rather hear your comments than offer my own, so feel free to use the comment button below. My chief reaction, at the midway point, is that I'm glad the primary is only a month away. I'm not sure the country can take much of this. I must say, Hollande, for a front runner, came off as an awfully angry man, while Royal, the seasoned candidate, seemed (characteristically?) ill-prepared. Montebourg's opening statement was very polished indeed, but I'm rather allergic to his main formulas, démondialisation et protectionnisme. And now the feed is getting flaky. I hope it's back for Aubry.
The televised political debate has to be one of the least intellectually satisfying forms of political discourse ever invented. Surely there's a better way.
Socialist Divide
Hollande continues to lead Aubry by a considerable margin, at least in the polls. The latest, from BVA, has some interesting demographics:
A noter : le profil de leur électorat respectif commence à se distinguer nettement. Hollande séduit d'abord les plus de 50 ans, les cadres et les employés. Aubry attire plus les jeunes (moins de 34 ans), les femmes, les professions intermédiaires et autant les salariés du service public.
Les électeurs potentiels certains de participer se recrutent logiquement à gauche (73%), d'abord chez les sympathisants du PS (52%), les écologistes (10%), du Parti de gauche (7%), du PCF et de Lutte ouvrière (2%). On en trouve cependant aussi à droite : 7% disent voter UMP, 8% au FN et 1% MoDem et Nouveau Centre. Et 10% se disent sans proximité partisane.
In other words, Hollande's electorate looks like Sarkozy's: older voters, managers, white-collar private sector workers, whereas Aubry's is more classically "socialist": public-sector workers and youths.
In tonight's debate, it will be interesting to see if the candidates try to reach out to each other's electorate or instead seek to consolidate support among the voters they have already won over. With the usual caveat: assuming the polls are accurate, which is a big "if."
China on Our Minds
US and European attitudes toward China differ sharply:
In contrast, the Europeans see China as an economic opportunity rather than a threat. Majorities in The Netherlands, Sweden, Britain and Germany said they considered China an economic opportunity. This was the reverse of the United States, where 63 percent of respondents felt that China was an economic threat and 31 percent saw it as an opportunity.
Labels: culture, foreign policy
Political Cookery
From Elaine Sciolino:
“It is our national responsibility to cook and to eat well,” Ms. Branget, a deputy from the center-right party of President Nicolas Sarkozy, said as she washed sand from fat, spongy morels at her kitchen sink. “There are no political parties around the dinner table. By creating this book, male and female deputies are defending their regions and carrying out their political mandate.”
One could hardly imagine an American member of Congress making such a proclamation. But food is so much a part of France’s identity that the government led a successful campaign last year to win United Nations recognition of the French meal as a national treasure. Elected deputies can rise and fall on the extent to which they protect the terrains of their grape growers, the subsidies of their milk producers, the clean water of their oyster cultivators and the rights of their recreational hunters.
Seventy-two of the 111 female deputies (who make up about 18 percent of the Assembly) chose not to participate in the cookbook project, including two who hope to win the Socialist Party nomination for next year’s presidential election: Martine Aubry, the head of the party; and Ségolène Royal, the party nominee who lost to Mr. Sarkozy in 2007.
The presidential hopeful François Hollande from Corrèze, Ms. Royal’s former partner and the father of their four children, by contrast, related with gusto and a long explanation a recipe for “farcidure grillée du pays d’Egletons,” a potato-based dish with many versions that looks like a latke crossed with a Spanish omelet. He also defined it as women’s work, which may not help him with the women’s vote. “Voilà how for so many years on end women fed their families with almost nothing” except this “farcidure,” he wrote.
French banks downgraded
As expected, Moody's has downgraded Crédit Agricole to Aa2 and SocGen to Aa3. BNP Paribas remains unchanged on negative watch status.
The atmosphere is turning nasty on the Socialist side of the spectrum as well. Jean-Pierre Jouyet, who is now advising Hollande after having been in charge of European affairs under Sarkozy (and under Jospin before him), has accused economist Daniel Cohen, who advises Aubry but is also a consultant to Lazard Frères, which advises the Greek government, of advocating for Greece at the expense of the French taxpayer. The issue is the issuance of eurobonds by a eurobank, which some see as the solution to the debt crisis. But Jouyet, wearing his politician's hat, is attacking Cohen for conflict of interest.
Sigh. There is a genuine debate to be had about eurobonds. There are moral hazard issues, in that fiscally undisciplined states will be rewarded with lower borrowing costs than they would otherwise enjoy, while better-managed states will have to pay higher costs. And without an enforcement mechanism of some kind, the formula is a recipe for a future disaster. But the issues will never be reached if two men who know each other well as colleagues at Cepremap and undoubtedly respect each other's expertise descend to this level of mudslinging.
For my part, I am glad to hear that Cohen is talking to the Greeks, and I would hope that Jouyet would be talking to them as well. They need all the advice they can get.
Labels: economy, Europe, Socialist Party
Dominique de Villepin's acquittal in the Clearstream affair has been upheld on appeal, just in time for Villepin to fend off allegations by Robert Bourgi that he received suitcases of cash from African dictators while serving Jacques Chirac. Although Bourgi claims to have been motivated by a desire to clear his conscience after a long career as political bagman, one suspects a darker motive. Perhaps President Sarkozy's "friend of 28 years" was assigned to send a warning shot across Villepin's bow, just in case Villepin is thinking of some coup de théâtre, such as revealing what he knows about the financing of Édouard Balladur's 1995 presidential bid, of which Nicolas Sarkozy was treasurer.
It's all rather unseemly and frankly a bit old-fashioned in the age of electronic capital transfers. These suitcases full of cash are downright vieux jeu. But there has always been something rather earthy about Villepin, who reportedly swears like a guardsman and likes to mingle with shady characters such as Jean-Louis Gergorin. Despite his matinee idol looks, he sees himself as one of Napoleon's generals when he isn't writing poetry and may be spoiling for a fight now that he has returned, like Col. Chabert, from a long exile. I doubt that Bourgi will be enough to silence him. So the little guéguerre on the right might quickly heat up, further alienating the ordinary Frenchman from the political class, if such a thing is possible.
French Banks
French Banks are now in the eye of the financial storm. The government has contingency plans to supply fresh capital or even to nationalize the three top banks: SocGen, Crédit Agricole, and BNP Paribas.
When I began this blog in 2007, this is not what I thought I would be writing in 2011.
Institutional Redesign
Dani Rodrik sees a need for institutional redesign to save the Eurozone and the EU.
Labels: economy, Europe, governance
Sarkozy on Bourgi
President Sarkozy awarded Robert Bourgi the Legion of Honor, although he knew at the time, by the admission of both Bourgi and Claude Guéant, that Bourgi, his friend of 24 years, had allgedly been involved in passing illegal funds to President Chirac:
Je sais, cher Robert, pouvoir continuer à compter sur ta participation à la politique étrangère de la France, avec efficacité et discrétion. Je sais que, sur ce terrain de l'efficacité et de la discrétion, tu as eu le meilleur des professeurs et que tu n'es pas homme à oublier les conseils de celui qui te conseillais jadis, de “rester à l'ombre, pour ne pas attraper de coup de soleil”. Sous le chaud soleil africain, ce n'est pas une vaine précaution ? Jacques Foccart avait bien raison.
Enfin, permettez-moi d'avoir un propos plus personnel. Ce qui nous unit Robert et moi, c'est une amitié de 24 ans, depuis que nous nous sommes rencontrés au RPR en 1983. Gaullistes, nous l'étions tous les deux passionnément. Toi, tu étais un grand connaisseur de l'âme africaine et tu portais déjà cette affection pour l'Afrique qui t'anime toujours. Moi, je n'étais alors que le très jeune responsable des jeunes RPR.
Labels: foreign policy, governance, scandal
Explosion at French nuclear plant
Une explosion sur le site nucléaire de Marcoule pourrait entraîner des fuites radioactives
Un four a explosé lundi 12 septembre sur le site nucléaire de Marcoule (Gard), faisant un mort et plusieurs blessés. L'accident pourrait entraîner un risque de fuite radioactive, ont indiqué les pompiers et la préfecture. (AFP)
Labels: energy
"That egomaniac"
Jacqueline Kennedy on the General:
Charles DeGaulle, the French president, is “that egomaniac.”
Perhaps this was revenge for de Gaulle's reported quip at their first meeting. Seated next to le grand Charles at a state dinner, Jackie, née Bouvier, is supposed to have said, in her best schoolgirl French, "Mes ancêtres étaient français, mon général." To which de Gaulle allegedly replied: "Les miens aussi."
May I add that I met Mrs. Onassis in 1990, when I won a prize for translating a book about the French Revolution. She was among the guests at the prize dinner. She was working at the time as a book editor in Manhattan, and we talked about her latest project, a book about orthodox religious icons in the Slavic countries. She was charming and intelligent, or so it seemed to my awestruck self during our two-minute conversation. I remember as a child being quite enamored of her.
And despite all that, she preferred Malraux to me:
She calls André Malraux, the French novelist, “the most fascinating man I’ve ever talked to.”
Corruption Past, Present, and Future
So, Robert Bourgi has accused Chirac and Villepin of receiving suitcases full of cash from African potentates, and Chirac and Villepin have accused Bourgi of defamation. Bernard Girard speculates that a fratricidal war of corruption revelations may have broken out within the UMP. And that the recent revelations about Takkiedine, a Sarkozy financier, may have come from Qaddafi, making good on his threat to expose his corrupt financing of Sarkozy's campaign. Who knows? Bourgi's motivation is quite puzzling. We may never get to the bottom of it. But the clouds hanging over the right--with the Chirac trial under way, a decision in the Clearstream case expected on Wednesday, Mediapart's series on Takkiedine, and the lingering Woerth-Bettencourt affair--are thicker than the DSK cloud hanging over the PS.
Unfortunately, all of this scandalousness only reinforces the cry from the extremes: tous pourris. If French banks are now downgraded, as Moody's is threatening to do, and the euro crisis deepens, the atmosphere could quickly turn from threatening to calamitous.
Moody's Downgrade for French Banks
BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole are expected to be downgraded one notch and SocGen two notches owing to Greek debt exposure and decline in share value.
Eichengreen Is Also Pessimistic
European leaders have responded with a cacophony of proposals for restoring confidence. Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, has called for stricter budgetary rules. Mario Draghi, head of the Bank of Italy and Trichet’s anointed successor at the ECB, has called for binding limits not on just budgets but also on a host of other national economic policies. Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament, is only one in a growing chorus of voices calling for the creation of Eurobonds. Germany’s finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, has suggested that Europe needs to move to full fiscal union.
If these proposals have one thing in common, it is that they all fail to address the eurozone’s immediate problems. Some, like stronger fiscal rules and closer surveillance of policies affecting competitiveness, might help to head off some future crisis, but they will do nothing to resolve this one.
But Europe doesn’t have months, much less years, to resolve its crisis. At this point, it has only days to avert the worst. It is critical that leaders distinguish what must be done now from what can be left for later.
It's an ancestral fear. Something deep inside me gets very nervous when a secret policeman declares his allegiance to a party of the extreme right. Yves Bertrand, former head of the Renseignements généraux, hasn't gone quite that far. After several meetings with Marine Le Pen, arranged by a "common friend," he has merely called for an end to the supposed "demonization" of the FN. But the handwriting is on the wall.
Endgame for the Euro?
Paul Krugman hopes not, but he thinks that Jürgen Stark's departure from the ECB may trigger a self-fulfilling doom:
By resigning from the ECB, Juergen Stark has conveyed, deliberately or not, the message that there will be no such lender of last resort, that there isn’t enough political cohesion in the eurozone to stand behind countries under market attack. And this translates directly into soaring spreads for Spain and Italy; the self-fulfilling crisis is on.
Help from China
The Chinese haven't said no but remain cautious:
China already has apparently poured tens of billions of dollars worth of foreign reserves into euro-denominated investments this year. But Chinese officials are still cautious about taking big risks with the country’s $3.2 trillion nest egg. When considered in the context of China’s 1.3 billion people, that nest egg is not necessarily an infinite treasure.
“China is a poor country with only $4,000 per capita income,” Yu Yongding, a Chinese top economist and former member of the central bank’s monetary policy committee said in an interview in China. “To talk and think about China to rescue countries with $40,000 per capita incomes is ridiculous.”
China is ready to help, Mr. Yu said, “but European countries first should show that they have a clear road map and convincing policies to preserve the euro and solve their problems as well as the political will to make necessary sacrifices.”
Corruption in the Balladur Government
According to Mediapart:
Un document inédit obtenu par Mediapart évoque, pour la première fois, l'implication de François Léotard, ministre de la défense signataire de ces marchés, dans l'un des dossiers instruits par les juges Renaud Van Ruymbeke et Roger Le Loire, le volet financier de l'affaire Karachi. Selon un courrier rédigé par un avocat suisse lié à M. Takieddine (voir en bas de la page), l'Etat français prétendait ainsi disposer d'éléments susceptibles de mettre en cause directement l'ancien ministre de la défense.
Mediapart has been running a series of articles linking Takieddine to the current government and other UMP officials such as J.-F. Copé.
Labels: governance, history, scandal
French Banks Fudge Losses on Greek Debt
The French are not the only offenders but apparently are the worst:
Broadly speaking, there seems to be a consensus within countries. British banks were most willing to swallow bad medicine and admit the bonds were worth far less than par value. Some German banks were equally forthcoming, but others were less so. Italian banks seem to have done as little as they could, but did take write-downs. French banks went the farthest to find ways to act as if Greek bonds were just fine.
It is the French securities regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, whose reaction will matter most. If it forces French banks to change their accounting, it risks incurring the wrath of both the French government and French bank regulators. If it looks the other way and other European securities regulators do nothing, the essential weakness of international standards — a lack of consistent enforcement — will be clear to all.
Or it may not. Although they use similar names in various countries, the auditing firms are organized as national partnerships. There are efforts within the firms to assure consistency across borders, but in the end it is the French partnership — which is no doubt quite aware of what the French government wants — that decides what it will allow French companies to do.
A Forthright Socialist
At last, a Socialist with the courage to say that la règle d'or is nonsense. Unfortunately, he's not running:
Intellectual Property Issues in the EU and France
Joe Karaganis, vice-president of the American Assembly, considers Europe's approach to intellectual property:
Over the past two decades, the EC has been a very active proponent of higher IP standards and stronger enforcement, from the ACTA agreement, to the upcoming revision to the Enforcement Directive, to the imminent extension of copyright on recordings (see Part Un). Let’s ask the obvious question: why?
The EC clearly speaks for the European audiovisual industries on these issues, who stand, in theory, to gain from stronger IP enforcement (or maybe not!). But who speaks for the massive and very real consumer surplus? No one. I’m aware of only one study that makes any effort to model it: the Dutch government funded “Ups and Downs: Economic and Cultural Effects of File Sharing on Music, Film and Games,” which estimated the annual welfare benefit from music filesharing in the Netherlands at around 100 million euros. Multiply by 30 for a very crude extrapolation of this benefit across the EU.
But there’s a catch: so far, the European market (and beyond that, the global market) has had little to do with expressions of cultural specificity or auteur-driven visions. It has to do, above all, with making films in English that minimize those particularities. It means producing a Europe built around historical epics (Ironclad), sci-fi/fantasy (Inception, Harry Potter) or, often quite literally, the perspective of the universal (American) tourist, like last year’s The Tourist (Johnny Depp in Venice) or Unknown (Liam Neeson in Berlin). All of the above were joint US/EU productions on our July download list. And it means a European film industry reorganized further into an investment vehicle for Hollywood movies, like Vendome Pictures, the now defunct publicly-funded Medienfonds in Germany (Battlefield Earth,Terminator 3), or Luc Besson’s massive, soon-to-be opened Cite du Cinema north of Paris.
There's a lot more in this long but very rich article.
Labels: culture, economy, Europe, popular culture
The Front National and the "Popular Classes"
Why does the FN appeal to les classes populaires? A Fondation Jean-Jaurès study tries to answer this question:
Sur 85 pages, ils livrent les ressorts de cette progression: il ne s'agit pas «d'un effet des discours populistes», mais plutôt d'un «basculement» dans l'opinion entre fin 2010 et début 2011, et de «représentations structuré(es) par un sentiment général d’"insécurisation"». Les auteurs mettent en évidence la corrélation d'un cocktail explosif: «insécurité économique» et «sentiment d'insécurité physique».
This is reminiscent of the US Tea Party phenomenon:
Deux épisodes ont déterminé cette vision. D'une part, le fait que les Etats ont «sauvé» les banques, mais que, une fois redressées, elles«n'ont pas joué le jeu et l'Etat s'est fait berner». D'autre part, la question grecque. «Pour les milieux populaires, l'austérité imposée aux Grecs n'est pas le fait d'une décision politique, nationale ou européenne, mais d'une décision des marchés financiers», décryptent Fourquet et Mergier.
Labels: Front National, populism, security
Sex obligatory in marriage, French court rules
A French court has awarded a woman damages because her husband wouldn't have sex with her.
Architecture and Oppression
A very nice piece by Scott Sayare on changing architectural theories of housing for the poor (in this case in La Courneuve):
Erected in the 1960s, the 4000 was meant as a utopia, an experiment in social engineering that would rationalize the lives of the immigrant workers it would house.
The theory of the day, drawing on the architectural philosophy of Le Corbusier, held that residential areas ought to remain separate from roads and the workplace, and so the cluster was built as a sort of island; residents trudged across a muddy field to reach the adjacent train station. Each airy apartment was equipped with a bathroom, a relative rarity in Paris at the time. The complex was deemed revolutionary.
A model of the 4000 was exhibited at the Grand Palais in 1961.
And yet, while the particular philosophy underlying the 4000 has been disavowed, few French officials have jettisoned a belief in the primacy of architecture in shaping social outcomes, said Marie-Christine Vatov, the editor in chief at Innovapresse, a media group specializing in architecture and urban planning.
“Mixing” and “openness” have replaced “separation” and “uniformity” as the watchwords of the day. But the central lesson of the past decades, Ms. Vatov said, has been the error of such faith in the power of architecture.
Labels: culture, housing
Rumors Swirl Around European Banks
European policy makers, determined to avoid such a catastrophe, are prepared to use hundreds of billions of euros of bailout money to prevent any major bank from failing.
But questions continue to mount about the ability of Europe’s banks to ride out the crisis, as some are having a harder time securing loans needed for daily operations.
American financial institutions, seeking to inoculate themselves from the growing risks, are increasingly wary of making new short-term loans in some cases and are pulling back from doing business with their European counterparts — moves that could exacerbate the funding problems of European banks.
Obama et Sarkozy, même combat?
Read John Vinocur:
Both presidents’ overall approval ratings are in negative territory.
But making a comparison between two men with pretty much the same problems (while trying to take into account the trajectory of changing moods in their countries) is much more complex than a slew of poll results. Coming back to France after close to four weeks of unscientific watching and listening on the other side of the Atlantic provides an interesting contrast.
In the United States, the impact of markedly bad unemployment figures of 9.1 percent — the net job change of zero in August was the first of its kind since 1945 — has immense shock value in a country used to jobless rates regularly half those of Western Europe. People are truly taken aback.
If there is a mood shift in France, too (although only traces show up in the poll scores), it is in Mr. Sarkozy’s favor.
The cover story of the news magazine Le Point this week doesn’t show the usual Sam the Eagle scowling president, a kind of “Muppet Show” Mr. Gloom, but a relaxed-looking, very blue-eyed man with the headline “And if it were him again?”
Over the weekend, the TNS Sofres poll that reported the president’s ongoing unpopularity (about 70 percent) added this analysis: “Certain indicators are flashing green for Sarkozy and change the givens.” It said he had picked up 13 points from the far-right National Front party.
UPDATE: On the French side:
Au premier tour, Nicolas Sarkozy oscille entre 20 et 24 % et, au second tour, il est systématiquement donné perdant dans des proportions certes peu réalistes par leur ampleur (près de 58 %), mais révélatrices du rejet. Cette crise de confiance est avant tout une crise du résultat, tant l'espérance suscitée par la campagne de 2006-2007 a été grande. Elle s'est ensuite doublée d'une crispation à l'égard de la personne et de son exercice de la fonction présidentielle.
The same comment holds true of Obama: high expectations, disappointing achievement.
Labels: polls, presidency, us
Le capitalisme à papa
France is not like other capitalist countries:
En 1988, 90 des plus grandes fortunes sur 150 s'étaient constituées depuis moins de quarante ans. En 2008, sur les 200 plus grandes entreprises françaises, 76 étaient sous contrôle familial , contre 62 vingt ans plus tôt.
L'histoire économique de la France reste marquée par l'empreinte d'un capitalisme familial dont l'activité s'est étendue à l'international.
Autre spécificité hexagonale, la concentration des pouvoirs. "Une petite centaine de personnes possède 43 % des droits de vote des sociétés du CAC 40." Une consanguinité qu profite aux technocrates passés par la haute fonction publique, parfois issus des "grandes familles" qui ont envoyé leurs héritiers dans les"bonnes écoles".
Villepin: Tous pourris (ou presque)
One expects Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon to attack the corruption of the political elite in toto. That is their stock in trade. It's less expected when it comes from Dominique de Villepin.
Labels: governance
Clerk Contradicts Judge
The clerk of juge d'instruction Isabelle Prévost-Desprez, the person who is supposed to have heard the off-the-record remark implicating Sarkozy in the Bettencourt affair, denies the judge's assertion. Under oath. This whole business becomes more unsavory by the day.
How to Pay for the Non-Free Lunch
A Fiscal Union for the Euro: Some Lessons from History
by Michael D. Bordo, Agnieszka Markiewicz, Lars Jonung - #17380 (DAE ME)
The recent financial crisis 2007-2009 was the longest and the deepest
recession since the Great Depression of 1930. The crisis that
originated in subprime mortgage markets was spread and amplified
through globalised financial markets and resulted in severe debt
crises in several European countries in 2010 and 2011. Events
revealed that the European Union had insufficient means to halt the
spiral of European debt crisis. In particular, no pan-European
fiscal mechanism to face a global crisis is available at present.
The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics of a robust
common fiscal policy framework that could have alleviated the
consequences of the recent crisis. This is done by using the
political and fiscal history of five federal states; Argentina,
Brazil, Canada, Germany and the United States.
http://papers.nber.org/papers/W17380
A new paper by Maurice Obstfeld:
This paper argues that if policymakers seek to enhance global
liquidity, then the international community must provide a higher and
better coordinated level of fiscal support than it has in the past.
Loans to troubled sovereigns or financial institutions imply a credit
risk that ultimately must be lodged somewhere. Expanded
international lending facilities, including an expanded IMF, cannot
remain unconditionally solvent absent an expanded level of fiscal
backup. The same point obviously applies to the European framework
for managing internal sovereign debt problems, including proposals
for a jointly guaranteed eurozone sovereign bond. Even attainment of
a significant role for the Special Drawing Right depends upon
enhanced fiscal resources and burden sharing at the international
Calling a Spade a Heart
I find myself increasingly disenchanted with my own political camps both at home and abroad. Why can't they call a spade a spade? The règle d'or is a foolish idea, a meaningless gesture that will impose no real constraint on what the government does in the future, as I argued the other day. Yet here we have Hollande and Royal hemming and hawing about the proposal, which after all comes from the right, as if they were afraid that frankly criticizing the idea will make them vulnerable to charges of profligacy and irresponsibility. But of course they will be charged with these things anyway. Why not simply say what they think? Perhaps they really do thing that a balanced-budget amendment is a good idea. If so, let them explain why. It would be more interesting to know their reasoning than to be told that they really can't make up their minds.
Education Polices of the Various Candidates
A rundown here.
Labels: schools
"La vieillesse est un naufrage"
So, Jacques Chirac is afflicted with anosognosie, which, if my scientific Latin serves, means that he doesn't know what he's afflicted with. It's a sad end to an impressive career and one that will no doubt deprive us of the final spectacle of a former president having to defend a corrupt system in court. Whatever one thought of Chirac's politics, one had to admire the political animal, and Chirac's animal instincts in the political jungle were unrivaled. Although Mitterrand earned the epithet "le Florentin," it might equally well have applied to his perennial rival and sometime confederate.
I never met Chirac, but I know many people who have and who assure me that he was far more impressive in private than in public. He never quite mastered the television cameras, before which he always struck me as a bit artificial, cabotin, uncertain of his power to persuade. But persuasion is not really the métier of the pure politician, whose element is power, not reason, and Chirac knew the manifold arts of power as well as anyone. He could neutralize a superior force by playing it off against another, almost equal--and to himself equally hostile--force: witness his use of Mitterrand against Giscard.
This pure politics isn't, of course, the politics that armchair intellectuals like myself usually gravitate toward, but, perhaps chastened by disappointment with Obama's inability to outmaneuver his enemies, we sometimes feel a sneaking admiration for wizened old warriors, even--or perhaps especially--those whose cunning defeated our side more than once.
The trial will probably go on, but what will we learn that we don't already know? That among the ways of power that Chirac mastered was of course the way of money, and that one of the ways of securing the loyalty of henchmen and even potential enemies is to fund them through sinecures hidden in the recesses of this or that governmental budget. So Chirac allegedly created fictitious jobs for which the city of Paris paid when he was mayor. His henchmen have already taken the fall for some of these offenses, and Juppé, after his years in the desert, is even back in power and glory comme si de rien n'était. In short, the law may sanction the ways of power, but nobody really cares about what everyone knew was a system governed by the rules of a now bygone era. The rules have changed, but corruption remains, and the only corruption that truly shocks is that which goes beyond the unwritten rules of each political epoch. How far did Chirac stray? We'll probably never know, although reporters like Franz-Olivier Giesbert like to embellish their books with stories of suitcases full of cash disbursed from safes hidden behind pictures in the office of the mayor of Paris, and no one bats an eyelash. This is just accepted as the folklore of French government. No proof or corroboration is necessary to print such items.
For a lucid and thoughtful appreciation of Chirac's career, see the forthcoming review of his memoirs by my friend and colleague George Ross, who was actually once a student of Chirac's at Sciences Po. It will appear in French Politics, Culture, & Society.
Labels: UMP
Hollande, Social Liberal?
Laurent Mauduit has an interesting analysis of François Hollande's positioning in Mediapart. It's a long article, whose richness I will diminish by summing it up brutally as a complaint that Hollande is in the process of "Strauss-Kahnizing" himself. That is, he is taking increasingly "social liberal" (and Mauduit sometimes uses the terms "conservative" and "reactionary," not to mention "third way," as if these were all synonymous with "social liberal") positions on key economic issues such as taxation, deficit reduction, the wisdom of a balanced budget, and the role of the state. Indeed, Hollande's use of the mantra "l'État ne peut pas tout" leads Mauduit to compare him to the Jospin of 2002 and to conclude that Holland is making the same error as Jospin: running in the second round of the presidential election before securing solid support from his left in the first.
I have noted some of these points of Hollande's program in previous blog posts, and one in particular, the idea of enshrining decentralized wage negotiations in a constitutional amendment, led me to wonder if Hollande wasn't attempting the very strategy that Mauduit lays out. Bernard Girard alludes to this point in his post today on Mauduit's article.
That said, I share many of Bernard's questions about Mauduit's analysis. I have already noted the amalgame of "social liberal," "conservative," and "reactionary." Being something of a social liberal myself, I recognize genuine political differences on matters such as the proper role of the state and the advice of economists, whose influence on Hollande is, I think, more difficult to evaluate than Mauduit allows. Nor am I sure that his method of inferring their politics is the right one. He notes, for example, that Jean-Paul Fitoussi has advised Sarkozy and that therefore his presence at Hollande's side connotes une droitisation of the candidate. But Fitoussi's advice to Sarkozy has generally been on the side of more stimulus, opposition to the ECB, etc. I think it's unfair to characterize him as "a reactionary."
Still, in spite of all of my real differences of opinion with Mauduit, the core of his analysis remains: Hollande is trying to occupy the space left vacant by DSK's fall; he has increasingly emphasized the need for "rigor" in his economic discourse; and he is neglecting to appeal to "the people of the left" and instead tilting his campaign rhetoric in the direction of a more centrist electorate.
Now, I believe that the presidential election will ultimately be won in the center, as I have said a number of times, but I'm not at all sure that that is where the Socialist primary will be won. The polls seem to contradict me, since Hollande currently enjoys a comfortable lead. And perhaps the voters to whom his new positioning will appeal are precisely the ones who will turn out to vote in the primary. But maybe not. There may be an October surprise in store only slightly less stunning than the surprise of 2002, and traceable to similar roots: the isolation of the political class from its base, and a consequent tendency to organize a candidate's message around policy positions that may seem coherent and correct to advisors yet remain unappealing to the party's traditional base of support.
Rawls and van Parijs on EU
An account of a very interesting debate between John Rawls and Philippe van Parijs about the EU and, more generally, the nature of capitalism and globalization.
Labels: Europe, intellectuals, theory
Sarko Surrenders ... to Raffarin
It seems that party unity is essential, more essential than saving face. In the great clash over the "theme park tax" between the president and the former prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Raffarin has emerged victorious. The Disney tax will not be raised, and lovers of Mickey can continue to be fleeced at the old rate. There wasn't enough in it for state coffers for Sarkozy to risk alienating the Raffarin faction, or shopkeepers' UMP.
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DU Admission 2019: SRCC Releases Second Cutoff List at srcc.edu, B.Com Hons at 98%
DU 2nd Cutoff List 2019 | Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) has released second cutoff list for two
DU Admission 2019: SRCC First Cutoff List Released at du.ac.in, 98.5% for BCom Hons
DU Cutoff List 2019 | The Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) affiliated under the Delhi Universityhas published its first cutoff list for admission into BCom (Hons) and BA...
News18 2019-06-28
Delhi University (DU) Admission 2019: SRCC releases first cut-off list for BA (Hons) Economics and ...
Delhi University's Shri Ram College of Commerce released the first cut off list for B.Com. (Hons) and B. A (Hons) Economics courses on their official website on Thursday,...
DNA India 2019-06-27
DU Admission 2019: LSR Releases Second Cutoff List @lsr.edu.in; BA (Prog) at 98.5%
Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), which comes under the ambit of Delhi University, has published its second cutoff list for granting admission into undergraduate...
DU Admission 2019: Lady Shri Ram College Releases First Cutoff List at lsr.edu.in, Sets 98% ...
DU First Cutoff List 2019 for the Lady Shri Ram College Released | The Delhi University has released the first cutoff list for 2019 on June 27 for undergraduate courses on...
DU Third Cut Off Merit List 2019 released @du.ac.in; 97.75% for BA (Hons) Economics at ...
Colleges affiliated to the Delhi University (DU) have started releasing on their official websites the third cut off merit lists for admission to Undergraduate (UG) courses in the Academic Year 2019-2020, following which the varsity is released a collected list of 2019 cut off percentage of marks for all the colleges at their official website -- du.ac.in Changes in the third...
DNA India
DU Admissions 2019: St Stephens College First Cutoff List Released at ststephens.edu
St Stephens College’s Cutoff List 2019| Delhi University's St. Stephens College had released the first Cutoff List on its official website for 11 undergraduate...
DU first cut-off list: SRCC hits highest for BCom (Hons) at 98.5%
Faculty members of economics and commerce at Delhi University said that the marginal rise, as compared to soaring cutoffs, over the past few years could be attributed to a number of factors, including an increase in the number of seats in both BCom (Hons) and economics (Hons). education Updated: Jun 28, 2019 10:37 IST Hindustan Times, New Delhi Delhi University aspirants will...
DU Admission 2019: DU Second Cutoff List Released at du.ac.in, 98.75% for Economics at Hindu College
The Hindu College, which is affiliated to the Delhi University, has published the second DU 2019 cutoff List on July 4 for allotting admission to undergraduate courses. Hindu College has published the PDF version of DU 2019...
38.35% admissions done, most DU colleges to release second cut-off with marginal...
Most colleges, including the Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), are expected to come out with a second cut-off list on Wednesday. The dip in percentage, however, is expected to be marginal—between 0.5%-1%. education Updated: Jul 03, 2019 07:28 IST Fareeha Iftikhar & Kainat Sarfaraz Hindustan Times, New Delhi Around 38.35% of the 62,000 undergraduate seats across colleges in...
DU Admission 2019 | Delhi College of Arts and Commerce 2019 Cutoff List Released at .du.ac.in
DU Admission 2019 | The Delhi University has released the first DU Cutoff List 2019 on June 27. The DU Cutoff List 2019 for its affiliated Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC) was uploaded on the University’s...
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Mitsubishi consortium to build Yangon complex
KEIGO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer November 18, 2016 16:30 JST
A graphic image of a new commercial complex in central Yangon.
TOKYO -- A Japanese consortium that includes developer Mitsubishi Estate and trading company Mitsubishi Corp. will build a commercial complex in Yangon in partnership with local developers.
The project, in a country often referred to as Asia's last frontier, includes two office buildings, condominiums and a hotel and services unit on a 4-hectare site in the heart of Myanmar's commercial capital. The site is right across from Yangon Central Railway Station.
The project, set to start by next March, will likely face many difficulties due to its scale. "Just getting the construction materials into the country smoothly is a lot of trouble," said Akihiro Kawano, manager of Mitsubishi Corp's ASEAN real estate development department. Construction materials such as reinforcing bars, steel, concrete and timber are needed, as well as gravel to stabilize the land. The processes for things like hiring truck drivers to carry the materials work differently than in Japan, and the process of receiving permits and fulfilling administrative requirements has been hobbled in part by Myanmar's political instability.
The key to completing the work on time, by March 2021, is good project management that is well versed in local practices. For example, securing access for commuters is important, because many people in Myanmar drive to work. Though details are still being worked out, the developers are considering separating the flows of commuters and visitors to avoid congestion. A large parking lot will also be needed.
The level of earthquake resistance for the buildings must be decided. The standards Mitsubishi Estate has followed in constructing many buildings in Tokyo's Marunouchi business district -- about 50% stricter than the minimum legal requirements in Japan -- are excessive for Myanmar. The standards will instead be based on a previous project in Singapore, the company said.
Each of the two buildings will be relatively spacious at around 33,000 sq. meters, since foreign companies looking to enter Myanmar tend to prefer large buildings. The security gates at the front -- a basic feature of Mitsubishi Estate buildings in Japan -- are especially appealing to the locals, the company said. "We will build some of the best-quality buildings, different from our rivals'," Mitsubishi Corp.'s Kawano said.
Real estate development is set to accelerate in Yangon. Since Myanmar shifted to a civilian government in 2011, local office rents have jumped fourfold from $20 per sq. meter before the transition, according to Mitsubishi Corp. Rents for the new buildings will be set at low levels to compete with rival buildings of similar size, Mitsubishi Estate said.
China can cut rates without provoking Trump with a currency shock
Japan to set up model field in India to promote farm tech
South Korean officials reject Japan's claims in meeting on export curbs
Myanmar companies ramping up tourism industry
A renovated Strand Hotel aims to bring landmark luxury to Myanmar
Iconic Myanmar hotel soon to reopen in tough market
Choking on growth
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AstronomyBlogDiscoveryFeaturedImagesMars
NEW NASA PHOTOS SHOW EXOMARS LANDER MAY HAVE EXPLODED ON IMPACT2 min read
Sebastien ClarkeOctober 22, 201600262
When an object traveling through space encounters a planet, what survives of that encounter usually leaves a mark. This is no less true for meteorites than it is for expensive, carefully calibrated robots. Launched toward Mars by the European Space Agency, the Schiaparelli lander had an ominous, silent descent onto the red planet this week, leaving the world wondering whether it survived the landing.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS, Arizona State University
Schiaparelli Landing Site
The predicted landing ellipse is at the center of the main image. The image on the lower left is from May 29, 2016. The image on the right is from October 20th, 2016, and the two new objects visible may be Europe’s crashed lander.
When NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter passed over the landing site yesterday, it found evidence that something, indeed, made it to the surface.
Create, Discover and Share GIFs on Gfycat
A release from the European Space Agency about the finding is cautious in its language, never spelling out the possibility that the Schiaparelli lander is permanently offline. A small bright patch appears to be the lander’s parachute and heat shield, and a larger dark spot, roughly 50 feet by 130 feet, could be the cloud of Schiaparelli’s impact. Without active thrusters to slow the descent, the ESA estimates that the lander approached the surface of the planet at a speed of over 180 mph. There is only so much careful language that can obscure an assessment like this: “It is also possible that the lander exploded on impact, as its thruster propellant tanks were likely still full.”
Europe’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter made it to its final destination in full working order, unlike its land-bound companion. Scientists will use photos of the crash site and data relayed from the crashing lander to the orbiter to figure out what went wrong in the landing.
Says the European Space Agency:
Since the module’s descent trajectory was observed from three different locations, the teams are confident that they will be able to reconstruct the chain of events with great accuracy. The exact mode of anomaly onboard Schiaparelli is still under investigation.
If the lander is truly dead, as its scattered parts on the Martian surface seem to indicate, there is still science to do in learning how, exactly, it happened, and how to ensure ESA’s Mars rover, launching in 2020, doesn’t meet the same fate. Science is an iterative process, and for every great leap for humankind, there are several other, less successful hops, and even some tragic fumbles, that we had to learn from first.
AFTER ROUGH DESCENT, EUROPE'S MARS LANDER IS PROBABLY DEAD Previous post
Top 4 Degrees to Reach Your Dream of Becoming an Astronaut Next post
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Unique records, 16 results 16
English, 16 results 16
UNESCO, 2 results 2
UNESCO Staff Associations, 1 results 1
Conference of Allied Ministers of Education , 1 results 1
International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation, 1 results 1
Archives and Documentation of International Organizations
FR PUNES AG 15
The Archive Group has three fonds:Archives of the Intergovernmental Bureau for Informatics (IBI)Archives of the International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies (ICPHS / CIPSH)Part of the archives of the African Training and Research Ce...
Archives of Colour Reproductions of Paintings
This Archive Group refers to a project of the Culture Sector from 1949 to ca. 1979. Since 1949, UNESCO, with the assistance of its National Commissions, made contact with publishers of reproductions of famous paintings throughout the world. The r...
Archives of Field Offices, Institutes and Centres
The Archive Group is composed of archives of UNESCO Field Offices, Institutes and Centres which have been transferred to the UNESCO Archives in the Headquarters building in Paris. It further includes a collection of information about the archival...
Archives of Staff Associations
The archival holdings of the UNESCO Staff Associations concern all activities of the associations (cultural activities, journeys, sports, gala, tombolas, incl. photos of the events), the relations between the association and the Director General, ...
UNESCO Staff Associations
The Audiovisual Section, Sector for External Relations and Public Information, keeps the major part of the audiovisual collections covering the period 1945 to present, namely: - A film collection of 12,500 cans, containing a little over 1,000 titl...
The Archive Group contains the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education fonds.
In 2004, UNESCO launched an electronic records management initiative in order to archive the growing number of e-mails and electronic documents. The same year, the Archives and Records Management Unit started to regularly crawl the UNESCO portal a...
International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation
Microcopies
Microcopies of official documents
Publications, documents and records on UNESCO
The Archive Group contains publications, articles, films, research, documents and records about UNESCO, its purpose and its activities. It also contains a number of small private fonds of former staff members, consultants, and delegates.
Secretariat Documents
The Archive Group consists of coded official documents issued by the Secretariat and then transferred to the Archives.
Secretariat records, as separate from Secretariat Documents issued with official document codes, include programme files, project files, division files, registry files, administrative files, and working files. The Archival Group is comprised of t...
UNESCO Publications
The Archive Group consists of publications produced or funded by the UNESCO Secretariat from the foundation of UNESCO in 1946 until now. The Archival Group is arranged into three collections:Works published directly by UNESCO under its own imprint...
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The Open Bioinformatics Journal
The Challenge of Genome Sequence Assembly
Andrew Collins*
Genetic Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Duthie Building (MP 808), University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
Although whole genome sequencing is enabling numerous advances in many fields achieving complete chromosome-level sequence assemblies for diverse species presents difficulties. The problems in part reflect the limitations of current sequencing technologies. Chromosome assembly from ‘short read’ sequence data is confounded by the presence of repetitive genome regions with numerous similar sequence tracts which cannot be accurately positioned in the assembled sequence. Longer sequence reads often have higher error rates and may still be too short to span the larger gaps between contigs.
Given the emergence of exciting new applications using sequencing technology, such as the Earth BioGenome Project, it is necessary to further develop and apply a range of strategies to achieve robust chromosome-level sequence assembly. Reviewed here are a range of methods to enhance assembly which include the use of cross-species synteny to understand relationships between sequence contigs, the development of independent genetic and/or physical scaffold maps as frameworks for assembly (for example, radiation hybrid, optical motif and chromatin interaction maps) and the use of patterns of linkage disequilibrium to help position, orient and locate contigs.
Results and Conclusion:
A range of methods exist which might be further developed to facilitate cost-effective large-scale sequence assembly for diverse species. A combination of strategies is required to best assemble sequence data into chromosome-level assemblies. There are a number of routes towards the development of maps which span chromosomes (including physical, genetic and linkage disequilibrium maps) and construction of these whole chromosome maps greatly facilitates the ordering and orientation of sequence contigs.
Keywords: Chromosome assembly, Cross-species synteny, Earth BioGenome Project, Linkage disequilibrium map, Sequence contigs, Whole genome sequencing .
Publisher Id: TOBIOIJ-11-231
© 2018 Andrew Collins.
* Address correspondence to the author at the Genetic Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Duthie Building (MP 808), University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK; Tel: 44(0)2381206939; E-mail: arc@soton.ac.uk
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What Should We Do with Our Brain?
Catherine Malabou
Recent neuroscience, in replacing the old model of the brain as a single centralized source of control, has emphasized plasticity,the quality by which our brains develop and change throughout the course of our lives. Our brains exist as historical products, developing in interaction with themselves and with their surroundings.Hence there is a thin line between the organization of the nervous system and the political and social organization that both conditions and is conditioned by human experience. Looking carefully at contemporary neuroscience, it is hard not to notice that the new way of talking about the brain mirrors the management discourse of the neo-liberal capitalist world in which we now live, with its talk of decentralization, networks, and flexibility. Consciously or unconsciously, science cannot but echo the world in which it takes place.In the neo-liberal world, plasticitycan be equated with flexibility-a term that has become a buzzword in economics and management theory. The plastic brain would thus represent just another style of power, which, although less centralized, is still a means of control. In this book, Catherine Malabou develops a second, more radical meaning for plasticity. Not only does plasticity allow our brains to adapt to existing circumstances, it opens a margin of freedom to intervene, to change those very circumstances. Such an understanding opens up a newly transformative aspect of the neurosciences.In insisting on this proximity between the neurosciences and the social sciences, Malabou applies to the brain Marx's well-known phrase about history: people make their own brains, but they do not know it. This book is a summons to such knowledge.
Franco Berardi Bifo 30.03.14:
The subject of Catherine Malabous What Should We Do With Our Brain? is neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to adapt to the environment and to social interaction. The new pathologies of our time (particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, but also attention deficit disorders and panic crises) cannot be exclusively approached from the point of view of psychoanalysis, in terms of language and sexuality. They need to be understood in neurological terms as well. The concept of neuroplasticity has strong political implications, as the brain is going to be the object of the new strategic games: according to Obama’s recent declarations the main scientific investment of the US in the next decade is going to be a project named Brain Activity Mapping.
Forlag: Fordham University Press
Kategori: Filosofi
Oversetter: Sebastian Rand
Varsle meg når denne kommer på lager
E-postadressen du vil varsles på
Andre kunder kjøpte også:
Franco Berardi
After the Future
The Making of the Indebted Man
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The Heretic’s Guide to Global Finance
Hva skal vi gjøre med hjernen vår?
Av samme forfatter:
Les nouveaux blessés
Giorgio Agamben, Catherine Malabou, Peter Sloterdijk
Filosofipakke
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THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS OF CONGO KINTELE CONGRESS CENTRE
By avciarchitects
In AVCI ARCHITECTS, Frontpage
The Congo Kintele Congress Centre is located adjacent to the new Olympic Centre, on the riverbanks of Congo River to the north of Brazzaville. This new centre is designed as a Congress Centre and Hotel complex with complementary functions.
Now we are approaching the completion of the project the construction of which started in July 2015:
Production of woodworks and window guards on the hotel’s northern facade are completed to a large extent. Floor cornice aluminium coating works are still in progress.
Woodworks and window guards on the hotel’s southern facade are completed, while the panoramic elevator installation works are still in progress. Installation of vertical sunshades on the top floor has been completed.
Siding of the low-rise hotel restaurant and spa adjacent to the hotel are still in progress. The first vertical sunshades have been mounted to the hotel’s western facade.
Interior productions of the hotel continue at full pace. While steel column fireproof plasterboard productions continue on one hand, mechanical devices are put in place simultaneously. Mechanical electricity productions at corridors have been completed, with the ceilings closed subsequently. Mechanical-electrical productions have been completed in a large majority of hotel rooms, with the walls made ready for wallpaper application. Ceramic productions at room bathrooms have been completed, while installation of sanitary ware is still in progress.
Assembly of perforated screens at the Congress Hall are about to be completed. The vertical joint gaps between the screens have started to become eye-catching. Interior ceiling and tribune carcass works at the Congress Hall are still in progress.
The first stones have been put in place at the congress foyer. Ceiling covering works at the foyer are still in progress.
Presidential Hall
Assembly of vertical sunshades at the courtyard facade of the Presidential Hall have been completed. The open corridor facade productions, which are also referred to as arcade establishing a connection between all functions, are still in progress. Mezzanine carcasses of the Presidential Meeting Hall have been installed. It is not hard anymore to guess the final shape of ceiling. Mechanical-electrical works at the foyer are still in progress.
Mezzanine carcasses of the Banquet Hall have been installed. All electrical and mechanical installations have been completed. Installation of timber cover is awaited.
The common restaurant mass with its facade almost completed does shine out in the entire worksite. All rough productions including screed have been completed, while the installation of coverings are awaited.
Exhibition Space and Piazza
The exhibition mass that will be used as space for art activities, exhibitions, installation art, and artistic performance inside the entire congress centre is ready to host its first exhibition once the interior floor coverings and lighting fixtures are complete.
The Piazza canopy designed to host public events while enjoying the outdoors even on rainy days has gained an even more magnificent appearance once the coverings have been put in place.
Works in all buildings continue at full pace, while the construction is expected to be completed by August.
Besides, please click the below link for access to more detailed information about the entire project.
Congo Congress Center Project
Africa, avciarchitects, Congo Congress Centre, congress hotel, exhibition, presidential, Selçuk Avci, Sustainability
AVCI ARCHITECTS
AVCI+
Congo Kintele Congress Center
LEED Certificate
MANE HQ
SUMMA Head Quarter
Turkish Contractors Association HQ, TMB
Turkish Green Building Council
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Alien Contact Aliens Amazing Places Ancient Aliens Ancient Civilisations UFO Sightings Unexplained
Spooky ancient sculptures of ‘aliens and spaceships’ in Mexican cave spark claims extraterrestrials have lived on Earth
ANCIENT sculptures depicting alien-like figures have been found in a cave in Mexico, it has been claimed.
The spooky artefacts which reportedly date back thousands of years show creatures with long faces and wide eyes.
Other sculptures appear to show spaceships flying through the air.
The mystery objects are reportedly popular among locals who live near the caves in an unspecified area of Mexico, reports The Daily Star.
The clip showing the eerie pictures was uploaded to YouTube channel UFOmania yesterday and has already been viewed thousands of times.
Despite the channel not providing any background detail to when and where the sculptures were found, many online users appeared convinced by the clip.
A stone features drawing which resemble spacecrafts
Many of the artefacts depict long faces with oval-shaped eyes
The supposedly ancient sculptures have sparked claims that aliens visited earth thousands of years ago
A reportedly ancient sculptor appears to show a humanoid holding a bowl
One wrote: “Incredible evidentiary support of the fact that extraterrestrials have been engaging the human race for a very long time!”
Another said: “Best evidence yet !!!”
While others are were not so easily convinced.
One sceptical YouTuber user wrote: “If it looks too good to be true, it’s probably not.”
This week, we reported that an aerospace expert claims an alien became friends with locals at a seaside resort in Italy – and even posed for a photo.
The grainy black and white snap first appeared in a book by the Italian consul Alberto Perego in 1958 but have never been seen outside of Italy
Dr Roberto Pinotti, 72, said the otherworldly visitor, who wore dark shades to cover his eyes, let two of them on board his flying saucer.
The strange encounter allegedly happened in Francavillia, on the Adriatic Coast, in October 1957.
Dr Pinotti said a group of residents were regularly visited by human-like extraterrestrials who wanted to be “friends” with mankind – just like ET in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounter movie. Two men were allowed to enter the UFO to take photographs.
The diameter of the UFO was 24 metres, and the control cabin was 10 metres, they claimed.
The grainy black and white snaps first appeared in a book called “Sono Extraterrestri” by the Italian consul Alberto Perego in 1958 but have never been seen outside of Italy.
Source www.thesun.co.uk
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Zimbabwe: Private Sector Says Not Ready for African Continental Free Area
Zimbabwe: Binga Farmer Strikes Gold With Castor Bean
South Africa: Old Mutual's Battle With Peter Moyo Is Not Only About a Conflict of Interest
Sudan: MTN Urged Not to Shut Down Internet
Namibia: Tunacor Fishing Goes Solar
Malawi: Court Dismisses Request to Stop Tembo Office Park Project
Photo: Jerry Chifamba/allAfrica
Harare.
By Alois Vinga
The private sector in Zimbabwe has admitted that local manufacturers are not yet ready to join the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) due to serious economic challenges and policy inconsistencies obtaining back home.
Speaking at the national forum on the AFCFTA Wednesday, former Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president, Sifelani Jabangwe said that the country's manufacturers had been sidelined in the processes and were facing a number of limitations to fully embrace the initiative.
"We would like to highlight some concerns. As you may be aware, we have similar commitments with the Southern African Development Community, Common Market for East and Southern Africa, Tripartite Free Trade Area as well as other bilateral free trade agreements which Zimbabwe is a signatory to," he said.
Jabangwe said the country has also signed another agreement to enter into a partnership with the European Union and one of the issues which need to be addressed is the implementation of the agreements.
"There has been more top to down approach in implementation and as private sector we also need inclusion in order to have ownership of such initiatives. Currently, as we participate in this, the challenge we are facing is to engage the private sector for them to participate in the ACFTA negotiations because they are currently grappling with the current state of our economy," Jabangwe said.
The top industrialist said to some extent, most of the private sector players viewed initiatives of this kind as one of those programmes that have once been entered into by SADC, COMESA and other organisations but failed to bring anything to fruition.
He said there was poor trade routes connectivity within African markets, a situation which continues to give European markets a comparative advantage.
Jabangwe also expressed doubts over the continent's capacity to benefit from AFCFTA arguing that most companies on the continent were manufacturing the same kind of goods and exporting to the same markets.
In February this year, Industry and Commerce Ministry director of International Trade, Beatrice Mutetwa told parliamentarians that Zimbabwe requested for time out of the AFCFTA due to low industry productivity.
"We have requested for between 13 to 15 years and thereafter, we will be able to compete with our continental counterparts," she said.
However, government now appears to be ready to proceed with the plans to join the trade platform.
Zimbabwe signed the Agreement Establishing the AFCFTA on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda.
AFCFTA aims at creating a single Market for Goods and Services, facilitated by movement of persons in order to deepen the economic integration of the African Continent, in accordance with the Pan African Vision.
Opposition's Majome Sworn in As Anti-Corruption Commissioner
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn in former Harare West legislator and a member of the opposition Movement for… Read more »
Tanzania: Two Auditing Firms Axed, One On Hold
Nigeria: Ahead of Mele Kyari's Resumption, NNPC Promotes, Disengages Personnel
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Donald Glover’s ‘Atlanta’ Season 2 Pushed to 2018, Blame Han Solo
FX and Donald Glover’s Atlanta rightly cleaned up at the Golden Globes this past Sunday, but there’s good news and bad going forward. As expected, Season 2 has been pushed out of 2017 due to Glover’s Star Wars commitments, though FX and Glover have struck a deal for even more shows.
As announced at the FX TCA panels, Atlanta Season 2 is indeed pushed until 2018, so as to allow Glover to complete his work as Lando Calrissian in the as-yet-untitled Han Solo Star Wars film. Additionally, the ex-Community star has signed a new FX overall deal to develop new TV series for “FX Networks and other networks and streaming services.”
Says FX:
Donald is a remarkable artist, effortlessly shifting from actor to writer, producer, director and musician to create one amazing project after another. Atlanta was just the beginning, the breakout comedy of the year and a series revered as much for its originality as its honest look at the experience of being aspiring, young and black in that legendary city. We’re proud to partner with Donald in an overall deal that will allow him to continue turning his creative vision into incredible television.
Atlanta itself took a lengthy development period to begin with, but will Season 2 have lost any momentum by moving to 2018? Stay tuned for the latest.
The Best TV Shows of 2016 (According to Kevin Fitzpatrick)
Source: Donald Glover’s ‘Atlanta’ Season 2 Pushed to 2018, Blame Han Solo
Filed Under: donald glover, fx
Categories: Bozeman News
Gallatin Co Search & Rescue Member Dies in Climb
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African Literature, African Critics
The Forming of Critical Standards, 1947-1966
African Literature, African Critics ( )
Author: Bishop, Rand
Series title: Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies
Publication Date: Jul 1988
Publisher: ABC-CLIO, LLC
Imprint: Praeger
Book Format: Hardback
List Price: USD $84.00
From a forest of controversies and opinions by African and non-African critics and writers, Bishop has been able to elicit strong paradigms of critical and theoretical evaluation of African literature by Africans themselves, and therein lies the abiding merit of this book. Modern Fiction Studies
The years immediately following World War II saw an extraordinary literary development in Black sub-Saharan Africa--the emergence of a virtually new literature. This phenomenon...
The years immediately following World War II saw an extraordinary literary development in Black sub-Saharan Africa--the emergence of a virtually new literature. This phenomenon became the center of critical controversy as writers, commentators, and scholars attempted to forge a set of aesthetic standards for this new literature. Although the European contribution to this discussion is will known, the views of African critics, who have been writing voluminously on the subject since the 1940s, have been given far less attention. In this study, Bishop provides the first systematic examination of how Africans themselves have evaluated African literature in English and French from the early postwar years to the opening of the first World Festival of Negro Arts in 1966.
Detailed Subjects: Literary Criticism / African
Physical Dimensions (W X L X H): 6.357 x 9.516 Inches
Georgia, Suppleme...
Rawick George P.
Good Time Coming?
Rusco, Elmer R.
More Than Dancing
Jackson Irene V.
The American Slav...
Shteyngart, Gary
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For the record, July 9, 2019
Email your For the Record information to: fortherecord@biv.com.
Please include a high-resolution, colour headshot where possible. Photos appear in the print edition only.
Mary Lou Miles has been promoted to director of wealth management at Genus Capital Management, an independent investment management firm. Miles has been a portfolio manager for more than 20 years, joining Genus in 2005.
Christine Bergeron has been promoted to chief member services officer at Vancouver City Savings Credit Union. Bergeron has held several leadership roles since joining Vancity in 2011, including vice-president of community business and vice-president of impact investment, wealth management and community real estate.
Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP welcomes Janine Kroser as its new chief operating officer. Kroser succeeds Wayne Scott, who is retiring and has been with Alexander Holburn for 12 years. Prior to this appointment, Kroser was with Watson Goepel LLP.
Lawson Lundell LLP has welcomed several new hires. Carolyn Simpson has joined the corporate commercial group as a partner. Jeffrey Hernaez has joined the civil litigation group as an associate focused on commercial disputes. Kayli Clark, Max Rudakov and Jisoo Vis have also joined the firm’s Vancouver office as associates: Clark joins the tax group, Rudakov joins the corporate commercial group and Vis joins the corporate commercial and China initiative groups.
Miller Titerle + Co. welcomes Connor Levy to its employment law group. Levy practises in the areas of labour, employment, privacy, human rights and workers’ compensation matters.
Tammey George has been appointed chief operating officer at Watson Goepel LLP. Alyshia Jiwan has also joined the firm as an associate in the business group. George has more than 25 years of business development experience and, prior to this appointment, was director of marketing and business development at Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP. Jiwan completed her articles at Watson Goepel and has a practice focused on general corporate commercial matters.
Carol Robinson, founder and principal of Harbour West Consulting, has been appointed to the board of directors for the Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Area.
Gary Zhang has been appointed chief technology officer at Glance Technologies Inc. He succeeds Angela Griffin. Zhang has more than 20 years of technology experience and, since 2010, has operated his own software-as-a-service (SaaS) consulting company to help his clients build solid SaaS products, operate profitable SaaS businesses and complete successful digital transformations.
HATS OFF
Business in Vancouver welcomes submissions from local small businesses and large corporations alike that demonstrate examples of corporate philanthropy and community involvement in the Vancouver area. High-resolution images are also welcome.
Corix Water Products donated $15,000 to PALS Autism Society’s school program. The funds are proceeds from the firm’s annual Golf for Kids Charity Classic in Victoria and will be used to modify the school’s new home in New Westminster, which opened in March 2019.
West Coast Seeds donated $6,500 to Covenant House Vancouver. Funds were raised through the company’s annual tomato seedling sale in early May.
Since 2015, the Lohn Foundation has given Children of the Street Society annual grants totalling $11,000 to help the society in its work to keep B.C.’s young people safe from sexual exploitation.
Sherwin Williams employees recognized National Paint Week by gathering and volunteering their time and supplies with the Salvation Army on May 30, refreshing four rooms in three different community ministry units in one day. •
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Journalism? It's a Tribal Thing
On July 30, 2009 By broadsideblogIn culture, Media, Uncategorized
Image by Okinawa Soba via Flickr
This is the first in an ongoing series, every Thursday for the next six weeks, maybe more, of essays and interviews about news journalism, and why and how some of us do it. I’ll also offer original interviews with J-veterans whose work I admire, writers and photojournalists. If it’s Thursday – it’s J-Day…
Make no mistake. We’re a tribe. Whatever the ritual scars or initiation rites, becoming a respected, recognized news journalist — regardless of your medium or tools of transmission — can be as difficult and arcane as hunting and killing a wild boar or surviving many long hours alone in a dark, forbidding place. It does not happen, nor should it happen, overnight. If it does, beware. It is quite probably unearned. And the tribe knows it.
The tribe, regardless of age, race, gender, religion or nationality, has time-honored rituals, the shared and inevitable scars we’ve acquired and sometimes discuss over a beer in Berlin or at a conference in Boston or at a presser in Brooklyn or Doha. The breathtaking self-assurance of some, that so often spills over into arrogance, hides the truth we all really know. Every one of us will err, whether it shows up in the paper’s corrections box or remains a private and unresolved matter of conscience. Within this industry, at almost any level of the game, there’s daily doubt and fear, confusion and pain — and, sometimes, great, shared joy when we’ve done it well.
Missing a deadline, getting someone’s name wrong (or several), getting the name of the company you’re covering wrong, losing your press credential, “forgetting” to turn in your official credential(s) after you’re canned or quit because you can’t bear to lose it, making (up) a new one, missing the bus or train or plane that will get you to the place you need(ed) to be to cover the story, not having enough money to get the next one. Standing in 100 degree heat and humidity, or a driving rain or a hurricane, to get to the right details or source. Losing your pen, your notebook, your tape recorder and/or tapes, losing your camera or laptop. Spilling coffee all over your notebook so you can’t read your notes. Getting caught in rain or snow so you can’t write in your notebook because the paper’s wet and you don’t have a tape recorder. Getting back from an interview with not enough notes and you can’t make anything up and you can’t bear calling people back and re-interviewing them because they’ll realize how incompetent you’ve just been.
Misunderstanding a foreign-language word or phrase, translating it, and mis-quoting. Having 10 minutes to file. Filing for all five editions. Filing from the newsroom because your boss is too cheap to get you there while every single competitor is on-site for the story and about to kick your ass. Writing a review in 20 minutes and dictating it over the phone because you have no time to actually write it down. Doing a stakeout, being scared to pee for hours — and being scared to drink anything because then you”ll really have to pee — and possibly missing the exact moment you’ve been waiting 15 hours for.
Climbing the stairs in a filthy, stinking apartment building to talk to people who scare you. Getting lost in the South Bronx or Beirut or Istanbul or Brixton and it’s getting dark and you’re almost out of gas and alone and your cellphone is dead and, in some of these places, there are people around you wearing very large guns. Trying to find a doctor while pointing to the right phrases in the dictionary between spasms. Interviewing skinny, languid women whose idea of deprivation means having three nannies and five homes. Being lied to because you’re a woman and they assume you’re stupid. Being lied to because you’re young, or look young, and they assume you know nothing. Being lied to by anyone who knows you’re their megaphone, or maybe just their bitch.
Interviewing someone — maybe a rapist or murderer — who makes your skin crawl, still capturing the story dispassionately as you are being paid to do. Interviewing someone weeping hard as they re-tell their trauma, trying to capture the story calmly and dispassionately, as you are being paid to do. Trying to parse the difference, then and later — sometimes haunted for decades by what you did or did not do in that moment — between dispassion and compassion. Knowing that telling stories without context and history, and often compassion, leaves your audience with a dull pile ‘o facts. Knowing there’s a thin line, frequently crossed, between informing and pandering. Wondering when reporting slithers into voyeurism and what do to when your boss pushes you past your comfort zone.
Watching your scoop rot in the system as one after another of your competitors gets the story weeks or months after you did but your editor(s) or producer(s) just won’t run it, being screamed at by an editor who is a dick, being screamed at by an editor who has a very good reason for screaming at you. Being threatened with a lawsuit. Surviving a lawsuit. Pulling your punches because you — or your publisher — are too scared of a lawsuit or, more likely, losing ad dollars. Wanting to walk out the door in protest, except that you have a mortgage/student loans/no job waiting. Building your fuck-you fund, the one that will let you walk out the door next time. There will be a next time.
Asking a colleague for a help while they turn away with a sneer, helping a smart, talented kid who didn’t get an Ivy degree, helping anyone with passion and smarts to do it right, listening to one more lame-ass intern whine about their talent. Watching that kid get the job the other kid should have gotten. Watching someone with a six-figure salary produce 3 or 5 stories a year when no one you know and respect can get their resume read.
Watching someone in authority stride down the hallway toward you, shouting at you — yeah, you — and having to figure out how you’re going to salvage your dignity, your story and your job. Shouting back, when necessary. Wearing flat shoes on assignment so you can climb and run fast. Being manhandled by security. Trying to take notes in the dark in a moving vehicle. In another language. Wondering if your translator is being truthful.
Reading the wires late at night and finding a weird little story that no one else seems to have noticed and growing it into a national story that no one else seems to have noticed and getting it first, and right. Having your sorry, terrified, grateful ass saved by a soldier. Interviewing the preternaturally calm and generous parent of a dead young soldier. Finally understanding why that job is so much harder than you can ever suitably explain.
Being really scared to walk into a building or down a cold, wet, dark street and into a situation where you’ll surely get shouted at, possibly get shoved or grabbed or, worst of all, endanger your life in — and maybe having a photographer or cameraman with you who says, and means, “I’ll come get you.” Giving a colleague a tip who then wins the prize/gets the book deal/award/fellowship and you don’t. Knowing your story got someone in trouble/demoted/fired/messed with their marriage/family, asking someone questions so deeply personal and painful they start to shake, listening to someone tell you they were raped or tortured or a victim of incest or corruption or infidelity — feeling as surely as the air in your lungs that this is the first time they have told anyone, that, somehow, they feel safe enough with you to tell you this about themselves. Like unveiling this before a minister or rabbi or a therapist, there can be catharsis in this for them. Sitting there, holding this fragile, terrible story in your hands, like some thin-shelled egg, knowing you must not dishonor it. You must not be careless with the gift of trust that someone you do not know has now placed in you. They assume you have a moral compass.
You must honor this belief. You must behave accordingly.
Don’t betray them. Don’t betray yourself. Don’t betray us.
JournalismjournalistsnewsnewspapersreportersreportingRite of passagewire services
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Journalists, (Believe It Or Not), Have Feelings Too, says A New Documentary
29 thoughts on “Journalism? It's a Tribal Thing”
Katie Drummond
I’m 23, and so much of this already resonates. That said, I am increasingly wondering whether some of it ever will – journalism is transforming so quickly that I’m not sure it will resemble some of what you describe within even a few years. And I don’t know that that’s a good thing…
Katie, my fear is that there are so few places for those of us who take this stuff seriously to really talk frankly to one another and figure it out. Media critics are one piece of this, but only one small piece.
Glad this made sense to you!
andygeiger
Very moving Caitlin. You’ve painted a very encompassing picture of what i’ve always imagined it’s like (and more) for someone with your profession. And all of those struggles, and life experiences and diversity of human touches… Can only imagine the kind of human being it takes to do that. But as a consumer of news media for 30 odd years now, why do i then indeed feel betrayed by ‘the tribe’? It seems like these days, the average news consumer has to have a certain level of wherewithall just to know where to find news that isn’t the pandering you describe (and sometimes i even second guess those who have won over my superlative cynicism). I know it’s not your job to help people sort through the trash for truth, but i somehow can’t help but feel that if the Fourth Estate (whatever that really is) was truly engendered with the ideals you’ve described that we wouldn’t have things like Fox news.
andy, thanks much for your thoughts. I agree, it’s tough indeed to find material you think valuable, true, thoughtful. It’s out there, and often not where you find it most easily.
I’m a big fan of BBC World News, and listen to it every morning for a full hour, a true luxury I can enjoy as someone who works at home. I also speak French and Spanish so can find stories in those languages I can’t get otherwise. But even reading the Canadian and British press can add something slightly different, no doubt in my mind. My reading ranges fairly widely, including books, radio, TV, some on-line, magazines and newspapers. If 10 percent of what I get from each is good, that’s a lot of sifting! I value the Washington Post and read it weekly, through their weekly paper version. I love the weekend FT for its columnists, and some of the loveliest prose I’ve read in a newspaper.
I have always loved being a journalist for allowing me to meet the insane array of people I have, from the Queen of England to murderers. I have at times been quite terrified while out on assignment, but you learn, sometimes the hard way, how to stay safe (r). At its very best, it forces you to stay open to new ideas and keep questioning your own decisions and values.
Jeff McMahon
And in spite of all these little terrors, it really is the life of kings. I think it’s so astute to see journalism as a tribal thing, Caitlin, because journalists are not like other kinds of doers. It’s a truth-telling tribe, cemented by a unique set of values, and as that tribe becomes increasingly small and exclusive, I worry most about those values, which are not valued quite so much, as far as I can see, in any other tribe: being accurate, being fair, going to the source, relying on facts, getting all sides of a story before considering it complete enough to judge. It’s those values we should protect, as a society, rather than the business model, which never was a perfect fit.
July 30, 2009 at 12:02 pm Reply
Jeff, thanks. I know that any business needs to earn profit to pay us to write (well). But when you water down the free/low-paid content to puff pieces and re-written press releases, what are people actually paying for?
I dare anyone, anywhere, to live safely and be governed well in a society where the only “free” press is a bunch of people writing only what amuses them and their advertisers. The very best investigative reporters, literally (Silkwood, etc) die for these values.
Mathew Hennessy
Of course, there’s an ugly side to tribalism, and I would say much of the beating that traditional media has been taking is related to that…
Mathew, I agree. Say more…?
Fran Johns
One you missed: Leaping bravely out of your car to document a robbery in progress, writing and filing a vivid, extraordinary report, later being told by cop friend who saw you with note pad and camera: “You do know we were filming a training video, don’t you?” Story, and follow-up column about journalistic bravery, remained on police HQ bulletin board longer than I would have preferred.
Michael Hastings
Caitlin, great piece.
My concern about blogging, and the Politico-ization of journalism is that ideas like compassion get lost somewhere. Compassion doesn’t always translate into instant web hits. And, it’s been my experience that compassion is really lacking in so much of the web discourse. (This is a huge generalization, but I think it’s accurate.)
As Katie points out, perhaps the value system you describe is being lost. But, I’m confident that there will always be a place for compelling, indepth, narrative journalism that can be compassionate. That there will be publications willing to devote the space, and the resources, to telling lasting, powerful stories. Perhaps the tribe of those who write it will be smaller, but I think Youtube clips and TMZ.com and can only satisfy the truly curious up to a point.
Michael, thanks.
I’m not a bleeding heart, but I think journalism without compassion (sometimes depending on your beat) is a real waste of time. This may very much be generational (?), but I’m fed up with and worn out by relentless irony and hip detachment and in-jokes. The writers/journos I envy for their skill — as you did today in your cool post — are passionate and engaged, those still willing to extend themselves far, far beyond what is comfy and known and what they feel certain will make the other cool kids giggle and tweet. It’s just not what gets me out of bed in the morning.
As for not winning instant web hits if I, or you, take the risk of writing with compassion — at the risk of being rude to all of us here — that’s why I’m still writing for the dead-tree crowd; (I have a piece in today’s WSJ.) While there may be, and clearly is, some overlap in audience, the readers I most value share my values in this respect. If that so narrows the audience that I wither away on-line, so be it. I’ve been blogging since April 2009 — and writing professionally for decades. I know what I have. It just may not appeal to online readers.
Fran, what a story! Love it.
Caitlin–yes, compassion can’t be the only virtue–and good journalism usually has elements of mischief and boat rocking and indignation as well(and throw in a tad of the cut throat and viciousness every once in awhile.) I suppose what I’m getting at is that in the new media environment, there just isn’t much space, the room, to show compassion in a meaninful way.
I think your point is not entirely generational. The never ending stream of irony that infects so much of the what elite kids consume in their media diets on a regular basis is, in my view, pretty destructive. It creates a kind of apathy, borders on the nihilistic. It makes everything seem trivial. It allows the status quo to remain the status quo, gets us off the hook from caring, from showing real emotion–it makes us suspicious of real emotion, in fact.
Not that there isn’t room for plenty of irony, or that irony isn’t a valuable prism to interpret the world, maybe it just needs to be in moderation… Don’t know where I’m going with this, so I’ll say goodnight.
Scott Bowen
You’re “worn out by relentless irony,” and yet you listen to the BBC radio a.m. broadcast? I listen to it, too, and sometimes I have to turn it off because I can’t stand one more minute of a reporter floating on an air of toffy-accented condescension when dealing with a subject whom he or she holds in question or, audibly, in contempt.
Scott, interesting point. Like all the media I consume, it offers great bits and lousy bits. In general, I find it no more or less insufferable in tone than NPR or other U.S. networks on occasion. When I dislike BBC, it’s more because they’re droning on for 15 minutes about something really obscure. I do enjoy their sense of humor, which, as a Canadian, is somewhat more familiar to me.
But the BBC, from my experience of it over a few years now, is often still months ahead on major stories of the elite American press.
The BBC does take the prize for international coverage. That’s why I listen. They go after small and large despots regularly, much to their credit. Their weekly “We Don’t Understand Rural Americans” installment amuses me, also. But there comes a point in every ten interviews or so when the reporter, who should otherwise leave any bias unrevealed, turns up the “I don’t believe you and I don’t like you” tone, and my own journalistic tactics reject it.
Ali Eteraz
Thank you for this illuminating post and discussion.
I clearly know nothing — and have a lot to learn.
Scott, the BBC does the same thing American reporters overseas so often do — “ooo, what a weird thing XXXXXn’s do”. Good foreign reporting, as we both know, isn’t a quick hit but takes time to understand the larger context. That costs money.
It also takes a willingness to move beyond surface reads and personal bias. If the reporter isn’t doing it, their producer or editor needs to kick their butt. If their bosses fail to demand it, time to find another media outlet.
They’ve all got weaknesses.
I also sometimes wonder how often the imperial mindset kicks in.
The European press is also less traditionally objective. When you read The Guardian, you’re not getting the right’s view of anything, for example.
Viv Bernstein
Caitlin,
You really captured us — the best of us, anyway. Thank you for that.
I can’t help but feel that ethic slipping away, though. Veteran reporters are dismissed to save money and young reporters don’t have enough role models to show them the way. The internet makes the world a speaker’s corner. Everybody has a voice, but there is no guidance and few who aspire to maintaining any standard.
I tend to be cynical about the future of journalism. I hope I’m wrong.
Viv, thanks for your comment. This is something that really concerns me, and I’ll address next week — the paucity of role models for the next generation of journalists, whatever their medium.
I learned, as likely you did, from the questions and challenges (as I still do, with my work for the WSJ and NYT) of tough, demanding editors and by watching and learning from those colleagues who were ferocious in their dedication and skill. My greatest sense of longing for a newsroom is less the paycheck, which I do miss, than a deeply shared culture, knowing there are always a few people working ten feet away from me who know how to do almost anything better than I can, that I can access their knowledge and up my game through exposure to their experience. You can’t just guess at how to improve.
That also assumes (naively?) that writers still, always, want to improve.
How, in this online world, do you/we create any sense of shared value(s) and pass those along? It’s that discontinuity that worries me because you can’t just hit the “publish” key and assume your stuff is great because of that. Because it so often isn’t.
I wonder if it’s only the old-school journo’s like me (and maybe you in this respect) who actually look at that “publish” button and think…yeah,right. It’s not that easy, and when it is…is it any damn good?
July 31, 2009 at 7:27 am Reply
Marcelo Ballve
I liked this post, it’s about a way of life in a certain profession, and as several comments already pointed out, there is a certain sepia-tinted feel to the descriptions. We feel that it’s a way of life, a culture, that’s slipping away. Why? I think much, but not all, of what defined this culture was the pursuit of scoops. Back then, information really did provide media properties a competitive edge. It was a world of generalists pursuing the day’s or week’s stories, topics, obsessions etc. trying to get a better, fresher story on deadline than their colleagues. Now (as this thought-provoking article states, http://tiny.cc/4TxY9), maybe it’s more about specialized knowledge. Content is commoditized, so is information, knowledge is still hard to come by. In the future, journalists will spend less time hooked on the adrenaline of the story chase, and more time hooked into a particular expertise, developing the base of knowledge that will make their information valuable. It’s not just beat journalism, it’s journalists knowing as much or more about a topic than the people they interview, it’s about lifelong devotion to a subject. It’s about publications creating a prism that builds knowledge as it filters the world through it. The Internet makes it possible for just a few publishers to come up with raw “news” i.e. information (an AP-type role) and leave the rest of us to pursue knowledge.
davecullen
Very nice piece. I have not been in all those situations, but quite a few, and some of them gave me the shudders. My worst, in recent memory, was a woman telling me about her suicide attempts, and the gradual realization that she was considering more, and I was the first person she was telling, so now I was responsible. I got so nervous about what to do, I faked a full bladder to get to the bathroom to collect my thoughts. I planned to call a shrink from the stall for advice, but found enough clarity in there to work it out temporarily.
But I’m with you and Jeff on the flipside, too. I get to meet amazing people. Most of them people have never heard of, but they have done extraordinary things, and have keen insights. They really enrich my life. I’d never get to meet a fraction of them in any other profession.
I like the tribal concept, too. Cultural anthropologists have this concept of liminal people (I hope that’s the word–True/Slant’s spellcheck claims it doesn’t exist), who are outsiders, betwixt and between, who are not quite seen as part of the main tribe, so they allowed to break all sorts of taboos and go/see/do/hear things ordinary members are excluded from.
(I wish I could remember the examples better: priests, shamans, diplomats, any kind of performers (today, stand up comics, especially), often gay people (definitely drag queens–think about all the outrageous behavior they get away with), foreigners, and often things you wouldn’t expect, like money-lenders. Eg, the Medieval German princes trusted Jewish moneylenders, because they were so ostracized that their wealth could not conceivably translate to political power. Outsiders/liminals are marginalized in some ways, but are granted unusual power in others.)
We’re treated that way. Things tend to change when a reporter enters the room. Everyone knows we’re not one of them. (Though a good reporter is good at helping them forget it–which can bring on its own ethical dilemmas.)
We’re treated as members of a wider, disparate, alien tribe, because we are. It’s good to find our tribe out there. It’s lonely without one.
I don’t know where this fits in, but Laurie Anderson once said she thinks of her main job as spy. She travels the country, spying on people, on the culture. Then she has to figure out what’s going on and write/perform art about it, but the primary element is going out there to gather the intelligence.
I loved that. When I heard her say that, I went, “Ohhhhhhhhhh. Me too.”
And I love the idea of being part of her tribe.
Thanks for your thoughts, Marcelo. I agree with some, and less so with others. Scoops were always, and still are, a relatively small, if important, part of what traditional journalism has been about. The best stories, I think, weren’t always first, (though often they were the first to look in depth) but thoughtful analysis, adding context and history, gotten through boots-on-the-ground (not bloody Google!) firsthand reporting. The wires frequently got it first and likely still will, with some Web journo’s nipping at their heels. We need a wide range of smart people looking at the same story as the best ones will see huge holes remaining in coverage where others think it’s all been said and done.
My post was not pure nostalgia, nor was it meant to be. More of a cri de coeur. If I lament anything, and I do, it is the notion that those who purport to offer “journalism” share any values about what that actually means. With all due respect, the best journalists are those who’ve always made it their job to know as much or more about a subject as those they interview. That’s not new. A good/great journo is like a courtroom lawyer. You rarely ask a question whose answer is likely to utterly surprise you because you’ve done so much research/thinking/prep in advance.
The problem with firing all the old farts who actually knew how to do this is is: 1) who’s there to teach the next generation? 2) where, if anywhere, are the old farts (aka those who actually have arguably perfected their skills over decades) going to take their skills and get paid a living wage to use them?
Is “knowledge” really something we can all access without paying a penny for it?
This is interesting. I really disagree that traditional journalists, even the best ones, knew more about their subjects than their sources did (a health reporter knew more about cancer than an oncologist?; a courts reporter more about the law than a judge?). Some reporters may have been experts, like an MD covering health, but from my observations in old-school news rooms (AP, Newsday) that mostly wasn’t the case. What they did was collect, synthesize, analyze and package information in a way that was attractive and interesting to the average reader. They were great at it. But I think journalists and publications need to cope with the fact that maybe their services (the sort you enumerate) aren’t as valuable as they once were, unless they’re willing to go an extra step. That’s why general market newspapers are mostly doing badly, while more specialized publications are doing a little better, and in some cases much better.
To water down my case a little: It may be not always be a case of a reporter needing to have a finance degree to cover Wall Street (although I would say that’s a good idea). It may be that the expertise and knowledge can come from their outlet being good at filtering the news so that it’s a valuable take on the world. For example, I think The Economist and their reporters enjoy their status as one of the only print outfits with a significantly growing readership because they’ve built a lens and an institutional expertise that infuse real value into their reporting and writing. The Huffington Post can be viewed similarly, as a publication expert at packaging memes (even if it’s just a headline) that make web-surfing progressive drool into their keyboards. Most big newspapers aren’t too adept at adding value or finding a unique personality, yet. For now, they stick to the old mentality: get it first, get it right, and get it better. It’s nice to read the beautiful takeouts some of them occasionally produce, but frankly, they’re often dispensable in the same way a luxury item is, it’s nice to savor them for an hour or two every morning, but who can afford that? So maybe the traditional way is just not enough anymore, or maybe only one property/brand can emerge as the alpha old-school newspaper (which is kind of the case already). Many ‘old farts’ are trying to fuse the old values with the new ones of a marketplace that isn’t beholden to one or two local newspapers. I think people will pay for journalism, once they consider it unique, irreplaceable, and indispensable. None of this is mutually exclusive with the old values, it’s just kind of a higher gear. The tribe needs to step it up. I know a lot of people have been fired, etc. But there’s still plenty of need for the ‘old farts’ to inject traditional knowledge into the DNA of the new institutions emerging to upgrade journalism to indispensability.
Dave, great insights. Thanks! We’re liminal, for sure. I first heard that word when I edited someone’s Phd thesis.
Spies at least have an agency to return to, most of the time. Those of us cut free from news organizations now have to maintain our shoe-phones, composure and standards all on our own. Gulp.
Marcelo, you’re scaring me now. Journalism has to be “unique, irreplaceable and indispensable” to be of value? Think I’ll go toss my keyboard into the Hudson in despair.
How do you think — is it possible? is it now happening? — the “old farts” can inject traditional knowledge into the DNA or these new institutions to upgrade their quality? The really cold hard truth is this: who’s paying them/us for it? I’m here at T/S lot, offering whatever value I have — but that’s in whatever time I can spare from the rest of my revenue-producing day. As all of us know, even the most popular of us, are not earning FT staff salary equivalents. HuffPo doesn’t pay its people, so I guess it’s fun and good exposure but, for now, my old fart mortgage company, like everyone’s, doesn’t accept “exposure” when I fill in the check each month.
So, for now, I rely on old media and dead trees to subsidize this on-line work. I rely on equally old fart editors (even those in their 20s); it’s their values and decisions that offer me checks large enough to pay my bills, for now, as I think they still do for many of us.
Few, I think (?) are those people doing exclusively on-line journalism and earning $60-80-100k+ a year from it as senior print journalists have. If they can, cool.
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Roadkill Crossing
Tag Archives: church programs
Abigail Troyer experienced a shakeup of plans
Abigail Troyer of Sugarcreek, Ohio showed of the T-shirt signed by each member of the Heart to Heart International team she assisted in the Haiti earthquake.
By Bruce Stambaugh
When the earth roared like thunder, everything changed for young Abigail Troyer.
The 19-year old rural Sugarcreek woman was in Haiti visiting a friend who worked at a home for poor girls in Leogane, a city of 120,000. When the massive earthquake hit on January 12, Troyer’s vacation turned into a spontaneous mission trip.
With the frightening sound and incredible shaking her first thought was to exit the food storage building she was in. Troyer said she was able to stay on her feet to get out. But once outside she had to crawl on her hands and knees due to the fierce shaking.
“After the shaking stopped, I couldn’t believe it really happened,” Troyer said. “I wasn’t hurt, but I was emotionally spent.”
Troyer said she huddled with the staff and girls in the compound of the school, which is operated by Blue Ridge Missions, headquartered in Montgomery, Indiana. The school helps poor girls with education, hygiene and basic life skills.
Troyer said one of the problems was that the tremblers kept coming every five to 10 minutes, and she wondered when they would quit. Fortunately, no one at the school was seriously hurt, although the buildings and protective concrete wall were severely damaged. Troyer said it could have been much worse, too. She said several of the girls were delayed in going into a building that was destroyed.
“It was scary, especially at night,” Troyer said. “Outside in the streets it was chaos.” Fortunately, the school had a generator, which was run periodically to provide some light for security.
“We also had a couple of guard dogs that protected us,” she said. “Some men from Blue Ridge Missions arrived via the Dominican Republic five days later.” All that time, the staff and schoolgirls slept outside on mats and blankets, Troyer said.
Troyer has worked as a graphic designer at Carlisle Printing in Walnut Creek for two years. But her real ambition is to go to college to become a Registered Nurse.
Little did Troyer know that she would get some first-hand nursing experience before she left for Haiti last New Year’s Eve. But several days after the quake, she got recruited to help the injured.
An aid organization called Heart to Heart International, based in Kansas City, Kansas, sent medical personnel to assist with the multitude of injuries caused by the quake. In searching for a place to locate, members of the group came upon the girls’ school.
“Heart to Heart set up a temporary hospital in the neighborhood,” Troyer explained, “and since we had water from a well, they did their laundry at the compound.”
Once she saw what Heart to Heart was doing, she volunteered her services. Troyer assisted with the injured, and boxed medical supplies for the nurses and doctors.
“I helped clean wounds and wrapped bandages for six days,” Troyer said. “It was amazing to see the wounds heal in that amount of time.” She said she worked with the nurses and doctors six to eight hours a day.
“Originally I went there for a vacation,” she said. “Helping like that wasn’t what we had planned, like shopping, which of course didn’t happen.
Troyer did manage a few souvenirs, just not the ones she had imagined before she left Ohio. A favorite is the colorful flag of Haiti in the form of a scarf. Another is a T-shirt signed by all the Heart to Heart staff with whom she worked.
Troyer has plenty of pictures that she is more than happy to share. Since her return, she has given several programs at area churches about her experiences.
Laurie Mast, whose sister, Emily, works at the mission school, accompanied Troyer on the trip. They were able to return to Ohio on February 1 by way of the airport in the Dominican Republic.
This vacation trip turned volunteer nurses’ aid was an experience Troyer will never forget. Furthermore, Troyer indicated that it has greatly enhanced her vision of becoming a nurse. With her confidence, courage and assertive approach to life, that aspiration is pretty certain to happen.
For information about Troyer sharing her experiences in Haiti, contact her at abigailnicoletroyer@yahoo.com.
This article first appeared in the Holmes Bargain Hunter, August 9, 2010.
Filed under article
Tagged as Amish country, Blue Ridge Missions, Carlisle Printing, church programs, compassion, Dominican Republic, earthquakes, fear, Haiti, Haiti earthquake, Heart to Heart International, helping injured, medical missions, mission, nursing, service, vacation, volunteering, Walnut Creek Ohio
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Countdown to the New Year Plant Hunt
Seen in flower at Glengarriff NR,
Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland
during New Year Plant Hunt 2015
Courtesy of Glengarriff NR.
The calm before the storm... BSBI's fifth consecutive New Year Plant Hunt kicks off at dawn tomorrow - unless Oisin Duffy decides to repeat his party trick from last year and heads out just after midnight to photograph the first flowering plant of the year! We gave Oisin a prize for sheer nerve.
For normal people, the Hunt kicks off at sunrise tomorrow and Ryan and I will be manning the virtual desks. We'll be responding to enquiries at nyplanthunt@bsbi.org and receiving the photos and lists you send us there of plants in flower under the New Year Plant Hunt rules. These are very simple and are here, along with a link for our new on-line form to make it even easier for you to submit your records.
Ryan will be concentrating on processing the data and I'll be helping people who send us their observations via the BSBI Facebook page and the BSBI Twitter account. And I'll be keeping you updated regularly on this News & Views blog!
Ivy-leaved Toadflax seen by Phoebe
in Brighton & Hove.
New Year Plant Hunt 2015.
Image: P. O'Brien
With so much interest in the New Year Plant Hunt this year, Ryan and I realised that we would have our work cut out for us. But hey presto, this is the BSBI where we all work together to get the job done, so we're delighted to report that we have two rather special helpers.
Dr Ian Denholm has only just stood down as BSBI President and tomorrow he takes over as Editor-in-Chief of New Journal of Botany, but Ian has also offered to do a shift on the New Year Plant Hunt desk.
He'll be working with Ryan on Saturday afternoon to handle your enquiries and incoming data while I go out Plant Hunting with the VC55 group.
Gorse seen in bloom by Karen in Devon.
Image: K. Woolley
BSBI Head of Science Dr Kevin Walker has also stepped up to the plate. Not only has he agreed to take a look at Ryan's analysis of results next week, bringing us his considerable knowledge and experience to help us draw some meaningful conclusions from the first five years of the New Year Plant Hunt, but when he heard that we were going to be really busy, Kevin very kindly offered to roll his sleeves up and man the desks on Sunday so Ryan can have a break.
Kevin also took a look at last year's results and couldn't resist coming up with a cool graph and a few thoughts. You can read his analysis here.
The man himself has already been out doing a New Year Plant Hunt dry-run with his family so I'll leave the last word to him:
Kevin Walker @BSBIscience 6h6 hours ago
.#NewYearPlantHunt out with my 4 year old today and recorded 17 plants in flower! Why not get your kids out to look tomorrow?
Botanical snippets for December
For the botanist who takes one look out of the window and opts to curl up with a warm laptop instead, here are a few botanical bits and bobs you might want to take a look at:
Spurge-laurel Daphne laureola
Blooming at Dancersend NR,
Bucks., 28/12/2015.
Image: R. Clark
1. New on the BSBI's plant Identification page, this Key to Balsam Poplars by Andy Amphlett, BSBI's County Recorder for Banffshire.
2. A fascinating paper here by Quentin Groom et al. - including several BSBI County Recorders - titled 'A benchmark survey of the common plants of south Northumberland and Durham' and here is Quentin's blogpost about the paper.
3. An inspiring blogpost by New Year Plant Hunt Co-ordinator Ryan Clark about his many contributions to biological recording this past year.
4. A date for your diaries, if you'd like to hear a talk on Carnivorous Plants in Winchester on 9th January. The talk is sponsored by the excellent Hants. Flora Group - details on their homepage here.
5. Three British Ecological Society Guides to Better Science available free to download here.
6. If you are concerned about botanical diversity at a global scale, you may be interested in these plans for a new Plant Conservation Nursery. Robbie has also written a note about this project, to be published in the January issue of BSBI News (which is only available to BSBI members, sorry!).
7. Want some further reading? Try this review of five recently-published botany books by the notorious Dr. M. or head over to Summerfield Books' website here.
That lot should keep us all entertained until it's time for the New Year Plant Hunt to start!
What’s flowering right now near where you live?
Goose-grass
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Image courtesy of Floral Images
One of the best ways to improve your botanical ID skills is to keep a close eye on your local patch and note what you see in flower, even on a quick walk to the shops. And a good way to keep those ID skills sharp over winter is to keep right on looking and recording, because there is nearly always something in flower, especially after a warm autumn such as we’ve enjoyed this year.
So it was great to hear recently from Monica Frisch in Cambridge who has long been keeping her eyes open during winter! Over to Monica, who has been out winter botanising in the run-up to the New Year Plant Hunt:
"Since I started keeping lists as part of the Wild Flower Society's Winter Months' Hunt for plants in flower during December, January and February, I've discovered just how many plants will continue flowering if the weather is mild, or if they get going early. It gives an objective to a winter walk, and one learns more about which plants flower when.
White dead-nettle
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"So some, such as goosegrass or stinging nettle can be found, and identified all year round, but only flower for a much shorter period. Others, such as daisies, dandelions, shepherd's purse and white dead-nettle, seem to be in flower in every month of the year.
"On 19th December I went out looking for plants for the first time this month – it has been wet a lot of the time and the short days preclude evening botanising – and have come home after a couple of hours with a list of 25 species. My route was suburban southern Cambridge, about 2 ½ miles round trip from my house, and most of the plants were, as one might expect, weedy species, including all those mentioned above. And all were, I think, species which either flower all the year round or have a long flowering period. None was a spring thing appearing early, though I did see (but not count) winter aconites in flower in one garden!
Fox-and-cubs, Cherry Hinton High St.
Cambridge. 19/12/2015
Image: M. Frisch
"But there was one unexpected, though not rare, plant which always gives me pleasure when I find it: Fox-and-cubs, Pilosella aurantiaca. It is such a glorious colour and I don't come across it that often, though I have found it on previous occasions in suburban areas. This one was growing in a grassy area just off Cherry Hinton High Street.
"Last year's tally for December was 25 species, but not the same 25 species, so I feel I have got off to a good start. In total I recorded 54 species in flower in December 2014, January or February 2015, 12 of which I've found in flower every winter since I started in December 2009. This is less than in 2013-14 when I recorded 68 species – probably because I got out less last year as my mother needed more care following a fall. I shall make an effort to get out more this winter, or at least to look seriously for plants when I do get out, and shall see how this year's list compares".
Daffodils in bloom - and how to identify them
Many of you have been in touch recently to report seeing daffodils in bloom already, and this article appeared in The Telegraph the other week - scroll down to see a quote by BSBI Head of Science Kevin Walker.
We did have one record of Narcissus sp. in flower during last year's New Year Plant Hunt but we are likely to get more this year, so I was thinking how nice it would be to go a little further in our daffodil identifications this year.
And lo and behold, in came an email from Prof Mick Crawley, which should help us to do exactly that!
Mick - who only last month wowed his audience at the BSBI Exhibition Meeting with a fascinating talk on Alien Plants and is co-author (with Clive Stace) of the recent 'Aliens' title in the New Naturalist series - is also an expert on the identification of garden plants such as snowdrops and daffodils. He is also the author of the Daffodil Key.
Over to Mick:
"It would be great if you could record the daffodils that you find in flower on this year’s New Year Plant Hunt. There are only likely to be four of them, and they are very easy to tell apart.
The all-yellow, classic early daffodil (top and above) is Narcissus 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation’ (pronounced Rhine-felt).
This is the one that is in flower every year on New Year’s Day, and every year causes people with short botanical memories to comment on how early the Daffs are this year.
It is a Division 1 (long trumpet) with yellow petals (the first of the two letters) and yellow trumpet (the second of the two letters). It is described as D1YY.
The white and yellow plant (above) is Narcissus ‘Spring Dawn’.
Because the trumpet is shorter than the petals, this is classified as Division 2 (rather than its female parent 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation’, above, which is D1), so ‘Spring Dawn’ is D2WY.
Then there are two Division 8 cultivars (the Tazettas).
The yellow and orange (YO) one is Narcissus 'Grand Soleil d'Or' (above and above left). Narcissus 'Grand Soleil d'Or' is D8YO.
The all-white one (WW) is Narcissus ‘Paperwhite’ (on right and below). That's D8WW.
That is all there is to it. Please take photos of any other cultivars you find, and send them to me at m.crawley@imperial.ac.uk. I’m happy to try and name them for you".
Mick Crawley, Silwood Park, Ascot
New Year Plant Hunters are hatching their plans.
Species flowering in Co. Cork during
Image courtesy of Glengarriff NR.
Across Britain and Ireland, and on social media platforms, plans are being hatched for local New Year Plant Hunts, when people head out to record what is in flower during the New Year holiday (1st-4th January). Last year's results are here - 368 species were recorded across Britain & Ireland and the weather has been milder this year so we may get more this time around.
You can take part in the New Year Plant Hunt on your own or with friends and family, in your local patch or while staying with relatives, and you can record for up to three hours.
A few groups of plant-hunters are planning to head out en masse and are checking out local tearooms with decent cakes - you are allowed to "stop the clock" if you need refreshments!
Some people are also wondering about local pubs for that essential post-Plant Hunt debrief and to look again at any tricky specimens. At least that's what Gail and members of the Warrington Plant Group told me. And anyone heading out with Oisin, Mairead and new BSBI President John Faulkner to record in the Newry/Ring of Gullion area of Northern Ireland is promised a 'warm drink' at the end of their New Year Plant Hunt.
Viola odorata flowering by The Thames,
Boxing Day 2015.
Image: M. Robinson
The theme of New Year Plant Hunters rewarding themselves or others with food and drink escalates into full-scale botanical bribery in the English Midlands, with ace botanist Brian "Eagle-eyes" Laney being courted by several local groups to join their Plant Hunts. He plans to join Alyson's North Northants group for one of the four days of the Hunt but John and Monika in Warks. are running their first Plant Hunt in the county and are luring Brian over there with a bare-faced promise of wild flowers and cake.
In 2013, Brian joined the Leics group on their New Year Plant Hunt, finding Geranium rotundifolium, new to the county. I was there and confirm that we all celebrated our new county record and its finder by heading off for tea and cake! But no one county should monopolise one of our top field botanists and this year he is also casting his eyes over to Shropshire, where Sarah and the Shropshire Botany Group will be out recording for the New Year Plant Hunt. Sarah's hospitality is legendary - there are even rumours of sherry and mince pies - but I'm sure Brian will be making his decision based on the wildflowers he might see. Of course he will.
Strawberry Tree in bloom in Co. Kerry,
Image: R. Hodd
Lots of people plan to head out on their own Plant Hunting - it's great fun with company but it's also a very good opportunity (excuse?) to get a few hours to yourself outdoors away from the social whirl and/or housework. Don't forget to tell your loved ones that you need to nip off for a few hours to help BSBI with vital research on how wild plants are responding to recent weather conditions and wider climatic patterns ;-)
Jerry will be heading out on his own in Notts on 1st January, and then plans to join the Leics Plant Hunters when they go out. Reuben in Norfolk is considering a solo Plant Hunt but may also want to join this Plant Hunt led by author and botanist Simon Harrap.
Tim Rich with Smooth Hawksbeard
Cardiff area, December 2015
Taxonomist Sandy Knapp (Natural History Museum) tweeted "Is anybody doing the #NewYearPlantHunt in London?" so you can tweet right back at her if you are also out hunting in London.
Botanists will be out Plant Hunting in Devon, Skipton, York, Sussex and Uckfield, while George and Kate on Guernsey are going for their third Plant Hunt and Tim Rich, New Year Plant Hunt co-founder, will be out hunting for the fifth year in the Cardiff area.
New Year Plant Hunts are also planned in Edinburgh and Co. Durham while over in the Republic of Ireland botanists are talking about the best dates for Plant Hunts in Dublin and Counties Kerry, Galway and Cork. For more details, contact BSBI Irish Officer Maria Long.
With a week to go before New Year's Day, when the Plant Hunt starts, you still have time to arrange something locally. If you do, why not email me and Ryan here and tell us your plans? We can also help spread the word about local Plant Hunts via social media and on this News & Views blog.
Merry Christmas botanists!
BSBI President John Faulkner sends seasonal greetings to all botanists!
Our Christmas present to you all - prompted by John's recent trip to buy a Christmas tree - is this reminder of how to tell which genus your tree belongs to. And a wince-inducing mnemonic to help you remember which is which.
John Faulkner with Lodgepole Pine & Nordmann Fir
Image courtesy of J. Faulkner
Trees courtesy of Benny Martin & Son,
Charlemont, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland.
The tree on the left of the photo is a Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta. The genus Pinus has needle-like leaves in clusters of 2, 3 or 5.
The tree on the right of the photo is a Nordmann Fir Abies nordmanniana.
It's fairly straightforward to separate Abies from Pinus, because Abies has leaves arranged singly along the twig, rather than in clusters.
But Abies can easily be confused with Picea, which also has leaves arranged singly along the twig - and Norway Spruce Picea abies is a very popular choice for a Christmas tree. Maybe this is why they had all sold out when John headed out to buy one! Twitter botanist Lophophanes tells us that Abies keeps its needles better than Picea but is more expensive to grow.
A good way to separate Abies and Picea is to stroke your tree, especially the twigs. You should be able to get away with such behaviour on Christmas Day! Do your twigs have peg-like projections or are they smooth to the touch?
Picea has Pegs Poking out. Abies 'Asn't Any At All.
After that low point, your day can only improve - have a great Christmas and remember to stroke a tree!
Last-minute Christmas present for a botanist!
Kevin Walker at the launch of the
England Red List, RBG Kew, 2014
If you are visiting plant-loving friends or family members over Christmas, and are stuck for a last-minute present, try sitting them down with a cup of tea and this link while you go and do the washing-up for them. They will be able to enjoy a new batch of Species Accounts courtesy of the BSBI Science Team and you will accrue brownie points.
Obviously, when you come to go through the Species Accounts yourself, you should allow several hours for this, as there 80 already published (and 10 more in the pipeline) and they all make fascinating reading for anyone interested in nature conservation. But at this stage, you may wish to reclassify them from 'gift' to 'essential research which precludes my doing any washing-up right now'.
Kevin's work does have certain advantages -
the views and the company can be amazing!
Image courtesy of K. Walker
The Science Team is behind some great resources for botanists, conservationists and academics - last year's England Red List is another example - so I asked BSBI Head of Science Kevin Walker how the Species Accounts came about. Here's what he said:
"I was always frustrated by the lack of accessible accounts for British species. The Biological Floras in the Journal of Ecology are excellent but these only cover a small number of species and are widely available. They’re also very academic and often don’t answer the questions we want answered.
"So we trialled some accounts on the website. These generated a lot of interest which led to funding for us to produce more detailed accounts for a suite of threatened species.
Antennaria dioica growing in profusion
on The Burren, Co. Clare, RoI
"This proved that the demand was there and so we’ve been working away on them ever since and this year we finally managed to set up a webpage where anyone can access them for free. What we aim to do is cover species which are not well known but for which there is lots of useful information scattered amongst the literature.
"Take Antennaria dioica for example. This is a species that is always nice to see but probably not a species that would generate much interest in the north and west. However, A. dioica (Mountain Everlasting) is vanishingly rare in much of England and Wales and appears to be declining for unknown reasons - Gentianella campestris (Field Gentian) is another example. It has a fascinating ecology that has attracted eminent ecologists such as Turesson.
Kevin in the field with David Pearman,
BSBI President 1995-8
Image courtesy K. Walker
"As most botanists know, it’s a dioecious species with a predilection for short-turf on extremely nutrient-poor soils. That is not a good combination in the lowlands of England, where its populations have become smaller and more fragmented, except in a few places where large meta-populations have managed to survive with both male and female plants (e.g. on dunes in Cornwall). These insights have come from discussions with BSBI recorders and a review of the literature".
Some interesting thoughts from Kevin - something for us to mull over if festivities start to flag! Just before he headed home to spend Christmas with his family, I asked Kevin if he would come back in the New Year and do a full interview for us, telling us all about the Science Team and some of the projects they are involved in. He agreed and then, talking of New Year, I had to ask if our Head of Science would be taking part in the New Year Plant Hunt?
Kevin said: "Yes, with the family in the woods around my village. We did a recce at the weekend and found at least three unexpected plants in flower and if this warm weather continues I’m sure we’ll have something to record!"
What Ian did next...
Ian in the Herbarium at Univ Leicester -
holding the 'Botanists' Bible' by Clive Stace,
a fellow former BSBI President
Sorry these pages have been a bit quiet over the past week, but maybe I can make amends - I have some exclusive news for you!
When Ian Denholm stood down as President last month, making way for John Faulkner, the question on everyone's lips was: what will Ian do next?
We knew he would continue as Co-Chair of Meetings & Communications Committee and as a BSBI trustee, but would that be enough? Maybe he was champing at the bit to get back to the huge orchid backlog which must have built up while he was busy being presidential? Ian is BSBI's co-Referee (with Prof Richard Bateman) for Orchids. Or maybe Ian was looking forward to a quiet life lecturing at University of Herts. and getting some jobs done in the garden?
Well, he's going to do all of the above but Ian is also taking on a new challenge. As of 1st January, he takes over from Richard Gornall as Editor-in-Chief of New Journal of Botany.
Ian and Richard in the Herbarium Library at UoL
To prepare for taking on this new role, Ian and I attended a recent Round Table session for journal editors, run by Taylor & Francis, and he has also been up to the Editorial Office in Leicester to spend time with Richard and find out more about the Editor-in-Chief's role. Ian has published extensively but this will be the first time he will have taken on the editorship of a scientific journal.
A reminder here that Richard (who was BSBI President from 2005 to 2008) was involved in New Journal of Botany from its inception, both as a key member of BSBI's Publications Committee and as the journal's first Editor-in-Chief since it was launched in 2011.
Richard shows Ian how to use Editorial Manager,
the journal's electronic submission system
As Editorial Assistant during that time, I've had the privilege of helping Richard as he worked to establish a successor to our much-loved Watsonia which would meet the needs of the C21st botanist in north-west Europe. I've learned a huge amount watching him build up the journal and after five years New Journal of Botany is thriving, and was recently accepted for indexing by Scopus - another feather in Richard's cap and the result of a great deal of hard work over time by him and the brilliant team at Maney, our former publisher.
We are already forging a closer working relationship with our new publisher, Taylor & Francis, and looking forward to the new opportunities they can offer us. And so Richard decided this was a good time to hand over the reins to a worthy successor, who had this to say about his predecessor:
The handing over of the reins: Ian & Richard check
paperwork and try to ignore me taking photos!
“BSBI is indebted to Richard for his hard work and inspirational leadership of New Journal of Botany. Establishing a new journal in a highly competitive marketplace is far from a trivial task. I look forward to working with staff at Taylor & Francis in order to take full advantage of the latest technologies for enabling authors to maximise the reach and impact of their articles. I’m delighted that Louise is retaining her role as Editorial Assistant, and between us we will strive to make the experience of publishing in New Journal of Botany as positive and painless as possible.”
I'm delighted too and look forward to working with Ian and helping him build on Richard's excellent achievements. Lots of hard work ahead and Ian has big shoes to step into on the 1st January - much as John Faulkner did when he stepped into Ian's presidential shoes a few weeks ago. I think we're really lucky to have such talented people in the society!
Richard (seen here with Zhuoxin in the Alps)
will have more time to devote to his beloved
Saxifrages! This one is S. aizoides
Image courtesy of R. Gornall
Oh and just in case you were wondering how much of your BSBI membership subscription was going to line the pockets of BSBI Presidents or Editors-in-Chief of New Journal of Botany for all their hard work... The answer is absolutely nothing.
Both posts are honorary and the holders put in long hours of unpaid service for one reason alone. They want to do all they can to promote the study, understanding and enjoyment of the wild plants of Britain and Ireland - and those just happen to be the aims of the BSBI!
BSBI welcomes John Faulkner, our new President
John at Garry Bog, BSBI Summer Meeting 2015
At last month’s Annual General Meeting, BSBI voted in a new President, John Faulkner.
As outgoing President Ian Denholm would no doubt agree, the workload attached to this voluntary role can be pretty hefty so, before John’s inbox starts filling up with weighty presidential matters, I asked him to offer us an exclusive interview so we can all find out a bit more about our new President.
LM: John, congratulations on being voted in (unanimously!) as BSBI's new President. You've been in post for a fortnight now and News & Views readers will want to know - how does it feel to be at the helm of the leading botanical society in Britain and Ireland?
John offers ID tips at the Umbra,
BSBI Summer Meeting 2015
JF: The President has a responsibility to help BSBI keep moving forwards, and I feel very honoured and somewhat apprehensive to have been asked to take on such a role. So far it has not been a heavy burden, but perhaps this is the honeymoon period! If I have a concern, it would be that my plans to produce a County Flora will suffer.
Photographing Arabis hirsuta at the Umbra
Your question does remind me of a similar one that used to be asked in the 1970-80s: “how does it feel to be living in Northern Ireland?” My stock answer, accompanied by a shoulder shrug, was that my cornflakes tasted no different from anywhere else. In other words, daily life went on as usual, despite the bombings and shootings you hear about from the media.
I think you’d have been justifiably annoyed if I gave you that kind of answer, but in truth the weight of office has not really landed on me yet.
LM: I'll try asking you that question again in a few months! Before you talk about your plans for the society, could you tell us how you first got interested in botany - has it been a lifelong passion?
John demonstrates the 2m "height" of
culms of Carex x boenninghausiana
Muckross, Killarney, BSBI AGM 2013
Image courtesy J. Faulkner
JF: Funnily enough, I don’t really know the answer to that one, but I recall one incident that led to me becoming interested in wildlife generally. At the age of nine, I was walking with my family in the Peak District, and my sister suddenly stopped me in my tracks to prevent me treading on a caterpillar.
I picked it up and took it home, where an older girl who lived next door identified it as a Northern Eggar. I tried to rear it to an adult moth, but despite failing I was from then on bitten by the moth bug, and naturally gravitated towards biology and other sciences at school.
LM: So you went on to study at...
JF: I was fortunate to get a place to study at Oxford. The first year was a common grounding for all biologists, but any inclination I might have had to study zoology waned when we were expected to experiment on the nervous system of pithed frogs.
John and botanists at the Umbra
I considered doing Agricultural Science, partly because some of the best botanists in the University were in the Agriculture Department, but eventually settled for Botany, where my academic tutor was “Heff” Warburg of Clapham Tutin & Warburg fame, and a previous President of BSBI (1965-7).
LM: Was that when you first joined BSBI? How did that come about?
JF: After graduating, I stayed on at Oxford to do a DPhil. To stay in Oxford was probably not the wisest decision in scientific career terms, as I had planned to do it under Heff’s supervision, but he had died within a week or two of my finals, and my first year was spent under a temporary supervisor who was not interested in my work.
Wildflowers are usually encouraged
in John & Gillian's garden, but some
(like this Dandelion) need a little restraint!
Though I might not have admitted it at the time, the real reason for staying was that my girlfriend was staying in Oxford to do a Dip Ed. As things turned out, however, it was one of the best decisions I have ever taken as we stayed together until she died some 37 years later.
The DPhil was experimental taxonomic work on sedges. The original concept was hatched when Heff was alive, with advice from Clive Jermy. After a year or so, John Richards arrived in the department and took over my supervision, which was a stroke of luck as he brought a fresh outlook and good advice at a time it was needed. It was early on in my spell as a research student that I joined BSBI.
LM: And then you went to work in Northern Ireland and eventually rose there to become Director of Natural Heritage in the Department of the Environment?
JF: After Oxford, I went to work for the then Ministry of Agriculture for Northern Ireland as a grass breeder and also lectured in Agricultural Genetics at The Queen’s University of Belfast. I was appointed to be scientific assistant to the head of the grass breeding programme, but before I took up the post he had moved on to a more senior post.
John examines a fern on the Isle of Lewis;
Outer Hebrides Recording Week 2014
He was not replaced, so I was de facto head of the programme as soon as I started, which necessitated a steep learning curve. The outcome was that I stayed for 16 years, with a role that evolved to encompass amenity grasses and various other crops. Eventually, I moved across Departments into a new post heading up the scientific side of conservation.
John (on left) & Gillian in the bar, Univ Coleraine
LM: With so many responsibilities, were you able to get out and do much field botany during this period?
JF: Only to a negligible extent within my official work! During my time as a grass breeder, I was fortunate to live very close to my office, lab and main trial grounds, so there was some spare time for botany, subject to the demands of young children and a large garden.
Later, that spare time declined as I had a rather long commute into Belfast every day.
LM: Did you have any chance to travel further afield or did you focus on your local patch?
JF: I have not done much serious plant recording outside my local VC and other counties in Ulster, but have always enjoyed dabbling with the flora of wherever I happen to be.
John grapnelling for Pondweeds;
My favourite area to visit is the North-west of Scotland, especially the Outer Hebrides where I first went on a family holiday in 1950, and have since returned at least 20 times.
At one time or another, I have visited every continent apart from Antarctica. Several years ago, I went on a wonderful organised trip to Yunnan in South-west China in 2007, where we were travelling in the footsteps of some of the renowned plant hunters of earlier generations.
Most of my travelling, however, has been done in circumstances where I had to take into account the interests of those I was with, rather than focus exclusively on plants. My second wife, Gillian, is very tolerant, but there are limits to how much I can expect her to put up with on holiday.
Dave Riley and Ian Denholm join John
in a botanical huddle!
The Umbra, BSBI Summer Meeting 2015
Image: O. Duffy
LM: When did you become a Vice-County Recorder (VCR) and - the big question for any VCR right now - how are you getting on with recording for Atlas 2020?
JF: I took on the VCR role in Co. Armagh (H37) in 1991. Apart from my predecessor, Norah Dawson, I was the only other BSBI member resident in the county. The demands of work at that time meant that I was able to act in little more than a caretaker role at first.
In any case, there were parts of the county where you would have been be a little reluctant to go nosing around in search of plants in case you were suspected of something far less innocent.
Since retiring in 2005, however, I have been able to record most of the county quite thoroughly, mostly on my own, but also often in the company of Ian McNeill, the Co. Tyrone recorder.
Mairead, Maria, John, Donncha & Oisin
at Binevenagh, BSBI Summer Meeting 2015
My chief remaining gaps are not geographical but taxonomic, ie the genera for which my ID skills are inadequate, and there are probably more of those than I care to admit!
LM: In recent years you have also taken on the role of Chair of the Committee for Ireland and you have been a driving force behind some very successful meetings and conferences - botany really seems to be flourishing in Ireland!
JF: Most of the credit must go to Maria Long. Since her appointment as part-time Irish Officer in 2012, there has been a marked increase in activity, and several high-profile events such as conferences and recording weeks. The BSBI’s Annual Summer Meeting has been held in Ireland in two of the last 5 years, and there has been an Irish Species Project underway for the last 2 years.
John at Whitepark Bay, Northern Irish coast;
Recording for Atlas 2020 is pressing ahead, though of course there is still a great deal to do in many counties. Perhaps the most heartening thing of all is that we are seeing a new generation of Irish botanists taking part in our activities. No doubt Maria’s – and your – activities with social media have played an important part here.
LM: Yes, it’s great to see so many young Irish botanists interacting with Maria on Facebook and Twitter - I agree, she does an amazing job! So, the big question: What are the main issues you'd like to focus on during your presidency?
JF: It’s a fair question, but before I commit myself too firmly, it will be important for me to hear what others have to say and not charge in with too many preconceptions. So I will be in listening mode for the next few months.
John at Binevenagh
That said, it seems inescapable that two issues will feature very prominently. One is Atlas 2020. We must make sure that this is the best Atlas yet, building on the strengths of its predecessors and so far as possible overcoming their weaknesses.
The other is that most mundane of all issues – money. When I joined the Society in 1967, all the officers were voluntary and members’ subscriptions covered nearly three quarters of its official expenditure. That is a model we have left behind long ago as it no longer works for a Society of our size and output. We depend on our very dedicated team of staff, but need to be constantly seeking out funds in order to maintain and strengthen our position.
The role of the President is not closely defined and we will be making one significant change. My predecessor, Ian Denholm, chaired not only the Council of BSBI but also its Board of Trustees, which is its top decision-taking body.
Hannah, Ian & John consider a sedge;
Although as President I shall be attending the Board meetings, I will not be chairing them, and at the moment I don’t know who will, as the Board members will elect their chairperson at the next meeting.
This will, I hope, place me in a stronger position to act as a channel of communication and advice between the Board on the one hand and the Council and all the other elements within BSBI on the other.
Ian has done a superb job of steering BSBI through its early years under the new structure, and we all owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. My own experience has been that he was a constant source of support during my spell chairing the Committee for Ireland, and I am sure there will be many others who could make similar observations. I am delighted that he is staying on as a member of the Board.
John & Micheline lead botanists home from
Whitepark Bay; BSBI Summer Meeting 2015
LM: Thanks for answering all these questions, John. Can I invite you to come back in a few months and give us an update? And one final question for you: will our new President be taking part in this year’s New Year Plant Hunt?
JF: Yes, definitely. I am working with some local partners on a project to raise awareness of the flora of the Ring of Gullion area in South Armagh. One of our planned activities is a New Year Plant Hunt. It is an ideal opportunity as the project – for reasons beyond our control – has to be completed between September and March. Let’s hope the country isn’t blanketed with snow!
AEM exhibits available to download
BSBI New Year Plant Hunt 2016: how to get involved...
Presentations from the BSBI Exhibition Meeting 201...
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Home › Novels › A Tale of Two Cities › The Grindstone
Tellson’s Bank, established in the Saint Germain Quarter of Paris, was in a wing of a large house, approached by a courtyard and shut off from the street by a high wall and a strong gate. The house belonged to a great nobleman who had lived in it until he made a flight from the troubles, in his own cook’s dress, and got across the borders. A mere beast of the chase flying from hunters, he was still in his metempsychosis no other than the same Monseigneur, the preparation of whose chocolate for whose lips had once occupied three strong men besides the cook in question.
Monseigneur gone, and the three strong men absolving themselves from the sin of having drawn his high wages, by being more than ready and willing to cut his throat on the altar of the dawning Republic one and indivisible of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death, Monseigneur’s house had been first sequestrated, and then confiscated. For, all things moved so fast, and decree followed decree with that fierce precipitation, that now upon the third night of the autumn month of September, patriot emissaries of the law were in possession of Monseigneur’s house, and had marked it with the tri-colour, and were drinking brandy in its state apartments.
A place of business in London like Tellson’s place of business in Paris, would soon have driven the House out of its mind and into the Gazette. For, what would staid British responsibility and respectability have said to orange-trees in boxes in a Bank courtyard, and even to a Cupid over the counter? Yet such things were. Tellson’s had whitewashed the Cupid, but he was still to be seen on the ceiling, in the coolest linen, aiming (as he very often does) at money from morning to night. Bankruptcy must inevitably have come of this young Pagan, in Lombard-street, London, and also of a curtained alcove in the rear of the immortal boy, and also of a looking-glass let into the wall, and also of clerks not at all old, who danced in public on the slightest provocation. Yet, a French Tellson’s could get on with these things exceedingly well, and, as long as the times held together, no man had taken fright at them, and drawn out his money.
What money would be drawn out of Tellson’s henceforth, and what would lie there, lost and forgotten; what plate and jewels would tarnish in Tellson’s hiding-places, while the depositors rusted in prisons, and when they should have violently perished; how many accounts with Tellson’s never to be balanced in this world, must be carried over into the next; no man could have said, that night, any more than Mr. Jarvis Lorry could, though he thought heavily of these questions. He sat by a newly-lighted wood fire (the blighted and unfruitful year was prematurely cold), and on his honest and courageous face there was a deeper shade than the pendent lamp could throw, or any object in the room distortedly reflect—a shade of horror.
He occupied rooms in the Bank, in his fidelity to the House of which he had grown to be a part, like strong root-ivy. It chanced that they derived a kind of security from the patriotic occupation of the main building, but the true-hearted old gentleman never calculated about that. All such circumstances were indifferent to him, so that he did his duty. On the opposite side of the courtyard, under a colonnade, was extensive standing—for carriages—where, indeed, some carriages of Monseigneur yet stood. Against two of the pillars were fastened two great flaring flambeaux, and in the light of these, standing out in the open air, was a large grindstone: a roughly mounted thing which appeared to have hurriedly been brought there from some neighbouring smithy, or other workshop. Rising and looking out of window at these harmless objects, Mr. Lorry shivered, and retired to his seat by the fire. He had opened, not only the glass window, but the lattice blind outside it, and he had closed both again, and he shivered through his frame.
From the streets beyond the high wall and the strong gate, there came the usual night hum of the city, with now and then an indescribable ring in it, weird and unearthly, as if some unwonted sounds of a terrible nature were going up to Heaven.
“Thank God,” said Mr. Lorry, clasping his hands, “that no one near and dear to me is in this dreadful town to-night. May He have mercy on all who are in danger!”
Soon afterwards, the bell at the great gate sounded, and he thought, “They have come back!” and sat listening. But, there was no loud irruption into the courtyard, as he had expected, and he heard the gate clash again, and all was quiet.
The nervousness and dread that were upon him inspired that vague uneasiness respecting the Bank, which a great change would naturally awaken, with such feelings roused. It was well guarded, and he got up to go among the trusty people who were watching it, when his door suddenly opened, and two figures rushed in, at sight of which he fell back in amazement.
Lucie and her father! Lucie with her arms stretched out to him, and with that old look of earnestness so concentrated and intensified, that it seemed as though it had been stamped upon her face expressly to give force and power to it in this one passage of her life.
“What is this?” cried Mr. Lorry, breathless and confused. “What is the matter? Lucie! Manette! What has happened? What has brought you here? What is it?”
With the look fixed upon him, in her paleness and wildness, she panted out in his arms, imploringly, “O my dear friend! My husband!”
“Your husband, Lucie?”
“What of Charles?”
“Here, in Paris?”
“Has been here some days—three or four—I don’t know how many—I can’t collect my thoughts. An errand of generosity brought him here unknown to us; he was stopped at the barrier, and sent to prison.”
The old man uttered an irrepressible cry. Almost at the same moment, the bell of the great gate rang again, and a loud noise of feet and voices came pouring into the courtyard.
“What is that noise?” said the Doctor, turning towards the window.
“Don’t look!” cried Mr. Lorry. “Don’t look out! Manette, for your life, don’t touch the blind!”
The Doctor turned, with his hand upon the fastening of the window, and said, with a cool, bold smile:
“My dear friend, I have a charmed life in this city. I have been a Bastille prisoner. There is no patriot in Paris—in Paris? In France—who, knowing me to have been a prisoner in the Bastille, would touch me, except to overwhelm me with embraces, or carry me in triumph. My old pain has given me a power that has brought us through the barrier, and gained us news of Charles there, and brought us here. I knew it would be so; I knew I could help Charles out of all danger; I told Lucie so.—What is that noise?” His hand was again upon the window.
“Don’t look!” cried Mr. Lorry, absolutely desperate. “No, Lucie, my dear, nor you!” He got his arm round her, and held her. “Don’t be so terrified, my love. I solemnly swear to you that I know of no harm having happened to Charles; that I had no suspicion even of his being in this fatal place. What prison is he in?”
“La Force!”
“La Force! Lucie, my child, if ever you were brave and serviceable in your life—and you were always both—you will compose yourself now, to do exactly as I bid you; for more depends upon it than you can think, or I can say. There is no help for you in any action on your part to-night; you cannot possibly stir out. I say this, because what I must bid you to do for Charles’s sake, is the hardest thing to do of all. You must instantly be obedient, still, and quiet. You must let me put you in a room at the back here. You must leave your father and me alone for two minutes, and as there are Life and Death in the world you must not delay.”
“I will be submissive to you. I see in your face that you know I can do nothing else than this. I know you are true.”
The old man kissed her, and hurried her into his room, and turned the key; then, came hurrying back to the Doctor, and opened the window and partly opened the blind, and put his hand upon the Doctor’s arm, and looked out with him into the courtyard.
Looked out upon a throng of men and women: not enough in number, or near enough, to fill the courtyard: not more than forty or fifty in all. The people in possession of the house had let them in at the gate, and they had rushed in to work at the grindstone; it had evidently been set up there for their purpose, as in a convenient and retired spot.
But, such awful workers, and such awful work!
The grindstone had a double handle, and, turning at it madly were two men, whose faces, as their long hair flapped back when the whirlings of the grindstone brought their faces up, were more horrible and cruel than the visages of the wildest savages in their most barbarous disguise. False eyebrows and false moustaches were stuck upon them, and their hideous countenances were all bloody and sweaty, and all awry with howling, and all staring and glaring with beastly excitement and want of sleep. As these ruffians turned and turned, their matted locks now flung forward over their eyes, now flung backward over their necks, some women held wine to their mouths that they might drink; and what with dropping blood, and what with dropping wine, and what with the stream of sparks struck out of the stone, all their wicked atmosphere seemed gore and fire. The eye could not detect one creature in the group free from the smear of blood. Shouldering one another to get next at the sharpening-stone, were men stripped to the waist, with the stain all over their limbs and bodies; men in all sorts of rags, with the stain upon those rags; men devilishly set off with spoils of women’s lace and silk and ribbon, with the stain dyeing those trifles through and through. Hatchets, knives, bayonets, swords, all brought to be sharpened, were all red with it. Some of the hacked swords were tied to the wrists of those who carried them, with strips of linen and fragments of dress: ligatures various in kind, but all deep of the one colour. And as the frantic wielders of these weapons snatched them from the stream of sparks and tore away into the streets, the same red hue was red in their frenzied eyes;—eyes which any unbrutalised beholder would have given twenty years of life, to petrify with a well-directed gun.
All this was seen in a moment, as the vision of a drowning man, or of any human creature at any very great pass, could see a world if it were there. They drew back from the window, and the Doctor looked for explanation in his friend’s ashy face.
“They are,” Mr. Lorry whispered the words, glancing fearfully round at the locked room, “murdering the prisoners. If you are sure of what you say; if you really have the power you think you have—as I believe you have—make yourself known to these devils, and get taken to La Force. It may be too late, I don’t know, but let it not be a minute later!”
Doctor Manette pressed his hand, hastened bareheaded out of the room, and was in the courtyard when Mr. Lorry regained the blind.
His streaming white hair, his remarkable face, and the impetuous confidence of his manner, as he put the weapons aside like water, carried him in an instant to the heart of the concourse at the stone. For a few moments there was a pause, and a hurry, and a murmur, and the unintelligible sound of his voice; and then Mr. Lorry saw him, surrounded by all, and in the midst of a line of twenty men long, all linked shoulder to shoulder, and hand to shoulder, hurried out with cries of—”Live the Bastille prisoner! Help for the Bastille prisoner’s kindred in La Force! Room for the Bastille prisoner in front there! Save the prisoner Evremonde at La Force!” and a thousand answering shouts.
He closed the lattice again with a fluttering heart, closed the window and the curtain, hastened to Lucie, and told her that her father was assisted by the people, and gone in search of her husband. He found her child and Miss Pross with her; but, it never occurred to him to be surprised by their appearance until a long time afterwards, when he sat watching them in such quiet as the night knew.
Lucie had, by that time, fallen into a stupor on the floor at his feet, clinging to his hand. Miss Pross had laid the child down on his own bed, and her head had gradually fallen on the pillow beside her pretty charge. O the long, long night, with the moans of the poor wife! And O the long, long night, with no return of her father and no tidings!
Twice more in the darkness the bell at the great gate sounded, and the irruption was repeated, and the grindstone whirled and spluttered. “What is it?” cried Lucie, affrighted. “Hush! The soldiers’ swords are sharpened there,” said Mr. Lorry. “The place is national property now, and used as a kind of armoury, my love.”
Twice more in all; but, the last spell of work was feeble and fitful. Soon afterwards the day began to dawn, and he softly detached himself from the clasping hand, and cautiously looked out again. A man, so besmeared that he might have been a sorely wounded soldier creeping back to consciousness on a field of slain, was rising from the pavement by the side of the grindstone, and looking about him with a vacant air. Shortly, this worn-out murderer descried in the imperfect light one of the carriages of Monseigneur, and, staggering to that gorgeous vehicle, climbed in at the door, and shut himself up to take his rest on its dainty cushions.
The great grindstone, Earth, had turned when Mr. Lorry looked out again, and the sun was red on the courtyard. But, the lesser grindstone stood alone there in the calm morning air, with a red upon it that the sun had never given, and would never take away.
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What’s the Secret to TV Advertising…70% Is
/in Attribution Analysis, Attribution Companies, Attribution Model, Blog /by Sarah Goodman
At the Advertising Research Foundation, @JoshChasin and @BillHarvey are imparting golden nuggets: the cleaning of big data will be foundational to analysis and modeling.
But some of the most ground-breaking studies in advertising at the ARF continue to come from the Chief Research Officer at CBS Television, David Poltrack.
For advertising research Ph.D.’s and research wonks, he may be the most interesting man in the world.
The 2018 Attribution Vendor Scorecard compares 15 attribution vendors across 15 customizable criteria.
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In 2013, his study presented at the ARF concluded that 70% of TV advertising’s impact comes from creative. Yes, creative. If your ROI on TV stinks, the odds are 70% it’s the creative. If the ROI on TV is amazing, the odds are 70% it’s the creative. In other words, if your TV’s not working…it’s the creative, not the TV.
In 2017, Poltrack’s doing it again: from his study of 863 cross-media TV + digital campaigns, for the top 60% of campaigns, TV = 70% reach and Digital = 6% reach (an 11.7X difference).
“2013’s study from Poltrack doesn’t get the credit it deserves,” said C3 Metrics advertising attribution measurement CEO, Mark Hughes. “When you think about it, what you put in front of people in that 30, 60, or 120 second TV commerical makes all the difference in the world. Poltrack quantified 70% of TV’s ROI comes from creative..which includes call to action, messaging, sight & sound. We see it every day with most clients running 6-7 TV creatives which we can quantify down to the penny for ROI performance.”
With Poltrack’s 2017 ARF study, it’s no wonder that Facebook is now spending nearly 2/3 of its own advertising dollars on TV, according to Craig Jaffe and Kantar Media.
Add to this, a long list of pure play Internet retailers spending the lion’s share of their ad dollars on TV: Zulilly, Amazon, AdoreMe, TripAdvisor, Ancestry.com, EHarmony, Esurance, Overstock.com, Angieslist, Priceline, Legalzoom.com, FreeCreditScore.Com. The list goes on.
A short while ago, we may have predicted the death of TV, but 90% of video viewing is still happens on linear TV. comScore’s June 2017 study indicates that cord cutters are watching far less video in general and tend to be lower income.
“With modern measurement, the pendulum is swinging back for TV with an 11.7x reach advantage. But because TV’s ultimate success or failure rests on creative which can now be measured to the penny, advertisers should be producing far more creative executions than imagined because that’s where the ROI is,” said Mark Hughes of C3 Metrics.
Criteria include: fraud removal, user-level data, viewability, TV, and cost.
https://c3metrics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Most-Interesting-Man-1.jpg 320 756 Sarah Goodman https://c3metricssite-c3metrics.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/c3logo.png Sarah Goodman2017-06-13 19:00:442018-05-06 16:03:26What's the Secret to TV Advertising...70% Is
Will New Trump Anti-Comey Advertising Backfire? What Ad Fraud Looks Like – SIM Card Click Farms
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for Graph Theory and Combinatorics Seminar events the year of Friday, September 14, 2018.
3:00 pm in 241 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Graph Theory and Combinatorics Seminar
Topological version of Pach's overlap theorem
Boris Bukh (Carnegie Mellon Math)
Abstract: Given a large point set in the plane, where is its 'center'? Unlike the 1-dimensional case, there is not a single answer. We will discuss some of these answers, with the focus on the result of Pach. He showed that one can always find three large subsets A,B,C and a 'central point' p such that every A-B-C triangle contains p. We will then explain the topological generalization of this and related results, where for example the triangle edges are no longer assumed to be straight. Based on a joint work with Alfredo Hubard.
Submitted by mlavrov
An improved upper bound for the (5,5)-coloring number of K_n
Emily Heath (Illinois Math)
Abstract: A $(p,q)$-coloring of a graph $G$ is an edge-coloring of $G$ in which each $p$-clique contains edges of at least $q$ distinct colors. We denote the minimum number of colors needed for a $(p,q)$-coloring of the complete graph $K_n$ by $f(n,p,q)$. In this talk, we will describe an explicit $(5,5)$-coloring of $K_n$ which proves that $f(n,5,5)\leq n^{1/3+o(1)}$ as $n\rightarrow\infty$, improving the best known probabilistic upper bound of $O(n^{1/2})$ given by Erdős and Gyárfás. This is joint work with Alex Cameron.
3:00 pm in 241 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, February 6, 2018
The Slow-coloring Game: Online Sum-Paintability
Douglas B. West (Illinois Math and Zhejiang Normal University)
Abstract: The slow-coloring game is played by Lister and Painter on a graph $G$. Initially, all vertices of $G$ are uncolored. In each round, Lister marks a non-empty set $M$ of uncolored vertices, and Painter colors a subset of $M$ that is independent in $G$. The game ends when all vertices are colored. The score of the game is the sum of the sizes of all sets marked by Lister. The goal of Painter is to minimize the score, while Lister tries to maximize it; the score under optimal play is the cost. A greedy strategy for Painter keeps the cost of $G$ to at most $\chi(G)n$ when $G$ has $n$ vertices, which is asyptotically sharp for Turan graphs. On various classes Painter can do better. For $n$-vertex trees the maximum cost is $\lfloor 3n/2\rfloor$. There is a linear-time algorithm and inductive formula to compute the cost on trees, and we characterize the extremal $n$-vertex trees. Also, Painter can keep the cost to at most $(1+3k/4)n$ when $G$ is $k$-degenerate, $7n/3$ when $G$ is outerplanar, and $3.9857n$ when $G$ is planar. These results involve various subsets of Grzegorz Gutowski, Tomasz Krawczyk, Thomas Mahoney, Gregory J. Puleo, Hehui Wu, Michal Zajac, and Xuding Zhu.
3:00 pm in 241 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Proportional Choosability: A New List Analogue of Equitable Coloring
Jeffrey Mudrock (Department of Applied Mathematics, Illinois Institute of Technology)
Abstract: The study of equitable coloring began with a conjecture of Erdős in 1964, and it was formally introduced by Meyer in 1973. An equitable $k$-coloring of a graph $G$ is a proper $k$-coloring of $G$ such that the sizes of the color classes differ by at most one. In 2003 Kostochka, Pelsmajer, and West introduced a list analogue of equitable coloring, called equitable choosability. Specifically, given lists of available colors of size $k$ at each vertex of a graph $G$, a proper list coloring is equitable if each color appears on at most $\lceil |V(G)|/k \rceil$ vertices. Graph $G$ is equitably $k$-choosable if such a coloring exists whenever all the lists have size $k$. In this talk we introduce a new list analogue of equitable coloring which we call proportional choosability. For this new notion, the number of times we use a color must be proportional to the number of lists in which the color appears. Proportional $k$-choosability implies both equitable $k$-choosability and equitable $k$-colorability, and the graph property of being proportionally $k$-choosable is monotone. We will discuss proportional choosability of graphs with small order, completely characterize proportionally 2-choosable graphs, and illustrate some of the techniques we have used to prove results. This is joint work with Hemanshu Kaul, Michael Pelsmajer, and Benjamin Reiniger.
Fractional DP-Colorings
Anton Bernshteyn (Illinois Math)
Abstract: DP-coloring is a generalization of list coloring introduced by Dvořák and Postle in 2015. This talk will be about a fractional version of DP-coloring. There is a natural way to define fractional list coloring; however, Alon, Tuza, and Voigt proved that the fractional list chromatic number of any graph coincides with its ordinary fractional chromatic number. This result does not extend to fractional DP-coloring: The difference between the fractional DP-chromatic number and the ordinary fractional chromatic number of a graph can be arbitrarily large. A somewhat surprising fact about DP-coloring is that the DP-chromatic number of a triangle-free regular graph is essentially determined by its degree. It turns out that for fractional DP-coloring, this phenomenon extends to a much wider class of graphs (including all bipartite graphs, for example). This is joint work with Alexandr Kostochka (UIUC) and Xuding Zhu (Zhejiang Normal University).
3:00 pm in 110 Speech and Hearing Building,Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Extending edge-colorings of complete hypergraphs into regular colorings
Amin Bahmanian (Illinois State Math)
Abstract: Let $({X \atop h})$ be the collection of all $h$-subsets of an $n$-set $X\supseteq Y$. Given a coloring (partition) of a set $S\subseteq ({X \atop h})$, we are interested in finding conditions under which this coloring is extendible to a coloring of $({X \atop h})$ so that the number of times each element of $X$ appears in each color class (all sets of the same color) is the same number $r$. The case $S=\emptyset, r=1$ was studied by Sylvester in the 18th century, and remained open until the 1970s. The case $h=2,r=1$ is extensively studied in the literature and is closely related to completing partial symmetric Latin squares. An $r$-factorization is a coloring of $({[n] \atop h})$ so that the number of times each element of $[n]$ appears in each color class is $r$. Let $\chi (m,h,r)$ be the smallest $n$ such that any "partial" $r$-factorization of $({[m] \atop h})$ satisfying $r \mid ({{n-1} \atop {h-1}})$, $h \mid rn$ can be extended to an $r$-factorization of $({[n] \atop h})$. We show that $2m\leq \chi (m,4,r)\leq 4.847323m$, and $2m\leq \chi (m,5,r)\leq 6.285214m$.
3:00 pm in Talbot 104,Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Some important combinatorial sequences
Zoltan Furedi (Renyi Institute of Mathematics, Budapest, Hungary and UIUC)
Abstract: The sequence $a(1), a(2), a(3), \dots$ of reals is called subadditive if $a(n+m) \leq a(n)+ a(m)$ for all integers $n,m$. Fekete's lemma states that the sequence $\{a(n)/n\}$ has a limit (it could be negative infinity). Let $f(n)$ be a non-negative, non-decreasing sequence. De Bruijn and Erdos (1952) called the sequence $(a(n))$ nearly $f$-subadditive if $a(n+m) \leq a(n)+ a(m) + f(n+m)$ holds for all $n\leq m \leq 2n$. They showed that if the error term $f$ is small, $\sum_{ n=1}^{\infty} f(n)/n^2$ is finite, then the limit $a(n)/n$ still exists. Their results is listed in the Bollobas-Riordan book (2006) as one of the most useful tools in Percolation Theory. Among other things we show that the de Bruijn-Erdos condition for the error term in their improvement of Fekete's Lemma is not only sufficient but also necessary in the following strong sense. If $\sum_{ n=1}^{\infty} f(n)/n^2 =\infty$, then there exists an nearly $f$-subadditive sequence $(b(n))$, such that the sequence of slopes $(b(n)/n)$ takes every rational number. This is a joint work with I. Ruzsa.
3:00 pm in 241 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, March 13, 2018
On large bipartite subgraphs in dense H-free graphs
Bernard Lidicky (Iowa state University)
Abstract: A long-standing conjecture of Erdős states that any n-vertex triangle-free graph can be made bipartite by deleting at most n^2/25 edges. In this talk, we study how many edges need to be removed from an H-free graph for a general graph H. By generalizing a result of Sudakov for 4-colorable graphs H, we show that if H is 6-colorable then G can be made bipartite by deleting at most 4n^2/25 edges. Moreover, this amount is needed only in the case G is a complete 5-partite graph with balanced parts. As one of the steps in the proof, we use a strengthening of a result of Füredi on stable version of Turán's theorem. This is a joint work with P. Hu,T. Martins-Lopez, S. Norin and J. Volec.
A containers-type theorem for algebraic hypergraphs
Abstract: An active avenue of research in modern combinatorics is extending classical extremal results to the so-called sparse random setting. The basic hope is that certain properties that a given "dense" structure is known to enjoy should be inherited by a randomly chosen "sparse" substructure. One of the powerful general approaches for proving such results is the hypergraph containers method, developed independently by Balogh, Morris, and Samotij and Saxton and Thomason. Another major line of study is establishing combinatorial results for algebraic or, more generally, definable structures. In this talk, we will combine the two directions and consider the following problem: Given a "dense" algebraically defined hypergraph, can we show that the subhypergraph induced by a generic low-dimensional algebraic set of vertices is also fairly "dense"? This is joint work with Michelle Delcourt (University of Birmingham) and Anush Tserunyan (UIUC).
3:00 pm in 241 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Packing chromatic number of subdivisions of cubic graphs
Xujun Liu (Illinois Math)
Abstract: A packing $k$-coloring of a graph $G$ is a partition of $V(G)$ into sets $V_1,\ldots,V_k$ such that for each $1\leq i\leq k$ the distance between any two distinct $x,y\in V_i$ is at least $i+1$. The packing chromatic number, $\chi_p(G)$, of a graph $G$ is the minimum $k$ such that $G$ has a packing $k$-coloring. For a graph $G$, let $D(G)$ denote the graph obtained from $G$ by subdividing every edge. The questions on the value of the maximum of $\chi_p(G)$ and of $\chi_p(D(G))$ over the class of subcubic graphs $G$ appear in several papers. Gastineau and Togni asked whether $\chi_p(D(G))\leq 5$ for any subcubic $G$, and later Brešar, Klavžar, Rall and Wash conjectured this, but no upper bound was proved. Recently the authors proved that $\chi_p(G)$ is not bounded in the class of subcubic graphs $G$. In contrast, in this paper we show that $\chi_p(D(G))$ is bounded in this class, and does not exceed $8$. Joint work with József Balogh and Alexandr Kostochka.
3:00 pm in 241 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Directed hypergraphs
Gyorgy Turan (UIC Math)
Abstract: Directed graphs can be generalized to directed hypergraphs in different ways. The version where hyperedges can have several vertices in their tail, but only a single head, comes up in many contexts, such as reasoning with implications and closure operators. Paths are defined using a forward chaining process. We discuss some extremal, algorithmic and probabilistic aspects of directed hypergraphs and mention several open problems.
The Erdős–Gallai theorem for cycles in hypergraphs
Ruth Luo (UIUC Math)
Abstract: The Erdős–Gallai theorem states that if a graph $G$ on $n$ vertices has no cycle of length $k$ or longer, then $e(G) \leq (k-1)(n-1)/2$. We present a hypergraph analogue of this theorem. A berge-cycle of length $\ell$ in an $r$-uniform hypergraph is a set of $\ell$ hyperedges $\{e_1, ..., e_\ell\}$ and $\ell$ vertices $\{v_1, ..., v_\ell\}$ such that hyperedge $e_i$ contains the vertices $v_i$ and $v_{i+1}$. We show that for $r \geq k+1$, if $H$ is an $r$-uniform hypergraph on $n$ vertices with no berge-cycle of length $k$ or longer, then $|H| \leq (k-1)(n-1)/r$. This is joint work with Alexandr Kostochka.
Colorings of signed graphs - a short survey
Andre Raspaud (LaBRI, Bordeaux University)
Abstract: The signed graphs and the balanced signed graphs were introduced by Harary in 1953. But all the notions can be found in the book of König (Theorie der endlichen und unendlichen graphen 1935). An important, fundamental and prolific work on signed graphs was done by Zaslavsky in 1982. In this talk we are interested in coloring of signed graphs. We will give a short survey of the different existing definitions and the recent results on the corresponding chromatic numbers. We will also present new results obtained by using the DP-coloring.
3:00 pm in 241 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Planar graphs without adjacent cycles of length at most 8 are 3-choosable
Xiangwen Li (Central China Normal University, Math)
Abstract: DP-coloring as a generation of list coloring was introduced by Dvořák and Postle in 2017, who proved that every planar graph without cycles from 4 to 8 is 3-choosable, which was conjectured by Brodian et al. in 2007. In this paper, we prove that planar graphs without adjacent cycles of length at most 8 are 3-choosable, which extends this result of Dvořák and Postle.
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, August 28, 2018
The method of hypergraph containers
Jozsef Balogh (Illinois Math)
Abstract: We will give a gentle introduction to a recently-developed technique for bounding the number (and controlling the typical structure) of finite objects with forbidden substructures. This technique exploits a subtle clustering phenomenon exhibited by the independent sets of uniform hypergraphs whose edges are sufficiently evenly distributed; more precisely, it provides a relatively small family of 'containers' for the independent sets, each of which contains few edges. In the first half of the talk we will attempt to convey a general high-level overview of the method; in the second, we will describe a few illustrative applications in areas such as extremal graph theory, Ramsey theory, additive combinatorics, and discrete geometry. Note that it is a "repetition of the ICM 2018 talk", hence it will have overlap with several previous (seminar) talks, and no new result will be presented.
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Cut-edges and regular factors in regular graphs of odd degree
Dara Zirlin (Illinois Math)
Abstract: Previously, Hanson, Loten, and Toft proved that every $(2r+1)$-regular graph with at most $2r$ cut-edges has a 2-factor. We generalize their result by proving for $k \leq (2r+1)/3$ that every $(2r+1)$-regular graph with at most $2r-3(k-1)$ cut-edges has a $2k$-factor. We show that the restriction on $k$ and the restriction on the number of cut-edges are sharp and characterize the graphs that have exactly $2r-3(k-1)+1$ cut-edges but no $2k$-factor. This is joint work with Alexandr Kostochka, André Raspaud, Bjarne Toft, and Douglas West.
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Polynomial-Time Approximation Scheme for the Genus of Dense Graphs
Yifan Jing (Illinois Math)
Abstract: The graph genus problem is a fundamental problem in topological graph theory and theoretical computer science. In this talk, we provide an Efficient Polynomial-Time Approximation Scheme (EPTAS) for approximating the genus (and non-orientable genus) of dense graphs. The running time of the algorithm is quadratic. Moreover, we extend the algorithm to output an embedding (rotation system), whose genus is arbitrarily close to the minimum genus, and the expected running time is also quadratic. This is joint work with Bojan Mohar.
Typical structure of Gallai colorings
Lina Li (Illinois Math)
Abstract: An edge coloring of a graph G is a Gallai coloring if it contains no rainbow triangle. Like many of other extremal problems, it is interesting to study how many Gallai colorings are there and what is the typical structure of the Gallai colorings. We show that almost all the Gallai r-colorings of complete graphs are 2-colorings. We also study Gallai 3-colorings of non-complete graphs. This is joint work with Jozsef Balogh.
Generalized Turán problems for graphs and hypergraphs
Ruth Luo (Illinois Math)
Abstract: We will talk about a generalization of the Turán problem for hypergraphs: given a graph $F$, what is the maximum number of hyperedges an $r$-uniform $n$-vertex Berge $F$-free hypergraph can have? In particular, we will discuss tools used to reduce the hypergraph problem to problems for graphs. Finally, I will present some recent results for graphs without long Berge cycles. This is joint work with (different subsets of) Zoltan Furedi and Alexandr Kostochka.
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Long paths and large matchings in ordered and convex geometric hypergraphs
Alexandr Kostochka (Illinois Math)
Abstract: An ordered $r$-graph is an $r$-uniform hypergraph whose vertex set is linearly ordered, and a convex geometric $r$-graph (cg $r$-graph, for short) is an $r$-uniform hypergraph whose vertex set is cyclically ordered. Extremal problems for ordered and cg graphs have rich history.
We consider extremal problems for two types of paths and matchings in ordered $r$-graphs and cg $r$-graphs: zigzag and crossing paths and matchings. We prove bounds on Turán numbers for these configurations; some of them are exact. Our theorem on zigzag paths in cg $r$-graphs is a common generalization of early results of Hopf and Pannwitz, Sutherland, Kupitz and Perles for cg graphs. It also yields the current best bound for the extremal problem for tight paths in uniform hypergraphs. There are interesting similarities and differences between the ordered setting and the convex geometric setting.
This is joint work with Zoltán Füredi, Tao Jiang, Dhruv Mubayi and Jacques Verstraëte.
Independent sets in algebraic hypergraphs
Anush Tserunyan (Illinois Math)
Abstract: A modern trend in extremal combinatorics is extending classical results from the dense setting (e.g. Szemerédi's theorem) to the sparse random setting. More precisely, one shows that a property of a given "dense" structure is inherited by a randomly chosen "sparse" substructure. A recent breakthrough tool for proving such statements is the Balogh–Morris–Samotij and Saxton–Thomason hypergraph containers method, which bounds the number of independent sets in homogeneously dense finite hypergraphs, thus implying that a random sparse subset is not independent. Another trend in combinatorics is proving combinatorial properties for algebraic, or more generally, model theoretically definable structures. Jointly with A. Bernshteyn and M. Delcourt, we combine these trends, establishing a containers-type theorem for hypergraphs definable over an algebraically closed field: if such a hypergraph is "dense", then Zariski-generic low-dimensional sets of vertices induce a relatively "dense" subhypergraph (in particular, they are not independent).
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Sampling bipartite degree sequence realizations - the Markov chain approach
Péter L. Erdős (A. Rényi Institute of Mathematics)
Abstract: How to analyze real life networks? There are myriads of them and usually experiments cannot be performed directly. Instead, scientists define models, fix parameters and imagine the dynamics of evolution.
Then, they build synthetic networks on this basis (one, several, all) and they want to sample them. However, there are far too many such networks. Therefore, typically, some probabilistic method is used for sampling.
We will survey one such approach, the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, to sample realizations of given degree sequences. Some new results will be discussed.
Hamiltonian cycles in tough P₂∪P₃-free graphs
Songling Shan (Illinois State Math)
Abstract: Let $t>0$ be a real number and $G$ be a graph. We say $G$ is $t$-tough if for every cutset $S$ of $G$, the ratio of $|S|$ to the number of components of $G-S$ is at least $t$. Determining toughness is an NP-hard problem for arbitrary graphs. The Toughness Conjecture of Chvátal, stating that there exists a constant $t_0$ such that every $t_0$-tough graph with at least three vertices is hamiltonian, is still open in general.
A graph is called $P_2\cup P_3$-free if it does not contain any induced subgraph isomorphic to $P_2\cup P_3$, the union of two vertex-disjoint paths of order 2 and 3, respectively. We show that every 15-tough $P_2\cup P_3$-free graph with at least three vertices is hamiltonian.
The sum-product problem
George Shakan (Illinois Math)
Abstract: The Erdős–Szemerédi sum-product problem asserts that for any $A$ in the integers either $|A+A|$ or $|AA|$ is at least $|A|^2$ up to an arbitrarily small power of $|A|$. In this talk, we'll discuss recent progress and further questions.
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Paths and Arctic Curves: the Tangent Method at Work
Philippe R. Di Francesco (Illinois Math)
Abstract: Tiling problems of finite domains of the plane with a fixed set of tiles can often be rephrased in terms of non-intersecting lattice paths. For large scaled domains, random tilings can exhibit a sharp separation between “frozen” regions tiled regularly and “liquid” regions tiled wildly. This is the arctic phenomenon. The separating curve is called "arctic curve”.
We present a new technique, called the tangent method, to derive the arctic curve using only boundary properties of the set of paths describing the tilings. We apply this technique to the celebrated domino tiling problem of the Aztec diamond, and to the rhombus tiling of certain domains with arbitrary boundary shape. We perform exact enumeration using the Gessel-Viennot theorem for non-intersecting lattice paths, and asymptotic analysis. This leads to compact expressions for arctic curves and their q-deformations in the presence of area-dependent weights.
(Based on joint works with M.F. Lapa and E. Guitter.)
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Special four cycles in triple systems
Zoltan Furedi (Alfréd Rényi Institute of Mathematics, Budapest, Hungary)
Abstract: A special four-cycle $F$ in a triple system consists of four triples inducing a $C_4$. This means that $F$ has four special vertices $v_1,v_2,v_3,v_4$ and four triples in the form $v_iv_{i+1}w_i$ where the $w_j$'s are not necessarily distinct but disjoint from $\{v_1,v_2,v_3,v_4\}$ (indices are understood $\pmod 4$). There are seven non-isomorphic special four-cycles, their family is denoted by $\cal{F}$. Our main result implies that the Turán number ${\rm ex}(n,{\mathcal{F}})=\Theta(n^{3/2})$. In fact, we prove more, ${\rm ex}(n,\{F_1,F_2,F_3\})=\Theta(n^{3/2})$, where the $F_i$'s are specific members of $\mathcal{F}$.
We also study further generalizations, many cases remain unsolved.
How many edges guarantee a monochromatic ordered path?
Mikhail Lavrov (Illinois Math)
Abstract: An ordered graph is a simple graph with an ordering on its vertices, in which an ordered path $P_n$ is a path on $n$ edges whose vertices are in increasing order. In this talk, we will investigate the ordered size Ramsey number $\tilde r(P_r, P_s)$. This is the minimum $m$ for which some $m$-edge graph $H$ exists, such that every red-blue coloring of some the edges of $H$ contains either a red $P_r$ or a blue $P_s$.
I will show upper and lower bounds on $\tilde r(P_r, P_s)$ which are tight up to a polylogarithmic factor, and discuss connections to other Ramsey numbers for paths.
This is joint work with József Balogh, Felix Clemen, and Emily Heath.
2:00 pm in 243 Altgeld Hall,Tuesday, December 4, 2018
On Vertex-Disjoint Chorded Cycles
Derrek Yager (Illinois Math)
Abstract: In 1963, Corrádi and Hajnal proved that for all \( k \geq 1 \), any graph with \( |G| \geq 3k\) and \( \delta(G) \geq 2k \) has \( k \) vertex-disjoint cycles. In 2010, Chiba, Fujita, Gao, and Li proved that for all \( k \geq 1 \), any graph with \( |G| \geq 4k \) and minimum Ore-degree at least \( 6k - 1 \) contains \( k \) vertex-disjoint chorded cycles. In 2016, Molla, Santana, and Yeager refined this to characterize all graphs with \( |G| \geq 4k\) and minimum Ore-degree at least \( 6k - 2 \) that do not have \( k \) vertex-disjoint chorded cycles. We further refine this to characterize such graphs with Ore-degree at least \( 6k - 3\) that do not have \( k \) vertex-disjoint chorded cycles.
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Norway ups financial support against illegal fishing and plastic waste in Africa. Nelson Mandela University rakes in R1-million more
SEALING COLLABORATION: (From Left) Mr Derek Hanekom, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism and acting Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mr Iselin Nybø, Norway’s Minister of Research and Higher Education, and Dr Anthony Ribbink, CEO of Sustainable Seas Trust and member of the African Marine Waste Network during the signing of cooperation agreement in Port Elizabeth on Monday, 29 October 2018.
Port Elizabeth: 01 November 2018
The development of a cadre of knowledgeable personnel with high expertise in the management of illegal fishing in South Africa and in the rest of the continent has been given a further boost with the allocation of an additional financial support of about R1-million by the Norwegian government.
The additional funding confirmed earlier this week will go to the Nelson Mandela University (NMU)’s Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy (a.k.a FISHFORCE) established in 2016.
The academy was set up at the NMU through a R50-million financial support, over five years, by Norway with the goal of establishing a core of graduates with knowledge and expertise in the management of illegal fishing as well as contribute to development of effective strategies.
On Monday, Norway’s Minister of Research and Higher Education, Ms Iselin Nybø in the company of South Africa’s Minister of Tourism and acting Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mr Derek Hanekom; visited the NMU for the signing of a bilateral agreement cognizant of the additional R1-million funding.
Mr Alf Yngve Friiso, Counsel: Royal Norwegian Embassy in South Africa
Ahead of the signing ceremony, during the launch of an African Youth Waste Network early on Monday, Mr Alf Yngve Frisso, Counselor of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in South Africa said the additional funding would go towards training of port security officers – a category of key personnel that was not covered in the initial funding bilateral agreement with the NMU.
“These people work 24 hours a day at the ports and a lot of them do not have training in identifying fish species and different types of fishing crimes. The additional funding will go to the NMU FishForce Academy in order to increase and enhance these officials level of knowledge and expertise.” he said.
The beneficiaries of the Norwegian government support would not be limited to South Africans only, but would include other African countries, he said.
For more on this, click on the video below.
Norway commits additional R2.8-million to fight against plastic pollution
Ms Iselin Nybø, Norwegian Minister of Research & Higher Education
Meanwhile, Ms Nybø (38), on her first visit to South Africa, said collaboration between Norway and South Africa on strategic interventions in oceans management and related endeavors remained important to her government.
Addressing guests attending the launch of the youth network, Ms Nybø said she her government was impressed by both the initiative to rope in youth in the war against plastic waste pollution, as it was by the research, education and training undertaken by the Nelson Mandela University.
On plastic pollution, she said given realistic prospects that there would be more plastic at sea than fish in the near future, and that Africa would become the most polluted area of the world and a major contributor to plastic waste pollution, Norway’s government commitment to efforts to eliminate plastic waste pollution would be demonstrated through a direct investment of some 1.6-million Norwegian krone (R2.8-million) over the next three years.
To listen to Ms Nybø’s full remarks (about 08.20 minutes), please click on the video below.
Posted on November 2, 2018 November 2, 2018 by South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)Posted in Breaking News, Maritime Education, Research & Development, Training & Skills DevelopmentTagged African continent, Alf Yngve Friiso, financial support, FishForce Academy, Iselin Nybø, marine research and innovation, Minister of Research and HIgher Education, Minister of Tourism, Nelson Mandela Bay, Nelson Mandela University, Norwegian government, Oceans economy, plastic pollution, plastic waste, Royal Norwegian embassy.
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Hendrik Van Niekerk says:
Bravo Zulu
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« UCLA Anderson Presents: "Leaders On Leadership" -- Milken Institute's Paul Irving | Main | Richard Rumelt: "Real Productivity Gains and Real Economic Growth Do Not Come From Taking Stimulants." »
UCLA Anderson Forecast's David Shulman Says Ratings Agencies Are Overrated and that We're Looking for Cuts In All the Wrong Places
On Monday, the House of Representatives reached a compromise on the debt ceiling crisis facing the United States. Today (Tuesday), the Senate passed the legislation and President Barack Obama signed it, averting a potential default by the federal government.
But according to ABC News, "the country's pristine credit rating could still suffer a blow, raising the specter of an interest rate spike and a devastating ripple effect throughout the economy."
The focus on the nation's credit rating has increased scrutiny on the rating agencies themselves, causing some to wonder if they have too much power or if they are playing politics.
Paul Coughlin, executive managing director of corporate and government ratings for Standard and Poor's says in the ABC News story that "We are making real world observations about risk. We're just a rating agency, we just grade debt according to its relative safety or riskiness."
Some experts though are dubious about the power ratings agencies wield.
"I think the ratings agencies are over-rated,'' David Shulman, senior economist at the UCLA Anderson Forecast, told ABC News. "They're just human beings writing opinions. That's who they are. It's not coming from God on high."
Shulman (MBA '66, Ph.D. '75) is a former chief equity strategist for Salomon Brothers Inc. and managing director at Lehman Brothers. He also blogs as Shulmaven. In today's entry, he writes:
"The real problem with the deal is that the cuts are in the wrong places. Too be sure much (of) Nancy Pelosi's stimulus package of two years ago had to be undone, but our nation still needs infrastructure, research and yes, defense spending. In my opinion we will come to regret the steep cuts in the defense budget ... an elegant deficit reduction plan would have kept the taxes embedded in Obamacare and delayed implementation of the spending for three years. But the President and the Democrats really don't care about deficit reduction, just as the refusal of the Republicans to to accept modest tax increases demonstrate that, they too, do not care about deficit reduction either. The Simpson-Bowles Commission had it right and President Obama's biggest political mistake was his failure to endorse the their recomendations."
To see all of Shulman's comments to ABC News, click here.
To see Shulman's complete blog entry on the budget deal, click here.
To follow Shulman at Shulmaven, click here.
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19th Century, Visual and Material Culture
Docks, Ships and Shows: Maritime Cityscapes and Spectacle
April 25, 2019 Harriet Thompson Leave a comment
by Aga Serdyńska. Aga is a Modern Literature and Culture MA student with an avid interest in all things Victorian.
The Shows of London Nineteenth-Century Group brings together academics and postgraduates at King’s and the Courtauld Institute to discuss the literary, visual and audio cultures of nineteenth-century London. In the final research seminar of this term, ‘Docks, Ships and Shows: Maritime Cityscapes and Spectacle’, Joanna Hofer-Robinson (UCC) and Oskar Cox Jensen (QMUL) sparked a thought-provoking discussion about the textual and visual depictions of London docks, which also raised broader questions about methodology in the study of arts and humanities.
Jo’s new research project, the sneak peek of which she offered during the seminar, is a literary history of docks and surrounding urban areas, which would trace the evolution of the cultural idea of ‘docks’ through their textual representations. During her seminar presentation, Jo focused specifically on theatricality – the way in which spaces in and around docks are presented as visual and sensory entertainment. She argued that the language of the awesome deployed in the portrayal of docks is frequently coupled with confusion, suggesting that the spectacle exceed the viewer’s comprehension. She also pointed out that, perhaps counterintuitively, the spectacular can be conducive to boredom. If this is the case, she asked, what are the dangers of this ennui?
Where do docks start? How do we even begin to define them? Are they idiosyncratic and therefore to be considered individually depending on their location, or is there something universal about all docks, be they in London, Marseille or Hong Kong? How do the issues of race play into our discussion of docks? To what extent do nautical metaphors permeate our everyday language?
On the subject of docks and theatricality, Oskar discussed an image titled The Accurate Dimensions of the Nelson, a ‘superb and stupendous Ship’ which was to be launched from Woolwich on 20 June 1814. He pointed out the visual resemblance between this image and a theatrical playbill (see a comparison below) arguing that it is explicitly framed as spectacle and, as such, it would surpass anything one could possibly see on stage. He also interrogated the role the Thames plays in our conceptualisations of the cityscape of London, particularly with regards to the East/West divide, and drew attention to the glaring absence of people – sailors and dock workers – from our discussions of docks, highlighting the reification of industry which occludes its intrinsic human element.
The Accurate Dimensions of the Nelson
Playbill for The Taming of the Shrew
The discussion that followed revealed many more fascinating points of convergence between the nautical and the theatrical, ranging from conspicuous to almost incidental. Nautical melodramas constituted a theatrical sub-genre popular in the first half of the century, especially the 1820s and 1830s; Arthur Beale, London’s yacht chandler established over four centuries ago in Seven Dials, also supplies rope to theatres; panoramas – arguably the epitome of nineteenth-century spectacle – commonly featured ships. We also posed some notoriously tricky questions related to the subject at hand. Where do docks start? How do we even begin to define them? Are they idiosyncratic and therefore to be considered individually depending on their location, or is there something universal about all docks, be they in London, Marseille or Hong Kong? How do the issues of race play into our discussion of docks? To what extent do nautical metaphors permeate our everyday language? (You may not be aware of it, but common expressions such as ‘by and large’, ‘under way’ or ‘high and dry’ all have a maritime heritage).
John Singleton Copley, Boy with a Flying Squirrel
The most hotly debated issue during the seminar was an extract from Jennifer L. Roberts’ Transporting Visions: The Movement of Images in Early America, which provoked a controversy about critical methodologies in the study of the humanities. In the opening chapter of her study, ‘Dilemmas of Delivery in Copley’s Atlantic’, Roberts analyses John Singleton Copley’s Boy with a Flying Squirrel (Henry Pelham) ‘as a marine painting, or, to use a contemporary British term, a “sea piece”’ – not because it meets the usual criteria, but rather ‘inasmuch as it addresses the multivalent challenges of the transmarine displacement it was created to endure’ (p.16).
The most hotly debated issue during the seminar was an extract from Jennifer L. Roberts’ Transporting Visions: The Movement of Images in Early America, which provoked a controversy about critical methodologies in the study of the humanities.
The work, painted by Copley in Boston, was subsequently shipped to London to be exhibited at the Society of Artists, thus making a perilous journey across the Atlantic which, for Roberts, presented a number of obstacles that she considers to have been unjustifiably excluded from its interpretation. The goal of her analysis, then, is to unite the work of art and its context by reading the painting in the light of what she terms ‘the challenge of transatlantic distance’ (p.15). The eponymous squirrel, therefore, carries connotations of ‘travel and movement’, recalling ships of the same name which passed through Boston in the 1750s and 1760s; the fact that the boy is portrayed not en face, but in profile – an artistic decision mimicking ‘the most mobile and circulatory of all eighteenth-century objects: the coin’ – makes the painting ‘enter an abstract space of transmission and exchange’ (pp. 20, 27); the list goes on.
Roberts’ reading of the painting is finely attuned to minute details and offers insight both into the work of art itself and its contexts; however, whether her central premise – that the former can only be read through the latter – holds up to scrutiny turned out to be highly contentious. The potential shortcomings of her argument led to a debate on the usefulness of close-reading in the humanities. Is it more justified in some disciplines than it is in others? Is it possible – or advisable – to interpret a painting in the same way one would interpret a musical score? Can close-reading lead us down an academic rabbit hole? What counts as ‘evidence’ in the humanities? These are questions too big to be resolved in two hours – or, as a matter of fact, in a single blog post – so I’ll just let them resonate. If anyone has an answer, don’t hesitate to let us know.
All quotations taken from Jennifer L. Roberts, Transporting Visions. The Movement of Images in Early America (California: University of California Press, 2014).
Featured Image: James McNeill Whistler, ‘Limehouse’ (1859)
London is my East: A Reflection on Travel
Cottonopolis Cut Down: An English Atrocity and its Far-Reaching Consequences
On the Anthropocene, and Debts of Gratitude and Solidarity
19th CenturyDocksHumanitiesJennifer L. RobertsJohn Singleton CopleyLondonMaritime CulturemetaphorMethodologyNautical industryNautical melodramaResearch seminarRiver ThamesShows of LondonSpectacleTextualityTheatricalityVisual culture
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From Our Collections, Hartman Center
Mad Men Monday – Season 7, Episode 5 “The Runaways”
May 12, 2014 Kate Collins
Last night’s episode left viewers reeling over the crazy things that some of the characters did. Stan finds a folder of cartoons drawn by Lou on the photocopier. He shows them to some of the other creative staff and they make jokes. Don gets a call from Anna Draper’s niece, Stephanie, who is pregnant and needs help. He tells her to go to Megan’s house and he will fly out to see her. Megan takes her in, but then later tells Stephanie it would be best if she left, writing her a check for $1,000. Lou is angry at the creative staff for mocking his cartoon ambitions and orders them all to work late on a Friday night. Henry and Betty host part of a progressive dinner. Betty speaks up about the war in Vietnam and Henry contradicts her, causing a big argument later. Don arrives at Megan’s house and is disappointed that Stephanie has already left. Ginsberg becomes paranoid about the new computer and goes over to Peggy’s house to work. He tells her that the computer is driving him crazy and makes a pass at her. She pushes him away and sends him home. Sally comes home from school with a broken nose and argues with Betty. Bobby sneaks into Sally’s bedroom to ask if Henry and Betty will get a divorce because they argue so much. Megan hosts a party at her house for her acting friends. Don feels out of place, but then goes for a drink with Harry when he unexpectedly shows up. Harry tells Don that Lou and Jim are pursuing the Commander cigarette account, which will force Don out of SC&P because of the ad he did for the American Cancer Society. When Don comes back to Megan’s house after the party Megan and Amy seduce him together. The next morning Don flies back to New York and interrupts the meeting with Philip Morris executives, selling them on his services, much to the dismay of Jim and Lou. At SC&P Ginsberg calmly expresses his feelings for Peggy and gives her a gift box. She is horrified to open it and see his nipple, which he cut off to relieve the “pressure” from the computer. He gets carried out of SC&P on a stretcher in restraints.
Last night’s episode featured references to Xerox, rumaki, golf clubs, and American Tobacco, among other things. Enjoy our selection of highlighted ads that reflect the brands and themes that Mad Men characters interacted with last night.
A gallery of our selected images may also be found on Flickr.
Fascinating Finds in the Stacks: Women’s Lib?
The Presidential Hatchet Job
Mad Menmadmenmadmenmondays
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Home 2018 Elections Two Endorsements for Alexandria City Council: Willie Bailey and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
Two Endorsements for Alexandria City Council: Willie Bailey and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
With a bit over a month to until Alexandria Democrats head to the polls to choose their nominees for City Council, I’ve been looking more closely at the candidates, talking to people who know Alexandria politics, and am ready to make my first two endorsements.
A bit of background: as I noted in this post, there are a dozen candidates — eight newcomers (Canek Aguirre, Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Matthew Feely, Dak Hardwick, Amy Jackson, Robert Ray, Mo Seifeldein, J. Chris Hubbard) and four incumbents (Willie Bailey, John T. Chapman, Redella “Del” Pepper and Paul Smedberg,) running for six seats. Effectively, in such a heavily “blue” city, the Democratic primary will be equivalent to the general election, as it’s unlikely that any of the winners on June 12 will lose in November.
With that background, let me go right to my first two endorsed candidates for the June 12 Democratic primary: 1) incumbent Willie Bailey; 2) newcomer Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. Why did I pick these two candidates?
Let’s start with Willie Bailey.
There are a number of reasons I’m endorsing Willie Bailey. For starters, I’ve read and heard great things about him. I mean, how often is someone called a “living legend” who (bolding added by me for emphasis):
When he sees a child in need he springs into action, taps his vast network and marshals the resources to fill the need, not only for that child but for thousands of other children in Alexandria and throughout Northern Virginia…Each August under the auspices of the nonprofit Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue, which Bailey founded and with the support of Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department and Alexandria’s Fire Department he oversees the collection and distribution of approximately 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for children who otherwise would not have them. [note by Lowell: I’m informed that Bailey also distributes thousands of winter coats to kids, in addition to the backpacks filled with school supplies]
…When congratulated on his nomination as 2013 Living Legend, Bailey was a bit mystified. He had never heard of the Living Legends, so he googled it. He remarked that he had “never wanted recognition” and thinks of himself as “the man behind the scenes.” Drawing on lessons from military service, he says his “job was always to make others look good.”
How could anyone not like and admire someone like this? Especially when, from what I’ve read (see above) and heard from people who know him, Bailey does these things not for any personal credit or recognition, but simply because he feels the need – and wants to – help kids. Nice.
Turning to policy issues, I strongly agree with Bailey on adding 1 percentage point to Alexandria’s “meals tax” as a way to provide dedicated funding to affordable housing, something that has been shrinking rapidly in Alexandria. As this article explains, the tax – which would add a whopping 16 cents to a $16 restaurant bill (also note that “70 percent of people who use credit cards to dine out in Alexandria are not residents of the city”) – would “raise about $4.75 million annually for the city’s affordable housing trust fund.” And as this article points out, “while everybody eats at restaurants, wealthier people are more likely to eat out, and to spend much more money when they do so,” plus “Alexandria’s restaurants draw so many patrons from outside the city, [so] the tax is largely passed off to people visitors who don’t live in the city.” To me, this one’s an easy call, to the extent that I’m honestly not sure I could support anyone (e.g., Vice Mayor Justin Wilson and Councilor Paul Smedberg) who opposes the small meals tax increase — or dedicating the revenues to affordable housing.
On other issues, Bailey is a supporter of smart growth, which he correctly says “encourages high density around Metro stations” and “is the best way to both maintain residential neighborhoods while encouraging growth”; easing traffic congestion, in part by providing “more transit options to [the relatively underserved western] part of the city,” by supporting Metro and by “encourag[ing] the use of bicycles, which would also make our city healthier”; and making sure that ” all areas of Alexandria are receiving equal opportunities for development.” Again, I couldn’t agree more with all of this. Combined with everything else I’ve mentioned, this makes it very easy for me to give Willie Bailey an enthusiastic thumbs-up for reelection.
Next, here’s my thinking on Elizabeth Bennett-Parker.
You might start sensing a theme here, as Bennett-Parker – like Willie Bailey – is another person who seems more concerned about serving others than about personal accolades or credit. From her website (bolding added by me for emphasis):
Born in Alexandria to two Naval officers, Elizabeth is dedicated to serving her community. She helps lead Together We Bake, a nonprofit job training and personal development program for women in need. Working with our city’s most vulnerable women has led Elizabeth to help build an Alexandria that aims higher for families and individuals who need support.
Elizabeth understands the pressures of being a small business owner. She is the founder of Fruitcycle, a business fighting the tragic paradox that, while one in six Americans experience food-insecurity on a daily basis, 40% of our food is thrown into landfills.
Before launching Fruitcycle, Elizabeth worked for the National Governors Association, where she served as governors’ liaison to Congress, federal agencies, and the White House on issues related to transportation, economic development, and health.
She was appointed by the Alexandria City Council to serve on the Community Criminal Justice Board and was selected as one of Alexandria’s 40 under 40 in 2017.
Impressive. As for Bennett-Parker’s priorities, here are a few that jumped out at me as great reasons to support her candidacy: 1) “She is an advocate for fair planning that allows for big city vibrancy and preserves Alexandria’s small town charm.” (exactly the right combination, in my view); 2) “She will fight for environmental sustainability” (Alexandria badly needs an environmental champion on its City Council); 3) “She will work with ACPS to modernize facilities and make sure students receive the education they need to succeed.”; 4) “Elizabeth will fight to ensure that our City’s seniors, lower-income individuals, and young people are able to access affordable housing” (crucially important); 5) ” As a nonprofit leader who works with women who are homeless, recent immigrants, and formerly incarcerated, she knows the struggles of the most vulnerable members of our community. She will work to ensure all Alexandrians can succeed and build a great life for their families.” (again, a perspective and skill set that is much needed on the City Council).
Finally, note that the smart-growth advocates at Greater Greater Washington recently endorsed Bennett-Parker, citing her “ground-up experience, which highlights the need for bike infrastructure to not just exist, but be functional,” her “thorough answers,” and that she had “given a great deal of thought to these issues and how a place on the city council would allow [her] to pursue [her] vision.” Oh, and Run for Something endorsed her as well, writing that “As a small business creator and nonprofit leader, Elizabeth works to build an Alexandria that provides opportunities for all residents.”
So those are my first two recommendations for Alexandria City Council — nominate Willie Bailey for reelection and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker for first-time election. No matter what, make sure you vote on June 12 in the Democratic primary!
P.S. It will be interesting to see what Alexandria Republicans choose to do on June 12 – vote in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate or vote in the Democratic primary for Alexandria mayor and city council. True, Republicans only make up something like 20% of Alexandria’s voters, but if they choose to vote in the Democratic primary, they could certainly make a difference. My betting is that most of them will want to vote in the Republican U.S. Senate primary for Nick Freitas, Corey Stewart or E.W. Jackson, but we’ll see in a few weeks…
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
Willie Bailey
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Sergio Goyri Net Worth
How rich is Sergio Goyri?
Sergio Goyri net worth is
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Sergio Goyri Net Worth 2018, Biography/Wiki, Married/Wedding
Sergio Goyri Net Worth $8 Million
Sergio Goyri net worth: Sergio Goyri is a Mexican actor that has a net worth of $8 million. Sergio Goyri was born in Puebla, Mexico in November 1958. He’s over 160 performing credits to his name. Goyri started out in movies in the late 1970s and afterwards began starring in telenovelas too. He starred as Gabino Roura Beltran in the TV series Mi pecado in 2009. As a vocalist Goyri has released the studio albums The Party of my Town, Made for You, and Sergio Goyri. Sergio is famous for his trademark mustache and he’s the daddy of Sergio Goyri Jr.
Birth date: 1978-04-29
Birth place: Camarillo, California, U.S.
Profession: Actor, Assistant Director
Nationality: Mexico
Spouse: Telly Filipini
Children: Sergio Goyri Jr.
Nominations: TVyNovelas Award for Best Lead Actor
facebook.com/SergioGoyriOficial1
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/?curid=196400
1 Nephew of Rafael Goyri.
2 Son of Sergio Goyri.
Retén 1991 Video
La noche de la bestia 1988 Niño
Nesio 2008 assistant director
Is Sergio Goyri's Net Worth Deserved?
Sergio Goyri Jr. tags
$8 Million 1958 actor Actors Mexico November 14 Puebla Sergio Goyri Sergio Goyri Jr. Sergio Goyri Net Worth Sergio Goyri Perez Sergio Goyris Sergio Matusalem Goyri Pérez Telly Filipini TVyNovelas Award for Best Lead Actor
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Noomi Rapace Net Worth
Tameka Harris Net Worth
Carlos Mencia Net Worth
Mercedes Sosa Net Worth
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Home » Healthy Living » General Health » Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant Foot Injury: 7 Things To Know About A Jones Fracture
Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant Foot Injury: 7 Things To Know About A Jones Fracture
There is a lot of talk lately about Dez Bryant’s recent injury against the New York Giants where he broke his right foot, called a Jones fracture. Dez Bryant is the star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and is expected to sit out anywhere from 6-12 weeks. With a new $70-million dollar contract signed over the off season ($45 million guaranteed), the star receiver hopes to return to the field sooner. But, after undergoing surgery this past week, he may just well be out for the rest of the entire season. Other notable athletes who have suffered a Jones fracture include Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons. Here are seven things to know about this common injury.
1. What is a Jones fracture?
A Jones fracture is an injury to the base of the little toe, also known as the fifth metatarsal.
2. Why is it called a Jones fracture?
It was initially described by an Orthopedic Surgeon in 1902, Sir Robert Jones. It was believed he suffered the fracture himself while dancing. In fact, the Jones fracture is also known as a Dancer’s fracture, since many people incur this injury while participating in activities such as dancing.
3. What causes a Jones fracture?
In most cases, a Jones fracture is caused by a twisting injury to your foot, such as landing on it wrong while coming down from a catch. Other causes include overuse, repetitive stress, and trauma.
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Climate Change Driving Soil Restoration
[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 25, 2013 10:06:46 AM / by Carol Pierson Holding
With all the noise about reducing fossil fuel emissions – articles, boycotts, lawsuits, PR battles, news stories, even TV advertising – weaning ourselves off fossil fuels can sometimes feel like a hopeless struggle. On the other hand, the idea of pulling existing carbon out of the environment still holds a lot of excitement.
The buzz started with trees. From New York mayor Bloomberg’s million trees commitment to Africa’s Green Belt Movement, now 51 million trees strong, even school children know about reforestation. NGOs use public pressure to limit deforestation and encourage tree planting. Investment funds that maintain forests rather than cutting them down pay returns based on carbon credits and grants from agencies such as Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, the Global Environment Fund and the UN-REDD Programme in developing countries.
But forests are only one way nature can help mitigate climate change. Another is healthy soil.
The carbon-capturing quality of healthy soil and the carbon release of degraded soil have been mostly the province of science and professionals – the farmers and ranchers whose livelihood depends on productive soil. What’s holding soil back from getting the same affection as trees? Maybe it’s healthy soil’s distinctly unglamorous origins — decaying organic material, animal dung and yes, human excrement.
Soil is a strategic resource that can absorb enough carbon to offset 5-15% of global fossil fuel emissions. On the other hand, soil stripped of organic material and healthy microbes actually gives off heat-trapping CO2. A 2004 study by R. Lal of Ohio State University showed that depleted soil has contributed 21% of global atmospheric carbon.
With our most promising chance for climate mitigation in carbon sinks, our attitude towards soil has to improve.
The first Summit of the Northwest Biocarbon Initiative (NBI) was subtitled “Restoring Nature - Storing Natural Carbon.” Keynote speaker David Montgomery, MacArthur Genius and author of Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations argued that only now, seven years after his book was published, is attention to soil becoming a reality. Why? Because the impact of healthy soil on climate change makes the issue topical and personal for our largely urbanized civilization.
The soil buzz has begun in earnest. A recent TED Talk from the African soil restoration guru Allan Savory has gotten 1.7 million views. Savory has been advocating since the 1960s for mixing livestock and crops. Mimicking the way nature developed, with large herds grazing for short periods between which grass can regrow, Savory’s method insures that organic matter can restore soil. Savory’s Holistic Management method has expanded through the organization that bears his name, the Savory Institute.
The momentum for soil builds, even with consumer audiences. NPR did a twenty-minute segment with Judith Schwarz on her book Cows Save the Planet: Soil’s Secrets for Saving the Earth. And conferences like the NBI Summit and the Savory Institute’s first international conference being held this week bring together what have been obdurately distinct silos of environmentalism and agriculture. The Institute is also launching its first 10 U.S. training and education hubs. Savory’s vision is to have 100 hubs operational by 2025, restoring 2.4 billion acres of desertified or dead soil.
Maurice Robinette, owner of Lazy-R Ranch near Spokane and speaker at the NBI Summit, has been practicing and teaching Holistic Management sessions for 15 years. He told me that among the issues Savory’s organization is considering is how to brand the advantages of holistically managed beef — healthier meat from food with more nutrients, healthier soil, healthier environment — with end consumers.
The buzz grows.
There’s also a conversation about using treated human waste, or the more palatable “biosolids,” as an earth-cooling and soil-healing replacement for chemical fertilizer from companies like Monsanto.
[csrhubwidget company="Monsanto-Company" size="650x100" hash="c9c0f7"]
Using treated waste as natural fertilizer is not a new idea. For 20 years, King County, Washington has been supplying biosolids to farmers in Eastern Washington. But just last year, at the instigation of Jesse Israel of the County’s Resource Recovery Section, a new branding effort was launched under the name Loop to expand awareness of biosolids as part of nature’s cycle.
The Loop brand features an infinity symbol and the tagline, “Turn Your Dirt Around.” A consumer compost product called GroCo carries the logo to indicate the local biosolid ingredient. According to Peggy Leonard, Biosolids Program Manager, “Soil is underappreciated and biosolids are even more underappreciated than soil. It’s exciting to see people get excited about the power of soil, and even more so when they see that organic amendments are right under their noses.”
Photo courtesy of NRCS Soil Health via Flickr CC.
Carol Pierson Holding writes on environmental issues and social responsibility for policy and news publications, including the Carnegie Council's Policy Innovations, Harvard Business Review, San Francisco Chronicle, India Time, The Huffington Post and many other web sites. Her articles on corporate social responsibility can be found on CSRHub.com, a website that provides sustainability ratings data on 7,300 companies worldwide. Carol holds degrees from Smith College and Harvard University.
CSRHub provides access to corporate social responsibility and sustainability ratings and information on 7,300+ companies from 135 industries in 93 countries. By aggregating and normalizing the information from 230 data sources, CSRHub has created a broad, consistent rating system and a searchable database that links millions of rating elements back to their source. Managers, researchers and activists use CSRHub to benchmark company performance, learn how stakeholders evaluate company CSR practices and seek ways to change the world.
[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments posted in carbon capture, fossil fuels, Monsanto, Savory Insitute, Uncategorized, Lazy-R Ranch, MillionTrees NYC, Planned Grazing, soil restoration, Judith Schwarz, Loop, Northwest Biocarbon Initiative, R. Lal, Allan Savory, biocarbon, biosolids, Carol Pierson Holding, David Montgomery, GroCo
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Spring Facebook Charity - Northway Farms
By Rebecca Malcik | March 1st, 2018
Northway Farms is a non-profit community located in Bryan-College Station, Texas. Northway Farms offers affordable housing, restorative employment, and a loving family to women and children living in extreme poverty. They use farming as an enterprise to offer sustainable employment and a source of revenue for their residents. Their mission is to break the debilitating, often generational cycle of poverty, one family at a time. By meeting the most basic needs of mind (safety of home), body (integrity of work), and soul (belonging of family) for our residents, Northway Farms offers hope to homeless families, while empowering our community into a lifestyle of service.
Justin and Kasey Van Norman were led into the dream of Northway Farms after Kasey miraculously won her battle with an aggressive form of cancer. Through their own journey of suffering and then healing, they gained understanding and deep compassion for those around them still hurting. They worked for a local rescue and rehabilitation ranch for minors where their hearts were opened to the widespread pain and injustice suffered by families in their own backyard. The Van Normans discovered poverty and homelessness to be the common thread holding harmful patterns in place, and developed and founded Northway Farms as a way to reach these needs within the Bryan-College Station area.
If you would like to help support Northway Farms, please join us in our Facebook campaign for March, April, and May. For every New Like our Daniel Stark Law Facebook Page receives, we will match with $1 donated to this empowering organization. Please help us spread the word!
Visit northwayfarms.org to learn more!
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Dylan Collins on Startups in Ireland
June 4, 2009 ~ Joe
Dylan Collins of Jolt Games crystallizes my views on what needs to be done in Ireland with startups in the Irish Independent today,
Collins argues passionately about why Ireland needs to be providing greater support for its young technology entrepreneurs. "If Ireland wants to achieve this knowledge economy it should be prepared to invest at low seed levels.
"If Enterprise Ireland was to make 200 or 300 grants available every year at €50,000 a pop for entrepreneurs to build an online product and go to market. For €50,000, you can get three or four guys in a room for three or four months and they will build a product and go to market. If we had 300 of these groups every year, you would create a digital ecosystem.
"In the US, groups like Y Combinator are funding businesses at low levels and, in Europe, The Founders Fund is doing this.
"There are venture capitalists in the US waiting to bet on young businesses. It’s remarkable this hasn’t happened in Ireland yet. We should be supporting our young right now, instead of scaring them to death.
"For €10m a year, you could have 200 companies a year and 5pc of them could emerge as Ireland’s answer to Microsoft or Nokia," says Collins.
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3 thoughts on “Dylan Collins on Startups in Ireland”
Evert Bopp says:
I couldn’t agree more and you know that!
Early stage start-up development is still more hampered rather than supported in the current climate. There is a glut of bureaucracy and a lack of actual funding and support.
I am trying to address this area with the GreenHouse incubators. We will not only provide the “room” for the start-up to work in, we will also help to develop the business from an idea to a level where it is ready for further funding and expansion. All at no cash cost but rather in exchange for a small amount of equity (a la Ycombinator).
We’ve now built up a large network of mentors and “service providers” who we can call on to assist the start-up with their every need.
We also actively encourage networking between the start-ups on the incubation cycle and hold weekly open coffee club type “brainstorming” sessions.
In the current economic climate there cannot be enough support for start-ups as these are excatky the companies that will lift us out of the current recession…
What I’d like to see too is more €6,000-ish grant schemes like the level 1 awards made by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland each year. I was one recipient of such a grant last year and it gave me the opportunity to invest a lot of time getting my project off the ground. @keithdkennedy is after announcing on Twitter that he has just received news today that he is to receive a level 1 awards through this year’s scheme. And I know that’s going to make a big difference to him in terms of the commitment he can give to his project idea. In some terms there’s not a lot you can do with €6k but in some ways there is. And access to the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland network is invaluable.
I often wonder why us Tuesday-pushers don’t create a similar ‘crowdsourced’ grant scheme where we use Pledgebank or similar crowfunding app to fund (non-social) business ideas IQ-prize style by the group of people donating to the fund… and I do mean donating. We could then provide advice/feedback on an on-going basis in the same way Social Entrepreneurs Ireland do, through an on-line forum/network/twitter.
I for one would be happy to pledge €60 to such a fund and I’m sure we could find 100 other on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and so on. In fact I’d be happy to make such a donation every couple of months. Anyone want to help make it happen?
Luke Curley says:
Very valid points, I like the idea of micro loads. There also needs to be a non CORD grant system for graduates. CORD is based on previous year tax paid, so graduates can’t benefit from it, or small self employed businesses who have been going for 18 months and thus paid themselves a very small wage (€10,000) if even possible, can’t benefit from it.
Another area, unrelated to grants is route to market. Making it easier for SMEs to establish and sell into USA and Canada is key, the European market is great for large companies, but for must small (mirco) companies it’s not possible due to language barriers, and bureaucracy. USA and Canada is the key market and selling into these markers and getting press there is required.
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Shadow Dawn Updates & Extracts
A Friday Freewrite – Obscurite Extract
written by Carol J Forrester
It was cold on the Witch Moors. Wind seemed to sweep in from every direction, cutting through the canvas tents and chilling Tara to the core. She pulled the wool cloak tighter around her shoulders and jammed her chin into her chest to keep her teeth from rattling out of her jaw. She tried to focus on Mormonth and Ilia, their heads bowed together as they plotted out the best way to steal into the Grey Castle break Lord Turnkay’s defence from behind.
Curse the Lords and their stupid taxes Tara thought. Could her father have not waited until summer and then sent his armies to demand dues owed by the Northern territories? Why did he have to send her, and why now of all times?
“Milady?” Ilia was looking at her now, forehead creasing with concern. “Milday, are you quite well?”
Tara shook her head and wished again that they could have built a fire. They had three hundred men with them, all of which lay shivering among the ferns waiting for morning to arrive so that they might attack the Grey Castle and allow the blood lust to drive out what was left of the moor’s chill.
“I’m fine,” Tara said, stepping closer to the wooden table that occupied most of the tent. “Do we know how we will breach Turnkay’s defences?”
Mormonth coughed and tapped a spot on the centre of the map closest to her on the table.
“The Western Gate is their weakest point,” he told her. “We breach that and there will be no way that they can keep up out.”
“I see,” replied Tara. “That seems rather convenient.”
“Exactly,” spat Ilia, tossing her hair as she spoke. “It’s all very convenient. Half of Turnkay’s house guards are in Port Layrowen escorting the Lady Turnkay to her mother’s home in Abawist and the ones that are left have barely a year’s training between them. If we break through that gate it will be a massacre on their side.”
Tara could almost hear the pieces clicking together in her mind.
“I believe,” she said slowly, “that may be exactly what my father wants.” She stepped away from the maps and turned her back on the other two people in the tent. They were both older than her. Ilia at twenty-six by five years, and Mormonth by another forty. Both had grown up in her father’s service and when Tara had turned sixteen she had been handed over to the pair for training.
“You will learn to use a sword,” her father instructed, looking down on her from his ebony throne. Tara had fidgeted at that, twisted her hands into knots behind her back as she thought about sparring Thomas, the son of one of the palace guards. “I want you to be able to kill a man with a single blow,” he’s told her, back as poker straight as always. Her father never seemed to show any emotion. Sometimes she had wondered if perhaps his skin had petrified in that throne, preventing his from moving even the smallest of muscles. The thought of him being unable to rise had given her a twisted sort of comfort, but even if her father did not act then there were others more than willing to act on his behalf. So she’d learnt how to use a sword, and daggers and crossbows and any other weapon that Mormonth could find to place in her hands. Even her own body became a weapon.
Ilia was chewing the skin from her bottom lip when Tara turned back to face them. Her silver eyes were fixed on the map but Tara didn’t think that they were really seeing what was there. Ilia had a tendency to drift away into her own thoughts, snapping back when someone came close enough to touch her.
“Elfin scum,” hissed a man who Tara didn’t know. He was a trader from the lower city, petitioning the council for something or other which is why he was inside the Palace. Ilia had wrapped her arms around his neck and snapped it within moments, allowing the body to drop to the corridor floor with a dull thud.
“I don’t like this,” said Ilia, releasing her lip and returning to the frozen tent with Tara and Mormonth. “Something just seems off about this.”
“There’s nothing off about this,” Mormonth snorted. He was probably the warmest of the three with layers of fat and muscle bulging beneath his furs to keep the heat in his bones. “Forbeath’s just being the usual ruthless bastard that he always is.”
Ilia looked unconvinced.
“This seems vindictive, even for him. Turnkay could not garrison the castle properly even if he wanted to. This feels akin to butchering the helpless.”
Mormonth scowled and scratched at his chin. He’s shaved the day they’d set out from the capital three weeks ago but not since. Unfortunately this meant that his beard had reached the point where the hairs were beginning to curl back on themselves, creating a forest of white hair that seemed to tickle him endlessly.
“If Forbeath want Turnkay dead then Turnkay’s a dead man already. I’ve got no problem putting my seal on it if you’re turning squeamish on my Ilia.”
“I’m hardly squeamish you old goat,” Ilia scowled. “I simply don’t like the idea of risking men on needless slaughter!”
Tara released her cloak and laid her hands against the table, spreading her fingers so that she could see the map between them.
“Clearly my father wishes to send a message,” she said. “Since Lady Turnkay will be spared from this slaughter I’m assuming the message is for her.”
“What’s this got to do with that hag,” asked Mormonth. “Last time I saw her she was nothing more than some shrivelled up prune. It’s no wonder Tunrkay doesn’t care if she disappears to see her mother for months at a time.”
Tara resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Mormonth could be a brilliant tactician and in his prime there were few who could stand against him in combat. Politics though, were often lost on him.
“She controls the money,” said Ilia. Explain so that Tara did not have to. “Turnkay’s father almost bankrupted the family and it was only Turnkay’s marriage contract that prevented them losing everything. There was a catch though. The Tunkay’s have no control when it comes to the money that the marriage brought in. Lady Turnkay must validate every monetary decision and on her death that responsibility will pass onto her daughter who is married to Lord Dawson’s eldest son.”
“Lord Dawson with the army three times the size of my father’s,” added Tara. “We kill Lady Turnkay and we hand a fortune over to an angry, bereft daughter with a powerful husband, we kill Lord Turnkay and my father can command her Ladyship to marry whomever he chooses. Most likely someone that he believes can control her.”
Mormonth let out a snort.
“Bloody complicated all of it,” he snapped. “It used to be simple. Kill those who opposed you, terrorise the rest into submission. When did everything become so political?”
“It’s always been political Mormonth,” said Ilia. “You were just too stupid to notice.”
Tara heard him growl in response but decided to stay out of that particular spat.
“When do we attack,” she asked. “First light?”
“Before,” Ilia said. “I’ll wake the men an hour before dawn, I’ll only need two of them to plant explosives around the Western Gate but the rest need to be ready for battle as soon as the rubble settles.
“It won’t be a stealthy entrance,” Tara warned. “The Western Gate is narrow, four men across at most. Turnkay’s guards, as few as they may be, could still pen us in.”
“That is the problem which has haunted us all night little one,” chuckled Mormonth. “We have the numbers and the tools to break through any attempt they may make to pen us, but it will cost lives.”
“Then we need another plan,” Tara concluded. “We need to ensure that Turnkay’s forces are defeated before we break through the gate.”
“And what exactly would you suggest,” Ilia asked. “Can you see another way into the castle?”
“Not for an army no,” said Tara. “But perhaps for one person on their own.”
“You want to send a scout?” Mormonth’s face split into a grin. “How quaint.”
Tara shook her head.
“A scout would be useless,” she said. “We need sometime more pro-active in approach.”
“You mean you want to send an assassin,” said Ilia, catching on to what Tara was suggesting.
Tara nodded.
“One person goes in, kills Turnkay and displays his head to all within his castle walls.”
“Sounds like suicide,” Mormonth grumbled.
“No, not necessarily,” said Tara. She watched as Mormonth’s eyes bulged forward out of their sockets.
“Under no bloody circumstances are you going in there my girl! Do you hear me! No! It would be my head on display if word got back to your father.”
Tara’s lips curled upwards slowly as she looked to Ilia who was standing silently, arms folded across her chest.
“Ilia?” she asked.
“I don’t doubt your capabilities,” said Ilia. “But if you fail then we all suffer. Your father is not a forgiving creature.”
“Then let’s make sure there is nothing to forgive,” Tara grinned.
This entry was posted in: Shadow Dawn Updates & Extracts
Tagged with: Book, Carol j Forrester, chapter, creative writing, fantasy, fantasy fiction, fiction, free write, freewritefriday, novel, prose, story, writing
by Carol J Forrester
Carol Forrester is a writer trying to be a better one. She’s currently working on a poetry collection 'It's All In The Blood'. She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can. Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon. More recently her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears. She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
This is a very strong introduction to what sounds like an interesting story. You have a solid grasp of the fantasy genre
caroljforrester says
Thank you very much, it’s lovely to hear that someone thinks I’m doing fantasy well and that the piece works well as an introduction. I’ve been trying to work out how to create an opening to this novel for ages. Ideas for the plot-line are hardly in short supply [though few seem to actually fit together], but the opening has always left bashing my head against the keyboard trying to work out how to introduce people to the mess that is my imagination.
Thank you for the lovely comment.
You’re welcome. I thought it was part of a story you had already written. 🙂
Part of a story I’m writing. I have most of the rest of it drafted [sorted of]. It just needs pulling together into a clear plot.
Please take the time to tell me what you think, I love receiving feedback. :) Cancel reply
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CELaunchpad's Problem Statements
by Aaron Long on 12 Mar 2017
Friday 3/24 | Saturday 3/25
Project Demo Night 4/25
About | Schedule | Speakers
Mentors | Problem Statements
Partners and Event Sponsors | Volunteers
Adopt a Project:
In addition to starting new projects, Launchpad participants can decide to support these open-source projects and deliver an even greater impact!
PA Vote Explorer
District Builder
Philadelphia Traffic Court Proceedings
Station Down
electME
Councilmatic
Problem Statements
For an idea on what we are looking for with project ideas, check out our Project Idea blog post.
You can submit your ideas using our Project Idea Submission Form.
Improving Citizen Engagement with RCOs
Idea & Opportunity
Registered Community Organizations (RCO’s) have a critical role in the development process in the City of Philadelphia. Many are robust volunteer organizations that perform important civic work. With over 190 (RCOs) in the City, as a citizen it can be hard to identify who does what, where they do it and how someone can get involved. Currently, very limited information about these RCOs is publicly accessible and in most cases the information is dependent on each individual RCO making it available themselves.
This would be an opportunity to expand what data is publicly available and aggregate in one central location. The City has already provided the submissions and supporting documentation from the 192 RCOs that were granted status.
Who benefits if we take action?
Citizens looking to learn more about the work their neighborhood RCO is doing or who want to join their RCO, but don’t know how to become members or how to run for the board.
Community Based Policing
Using publicly available data, machine learning algorithms, and communication technology can increase citizen awareness and preparation of predictable crime. Breaking & Entering, Theft from Vehicle, even traffic accidents seem to follow a particular pattern. For example, there are more auto accidents on Friday afternoons, and Breaking & Entering show repeats about a month or two in the same area.
The idea is to get programmers and data analysts to create predictive models with raw data, then score these models against future projections. Findings should be easily shared using social media and other digital communication channels. OpenDataPhilly has crime data going back to 2006. What’s missing is a public space for people to create models. A running beta site has been setup at Kaggle.com.
Both local citizens and Philadelphia police
Open Seat Finder - 2017 Board of Elections
While there’s been a lot of excitement about the 2018 ward elections next year, there are another 1,600+ hyper-local offices on the ballot in 2017—the Board of Elections! These are tiny, division-level seats that are also a good entry point into local politics, and who occupies these seats matters for whether polling places are well-run. Typically only about 60% of these seats get filled in any given election cycle. After March 18th, we’ll know who all filed petitions to run for the Board of Elections seats, and we’ll also know which seats are still open.
An interactive Open Seat Finder map would be of great practical value for getting information about open seats out to people who might be interested in waging a write-in campaign. A similar effort in 2014 promoted a map of open ward committee seats, and resulted in a wave of successful write-in campaigns, and the same could happen in 2017.
People thinking about running for their first local political office; voters who will enjoy a well-staffed polling place and speedy voting experience if more Board of Elections seats are filled.
Get Out the Vote Block Captains
Similar to what’s done with the Streets Dept, create a non-partisan “get out the vote” Block Captain program for Philadelphia neighborhoods to encourage voting in upcoming elections. Block Captains would help register new voters, provide non-partisan sources of election information, and encourages actual participation.
A tech platform could support Block Captains receiving occasional “best practices” training about increasing voter participation, allow captains to sign up for push reminders via text messages and receive small get out the vote marketing materials prior to registration deadlines/election day. Not to vote for a specific candidate, but just to register, be informed and then just to go vote on Election day. Donations could be accepted to support the materials and perhaps even compensate captains in poor neighborhoods for their work.
Blocks will benefit by building community and increase their voice by displaying that their constituents care. Citizens learn more about elections. Philadelphia contributes more voters to statewide elections and national elections.
Viral Social Campaign
Let’s create a viral social campaign that encourages local civic engagement here in Philly. Imagine a platform and message similar to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The platform would encourage the community to volunteer and nominate others to do the same. Idea is based on something similar in Calgary.
Sample: do 3 things for your community, share it on fb/instagram/twitter (photos & videos preferred), and then nominate 3 more people to do 3 things. Homepage has a list of all completed activity and perhaps a list of “things” that need to be done. Preferably includes a mobile component to make sharing easy.
Broadly, the City of Philadelphia. Specifically it would encourage all local citizens to get engaged in making Philly a hotbed of engaged citizens.
Visualizing the Anti-Gerrymander: Help Fair Districts PA map its assets so that it can defeat gerrymandered political maps in Pennsylvania
Please checkout District Builder and consider adopting it
There is growing momentum across the country against gerrymandering, the process by which politicians draw their district boundaries to obtain an unfair advantage for themselves or their political party.
In Pennsylvania, the all-volunteer organization Fair Districts PA (FDPA) was founded in January 2016 to bring form and action to this movement. (See www.fairdistrictspa.com for details.) FDPA membership has grown dramatically in recent months, but it now needs the technological capacity to better deploy volunteer and financial resources coming in by the day — and to spur activism where there is currently no or limited FDPA organizing.
We propose creation of a geographical information system tool to help FDPA organizers visualize areas of strength and weakness so as to effectively organize resources to the most critical areas. The initial version of the tool would be developed and tested within Philadelphia; when proven we hope to scale it to cover the entire state.
The tool would begin with a map of conventional political and geographic boundaries (municipalities, counties, state legislative districts, etc.) and then add layers representing information relevant to FDPA organizing. A layer could illustrate the energy behind FDPA, including where meetings have taken place. A layer could show key districts that have decision-makers/persuadables - highlighting districts represented by party leadership, key committee members, members who will be targeted by the opposing party’s outside money in 2018, etc. Another layer might be useful in soliciting and targeting donations for key actions of the campaign. Furthermore, different segments of a given layer could be coded by color or other means to represent important metrics. For example, a zip code layer could show density of FDPA membership and outreach activity by local organizers. The legislative district layer might have multiple codes for degree of support or hostility from a given legislator, degree of influence that legislator has on others, margin of victory in their last election, proximity of a legislator to their next election, amount of outside money flowing to that legislator, etc. Essentially, the layers of this map would develop a Call to Action - donating, starting a working group where there is a void, contacting legislators, eventually completing a Draw the Lines map, etc.
The initial beneficiaries would be the local leadership of FDPA, at both the neighborhood and city-wide level. If scaled to cover the entire state, the tool would be of tremendous value to all FDPA leadership at the county, region, and state levels.
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Bitcoin guide
Seoul Conference
How to buy BSV?
Business 9 July 2019
Erik Gibbs
Tether and Bitfinex not playing by the rules in New York
The case brought against Tether and Bitfinex by the New York Attorney General (NYAG) continues to move forward. On top of questions over the relationship between the cryptocurrency firm and the crypto exchange, questions regarding illegal operations being conducted by the two in the state of New York have arisen. It appears that, despite public comments to the contrary, Tether and Bitfinex have been serving New Yorkers much longer than it previously appeared and in violation of state laws.
Tether and Bitfinex have tried to argue for the dismissal of the case because they don’t have anything to do with New York and that “the businesses do not allow New Yorkers on their platforms and do not advertise or otherwise do business here.” The NYAG set out to determine whether or not this was true and has returned with evidence spanning over 28 separate exhibits proving the two were lying.
The evidence shows that New York customers have logged onto Bitfinex site as recently as December 18, 2018. Another piece of evidence shows Bitfinex in talks with Galaxy Digital to try and get the crypto firm to sign up as a Bitfinex customer last October. Bitfinex was also found to have accounts held by two banks in New York—Noble Bank and Signature Bank—in addition to at least “one other New York-based financial institution during the relevant time period, which they used to transfer money to and from clients of the Bitfinex and Tether platforms.” Noble Bank is the same name as the bank that Tether used to use for its fiat stores before seeking a new bank last year.
The NYAG’s office adds in its court response, “Respondents have repeatedly engaged New York firms to assist them in their business objectives, including to make statements to the markets about the operation of the Bitfinex trading platform and the cash backing of tethers; and as recently as 2019, Respondents opened a trading account with at least one New York-based virtual currency firm.”
The NYAG is now also calling out Bitfinex for its recent initial exchange offering, which it asserts is a clear example of a securities issuance. The offering, which allegedly picked up over $1 billion in investment funds, has reportedly been available to New York residents in violation of state laws.
Note: Tokens on the Bitcoin Core (SegWit) chain are referenced as SegWitCoin BTC coins. Altcoins, which value privacy, anonymity, and distance from government intervention, are referenced as dark coins.
Bitcoin Satoshi Vision (BSV) is today the only Bitcoin project that follows the original Satoshi Nakamoto whitepaper, and that follows the original Satoshi protocol and design. BSV is the only public blockchain that maintains the original vision for Bitcoin and will massively scale to become the world’s new money and enterprise blockchain.
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RelayX offering discounts on Bitcoin SV purchases
RelayX is offering up to 5% discounts on BSV purchases, and advertising plenty of ways to take advantage.
About Calvin Ayre
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An Update on the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Dear Harvard College Students,
As I wrote you in March of this year, Harvard College is working to strengthen our community– and today, we write with an update for you regarding our important work on ensuring we are a place where the dignity, rights, and differences of all of our students is respected.
Both the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and its Office of BGLTQ Student Life are important resources for our community – offering programs and initiatives that help to permanently embed diversity and inclusion in the fabric of our academic, residential, and work environment. Further, they assist in connecting our community through social events, creating opportunities for fellowship and understanding, and fostering a safer, more diverse, and inclusive campus. To that end, we are pleased to share with you that the College will create an integrated, permanent space for both Offices in Grays Hall. Over the coming year, the College will work closely with you as students to design the new space, beginning with focus groups that will be held this fall. As we work through the planning process, the BGLTQ team and the Diversity Peer Educators will move to 5-7 Linden Street on the 2nd floor for the 2016-2017 academic year.
Additionally, we would like to share with you that the College will conduct a national search for a Director of BGLTQ Student Life, to replace Dr. Van Bailey, who departed this summer for the University of Miami. Sheehan Scarborough, Assistant Director of Student Services at the Harvard Summer School and a Proctor in the Freshman Dean’s Office (FDO), has agreed to serve as the Interim Director of BGLTQ Student Life. He will begin this new role on August 22, 2016. For additional updates on staff transitions and support, please visit the Office of BGLTQ Student Life.
If you have additional questions over the summer and throughout the transition, please feel free to contact us directly.
Danoff Dean of Harvard College
Dean Emelyn dela Peña
Assistant Dean of Student Life for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
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Jack Salt De'Andre Hunter Kihei Clark Ty Jerome Kyle Guy Tariq Owens Davide Moretti Jarrett Culver General news Sports College sports Basketball Men's basketball Men's sports College basketball Men's college basketball NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
Virginia ACC Texas Tech Big 12
Analysis: Breaking down Virginia, Texas Tech title game
By DAVE SKRETTA and RALPH D. RUSSO - Apr. 08, 2019 02:04 AM EDT
Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver, left, and head coach Chris Beard questions during a news conference for the championship of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Minneapolis. Texas Tech will play Virginia on Monday for the national championship. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Texas Tech and Virginia have reached the national championship game by leaning on stingy defenses, overlooked and underappreciated stars, and no shortage of nail-biting NCAA Tournament wins.
So, what will it take for the Red Raiders to hoist their first basketball trophy — and second NCAA title trophy in any sport? And what will it take Virginia to finally win its first hoops title?
Here's a look at why they'll win:
Simply put: There is no way that likely NBA lottery pick Jarrett Culver struggles as much as he did in the Red Raiders' semifinal victory over Michigan State, when he committed three turnovers and was held to 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting by the defensive-minded Spartans.
That's only the start, though.
Backcourt mate Davide Moretti, who was downright heroic in their tournament win over Gonzaga, only had five points against Michigan State. Long, lanky forward Tariq Owens missed a good chunk of the second half with a foot injury, though it appears he'll be ready to go against the Cavaliers.
Despite all those hiccups, the Red Raiders still turned back the Big Ten champs.
Maybe they're just a team of destiny.
"Our goal has never been to make a tournament. It's been to win the tournament," said Texas Tech coach Chris Beard, the coaching vagabond whose toughness and tenacity has endeared him to fans back in West Texas. "It's easy to talk about and really, really hard to do. But that's where we started this whole thing, just trying to have the expectations and the vision where we could be relative."
Oh, his club is quite relative now. The Red Raiders have the nation's No. 1 defense by almost any metric, better even than the Cavs' vaunted pack-line D, and their offense has been so quietly efficient over the past six weeks that Beard took umbrage with the lack of attention it has received.
They also have Culver, who should be the best player on the floor Monday night.
"It means everything," he said. "This is what you started your summer for. This is what you worked all year. Just knowing you're the last two teams playing on Monday night is just so special."
Yes, the Cavaliers are known for defense, but their methodical offense tends to hide the fact that they have been one of the most efficient teams in the country on that end of the floor.
Virginia rarely turns the ball over (8.9 per game, fewest in the country), has one of the best turnover-to-assist ratios in the country (1.59, fifth best) and is seventh in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (39.4).
Texas Tech's defense is not only the best Virginia has faced this season it is one of the best in recent college basketball history, according to KenPom metrics.
"We're going to have to be ball strong," Virginia assistant coach Jason Williford said. "They get a ton of deflections. They take the ball out of guys' hands."
With Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and Kihei Clark, Virginia often has three ball-handlers on the floor. In third-team All-America wing De'Andre Hunter, the Cavaliers have another capable facilitator. That should help in the face of Tech's grinding pressure.
And, of course, Virginia plays lock-down defense, too. This championship game seems destined to be a tight, possession-by-possession affair. The Cavaliers are built for those.
And after pulling off two straight minor miracles to get this far, it's hard not to come away thinking: Whether it's karma or fate or some type of divine intervention, it's just Virginia's year.
"Hopefully, whatever that is," center Jack Salt said, "is still on our side."
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Xavier Johnson Terrell Brown Tyus Battle Franklin Howard Oshae Brissett Elijah Hughes Trey McGowens Jared Wilson-Frame Sports College sports College basketball Basketball Men's basketball Men's sports Men's college basketball
Pittsburgh ACC Syracuse
Brissett, Howard carry Syracuse past Pittsburgh 65-56
By WILL GRAVES - Feb. 02, 2019 09:29 PM EST
Syracuse's Frank Howard, left, looks to pass as Pittsburgh's Xavier Johnson defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Syracuse won 65-56. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jim Boeheim doesn't believe in midseason evaluations. The Syracuse coach knows it doesn't matter. All everyone remembers is how it ends.
That being said, Boeheim does know one thing: the Orange are pretty good when Frank Howard is hitting shots the way he did in Saturday's 65-56 victory over Pittsburgh.
With leading scorer Tyus Battle struggling, Howard scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half — including a pair of 3-pointers during a decisive 16-5 run — as Syracuse (16-6, 7-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) swept the season series from the Panthers.
Howard missed four games at the beginning of the season with back injury but the senior guard has picked it up recently. He collected 16 points in an upset of then top-ranked Duke last month and is averaging 11.1 points in conference play.
"I know we're a lot better than we were when Frank didn't play earlier in the year," Boeheim said. "Without him we don't win this game."
Pitt (12-10, 2-7) had trimmed a 16-point deficit to just 39-36 in the second half the Orange responded behind Howard and Oshae Brissett. Brissett, who led the Syracuse with 18 points, started the Orange's surge with a pair of free throws then later collected an offensive rebound and kicked it out to Howard, who calmly hit a 3-pointer from the corner.
Howard nailed another 3 on Syracuse's ensuing possession as the Orange pushed their advantage to 55-41 with 8:02 to go. Pitt never got closer than seven the rest of the way as Syracuse improved to 4-1 on the road in the ACC a season after just going 3-6 away from the Carrier Dome in league play.
"This is a different team, you see that," Howard said. "Tonight is a prime example of that. It could be anybody's night."
Syracuse needed it to be anybody's night with Battle going just 2 of 13 from the floor on his way to six points, 12 below his season average. Ultimately, it didn't matter.
"That's what I'm most happy about," Battle said. "You never know when nights like this are going to happen and for us to come out here and get a pretty solid win in a hostile environment in the ACC is pretty impressive."
Brissett used his 6-foot-8 frame to get into the lane with relative ease while making 6 of 9 shots from the floor and added a game-high 12 rebounds.
"I stayed aggressive the whole game, I never let up," Brissett said. "Coach was calling my number and every time he did I felt like I was able to get a bucket for him."
Terrell Brown scored a season-high 16 points for Pitt. Xavier Johnson scored 14 points to go with six assists and five rebounds but the Panthers dropped their fifth straight. Pitt shot 32 percent (18 of 57) and made only 5 of 22 3-pointers, giving the Orange little reason to extend their 2-3 zone defense.
"At times we played really good offensively," first-year Panthers coach Jeff Capel said. "We've just got to do it for 40 minutes."
Syracuse suffocated the Panthers for large portions of their 74-63 victory on Jan. 19 as Pitt struggled to generate any sort of offense outside of Jared Wilson-Frame and Johnson.
Two weeks later and 360 miles to the southwest, it was more of the same. Wearing gold retro jerseys and playing in front of a sellout crowd that included former program luminaries like Billy Knight and Chevy Troutman, the Panthers looked tentative at times and overwhelmed at others. By the time Pitt found its footing early in the second half, the Panthers were in a hole they couldn't find their way out of.
"Adversity is something you have to go through," Capel said.
MCGOWENS IN A FUNK
The Panthers upset Louisville and Florida State last month thanks in large part to the play of freshman guard Trey McGowens, scoring at least 30 points in the victories. McGowens has cooled off significantly since. He finished with three points against the Orange and missed all five shots from the field and is averaging just 7.2 points over his last five games.
"He just needs to play better," Capel said. "And he will."
Syracuse: The Orange have the proper ingredients to be a threat in the ACC into March. The fact they could survive on a day when Battle or second-leading scorer Elijah Hughes (five points) couldn't generate much of anything is tangible proof they're developing the kind of depth they'll need down the road.
Pittsburgh: The Panthers need Brown to show more of the assertiveness he showed offensively in the second half if they ever want opponents to stop playing zone against them. Brown scored 14 of his 16 points over the final 20 minutes, most of them on dunks after he got position inside.
Syracuse: Hosts Florida State on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Pittsburgh: Visits Wake Forest on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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2015 Signing Period Recap
It’s now been three months since National Signing Day, and the majority of teams have released their signing classes. This year, seven new players will replace the three seniors who graduated after the 2014 season, taking the player total to 21 for this season. Four of the six players will be joining teams that either currently or previously have had Australians playing for them, with the remaining two players becoming the first Australians to play for their respective teams.
Wyoming have once again stacked up on the Aussies, with the current trio of Alisha Bass, Georgia Rowntree, and Candace Sciberras being joined by two more Aussies: Sydney University midfielder Annika Clayton, and Jessie Gentle, who hails from Woolgoolga on the NSW Mid-North Coast.
Also adding to their list of Aussies are the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State, whose trio of Jenna Collingridge, Bridget Sankey, and Maddy Cornell will become a quartet with the addition of Canberra’s Australian Under 17 national team defender Siena Senatore.
One team who is reloading on the Aussie front is Washington State, the former home of ex-Matildas player Rachael Doyle. The Cougars, who play in arguably the best conference in the nation, the PAC-12, have signed Western Sydney Wanderers and Manly United striker Tia Gavin. Tia played on the Football NSW Institute side that won NPLNSW Women’s 1 in 2014, and her form saw her earn a W-League contract for the most recent season.
Claire Urquhart has signed with the University of Albany, and is already over in the US training with her new team, whereas most other players will not be joining until August. The age group national team midfielder is the first Australian to play for Albany.
Adelaide’s Dylan Holmes, who has represented the Young Matildas and played for Adelaide United in the W-League, has committed to Colgate, a team that is definitely on the rise despite being controversially omitted from the NCAA Tournament last season. Players like Dylan will only help Colgate’s cause over the next four years.
Our final addition to the college scene this year is Melbourne’s Emma Heckenberg, who will be joining Drexel in Philadelphia. Emma spent the 2014 season playing alongside Hofstra’s Emily Hulbert at Monbulk in the Victorian Women’s Premier League, and the two will now be conference rivals as Drexel and Hofstra both play in the Colonial Athletic Association.
We’ll be taking a closer look at the new players soon, but in the meantime, if there are any players we’ve missed, don’t hesitate to let us know!
Author LachyPosted on May 1, 2015 May 1, 2015 Categories RecruitingTags Annika Clayton, Claire Urquhart, Dylan Holmes, Emma Heckenberg, Jessie Gentle, Siena Senatore, Tia Gavin
2 thoughts on “2015 Signing Period Recap”
Anne Oldford says:
Dylan Holmes- young Matilda (Vietnam 2014) Adelaide United 2014, NTC player of the tournament 2014, has committed to Colgate University- currently ranked 39 NCAA Div I. For this August 2015. Go Raiders!
Thanks Anne!
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/Marvel
Falcon & The Winter Soldier
WandaVision
Avengers Project
Marvel: Contest Of Champions
Avengers: Endgame Star Chris Evans Shares Baby Photo in Honor of Father’s Day
By Jamie Jirak - June 16, 2019 01:54 pm EDT
Happy Father’s Day! This year, June 16th is the day to celebrate dads everywhere, so people have taken to the Internet to honor their fathers, step-dads, grandpas, and various father figures. One person to join in the celebration is Chris Evans, the actor best known for playing Steve Rogers/Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor posted a lovely photo to Twitter of him as an adorable baby with his pops.
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there who understand the importance of love, encouragement, patience, listening, and lollipops. pic.twitter.com/d8R3cCPYQH
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) June 16, 2019
“Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there who understand the importance of love, encouragement, patience, listening, and lollipops,” Evans wrote.
Many fans commented on the post, clearly loving the throwback photo.
“Happy Father's Day to your dad. He should feel very proud to have a son like you,” @dobsleypromise wrote.
“I can’t believe you were a baby once,” @httpcevans joked.
Some fans evens celebrated the fact that Evans is a dog dad, sharing photos of the actor with his pup, Dodger.
happy father's day to you too sir pic.twitter.com/HybXGft6xb
— hels (@nomadcevans) June 16, 2019
happy father's day to you! pic.twitter.com/OMBLnsMXG4
— luisa (@tonystrnge) June 16, 2019
happy father’s day! 💌 pic.twitter.com/nE48SQ4OkJ
— anna (@devilrogers) June 16, 2019
Currently, you can catch Evans on the big screen in Avengers: Endgame, which also stars Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Josh Brolin (Thanos), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), and Bradley Cooper (Rocket Raccoon).
This year, you can also see Evans in Knives Out, the latest film from Star Wars: The Last Jedi director, Rian Johnson. He’ll also be acting alongside The Haunting of Hill House’s Michiel Huisman in the upcoming The Red Sea Dicing Resort.
Avengers: Endgame is still playing in theaters everywhere. Other Marvel Cinematic Universe films include Captain Marvel, which is now available on DVD and Blu-ray, and Spider-Man Far From Home, which lands in theaters on July 2nd.
In this latest episode we go all-in on Spider-Man: Far From Home spoilers! We go through the post-credit scenes, what they mean and all the easter eggs we could find. Make sure to subscribe now to never miss an episode!
PLUS! Check out our SPOILER FILLED chat with Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige and Sony Pictures' Amy Pascal about the movie! Brandon Davis covers it all, including those Spider-Man: Far From Home post-credit scenes! Listen below or click here!
Marvel's Daredevil Star Vincent D'Onofrio Has Perfect Response to The Little Mermaid Controversy
Kevin Feige Talks Spider-Man: Far From Home Spoilers, Marvel's Phase 4, and More
Marvel Reveals All-New Horrifying Look For Carnage
Marvel Fan Figures Out Newest MCU & Netflixverse Connection That We All Missed
The Weekly Pull: Wolverine & Captain America, Black Hammer/Justice League, and More
Spider-Man: Far From Home's Biggest Tell Was Hidden In The Marketing
Spider-Man: Far From Home - Marisa Tomei Almost Had A More Classic Looking Aunt May Haircut
How Absolute Carnage is Spinning Event Gold from Straw
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Idris Elba Shares Hilarious Awkward Selfie with James Bond Star Daniel Craig
By Cameron Bonomolo - January 7, 2019 01:53 pm EST
Thor star Idris Elba, who has been at the center of James Bond replacement rumors, shared a cheeky photo with Bond star Daniel Craig snapped during Sunday’s 76th Annual Golden Globes.
Er.... pic.twitter.com/cl9CNTN1Iv
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) January 7, 2019
The funny photo sees Craig staring down Elba, who captioned the photo “awks.”
In August, Elba was the reported frontrunner to replace the 50-year-old Craig when the star exits the iconic role.
The Equalizer II director Antonine Fuqua spurred the rumors when he disclosed franchise producer Barbara Broccoli said “it is time” for a non-white James Bond, before Fuqua said the Luther star “could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.”
Those rumors were quickly debunked when Fuqua’s representative said the filmmaker “never had a conversation with Barbara about the franchise or about any casting,” adding such murmurs are “all made up stuff.”
The 46-year-old Elba has been frequently cited as a potential candidate for a black Bond, but the star said in 2016 he was “too old” for the role and that such hopes belonged to the “wildest rumor in the world.”
"If I’m really honest, man, I think I’m too old for that,” a then-43-year-old Elba told Good Morning America. “I’d be running around in cars and ladies and martinis — who wants to do that? It sounds terrible!”
He later suggested a non-white Bond in 2018, telling PEOPLE the role could be filled by someone who isn’t male, saying “it could be a black woman, it could be a white woman,” before adding the franchise should “do something different” with the long-running role.
Bond 25, again starring Craig in his fifth outing as the character, was once set for a late 2019 release under Trainspotting and 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle. After Boyle exited the project over creative differences, he was replaced by Cary Joji Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation).
Appearing on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in 2017, Craig remarked of the untitled Bond 25, “I think this is it. I just want to go out on a high note. I can’t wait.”
Elba’s Marvel Cinematic Universe co-star Tom Holland, who plays Spider-Man, has since expressed interest in the role as did DCEU star Henry Cavill, who plays Superman in the Warner Bros. franchise. Cavill, whose future with his DC Comics role is uncertain, is reportedly being eyed for Craig’s replacement.
Bond 25 opens February 14, 2020.
Star Wars: Mark Hamill Shares Hilarious Story About Carrie Fisher
Bill & Ted 3 Adds Kristen Schaal to Cast
Hilarious Iron Man Meme Reveals the True Villain of the Marvel Universe
Ludacris Welcomes John Cena to Fast & Furious 9
Spider-Man: Far From Home Almost Featured a Very Different Mysterio
Marvel Only Told Spider-Man: Far From Home Writers Three Important Avengers: Endgame Details
Spider-Man: Far From Home Writers Dish on Major MCU Callbacks from Iron Man and Captain America
Cameron Boyce's Sister Reveals Touching Tribute to the Late Actor
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Grenke Chess Classic R3: MVL joins Vitiugov in the lead
by Aditya Pai - 03/04/2018
Round three of the Grenke Chess Classic was the last round to be played in the current tournament venue in Karlsruhe. But before the tournament moved to its new venue in Baden Baden, there was an important change at the top of the leaderboard: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave joined Nikita Vitiugov as the tournament leader by beating Hou Yifan. Vitiugov in the meantime was held to a draw by Naiditsch. In another exciting game, Fabiano Caruana annihilated Georg Meier's king with a monstrous kingside attack. Magnus Carlsen also tried hard to win but Matthias Bluebaum defended stubbornly and allowed the world champion no chance. An illustrated report.
Round 3: A new co-leader emerges
There were some important changes on the leaderboard at the conclusion of the third round of the Grenke Chess Classic. Russian GM Nikita Vitiugov, who had been leading the tournament by a half-point margin so far, was joined by GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the first place. After two back to back wins, Vitiugov slowed down by drawing against GM Arkadij Naiditsch while Vachier-Lagrave won his second consecutive game in round 3 defeating women’s world number one, GM Hou Yifan. As for the only Indian in the fray, Vishy Anand, after his loss in the previous round, went for a solid but tepid draw against GM Levon Aronian of Armenia.
Hou Yifan blundered yet again in time trouble against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Photo: Georgios Souleidis
In the game that changed the number of tournament leaders from one to two, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave hardly had an advantage against Hou Yifan for a large part of the game. The Frenchman had the black pieces in a Symmetrical English and chose the hedgehog setup. The game followed the same moves as Vachier-Lagrave’s game against Aronian from the Leuven rapids last year. Since Aronian had won the game with the white pieces, Yifan saw no reason to no repeat Aronian’s moves from the game. Vachier-Lagrave was ready with an improvement but his novelty hardly gave him an edge. The position looked more or less equal and it was rather Hou who was pressing for the most part. “I thought I was out of problems but she turned out to pose more and more,” Vachier-Lagrave said after the game.
Despite all the problems posed by his opponent, the French number one managed to keep things under control and as play neared the first time control, Hou found herself short of time. On her 33rd turn, she blundered away a simple double attack that more or less finished the game on the spot. To conclude things, Vachier-Lagrave exchanged queens and was about to win a second pawn in the knight endgame when Hou resigned.
Fabiano Caruana played a cracker of a game to defeat Georg Meier | Photo: Georgios Souleidis
The second decisive game of the round was also won by the black player. This was the game between local GM Georg Meier and Fabiano Caruana. Just like in the previous round, Caruana went all out for an attack quite early in the game. Despite essaying the innocuous Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez, Caruana, with his g5 pawn advance in combination with 11…Rg8, affirmed it loud and clear that this was not going to be a peaceful day. Continuing energetically, Caruana did not even bother castling and before the 20th move, he was close to winning. However, this is when he began to miss chances. Before finally finishing off by catching the white king in a mating net, Caruana had missed several wins.
“This was incredibly careless. I was not happy that I made it so messy,” he said after the game.
Vishy Anand played a solid draw against Levon Aronian | Photo: Georgios Souleidis
India’s Viswanathan Anand, after his loss in the previous round, was pitted against Armenian GM Levon Aronian in round 3. Aronian has been trying hard to make a comeback after his dismal performance at the recently concluded World Championship Candidates’. His win in the previous round was a very convincing one and rubbing him the wrong way in an attempt to eke out a win could have turned out to be fatal. Nevertheless, Anand had the white pieces and did make half an attempt to keep some chances in the game by going for an Anti-Berlin. Play remained fairly balanced all through the game and after exchanging a pair of minor pieces, the players decided to sign the truce by repeating the position.
Tournament leader, Nikita Vitiugov was held to a draw by Arkadij Naiditsch | Photo: Georgios Souleidis
Arkadij Naiditsch’s game against tournament leader Nikita Vitiugov was an equally tepid affair. The game opened with a kind of a hybrid opening between the Italian and the Ruy Lopez. Both sides castled long. By the 30th move, all pieces except rooks were hacked off the board. In the dead equal rook endgame that ensued, the players shuffled pieces for 13 more moves before calling it a day.
Magnus Carlsen tried very hard to bag the full point but had to settle for a draw in the end... | Photo: Georgios Souleidis
...against the lowest rated player in the fray, GM Matthias Bluebaum | Photo: Georgios Souleidis
Of all the draws of the day, Magnus Carlsen’s draw against German youngster Matthias Bluebaum was the most exciting. Of course, Carlsen is the world champion and the highest rated player in the fray while Bluebaum lacks both experience and rating. It was understandable then that Carlsen wanted to push for a win even if he had the black pieces.
However, Bluebaum, too, has shown so far that he is not an easy nut to crack. In the previous round, he had held Carlsen’s newly appointed challenger to a draw and in this round, he matched his wits with the world champion. The world champion had declared his nefarious intentions against the white monarch quite early in the game by going for the Classical variation of the King’s Indian Defence. But despite all of the world champion’s attempts to bring him down, the young German GM refused to bend. After a mass trade of pieces a queen and knight versus queen and knight endgame was reached. Carlsen tried for 60 moves to create chances in the position but Bluebaum stood strong and made no errors forcing the world champ to settle for a draw.
Round three of was the final round to be played at the current venue at the Schwarzwaldhalle in Karlsruhe, Germany. Fourth round onwards, the tournament will move to Schach Zentrum (Chess Centre), Baden Baden. Due to the change in venue, Tuesday will be a rest day. Play will resume on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 6:30 PM IST.
Aditya Pai is an ardent chess fan, avid reader, and a film lover. He holds a Master's in English Literature and used to work as an advertising copywriter before joining the ChessBase India team.
Previous Reports on Grenke Chess Classic
Grenke Chess Classic R1: Carlsen faces his challenger in the inaugural round!
Grenke Chess Classic R2: Anand loses to MVL; Vitiugov keeps his lead
Coverage on Firstpost
Grenke Chess Classic, Round 1: Hou Yifan holds Viswanathan Anand; Magnus Carlsen-Fabiano Caruana clash ends in draw
Grenke Chess Classic, Round 2: Viswanathan Anand loses to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave; Nikita Vitiugov on top
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Future Concerts
The Chichester Singers
One of the South's leading large amateur choirs
THE CHICHESTER SINGERSOne of the South’s leading amateur choirs
The Chichester Singers have been an established part of musical life in Chichester and West Sussex for over 60 years.
The choir performs under the musical direction of Jonathan Willcocks, one of the UK’s foremost choral conductors and composers. We have over 150 singing members and our repertoire includes a broad range of music from the great choral classics to contemporary works, performed with first-class professional soloists and orchestras.
The choir’s accompanist is Sue Graham Smith and we currently work with the professional chamber orchestra Southern Pro Musica with most of our concerts in Chichester Cathedral.
Members' Area Contact Us
Tickets available in September
CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL – SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2019
A CHILD OF OUR TIME: TIPPETT
Join us in November for a concert featuring the great works of 19th and 20th century English composers. Tippett started writing A Child of Our Time the day after World War II was declared. It was written as an expression of “man’s inhumanity to man;” it’s one of his most widely known choral works.
The Enigma Variations is one of the greatest orchestral pieces of the 19th century and secured Elgar’s reputation as a composer of international standing. It is also one of the most popular works for lovers of English music.
Based on a Walt Whitman poem, Toward the Unknown Region, this is Vaughan Williams’ first major choral piece, but already reveals in full measure a mastery of choral technique and structure – moving from dark mystery at the opening to a blaze of celebratory triumph at its conclusion.
ChrissyHBFuture Concerts 4 0
Our recent concerts
The Chichester Singers have wide and varied repertoire, with a commitment to performing a balance of familiar choral works from the greats together with more modern pieces and new commissions.
Have a browse through some reviews of our last few performances.
Summer Concert – 22 June 2019
3 weeks ago 3 weeks ago ChrissyHBConcert Reviews
As their part of the Festival of Chichester, the Chichester Singers produced a rather special concert in the Cathedral. To an extent,...
St Matthew Passion – JS Bach
4 months ago 3 weeks ago Bruno NewmanConcert Reviews
Lent, with Good Friday just around the corner, is undoubtedly the appropriate time in the Christian calendar to sing about the Passion....
Lest We Forget – Centenary of the 1918 Armistice
And all the trumpets sounded – Ronald Corp Ein Deutsches Requiem – Brahms On the weekend before Armistice Day, The Chichester Singers...
Handel’s Messiah Chichester Cathedral – Saturday 8th December 2018 For many, Christmas would not be complete without hearing Handel’s ever-popular Messiah, whether...
Would you like to join the Chichester Singers?
Come and sing with us with no obligation, and meet our friendly choir
It’s concert day!!! https://t.co/7S3nVpIDYM
about 3 weeks ago | @chisingers
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Chichester Cathedral – Saturday 22nd June
Concert Notes
The Chichester Singers is a Resigistered Charity in the UK No. 264683
© 2019 The Chichester Singers
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Enterprise Thinking - Home
The (Real) Death of Windows Phone, American-style (Part I)
Josh Greenbaum
Despite the recent hullabaloo about Microsoft’s new hardware offerings, including some new high-end Lumia phones, it’s time to bid farewell to Windows Phone, at least in the US consumer market. While I hate to leave the market up to a duopoly run by Alphabet/Google and Apple, that’s how it’s going to be for the foreseeable future. Microsoft’s five-year Windows Phone freefall is living, or dying, proof that there are only so many second chances in tech, even for the kings of second chances, and it’s finally time to throw in the towel on another great phone OS that never lived up to its potential. (ah, Palm OS, we hardly knew ya too.)
What the end of Windows Phone means depends on who you are. It’s clear that Microsoft loses big, and not just because of the Nokia write-down. It’s possible to argue (more on that below) that businesses that were counting on a Windows 10 cross-device enterprise experience that includes smartphones might also bemoan the fate of Windows Phone. But the death throes of Windows Phone shouldn’t bother consumers in the least. They’re too busy enjoying the latest coolness from their Android and iOS phones while they take for granted an absolutely superior (to Windows Phone) user experience on apps and websites too numerous to count.
While the demise of Windows Phone has been pending for some time, I knew the die was cast when I met up last summer with a Microsoft employee, new iPhone in hand, who recounted how he had tried to replace a dying Windows Phone and found that his carrier only carried low-end, starter Windows Phones, but no “flagships.” He waved his new iPhone 6 at me and said the obvious – why would I want to downgrade to stay on Windows Phone?
Which was my experience three weeks ago. Verizon recently changed its pricing plan, and the new regime meant that I was paying $40 per month for a two-year old Windows Phone with a slowly dying battery. Time for an upgrade, and the two year contract time was up. My choices were pretty stark – basically I could downgrade to an inferior Windows Phone and pay a little less than $40, or pay $43 per month and get a iPhone 6S. Guess which way I went?
(I have to say that there are a few things on my Windows phone that I miss, including the overall UX and text to voice, but in general the move to iPhone was a huge upgrade in many important ways. Apps, apps, and more apps, a better Bluetooth experience, improved browsing on a lot of key websites, and so far Siri works better for me than Cortana.)
In case the new phone disincentive wasn’t disincenting enough, the chances that Verizon would be quick on the uptake in supporting Windows Phone 10 is basically nil, considering their pitiful response to the advent of Windows 8.1 and Cortana, which frankly was the move that made Windows Phone truly competitive from a UX standpoint. Considering, from Verizon’s standpoint, the prospects for a strong US market for Windows Phone has only gotten worse since last year’s painfully delayed release of Windows Phone 8.1 on the Verizon network, I basically expect Verizon will do nothing about putting Windows 10 on its existing Window Phones for as long as possible. Which made getting the 6s even more of a no-brainer.
My experience, and the experience of other Microsoft employees I have spoken to since last summer who also were forced to move to an iPhone, is part of a pattern of neglect on the part of US carriers that has been going on for some time. This neglect is what will finally kill Windows Phone for good, if it hasn’t already. A quick look at the top four (Verizon, ATT, T-mobile and Sprint) shows that the march to oblivion is not slated to change any time soon, even at AT&T, which boasts the largest contingent of Windows phones, most likely due to the fact that it owns the Microsoft corporate account.
The neglect of Windows Phone has been pretty much across the board in the US:
Verizon as of this writing offers three Windows Phones, as many as it does Blackberrys (along with six iPhones and 24 Android phones). Only one of these phones comes from Microsoft (Lumia 735). The rest are from HTC and LG, which I would imagine aren’t going to be pushing hard to develop leading edge Windows phones any time soon, what with the OS owner being a direct competitor and the aforementioned dead US market. (There’s always the rest-of-world market, a theoretical opportunity for Windows Phone which I will partially debunk shortly.)
AT&T, the chosen Microsoft carrier, has three Windows Phones, all from Microsoft, but the highest-end one, the Lumia 835, is only available as a refurbished phone (Certified Like-New!) Are they kidding? Where did they get even these rejects? How much more down market can a carrier go than to offer a refurbish as its flagship phone? Meanwhile, AT&T has two Blackberrys for those in love with another lost cause. It has made some motions about carrying one of the new Lumia’s, but as of this writing no sign of it on their website.
Sprint has one Windows Phone, a Lumia 635, and T-mobile has one Blackberry, which is one more than the total of Windows Phones it offers. The rest of the market is all iPhones and Androids.
And even if anyone had the crazy idea to try to use the latest, albeit largely unavailable to US users, Lumia flagships, the fact is that the newest ones don’t even begin to blow-out the iPhone 6S. And, let’s be honest, there is simply no way that any reasonably sentient app developer would bother to develop for a moribund market like Windows Phone, which means the app gap will never ever improve. And, similarly, the humiliation of being invited to a conference and not being able to download the conference app, makes whatever Microsoft does with Lumia an on-going compromise for many business users. More humiliations: you can’t watch Amazon Prime movies on Windows Phone, nor can you watch anything on Southwest Airline’s inflight entertainment system, nor can you…. You get the point.
To Be Continued: Wherein I question the enterprise market and non-US market opportunities for Windows Phone........
Catching Fire in the Cloud: Infor Takes on Customer Stasis, Workday, and Salesforce.com
Monday, Sep 29, 2014
ARTICLE: It’s year four in the Charles Phillips era at Infor, and the more things change the more they remain the same. The changes are impressive – new functionality across a wide swath of its legacy product lines, a new release of Infor XI, its next generation suite, a focus on industry-specific clouds that is such a good idea that I expect it will attract copycats from all over the market, a dedicated data science consulting team, new capabilities for defining and delivering best practices in implementations – it’s a long list, and it all looks good.
SAP and Culture Clash: Marshaling Weapons in the “War of Business”
BLOG POST: SAP’s annual sales kickoff meeting season, FKOM, is under way, with the North American and European versions kicking off this week. FKOM is where the new strategies, products, alliances, and services are all pressure-tested on that thin, white-shirted line of sales people who have the unenviable job of syncing the year’s marketing strategy with the desperate desires of SAP’s customers, and then getting them to actually write a check. It’s a mating ritual that is equal parts science and art, and its quarterly execution is one of the software industry’s greatest and most mystical natural wonders.
Enough Consumer Coolness: It’s Time to Make a Case for Windows 10 in the Enterprise
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2015
BLOG POST: While the biggest selling point of Windows 10 – a single code base for building apps that run across every possible device – was definitely part of the messaging of the event, the evidence that Microsoft knows what this really means for the enterprise, or even what makes enterprise users tick, was missing in action. Again.
S/4HANA: It’s Not R/3, and It’s Not 1992 Either (Part 1)
BLOG POST: There’s a lot to unpack from SAP’s S4 HANA announcement of last week, but if I could only highlight the essence of what the announcement means for SAP and its customers, it’s this: SAP needs to make sure every customer understands how the versions of SAP they are running today will lead them to S4 HANA, in what time frame and at what cost.
Thursday, Feb 12, 2015
BLOG POST: Part 2 of S/4 HANA: It’s Not R/3, and It’s Not 1992 Either (Part 2)
Implementing Enterprise SaaS: If it’s Easy, it’s Because You’re Not Trying
Wednesday, Mar 4, 2015
BLOG POST: Back in the early stages of the SaaS market, so many months ago, it seemed obvious that the SaaS market would one day undergo a major transformation as the easy wins based on taking on-premise capabilities and flipping them to the cloud – pretty much the business model of Salesforce.com in the early days– gave way to an era of greater complexity and value. At one time it was the value-added cloud capabilities of business networks and the like that were supposed to lead the SaaS world to the promised land by using the cloud to conduct business in ways that simply hadn’t been possible in the on-premise world. Wrong. So far, anyway.
HoloLens as Metaphor: The Virtually Real Future of Microsoft
Monday, Jun 1, 2015
ARTICLE: Test driving the HoloLens, Microsoft’s soon-to-be released augmented reality headset, it’s easy to forget the challenges facing Satya Nadella as his first year on the job starts to take shape.
SAP and the Magic of Success – Laying the Groundwork for the Inevitable Future of Business
ARTICLE: Sometimes covering SAP and its innovations reminds me of what it’s like being the parent of school-aged children. Good parents complain endlessly.
What’s next for Salesforce.com? How About a Private Equity Play?
ARTICLE: The rumors keep coming, fueled by highly speculative analysis like this latest stab in the dark from Fortune, that Salesforce.com is for sale.
Racing to the Top: As PaaS and IaaS Commoditize, The Quest to Provide Business Value-add in the Cloud Intensifies
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2015
ARTICLE: At a press/analyst meeting last spring, Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff was asked whether he had any plans to build out an Amazon AWS-like capability to complement the rest of his cloud strategy. His scoffing reply was right on the money. Competing with AWS and other commodity-level cloud services was “a race to the bottom,” Benioff replied. Case closed.
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015
ARTICLE: Microsoft’s five-year Windows Phone freefall is living, or dying, proof that there are only so many second chances in tech, even for the kings of second chances, and it’s finally time to throw in the towel on another great phone OS that never lived up to its potential. (ah, Palm OS, we hardly knew ya too.)
The (Real) Death of Windows Phone, American-style (Part II)
ARTICLE: (When we last left our tragic hero, Windows Phone, there was no carrier support for the new Lumias that just hit the market, which means…)
Kinaxis, Digital Transformation, and the Supply Chain: Laughing all the Way to Market Success
Thursday, Nov 12, 2015
ARTICLE: You’ve got to love a company that brags at its user conference that its motto is Learn, Laugh, Share, Connect. Don’t hear that too often. What you also don’t see very often is the other characteristic that makes the company in question, Kinaxis, unique: it’s a highly profitable, cloud-only company. And when I say profitable, I mean profitable, as in a net profit margin of 16% of its $23.8 million in revenue last quarter.
Back to School Week with Salesforce.com
ARTICLE: Salesforce.com kicked off the analyst season with the first analyst summit of the year, and aside from inciting back-to-school analogies from an overly-relaxed group of analysts, some clear wins and opportunities, and a few issues, emerged that will both set the bar for the competition and keep Salesforce execs from entertaining any notions of complacency.
Informatica Tackles the Data Side of Innovation, Digital Transformation, Big Data, and Whatever…
ARTICLE: There’s much talk about embracing new technologies, and less, unfortunately, about the human capital and buyer behavior changes that must accompany any significant transformation.
Re-platforming, Business Transformation, People, and Partners: Get it Right or Get Out of the Way
ARTICLE: Every vendor, whether old guard freshening up for the cloud, or new guard playing defense against the dark arts, has a cloud platform strategy with two purported goals: offer value to customers and confer an easy way for partners to make up for the lost revenue implicit in the cloud’s ability to sop up a lot of low-hanging fruit previously left for partners to pick.
Productivity, Enterprise Software, and The Economics of Digital Disruption
ARTICLE: The New York Times ran an article recently that made the shocking claim that “Silicon Valley hasn’t saved us from a productivity slowdown.”
Ariba, Infor, and the Business Network Challenge: Quantum Physics, Big Transformations and Big Barriers
Monday, Apr 4, 2016
ARTICLE: As the enterprise software market embraces the concept of digital transformation with typical reckless, feckless abandon, it’s interesting to see how one of the most transformative concepts – business networks – is evolving. What’s clear from a look at two of the most well thought-out strategies, those of Infor (via its GT Nexus acquisition) and SAP (via its Ariba acquisition), is that there’s no shortage of merit to what these two companies are doing and planning.
The Last Real User Group Standing: Why ASUG Matters to SAP and Its Customers
Friday, Jun 3, 2016
BLOG POST: The first time I ever attended a user group meeting was way back at the dawn of my career, when I was managing a pioneering print-on-demand/desktop publishing system for a specialty publisher. I went to the meeting to find out if the vendor was ever going to fix the latest version of its software, which was basically dead-on-arrival. To my surprise, the CEO took to the stage, apologized profusely, begged forgiveness, promised to fix the problem or else, and otherwise completely humbled himself in front of his irate customers.
SAP’s ginormous SAPPHIRE user conference/sales event
Sunday, Jun 5, 2016
BLOG POST: In case you don’t know the drill, SAP’s biggest challenge of all is to funnel everything that’s good and true and important to the company into CEO Bill McDermott’s keynote. The process is simple – start with a blank sheet, put some ideas on paper, and then watch as the jostling, politicking, and pitching begins to fill out Bill’s time on stage.
Informatica’s Dilemma: How To Sell the Un-Platform in the Midst of Today’s Platform Wars
BLOG POST: It’s now standard operating procedure at virtually every conference I attend: the execs on stage are talking about a disrupted digital future and how they can enable it to an audience that’s pretty much focused on how their vendor can help them do a better job today: The future can wait.
Happy Trails to You: Salesforce.com
BLOG POST: If someone were to write the “The Tech Event Manager’s Guide to Engaging a Millennial Audience”, a look at Salesforce.com’s recent TrailheaDX conference would be a great place to start. Similarly, if someone wanted to write the “Platform Vendors’ Guide to Building an Engaged Developer Audience”, that same TrailheaDX conference would also serve as an excellent model.
Le Blueprint, C’est Moi: the Counter-Customization Revolution comes to SAP
BLOG POST: Sometimes revolutions start with a shot heard round the world, and sometimes they start with a quiet nudge in a new direction. The latter form of revolution was nudged into being for SAP’s HR customers last April in the form of eight words uttered by Mike Ettling, the president of SAP SuccessFactors, during an analyst summit in San Francisco. Ettling’s eight words have been said before, but the fact that they come from a man who is re-writing what it means to be a cloud company, and thereby what it means for customers to consume cloud services, adds enormous gravitas to the moment.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and the Enterprise: The Future Today
BLOG POST: The opportunities for IoT innovation abound. The ability, for example, to optimize the angle of the blades of a wind turbine in real time, or identify and track the contents of a pallet of parts as it moves through the supply chain, will change the underlying operations of every industry and every individual in ways that are only now beginning to be understood.
Cybersecurity Threats Driving Businesses to the Cloud
BLOG POST: “Cybersecurity is a cat and mouse game where the mouse gets bigger and more ferocious by the minute,” stated Joshua Greenbaum, analyst, Enterprise Applications Consulting, in his discussion of the topics to be addressed at the upcoming Rock Stars of Cybersecurity Threats and Countermeasures, September 13, 2016, in Seattle. “Security threats can’t be minimized. That’s why companies of all sizes are running to the cloud.”
Security is a People Problem: Bringing the CHRO to the Table in the Cybersecurity Wars
BLOG POST: All the attention on whether Russia or some other nation-state entity is trying to hack the election in November or how organized gangs are flooding PCs with ransomware has obscured that truth about where the real threat to our collective cybersecurity comes from: our employees.
The Ecosystem/Platform War: How do Microsoft, Salesforce.com, and SAP Stack Up?
BLOG POST: As the enterprise software market slowly morphs into the enterprise software and platform market, it’s become necessary to carefully define what it means to be a successful platform vendor. Importantly, that definition has nothing to do with technology – okay, maybe a little – but it does have a whole lot to do with people and perceptions.
Looking for Mr. Cloud: The Benioff Scale and SAP’s Cloud Leadership Conundrum
BLOG POST: Cloud computing, the artist formerly known as SaaS, has always been a proving ground for dynamic leadership. The standard – brash, outspoken, ubiquitous, successful – was set once upon a time by Marc Benioff, and ever since it’s been easy to measure cloud leadership by what I call the Benioff Scale. On a Benioff Scale of 1-10, where 1 is Ginni (Ginni who?) Rometty of IBM, and 10 is Marc himself, measuring cloud leadership by how many Benioffs a particular leader generates is as good a method as any.
SAP’s S/4 HANA: Looking Good, Trying to Look Better
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2017
BLOG POST: SAP’s S/4 HANA has been called many things, but to characterize it as the future of SAP is far from hyperbole. SAP has minced no words in affirming that the path from R/2 to R/3 to ECC eventually leads to S/4 HANA. The question is not an “if”, but a “when.” When, however, has been the tricky question – when will the customers sign on in droves, when will SAP put in the critical mass of the functionality customers need in S/4 in order for the transition to make sense, and when will S/4 become a significant revenue-maker for SAP?
SAP is kicking off SAPPHIRE - Part 1
BLOG POST: Part of the fun and challenge of following SAP is that its present and future are defined by the intersection of its own peculiarities and the peculiarities of the markets it lives in. This interplay means that SAP, like many large software companies, isn’t just a single company with a single overarching strategy: it’s really many companies with many strategies. The trick for SAP is to make sure they overlap more than they contradict each other.
The challenges SAP will face - Part 2
BLOG POST: We’re back, discoursing on the challenges SAP will face as platform proliferation and the shifting of the edge app issue into the hands of the LOB developer influences what vendor’s tools and platform will be used to power its customers’ digital transformations. Where we last left off, I was about to illustrate SAP’s dilemma with a true-to-life story.)
The Fog of Innovation Marketing: SAP Obscures S/4 HANA’s True Competitive Advantage
BLOG POST: There seems to be a fair amount of confusion about the differences between S/4 HANA On-premise/Private Cloud and S/4 HANA Public Cloud. And that confusion threatens to derail the growing momentum around the company’s flagship cloud products.
Microsoft Dynamics Who? Microsoft Pioneers MIA Software
BLOG POST: Microsoft is emerging as a potent force in the enterprise software market, propelled by Azure and the success of Office 365.
Infor Drinks Koch by the Barrel While Microsoft Dynamics Sips a Thin Gruel
BLOG POST: Apparently my blog post last month accusing Microsoft of neglecting its Dynamics product line struck a nerve. The gist of the post was that Dynamics was falling into irrelevance as Microsoft seemed to focus on bigger and better things.
Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Expectations: Enterprise Software Enters the AI/ML/IoT Morass
Sunday, Sep 24, 2017
BLOG POST: This is the year of hyping artificial intelligence, machine learning and the internet of things (IoT). Any vendor with any vision, which is everyone, is blanketing customers and partners with pronouncements and keynotes that highlight an increasingly large roster of products, platforms, and technologies loosely organized under the AI/ML/IoT rubric. The result is that these acronyms and the products they represent are everywhere, singing, and dancing their way to our hearts.
INSIGHTS - SAP, Ariba, and the Future of B2B Networks
BLOGPOST: Can the Internet of Highly Insecure Things Be Trusted to Run the One True Network? As the dust settles on the recent changes at SAP, and with SAPPHIRE looming large, it’s worth taking a look at what I think will be one of the most interesting, ambitious, and potentially lucrative bets SAP has made in a long time. The bet is on Ariba and its vision for a global, competitor-crushing, B2B network. At stake is nothing short of a major reconfiguration of the global economy, global trade, global service delivery, and pretty everything else that falls under the rubric of B2B commerce as we know it.
Acumatica -- Living the Channel Challenge in the Midmarket
BLOGPOST: Acumatica -- Living the Channel Challenge in the Midmarket
BIG DATA - SuccessFactor’s Success Factors: Questions in Search of Answers
BLOGPOST: I’m heading to the SuccessFactors user conference, SuccessConnect, in Las Vegas this week and, as a prelude to the conference, here’s some of the questions I’m looking to have answered during the course of the conference.
CLOUD - SuccessFactors, Workday, and SAP – Answers and More
PODCAST: SuccessFactors’ user conference, SuccessConnect, has come and gone, and the four questions I posed in my previous post about the challenges facing SuccessFactors and SAP were largely answered. But, as in any good dialectic, one good answer is just the starting point for another good question….. I’ll start with the Workday question/answer in this post, and continue with answers to my other three questions in a subsequent post.
CLOUD - Even without Larry, Oracle’s Problems Will Continue
BLOGPOST: The fundamental problems plaguing Oracle won’t go away with Larry moving into an executive chairman role, this is more lipstick on a pig than a serious attempt to get the company back on course. The problem is that shuffling the deck chairs does nothing for dealing with the company’s three fundamental problems. Until these are addressed, I think it’s safe to assume there will be no turnaround any time soon.
INSIGHTS - HP’s Breakup is Oracle’s Future
BLOGPOST: The news that Meg Whitman is finally pulling the plug on the Sisyphian task of trying to resurrect HP has profound implications for the future of Oracle, and not just because the mess that Whitman was unable to unravel was an HP made functionally unmanageable by a previous HP CEO: Mark Hurd, now co-CEO of Oracle. I think Oracle has been on the leadership skids for a while, but Hurd’s track record at HP, the end-game of which is now being played out in the breakup of the once-vaunted tech leader, provides a good roadmap for how Oracle ends up on the chopping block like HP.
CLOUD - Can Salesforce.com Deliver the Complex Business Processes it Aspires To?
BLOGPOST: It’s hard to slog through mega-conferences like Dreamforce, and not just because 135,000 people are way too much for San Francisco and its Moscone Center to handle. The sheer girth of Salesforce.com is also a factor: the company has become an immensely complicated and multifaceted company, maybe too much so for a single conference. Regardless, Dreamforce reminds me of why I don’t see my favorite bands in a coliseum setting: The volume needed to fill a coliseum washes out the undertones and overtones that make music a rich and complex listening experience, instead leaving the listener to sort through a lot of random, washed out noise.
INSIGHTS - Microsoft Hones Its Enterprise Message
BLOGPOST: There’s always a lot to say about Microsoft, and, like any big company, it’s usually a mix of good or bad. Having spent two days last week at the Microsoft Dynamics analyst event, I think that when it comes to the enterprise, most of what there is to say about Microsoft isn’t just good: Microsoft’s enterprise story just gets better and better, and while there are holes and issues abounding, the old maxim that Microsoft eventually gets it right was very much in evidence last week (with one notable, and important exception).
Women of the Supply Chain: Responsibility, Collaboration and Bathroom Lines
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2014
BLOGPOST: Hanging out with Kinaxis, the relatively small and always interesting supply chain vendor from Ottawa, Canada, never fails to be an eye-opening experience. It’s not just that I get to meet with a vendor and a loyal cadre of customers who are collectively pushing the envelope on all things supply chain, it’s that sometimes they’re pushing an envelope I hadn’t seen before in my peregrinations in the supply chain world. This year’s Kinexions user conference was no different. What I heard from Kinaxis about taking Rapid Response, its in-memory supply chain planning product, further into the realm of collaboration by pushing users to self-identify their areas of responsibility represented an excellent strategic direction on the part of Kinaxis
MOBILE - Net Neutrality – Confusion, Content, and the Meaning of Free
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2014
PODCAST: There is perhaps no contemporary issue at the intersection of technology and public policy that is more contentious and conflicted than net neutrality. The issue itself has probably accounted for its own increase in Internet traffic over the last couple of years as opinions, jeremiads, official proclamations, and even HBO’s John Oliver, have weighed in on the issue.
MOBILE - Windows Phone Looks Doomed: Does this Mean Trouble for Windows 10?
BLOGPOST: I think it’s pretty fair to say that counting Microsoft out in a market it has made a commitment to is a classic rookie mistake that serves as the epitaph for too many forgotten companies. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again is a time-honored mantra in Redmond. And it’s pretty evident that Windows Phone is one of those areas where Microsoft has made big commitments – including but hardly limited to its $7.2 billion purchase of Nokia’s phone business – and where the company is on the record as committed to try try again.
S/4 HANA: It’s not R/3, and it’s not 1992 either (part II)
BLOGPOST: So, smooth sailing for S/4 HANA?– Not likely, certainly nothing like the good old days when R/3 was the biggest and the baddest modern, client/server, enterprise software product on the market, marauding through the global economy like a rum-soaked buccaneer.
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Edinburgh’s academic leaders condemn proposed Convention Bureau budget cuts by City Council
11 February 2019 - Submitted by Martin Fullard
Submitted by Martin Fullard on 11 February 2019
Marketing Edinburgh
More than 75 of Edinburgh’s most respected academics and researchers have united in their condemnation of the proposed 2019/20 budget cuts to Marketing Edinburgh, as drafted by the City of Edinburgh Council last month.
It follows a call by UKinbound CEO Joss Croft to rethink the plans.
Speaking in support of Convention Edinburgh, the business tourism arm of Marketing Edinburgh, leaders from across fields including medical sciences, paediatrics, ecology and data sciences, have voiced their concern that the cuts would not only damage the city’s future as a superior conference and meeting destination, but the ‘world-leading academic ecosystem’ Edinburgh is renowned for.
More than 75 members of the ‘Edinburgh Ambassador’ Programme, managed by Convention Edinburgh, have voiced their concerns through letters to councillors or by submitting their views through the City of Edinburgh Council consultation hub. Between them, they represent some ofEdinburgh’s most respected business, scientific and academic institutions, including all four of the city’s universities, Roslin Innovation Centre and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. They have all worked or are currently working closely with Convention Edinburgh to bring prestigious and valuable conferences to the city, which have a lasting legacy for the Scottish Capital. From research collaboration to driving forward innovation, hosting conferences in Edinburgh benefits the city in the long term through economic and social progress.
With Marketing Edinburgh facing 89% budget cuts over the next two years, a reduction of £790,000, the future of the organisation and the Edinburgh Ambassador Programme is in jeopardy. This is a group of more than 540 academics and industry leaders who Convention Edinburgh support to bring conferences to Edinburgh. Since 1998, Edinburgh Ambassadors have secured 1,348 conferences with 528,605 delegates to Edinburgh which resulted in an economic impact of £900M for the city.
Felicity Mehendale, honorary senior clinical lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Without the professional expertise and help from Marketing Edinburgh, I would not have been successful in winning the bid for the four-yearly International Cleft Conference in 2021 – this will be the first time it has ever been held in the UK.
“Winning bids for prestigious international congresses brings significant business to Edinburgh and many repeat visitors. However, bidding is now extremely competitive, and we simply cannot rely solely upon the academic reputation of Edinburgh – we absolutely need an organisation like Marketing Edinburgh to help with the many aspects of conference bidding which is beyond our remit as academics.”
In a letter to City of Edinburgh Council, Dr Richard Reardon, senior lecturer in Equine Surgery, The University of Edinburgh University said: “Removing more than £0.5M from Marketing Edinburgh’s financial plans would leave Scotland’s Capital as the only major city in the developed world without a Convention Bureau. Who else will champion Edinburgh on a national and global scale as a conference destination? Who else will act as the critical lynchpin between academia and the city, leading on city bids and persuading associations to hold their conferences in Edinburgh? As plans currently stand, no-one will. I would ask that all Councillors play your part in ensuring their survival.”
Professor Jessie Kennedy Dean, research and innovation office, Edinburgh Napier University said: “Convention Edinburgh has assisted me in bringing several conferences to the city, without their help this would have been less likely to happen. Running conferences is work over and above normal academic duties, which brings esteem to the University, in addition to the economic benefits to the city and therefore plays a vital role in the success of Edinburgh’s institutions.”
Brian Corcoran, CEO, Turing Festival said: "Turing Fest brings many business visitors into Edinburgh every year. Our mission is to take that number - of investors, entrepreneurs, start-ups, global tech companies, technical talent, customers - up to 10,000 over the next few years, which will help establish Edinburgh internationally as one of Europe's best tech hubs. Marketing Edinburgh has been a great support to us in our journey so far - helping source venues and hotels and creating synergies by connecting us to other operators in the city.
“Frankly, we are much more likely to be successful in creating the UK's flagship tech conference in Edinburgh if there are resources like Marketing Edinburgh in place to help us."
Amanda Ferguson, head of business tourism, Convention Edinburgh said: “Conferences foster knowledge exchange, innovation and networking, attracting world-leading specialists as delegates and speakers. As host city, this is a unique opportunity to showcase their research and Edinburgh’s strength in that field. This results in collaborative research, investment and ultimately jobs.
“Reducing our budget by such a large amount means we would no longer be able to support our ambassadors to bring conferences to the city and thereby deny the city important economic impact and opportunity to show case the strength of our knowledge economy.
“Without a body that unites public and private sectors in the city’s promotion and economic development, we will severely compromise Edinburgh’s ability to attract conferences. I would ask that Edinburgh’s Councillors work with us to find an alternative solution that will not jeopardise the good work underway by Marketing Edinburgh and our ambassadors.”
Business tourism is a significant contributor to the Edinburgh economy with delegates spending double that of a typical leisure tourist and critically coming out with the busy summer months. This helps sustain a year-round tourism sector in Edinburgh. In 17/18 Convention Edinburgh confirmed 108 conferences, meetings and other corporate events with a total economic impact of £72m.
Edinburgh Councillors will vote on the city’s 2019/20 proposed budget on 21 February.
Microsoft creative director among packaging conference speakers
Experts from Microsoft, Mars Wrigley Confectionery, Stranger & Stranger and Design Bridge will be speaking at the Pentawards Conference at Packaging Innovati
Scottish Event Campus tackles food waste with children's charity partnership
The Scottish Event Campus has announced a partnership with Glasgow charity Launch Foods.
The CN30 under Thirty 2019, in partnership with Cvent, is open for nominations.
Leeds sports venues go for goal
The £45m refurbishment of one of Leeds’ sporting stadia is already proving a sound investment, with a huge influx of bookings for conferences, events and celebrations.
Brighton and Harrogate business wins for Joe Manby Limited
Event services specialist Joe Manby Limited has been appointed by the UKSG, the international association for the information community, to deliver its annual conference and exhibition
Meetings Industry Association plans busy summer
The Meetings Industry Association (mia) will be running a series of workshops for event organisers designed to sharpen skills and improve kno
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Hernandez's gem leads No. 9 Chapman to tournament opening win
More news about: Chapman
Cal Lutheran (26-15, 15-9) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Chapman (31-9, 19-5) 1 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 X 7 11 1
2B: Trevor Egan
2B: Alex Tsuruda; Mack Cheli; Kevin Gregersen
HR: Tristan Kevitch
ORANGE, Calif. – Senior Jonathan Hernandez set the tone with a one-hit shutout as the Chapman University baseball took down fourth-seeded Cal Lutheran 7-0 in the opening game of the SCIAC Tournament. The Panthers advance into the winner's bracket of the tournament to play La Verne at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
Hernandez took a no-hitter into the sixth while the Panthers built a 5-0 lead on the offensive end. The senior righty struck out 10 and walked one while allowing just one runner into scoring position before he was doubled up to end the inning.
Just four Kingsmen reached base safely on a first inning error, a walk in the fourth, a double in the sixth and a hit batter in the ninth. A leadoff double landed just inside the line beyond the third base bag in the sixth inning but a lineout to short ended in a double play to erase the only threat Hernandez faced all game. After the double, he retired the next 10 batters in order.
The Panther bats made some noise in the bottom half of the innings while Hernandez kept the top half quiet. It took the Panthers just two batters to get on the board. Senior Alex Tsuruda led off the first with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and score on freshman Brad Shimabuku's sacrifice fly to deep center.
Senior Tristan Kevitch sent a two-run blast well over the left field for a 3-0 lead in the third. A two-out double from sophomore Mack Cheli added two more insurance run and Shimabuku came through again with a bases loaded, two out single for the Panthers' final two runs.
Tsuruda ended the game 2-for-3 while Simabuku was also 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Every Panther starter had a hit in the contest.
Chapman will play second-seeded La Verne at 2 p.m. at Hart Park in the winner's bracket game tomorrow. The winner will move into Sunday's championship game.
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Science Section>
Sessions>
5. Other>
5.12 Connecting polar research, policy and stakeholders across scales - examples from Europe and beyond
Date: Thursday, 06 September 2018
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 (UTC +3)
Place: IT105, University of Oulu
Convenor: Joseph Nolan (European Polar Board), Kristina Baer (Alfred Wegener Insitute)
Presentation type: Oral and poster presentations
This session aims to discuss different regional and international initiatives to improve connections and understanding between Arctic researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. In doing so, we will promote collaborative opportunities in global polar networks for all stakeholders.
While orientated on European organizations and projects, presentations highlighting successes and lessons learnt from other regions, and national-level bi- and multilateral agreements, are welcome.
To bring a perspective from the southern pole, examples of Antarctic mechanisms for connecting research and policy-making will be highlighted.
Title / Author(s)
Thu, Sep 06, 2018 10:00 - 10:05 Poster Project management and community management to bridge polar research, policy and stakeholders across scales
Author(s): Yulia Zaika (Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Federation), Kirstin Werner (Year of Polar Prediction, Germany), Luisa Cristini (Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Germany), Sven Lidström (Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway), Renuka Badhe (European Polar Board, Netherlands)
Thu, Sep 06, 2018 10:05 - 10:10 Poster Protected areas in polar regions – lessons from Antarctica
Author(s): Peter Convey (British Antarctic Survey, United Kingdom), Kevin A. Hughes (British Antarctic Survey, United Kingdom)
Thu, Sep 06, 2018 10:10 - 10:15 Poster Modeling co-creation of knowledge via international project stakeholder engagement: case of rural and Arctic CSR
Author(s): Sonja Bickford (University of Nebraska Kearney, USA), Kamrul Hossain (University of Lapland - Arctic Centre, Finland), Rasmus Bertelsen (UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway), Marc Lanteigne (Massey University, New Zealand)
Thu, Sep 06, 2018 10:15 - 10:30 Oral Connecting Arctic research across boundaries to engage local and indigenous scholarship and meet community needs
Author(s): Robert Rich (Arctic Research Consortium of the United States, USA), Helen Wiggins (Arctic Research Consortium of the United States, USA), Lisa Sheffield Guy (Arctic Research Consortium of the United States, USA), Kaare Siikuaq Erickson (Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation Science, USA)
Thu, Sep 06, 2018 10:30 - 10:45 Oral Tell us how to engage you! Asking stakeholders about their engagement preferences
Author(s): Kristina Baer (Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Germany), Kirsi Latola (University of Oulu, Thule Institute, Finland), Annette Scheepstra (Arctic Centre, University of Groningen, Netherlands)
Thu, Sep 06, 2018 10:45 - 11:00 Oral Antarctic cities and the global commons: Engaging stakeholders and forging connections
Author(s): Hanne Nielsen (University of Tasmania / Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Australia), Juan Francisco Salazar (University of Western Sydeny, Australia), Elizabeth Leane (University of Tasmania / Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Australia), Daniela Liggett (University of Canterbury, New Zealand), Elias Barticevic (Instituto Antártico Chileno, Chile)
Thu, Sep 06, 2018 11:00 - 11:15 Oral The EU Arctic Cluster: Amplifying the impact of Arctic research investment for policymakers and stakeholders
Author(s): Raeanne Miller (Scottish Association of Marine Science, United Kingdom), Annette Scheepstra (University of Groningen / Arctic Centre, Netherlands), Kristina Baer (Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum fur Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany), Joseph Nolan (European Polar Board, Netherlands), Nicole Biebow (Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany)
Calendar feed (ical)
2. Connectivity
3. Meteorological Cooperation
4. Education
5.1 Current research on extractive industries and the sustainability in the Arctic
5.3 Health Promotion / Population Health 2. & 3.
5.7 Ageing Arctic: Realizing the potential of older people
5.9 Work in the Arctic
5.10 The UN Sustainable Development Goals: A signpost for societal relevant polar research?
5.13 Ambassadorial Panel on Arctic Science Diplomacy
5.14 Science diplomacy dialogue: Building common interests in the Arctic
5.15 Gender Equality and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
5.16 Health and Gender Equality. Changing quality of life: Women, men and health
5.17 Arctic Freshwater Capital in the Nordic countries - Final seminar of CAPITAL-project
5.18 The role of traditional knowledge in Arctic education research and innovations
5.19 Networking on gender equality in the Arctic Region: Round Table
5.20 Open science session
Guidelines for Presenters
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Ted Williams
Tag: Ted Williams
The Hidden Hero: What Harry Potter, Susan Boyle, and Oprah Winfrey Tell Us About Attachment
hen I was younger, I used to wander off into a fantasy land where I was loved and important. In my fantasy, everyone was grateful for my existence and was glad to know me or even associate with me. I don’t think I was alone in this fantasy but it begs the question, why was this my ultimate dream? What does it say about my perception of reality? And most importantly, what does any of this have to do with Harry potter? Harry Potter books, penned by one-time struggling single mom JK Rowling, are reported to have sold more than 450m copies worldwide. Consequently, Rowling’s financial status has grown from welfare recipient to billionaire. Perhaps seeing the success of the Potter series, other authors have built upon its framework. Series revolving around Percy Jackson and Charlie Bone have both capitalized on the same theme. However, despite the wild success of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and other similar series, they were not the first to exploit this theme. Earlier film series such as Star Wars also capitalized on what seems to be a societal resonance with the story of someone once thought to be unimportant, who in fact possesses unique gifts […]
By admin|April 12th, 2012|Blog|Comments Off on The Hidden Hero: What Harry Potter, Susan Boyle, and Oprah Winfrey Tell Us About Attachment
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News Space 20 March 2019
Ryugu latest: asteroid is a partially dehydrated ‘pile of rubble’
Japanese researchers publish three studies on the object of Hayabusa2’s attention. Richard A Lovett reports.
An artist's impression of Hayabusa2 circling Ryugu.
dottedhippo/Getty Images
A one-kilometre-wide asteroid known as 162173 Ryugu, currently being mapped by Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft, looks like a giant “pile of rubble” shaped like a spinning top, planetary scientists report in a trio of papers in the journal Science.
The asteroid also has extremely low density, indicating that it is riddled with porous gaps, much like a chunk of Styrofoam or Swiss cheese.
To determine the asteroid’s shape, the scientists used photographs from multiple angles, and laser range-finding mapping of its topography to create a 3D model.
Its porosity was calculated by watching as the spacecraft fell to within 850 metres of the surface, then rose to 5.4 kilometres. Based on this, says Sei-ichiro Watanabe, of Nagoya University, Japan, it was possible to determine the asteroid’s mass, volume, and average density.
The third of these are so low that gaps of various sizes must make up half of the asteroid’s volume, he says – assuming it is made of the same type of minerals as a class of meteorites known as carbonaceous chondrites.
The spinning top shape, he adds, is probably a leftover from its youth, when rapid rotation deformed it into a flattened shape with a prominent equatorial ridge that still persists, even though its rotation has now slowed to a sedate 7.6 hours.
Why this ridge has not slowly flattened out, Watanabe says, is an open question, but he thinks it’s because the surface materials on Ryugu must not easily avalanche.
“It seems the friction angle of materials on Ryugu is large enough, so the relaxation process would be rather slow,” he says.
In another study, a team led by Seiji Sugita, of the University of Tokyo, Japan, used data from the spacecraft’s near-infrared spectrometer to find that water-containing minerals are “ubiquitous” across Ryugu’s surface.
That said, these materials appear to have been “thermally metamorphosed” and partially dehydrated.
Most likely, Sugita says, Ryugu stems from a parent body that was formed about 4.56 billion years ago, at the birth of the Solar System.
Bennu and Ryugu: a tale of two asteroids
That body experienced a high level of rock-water reactions in its interior, which formed the hydrated minerals now found on the asteroid.
After that, however, it went through a partial dehydration process, possibly due to internal heating that caused some of these hydrated minerals to break down, thereby losing water to space.
Then, about a billion years ago, a large collision broke up the parent body.
One possible parent body would have been the predecessor to the Polana collisional family, named for the 38-kilometre asteroid known as 1112 Polona, the parent of which broke up 1.4 billion years ago. The other would have been the parent body for 495 Eulalia, a similar-sized asteroid and the product of a break-up 800 million years ago.
Debris from the collision then re-accumulated into rubble piles, one of which became Ryugu, or perhaps its more immediate parent body, from which Ryugu was generated via yet another impact.
That said, it’s too soon to attempt to generalise these findings to other asteroids, Watanabe says, because Hayabusu2 is not the only mission currently investigating a near-earth asteroid.
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is currently orbiting the slightly smaller asteroid called 101955 Bennu, and is also expected to announce its initial findings very soon.
“Comparative study of Ryugu and Bennu will tell us their commonalities and differences,” Watanabe says.
Meanwhile, he adds, Hayabusa2 is a sample-return mission, designed to collect material from the asteroid’s surface and bring it back to Earth for analysis by the end of next year. One goal of the current studies is to pick the right place from which to collect the sample – ideally one that helps us understand how the asteroid got its spinning-top shape.
Another goal is to understand how asteroids such as Ryugu helped bring water to Earth, says Kohei Kitazato, from the University of Aizu, Fukushima, and lead author of the third paper published in Science.
“In order to know how much asteroids like Ryugu contributed to terrestrial water, it is important to understand how much water had been preserved in their interior,” he says.
“Our observations on Ryugu strongly suggest that the abundance of water bearing materials (and organics) on asteroids is controlled by dehydration due to radiogenic heat during its early history.
“This may have influenced how much water and organics Earth received from the asteroid belt, when life was born.”
Studying these asteroids may also be important to understanding the threats they may pose to our future, if someday we find ourselves faced with such a body on collision course with Earth.
In April, Watanabe says, an experiment called the Small Carry-on Impactor Experiment will shoot a 2.5-kilogram copper bullet at the asteroid in order to find out how its surface layer is glued together. The results could be useful if, someday in the future, we find ourselves faced with the question of how to divert such a body before it hits us.
Explore #Ryugu #Hayabusa 2
Richard A. Lovett is a Portland, Oregon-based science writer and science fiction author. He is a frequent contributor to COSMOS.
http://science.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aav8032
http://science.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaw0422
Book: Imagination and a pile of junk
A droll history of inventions.
Winter is here: the latest issue of Cosmos Magazine
A new issue of Cosmos has landed! Start reading issue 75, Winter 2017 now.
Comparing and contrasting two worldlets is already proving valuable – and may kickstart the space-mining industry.
Asteroid Bennu is flinging rocks into space
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Oct 26.2017
Ana Perrote Interview
Barcelona wakes up cloudy when Ana’s already in the train on her way to the photo shooting. She gets out of the taxi while I notice hers gold hoops and her squared jet blacked sunglasses. She holds a coffee on her hand and muzzy cool look. We’ll be the entire morning at the Cotton House Hotel, a neoclassic hotel in the heart of the Gran Vía. I explain her what the session is going to be about. “I want it done like the scene on Pretty Woman in which Julia Roberts slides into the hall of the Grand Hotel squeezed into her dress while guests are looking at her with an inconveniently gaze. I want to make a clutter the protocol, Ana. This is not the place where we belong, but we still need to be ourselves. That’s why we are here.” I tell her all these while we take the carpet elevator and she laughs – I can see that behind that noisy indie attitude and the gigs all around the world, Ana possesses an honest and spontaneous naturalness that is really hard to find-. We reach the hotel room and we start the shooting; at midday we stop to grab a menu at a restaurant terrace; she tells me how much she likes jewellery, her days living in New York and many other things that you can read below.
I guess there have been many changes but, what is still there since “Deers – anyone else but you”?
“i believe we are as enthusiastic as day one. we shout the same way when good news arrive, on fridays we get drunk with the same people and when we get on stage we sweat the same or even more. i think we will always keep our feet on the ground”
From Carlotta’s Room to Glastonbury in a really short amount of time, how was your process of becoming an adult?
“it’s been a bit nuts, but i think growing up is like that ! we just had to do it very quickly and with a bunch of eyes on our back but by being 4 of us, and being friends that are going through exactly the same thing and exactly without knowing how things needto be done, has helped to make it easier.”
Talk to me about your talents and passions beyond music.
“how hard is to speak of one’s own talents, isn’t it?? i can tell you that i love cooking, learning, travelling (haaaa!)…”
Do you thing that the success of a girl band is, paradoxically, a rescindable act just because we are living in such a patriarchal and sexist society like ours?
“well, it may sound silly but YES, i think so. we had never seen before other girls on a stage, everytime we went to see other friends rehearse or practice it was always boys, while the girls were sitting there watching (which i still love doing too!). what I mean is that carlotta and i didn’t start playing guitar until we were 19 and 16 respectively because we didn’t even think of doing it before. it’s not like my parents said “ana, today you have to wash the dishes while your brother rehearses”, but simply and foolishly it never crossed our minds that we could also grab a piece of wood with 6 strings and place our little fingers in a way that some noise came out of it. it makes me really happy when girls come to me to tell me that they began a band between girlfriends and that we were who suggested that idea to them. even for the veeeeeeryveeeeeryyyy little group of girls that don’t like what we do. i hope they pick up a guitar, bass, drums, clarinet –or whatever it is- and say “look ana, fuck off! i play much better than you”
I’d love to know a bit more about your creative profile: what artists or creatives do you follow?
“the true thing is that most of the people that inspire my fashion come out from instagram. i love some profiles that inspire me for the looks i use in gigs”
You told me that you live halfway Madrid and New York. Which cities inspire you to write, compose…?
“well…so so…in fact i live in madrid, but last year i spent a lot of time in new york. since my boyfriend lives there, and, as i don’t spend enough time away from home lol, I go to see him a lot. to me, new york is my number 1 for fashion inspiration, in fact everyone I mentioned before is from there. i like it because it’s so expensive to live there that I think no one has enough money for high priced clothes, so they use a lot more their imagination and re-invent clothes a lot”
This is the first time you collaborate personally with a brand. Why did you accept being the campaign ambassador for costalamel?
“to begin with because, costa, i like you as a person hahaha you’ve been sending us clothes for a while now, and you came to every gig we played in barcelona. i also enjoy a lot that the brand comes from barcelona and that everything is produced there. i appreciate more and more where the clothes are made and who makes the garments. it’s really difficult to compete with the huge brands but i think you are doing it in the right way, with great enthusiasm, it reminds me of when it began. also, it’s great to support a brand from here whose owner is not Amancio Ortega (ooops).”
This collection speaks about the beauty of contradictions, could you tell me a contradictions that Ana has and makes her be as she is?
“im letting grow the hair between my eyebrows!!! answering this to this question is a contradiction??”
To end with, tell u show the shooting went, and also which garments from the collection you like the most?
“well i had a great time! i love Barcelona and i enjoyed a lot the montjuic graveyard. it was cool that you let me wear anything i liked and made me feel comfortable and above all, THAT THE CLOTHES YOU CHOSE WERE MY SIZE which is a thing that never happens to me in the sessions we do haha. my favourite clothe i think it’s the sherpa hoodie!”
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Media buyers hope AT&T brings ‘quality’ to advertising with WarnerMedia
June 20, 2018 by Kerry Flynn
AT&T can claim victory in the wake of its acquisition of Time Warner last week, but media buyers also see benefits for themselves in the deal.
“Our clients want the highest-quality programming informed by the highest-quality data with the least amount of waste. We welcome the announcement and hope it is a big step on the road to complete addressability in premium video content,” GroupM CEO Kelly Clark emailed.
AT&T, having hired Brian Lesser from GroupM North America last summer to head its ad business, is pitching a future with fewer commercials, John Stankey, CEO of the newly minted WarnerMedia, told Reuters this week. Indeed, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson has been open about the teleco’s plans to decrease the ad inventory and improve analytics across the company’s properties. AT&T already announced it will release AT&T Watch TV, an ad-supported skinny bundle that includes Turner content except for sports.
Seemingly overnight, AT&T has become a media empire. WarnerMedia, the new name for Time Warner, includes Turner (which owns CNN, TNT, TBS and other cable channels) along with HBO and the Warner Bros. studio. That’s some of the most lucrative content in media, including CNN’s news programming, TNT’s rights to NBA games, HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and Warner Bros.’ “Wonder Woman.”
AT&T couldn’t comment for this story because the company is in a quiet period ahead of next month’s earnings for the second quarter of 2018, an AT&T spokesperson said.
One media buyer, who requested anonymity due to his company’s work with AT&T, said the telecommunication company’s user base is much smaller than those of Facebook and Google, for example, with AT&T’s 170 million direct-to-consumer relationships. But since AT&T owns the pipes, it can guarantee ads get seen while other platforms continue to battle ad fraud, the buyer said.
WarnerMedia’s Stankey told Reuters that AT&T plans to use customers’ mobile phone and video data to sell targeted ads, with explicit permission.
But Andy Groisman, CEO of NoiseGrasp, a predictive marketing platform, wondered how AT&T will keep its promise of fewer ads in the era of the General Data Protection Regulation, where data sharing and privacy are under such strong scrutiny.
“They’ll be forced to rethink targeting beyond just pixel-driven media analytics in order to drive marketing ROI, a method that relies heavily on user-specific data,” he said.
Further innovation in AT&T’s ad tech stack may come from acquisitions, AT&T’s Stephenson told CNBC.
“We’re standing up a significant advertising platform. You should expect some smaller, not like Time Warner, but some smaller M&A in the coming weeks to demonstrate our commitment to that,” Stephenson said in the interview.
AT&T was valued at $205.7 billion as of June 19 compared to Alphabet’s $798 billion, Facebook’s $564.8 billion and Amazon’s $834.8 billion. But it’s anticipating big investments akin to Verizon’s push to build a strong brand with Yahoo and AOL.
“The pendulum is basically coming back to some kind of middle ground between traditional and digital advertising only,” Groisman said. WarnerMedia is “certainly another example of how traditional media is not dead as many claimed. It’s more of a convergence between the traditional and digital worlds and how each is forcing the other to somehow reinvent themselves.”
With Time Warner deal approved, AT&T can focus on addressable TV ambitions
June 15, 2018 by Tim Peterson
The Rundown: Is AT&T serious about ads?
June 14, 2018 by Jack Marshall
Wimbledon wants to monetize its archived content in digital push
July 15, 2019 by Seb Joseph
Marketing on Facebook
Ad buyers see gaps in Facebook’s new ad-transparency tool
July 15, 2019 by Kristina Monllos
WTF is zero-party data?
‘It’s a perpetual state of uncertainty’: UK buyers grapple with ‘buggy’ Facebook Ads Manager
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Brands turn to WeChat influencers to reach Chinese consumers
September 16, 2016 by Yuyu Chen
If advertisers in the U.S. are unclear on how much to pay social media influencers, the landscape is even murkier in China, especially on the popular messaging app WeChat.
WeChat has more than 762 million monthly active users, but the closed network is a hard nut to crack for many marketers. So influencers, called “key opinion leaders” over there, are a shortcut for brands to build a personal connection with their audience on a platform that fans trust.
High-end opinion leaders usually have verified accounts in “Subscription” on WeChat, where they publish sponsored posts or videos for brands, while smaller influencers with personal accounts post on their “Moments” to increase brand visibility.
Prices for influencer marketing on WeChat can range from a couple hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars for an opinion leader to write about a brand multiple times. And certain Chinese celebrities can charge in the millions as the deal to be an ambassador on WeChat can also include public appearances, TV commercials and print ads, said Brian Buchwald, co-founder and CEO for data intelligence Bomoda. He’s also someone who has built a media business on WeChat before.
Here, then, are four leading key opinion leaders on WeChat and a look at how they work with brands, most of which are in fashion.
Gogoboi, fashion blogger and critic
With his unique brand of snark, Gogoboi comments on fashion trends and celebrities’ fashion tastes with words like “vulgar,” “failure” and “repugnant,” which is surprisingly received as refreshingly honest in China’s reserved culture.
Given his fame, Gogoboi’s verified account on WeChat looks and feels like Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle publication Goop. While Gogoboi writes posts on fashion trends and celebrity news, he has a mobile store on the platform where he curates and sells lifestyle products like Gucci fragrance and Keecie bags.
“Chinese bloggers are very open to say that they are paid or sponsored, because consumers over there are more accepting. In comparison, influencers in North America are selling in a subtler way; otherwise, they may risk losing followers,” said Jennifer Li, CEO of influencer marketing company MuseFind. “The key difference between the two markets is not trust itself but how trust is orchestrated by the influencer.”
Gogoboi also sends out prizes like Givenchy lipstick to randomly selected fans during important Chinese holidays. It’s unclear if those giveaways are sponsored by brands as there is no organization in China like the FTC pushing ad disclosures.
MK, makeup artist
The Michelle Phan of WeChat, MK has a large array of content from style tips to skin-care product recommendations.
Her posts net tens of thousands of pageviews. For example, MK recently examined which Zara design makes Asian girls look taller, in a post that generated over 10,000 pageviews. And in another post that has 35,000 pageviews, MK tests different Korean BB creams — including IOPE, Laneige and Innisfree — to find out the best one.
There are no benchmarks for what constitutes a truly viral post, but MK’s popularity has not gone unnoticed by brands. While there are no disclosure regulations in China, it is clear, with the sheer volume of products she touts, that MK has no problem monetizing: She has an email address posted at the bottom of her page for brands with commercial requests.
Mimeng, blogger
Mimeng used to be the editor-in-chief for Nanfang Daily Newspaper and then left the publisher to start her own movie production company. After her film business failed, Mimeng then started her own WeChat account where she talks about relationships, marriage and sex and love, in a smart, fearless and humorous way. Her price per sponsored post can generate as much as 100,000 views and go up to 300,000 yuan (around $45,000), according to a Chinese publication.
Huohuo Han, street stylist
Han is a celebrity-style influencer. Before he became an online personality in 2009, Han worked as project manager for Marie Claire China. Han claims to be “the most handsome guy on earth.” He pals around many Chinese celebrities, including model and actress Angelababy, who is described by Western media as the Chinese Kim Kardashian.
Han rarely endorses brands via his WeChat account where he mainly blogs about fashion trends. But many well-known companies like Ray-Ban and Chanel have featured in his street style on WeChat.
New season of DO NOT TAG.
A photo posted by @hanhuohuo on Sep 8, 2016 at 7:39pm PDT
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My shortlist (20)
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John Kennedy Lodge
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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is known around the world for innovative teaching and research. Regularly ranked as the nation’s best value for academic quality, UNC has produced the most Rhodes Scholars for the past 25 years among U.S. public research universities.
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Jury votes down progress on nuclear fuel cycle…with a stinging minority report
Written by Ben Heard, Founder and Executive Director, Bright New WorldPosted on November 6, 2016 21 Comments
The South Australian Citizen’s Jury considering the question of further engagement in the nuclear fuel cycle handed a report to the Premier yesterday citing a 2/3 majority “No” vote on the specific question:
Under what circumstances, if any, could South Australia pursue the opportunity to store and dispose of nuclear waste from other countries?
Two-thirds of those assembled indicated that under no circumstances would they agree to proceed in pursuing this opportunity.
The report can be found at this link. Be warned, it’s a difficult read, however before criticising, please appreciate this was put together from a group in extremely time-constrained circumstances.
From my first review of this report the rejection of the concept appears to be based almost entirely on two core issues:
The jurors were unconvinced by the economic case
There is a lack of visible, expressed consent from traditional owners (for my international readers, this is referring to Australia’s Aboriginal people who identify in different traditional owner groups). There is a highly visible presence expressing no consent.
On the first point, this seems a fair reason to request further assessment. To refuse progress on the basis of this argument seems frankly draconian from the point of view of other South Australians who may benefit from new economic opportunity. It would seem entirely reasonable to make greater certainty a condition of proceeding.
On the second point, this is a primary concern of mine in this space, which is why Senator Edwards and I sought and promoted pathways that may greatly lessen any need for imposition on remote lands.
There will be more analysis to come. From here the process must consider also the input from the much wider consultation process that has been under way. However for today I will leave the last word to the minority report. This represents approximately 30% of the jurors who were so concerned about what they saw as fundamental flaws in this process they saw fit to take the brave step of documenting these concerns. After reading this, you may like to revisit my previous blog post and check the timeline to see just how hard this process has been worked over. The words of this 30% of the participants gives me real pause for thought. This is by far the largest use of Citizen’s Jury in the world to date, on one of the most complex and emotive topics. Based on this minority report, we all may have a lot to learn.
Change Section 13 (2) of the Nuclear Waste Storage Act 2000 to allow for further economic modelling
Given consensus that the economics have not been adequately assessed a change to the legislation to allow the limited investigation of the economic model to be made.
Jury selection process has allowed selection bias.
Our concern is that by announcing the question before requesting volunteers the process has allowed for an over representation of opponents to the idea of the storage of nuclear waste. Our concern is that selection bias has led to potential confirmation bias through selection of witnesses. Community polling in random selection of 4016 people revealed 42.2% ok with further investigation and 36.8% against. Community polling in a voluntary example of 4329 people revealed 19.7% ok with further investigation and 66% opposing further investigation. The witness selection process allowed Jurors to decide who they wished to hear from. Selection bias has resulted in a bias in the witnesses presented. This has likely led to confirmation bias, i.e. if you have a position and you request witnesses who share your view, your position will be strengthened. Reference the ‘Economics’ session, where Jurors chose to hear from economists who clearly had a negative view of the nuclear industry. This situation allowed a visible focus group to polarise the Jury.
Indigenous consultation
The suggestion that this Jury can speak for the Indigenous community only perpetuates the disempowerment of that community.
We have been told that the consultation process was either non-existent or insufficient. To suggest that the Indigenous community then has a unanimous position without adequate consultation is incorrect.
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Let’s remember 3 days ago Mark Parnell MLC wanted this jury shut down. Furthermore the jurors have also said the following:
“But one juror, who has asked to remain anonymous, has told the ABC people were anxious because they did not have the chance to digest the information. “I think a lot of core information and fact checking hasn’t been allowed,” she said.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-06/sa-nuclear-citizen's-jury's-'ambitious'-deadline-looms/7998754
When you read the final report there do seem to be areas where the Jurors haven’t understood some fundamental concepts such as spent nuclear fuel “leaking” in dry storage.
IMO, the idea of having a citizens jury seems great, until one realises that the quality of the job done by such a jury depends on it possessing skills and abilities which are not uniformly present in a random sample of people. Specifically:
– the ability to evaluate complex technological, economic and environmental issues
– the ability to distance oneself from pre-existing (false) beliefs nurtured over an extended period by non-factual (cultural, mass-media, prominent activist group) influences.
– the ability to identify and differentiate between logical fallacies versus sound logic
– the ability to place the public interest above one’s own personal interest, if any
– the ability to make a decision which can or could cause a negative reaction from members of one’s social/culture group
As such, a citizen’s jury should not be employed to determine the final say on an issue that is both complex and of significant economic, environmental and economic importance. Rather, a citizens jury could at best be employed to test the sentiment and understanding of the public during the course of the process, purely in order to enhance and improve the information provided to the public. This approach includes informing the public as to why and how a limited – rather than absolute – decision-making role for the broader public is in fact in the *best* interest of the public. This can be explained by analogy, for example, the way medical doctors decide jointly on the best treatment of a patient showing obscure disease symptoms: Such doctors do not consult the public on the best treatment option, but they consult only other doctors, and the patient would certainly not want it any other way (if he/she knows what’s best for him/her.)
The final decision on all contentious, complex issues in a modern society should ideally be made by a group of disinterested experts who are taken from – and represent – the public. The ideal system would ensure that this group of experts succeeds in winning and upholding the trust and confidence of the public on the one hand, while being sufficiently skilled and educated to grapple with the issue at hand a degree that is equal to the task at hand. Normally, it is the job of politicians to do this, who (ideally) seek to inform themselves by consulting accredited, independent experts, rather than ‘the public’.
Hi, Ben.
I realise that the citizens’ jury decision is a bitter pill.
Take a deep breath of fresh air, then soldier on. This is too important for sane people to walk away from.
Your efforts were/are awesome! Reading from afar has been worthwhile.
Craig Packer says:
here, here!
Big thanks to you both.
Heartily seconded. You, Ben, are a really worthy example of honorable campaigning – steady, envisioned, and clean-handed.
I’m convinced that one can remain clean-handed and still be very bold to call out the shameful and disgraceful peddling of falsehoods and disinformation that has taken place.
In the long run, no-one can do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. Reality bats last.
Praying for you, Ben.
Highest regards,
Will this be interpreted as lack of social licence for the intermediate level waste facility and Australian nuclear electricity? I expect that nuclear opponents will make this claim.
Many comments in The Advertiser focus on the economics rather than opposition to nuclear per se. I recall after the final RC report came out Commissioner Scarce had to make some clarifying statements and some articles in The Advertiser somewhat toned down the cost figures. Perhaps Parnell was correct in saying a group had too much influence on the Commission. It means unfortunately the RC failed to pick a winner.
I think our primary interest (well at least mine) is to seriously consider the inclusion of nuclear power in our energy mix. Alan Finkel, our Chief Scientist (and a colleague of mine when I lived in Melbourne) is a strong supporter of nuclear energy. Alan will lead an expert panel including experts from Origin and Energex to ensure that electricity supply is secure, reliable and affordable and lowers the nation’s carbon emissions over time.
So irrespective of the Jury and the anti-nuclear bias generally we have a good chance of getting more sense out of Finkel’s expert panel than we will get from any Jury or the many anti-nuclear advocates who continue to obfuscate.
Hot weather is only months away when presumably SA will need 3100 MW of power while wind is subdued, say 200 MW. The half retired Pelican Pt and Torrens Island gas plants will be un-half-retired but hopefully spot gas won’t be the $22/GJ it was in July.
I understand Finkel’s brief is reliability not necessarily low carbon. If he has to report by Xmas that’s not enough time to re-invent the wheel so to speak. I’d like Origin Energy to explain how they can operate 6 gas fired plants the same time sending the key ingredient out of Australia via Gladstone LNG. Alinta said no to solar thermal perhaps OE will say no to nuclear then again they bankrolled Geodynamics for a while.
It is not unusual for repeat doses of medicine to be necessary in order to achieve a healthy outcome for the patient. It has been 40 or 50 years since Australians seriously considered the values of nuclear power and in those days the climate debate had only just begun and certainly not in Australia.
After the French tests on Mururoa Atoll and the sinking of the Greenpeace Warrior in New Zealand waters the anti-nuclear stage was set in Australia and the remainder of the southwest Pacific.
Thus it is easy to argue that it was not the wind power or solar power that killed nuclear power’s prospects for obtaining social licence to operate here. Chernobyl, TMI, Fukishima and all the rest are mere details – the damage was done before then.
That left a void into which the sales people and other opportunists smelled opportunity. Opportunists such as the Greenpeace crowd of instant experts, Mrs Caldicott, the bulk of the modern Green movement which is essentially a rebadged nuclear disarmanent party looking for a cause and many many more. The next wave was the salesfolk, the get-rich-quick crowd, with their subsidy-seeking skills honed and polished. They were seeking government largesse and found it in plenty in the form of research grants, solar power and wind power trials (seemingly endless, disconnected, feel-good populist nose-in-the-trough trials, but still trials).
We are now approaching the end of the trials and subsidy era, the EU is reported to be winding back some subsidies – even considering additional coal plants in Greece. Germany is wondering where to go next with their economy-busting energiewiende experiment.
So, back to Australia.
In many ways the period between Rainbow Warrior and the present has been one of lost time, money and opportunity.
South Australia has had one massive dose of strong medicine in the form of a whole-of-state blackout. Australia’s electricity systems, once so cheap and stable that they attracted energy-hungry industry from across the world such as aluminium refineries and smelters, are now seen as neither reliable nor cheap. and certainly not attractive to foreign industry.
A few more doses of medicine are, no doubt, in the pipeline – not, I hope, for South Australia – perhaps Germany, Spain and Italy. Maybe Once-Great Britain, who seem to have lost its way politically and is backing away from a list of once-popular targets in the energy field. Or smaller island-based under-engineered wind/storage/subsidy farms as in the Spanish island of El Hierro and our own Flinders and King Island hybrid systems.
Am I the only one who foresees a future where a majority of the population decides that the real problems are:
— Climate change driven by CO2 emissions;
— Civil security, driven by climate chaos, rising oceans and economic constraints – plus, of course, a desire not to revisit a nuclear-armed Cold War era;
— Wasted money and opportunity, driven in large part by very conspicuous waste on solar and wind, in part facilitated by political and commercial noses in the public trough?
Will the majority opinion swing away from flawed 100% renewables concepts and to goals that are a balance of safety, affordability and comparative competitive advantage, which is the antithesis of never-ending subsidies, “plans” and “schemes”?
I see South Australia’s electricity supply problems and the results from the Public Jury as essential steps along the way to a more enlightened future – it is certainly not the end of the road.
Here’s hoping that it won’t take too long, or need too much strong medicine along the way.
Robert Parker says:
I like the thread of your argument and up beat response
Tom Keen says:
Thanks for this perspective, Ben.
Personally, I’m not disheartened by this result. My assessment is that nuclear energy has a key role to play in global development, biodiversity conservation, and mitigating climate change. But I tend to agree with the two primary reasons the jury rejected the proposal.
Traditional Owners clearly feel they haven’t been adequately consulted or listened to throughout this process. If there is an absence of consent – which there almost certainly is – it is probably at least partially as a result of not putting their views at the front and centre of this whole process. The recent federal proposal for a low- to mid-level domestic waste repository at Barndioota, despite the Adnyamathanha people clearly not consenting to it, has only served to strengthen the idea that government is not listening to them – and rightly so, in my view.
And as far as the economics go, I think they more-or-less nailed it with this sentence from the report: “The long-term viability of the project is in doubt as it does not consider new technology providing potential alternatives for the use of the waste.” Well, yeah. The next century will be defined by unprecedented, incomprehensible technological complexity and change. Future customer demand for a service like this (taking high-level waste) is dubious. And with full fuel recycling already workable on a technical level (IFR technology), I can’t see how digging an abyssal hole to chuck the unrecycled goods in is in any way necessary or helpful.
I don’t think future demand for service in taking material is dubious in the slightest.
I think the single commercial model on the table is unlikely to be robust for the period in question and we need to be dovetailing several considerations.
Refer to my remarks to the Joint Committee for more on that.
As to the primacy given to TO consent I agree entirely with that principle where we are talking about land under TO governance today (and with deep geologicial repository, we most certainly are). I will fight to defend that principle of prior informed consent. I will also fight to defend the principle of self-determination between Aboriginal nations. If a TO group wishes to engage, they must be free to do so without pressure from others.
I’m very cautious about the creep of argument that all TOs must be satisfied before anyone does anything anywhere in the state because it’s all their land really. That’s not because I disagree with the principle (on my reading of history I pretty readily agree with it) but because it would be hypocritical exceptionalism, once again singling out nuclear-related activities for special treatment while carrying on with everything else we do with no consent on self-same land. This is why I am pursuing and arguing for solutions we can implement in our cities.
Pingback: It’s Not Just About the Jury | The Actinide Age
Indigenous groups are the new super-nimbies who can veto things they don’t like over vast distances. From what I can make out the key part of Wallerberdina Station could be tens of kilometres from their holding. That’s why mining companies describe Woomera area to the west as mining-friendly. The landlord is the Dept Defence who have a pro-mining policy.
I’m also struck by the similarity of the expressions used by the indigenous groups from Muckaty NT, Flinders Ranges and Maralinga. You’d almost think they are being co-ordinated by city folks.
Angela Neale says:
This might interest you, Ben.
‘The Mandarin’ is a public service mag.
http://www.themandarin.com.au/72297-will-sa-nuclear-citizens-jury-scare-governments-away/?utm_source=The+Juice+-+combined+list&utm_campaign=351d9c74a8-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d98f7edac0-351d9c74a8-261354101
Didn’t take Noel Wauchope long to gleefully write more anti-nuclear nonsense.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=18640
ROBERT HINDS says:
I was somewhat dismayed by the results of Jury 2. By dismayed, I mean that I was furious, but have since calmed down. It is a huge PR win for the anti-nukes, but this is only one battle in a long war, and the aim is to win the war.
Whatever the outcome, the other side would have cried bias. (The anti-nukes were crying bias until they ‘won’.)
At the end of the day the jury outcome was never going to be binding. Jay Wetherill is pressing on and rightly calling the Jury an opinion piece. Why he laid the path for nuclear engagement and then put a giant landmine on the path in the form of a Citizen’s Jury is unknown.
The comment below, taken from http://www.themandarin.co.au mentioned by contributor Angela Neale, may explain his thinking.
‘Apart from anything else, this kind of process demonstrates the resistance government would have encountered if it had pushed ahead without asking the public.’
The article is worth reading (free sign up) because it helps to put things into perspective.
I have read the Jury Report. I found it very difficult to follow. It has no structure, and its arguments are often contradictory. Eg. One part seemed to me to be saying that the proposal needs a lot more financial analysis to test its viability, while another part seems to say that the jury perception of lack of financial data means that the proposal should be scrapped immediately. It reads more like a huge amount of post-it notes stuck a page rather than a cohesive report.
Two themes seem to get through. Dominant both in strength of comment and on paper allocated to the comment, are that the repository should be stopped because Aboriginals object to it.
Second, the economics do not stack up.
I read the Jacobs MCM Report which formed Appendix J of the NFCRC report and found the financial case difficult to understand. I sent several emails to YoursayNuclear (who deal with repository queries) explaining my difficulties. I suggested that if possible, a more user friendly version of the economic arguments could be prepared for the Jury 2 process, as this subject was likely to be significant, and had the potential to cause a lot of confusion, especially when some very original ConservationSA figures were circulating. I did not get a satisfactory reply.
See http://nuclear.yoursay.sa.gov.au/livestreams/citizens-jury-two-video-library/ page 2 ‘Witness session. Economics.
This 52 minute presentation featured four anti-nukes (Mark Diesendorf, Richard Blandy (Flinders Uni), Richard Dennis (Australia Institute), Barbara Pocock (MOSSA) and a representative from Jacobs MCM, Tim Johnson. You can suffer through the presentation, or use your imagination to see what the anti-nukes had to say. The Jacob’s man stayed on theme, but his PowerPoint graphs, although good wall art, would have confounded Einstein.
How are jury members going to understand information like this in a time constrained pressure environment, while being constantly barked at by anti-nukes? The process is fundamentally flawed.
One cohesive part of the Jury report was the final tiny section, the minority report allowed to the 30% who dissented. They pointed to biases in the Jury selection and witness selection process. The Economics presentation referred to above received special mention.
‘Reference the ‘Economics’ session, where Jurors chose to hear from economists who clearly had a negative view of the nuclear industry.’
Below are links to comments on the Jury process appearing on the WNN website. They are the most concise, informative and insightful articles that I have read so far and breath hope into the situation.
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Citizens-Jury-says-no-to-South-Australian-waste-disposal-0711167.html
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/V-Facts-alone-do-not-convince-South-Australians-0711165.html
This whole event needs to be kept in perspective. (As does my reaction I suppose.)
Finally, I think that beyond this isolated event, we are all looking for ways to actively participate in making the repository a reality.
With the election of Donald Trump, global plans for 100% renewables look as distant as the wide scale use of nuclear to decarbonise the World’s energy.
While there may be some glee from anti-nuclear campaigners at the results from the citizen’s jury, any environmentalists looking at the big picture could only be dismayed at the progress being made to slow AGW. There needs to be a bit of soul searching and re-evaluation right across the common goal of decabonising energy.
From a nuclear perspective, the technology and governance systems we have now don’t seem good enough to counter public fears of waste, meltdowns and proliferation.
From a HL waste perspective, indefinite storage, as in 100,000+ years, is not looking acceptable. A system of temporary storage for several decades may be a different story. But to be acceptable the experimental technology of fast reactors to destroy this waste would need to be proven soon, then a financial plan that makes storing this waste beyond several decades more expensive than destroying it. It would be good to know what the chances are of any of the current reactors being developed to “solve” the waste problem in the long term (say 60 years out).
I don’t understand why stashing radioactive material deep below the water table in the outback isn’t good enough, even if the radioactivity lasted a billion years. How will it get into the food chain? We send rockets whizzing overhead carrying satellites with plutonium RTG power sources or live inches from smoke alarms containing a speck of Am 241 with a half life of four centuries. The fear seems to be conveniently selective.
On another forum somebody said enriched uranium plus MOX reprocessing would easily get us (the world) to the end of the century. Not sure sure if that checks out with the supposed 25 TW on non fossil power demand we’ll need by 2100. If true it means there is no rush for 4th generation nuclear. I’ve noticed that advocates conflate IFRs, SMRs and HTGRs with small modular reactors like NuScale. The thing is it’s possible that NuScale will be approved and on the market in a decade. The others who knows? Hopefully after a few more years of unreliable subsidised must-take renewables backed by dwindling gas supplies electricity consumers won’t worry so much whether radioactive waste is ‘long lived’.
conflate IFRs and MSRs
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Middle East • United States
Trump, frustrated by advisers, is not convinced the time is right to attack Iran
by John Hudson, Shane Harris, Josh Dawsey, and Anne Gearan
Written by John Hudson, Shane Harris, Josh Dawsey, and Anne Gearan
The Trump administration has been on high alert in response to what military and intelligence officials have deemed specific and credible threats from Iran against U.S. personnel in the Middle East.
But President Trump is frustrated with some of his top advisers, who he thinks could rush the United States into a military confrontation with Iran and shatter his long-standing pledge to withdraw from costly foreign wars, according to several U.S. officials. Trump prefers a diplomatic approach to resolving tensions and wants to speak directly with Iran’s leaders.
Disagreements over assessing and responding to the recent intelligence — which includes a directive from Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that some American officials interpret as a threat to U.S. personnel in the Middle East — are also fraying alliances with foreign allies, according to multiple officials in the United States and Europe.
Trump grew angry last week and over the weekend about what he sees as warlike planning that is getting ahead of his own thinking, said a senior administration official with knowledge of conversations Trump had regarding national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“They are getting way out ahead of themselves, and Trump is annoyed,” the official said. “There was a scramble for Bolton and Pompeo and others to get on the same page.”
Bolton, who advocated regime change in Iran before joining the White House last year, is “just in a different place” from Trump, although the president has been a fierce critic of Iran since long before he hired Bolton. Trump “wants to talk to the Iranians; he wants a deal” and is open to negotiation with the Iranian government, the official said.
“He is not comfortable with all this ‘regime change’ talk,” which to his ears echoes the discussion of removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein before the 2003 U.S. invasion, said the official, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
Read more at The Washington Post
A Stealth F-35 with Laser Weapons: The Ultimate Nuclear Missile Killer?
Persian Gulf tensions, unclear threats raise risks
Middle East • World
How Fake News Could Lead to Real War
Iran is breaching its uranium stockpile limit under...
Iran steps further from nuke deal, adding pressure on...
China • United States
At the G20, Trump Should Be Wary of China’s...
Korea • United States
One-third of Americans would support a preemptive...
North Korea Knows that Donald Trump Is a Temporary...
John Hudson, Shane Harris, Josh Dawsey, and Anne Gearan
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crowing about books.
YA lit and more!
bookish feature
23 Upcoming YA Releases by Asian Authors!
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I just wanted to shout out a bunch of upcoming books written by Asian authors. I was going to do a post along with a rec post I also have in the works, but um, wow! That’s a lot of books by Asians coming out in the next few months! I am literally so excited for all of these? Like, I thought of trying to write my own little blurb but it’s just going to be “I can’t wait to read this!!!” or “I’m sooo excited for this!!!” and variations repeated ad infinitum. So yeah.
I’ve limited this to YA even though there are a few non-YA releases I’ve had my eyes on, but feel free to shout out in the comments.
And hey, please tell me if I missed any books or if I made a mistake and I’ll edit this post ASAP. I am but a humble blogger who is skedaddling abroad soon and also has far too many papers to write but definitely has her priorities straight by blogging instead.
Also, check out the Asian Readathon and the Asian Lit Bingo for readathons this month; and the Year of the Asian Reading Challenge for a year-long readathon and even more book recs.
Somewhere Only We Know by Maureen Goo (May 7)
10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she’s just performed her hit song “Heartbeat” in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She’s about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She’s in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.
11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She’s very cute. He’s maybe curious.
12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell
Laura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley’s dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There’s just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend.
Reeling from her latest break up, Freddy’s best friend, Doodle, introduces her to the Seek-Her, a mysterious medium, who leaves Freddy some cryptic parting words: break up with her. But Laura Dean keeps coming back, and as their relationship spirals further out of her control, Freddy has to wonder if it’s really Laura Dean that’s the problem. Maybe it’s Freddy, who is rapidly losing her friends, including Doodle, who needs her now more than ever. Fortunately for Freddy, there are new friends, and the insight of advice columnists like Anna Vice to help her through being a teenager in love.
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal (May 14)
Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.
Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.
War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.
There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon (May 14)
Ashish Patel didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After he’s dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.
The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?
Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.
Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.
Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other?
The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad (May 14)
Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together. However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population — except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar.
But when one of the most potent of the Ifrit dies, Fatima is changed in ways she cannot fathom, ways that scare even those who love her. Oud in hand, Fatima is drawn into the intrigues of the maharajah and his sister, the affairs of Zulfikar and the djinn, and the dangers of a magical battlefield.
Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.
Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra (May 21)
Fresh from med school, sixteen-year-old medical prodigy Saira arrives for her first day at her new job: treating children with cancer. She’s always had to balance family and friendships with her celebrity as the Girl Genius—but she’s never had to prove herself to skeptical adult co-workers while adjusting to real life-and-death stakes. And working in the same hospital as her mother certainly isn’t making things any easier.
But life gets complicated when Saira finds herself falling in love with a patient: a cute teen boy who’s been diagnosed with cancer. And when she risks her brand new career to try to improve his chances, it could cost her everything.
It turns out “heartbreak” is the one thing she still doesn’t know how to treat.
Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn Nguyen (May 28)
Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together.
After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve have had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time—and then they’ll be free.
The only problem is, maybe Jake and Mia don’t hate each other as much as they once thought…
I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn (May 28)
Kimi Nakamura loves a good fashion statement. She’s obsessed with transforming everyday ephemera into Kimi Originals: bold outfits that make her and her friends feel brave, fabulous, and like the Ultimate versions of themselves. But her mother sees this as a distraction from working on her portfolio paintings for the prestigious fine art academy where she’s been accepted for college. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi’s estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life.
When she arrives in Japan, she loses herself in Kyoto’s outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival–and meets Akira, a cute med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. What begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.
This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura (June 4)
Katsuyamas never quit—but seventeen-year-old CJ doesn’t even know where to start. She’s never lived up to her mom’s type A ambition, and she’s perfectly happy just helping her aunt, Hannah, at their family’s flower shop.
She doesn’t buy into Hannah’s romantic ideas about flowers and their hidden meanings, but when it comes to arranging the perfect bouquet, CJ discovers a knack she never knew she had. A skill she might even be proud of.
Then her mom decides to sell the shop—to the family who swindled CJ’s grandparents when thousands of Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps during WWII. Soon a rift threatens to splinter CJ’s family, friends, and their entire Northern California community; and for the first time, CJ has found something she wants to fight for.
Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
It’s 1989 in New York City, and for three teens, the world is changing.
Reza is an Iranian boy who has just moved to the city with his mother to live with his stepfather and stepbrother. He’s terrified that someone will guess the truth he can barely acknowledge about himself. Reza knows he’s gay, but all he knows of gay life are the media’s images of men dying of AIDS.
Judy is an aspiring fashion designer who worships her uncle Stephen, a gay man with AIDS who devotes his time to activism as a member of ACT UP. Judy has never imagined finding romance…until she falls for Reza and they start dating.
Art is Judy’s best friend, their school’s only out and proud teen. He’ll never be who his conservative parents want him to be, so he rebels by documenting the AIDS crisis through his photographs.
As Reza and Art grow closer, Reza struggles to find a way out of his deception that won’t break Judy’s heart–and destroy the most meaningful friendship he’s ever known.
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay (June 18)
Jay Reguero plans to spend the last semester of his senior year playing video games before heading to the University of Michigan in the fall. But when he discovers that his Filipino cousin Jun was murdered as part of President Duterte’s war on drugs, and no one in the family wants to talk about what happened, Jay travels to the Philippines to find out the real story.
Hoping to uncover more about Jun and the events that led to his death, Jay is forced to reckon with the many sides of his cousin before he can face the whole horrible truth — and the part he played in it.
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho (June 25)
Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret–she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.
But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead–her gumiho soul–in the process.
Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl–he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He’s drawn to her anyway.
With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon’s.
Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa (June 25)
One thousand years ago, a wish was made to the Harbinger of Change and a sword of rage and lightning was forged. Kamigoroshi. The Godslayer. It had one task: to seal away the powerful demon Hakaimono.
Now he has broken free.
Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has one task: to take her piece of the ancient and powerful scroll to the Steel Feather temple in order to prevent the summoning of the Harbinger of Change, the great Kami Dragon who will grant one wish to whomever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. But she has a new enemy now. The demon Hakaimono, who for centuries was trapped in a cursed sword, has escaped and possessed the boy she thought would protect her, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan.
Hakaimono has done the unthinkable and joined forces with the Master of Demons in order to break the curse of the sword and set himself free. To overthrow the empire and cover the land in darkness, they need one thing: the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross once again, the entire empire will be thrown into chaos.
The Best Lies by Sarah Lyu (July 2)
Remy Tsai used to know how her story would turn out. But now, she doesn’t even know what tomorrow will look like.
She was happy once. Remy had her boyfriend Jack, and Elise, her best friend—her soulmate—who understood her better than anyone else in the world.
But now Jack is dead, shot through the chest—
And it was Elise who pulled the trigger.
Was it self-defense? Or something deeper, darker than anything Remy could have imagined? As the police investigate, Remy does the same, sifting through her own memories, looking for a scrap of truth that could save the friendship that means everything to her.
Told in alternating timelines, Thelma and Louise meets Gone Girl in this twisted psychological thriller about the dark side of obsessive friendship.
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim (July 9)
Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she’ll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.
Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia’s task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.
And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor’s reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee (August 13)
By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady’s maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, “Dear Miss Sweetie.” When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society’s ills, but she’s not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender.
While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta’s most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light.
Butterfly Yellow by Thanhhà Lai (September 3)
In the final days of the Việt Nam War, Hằng takes her little brother, Linh, to the airport, determined to find a way to safety in America. In a split second, Linh is ripped from her arms—and Hằng is left behind in the war-torn country.
Six years later, Hằng has made the brutal journey from Việt Nam and is now in Texas as a refugee. She doesn’t know how she will find the little brother who was taken from her until she meets LeeRoy, a city boy with big rodeo dreams, who decides to help her.
Hằng is overjoyed when she reunites with Linh. But when she realizes he doesn’t remember her, their family, or Việt Nam, her heart is crushed. Though the distance between them feels greater than ever, Hằng has come so far that she will do anything to bridge the gap.
The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas
A Warrior in Disguise
All her life, Mulan has trained for one purpose: to win the duel that every generation in her family must fight. If she prevails, she can reunite a pair of priceless heirloom swords separated decades earlier, and avenge her father, who was paralyzed in his own duel.
Then a messenger from the Emperor arrives, demanding that all families send one soldier to fight the Rouran invaders in the north. Mulan’s father cannot go. Her brother is just a child. So she ties up her hair, takes up her sword, and joins the army as a man.
A War for a Dynasty
Thanks to her martial arts skills, Mulan is chosen for an elite team under the command of the princeling–the royal duke’s son, who is also the handsomest man she’s ever seen. But the princeling has secrets of his own, which explode into Mulan’s life and shake up everything she knows. As they cross the Great Wall to face the enemy beyond, Mulan and the princeling must find a way to unwind their past, unmask a traitor, and uncover the plans for the Rouran invasion . . . before it’s too late.
Frankly in Love by David Yoon (September 10)
High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo–his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance–“Date Korean”–which proves complicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful–and white. Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but in the end, Frank and Joy’s fake-dating maneuver leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love–or himself–at all.
Our Wayward Fate by Gloria Chao
Seventeen-year-old Ali Chu knows that as the only Asian person at her school in middle-of-nowhere Indiana, she must be bland as white toast to survive. This means swapping her congee lunch for PB&Js, ignoring the clueless racism from her classmates and teachers, and keeping her mouth shut when people wrongly call her Allie instead of her actual name, Ah-lee, after the mountain in Taiwan.
Her autopilot existence is disrupted when she finds out that Chase Yu, the new kid in school, is also Taiwanese. Despite some initial resistance due to the they belong together whispers, Ali and Chase soon spark a chemistry rooted in competitive martial arts, joking in two languages, and, most importantly, pushing back against the discrimination they face.
But when Ali’s mom finds out about the relationship, she forces Ali to end it. As Ali covertly digs into the why behind her mother’s disapproval, she uncovers secrets about her family and Chase that force her to question everything she thought she knew about life, love, and her unknowable future.
The Never-Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
Frozen meets Mad Max in this epic teen fantasy duology bursting with star-crossed romance, immortal heroines, and elemental magic, perfect for fans of Furyborn.
Generations of twin goddesses have long ruled Aeon. But seventeen years ago, one sister’s betrayal defied an ancient prophecy and split their world in two. The planet ceased to spin, and a Great Abyss now divides two realms: one cloaked in perpetual night, the other scorched by an unrelenting sun.
While one sister rules Aranth—a frozen city surrounded by a storm-wracked sea —her twin inhabits the sand-locked Golden City. Each goddess has raised a daughter, and each keeps her own secrets about her sister’s betrayal.
But when shadowy forces begin to call their daughters, Odessa and Haidee, back to the site of the Breaking, the two young goddesses —along with a powerful healer from Aranth, and a mouthy desert scavenger —set out on separate journeys across treacherous wastelands, desperate to heal their broken world. No matter the sacrifice it demands
I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi (October 22)
Seven days. Seven days. The Earth might end in seven days.
When news stations start reporting that Earth has been contacted by a planet named Alma, the world is abuzz with rumors that the alien entity is giving mankind only few days to live before they hit the kill switch on civilization.
For high school truant Jesse Hewitt, though, nothing has ever felt permanent. Not the guys he hooks up with. Not the jobs his underpaid mom works so hard to hold down. Life has dealt him one bad blow after another — so what does it matter if it all ends now? Cate Collins, on the other hand, is desperate to use this time to find the father she’s never met, the man she grew up hearing wild stories about, most of which she didn’t believe. And then there’s Adeem Khan. While coding and computer programming have always come easily to him, forgiveness doesn’t. He can’t seem to forgive his sister for leaving, even though it’s his last chance.
With only seven days to face their truths and right their wrongs, Jesse, Cate, and Adeem’s paths collide even as their worlds are pulled apart.
Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C. Dao (November 5)
From the acclaimed author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns comes a fantastical new tale of darkness and love, in which magical bonds are stronger than blood.
Will love break the spell? After cruelly rejecting Bao, the poor physician’s apprentice who loves her, Lan, a wealthy nobleman’s daughter, regrets her actions. So when she finds Bao’s prized flute floating in his boat near her house, she takes it into her care, not knowing that his soul has been trapped inside it by an evil witch, who cursed Bao, telling him that only love will set him free. Though Bao now despises her, Lan vows to make amends and help break the spell.
How are your TBRs doing? Any you’re particularly excited for?
May 8, 2019 May 8, 2019 apahm, asian pacific american heritage month, book list
Published by jess @ crowing about books
book enthusiast View all posts by jess @ crowing about books
19 thoughts on “23 Upcoming YA Releases by Asian Authors!”
Margaret @ Weird Zeal says:
Wow this is such an epic list!!! There are so many cool looking books on this list I don’t even know where to begin!!
Spin the Dawn was such a fun book, and I can’t wait for it to be out in the world for everyone to read 😄
jess @ crowing about books says:
There are too many good books! I can’t wait to read Spin the Dawn, I love Milan retellings.
Kay Wisteria | Hammock of Books says:
So many amazing looking books here I can’t wait to read ❤
I know, right? I need to read them all 😭
La Femme Livresque | A Reader To Whatever End says:
Wow!! That’s such wonderful list! Thank you for sharing this. I have some of these on my wish list already but I’ll check out the other now. 🙂
Thanks for checking them out!!
24hr.YaBookBlog says:
Great list! I’m looking forward to reading a lot of these too! ^_^
There are just SO many good books coming out.
TheCaffeinatedReader says:
I had my eye on some of these but others I hadn’t heard of yet so this is a great list! The Downstairs Girl sounds absolutely fantastic!! And I cannot wait for so many of these, thanks for this post! ❤
I love Stacey Lee’s books so much because they show Asian Americans in history! There are just so many good books coming out 😭
northernplunder says:
its not cuppa tea BUT THE COVER FOR LDKBUWM is so beauitful1!! 🙂
Thers a few here i really wanna read too though 😀
I know!! I don’t usually read graphic novels but I may have to now
I love graphic novels but dont usually read a loy kf contemp. I might have to swing it for this one haha
nguyentoread says:
This list is perfect! I’m absolutely adding a few of these books to my list to read! Spin the Dawn is my most anticipated book release of the next few months. Thanks for compiling this awesome list!
I’m glad you found some new books!
Reblogged this on Nguyen to Read and commented:
Absolutely love this post! It’s a great list and a few of the books I hadn’t heard of before are now added to my TBR.
Pingback: May Rewind – The Caffeinated Reader
OH, I haven’t heard of many of thoses before !
I added I hope you get this message and the best lies to my wanting to read shelf ! xx
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At Last The Sun
By Richard Foss
Aug 27, 2018 · 4,515 words · 17 minutes
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The sea stretched into the distance, flat, glossy, and almost black as it neared the horizon, the deep reddish brown of dried blood if you stared straight down into the depths of the dead zone. The view from the deck of the Miss Tillie hadn’t changed in days, but Dennis still gazed over the rail lost in thought. The subtle shading reminded him of an antique Venetian glass bowl that had occupied a place of pride in his mother’s house. An incident involving young children and a baseball had shattered it when he was in his teens, but he remembered the play of color in the wavy glass. As Dennis looked into the still sea, faint ripples spread out from the old shrimp trawler’s hull, completing the illusion of gazing into the scalloped crystal.
The afternoon sun beat down from a yellowish-gray sky, distant thunderheads to the south promising an eventual end to the serene seascape. The only sound was a muffled clattering as Lonesome Joe unbolted the cover of the boom winch and prepared to service the motor. The cover of a grease can made a musical tone as it spun on the deck like a coin. Dennis grinned wryly at the sound – the scientists who had chartered the boat had no need for Joe’s services, but Captain Eddie had brought him along in order to charge for an additional crew member. They had no need for the shrimping gear on this voyage either, but Captain Eddie had Joe servicing it because he hoped it would be needed on the next trip. If there was a next trip – the dead zone of deoxygenated water off the mouth of the Mississippi was growing alarmingly, and the areas that were still productive were being rapidly overfished. Fertilizer and manure runoff from upstream farms was to blame, the scientists said, and everybody knew what had to be done, but nobody was going to do it. Farm states a thousand miles from the Gulf of Mexico would lose tax dollars if they enforced environmental regulations, so they ritually promised to study the issue further while phosphate and animal waste-laden water washed downstream. Algae multiplied in the warm, nutrient-rich waters offshore and died by the billion, exhausting the water of oxygen as they decomposed. The result was thousands of square miles of open ocean that looked as beautiful as Venetian glass, and as lifeless.
The whine of an electric motor and rattle of chain from the stern as Joe ran the winch through its paces was loud enough to cover the sound of footsteps, so it was a surprise when a hand landed on his shoulder.
“Mister Dennis, would you be so good as to get us some more iced tea?” inquired a British-accented voice heartily.
“Happy to, Doctor Coolidge – anything else?”
“Not at the moment, thank you, but we shall be wanting a bigger lunch than usual in case the heavy weather comes in near sunset. We expect to be quite busy with the instruments, and may not have time for even a light snack.”
Dennis went to the cargo hold, usually reserved for tons of freshly caught shrimp or crabs, but turned to a makeshift lab and pantry for the duration of this trip. The canisters of tea he had placed in the refrigeration unit had beads of moisture running down the sides, and he decanted two pitchers, grabbed ice and insulated tumblers, and headed to the small foredeck. The lanky, spade bearded scientist was scowling distractedly at a set of covered canisters that were spaced along a length of bright yellow rope. Two graduate students were working on one of the containers with screwdrivers.
“The five and fifteen meter samples from the rusken bottles are fine, but the ten didn’t open and the twenty didn’t close. It’s the messengers or the trap mechanisms gone wonky, and …ah, here’s some refreshments, take a moment and then back to work.”
The freely perspiring students looked grateful as Dennis filled cups and passed them out. “Y’all sure that crawfish etoufee I made last night wasn’t too hot? “ he asked. “I hear tell where y’all from, they don’t cook with much spices.”
One of them laughed. “If you’re ever in Glasgow, I’ll take you out for Pakistani curry, and we’ll see if you still think so,” he replied.
“Nah, thanks. I had Indian when I was in visiting friends in California, and it took a whole day to recover. I’ll put more hot sauce on the table next time just for ya.”
The glasses were refilled, small talk briefly exchanged, and Dennis went to wash the empty pitchers. It was easy work, at least until the predicted storm came in, and he was glad to have it. The scientists seemed satisfied despite their makeshift lab in the hold and their tiny shared cabin. The more luxurious boat they had originally chartered had rammed into the end of a dock thanks to a pilot who had been celebrating a bit too much the night before. The Miss Tillie had been in the next slip over, hosing out after a week-long trawling trip that had lost money. A deal was struck on the spot, scientific gear transferred, and instead of striking nets and clearing fouled lines, Dennis was acting as cook and general helper. Doctor Coolidge and his assistants took the crew’s quarters, Captain Eddie bunked in the wheelhouse, and Dennis slept in an unused storage room. Lonesome Joe slung his garish Mexican hammock from a net boom at the stern. Joe could have a more comfortable berth in the other half of the storage room, but the taciturn Cajun had earned his nickname.
Dennis took Joe a cup of iced tea, earning a nod for his trouble, before taking a pitcher up to the small bridge. Captain Eddie Domingue was bound to be grouchy – after what happened to the first boat he had chartered, Doctor Coolidge had made it a condition that the crew didn’t drink. Eddie liked to start his day with a little brandy in his coffee, then a cold Abita ale at lunch and maybe another in the afternoon before dinner, after which the bourbon came out. He had agreed to not drink on this trip, and he had stuck with it, but he didn’t have to like it.
Dennis did a doubletake as he entered the small bridge – Captain Eddie had taken advantage of the idle time to clean and polish every knob, switch, and instrument, and the little wheelhouse gleamed. When Dennis came in, Eddie was touching up the paint on the overhead electrical conduits that led to the radar and fish finder. The sonar’s screen was eerily blank, as it had been for days since they entered the dead zone. The featureless green screen caught Dennis’s eye, and Captain Eddie followed his gaze and scowled.
“My daddy used to come right out here and take a full hold of shrimp outta two swings of the net, and half of them were U-10’s that brought in the dough as soon as they hit the dock. Couldn’t fill one of your damned ice tea glasses with all the shrimp that’s out here now, all so some greedy fool in Ohio can raise chickens on bottom land that floods one year outta three.”
“Lots of greedy people in lots of states,” Dennis agreed. “Not like us shrimpers that don’t have a greedy bone in our bodies, and work outta altruistic motives of feedin’ humanity.”
Eddie snorted, then grimaced as he drank the cold iced tea. “I’d kill for a beer right now, but my altruistic nature says I gotta drink this tea instead. It does go down nice when it’s this hot, but…I’d kill for a beer right now.” He lapsed into a moody silence, staring out at the calm ocean.
“What’s with this riding out that storm that’s coming in?” Dennis asked after a moment.
“They wanna see how the wave action adds oxygen back into the water, how it happens and how deep it goes. This little blow-up oughta be perfect – three to five foot swells if it goes how the weatherman says, enough to mix it up and not so much that they can’t work. Lonesome Joe’s got safety harnesses rigged, and two of em’ll be passing samples through the hatch so the third can mark and catalog ‘em. Won’t bother me if they have to wait another day for this to blow in, considerin’ the rate they’re payin’. You got enough provisions in that galley for three more days?”
“Sure, even though them graduate students eat like horses. Might hafta repeat myself on some things, but I don’t suppose they’ll mind. Gonna be low on water by three days on, unless I lay out every pot when this storm comes in and collect some. Either that or you radio back to Bayou Teche and get your cousin Eugene to go to the market, load up his boat, and run it out to us. Probably somethin’ you should consider anyway if you want any fresh vegetables.”
Eddie looked thoughtful. “Might do that, I might. They want to keep sampling this area a few days after the storm. They might pay extra to be able to stay out longer.”
“You’re making me wonder if somewhere down there, you do have a greedy bone or two.”
“Let’s just say my altruistic side needs a paycheck once in a while too, and it ain’t had one lately.” He paused a moment, then continued more softly. “This thing could be the end of us, you know. My daddy made a good livin’ with this boat, you know. I ever tell you the whyfores about the name of this boat?”
He had done it plenty of times, but rarely when sober, and just in case the story changed, Dennis looked inquisitive.
“My daddy was half set to marry Gertrude of the Courville sisters, richest family in Jefferson Parish back then, but he always had an eye for a sweet little thing that worked at the local coffee shop. He thought about askin’ her out and thought about it, but he couldn’t get the nerve, and couldn’t think of a way to get her to talk to him. Her name was Caroline Tillie, and back then this boat was called the Beau de Barataria. One day my daddy bought this boat, and that night he came out and painted the new name, Miss Tillie. Word of that got around real quick, and it soon got to old Mr. Courville, who was already making plans for his daughter’s wedding. Since he had also been the one who loaned my daddy the money to buy the boat, he was quite upset, and he went down to the docks with two of her brothers and, I heard tell, three pistols. I’m only sure about the two brothers, because everybody saw them waitin’ for my daddy to dock after that shrimping trip. Then someone thought to go to the café, and they found that Miss Tillie’s first customer that morning had been the harbormaster, and he told her about the wet paint on this boat. He was the last customer she ever served - she closed the café, walked down to see this boat, and went onboard. My daddy was sitting in this wheelhouse, waiting. They talked for ten minutes, then she slipped the lines and they sailed out to the gulf. They fished out of Plaquemines Parish for about a year until he had the money to repay Mr. Courville, then they came back. Then they found that Gertrude Courville had been married for seven months – she had been sweet on Leander Chauvin and was planning to elope with him all along. So they were all friends afterward, and Gertrude became my godmother, and my mother was godmother to their son Robert.”
After he finished the often-told story, he was silent for a moment, then continued in a soft voice.
“And that is what these farmers and chicken keepers are takin’ from me, not just my job, but the boat where my momma and papa wooed and wed, where I was conceived and woulda been born if a storm hadn’t let up so they could get ashore. If I were to sail this boat up the river and destroy their farms they’d jail me, but they destroy my shrimping grounds and nobody does nothing. So I take the money from Doctor Coolidge and he makes his measurements, but in case he collects the data that makes them stop, I would do this for free. And it is not altruism, it is saving my heritage, that’s on this boat and was in these waters before the oxygen went away. I would tell Eugene to empty every store shelf in Bayou Teche and load up his boat to feed them, and charge it to me.”
They were silent and somber for a moment, both men looking at the deck like the scratches in the well-worn wood might have an answer. Then Dennis chuckled and shook his head.
“And the vegetables Eugene would bring in his boatload are from farms that run off into this water, and help cause the problem that afflicts our sea.”
Captain Eddie looked like he had bitten into something sour. “It is complicated, but things can not stay as they are.” He set his jaw and reached for the paintbrush to finish detailing the electrical conduit. Dennis turned to go and almost collided with Doctor Coolidge, who was standing in the door of the wheelhouse.
“Gentlemen, I do not know if my readings will help to change the situation, but I pledge to you that I will do all that I can to make them known. You must know, though that even if every possible action is taken now, it may be a decade before you see schools of redfish on that screen again.” He gestured at the fish finder, then looked at it sharply. Faint wavy lines flickered near the bottom of the screen. He relaxed after a moment.
“Interesting interference pattern there, probably a cold current going underneath a warm one at the thermocline. Not something I’d expect to see, even with the scope on high sensitivity.”
Captain Eddie frowned. “It ain’t on high sensitivity. That’s standard.”
The three men peered at the screen, where a straight line was arcing upward to resemble a dome.
“Big bubble of gas and mud sometimes comes up from the bottom, looks a little something like that,” volunteered Eddie uncertainly.” Just as he said it, the curve became sharper, and a piece of it separated into a disc and started to move laterally. “It don’t do that, though.”
“Your strip recorder – turn it on!” barked Doctor Coolidge. Captain Eddie flipped a switch, and paper started scrolling past a pen that twitched with each movement. Dennis had a different idea, and grabbed his cellphone from the pouch at his hip, aimed the camera at the sonar screen, and started recording. “Good thought,” said Coolidge approvingly, his eyes not leaving the screen. The disc moved in a slow circle near the bottom of the screen, then came to a halt.
“Depth?” Coolidge asked crisply. Eddie glanced at a readout. “Canyon just south of here goes down past forty fathoms, but here we’re at sixteen fathoms, pretty even.” The scientist stuck his head out the door to call to his assistants.
“Mac Leod, what’s the oxygen level at thirty meters?”
There was a momentary hesitation, then a reply of, “Last reading, one point four parts per million.”
“Nothing on earth larger than bacteria can live under those conditions,” Coolidge said firmly. “The reading’s wrong, or…” he broke off as the thing started moving again. “What size is it?”
Captain Eddie glanced at the gain dial on the finder. “Same as a fair-sized marlin… call it eight feet.”
“I want it. Can you catch it?” He stuck his head out he window and bellowed, “Mac Leod, come here now, and bring a recorder! Davies, to the port side amidships with a recorder, and catch any movement you see in the water!”
Captain Eddie glanced at Dennis. “Lonesome Joe done servicin’ that winch?”
“Oughta be.” Dennis stuck his head out he window and shouted, ”Joe, whatever net you got ready, get it in the water, now!”
There was a sound of scrambling, whirr of an electric motor and rattle of chains, then a splash and a sharp curse in Acadian French. Dennis and Eddie ran to the top of the gangway to see a piece of colorful striped fabric sliding below the deep blue surface of the water. Dennis laughed.
“Joe musta left his hammock draped over the boom, and when he swung it to attach the net, it went over. He’s gonna have to go all the way to Grand Isle to get another one.”
They were interrupted by a shout from the cabin. “What’s that?”
They rushed in and looked at the video screen, where they could see the image of the waterlogged hammock undulating toward the ocean floor. “Hammock,” answered Dennis. “Got a piece of chain on one end to hook it up, why it’s moving like that.” He pointed his cellphone camera at the display as the shape at the bottom of the screen started spiraling upward. Suddenly, it moved forward and struck at the hammock, then recoiled.
“A predator,” gasped Coolidge. “ I want it. How soon will that net be ready?”
“I’ll check,” promised Dennis as he headed down the stairs two at a time. When he got to the stern, Lonesome Joe was grumbling curses as he finished attaching the shrimp net to the swivel. “Don’ like runnin’ like dat,” he grumbled, gesturing to the winch he had been working on. The cover was off and the freshly lubricated gears shone black next to coils of cable. “It snap, and somebody’s killed.”
Dennis nodded and ran back toward the wheelhouse, the deck suddenly vibrating under his feet as the big diesel engines fired up for the first time all day.
“Ready,” he said as he entered. “Closest thing to hand was a crab trawl net, and it’s goin’ in. Current’s gonna carry it a little behind that thing, then we haul it in.”
The image on the screen was circling the place where the hammock hit bottom, watched by Coolidge and the graduate student who captured the image on his video camera. Captain Eddie put the engines in reverse and gently eased the throttle, glancing over at the fish finder every few seconds.
“Aimin’ at it the way we do for schools of redfish,” he commented without taking his eyes of his work. “Gonna try to float the net wide, behind and below it, then give the boat full engines ahead and the net full winch, haul it in quick. That thing down there can move fast when it wants to.”
“When it comes to catching underwater creatures, I trust to your expertise, gentlemen,” said Doctor Coolidge.
“You went out in that boat you first chartered, you wouldn’ta had it,” observed Captain Eddie. “They woulda charged extra for expertise. We throw it in for free.” The conversation broke off as the thing stopped, changed direction, and started spiraling upward. Coolidge started to peer into the monitor, then realized that he was about to block the camera. “Getting this?” he asked the student.
“Every second,” replied Mac Leod. “It’ll be the biggest thing on YouTube.”
“They get it after Woods Hole has a look. Gods, every oceanographer and icthyolologist in the world would give their souls to be here right now. An unknown species that can live in this…“ He broke off, then asked Captain Eddie, “What is it’s depth now?”
“Up to ten fathoms… nine now. Comin’ up eight.” They heard a wordless shout from Davies, the graduate student on deck. “Close enough so’s you can see it, I’d guess.”
Coolidge ran out of the wheelhouse and headed to the rail by Davies, followed closely by Dennis. They peered into the murky brownish depths at the bulbous shape that corkscrewed toward them in lazy circles. “Six fathoms!” came a shout from the wheelhouse.
“Davies, oxygen level at twenty meters?” asked Coolidge crisply.
“Last reading here, less than one point six parts per million. Rises to two point two at ten meters, almost three PPM at five meters.”
“What’s normal?” asked Dennis.
“Six to twelve at the surface.,” answered Coolidge. “This is almost…” He stopped as the thing turned slightly and came out of the boat’s shadow. “My god!”
The two sets of tentacles on each side pulsed in rhythm, while the fins worked independently to both steer and add momentum. Something gaped and closed next to each to the three compound eyes, and there was movement in the huge triangular mouth each time it opened. A dark band encircled its body just behind the tentacles, irregular bulges dangling from it.
As it entered the shaft of light, the tentacles went motionless, and it used its fins to turn so all three eyes faced the sun. The men at the rail stood stock still, gazing at the weird face pointed toward them. Dennis noticed a flicker of movement in the background just as Captain Eddie shouted ”It’s at two fathoms now!” from the cabin.
“Joe, haul the net in, full speed! Eddie, give her the gas!” Dennis shouted.
The engines roared and the boat lurched forward just as a sharp whine sounded from astern. The net that had been spread out behind the creature started to tighten around it, drawing it toward the surface. It thrashed as it rose, and they noticed the tentacles scrabbling toward the dark band around its middle, then working at the net.
“Which rig is that, Joe?” Dennis shouted.
“Six millimeter propylene.”
“Nothin’ can break that! We got it.”
The tentacles flexed convulsively, and suddenly the thing had more room to move. They moved again, and even as a writhing mass of dazzling orange and green striped fins came partway out of the water, the thing leaped free through a ragged hole in the net and spiraled downward toward the ocean floor. This time its movements were erratic, as though the fins that had broken the surface were paralyzed. It swerved as it was at the edge of their vision, toward the undersea canyon to the south. The Miss Tillie lurched to follow it, but it was obvious that the old trawler couldn’t keep up.
Doctor Coolidge’s hands tightened on the rail until his knuckles were white, and he said, “Damn” with emphasis. Lonesome Joe used considerably more colorful language as he viewed the remains of the net dangling from the end of the boom. Nobody else said anything as the big engines stopped and the boat slowed to a stop.
“Lost him,” called Captain Eddie from the wheelhouse. “Swingin’ around like a bat all the way down into the canyon, but gone.”
“Still recording,” called Mac Leod.
Coolidge brightened a bit. “Davies, you got that?”
When the other assistant nodded, Coolidge smiled. “We at least have two recordings of a creature never before seen – three, counting your cellphone, Dennis. Four counting the chart recorder, which probably got something. Plus the most amazing fishing story ever about the one that got away.” He glanced toward the stern and shouted, “Joe, don’t touch that net! Might be DNA on the skin scrapings – or rather, whatever that thing uses instead of DNA.”
“Doesn’t everything use DNA?” asked Dennis.
“Every organism we know above the bacterial level uses DNA or RNA. But then, we may have just seen a product of a separate evolution.”
“A space alien?”
“Another evolution on this earth, one that happened a long time ago. The early Precambrian era, before photosynthesis, when algae started producing oxygen and changed the environment. The shift to an oxygen environment wiped almost all the anaerobic lifeforms out – the only ones we know of are viruses and some bacteria, and a few microscopic creatures that live in the depths of the ocean, mostly near volcanic vents. Apparently some larger forms evolved too, and they still live deep where humans couldn’t see them. And now, for the first time in eons, there is a path to the surface for them. A path humans made through stupidity.”
There was silence or a time except for the sound of Lonesome Joe putting the cover back on the winch mechanism. Captain Eddie came out of the wheelhouse and walked slowly over to join them.
“I wonder why it came up here,” he mused. “Searching for food, I guess, or maybe just curious.”
“Perhaps. I wonder, though. Remember the stripe around the creature? I think it was a tool belt, and I think that when we look at your net, we’ll find that it has been cut. As for why it came here, miles above it’s ancestral home? After two and a half billion years in the dark at the bottom of the ocean, I wonder if it’s kind even has legends about the sun. It would be quite a temptation to see if ancient fables are true. There’s a kind of mind that does that.”
“A scientist?” asked Dennis.
“Their environment is changing, and it needs to know why. Perhaps it travels because it can.” Coolidge looked at the storm building in the east, the clouds now visibly angrier. “Nature is about to stir up this water now, make it inhospitable for them down to ten meters or so. We’ll quantify that as best as we may, then head back to shore. And by the way, I’ll pay for a new net, as our new acquaintance seems to have ruined that one.”
Captain Eddie barked a laugh. “I guess I don’t have to worry about him breaking the next one, seeing as how anywhere he can live, the fishing for me is gonna be mighty poor.”
“And do ask your cousin to stock up at the market and ready his boat, as I think that once my institute sees these films, I shall have a budget increase. We can stay out here as long as we need to. We need to know about our new neighbors, because they now know about us. They may send a party to investigate, and we’ll want to be ready to make them welcome.”
Afterword: The same week this story was published, areas of extremely low oxygen were discovered at the bottom of the Mediterranean sea, and to everyone's surprise there was life there. Several types of previously unknown worms and crustaceans were found, but no large animals. Subsequent discoveries in other oceans have shown that there may be other places where anaerobic life may have survived for uncounted millennia. I couldn't have known that when I wrote the story, but it was a delightful coincidence that this was in Analog and that was in the news...
This story originally appeared in Analog.
Richard Foss
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Tag: Rush
Rain and Snow and Ice
December 29, 2014 December 30, 2014 PenniCashLeave a comment
She wouldn’t tell a single person about this part of the trip even though it was the most exciting.
Rush and Lina’s view on a non-rainy afternoon.
There was nothing in Trestlebridge except ash and mud. While Rush tramped about seeking his calling, she spent most days distracting the boys around town with coy smiles and giggles, but many had a hard time seeing through the man’s shirt and breeches she wore. Every night she met Rush by the stables and together they’d trudge up the hill where they made a camp meager in all things save the view; the Trestlespan straddling the canyon was still breathtaking even if the town that shared its name was not.
It had been misting most of the day, but the afternoon saw the skies open with a cold rain that soaked through heavy cloaks and carried the weight of a long winter ahead. Even now, the mud and cold added a special excitement to Rush as he learned how to please and be pleased. They added to the normality that the act had become but it was different this time also because she felt that somehow, she knew. She knew he was inexperienced, and for all his casual certainty in his clothes, there was that hesitant fumbling about him now that he was out of them and it made her smile and enjoy him even more.
No, she wouldn’t tell a single person about this part of the trip.
The ladies at the Mantle would surely gossip about Lina schooling a youngster and then the bosses would catch wind and coin would be expected. And even though he offered to help pay for the time she stole from her work before this bit of entertainment was proposed, she had refused his money. She wasn’t going to take a single coin and she wasn’t going to tell anyone.
Though she did not know why.
As the rain continued to fall and their fire died down, Lina arched over Rush and kissed his mouth. He tasted and smelled of whiskey and pipeweed. Such smells for a seventeen year-old boy.
~~~***~~~
Snow had a way of silencing the land for leagues in all directions that it lay. It’s weight could bring down a roof, yet it fell so calmly from sundropped clouds and settled on Cwen’s shoulders as gently as a lover’s touch. The crystals nested in her dark hair and clung to her lashes causing her to blink at the vision of Fiddler’s Falls half-frozen in its perpetual cascade down the cliff’s side. Even the song of the waterfall seemed dampened beneath the heavy blanket of white.
After the new year, she resolved herself. After the new year, we will return to Buckland and things can return to something normal. Something easy.
She wasn’t running away, she told herself. She had no home here in Durrow and though Ravenhold was welcoming, the gardens were not hers, the beds were his, and the yard was a monument to someone else.
Did she really think she could find a new home here in the land of Men? The house she found with Rheb had been as perfect as any she’d seen in all of the lands of Men: an expansive yard begging to bear fruit and herb and bloom, the Dunwash flowing gracefully past the backyard. But Oendir owned it. Mathdor had lived in it. So many memories that wounded so deeply. In such a small village as Durrow, she knew she could not dodge their shadows forever.
And truth be told, she had unfinished business in Buckland.
The muffled cry of the Falls had no more answers than the Shire night sky.
Without feeling the cold, Cwen sank into the snow and fell back, heedless of winter’s fingers slipping into her collar. As she stared up at the cloudy sky, fluffy flakes began to descend and she made no effort to move as they slowly began to sting the exposed skin of her cheeks and mingled with her icy tears.
Snow came cold and fast in the mountains and held on long into spring. A long, black shadow strode through the breezy flakes of ice toward some unseen purpose. It traveled its path as if it hardly needed eyes to find it and soon, it disappeared around a frozen outcropping.
The cave was illuminated by a central fire and low torches along the smooth, almost circular wall. Parmanen dropped down to his knee beside the fire and added several dry logs from the large pile stashed there in warmer times. The man sighed as he stoked the flames and wiped his brow. Fire.
A sound at the entrance of the cave caught his attention and he turned quickly, his old eyes tired. A head of beautiful raven black hair ducked to avoid the icicles over the entry and Parmanen sighed again as his daughter entered from the cold. Wordlessly, she stared at him as she assessed his reaction.
Stepping further into the cave, Lômiphel finally spoke.
“Expecting someone else, Father?”
Parmanen shook his head and tossed her the bag he carried over his shoulder.
“There is food in there. Eat. We will not stay in these caves long.”
The woman caught the bag against her chest and glared at the man. “Where are we going? Rantost is north. We can rebuild. Get back what we lost.”
“What we lost is not north, my daughter. But we must proceed carefully. In the land of the halflings, we would stand out. The red-haired one revealed they had made friends there, thinking information was what we sought. No, we must take the Hills further east and then past the old capital of Arthedain.”
“This is madness,” Lômiphel spat. “If you are who you say you are and have betrayed who you claim to have betrayed, this will only end with our own, Father. You cannot stand against the power in the East.”
A scoff and a flip of a hand greeted Lômiphel.
“I mean not to challenge the Dark Lord himself, silly girl. I merely wish to take back what I lost. If in the process, some of his enemies are destroyed, the Great Eye will surely see the profit in my actions.
Yes,” Parmanen said as he covered the wall of the cave in a sheet of ice. From the smooth surface, mountains rose, and forests grew, and then rivers cut across the lands of Eriador.
“They are here, somewhere,” he said as he stared at the map of ice and stone. “They cannot hide it from me.”
Posted in Anyatka Tenorbrook, Cwendlwyn Tain, Emmelina LilybrookTagged A Bitter Pill, Anya, Cwen, Dalish charm, Lômiphel, Lina, Parmanen, Rush, Shameless
Shameless: Rush
December 2, 2014 December 17, 2014 PenniCash2 Comments
Anyatka opened the door even as the fist on the outside pounded on it again. She blinked into the darkness and focused on a figure squinting into the brightness of the Tenorbekk’s front room.
“Lina? What are you doing here?” She stepped back to let the girl in and noted her flushed cheeks and breathlessness. “Are you quite well? What is it?”
From the dinner table, Eirikr looked up and his visible eye narrowed beneath the bandage wrapped around his head. Abiorn, Anya’s younger brother, looked incredibly interested in what interrupted their dinner. As Lina brushed past Anya, he grinned and leaned his chin on the palm of his hand.
“Anya, beg yer pardon, but I need yer help an’ it’s gotta be quick!” Lina turned in a whirlwind and leaned back against the couch. She crossed her leather-clad leg over the other. “Yeh got a bedroll an’ some campin’ supplies I can borrow?”
Anya nodded and strode forward to take the girl by her arms. “Lina, slow down. Are you in trouble? Why in such a rush? We can help you; you do not have to run.”
Lina’s slender neck stretched as she leaned her head back to laugh. “Oh, no! I’m not in trouble. The Missus gave me permission an’ everything. I just told ‘im I’d meet ‘im in an hour and goin’ by the Mantle took up near half. I gotta get supplies an’ meet him, or he’ll think I stood ‘im up.”
Not one to remain silent on the sidelines, Abiorn asked, “Who’s that, Lina?”
Grinning at the boy, Lina answered, “Rush. We’re goin’ ta Trestlebridge. Maybe farther north, who knows. But I’m gettin’ outta Bree fer a while, and that’s all tha’matters.”
Anya and Eirikr exchanged a concerned look. She nodded to her brother and he stood to fetch the supplies she’d need for the journey.
“Lina, who is this Rush?” Anya asked with measured politeness. “What does he do?”
Flushed from her rush, Lina ran a hand through her short hair. “Jus’ a boy. My age. My real age. Have I told yeh my real age? I’m not nineteen, I’m seventeen. But he doesn’t do anythin’ really, and tha’s why he wants to go to Trestlebridge. He’s done all sortsa jobs, but doesn’t like a one.”
“Does he know what you do?” Abiorn blurted.
Lina nodded. “Mhmm. Doesn’t phase him. Actually, he bartended at the Mantle for a bit. Didn’t last. He’s a decent fella, just kinda listless. Needs a kick in th’arse, prolly.”
“And you intend to give it to him?” Eirikr asked as he dropped a bedroll and a woolen blanket on his bed. He didn’t look at Lina as he rolled it into a compact bundle for her. “Where’s your pack?”
Lina thrust her pack at Eirikr. He took and pulled it open and then started adding things to it and taking some things out.
“Nah, look, it’s just a chance t’get outta Bree fer a while. I trust this fella. He’s got lots of brothers an’ sisters an’ just needs ta get out on his own a bit, tha’s all.” Lina bounced on her toes. “Yeh almost done? Don’t mean ta rush ya or anythin’, I just don’t want ‘im ta think I stood ‘im up.”
Eirikr knotted her pack and held it out to her. “Yes. You’ve said that.” Looking over her head to his sister, he cocked a critical brow. Anya shook her head and shrugged.
“Lina, promise you’ll write when you get to Trestlebridge? Especially if you intend on staying for an extended period of time, or leaving to go somewhere else, please?”
Lina took the pack with an appreciative grin and raised it to Eirikr. “Thanks, big brother,” she said. Looking at Anya, she wrinkled her nose. “Anya, yeh know I can’t write.”
Anya sighed. “Well, maybe this Rush can. Have him take dictation. Please.”
Lina shrugged. “If I remember. Can’t stay, though. I’ll bring yer things back when we return!” Quickly, she left in a flurry.
Abiorn watched the door for a moment after it closed behind her.
“You think she’ll make him pay?” he asked with a grin.
Eirikr slapped him on the back of his head. “Abiorn. Not appropriate.”
Anya blushed and frowned as she resumed her seat at the dinner table. “Yes, really, Abbi. That is none of your business if this man is a client of hers. Or just a friend.”
“Ever heard of him? Didn’t she say he was her age? She’s not that much older than me. How could a kid like me afford Lina for a week?” Abiorn stuck his finger into his mashed taters and sucked it clean.
“Ugh, Abbi.” She tossed a cloth at him, but he only laughed when it hit his face. “That’s none of your concern, anyway. What Lina does is Lina’s business.”
“Who Lina does, you mean.
Ow! Damnit, Eirikr.”
After dinner, Anya knelt by the fire and scrubbed the fine china dishes Eirikr and Abiorn brought back from Dale in a tub full of lukewarm water. “Don’t you think we should have stopped her?” Eirikr grumbled as he brought her his and Abiorn’s plates.
“It would have done no good. She would have found the man and ran off with him anyway, Eirikr, you know that as well as I.”
“She’s your friend. Anya. I hardly know anything about her except that I should usually be concerned for her. What if this lad hurts her?”
Anya’s dishrag slowed for a moment. “Don’t underestimate Lina. I know she looks thin and helpless, but I doubt that she is. She had lived in Beggar’s Alley for quite some time before I met her. And before that… she rarely wanted to talk about before that, Eirik. Somehow, I think she can handle herself better than I could in her situation, that’s for certain.”
Eirikr picked up a dish from the line Anya was leaving along the stone hearth. “I hope you’re right, sister.”
Anya nodded. “I know. Me, too.”
Posted in Emmelina LilybrookTagged Abiorn, Anya, Eirikr, Lina, Rush, Shameless
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Fielding a Trip to Mill City Museum November 20, 2011
Filed under: Outings — edamomie @ 9:37 am
Tags: Field Trips, Flour Tower, kids, Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
Tour Buses Arrive
It’s quite a production to plan a field trip for students. So it’s fitting, during this week of giving thanks, to thank teachers at our schools for planning these outings that enrich and expose students to the world beyond the classroom.
My daughter’s third grade class arrived by bus at the Mill City Museum in downtown Minneapolis on a crisp Fall day. The parents who agreed to chaperone showed up in significant numbers too in order to meet the highly suggested one parent to four students tour ratio.
We met at 9:45 and the kids and parents filed into the museum and gathered to assemble our groups and review the rules. We go over the acronym WARN: Walk (no running!), Adult (stay with your assigned Adult), Respect (for the museum and its artifacts) and No (no food, drink, pens).
The kids and adults alike get green and orange neon colored stickers to wear as nametags. I have a squirrely group of four girls including my daughter, Ava. We are one of nearly 50 small groups at the museum today. We move through five activity areas throughout the tour.
We start out in the kitchen. After thoroughly washing hands, kids head in their small groups based on the role they’ll have in the education of flour. There are farmers, millers, elevator operators, bakers and grocers. If kids need a reminder, their white hats indicate their assigned role. Each table makes drop biscuits and learns how to operate a spoonula and pastry blender. There is flour, baking soda, salt, butter and buttermilk in the recipe that yield eight very uneven biscuits. The baker whisks them away once they’re oven ready.
Baking: From Farmer to Grocer
While they bake, the kids gather in their groups and the museum baker takes them through the process according to sets of props. The kids line up and take each prop around the circle so the group can view them. This holds their attention. At the completion of the interactive lesson, they happily eat their biscuits.
We then move on to the water area that shows the power of water through pressurized tubes and mini Mill City models that allow small wooden pieces to move through the Mighty Mississippi. It gets crazy loud in here. We last 12 minutes.
Scavenging for Artifacts
We now have our student and chaperone versions of scavenger hunts for the main museum. The girls have time to find seven items based on the picture clues and answer three questions per item. They went for the Pillsbury Doughboy first, of course.
The tower is our next activity. The elevator all 40 of us fit into is stadium seating. Some kids worry about getting sick. The tower tour operator explains that we’ll feel some vibrations and move through eight floors – up, down, up, down and finally back up to the observation area. The lights dim and gates close while the story of flour complete with mill workers voiceovers and holograms that show us the history of the mill. The kids are captivated.
Flour Tower Tour
We exit and spend time discussing the massive amount of flour dust the process creates. We learn that the dust is more explosive than dynamite and upon a rebuild in 1880, new sifter-type funnels helped contain the dust and made the mill safer.
Next, we head up to the observation deck with an indoor and outdoor area offering great views of the Mississippi. Ten minutes later, we go back to the main floor via a glass elevator. It’s time for lunch. I wiggle my way into a seat at the table and take the opportunity to relate to the world of a third-grader. Fascinating stuff.
Lastly, it’s time for the 19 minute movie on Minneapolis. Even though we’d been to the museum before in June, Ava and I hadn’t seen this feature. It was informative, historical and insightful. Again, it held the kids’ attention. By now it’s 12:55 and time for the kids to catch the 1:00 bus back to school. I was so thankful I made the time to spend the morning with them. A bonus: my daughter enjoyed hanging out with me and didn’t give me the cold, embarrassing shoulder.
One Response to “Fielding a Trip to Mill City Museum”
GRMASUZ Says:
Very interesting tour. Sounds like fun. Glad you could be there.
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Archive | UN Meetings
After Lima fiasco, Bolivia plans global assembly to fight climate change
By Ian Angus on December 16, 2014 in Bolivia, Climate Change, Climate Justice, Featured, Movement Building, UN Meetings
ALBA backs Bolivian call for international assembly of social movements in 2015; Evo Morales urges “a climate agreement for life, not business and capitalist commercialism”
Lima agreement fails humanity and the earth
By Ian Angus on December 14, 2014 in Climate Justice, Featured, UN Meetings
The result of the Lima conference was yet another decision that weakens international climate rules, fails the planet, and threatens humanity’s future.
The new climate movement
By Ian Angus on December 5, 2014 in Climate Change, Climate Justice, Featured, Movement Building, UN Meetings
This is a movement of hope, a new militant social movement against fossil fuels. It is no longer an environmental battle but a harsh cry for climate justice.
Unions urge rapid and just transition to save climate
By Ian Angus on December 2, 2014 in Climate Change, Featured, Labor movement, Movement Building, UN Meetings
At COP20, the global labor federation calls for decisive climate action to keep warming below 2 degrees, promote equality and defend workers’ rights
Why U.N. climate talks continue to fail
By Ian Angus on September 17, 2014 in Climate Change, Featured, UN Meetings
The science is definitive. The dangers are real and increasingly obvious. So why is there so little action to stop catastrophic climate change?
The great ‘poverty reduction’ hoax
By Ian Angus on September 1, 2014 in Barbarism, Featured, Inequality & Class, UN Meetings
Global poverty is much worse than the UN’s spin doctored story. The global poverty headcount has increased, and the triumphalist narrative is a lie.
Poorest nations: Time is running out for climate agreement
By Ian Angus on June 17, 2014 in Climate Change, UN Meetings
Least Developed Countries warn that if substantial progress isn’t made this year, the Paris climate meeting is likely to be another failure
UN climate talks go nowhere, again
By Ian Angus on November 22, 2013 in Climate Change, Ecosocialism, Featured, Protests & Revolts, UN Meetings
At the climate talks in Warsaw, rich countries stalled, poor countries walked out, and climate justice activists chanted ‘The Philippines, Pakistan, New Orleans: Change the System, Not the Climate.’
Learning to live in the anthropocene
By Ian Angus on November 21, 2013 in Anthropocene, Corporate polluters, Ecosocialism, Featured, UN Meetings
The Anthropocene epoch requires us to rage against the few anthropods who are making a killing off of the extraction and burning of fossil fuels at the expense of the human race.
Canada, Australia, Japan: Climate change saboteurs
By Ian Angus on November 19, 2013 in Australia, Canada & Quebec, Climate Change, Featured, Greenhouse Gas, UN Meetings
As continents burn and extreme weather accelerates, three of the world’s richest countries are leading the fight to do nothing about greenhouse gas emissions
Hugo Chavez on climate change and capitalism
By Ian Angus on March 6, 2013 in Climate Change, Featured, Latin America, UN Meetings
“Socialism, this is the direction, this is the path to save the planet, I don’t have the least doubt. Capitalism is the road to hell, to the destruction of the world.”
Bolivia at UN talks: The climate is not for sale!
By Ian Angus on December 10, 2012 in Bolivia, Climate Justice, Featured, UN Meetings
“We did not come here to turn the climate into a business, or to protect businesses of them who want to continue aggravating the climate crisis, destroying Mother Earth. We came here to protect the future of humanity.”
Via Campesina: UN climate talks achieve nothing, promote false capitalist solutions
By Ian Angus on December 7, 2012 in Climate Change, UN Meetings, Via Campesina
The international peasant movement denounces the use of the climate negotiations to legitimize business as usual at the expense of humanity and the planet, and rejects false capitalist solutions that will only worsen the climate and food crises.
3 things NOT to expect at the Doha climate talks
By Ian Angus on November 26, 2012 in Climate Change, Ecosoc Notebook, UN Meetings
When the handmaidens of the 1% meet, don’t expect progressive results
Rich nations renege on climate finance
By Ian Angus on November 26, 2012 in Climate Justice, UN Meetings
The countries most responsible for climate change have broken their promises to help the poorest countries cope with it
Bolivia condemns UN's pro-market biodiversity policy
By Ian Angus on October 23, 2012 in Biodiversity, Bolivia, Featured, UN Meetings
Diego Pacheco, head of the Bolivian delegation to CBD: “Everything connected with nature is being commodified, putting at risk the livelihoods of indigenous and local people, and of the common goods.”
Why are climate negotiations locked in stalemate?
By Ian Angus on September 5, 2012 in Climate Change, UN Meetings
Pablo Solon and Walden Bello: The biggest polluters don’t want a climate agreement. Their public disagreements mask a common desire to continue destructive policies at home and around the world.
The green economy (not!): Capitalism’s final frontier
By Ian Angus on August 23, 2012 in Capitalism, Carbon Pricing, UN Meetings
The “Green Economy” treats the economy as more important than the ecological system on which the economy depends. Nature is redefined as “natural capital” as a prelude to more intense exploitation.
At Rio+20: Values versus prices
By Ian Angus on June 18, 2012 in Rio+20, UN Meetings
Patrick Bond: The Rio+20 Earth Summit under way this week in Brazil is devoted to advancing the ‘Green Economy,’ which is the environmentalism of the rich. For most people and the planet, it will be a disaster.
NO REDD+! – Decolonize the Earth and the Sky!
By Ian Angus on June 17, 2012 in Indigenous, Manifestos, Rio+20, UN Meetings
Declaration of the Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on Climate Change against REDD+. “Under the Green Economy, even the rain, the beauty of a waterfall or a honey bee’s pollen will be reduced to a barcode price tag and sold to the highest bidder.”
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KDE Community Wiki Site
Submitted by luci
I would like to let you know about a new project which I have started, which is based on an idea by Ante Wessels: a Wiki for KDE. The 'working draft' name for this project is "KDE Community Wiki Site" (KDE CWS) and you can find the site which is more than just a Wiki at kde.ground.cz.
It is based on the very powerful and feature rich TikiWiki CMS. The interface is multilingual and content can be in almost any language too (uses utf-8). Registered user can set up many settings in their preferences including site layout and style (users can even make their customized versions of available styles).
Everyone is welcome to join and participate on the content. The main idea is
to share KDE users' and developers' experience. Every registered user is able to create, edit and modify the content of Wiki pages. It's fast and easy.
You can start reading about the site and when you are curious what a Wiki is, read this page first.
What are the rules? A simple KDE CWS Wiki Guide is available.
And one last but not least important thing, you can register here :)
What's planned? Making it much better than it's now (btw: I'm one of the 100
TikiWiki developers, so it's not just a 'plain sentence'), better accessibility and xhtml 1.0 strict compliance, better and more compatible CSS styles (KDE.org style would be nice too) and of course more and more KDE related content (devel, documentation, ideas, everything is needed)...
Any comments, questions or suggestions are welcome. This is a test which
depends on you.
Great work....
I was proposing on the French Translation Team two days ago to create a Wiki to put our always half-finished translation Howto and various information that is now buried in the mailing list archive. I didn't know of your project and I'm very happy that you did this. My guess is that we could reach a wiki of 10-20 pages for the French translators.
I was thinking for the French translation team of something simpler that TikiWiki like MoinMoin but your site looks much nicer that anything I could do. Would it be possible to create some sub-wikis for the different translation teams : something like kde.ground.cz/i18n/french with our own hierarchy of pages, sandbox and index. Everything will be in French in these pages so I don't think it should be indexed in the global English index.
By Charles de Miramon at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
Re: Great work....
thanks charles,
i think since TikiWiki is "multilingual", uses utf-8 encoding and has the ability to switch the language of interface to french too, you can feel free to put these pages to KDE CWS and we can make an own structure to them...
otherwise i think it would be better to set up your own Tiki under some *.fr domain instead of making sub-wiki
By luci at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
I think there is no problem with pages in french, if they start with their own main page. It is good to keep the site together, for the critical mass of contributors needed to make it work. I would welcome such topics! And then, you make the work you do more visible.
By Ante Wessels at Fri, 2003/10/03 - 5:00am
Yikes, that site is completly farked up in konqueror (cvs build). X_X
Screenshot: http://vazagi.homepage.dk/kde-cvs.gif
It's probably this bug again:
http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=64286
By Mikkel Schubert at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
Re: Yikes!
By jos at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
Hmm, i meant this one:
looks like a nasty regression indeed. works fine in 3.1.
By anon at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
The site displays fine in khtml/HEAD again for some days now.
By Anonymous at Fri, 2003/10/24 - 5:00am
Non-official
While I certainly applaude the initiative, sites like these tend to get announced and then die slowly. For instance, who remembers the KDE Wiki announced at http://dot.kde.org/1045070317/1045254304/ anymore?
I wish something official could be arranged, or at least make an alias URL like http://wiki.kde.org for this Wiki -- to keep it alive and popular!
By Haakon Nilsen at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
Re: Non-official
> For instance, who remembers the KDE Wiki announced at [..] anymore
A wiki announced in a comment (by a non-known KDE contributor?) which not even works? I don't wonder that this didn't get attention.
By Anonymous at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
I do agree that if this Wiki is going to be done properly it should at least be at some place like wiki.kde.org, have serious maintainers and permanent links to it from KDE.org.
Then again, I never got what Wiki's were all about. Seems to be a lot of hype.
By Navindra Umanee at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
Wikis are positively a lot more than hype. Just look at http://www.wikipedia.org -- a collaborative encyclopedia with some 120.000 well-written articles of all topics. Anyone can edit articles without even registering, and it still works, not in spite of this, but because of it. When a Wiki reaches a "critical mass" of popularity, it Just Works and becomes an invaluable source of live documentation. To reach this mass is why I really think a KDE Wiki should be official, and as you say, linked to from other KDE sites etc.
ACK, "critical" is the keyword here.
IMHO it just won't work if it's not official
or if it's only one among others.
By cm at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
Being "official" is never a guaranty for success. Neither popularity among visitors. Only the "critical mass" of contributors is.
There never is any guarantee.
But I think that without being linked to by prominent
places and having a "good" name like wiki.kde.org
it will have neither enough contributors nor
I've seen too many KDE news boards and forums
die of a lack of both.
Having a name like wiki.kde.org and being linked
to from www.kde.org is my definition of "official"
I don't know why it should be a problem to get a second level domain which includes "kde" like kde-look.org, kde-forum.org and kdedevelopers.org do. There will be no problem with KDE e.V. if "kde" is properly used. I see potential problems if Wiki content is presented as third level domain under kde.org, more than when it is only linked from kde.org. And a link is likely if there is useful content (which I yet miss in this Wiki) in future.
It's just a waste of money and other resources. Getting wiki.kde.org shouldn't have to be so hard IMHO, when the people behind the site just want to help the project and organise a community beneficial to KDE.
I'm sure the aforementioned sites could get kde.org subdomains if they really wanted to.
By anon at Fri, 2003/10/03 - 5:00am
Re: hype
At the KDE website I saw pages that are not maintained. No maintainer, no one carring to implement changes proposed. A wiki may work better. That's the idea behind it.
> While I certainly applaude the initiative, sites like these tend to get announced and then die slowly. For instance, who remembers the KDE Wiki
Visit the site now, seems to be a nice start for under one month existence.
Czech Involvement
Did you notice the increasing Czech KDE involvement? First two core developers (Lubos and Lubos), then the KDE conference in Nove Hrady, followed by Cuckooo and now a Wiki site.
Re: Czech Involvement
oops... the czechs are comin...! A takeover? Well, "I for one welcome our new..." ... argh .... nevermind...
ok: so what ?
By thomas at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
"This is a faraway country of which we know little."
By Neville Chamberlain at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
Sorry Lukas :-)
This should have been of course "Lubos and Lukas".
That's of course the next step of the great world takeover plan. Why do you think KDE name is an everyday's czech word?
By L.Lunak at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
So, errh, what does it mean? :)
By Haakon Nilsen at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
'KDE' just means 'WHERE' in czech :)
I, for one, welcome our new Czech overlords.
By anon at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
Why can't article names have spaces? ThemeDoc, StyleGuide and KDEDevelopment look a bit strange and wrong, actually.
By Daan at Wed, 2003/10/01 - 5:00am
Re: Spaces
+1 Insightful
It is possible to make articles with spaces! You link to them by using brackets. IIRC "((link to a page with spaces))" should work. Actually my small additions to the KDE Wiki contained links with spaces but someone changed them :-(
By MK at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
Actually, they're not articles, they're wiki pages. "SomethingPutTogether" is a common convention to title pages in Wiki world (it's then used e.g. to simple link to another page). I've changed in site settings to the "strict naming" to keep some consistency, but if there will be more requests to have Wiki pages named with spaces (can cause problems with URLs in some browsers) i can switch it back to "full".
> named with spaces (can cause problems with URLs in some browsers)
which browsers? They always been encoded to %20 since the early days of the WWW
i may be wrong, but i remember i've had some problems in Netscape 4.xx
but maybe it was just URLs to images with spaces, these images were not displayed on the page then (broken)...
Well not throughout the whole Wiki world...
The great and honorable Wikipedia uses a different system:
Wiki pages are marked with double angle brackets,
and the names can contain spaces. I don't know
what problems with certain browsers you are referring to
(as someone already pointed out spaces should work
if properly encoded).
Wikipedia seems to use underscores instead of spaces in links:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system
But I guess that's mainly for greater readability of the links...
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary%20system
would indeed be somewhat ugly.
Would the latter be possible in your wiki version?
If so I'd vote for names with spaces because the Wiki content
would be more natural without WordsRunTogether, IMHO.
> WordsRunTogether, IMHO.
Agreed.. the wikipedia concept of " "->"_" internally/in links (but not to user) seems good
Yes, this is indeed a good idea, I think. And I must say that the Wiki by itself looks great.
By Daan at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
I have a question, why a registration to be able to modify content? I thought that the idea of a Wiki is that everyone can change everything and rampage is to be reverted by the serious majority of contributors.
Re: Registration
I think it increases quality and reduces those incidents of rampage.
(Of course, it still cannot avoid it altogether.)
Everyone can register, and you are not asked any personal questions
beside your email address. IMHO it's not too much to ask.
So anyone can edit.
Before I knew Wikipedia I would have agreed with your arguments. But now I think Wikipedia shows that anonymous edits work pretty good. The amount of vandalism is small and many people start with Wikipedia by fixing some typos--which they wouldn't do if they had to create an account first.
IMHO one should at least try allowing anonymous edits and if one finds that it does not work switch back.
> IMHO one should at least try allowing anonymous edits and
> if one finds that it does not work switch back.
Ok, why not. *If* there is a history in our wiki, that is.
You're right as far as wikipedia is concerned.
> The amount of vandalism is small and many people start with Wikipedia by
> fixing some typos--which they wouldn't do if they had to create an account
> first.
that sounds right but anyway, i would like to know who to thank for these fixes ;)
> IMHO one should at least try allowing anonymous edits and if one finds that > it does not work switch back.
ok, we can try it...
Does it not have a history so you can resurrect old versions if someone went berserk? I have only used one wiki so far which depended on MySQL as a backend and allowed the maintainer to revert to older versions of a page.
By Maik Schulz at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
yes, it does. there should be no problem to revert back...
That's great news! I was thinking about starting one too.
Things I would like to put in the wiki:
- user tips
- developers tips
And everybody can contribute. In fact, lot of documents from developer.kde.org should be put in the wiki.
By Philippe Fremy at Thu, 2003/10/02 - 5:00am
Re: Great news
> In fact, lot of documents from developer.kde.org should be put in the wiki.
Duplicate storage makes no sense and would be a nightmare to synchronize.
> Duplicate storage makes no sense and would be a nightmare to synchronize.
Agreed. the documents on d.k.o should be removed completely and linked to the wiki pages (if this becomes wiki.kde.org of course)
That would be a mistake. Wiki's are disorganized and/or have lame URLs with StuddlyCapsAndNoSpacesOrLame_Underscores_InThem. Do you also suggest we break all the existing links to developer.kde.org by removing developer.kde.org?
> have lame URLs with
uh, since a URL isn't particularily important, who cares.
> Do you also suggest we break all the existing links to developer.kde.org by removing developer.kde.org?
Please re-read the grandparent post, I said "linked to the wiki pages". This would break nothing, and have a heap of advantages, like easy editing.
UserFaq
This seems to be the right platform to create and maintain a up-to-date KDE Frequently Asked Questions (but please only add common questions *with* answers). http://www.kde.org/documentation/faq/ seems to be very outdated.
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Pavilion – PlayStation4
By Games Torrents 16 PS4
“Pavilion, the fourth-person puzzling adventure from Visiontrick Media, throws you directly into its mysterious world without any text tutorials or beginning explanations. It is a puzzle game portrayed through exploration and audio-visual imagery. By interacting and observing you gradually, bit… Read More »
Passage – PC
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Pavilion – PlayStation4 by Torrents Games
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Pseudoscience is effective. If it weren’t, people wouldn’t generate so much of it to try to justify opinions not supported by the bulk of the evidence. It’s effective because people trust science as a method of understanding the world, and ideological actors want that trust conferred to their opinions. They want their opinions to carry that authority, so they imitate science to try to steal some of that legitimacy for themselves. However, science is not flattered by this behavior, it is undermined and diminished.
The Damore Manifesto (PDF with hyperlinks) or “Google anti-diversity memo” is just such an example of pseudoscience, and largely by accident, it has gained outsize attention for what is essentially a C-grade highschool research paper. We will get to a deconstruction of Damore’s scientific case for gender differences in a moment (See the Scientific Critique section below), but I would first like to point out that it has served as an excellent bellwether for those who have more sexism than sense when it comes to evaluating scientific claims. It has proven itself compelling to a large number of people in the media, for example intellectual lightweight David Brooks, who finds it so compelling he calls on Google’s CEO to resign. He makes the astonishing claim that Damore is championing “scientific research” while his opponents are merely concerned with “Gender equality” (Classic false bifurcation fallacy). He also declares Evolutionary Psychology to be “winning the debate” and goes on to talk about superior female “brain connectivity”, and with a sigh, I wonder what Snapple cap he learned these “facts” from. Not only is this highly debatable, but even if male vs female patterning exists there is no reason to think that it is unaffected by environment and cultural patterning on brain plasticity. If boys supposedly have more developed motor cortex and girls more emotional wiring is that because the boy’s first toy was a ball, and the girl’s is a doll? The declarations that this is a settled question is absurd. We don’t know, and there are too many confounders to be making statements about biological inevitability with regards to gender when we are positively soaking in gendered norms of behavior.
XKCD evo-psych
Brooks conclusion, an example of being incompetent and unaware of it, is the Google leadership either “is unprepared to understand the research (unlikely), is not capable of handling complex data flows (a bad trait in a C.E.O.) or was simply too afraid to stand up to a mob”. He never considers the possibility, and given this is Brooks the inevitability, that he is wrong and has been hoodwinked by rather mediocre pseudoscientific argumentation. In these reactions, we learn more about these authors’ biases than we have learned about the suitability of women to write code, as the “manifesto” conforms to Brooks’ rather predictable biases and therefore receives almost no skepticism relative to the weight of the claims, which are hefty. Why is Brooks so blind to the shoddy scholarship of the Google memo?
Ironically, within the memo itself, we have the answer:
We all have biases and use motivated reasoning to dismiss ideas that run counter to our internal values.
With this we see the continuing evolution of pseudoscience, as they continue to evolve and mimic actual scientific debate and knowledge, the scientific language of motivated reasoning (the cultural or identity-protective cognition responsible for denialism), has filtered into their lingo. This is fascinating in itself, as the author has clearly read about motivated reasoning, yet is completely blind to it for the rest of his essay. This essay is classic pseudoscience, built on motivated reasoning, that uses a half a dozen references, cherry-picked from the literature, to make the astonishing claim that women are underrepresented in his white-collar workforce because of fundamental biological differences (read defects) affecting their capability to perform in a purely intellectual job. It is another in a long line of “just so” pseudoscientific justifications of gender or racial disparities that just happens to defend the status quo (subtext – “why I shouldn’t have to sit through any more mandatory diversity training”).
This is a wonderful example of Panglossian reasoning and if you haven’t read Candide, here is an example:
Master Pangloss taught the metaphysico-theologo-cosmolonigology. He could prove to admiration that there is no effect without a cause; and, that in this best of all possible worlds, the Baron’s castle was the most magnificent of all castles, and My Lady the best of all possible baronesses.
“It is demonstrable,” said he, “that things cannot be otherwise than as they are; for as all things have been created for some end, they must necessarily be created for the best end. Observe, for instance, the nose is formed for spectacles, therefore we wear spectacles. The legs are visibly designed for stockings, accordingly we wear stockings. Stones were made to be hewn and to construct castles, therefore My Lord has a magnificent castle; for the greatest baron in the province ought to be the best lodged. Swine were intended to be eaten, therefore we eat pork all the year round: and they, who assert that everything is right, do not express themselves correctly; they should say that everything is best.”
Candide listened attentively and believed implicitly, for he thought Miss Cunegund excessively handsome, though he never had the courage to tell her so. He concluded that next to the happiness of being Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh, the next was that of being Miss Cunegund, the next that of seeing her every day, and the last that of hearing the doctrine of Master Pangloss, the greatest philosopher of the whole province, and consequently of the whole world.
Everything old is new again. What Voltaire was mocking were the glib and facile justifications of injustice in his time, which presume the current state of the world is in its best possible state and everything you see is the result of natural inevitability. Candide in Silicon Valley would exclaim, “Oh Pangloss, why is it that men are so over-represented in tech?” and Pangloss’s response, “For men are better at tech because of their intrinsic personality traits, and in this best of all possible worlds, male personality traits and even their flaws make for the best-possible technology and business practices.”
Anyone who has been following the Uber saga might question Panglossian reasoning about why tech is male. Even if the tech sector, as it exists today, is male-dominated because men perform better in the current pathological and Machiavellian environment, that doesn’t mean this is ideal, that it isn’t hugely, culturally flawed, and maybe desperately in need of womanly empathy. Taking such data at face value, an industry that is blind to the needs of fully half of its customers, or blind to the potential benefit of the perspective of the other half of the population, is playing with fire. Do we really think situations like Uber’s are a coincidence given the toxic masculinity of its leadership? The male-dominated model is not the best of all possible worlds. The male-dominated model was built by men, for men, so why be surprised when less women are attracted to it and fare worse within it?
A Scientific Critique of Damore’s Claims
Other authors have already done some of the heavy lifting, tackling the low scientific credibility of these claims and placing them in the historical context of the usual power-dynamic of trying to scientifically justify the status quo. These are useful, but we can expand upon them and use this essay as a learning opportunity for how to detect pseudoscience, so one hopefully doesn’t have to go through all the effort of endless debunking every time an ideologue vomits up some new dreck to explain why it’s only natural males, or whites, or whomever comes out on top.
And that is one thing we should immediately detect, the similarity to historical “just-so” arguments of scientific racism from the last few centuries. These arguments are old news, as anyone who has read Stephen Jay Gould’s Mismeasure of Man can tell you, and crop up whenever the dominant class in society has to explain why they’re on top without admitting it’s because they pushed everyone else down then pulled the ladder up after themselves. Once you hear people talking about why current race or gender divisions are natural, one should immediately take whatever argument is coming with a massive dose of skepticism. We have heard this nonsense before.
Let’s start with Damore’s words so it’s clear I’m addressing the scientific claims of his argument, contained in the last element of his TL;DR section and supported by the handful of actual scientific citation.
Differences in distributions of traits between men and women may in part explain why we don’t have 50% representation of women in tech and leadership. Discrimination to reach equal representation is unfair, divisive, and bad for business.
Now keep in mind, this is in the context of an 69:31 M:F ratio at Google which is even higher in the engineering at 80:20, and arguments there is a strong business case for diversity.
Possible non-bias causes of the gender gap in tech
On average, men and women biologically differ in many ways. These differences aren’t just
socially constructed because:
● They’re universal across human cultures
● They often have clear biological causes and links to prenatal testosterone
● Biological males that were castrated at birth and raised as females often still identify
and act like males
● The underlying traits are highly heritable
● They’re exactly what we would predict from an evolutionary psychology perspective
Note, I’m not saying that all men differ from all women in the following ways or that these
differences are “just.” I’m simply stating that the distribution of preferences and abilities of men
and women differ in part due to biological causes and that these differences may explain why
we don’t see equal representation of women in tech and leadership. Many of these differences
are small and there’s significant overlap between men and women, so you can’t say anything
about an individual given these population level distributions.
It’s so nice that he cleared that up about not applying these findings to individuals this is hard to reconcile with the fact he is suggesting the 69:31 ratio or 80:20 engineering ratio at Google is in some meaningful way affected by these differences. Further, each of these statements lacks citation and can not be taken at face value, and I would describe them as either all wrong or grossly oversimplified. While the differences in gendered personality he subsequently describes is consistent within any culture examined, they are not consistent between cultures, which shows these are still culturally-dependent and not purely biologically deterministic (And of course, there is no matriarchal culture for comparison 😉 ) I have no idea why he conflated the research on androgens on personality development using CAH or androgen insensitivity with studies of personality changes in castration related to sex-reassignment, and prostate cancer treatment (if anyone can find a study of those “castrated at birth” please show me as I cant find it – I suspect he’s confused). He mixes two effects by saying androgens in the womb have effects on subsequent personality (likely but difficult to separate from gender norms) but then saying traits are heritable. Which is it? The Y chromosome or exposure to androgens? One is genetic, one is congenital. Finally, it’s rare to find examples where EP is truly “predicting” anything and not just indulging in the just-so stories and adaptationism (my favorite example of an evo-psych just so), i.e. more Panglossian logic. The field is…problematic, and strong statements about EP predictions like “exactly what we would predict from an evolutionary psychology perspective” should set off alarm bells.
Each of these statements are gross simplifications of large bodies of research, some of which are highly problematic areas with reproducibility problems, to justify a 2:1 or even 4:1 difference in hiring of men:women at Google. There is a general rule that “extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof”, well here is a man saying the reason Google has 2-4x as many men as women isn’t just the known, historic, institutional sexism that kept women from voting, owning property, having access to college education, equal pay etc., but fundamental biological differences across all cultures, that exists from birth, programmed by testosterone yet highly heritable (wah?) and conforming to predictions of a controversial scientific field that starts with conclusions and works backward to explanation. These effects are large enough, apparently, that Google should not try for parity in hiring and stop diversity training. Riiight. You better have some rock solid data to back this up.
Let’s look at the extraordinary data on why the women are so terribly disadvantaged based on their biology for software engineering (heads up, it’s a couple of wikipedia articles, and about 3 scientific citations)
Personality differences
Women, on average, have more:
Openness directed towards feelings and aesthetics rather than ideas. Women generally also have a stronger interest in people rather than things, relative to men (also interpreted as empathizing vs. systemizing).
These two differences in part explain why women relatively prefer jobs in social or artistic areas. More men may like coding because it requires systemizing and even within SWEs, comparatively more women work on front end, which deals with both people and aesthetics.
Extraversion expressed as gregariousness rather than assertiveness. Also, higher agreeableness.
This leads to women generally having a harder time negotiating salary, asking for raises, speaking up, and leading. Note that these are just average differences and there’s overlap between men and women, but this is seen solely as a women’s issue. This leads to exclusory programs like Stretch and swaths of men without support.
Neuroticism (higher anxiety, lower stress tolerance).This may contribute to the higher levels of anxiety women report on Googlegeist and to the lower number of women in high stress jobs.
Note that contrary to what a social constructionist would argue, research suggests that “greater nation-level gender equality leads to psychological dissimilarity in men’s and women’s personality traits.” Because as “society becomes more prosperous and more egalitarian, innate dispositional differences between men and women have more space to develop and the gap that exists between men and women in their personality becomes wider.” We need to stop assuming that gender gaps imply sexism.
For this segment he cites the wikipedia page on “sex differences in psychology; personality traits”, only useful for some background, not proof women!=engineers.
He cites This paper, which summarizes meta-analyses in the literature of personality with a reproducible effect showing that in a 6 dimensional model of personality traits women and men consistently score differently on being interested in “persons” vs “things”, and also that these sex differences in behavior are consistent across cultures. To be fair supporting literature exists which correlates these personality trends with differences in vocational choices, so it’s plausible that, all things being equal, there may be a gender gap in some professions based on personality traits.
This may be the only item of interest in his entire paper, as it is reproducible and there is evidence it impacts what choices the different sexes make about jobs. The problem I have with it is there is no way to control for the effect of how humans, starting when we’re toddlers, start to consolidate gender roles. If the image of the engineer or tech industry is predominantly male, this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It also assumes that the current male-dominated status of tech couldn’t benefit from traits on the female axis including better interest in “persons” and creativity/artistic expression. The argument becomes a tautology, men are attracted to the tech sector because the tech sector is male. Add to that the tendency of institutions to maintain homogeneity by effects like in-group bias, and you see why male-dominated fields may remain static. Just imagine if we had accepted similar Panglossian logic 50 years ago that these gender-distributions as some kind of inevitable consequence of natural gender preferences, we’d still have only male doctors, lawyers, and executives, because, this is the best of all possible worlds, and there must be some evolutionary psychology to explain why there are no women doctors, or lawyers, or executives.
Damore then cites the wikipedia article on the Empathizing–systemizing theory. This appears to be moderately central to his argument, but again it is weak evidence. Not to beat a dead horse, but we are once again starting with the assumption that the current state of affairs represents some kind of ideal – the dominance of men in the field is “just so” because they’re more adapted to it, rather than they adapted the field to themselves or that there’s a host of historical factors such as women only got the right to vote in the last 100 years, co-ed schools in the last 50 years, they are still treated as second-class citizens including when it comes to pay. It also accepts one of the authors underlying assumptions, which is outside of my experience, which is that empathy is bad for engineering at Google. I can’t debate that, but least one former Googler has responded to this assertion and says absolutely not:
What I am is an engineer, and I was rather surprised that anyone has managed to make it this far without understanding some very basic points about what the job is. The manifesto talks about making “software engineering more people-oriented with pair programming and more collaboration” but that this is fundamentally limited by “how people-oriented certain roles and Google can be;” and even more surprisingly, it has an entire section titled “de-emphasize empathy,” as one of the proposed solutions.
People who haven’t done engineering, or people who have done just the basics, sometimes think that what engineering looks like is sitting at your computer and hyper-optimizing an inner loop, or cleaning up a class API. We’ve all done this kind of thing, and for many of us (including me) it’s tremendous fun. And when you’re at the novice stages of engineering, this is the large bulk of your work: something straightforward and bounded which can be done right or wrong, and where you can hone your basic skills.
But it’s not a coincidence that job titles at Google switch from numbers to words at a certain point. That’s precisely the point at which you have, in a way, completed your first apprenticeship: you can operate independently without close supervision. And this is the point where you start doing real engineering.
And once you’ve understood the system, and worked out what has to be built, do you retreat to a cave and start writing code? If you’re a hobbyist, yes. If you’re a professional, especially one working on systems that can use terms like “planet-scale” and “carrier-class” without the slightest exaggeration, then you’ll quickly find that the large bulk of your job is about coordinating and cooperating with other groups.
Essentially, engineering is all about cooperation, collaboration, and empathy for both your colleagues and your customers. If someone told you that engineering was a field where you could get away with not dealing with people or feelings, then I’m very sorry to tell you that you have been lied to. Solitary work is something that only happens at the most junior levels, and even then it’s only possible because someone senior to you — most likely your manager — has been putting in long hours to build up the social structures in your group that let you focus on code.
All of these traits which the manifesto described as “female” are the core traits which make someone successful at engineering. Anyone can learn how to write code; hell, by the time someone reaches L7 or so, it’s expected that they have an essentially complete mastery of technique. The truly hard parts about this job are knowing which code to write, building the clear plan of what has to be done in order to achieve which goal, and building the consensus required to make that happen.
Tom Smykowski says, engineers need more empathy
If true, this kind of knocks the teeth out of this particular “just so” justification that empathy is maladaptive. Is it possible, that the current culture of masculinity and therefore insularity is holding tech back? Couldn’t one make just as good an argument here, that Google hasn’t maxed its potential until it harnesses women’s superior social and interpersonal skills to help with things like teamwork and management? Is there no positive side to hiring women? And that is assuming these are large enough difference between women and men on these behavioral traits to justify hiring twice as many men as women.
Take a look at a recent paper from the theorist behind the E-S scale – Simon Baron-Cohen – and the differences on his Autism Spectrum Quotient scores (a newer scale Baron-Cohen has validated from the EQ SQ research and seems to have moved onto) for women vs men and STEM fields vs others that Damore is alluding to (I have to make some leaps here, Damore links the “E-S scale” wikipedia, which is a touch dated, without indicating a specific study, and ostensibly is referring to this work by Baron-Cohen who has advanced the idea of the “male mind” and autism being an excess of male mental traits – this itself has been critiqued as “neurosexist”). Studying an enormous database Baron Cohen finds a statistically-significant difference in AQ score between men and women, and women and those in STEM:
While this may be statistically significant, it’s still a tiny difference – a matter of about 3 points on this scale between men and women, and women and STEM workers who, on average, also tend to have a similar 2-3 point higher AQ score than the female mean. To put this in perspective, this is a 50 point scale, and the nonclinical range of AQ is consistently in the teens to twenties while those diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder have a mean around 35. It is also hard to conclude the differences between women’s score and STEM isn’t due to intrinsic or cultural factors – again, the best of all possible worlds fallacy, and it is no evidence to believe that 2-3 points difference in the mean score explains 2-4 fold gaps in hiring of men vs women. Draw a line at about 21 and ballpark an SD, of +/- 8 points, are there 2-4x as many men under the curve right there? Of course not. There’s too much meat under that curve to justify more than a couple of points difference in outcomes, assuming the effect is highly meaningful or beneficial. Alternatively, you could make an argument from the tails, that you could conceive of the extremes of the population such as AQ > 40 having approximately 2x as many men with this trait. One would have to believe that the population at google is so far shifted to the right in terms of male braininess, that the majority of the population at google has a mean AQ beyond 40, basically suggesting they all would score higher than the mean for those with autism spectrum disorder.
At the same time that Damore is critical of reducing populations to their means when there is significant overlap, to believe his argument – that tech is segregated by gender because not enough women have the “male mind” described by Baron-Cohen – requires one to believe that the status-quo ratio represents the ideal workforce, that these tiny differences in gender behavior are so debilitating as to explain the 2-4x difference in hiring, and that nothing beneficial is brought to the table by “empathic” team members. This makes no sense, these differences are slight. The area under the curve doesn’t support that these tiny differences – even if they were intensely meaningful, could generate such large differences in hiring. The areas where the variance between the populations becomes larger than the female population size is far above typical scores for ASD. Is the contention that the neurotypical can’t code?
Barely worth mentioning, he alludes to negative female personality traits by including a link to this wikipedia article on Neuroticism. This is a similarly weak argument. Again the effect is meaningless in size, if you go to the primary literature it’s consistent but small. There is no evidence such an mild difference in gender behaviors with regards to neuroticism would result in such a dramatic difference in hiring or performance, nor is it explained why neuroticism would be less adaptive in engineering vs other fields.
Finally he cites this opinion piece dismissing wage gaps between genders from a Libertarian online magazine, ignored without comment.
Does anyone maybe feel already the evidence here is a bit…light? You’re going to tell an entire gender they can’t do engineering based on a 3 psychology papers showing small and likely irrelevant differences in gendered behavior, a couple of wikipedia pages, and a libertarian opinion piece about how the wage gap is imaginary? You are surprised when women read this and they’re pissed? Do those saying this is “science” like David Brooks want to maybe rethink their expertise on this topic? Because they’re not looking too competent right now. This is classic pseudoscience – a weak, cherry-picked literature is flogged to support extreme ideological nonsense.
Next Damore asks why might men be more suited for software engineering? Well he’s got a whole paragraph and three more “sciencey” citations to justify that:
Men’s higher drive for status
We always ask why we don’t see women in top leadership positions, but we never ask why we
see so many men in these jobs. These positions often require long, stressful hours that may not
be worth it if you want a balanced and fulfilling life.
Status is the primary metric that men are judged on4, pushing many men into these higher
paying, less satisfying jobs for the status that they entail. Note, the same forces that lead men
into high pay/high stress jobs in tech and leadership cause men to take undesirable and
dangerous jobs like coal mining, garbage collection, and firefighting, and suffer 93% of
work-related deaths.
To justify this he cites the Atlantic opinion piece “The War Against Boys” which counter-intuitively suggests women are better at school than boys, and it’s boys whose performance is undermined (and this helps Damore’s argument how?). He cites this paper on gender differences in mate selection criteria, sadly is paywalled but it’s conclusions are college men prefer good looks, and college women want financial success in a mate, therefore men are more competitive for status jobs in order to satisfy female sexual selection. One could point out, this is a gross simplification of human mating dynamics and is one effect among many in human attraction or every woman alive would coo over Donald Trump. Finally he cites this paper on effects of testosterone on college age men that found when injected with additional testosterone in an Ultimatum game they behaved more aggressively, but also more generous to those who made them bigger offers thus supporting the idea testosterone enhances “status seeking” behavior. Again one would have to believe this is a large enough effect that women and men have no interest in tech or engineering for any other reason than mate selection. Or show that those engineers seeking status are running higher testosterone levels than men in other “high status” jobs to show this is anything other than a suggestive result. It is further discredited by the fact that over the last 40 years women have pursued more and more “high status” jobs. Although their numbers are more uneven with regards to “things important” type (read engineering) fields, to say this is biological determinism and not male obstructionism is not justified based on a single testosterone experiment done in college students and a oversimplified view of mate selection. It ignores that women are perfectly capable of being engineers and functioning at the top of fields like physics or mathematics, and human mating behaviors are far more complex than “women are gold-diggers.”
Again. Does anyone here find the evidence here a bit light? David Schmitt seems to agree and his research is that being cited by Damore:
Still, it is not clear to me how such sex differences are relevant to the Google workplace. And even if sex differences in negative emotionality were relevant to occupational performance at Google (e.g., not being able to handle stressful assignments), the size of these negative emotion sex differences is not very large (typically, ranging between “small” to “moderate” in statistical effect size terminology; accounting for perhaps 10% of the variance1). Using someone’s biological sex to essentialize an entire group of people’s personality is like surgically operating with an axe. Not precise enough to do much good, probably will cause a lot of harm. Moreover, men are more emotional than women in certain ways, too. Sex differences in emotion depend on the type of emotion, how it is measured, where it is expressed, when it is expressed, and lots of other contextual factors. How this all fits into the Google workplace is unclear to me. But perhaps it does.
As to sex differences in mate preferences and status-seeking, these topics also have been heavily researched across cultures (for a review, see here). Again, though, most of these sex differences are moderate in size and in my view are unlikely to be all that relevant to the Google workplace (accounting for, perhaps, a few percentage points of the variability between men’s and women’s performance outcomes).
Culturally universal sex differences in personal values and certain cognitive abilities are a bit larger in size (see here), and sex differences in occupational interests are quite large2. It seems likely these culturally universal and biologically-linked sex differences play some role in the gendered hiring patterns of Google employees. For instance, in 2013, 18% of bachelor’s degrees in computing were earned by women, and about 20% of Google technological jobs are currently held by women. Whatever affirmative action procedures Google is using appear to be working pretty well (at least at the tech job level). Still, I think it’s important to keep in mind that most psychological sex differences are only small to moderate in size, and rather than grouping men and women into dichotomous groups, I think sex and sex differences are best thought of scientifically as multidimensional dials, anyway (see here).
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Damore’s use of his research and the data on increasing “status” vs “things” jobs suggests women might have been settling for those jobs only as they were in enforced gendered roles. Schmitt also seems to agree, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and these effects are small. Linking gendered behavioral differences to massive differences in performance in tech or engineering is an enormous stretch of logic. Schmitt emphasizes uncertainty, and the need to recognize complex role of gender on human behavior, he sure sounds like a scientist (for an Evolutionary Psychologist 😉 ).
The one who doesn’t sound like a scientist is Damore, who it turns out falsely claimed to have a PhD, gave his first interviews to alt-right youtubers, compared Google to Soviet prison labor camps even wearing a “Goolag” shirt for his WSJ editorial. He sounds less like a scientist, and more like he’s read the Crank Howto. I don’t understand how he ever expected to keep his job, after it turns out he did not have a PhD, he blasted a crank manifesto at his workplace that demeans a significant portion of the Google workforce, managed to embarrass his company on a national level, and ultimately demonstrated fundamental incompetencies in analysis and workplace etiquette. He would probably benefit from some training along the empathy axis, but instead is nursing a google-sized persecution complex.
To summarize, a junior, not-PhD employee of Google has written a 10 page document which purports to explain that the massive imbalance in male:female ratio at the company is not necessarily due to historic struggles of women for equal representation in equality, readily measurable bias, or structural sexism, but is instead due to female biology. The evidentiary basis for this argument is 3 bullet points followed by 3 short paragraphs that cite a few wikipedia pages, some libertarian/rightwing opinion pieces, a handful of papers on gendered differences in behavior showing some interesting but small differences between men and women, a bizarre reference to data from males castrated at birth (please someone find me that paper), some handwaving about male/female sex selection and “status” belied by a 40 year trend in women increasingly taking higher status jobs, and a borderline sexist psychological theory about “masculine brains” with similarly small differences between men and women. Notably, all of his arguments are dependent on the assumption that the male brain is fundamentally better at engineering because they got these jobs first and are thus appropriately over represented, and qualities like empathy and interpersonal skills don’t contribute to what is already a flawlessly healthy corporate culture in tech. By this logic women don’t do well in this culture because female cognition is inadequate to the task, not because it’s hard to fit in as a woman in at the boys club.
https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/how_it_works.png
He does not discuss or cite any of the extensive literature for the constant measurable bias women undergo in the workplace. His argument dismisses the more probable negative effects of historical oppression of women (denial of the vote, of property, of jobs, of education) well into the last century as well as ongoing structural sexism. He fails to link these effects to actual performance or interest in software engineering, he grossly oversimplifies the relationship between culture and behavior in favor of radical biological determinism, and wraps it into a typical Panglossian “just-so” story.
After predictably being fired for sending a crudely-argued, c-grade essay on why “girls like talking not math”, he has now made the rounds of the alt-right internet, the antediluvian editorial page of the WSJ, and has cried persecution at Google comparing himself to a slave laborer. He denies he’s an ideologue, even though as example of left wing denialism he cites John Tierney of the Manhattan Institute, and his argument that global warming scientists are the real threat to science (plus Rachel Carson DDT revisionism – yay!). By their fruits you shall know them.
What this shows is, the people who are impressed by his line of argumentation and series of events are ideologically-primed to accept it, not that they are particularly good judges of science. Pay attention to who buys into this uncritically, it’s better evidence for weak, sexist minds than it is for weak minds of a sex.
Author MarkHPosted on August 13, 2017 Categories Sexism
58 thoughts on “Damore's Pseudoscientific Google manifesto is a better evidence for sexism than it is for intellectual sex differences”
Mentifex (Arthur T. Murray) says:
If there is to be equality, why don’t women have to register for the draft?
MarkH says:
I’m sorry, has there been a draft lately that I missed? Have you been put out by filling out a selective service card despite having a volunteer army for the last 40 years?
Hiri says:
You might like to consider this. It’s the best piece I’ve seen so far about the whole controversy and not just because it fits perfectly with my own experience. And it’s written by a women who’s an ex-tech.
http://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-mcardle-women-less-tech-inclined-20170812-story.html
It;s been more than a little irritating over the past few days seeing countless articles by journalistic types who have very little idea how coders operate. This article nails it.
I will be the first to admit Damore’s has some serious problems with his memo. What surprised me most about this whole insecticide is that Trump was right, the new is fake, too left leaning to be believed. Unlike other stories, we have both the original memo and media summaries to compare. The two partly lines are Democrats believe the gender inequality is because of sexist managers, while Republicans believe it is do to biology. Opinions on this topic often fall along party lines. Sexist articles about how female CEOs deliver better on average stock performance, are championed by the same people that criticize Damore.
The proof is in the pudding. You may be surprised to find Damore’s ideas have been real word tested. The idea that you can make engineering more attractive to women by pink washing it. Talent Sonar is a consulting firm that specializes in pink washing job descriptions and apparently successful at it.
honestyWins says:
By having these polices Google discriminates against adults with learning disabilities in the work force. Gender is not a disability, if you have a fully functioning brain it’s equal game.
Gary Meyer says:
Your scientific response is anything but scientific. I tried to get through it but found all the hand waving and unsupported dismissive comments to be too much. Judging something to be insignificant based on your opinion alone is hardly scientific. You actually supported one of the whole underlying themes when you stated….”To be fair supporting literature exists which correlates these personality trends with differences in vocational choices, so it’s plausible that, all things being equal, there may be a gender gap in some professions based on personality traits”. But then are quick to dismiss that notion because we can’t control for childhood conditioning. Oh my!
I’m not making an argument that the effect does not exist. I’m making the argument that the effect is too small to explain the 80:20 ratio. As the author of the literature that Damore cites says, the effects are small. So it’s not about denying male:female personality differences between populations exist, it’s about the link between these differences and the degree of this effect.
Secondarily I argue that the underlying assumption, that the male-adapted status quo in tech, is somehow inevitable is false and this the “best of all possible worlds” fallacy. This is more related to the argument citing Baron-Cohen’s literature, and is even weaker. Women are perfectly capable of doing these jobs, and while they may have stronger preference for other work, it’s unlikely to be at the ratio observed.
Is that short enough to follow?
yazikus says:
@#1:
Are you a strong supporter of the feminist fight to make sure women are able to serve in combat roles?
@#7 “Are you a strong supporter of the feminist fight to make sure women are able to serve in combat roles?”
No, not at all. What upsets me is that males seem to be second-class citizens in America. Why can’t they alternate between registering males one year, and females the next year, back and forth? When the issue came up for a Supreme Court vote, why did Justice Sandra Day O’Connor not recuse herself? Why does Fourth Love torture me by letting me stay with her for a week and by telling me every evening that we “are not romantically involved” even as we sit on the L-shaped bench for her to watch movies and for me to watch her legs in the flickering TV light of otherwise total darkness? [Please delete this Comment after 24 million views.]
Cristian Manuel Bauche says:
Here is a real scientific examination of the data available:
https://heterodoxacademy.org/2017/08/10/the-google-memo-what-does-the-research-say-about-gender-differences/
Don’t be fooled by snake oil salesman.
Finally, someone addressing the science. This is article you linked to actually a fantastic summary of the literature, although I think it focuses more on the first claim which is the “people” vs “things” alignment on a personality axis. Two comments
1. I disagree with heterodox that Schmitt agreed with Damore’s conclusions. Based on the response I cited, he described Damore’s reasoning as “surgically operating with an axe”, part of why I quoted him so extensively is that he is an expert in the field and the author of the research being cited.
This effect is appears real in the literature, it is consistent and replicated multiple times. But I agree with Schmitt that the significance here is overblown. It deals less with the ES analysis, or other claims Damore made, and maybe reasonably deals with the strongest evidentiary claim, that female preferences in vocation may be based on biologically-driven personality traits, but not their ability, which heterodox confirms small differences in.
2. No one is disputing the actual literature itself, the question is whether or not Damore’s claims are backed by evidence in his memo. Heterodox does an excellent job in basically performing a systematic review and coming up with an exhaustive summary of the literature and they confirm the research discussed in (1) above. Yes, it exists and is real. However, they fail to address the fundamental argument. No one is saying he didn’t actually cite some actual science based on real effects. The question is whether or not you can use those results to explain an 80:20 ratio at Google, or that the current culture that is male predominant is the “best of all possible worlds” for tech. Of course men are going to perform better in a field dominated by men, designed for men, and if women prefer people-oriented, vs thing-oriented, and you make the entire field thing-oriented, you will see fewer women interested. This has to do more with his empathy claims which seemed to reject that female personality traits could benefit tech, and creates an effective feedback loop that will exclude women. This is a bug, not a feature. It’s structural sexism, that dismisses the potential contribution of half the population that also uses tech, is affected by tech, and has interest in working in tech.
So ultimately heterodox in sticking to claims out of the context of the argument is failing to see the forest for the trees. Yes the citations he uses are to a real field in psychology, no one is saying the science he cites is wrong. The question is whether the citations support the extremity of his conclusions or his oversimplification of complex issues. They do not.
Blue Orchid says:
“(if anyone can find a study of those “castrated at birth” please show me as I cant find it – I suspect he’s confused)”
He’s probably talking about David Reimer:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Reimer
Marshall Gill says:
So, since no one believes that the guys at google are sitting around conspiring against women, what is the cause of this, which you claim can’t be simple biology? Or are you claiming some conspiracy? Simply evidence of the patriarchy?! Truly pathetic.
If this is as you seem to be claiming, why haven’t you started a business that hires only women? You could beat the pants off of your competition on labor costs.
I do not believe that you even believe what you are claiming here. You have surely met a woman or two in your life. Pretending that they have the same goals and desires as men is obtuse, or simply ignorant. The reason that there is a disparity at google is because individual human beings are not collectivist carbon copies of one another, as much as the Socialists want to insist that they are.
You started out by saying:
” The Damore Manifesto or “Google anti-diversity memo” is just such an example of pseudoscience…” and now say that
:”No one is saying he didn’t actually cite some actual science based on real effects. The question is whether or not you can use those results to explain an 80:20 ratio…”
So I guess now we are arguing only about the effect size. This was an inappropriate use of the term “pseudoscience” wasn’t it?
Since only about 18% of undergraduate computer engineering majors are women, it might be hard for tech companies to all reach 50%. The problem is that women seem to be choosing other careers in college, many of them scientific and math-based, rather than engineering.
http://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/PHD.jpg
Or, maybe it’s not a problem. Maybe they’re simply exercising their right to work in a field they’re most interested in.
All that…just so you could say…if you don’t agree with me…your sexist.
“Ideology binds and it blinds”
Rick Chapman says:
This is a terribly written and argued piece. First, it starts off with paragraph after paragraph of leaden invective, ad hominem attacks, tautologies, and assumptions before we get to any actual arguments of the facts. Then, when we do< we get this type of strawman nonsense:
+++ He cites this paper on gender differences in mate selection criteria, sadly is paywalled but it’s conclusions are college men prefer good looks, and college women want financial success in a mate, therefore men are more competitive for status jobs in order to satisfy female sexual selection. One could point out, this is a gross simplification of human mating dynamics +++
This is not a "gross simplification." This a general observation of a massive and universally observed human trait. There is no culture known to exist or ever to have existed where men do not desire attractiveness in their mates and women desire financially successful men. There are obvious deviations from this massive norm, but it is entirely scientific to extrapolate how men and women might behave in large numbers in response to what is obvious to anyone who's lived in the real world.
Worse is this piece, like most of the snowflake nonsense perpetuated by the tech press, accuses Damore of saying women can't program. Clearly, this is not true. The first computer program was written by a woman, Ada Lovelace.
The point Damore makes is that women don't seem as attracted to his profession as men. I don't want to argue that point here, as I don't think its the right venue. I will note that to argue that women have not been encouraged to become programmers and engineers is PC nonsense. Schools, companies, the press, and so on have written about the topic at great length, have put in place "diversity" programs to recruit more women, and subjected people like Damore to auto da fes for arguing this point.
Yet the women have not come. They've certainly come to other former male preserves such as veterinary medicine. Coding in cubicles, no. It is just possible that the job and its requirements are less attractive to women than men.
Part of the reason they have not come is because screeds like Hoofnagle tell young women that the field is so full of sexism that they’ll never be able to make it on their own. This discourages young engineers from going into the field in the first place…choosing biology for example.
This creates a self perpetuating cycle…less women go into the field…and people like Hoof say it’s because of sexism (any data that doesn’t confirm his bias gets the “ignored without comment” treatment). More young women feel that the field is even more sexist than before…look at the number of women in that field drop! The “only” way that can happen is because of rampant sexism and discrimination….repeat.
Kneel says:
Damore’s internal memo is not a “manifesto”. Damore had the bravery to try to affect change within Google’s intolerant and now proven echo chamber. Damore’s real point, is not that women can’t do math, but that women that can do math, prefer to work with humans. Damore tries to make the case that if Google would acknowledge that women want a different work environment (explain this graph MarkH: http://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/PHD.jpg) and that if Google better accommodated what women want, more women would work at Google. It’s an effort to INCREASE the number of women at Google.
Bill #13 makes an excellent case.
MarkH goes off on a total virtue signaling shamefest tangent disguised as science.
JGHath says:
MarkH (the author if this commentary!) says:
Yes, you did miss something (much like you missed the vast amount of scientific evidence (as well as common sense) that indicates that men and women (on average!!!! as Damore constantly emphasizes) do, indeed, have different interests and aptitudes.
All MALES (sexist, huh!) between the ages of 18 and 25 are required by federal law to register for selective service. Here’s the penalty, as indicated by SSS.GOV. “Failing to register or comply with the Military Selective Service Act is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 or a prison term of up to five years, or a combination of both. Also, a person who knowingly counsels, aids, or abets another to fail to comply with the Act is subject to the same penalties.” If you were “put out put out by filling out a selective service card” then you’ve committed a federal felony and, if there’s any justice, you’ll be tracked down by the SSS goons and thrown into prison and fined $250,000 since you’re too ignorant or lazy to have registered as you were required to do.
This is off topic, boring trolling. Stop talking about selective service. I don’t care (and I did register fwiw). It is boring and irrelevant to the discussion at hand. I’ll delete any further attempts to derail the thread this way.
nouse123 says:
I am actually disheartened to see a piece on scienceblogs(!) in which the author strikes me with a big “PSEUDOSCIENCE!”-alert sign (like those we use for homeopathy or anti-vaxxers), but proceeds to admit in the commentary that it is basically how the effect sizes are weighed.
Very dissappointing piece.
Seems like the elephant got the upper hand yet again.
I am actually disheartened to see a piece on scienceblogs(!) in which the author strikes me with a big “PSEUDOSCIENCE!”-alert sign (like those we use for homeopathy or anti-vaxxers), but proceeds to admit in the commentary that it is basically about how the effect sizes should be weighted when explaining a 80-20 sex disparity in a given field.
I can’t remember that Damore even claimed that the available effect sizes can do that. (In my humble opinion, it is very well possible that small but significant biologically induced preferences are socially amplified.) I’d call that a classical straw man.
Very disappointing piece.
Damore says that they should cease efforts for gender parity and mandatory diversity training. That is tacit acceptance of the ratio
RickD says:
I think you missed a major point here. Citing science isn’t the same as doing science. The memo author cited some results – and those citations are not being questioned. The added value that he is purporting to give us is the argument that these differences justify an 80-20 hiring ratio. You are acting like this is just a minor detail, but it’s the entire justification of the memo!
I am reminded of the people who argue that solar flares are the cause of any observed climate change. They certainly can cite plenty of literature showing that solar flares do, in fact, exist and that they effect our planet. But you cannot jump from “has some kind of effect” to “is the only factor having any effect” that easily, especially when the purported effect is, at best, minor.
A more rigorous approach tries to tease out exactly _how much_ of an effect is present. But it’s one thing to do this in climate science which (believe it or not) is relatively simple – at least compared to human behavior!
I feel like Damore’s supporters just are not comprehending the enormity of his claim. He’s oversimplifying like crazy and basing all his conclusions on little more than “just so” logic. It really is a classic case of an engineer letting his ego get in the way of a sober consideration of all possible variables. And we’ve seen many such engineers in both evolution discussions and climate change discussions!
Jake Jackson says:
Ah, “don’t mistake denalism for debate.”
That would tell me that this site is run by followers of the Worldwide Church of Global Warming, and that anyone who disagrees will be burned as a witch.
If the science Damore cited is not being questioned but only his interpretation of it, then I still believe the use of the term “Pseudoscience” was misplaced.
I agree that some of Damore’s statements do seem like oversimplifications of evidence from evolutionary psychology and elsewhere. But the totality of his memo seems to be a criticism that Google’s Diversity training is itself oversimplified, accepting only one possible cause for the gender gap: implicit bias. What he seems to be pleading for is the inclusion of other possible factors into the discussion. He suggests that the diversity goal might be better achieved that way. One of his specific suggestions is that Google should “be open about the science of human nature.” This seems quite reasonable to me.
As far as Google’s “80-20 hiring ratio,” the difficulty with that seems to begin at the undergraduate level. Have you looked at the distribution of college majors by gender?
Computer science majors are only 18% female. It seems that women with scientific/quantitative interest are choosing fields other than engineering to major in. Many of the life sciences, veterinary science, psychology have very heavy female majorities. Is this a problem? Or is it just women choosing work that they imagine they will enjoy? Why would you want any of them to make a different choice? What would you say to them?
And, this being the reality, why blame tech companies for not hiring more women engineers?
Bill, pseudoscience is all about over-interpreting weak data to support an ideological point.
To your second point, I agree, Google faces an obstacle in hiring, they’re not going to get to 50% tomorrow, or if the small effects in gendered vocational preference are real, maybe not ever. I’m not critical of Google for having difficulty reaching gender parity, I’m critical of those who give a “just so” justification for why it is. Being in medicine, just such stories were used for decades to keep doctors, like my mother, from getting into medschool, residency, paid equally for equal work by her partners. In training she was told she was only there because the draft, and otherwise they would never have taken a woman for mans work. When she challenged her partners in her first job as to why they paid her less they told her she has a husband, she didn’t need the money. She persisted because she’s a tough as hell, but not everyone wants to deal with that garbage for 30 years and so not surprisingly gendered norms in professions, even medicine, take a long time to overturn. in 2000 my medical school class was the first at UVa that was 50/50 female. It takes time, and conscious effort to undo these attitudes. But the existence of these differences won’t go away until there are dedicated efforts to change the culture and attitudes, like Damore’s that create these differences.
What I dispute is that the 80:20 difference is immutable, and is more related to cultural gender norms that establish math and engineering are for boys despite no actual difference in ability. This was my critique of “just-so” or Panglossian reasoning that suggests the distribution is inevitable. It will be as long as the fields are perceived as excessively male and hostile to women, it becomes self-fulfilling prophecy. Just as it was in medicine for decades, tech will have to go through similar convulsions to expel ingrained sexist attitudes about the value of half our population.
One guy making a bunch of hand waving arguments that the other guy making hand waving arguments is completely wrong.
Maybe next time we can argue about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
Alternatively, how about you try taking all of those great studies you cite and their statistical distributions, create a model and analyze the results. You know, sorta like you were doing science or something.
SteveP says:
My first Fortran textbook had an example which required writing a program to determine the trajectory of an air launched missile aimed at a building. That was almost 50 years ago. It always struck me as a a great training example for anyone who was turned on by slaughter and destruction. At the time, we were slaughtering millions in Southeast Asia in a proxy war, with that and related devices But it was a great example for someone yearning to be a warrior, someone yearning for power and respect. Read adolescent male.
Some years later, one of my co-workers wrote a textbook to teach Oracle. The examples he included in the textbook were clearly male oriented and misogynistic to the point of actually being cruel, pathological, sadistic. One involved the programmer exalting in being in a position to exercise power over a female subordinate by how he allotted or denied access privileges . Sick.
And on and on. I have recollections of a surprising number of computer science professors who were basically emotionally incompetent and fascists. I remember a computer programmer co-worker (and part time professor of CS) who was essentially a heartless Nazi at his core. He made a really painful joke about the KKK to a new black employee on his first day on the job. A real people person….
And so, in my limited experience, a surprising proportion of IT professionals I worked with were racist, misogynist, right wing, rabidly climate science denying, and basically human pin heads at many important areas outside of IT. Geez, I almost forgot my MIT trained PhD boss, a renowned database expert, who was so worried about the Unibomber sending him a present that he had the receptionist take suspicious packages addressed to him out into the parking lot, so she could risk getting blown up instead of him!. Empathy and compassion for other human beings ? Bah! ! Inferiors are expendable!
Damore doesn’t surprise me a bit, unfortunately. The business IT world I worked in for many years was rife with people who loved the determinism of the computer and, having mastered some level of computer science, they thought that they were fonts of wisdom on any and all subjects. When someone like that misperceives that their road to power and glory is thwarted by HR policies, they can sometimes go full Nazi, IMO. The Nuremberg Psychologist Gustave Gilbert is said to have felt ” that Hitlerism was the product of the social and economic anxieties of a people long used to order.” Yeah, that is an interesting hypothesis.
Oh yeah, and then there are the computer folks I’ve met who were also young Earth creationists. So no. Damore doesn’t surprise me a bit.
Dr. Pangloss says:
>My thesis is that men and women aren’t different
” Even if the tech sector, as it exists today, is male-dominated because men perform better in the current pathological and Machiavellian environment, that doesn’t mean this is ideal, that it isn’t hugely, culturally flawed, and maybe desperately in need of womanly empathy.”
>But the workplace would be different if women were in charge, because they have more empathy! *snarky remark* *winky emoji*
A straw man if there ever was one, I never said men and women aren’t different. So see here for what dishonest debate looks like. I actually affirm one of the central points to Damore’s argument, the literature cited is consistent in demonstrating a difference in behaviors by gender, this may affect choices in vocation.
What I dispute is this is biologically deterministic (limited data in literature to support), that the effects are small, in fact the APA has a brief summary on just this question in which they point this out.
Mars-Venus sex differences appear to be as mythical as the Man in the Moon. A 2005 analysis of 46 meta-analyses that were conducted during the last two decades of the 20th century underscores that men and women are basically alike in terms of personality, cognitive ability and leadership. Psychologist Janet Shibley Hyde, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, discovered that males and females from childhood to adulthood are more alike than different on most psychological variables, resulting in what she calls a gender similarities hypothesis. Using meta-analytical techniques that revolutionized the study of gender differences starting in the 1980s, she analyzed how prior research assessed the impact of gender on many psychological traits and abilities, including cognitive abilities, verbal and nonverbal communication, aggression, leadership, self-esteem, moral reasoning and motor behaviors.
Psychologist Diane Halpern, PhD, a professor at Claremont College and past-president (2005) of the American Psychological Association, points out that even where there are patterns of cognitive differences between males and females, “differences are not deficiencies.” She continues, “Even when differences are found, we cannot conclude that they are immutable because the continuous interplay of biological and environmental influences can change the size and direction of the effects some time in the future.”
My statements, which do not at all resemble your straw man, are more consistent with experts in the field.
John Mashey says:
See thread, which has the links, but I’d summarize as:
1) CA has “at will” employment which makes it very easy to fire people, balanced by 3 facts.
2) (a) Unlike most states, CA disallows most non-compete agreements.
(b) San Francisco, Peninsula & Silicon Valley form a dense market for engineering jobs, especially in software. Common joke here: “Joe changed jobs at lunch, didn’t move his car.” although Facebook HQ is a 12min drive from the Googleplex.
See map.
3) Tech recruiters are ~piranhas (not derogatory). If a company is in trouble or is really making a lot of employees unhappy, it’s like blood in the water.
The thread above gives example of Mozilla, in which a Board fired a CEO quickly, because they would have bled people very fast.
Given the expense of housing, companies love to hire people who already live here, and the social network is pretty tight-coupled. People move around.
Having been a hiring manager / Director or VP at 4 different tech companies, starting with Bell Labs (whose hiring was ~selective as Google, with the same challenges), there are good ways and bad ways to make sensitive criticisms,
especially if the topics are outside one’s domain of training and expertise.
Good ways:
1A) Write a thoughtful, well-researched (not Damore’s) letter, and give to boss and ask to discuss it with them. If need be, copy several levels in management chain, which may require skip-level if you are complaining about managers.
I have no idea if Damore did any of this, but it doesn’t seem his style.
(I once wrote a strongly critical letter about managers 2 & 3 levels above me, to one 4 levels above … but it didn’t stop me from being promoted to manager. In general, savvy management chains usually appreciate well-argued criticism.)
Even the best management teams make mistakes on personnel policies, and this particular one (demographics) has been hard … for at least 50 years., from personal experience. The pipeline problem is real, but then there is negative feedback from ~male-dominated work environments. Elite organizations simply cannot hire and promote marginal performers, although good ones hire people they think will perform well in the longer term, which isn’t always the same.
Companies err, however, young software people lacking management experience tend to err more and worse. (I’ve managed quite a few).
If you think there are others who agree, talk to them privately and see if there’s a statement a bunch of you can sign.
1B) If you get no satisfaction from this, and you really, really can’t bear management policies … line up another job & then leave without burning bridges.
2) Not-so-good ways
2A) Post something that some may agree with, but will cause serious upset among many employees (remember piranhas: if you were a recruiter, who would you be calling). As Mark & others have noted, Damore’s science claims are not very good, but easily confuse nonspecialists. Posting something contentious electronically, even to a small discussion group, in a place like Google, is a good way to get it spread rapidly.
2B) Get fired. Threaten lawsuits, gather support from lots of people with strong ideology and relatively little relevant knowledge/expertise in this turf. Make as much fuss as possible, since you can talk & the company cant’ (mostly).
When I was teaching CMPSC in early 1970s, ~35+% students were female, and they were quite competitive, worked as hard as the guys, including long nights at computer center.
There was some difference of expectations among my advisees. The best male students expected to go to grad school, but not all the best females had such expectations.
Me: “What are you thinking about grad school? She: oh, I never thought of that. Me: not for everybody, but you really ought to think of getting at least an M.S., I’ll be glad to write recommendation letters for assistantships.”
See also So, about this Googler’s manifesto. by recently ex-Googler with 14 years there.
thread, has links, but I’d summarize as:
(b) San Francisco, Peninsula & Silicon Valley form a dense market for engineering jobs, especially in software.
Common joke here: “Joe changed jobs at lunch, didn’t move his car.” although Facebook HQ is a 12min drive from the Googleplex,Google Maps.
3) Tech recruiters are ~piranhas (not derogatory). If a company is really making a lot of employees unhappy, it’s like blood in the water.
The thread above gives example of Mozilla, in which a Board fired a CEO quickly, because they would have bled staff. The social network here is well-coupled.
I’ve been a hiring manager / Director or VP at 4 different tech companies, starting with Bell Labs (whose hiring was ~selective as Google, with the same challenges), there are good and bad ways to make sensitive criticisms, especially if the topics are outside one’s domain of training and expertise.
1A) Write a thoughtful, well-researched (not Damore’s) letter, give to boss and ask to discuss it with them. If need be, copy several levels in management chain, which may require skip-level if you are complaining about managers.
(I once wrote a strongly critical letter about managers 2 & 3 levels above me, to one 4 levels above … In general, savvy management usually appreciate well-argued criticism delivered appropriately.)
Even the best management teams make mistakes on personnel policies, and this particular one (gender demographics) has been hard … for at least 50 years., from personal experience.
2) Not-so-good way
2A) Post something that some may agree with, but will cause serious upset among many employees (remember piranhas: if you were a recruiter, who would you be calling?).
As Mark & others have noted, Damore’s science claims are not very good, but easily confuse nonspecialists. Posting something contentious electronically, even to a small discussion group, in a place like Google, is a good way to get it spread rapidly.
When I was teaching CMPSC in early 1970s, ~35+% students were female, and they were quite competitive, worked as hard as the guys, including long nights at computer center. There were some differences of expectations among my advisees. The best male students expected to go to grad school, but not all the best females did.
Me: “What about grad school? She: oh, I never thought of that.
Me: not for everybody, but you’re one of the best students, really ought to think of getting at least an M.S., I’ll be glad to write recommendation letters for assistantships.”
See also So, about this Googler’s manifesto. and
short thread illustrates related issues.
Apologies you got caught in spam.
Julian Frost says:
@Bill #23:
And you’d be wrong. One tactic of pseudoscience is to misuse real science to support bad conclusions.
If Damore misinterpreted the evidence, then he’s guilty of peddling pseudoscience.
Hm, no. Scientists _always_ have been drawing poor conclusions based on solid data. It inevitably happens, and that does not make those scientists performing pseudoscience.
Being split about the interpretation of data is part of the game.
#21:
Rick, i am not sure where Damore concluded that the cited evidence was 100% responsible for the observed effect.
I don’t think any respectable scientists can or should do that. In fact, at least in my field, much of observed variance must remain unexplained because of unmeasured predictors.
My biggest critique btw is that Damore should have been much more clear and precise in disentangling ability from interest.
The data does not show that women are on average too stupid to code, it does show that they – even if they would be able to code – rather do other things.
Why that is – biologically or socially induced – remains to be answered.
My take is, as with most scientists, that this interaction cannot be disentangled. A handy model would be that existing, possibly small, but significant “hard-wired” preferences are amplified by stereotyping effects.
What Damore then asks is simply:
If gender/sex disparity is not based on stereotyping and discrimination alone, why should diversity programs operate only on the assumption that stereotyping and discrimination is the only factor contributing to said disparity?
Most definitions of pseudoscience rely on a disparity between evidence and strength of claims. Psuedoscience is usually based on some evidence – cherry picked, or misinterpreted. My main point, which was supported by Schmitt, the author of much of the relevant research, is that the effect sizes were small. Schmitt agrees saying Damore was performing surgery with an axe.
John F Bramfeld says:
Let’s assume he was completely wrong. I don’t, however, accept your odd claim that the short memo was “crudely” done. Every scientist is wrong most of the time. This guy wasn’t even a scientist. What about being wrong justifies the firing? If your scientific position is strong, you have no reason to suppress dissent. Or to defend suppression.
I describe it as crudely written because it simplifies complex problems in a way that is glib.
It’s also not about suppressing dissent, he can dissent all he wants in his own time, but when you dissent in a way that causes public embarrassment for your company, you’re going to get fired. His dissent, far from being suppressed, has gone from Google, to right-wing blogosphere and youtube, to the editorial page of the WSJ. It’s hard to say his ideas are being suppressed, and I didn’t say he doesn’t have the right to disseminate them, but Google absolutely has the right to fire him for this fiasco.
Excellent job of responding to points I didn’t make.
John, I really was trying to address your comment. Where have I failed? You mentioned it was odd that I found it crude. I explained why I felt it was so. You said it didn’t justify suppression of dissent, I don’t agree that his dissent has been suppressed, only that Google is protecting itself from embarrassment.
Three words. Employment at will.
If you upset your co-workers with fumbling, inarticulate, unscientific and/or grandiose attempts to ‘splain the world, and at the same time, you embarrass your company on the world stage, you had better be one exceptionally valuable asset to your company, or your young asset has a rather high probability of being made redundant.
Perhaps his programming job just wasn’t that interesting or challenging to him, so he decided to take the time to pontificate on a subject about which he was poorly / self educated? Who knows.
I didn’t say they didn’t have the right to fire him. I complain that they did fire him; which in turn elevated his memo to a huge deal which diminished and embarrassed themselves. Left alone, no one in the world would have cared about the memo.
Chris: I posted a comment ~midnight, I think it was accepted, but seems lost. Spam filter?
Yes, sorted, >2 hyperlinks tend to set it off
#29 & #31
John: how long have you lived&worked in Silicon Valley?
I posted something last night that explains why this forced Google.
How long have you lived and worked in the rest of the country?
Posted last night, but seems lost. Try again.
Not firing Damore would have been serious trouble for Google, given the way Silicon Valley works, and the mobility of talent around here.
Until figure out where long post went, see thread about tech employment in Silicon Valley.
#32 #33 #34 #35 — All by John Mashey?
Mashey is a BIG NAME in computer science. He once
gave advice to Mentifex in comp.arch on Usenet.
http://yarchive.net/comp/stupid_lawsuits.html
So what happened to the post by Mashy? CENSORSHIP?
I love all the persecuted cries of censorship. It was caught by a spam filter – multiple links tend to set it off. Chill out, it’s restored.
Denialism? Wow. You are perpetrating that very thing. This is the worst abuse of pseudo-scientific knowledge I’ve read in a long time. The writer clearly knows nothing about the underlying science (and science generally) of gender differences but he knows a lot about ideology (read his previous posts). The writer clearly has never done real science himself. Worse than reprehensible. Charlatans like you love to massage your own egos while leaving others to clean up the mess. Go away.
John Mashey
“When I was teaching CMPSC in early 1970s, ~35+% students were female, and they were quite competitive, worked as hard as the guys, including long nights at computer center. ”
Why do you think the percent of female computer science majors has dropped so much in the succeeding 40 years? It seems to be around 18% now.
#53 Bill
The 35% was late 1960s/early 1970s at Penn State, whose CMPSC dept was spinoff of math dept. CMPSC depts originated in EE (and sometimes other engineering), physics, business and at least one library science department. EE tended to have very low female % (and still does), math and maybe business were higher. Some schools had multiple CMPSC depts (Michigan had 3 for a while) & there was a lot of variation – in early 1980s, I gave many lectures at universities for ACM, and %s varied wildly.
So, I haven’t studied this lately, but The Current State of Women in Computer Science says:
“Much attention has been devoted to studying the reason for this drop in female computer science majors. The central conclusion is that the first personal computers were essentially early gaming systems that firmly catered to males. While early word processing tools were also available, the marketing narrative told the story of a new device that met the needs of men. As more males began purchasing computers for personal use, the “nerdy programmer” classification began to take hold in the professional world of computer science. By the mid-nineties, the percentage of women studying computer science at the postsecondary level had fallen to 28%.”
I think there may be some truth to that, but other factors might be relevant.
1) 1957 Sputnik stirred the US to up its education for math/science talent, and I think some of that emphasis attracted more girls into STEM for a while. It certainly did at my high school,
2) Women often studied as mathematicians and then got into computing for one reason or another. See HIdden Figures for example, or Margaret Hamilton, to pick several NASA-related women.
3) The first actual CMPSC degree program was at Purdue in 1962, but it took years for departments to form in any widespread fashion. When I started programming ~1967, CMPSC was more like something one happened to stray into, rather than something you thought about as a career in high school. (I was in physics+Math when I took 1st programming course). Few professors actually had degrees in CMPSC.
At PSU, when I was teaching, we had quite a few folks start in math and then transfer to CMPSC, where we had ~400 undergrads & ~150 grad students.
Anyway, I wouldn’t claim strong belief, I think there have been multiple factors, but the comments above about gaming may be one, if CMPSC image became firmly entrenched as gamer/hacker, as seen in various movies.
On the other hand, at least we had this classic scene from the movie version of Jurassic Park.
#51 MarkH Yes, that’s why I asked first about spam filters! I often include a lot of links,, run into this. I’d suggest deleting #32 & #33, leaving #48, but that would likely renumber things, a pain.
It’s awful what your mother had to endure. I have heaard stories like that from women in other professions too. But it’s good to remember that women today have many more opportunities since Title IX went into effect more than forty years ago. Women have been the majority of college students since 1980 and are the majority of students in most university departments.
I agree with your statement: “I actually affirm one of the central points to Damore’s argument, the literature cited is consistent in demonstrating a difference in behaviors by gender, this may affect choices in vocation.”
That was all Damore was saying. He really doesn’t say that “the 80:20 difference is immutable.” Nor does he say that “math and engineering are for boys.” I think you’re reading more into his statement than is there. His statements about women were about their preferences, not their abilities.
If you believe, as you said, that “there is a difference in behavior by gender that may affect choices in vocation,” than it would follow that any attempt to increase the female participation in engineering should take that into account and make those differences part of the discussion. I believe that is what he was asking for. Not an end to diversity efforts but a change in the way it is done.
#47 John F. Bramfeld “How long have you lived and worked in the rest of the country?”
Not relevant to Silicon Valley familiarity, but since asked, and perhasps relevant to broader context.
a) 18 years N of Pittsburgh, which is intersection of Appalachia, MidWest farm country, and Rust Belt.
b) 9 years at Penn State, surrounded by Appalachia, but working vacations at Pittsburgh Mining Research Center, writing code to run at CMU & Pitt. Also, business trips to SHARE meetings and other universities.
c) 10 years at Bell Labs in NJ, which included visiting various other sites around Bell System, esp. Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, Denver, but also while I was a Supervisor:
ACM National Lecturer 1979-1983, 4 years, typically did ~30 talks/year around country, somewhat prolific, although this indefatigable little old lady (GMH) with a nanosecond cable did a few more.:-) This was 3-4 weeks/yr, where each day was hosted by local computing groups, usually a professional group in eve, a student ACM chapter in afternoon, and maybe class lecture, interspersed with meetings with faculty, show-and-tell with grad students, etc.
The talks were “UNIX and the Programmer’s Workbench”, “Small is Beautiful & Other Thoughts on Programming Straegies” (think “Agile” ~1976) and “Software Army on the March.” USENIX has slides for the last 2.
This wasn’t vacation, but work encouraged by management. University visits were often arranged by Bell Labs recruiters (i.e., technical managers who had long relationships with CMPSC/EE depts) at schools we recruited from, or that were doing interesting research we’d want to know about. Some visits were to schools we didn’t, to help assess whether we might recruit there. Non-university visits were for information gathering (like at XEROX PARC) or public relations, as well as professional society service for ACM.
d) 1983-2001 Convergent Technologies, MIPS & SGI. I was an engineering manager or executive, sometimes an evangelist/troubleshooter when I wasn’t working on software strategy, interviewing candidates, or designing chips/systems. That took me all over the world, but also around US & Canada. I’ve done ~500 public talks & ~1000 sales pitches. SGI in particular had very technical customers, who wanted to see Chief Scientist/Enginner/VP folks, not just salespeople. So that might mean flying up to Seattle & spending all day with Boeing advanced technology folks or going down to Burbank and doing that for Disney Animation (or flying to Paris to have lunch at Maxim’s with our CEO & senior French execs. That was nice.)
Anyway, between b), c) and d), I’ve worked professionally in ~40 states, all except (AK, DE, HI (too bad), ID, KY, ME, MT, ND, SD, VT. I’ve only lived in 3: PA, NJ and CA, the latter for 34 years within a few miles of Stanford. Being semi-retired, I only give occasional computer talks at Stanford, or for IEEE or meetup groups here, or a few universities back East or in UK.
I have no connection with Google, other than knowing a few people, especially as there are a bunch of ex-SGI & ex-Bell Labs folks there, but of course, Google employs so many people it would be hard to live here without knowing some. 🙂
Eli Rabett says:
Mr. Murray might want to look at this link and the embedded video to understand why women have hills to climb even to get to takeoff position in CS and the military
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Combination Citytour + Volendam, Marken Windmills
See the urban and rural sides of The Netherlands with this fascinating guided day tour that takes in Amsterdam, a picture-postcard village renowned for the beauty of its many windmills and the coastal communities of Volendam and Marken. There will also be special visits to a diamond factory, a windmill and a cheese farm. Explore awesome Amsterdam from the comfort of a coach and the main sights and attractions that this inspiring city has to offer. Behold the quiet canals flanked by gabled houses with their massive windows, many crooked and seemingly about to keel over. See the Royal Palace, a glorious relic of the Dutch Golden Age, the National Monument, the famous Skinny Bridge and the vibrant Albert Cuyp street market. Visit a windmill on the river Amstel and then stop by the diamond factory, where you will see the traditional way of polishing. Escape the urban jungle for the rural charms of polders and canals of the North Holland countryside. Arrive at the pretty hamlet of Zaanse Schans, which is an open-air museum of windmills boasting colourful names such as the Young Sheep and the Spotted Hen. There are mustard mills, sawmills, paint mills, oil mills… and a traditional clog maker. Travel back in time to the fishing villages of Volendam and Marken to wander around streets wonderful wooden houses. You may even spot the odd local woman still wearing high-pointed bonnets. Along the way, stop at one of few remaining farms where cheese is still made using traditional methods. See the urban and rural sides of The Netherlands with this fascinating guided day tour that takes in Amsterdam, a picture-postcard village renowned for the beauty of its many windmills and the coastal communities of Volendam and Marken. There will also be special visits to a diamond factory, a windmill and a cheese farm. Duration: 5.5 hours.
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What is eMark?
The eMark is a digital and decentralized Currency-Unit. Because of the cryptographic technology that is used in the Transactions, it is a so called „Cryptocurrency“. The eMark is neither issued, administered, controlled or regulated by a central bank nor by a government. Their distribution takes place exclusively in a Peer-to-Peer network of equal computers.
Where does eMark come from?
The eMark is completely called „Deutsche elektronische Mark“ (abbr. DEM). It's a non- profit and voluntary Open-Source-Software-Project that was launched in 2013 and has been continuously improved and developed since that time. The central development team comes from Germany. The eMark is thus "Made in Germany".
What has eMark in common with the D-Mark?
Nothing but the similarity of the name. As well as the efforts of the developers, to achieve the same stability, intrinsic value and acceptance as a means of payment, that distinguished the D-Mark for decades, until it was replaced by the euro in 2002.
How does the eMark work?
The eMark is based on the functional principle of the Blockchain-Technology, similar to Bitcoin. Each eMark transaction is repeatedly checked, confirmed and thereby finally verified by the eMark network.
Where can I get eMark?
Currently, the eMark can be exchanged for bitcoin on the Cryptopia, Coinexchange and Yobit exchanges. In the future, it is planned to make it possible to exchange them at a Euro-exchange.
What is the maximum amount of eMark can be generated?
The maximum amount of eMark can be generated by mining is limited by the not manipulable algorithm of the underlying software to a maximum of 210 million DEM. Beyond that, eMark only can be generated by the so-called staking.
How many eMarks have been created so far?
At present (Feb 2018), 40 million DEM of the maximum amount of 210 million DEM was generated. The current amount of generated eMark can be viewed in the Blockexplorer at any time.
What does interest payment on eMark mean?
Although the term interest payment has become generally accepted, the term "Proof of Stake" (POS) is better used to describe the interest payment of cryptocurrencies. Staking is not a non-performing money multiplier, but is a reward for the users of the eMark network and their support for maintaining this network.
How does the interest payment work with eMark?
Each user supports, ONLY by using a core wallet (the eMark-qt), the entire eMark network, by forwarding blocks (while the software runs in the background) and confirming transactions. A so-called "lightwallet" (e.g. Android or iOS), which has not downloaded the complete Blockchain and is not able to carry out the complex calculations for confirming transactions, does not represent such a support.
This means that only users using the eMark-qt Wallet can generate POS blocks – and therefore can profit from staking.
Each individual transfer represents a "coin" for the eMark network, figuratively speaking. This means that coins with the value 0.0001 DEM, 10.000 DEM or 2573.8453 DEM can exist. Over time, several coins of different ages accumulate on an eMark address, depending on how long the last transaction was made. If you are now, for example, are paying with such a 108 DEM coin the sum of 23 DEM to somebody, the "change" is again a coin of 85 DEM (103 DEM minus 23 DEM).
The coin age is always set to zero for each transfer. Thus, as in the example, the 23 day old 108 DEM coin has become a 85 DEM coin after paying 23 DEM, which is now zero days old. These coins are also called "coin blocks".
How can I benefit from eMark- "staking"?
The following requirements must be fulfilled for this:
The eMark-qt Wallet must be synchronized and unlocked
There must be coin blocks whose age is older than 30 days
If these conditions are fulfilled, the respective coin blocks are gonna be "staked" (interest is paid). This is done automatically. The larger the coin blocks and the older they are, the greater their "weight" is, that means larger and older coin blocks are staking faster, with very small blocks it can take several weeks until they are "staked" and you'll get your "interest" credited.
If a coin block has been "staked", the coin age is reset and staking starts again after 30 days, if this coin block has not been moved in the blockchain in the meantime.
How much interest is paid on the eMark?
You get 3.8% per year on your wallet credit. For an interest year of 365 calendar days, this corresponds to a monthly interest rate of approx. 0.32%.
Can I have the interest paid out?
The interest is always added to the current coin block that has been "staking". For example, if a coin block with 100 DEM is staking exactly after 365 days, a coin block of 103.8 DEM and a coin age of 0 days is obtained. You can dispose of this 103.8 DEM after 100 confirmations by the eMark Blockchain (approx. 3h).
What kind of crypto-technology is used with eMark?
The eMark is a SHA256D-coin. This means, that the block generation algorithm is based on the SHA256D method.
Is the source code of eMark visible?
The source code of the eMark is public and can be viewed at any time at Github.com
What is the transaction fee?
The transaction fee is currently 0.001 DEM for an average eMark transaction, regardless of the destination and is limited to a maximum of 0.01 DEM. This means that it costs only a fraction of the fees charged by conventional financial institutions for comparable transactions.
Who has to pay the transaction fee?
In principle, this must be borne by the sender. The sender's account balance will automatically be debited with the corresponding transaction fee that has to be paid for the transaction.
How long does an eMark transaction take?
eMark payments are transacted via the eMark network and are usually sent worldwide within seconds.
Where can I track my eMark transaction?
Each single transaction is stored in the Blockchain forever. Via the so-called Blockexplorer every detail of a transaction can be viewed and traced.
Can I cancel a transaction?
Once a transaction has been sent, no matter if it is already confirmed by the eMark network or not, can no longer be cancelled. It is therefore always important to make sure that all the necessary data is entered correctly in a transaction.
Who receives the transaction fees?
The transaction fees flow to the eMark network. It passes them on to the so-called miners as a kind of remuneration for their processing the transaction.
What does mining mean?
Mining means digging, like digging a gold-nugget in a defined area. Mining in crypto means searching a “block”, that means to compute the right solution for a complexed mathematical task in a fixed algorithm and a defined time. If a solution is found you get a “block”, on eMark you will rewarded with 50 coins for that block.
How does eMark-mining work?
To start eMarkmining you had actually 2 choices.
You can “solo” mining , means you get all the needed hardware and software in stock and try to catch up the block alone (but you will get the full reward of 50 eMark).
Or you can pool mine. That means you don’t need lots of software and you put together with other miners your hashpower. You can use your own hashpower or you can rent some.
If the pool found a block you will rewarded in accordance to your hashpower.
For miningpools look at eMark homepage and for rent hardware you can look here: nicehash.com or miningrigrentals.com.
What do I need for eMark-mining?
In case of pool mining (preferred solution by the way) you can hash with your own hardware or you can rent hardware like shown above. If you mine on a pool you must only point your hash-power to an URL, some pools need registration. On poolmining your hashingpower added with others together and if a block is found, you will rewarded for your shares submitted. A faster hardware will get more shares, so more shares gives more Reward.
Storage & Wallet
How can I store eMark?
Because eMark only exists in digital form, they require a so called "wallet".
Technically speaking, a wallet is a storage medium for transaction keys (also known as "addresses"). Such a digital key is generated for each transaction (purchase or sale) and is inextricably linked to the quantity of units (e. g. eMark) acquired or disposed in a transaction. The eMarks are not stored directly in the wallet. Only the corresponding transaction keys, from which the total amount of eMarks that one owns is derived. The special feature of the eMarks is that if a certain typ of wallet (Core-Wallet) is used, the credit on eMarks held in it even bears interest. (INTEREST PAYMENT)
What types of wallets are there?
In practice, there are currently 5 different types of wallets used, depending on your personal preference:
Core-Wallet
Online-Wallet
Mobile-Wallet
Paper-Wallet
Hardware-Wallet
Are there special wallets for the eMark?
The official eMark website currently offers core wallets (eMark-qt) for the most common operating systems for downloading to your own PC or MAC.
For example, an online wallet for eMark is offered on emark.space (not official eMark site). It requires a registration.
It's a wallet in the form of an app for downloading and using on the smartphone/tablet. Currently (February 2018) an Android wallet is under development for the eMark. An eMark wallet for IOS will follow.
The transaction key is printed on it and physically stored together with another private key that unlocks the transaction key. (for example, vault, etc.) On eMark Website you can create and print your own eMark paper-wallet.
Special storage medium, usually in the form of a USB stick or chip, on which the transaction keys are also stored physically/offline (so-called "cold storage") and can be protected against unauthorized access by additional passwords. According to the overwhelming majority of experts, this is currently the safest form of storage. Unfortunately, no manufacturer currently offers an eMark compatible hardware wallet.
How do I install the eMark-Core-Wallet on a PC or Mac?
Download eMark-Core-Wallet (only from the official eMark-Website!)
Download bootstrap and unzip it
Move bootstrap files to the folder with the file "wallet.dat"
Launch eMark-Wallet
The eMark-wallet then automatically synchronizes itself with the eMark network. This usually takes several hours.
The bootstrap files do not necessarily have to be downloaded. However, they considerably shorten the synchronization with the eMark network, which can take several days without bootstrap.
Once installed and synchronized, the eMark wallet will automatically update itself with the eMark network each time it is started.
Can the eMark network be manipulated?
The eMark network cannot be manipulated because all transactions are stored in the blockchain and thus simultaneously on thousands of different computers worldwide. All newly added transactions are also first checked and confirmed by the eMark network and then integrated into the block chain.
Can eMark be stolen?
eMark cannot be stolen from the network by attacks on the eMark system.
However, attacks on the user himself can lead to the loss of his own eMark. As soon as an attacker reaches a private key, he also has access to the associated eMark credit.
An attacker can gain this access, for example, by malware or viruses that can spy on or copy the file "wallet.dat". The same is true for access to the computer itself (e. g. via WLAN), by hacking online storage devices such as Dropbox or iCloud (if private keys are stored there), or by fake wallets based on the original.
Every user is therefore responsible for the protection of his or her private keys, e. g. by encrypting the "wallet.dat" file with a secure password protected against unauthorized access.
Can you lose eMark?
Yes, you can also lose your eMarks permanently. For example, if you lose access to your private keys and thus also to the eMarks directly. Be it due to hard disk crash, other data loss, fire, water or theft. When storing the eMark in paper wallets, you will also no longer have access to your eMark, should such a paper wallet be irretrievably lost or irreparably destroyed.
The greatest danger when using a wallet installed on your own computer is the loss of the password with which the file "wallet.dat" was encrypted. The file is still there, but NOBODY in the world can decrypt this file again without the valid password.
Where can I get more help?
In the eMark-Forum or on social media plattforms you will find many answers to frequently asked questions about eMark. Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
Help us to improve the eMark with your suggestions and become part of the eMark community!
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The Smartest Studiers
The smartest studiers across the US: a new look at college rankings.
GUEST COLUMN | by Christopher Klundt
It’s pretty widely accepted that the annual U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings don’t capture everything prospective college students want to know about their schools of choice.
With the cost of attending college continuing to rise (the average student loan debt is $33,000) and high schoolers applying to more schools than ever, students are looking for new metrics to evaluate where they want to spend the next four years of their life. There are several factors to consider when deciding where to attend college — and traditional rankings often don’t paint the full picture.
Analyzing data on the study habits and success rates of 1.3 million students across 203 universities, our report provides a new way for students to determine the right school for them.
While things like SAT scores, graduation rates, and GPA show the results of individual student efforts, they don’t tell us much about the learning environment on campus. What about the study groups, review sessions or late nights in the library? Are students ultra-competitive or do they use each other as resources? Studies such as this one by Uri Treisman at University of California, Berkeley, prove that choosing a school where you surround yourself with dedicated peers and collaborate with classmates can lead to better results than studying alone.
That’s why my company decided to create the first annual ranking of the ‘Smartest Studiers’ at U.S. colleges and universities to answer these questions. Analyzing data on the study habits and success rates of 1.3 million students across 203 universities who use our app to share and study material, our report provides a new way for students to determine the right school for them.
Here are a few highlights:
It’s not all about the Ivies
State schools dominate the Ivy Leagues on our list of twenty schools with highest percentage of students reaching A-level mastery of their material on our app. At the top of the list is Indiana State University, which boasts 78% of its users reaching mastery, followed by University of Wyoming and Louisiana Tech University.
Our report shows that smart studiers often choose to stay in-state instead of breaking the bank elsewhere. Tuition costs just $8,416 per year at Indiana State University compared to $41,820 per year at Princeton University, the Ivy League university with the highest percentage of our users (52%) reaching mastery.
Sharing is caring at Washington State
Our users have studied and shared over 100 million digital notecards created by fellow learners on every subject imaginable. But the nerdiest notetakers are hiding out at Washington State University – Pullman, the campus that tops our list of twenty schools with the most popular digital notecards used by students outside of their own school.
Do STEM majors really have the most work?
Engineering and pre-med students tend to talk a lot about their heavy workload — but who’s really spending the most time at the library? Our report found that language majors, such as Slavic, Korean, Latin and Japanese, are the ones most likely to have their noses buried in their notes, while students taking statistics and organic chemistry often study the fewest notecards.
Check out the infographic for highlights or download the full report here!
Christopher Klundt is founder and CEO of StudyBlue, a crowdsourced learning app used by over 6.5 million students to master any subject.
Christopher Klundt •
college rankings data •
studyblue •
U.S. News & World Report •
US News and World Report
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Serena Williams Says Meghan Markle ‘Couldn’t Be A Better Friend To Me’
By Jamie Samhan. 11 Jul 2019 6:34 PM
REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
Meghan Markle has been making headlines for multiple reasons after her Wimbledon visit last week, but Serena Williams is backing her up.
From wearing jeans to the tennis whites match to asking for her photo not to be taken as she was there “in a private capacity,” criticism has been circling.
RELATED: Meghan Markle And Prince Harry To Attend European Premiere Of ‘The Lion King’ With Beyoncé
“Any time I see her name attached to anything, I don’t read it,” Williams said following her semi-final victory against Barbora Strycova when she was asked if the Duchess of Sussex was paying attention to the negative media. “She couldn’t be a better friend to me. Low moments, high moments —she’s always there. That’s all I want to be to her.”
Markle and Williams have been friends since 2014. The tennis champ and her hubby, Alexis Ohanian, attended Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
Williams also jointly hosted a lavish baby shower in New York for the Duchess before she gave birth to Archie.
RELATED: Meghan Markle Once Tried To Model On ‘The Wendy Williams’ Show
Royal fans are hoping for another glimpse of the Duchess at Wimbledon when Williams plays in the tournament’s finals.
While she is still on maternity leave, Markle has been making appearances here and there. Her next scheduled event will come when she joins Prince Harry at the London premiere of “The Lion King” where Beyoncé will also be walking the red carpet.
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle Royals Serena Williams Wimbleton
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Georgia: Abkhazia Hands Airport, Railway Over to Russian Management
In a move heavy with potential geopolitical ramifications, the breakaway region of Abkhazia has granted Russia 10-year management rights for its railway system and main airport.
"This is a not a sale. It's a transfer for a temporary period," de facto Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh announced on May 15, the Russian state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported. Georgia, which claims Abkhazia as its own territory, has not yet responded to the news of Russia's involvement in either project.
Under the deal with Russia, Abkhazia will receive a 2 million-ruble (about $62,270) credit from Moscow for reconstruction work on its railway. Bagapsh said that the work was needed so that the rail system would be capable of transporting raw supplies presumably needed for construction projects to Abkhazia's north, in the Russian Black Sea resort town of Sochi, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Russian participation in an eventual reopening of Sukhumi's Babushera airport had long been predicted by Abkhaz officials and politicians. Bagapsh indicated that the dual-runway airport could reopen for regular flights by June 2009. The airport currently only handles a few diplomatic flights, mostly those flying under United Nations auspices.
The International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency, has stated that reopening the airport could result in sanctions against participating airlines. How Abkhazia or its Russian partners would respond to such sanctions is not certain.
Georgia manages, finally, to hold Pride event
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Four contenders to run
Today, the European Green Party has launched the Green Primary to select its two leading candidates for next year's European election. From now until January 28, anyone in the EU aged 16 or over who supports Green values can participate. You can find out how on greenprimary.eu
16 year old Molly McKeagney from Ireland was the first to cast her vote. 16 year old Molly McKeagney from Ireland was the first to cast her vote.
16 year old Molly McKeagney from Ireland was the first to cast her vote.
We proudly present the Green Primary as a novel and innovative experiment in participatory European democracy. Greens want to reinvigorate European democracy. With the Green Primary, we not talk the talk, but also walk the walk. At today’s launch, the EGP presented the four contenders that will run in the Green Primary: José Bové from France, Monica Frassoni from Italy, Rebecca Harms from Germany, and Ska Keller who was nominated by the Federation of Young European Greens.
16 year old Molly McKeagney from the green isle, Ireland, was the first to cast her vote in front of an audience from across Europe. The four contenders will take part in debates in cities across Europe and online hangouts, to make sure that people casting their vote can make an informed decision. The winners will be the hearts and faces of the European Green family in the 2014 European election campaign.
Commenting on the launch, EGP Co-Chair Reinhard Bütikofer MEP said: “This is an important step in European democracy. Amidst the declining trust in EU institutions, we need new ideas. The Greens are the first to invite citizens to select our two leading candidates in an open Europe-wide online primary. Our innovative e-democracy project promotes the idea of giving Europe back to the people. Greens don't just talk about more participation and democracy, we’re living it! We want every European with a Green heart to help us chose who leads our campaign for the European Elections.” Find more information about the Green Primary and our contenders here.
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Project acronym XCHEM
Project XUV/X-ray lasers for ultrafast electronic control in chemistry
Researcher (PI) Fernando Martin Garcia
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID
Summary Advances in generating controlled few-cycle laser pulses and novel ultrashort XUV/Xray sources, from free electron laser (FEL)-based to attosecond high harmonic generation (HHG)-based, have opened completely new avenues for imaging electronic and nuclear dynamics in molecules, with exciting applications in physics, chemistry and biology. Processes such as ionization and dissociation of simple diatomic molecules can now be monitored in real time, but the access to few-femtosecond or attosecond time scales in the XUV/X-ray domain may also allow one to uncover and control the dynamics of elementary chemical processes such as, e.g., ultrafast charge migration, proton transfer, isomerization or multiple ionization, and to address new key questions about the role of attosecond coherent electron dynamics in chemical reactivity. The success of current experimental efforts in explaining these phenomena, present in many biological processes, is seriously limited due to the difficulty in their interpretation. In this respect, the implementation by the applicant’s group of nearly exact theoretical methods in supercomputers has made it possible to guide experimental research on simple systems. Such theoretical methods lie outside the traditional quantum chemistry realm since, e.g., they must accurately reproduce the time evolution of the coupled electronic and nuclear motions in the electronic and dissociative continua, including electron correlation and non-adiabatic effects. The necessary extension to systems of chemical interest, the current bottleneck in this field, requires extensive and novel theoretical developments along a similar direction. The aim of this project is to study the electronic and coupled electronic-nuclear dynamics in complex molecules at the attosecond or few-femtosecond time-scales, developing concepts and accurate theoretical tools to interpret the new generation of time-resolved experiments and to achieve ultrafast electronic control in chemistry.
Advances in generating controlled few-cycle laser pulses and novel ultrashort XUV/Xray sources, from free electron laser (FEL)-based to attosecond high harmonic generation (HHG)-based, have opened completely new avenues for imaging electronic and nuclear dynamics in molecules, with exciting applications in physics, chemistry and biology. Processes such as ionization and dissociation of simple diatomic molecules can now be monitored in real time, but the access to few-femtosecond or attosecond time scales in the XUV/X-ray domain may also allow one to uncover and control the dynamics of elementary chemical processes such as, e.g., ultrafast charge migration, proton transfer, isomerization or multiple ionization, and to address new key questions about the role of attosecond coherent electron dynamics in chemical reactivity. The success of current experimental efforts in explaining these phenomena, present in many biological processes, is seriously limited due to the difficulty in their interpretation. In this respect, the implementation by the applicant’s group of nearly exact theoretical methods in supercomputers has made it possible to guide experimental research on simple systems. Such theoretical methods lie outside the traditional quantum chemistry realm since, e.g., they must accurately reproduce the time evolution of the coupled electronic and nuclear motions in the electronic and dissociative continua, including electron correlation and non-adiabatic effects. The necessary extension to systems of chemical interest, the current bottleneck in this field, requires extensive and novel theoretical developments along a similar direction. The aim of this project is to study the electronic and coupled electronic-nuclear dynamics in complex molecules at the attosecond or few-femtosecond time-scales, developing concepts and accurate theoretical tools to interpret the new generation of time-resolved experiments and to achieve ultrafast electronic control in chemistry.
Project acronym XLASERS
Project X-RAY LASERS, PHOTON SCIENCE, AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
Researcher (PI) Janos Hajdu
Host Institution (HI) Uppsala University
Summary Theory predicts that with an ultra-short and very bright coherent X-ray pulse, a single diffraction pattern may be recorded from a large macromolecule, a virus, or a cell before the sample explodes and turns into a plasma. The over-sampled diffraction pattern permits phase retrieval and hence structure determination. The first free-electron lasers (FELs) capable to deliver ultra bright and very short X-ray pulses for such experiments have recently started operations. These are the most brilliant sources of X-rays to date, exceeding the peak brilliance of conventional synchrotrons by a factor of 10 billion. In the duration of a single flash, the beam focused to a micron-sized spot has the same power density as all the sunlight hitting the Earth, focused to a millimetre square. The interaction of an intense X-ray pulse with matter is profoundly different from that of an optical pulse. A necessary goal of the programme is to explore photon-material interactions in strong X-ray fields. Our aim in structural biology is to step beyond conventional damage limits and develop the science and technology required to enable high-resolution studies of single biological objects near the physical limits of imaging. Eligible targets include single virus particles, organelles, cells, nanocrystals, and isolated macromolecules. A particular aim of the planned work is to obtain high-resolution structures for giant viruses. The challenges engage an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon structural sciences, biology, atomic and plasma physics, optics and mathematics. The potential for breakthrough science is great with impact not only in biology or physics but wherever dynamic structural information with high spatial and temporal resolution is valuable. The overall relevance of the programme extends beyond basic science, to technologies of essential importance to a future Europe.
Theory predicts that with an ultra-short and very bright coherent X-ray pulse, a single diffraction pattern may be recorded from a large macromolecule, a virus, or a cell before the sample explodes and turns into a plasma. The over-sampled diffraction pattern permits phase retrieval and hence structure determination. The first free-electron lasers (FELs) capable to deliver ultra bright and very short X-ray pulses for such experiments have recently started operations. These are the most brilliant sources of X-rays to date, exceeding the peak brilliance of conventional synchrotrons by a factor of 10 billion. In the duration of a single flash, the beam focused to a micron-sized spot has the same power density as all the sunlight hitting the Earth, focused to a millimetre square. The interaction of an intense X-ray pulse with matter is profoundly different from that of an optical pulse. A necessary goal of the programme is to explore photon-material interactions in strong X-ray fields. Our aim in structural biology is to step beyond conventional damage limits and develop the science and technology required to enable high-resolution studies of single biological objects near the physical limits of imaging. Eligible targets include single virus particles, organelles, cells, nanocrystals, and isolated macromolecules. A particular aim of the planned work is to obtain high-resolution structures for giant viruses. The challenges engage an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon structural sciences, biology, atomic and plasma physics, optics and mathematics. The potential for breakthrough science is great with impact not only in biology or physics but wherever dynamic structural information with high spatial and temporal resolution is valuable. The overall relevance of the programme extends beyond basic science, to technologies of essential importance to a future Europe.
Project acronym XLS
Project "New Frontiers for Computational Solid Mechanics based on eXtended Level Set representation. Applications to damage mechanics, contact mechanics and stress analysis."
Researcher (PI) Nicolas Moës
Host Institution (HI) ECOLE CENTRALE DE NANTES
Summary "The present project intends to introduce new uses of the level set representation of surfaces in order to develop simulation methods able to solve problem currently unsatisfactorily addressed. Three main applications are targeted: localisation phenomena and very complex cracking patterns, precise determination of stresses around contact zones and, finally, introduction in reasonably coarse meshes of the mechanical influence of geometrically small but vitally important reinforcement for the structure safety (weld points, cables, fillets, …). We plan to address them with a unified technology, parts of which are already being incorporated in codes worldwide because of the contribution of the PI and colleagues in the past ten years. The PI is a specialist in the field of computational mechanics and has been the founder and among the major promoters of the eXtended Finite Element Method (X-FEM), now widely used for crack growth and material interfaces modelling. With the X-FEM, internal or external mechanical boundaries do not need to be explicitly meshed and may conveniently be stored as level sets. The project proposes new algorithm based an original and extended use of the level set concept in conjunction with the X-FEM : *Thick Level Set (TLS): We consider that the mechanical variable responsible for the localization of deformation in a softening behaviour (say damage for instance) is not local but tied to the movement of a degradation front located by a level set. *Inequality Level Set (ILS): We rephrase variational inequality formulation (such as contact) as shape optimization. The shape of the active contact zone is sought and represented by a level set. For any given level set location, a variational equality is solved and a sensitivity analysis is performed to update the level set location. *Subgrid Level Set (SLS): The structural features (cables, fillets, …) are represented on a subgrid different from the mesh used to perform the computation."
"The present project intends to introduce new uses of the level set representation of surfaces in order to develop simulation methods able to solve problem currently unsatisfactorily addressed. Three main applications are targeted: localisation phenomena and very complex cracking patterns, precise determination of stresses around contact zones and, finally, introduction in reasonably coarse meshes of the mechanical influence of geometrically small but vitally important reinforcement for the structure safety (weld points, cables, fillets, …). We plan to address them with a unified technology, parts of which are already being incorporated in codes worldwide because of the contribution of the PI and colleagues in the past ten years. The PI is a specialist in the field of computational mechanics and has been the founder and among the major promoters of the eXtended Finite Element Method (X-FEM), now widely used for crack growth and material interfaces modelling. With the X-FEM, internal or external mechanical boundaries do not need to be explicitly meshed and may conveniently be stored as level sets. The project proposes new algorithm based an original and extended use of the level set concept in conjunction with the X-FEM : *Thick Level Set (TLS): We consider that the mechanical variable responsible for the localization of deformation in a softening behaviour (say damage for instance) is not local but tied to the movement of a degradation front located by a level set. *Inequality Level Set (ILS): We rephrase variational inequality formulation (such as contact) as shape optimization. The shape of the active contact zone is sought and represented by a level set. For any given level set location, a variational equality is solved and a sensitivity analysis is performed to update the level set location. *Subgrid Level Set (SLS): The structural features (cables, fillets, …) are represented on a subgrid different from the mesh used to perform the computation."
Project acronym XXDNAM
Project How does the X chromosome regulate DNA methylation in pluripotent stem cells?
Researcher (PI) Steen Kian Thye Ooi
Summary Epigenetic processes regulate gene transcription states during cellular differentiation, playing key roles in the maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation. Epigenetic alterations are common in diseases such as in cancer and cognitive disorders. Understanding the mechanisms by which epigenetic states are inherited and propagated is of fundamental importance, and will help in the development of biomarkers for screening as well identification of targets for disease treatment. DNA methylation remains the best-characterized epigenetic process. XX pluripotent stem cells (Embryonic Stem (ES) and induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells) display genome-wide hypomethylation relative to XY stem cells but the mechanisms are unknown. This proposal will elucidate the pathways responsible. Irradiation Microcell-Mediated Chromosome Transfer (XMMCT) will be used to identify the critical region(s) of the X chromosome involved. In parallel and as an alternative approach, candidate X-linked genes will be over-expressed in XY ES cells to identify the factors responsible for global hypomethylation. Further insight will be provided using protein interaction screens using epitope-tagged versions of all active Dnmts as well as the known regulators URHF1 and Dnmt3L in XX and XY ES cells. The role of XX-induced hypomethylation in cellular reprogramming will be investigated by using different cell types from Oct4-GFP transgenic mice to examine whether iPS efficiency is affected by cells with a greater propensity to lose DNA methylation. Together these aims will elucidate the signals necessary to maintain global genomic DNA methylation. Aberrant loss is an important hallmark and contributor of disease that could be used for disease diagnosis and treatment. It could also be exploited to help improve the efficiency of cellular reprogramming for regenerative medicine.
Epigenetic processes regulate gene transcription states during cellular differentiation, playing key roles in the maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation. Epigenetic alterations are common in diseases such as in cancer and cognitive disorders. Understanding the mechanisms by which epigenetic states are inherited and propagated is of fundamental importance, and will help in the development of biomarkers for screening as well identification of targets for disease treatment. DNA methylation remains the best-characterized epigenetic process. XX pluripotent stem cells (Embryonic Stem (ES) and induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells) display genome-wide hypomethylation relative to XY stem cells but the mechanisms are unknown. This proposal will elucidate the pathways responsible. Irradiation Microcell-Mediated Chromosome Transfer (XMMCT) will be used to identify the critical region(s) of the X chromosome involved. In parallel and as an alternative approach, candidate X-linked genes will be over-expressed in XY ES cells to identify the factors responsible for global hypomethylation. Further insight will be provided using protein interaction screens using epitope-tagged versions of all active Dnmts as well as the known regulators URHF1 and Dnmt3L in XX and XY ES cells. The role of XX-induced hypomethylation in cellular reprogramming will be investigated by using different cell types from Oct4-GFP transgenic mice to examine whether iPS efficiency is affected by cells with a greater propensity to lose DNA methylation. Together these aims will elucidate the signals necessary to maintain global genomic DNA methylation. Aberrant loss is an important hallmark and contributor of disease that could be used for disease diagnosis and treatment. It could also be exploited to help improve the efficiency of cellular reprogramming for regenerative medicine.
Project acronym YIELD
Project Is there a limit to yield?
Researcher (PI) Daniel Zamir
Host Institution (HI) THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
Summary Plant breeders are challenged with sustaining global crop improvements. Is there a limit to crop yield? This project will address this central question using processing tomatoes as a model for a mechanized crop. By integrating in a single web-based platform of ‘Phenom Networks’ a broad germplasm base, deep phenotypes, and multiple genome sequences of tomato species, we will identify the genes and mechanisms that dictate crop productivity and implement them in the creation of next generation F1 hybrids. Our work is founded on our years of efforts to establish the following integrated genetic pillars: 1) The tomato genome revealed SNPs for broader marker-assisted selection between cultivated parents and untapped diversity from closely-related red-fruited ancestors. We will develop new elite parental lines into which all discovered traits will be introduced. 2) We will enrich the narrow genetic base of modern processing tomato by pyramiding recessive, additive, dominant and overdominant QTL from six wild species introgression lines (ILs) and field-test them in diverse environments. 3) By producing hybrids with ‘recessive’ deleterious mutants we have identified heterosis genes that increase yield by ~50%; these will be combined with the IL QTL. 4) Finally, we will focus on newly discovered “stability QTL” that significantly improve the reproducibility of yield effects by canalizing this phenotype in spite of environmental perturbations. This multi-faceted integrated tomato breeding effort will unite classical and genomics assisted methods with statistical genetics to demonstrate that yield barriers of the leading commercial hybrids are only there to be broken. We will clone the genes responsible for yield, domestication, heterosis, epistasis and canalization and explore their molecular action. I expect that the breeding concepts and methods developed through this project will lead the way to increased productivity of crops that are important for global food security.
Plant breeders are challenged with sustaining global crop improvements. Is there a limit to crop yield? This project will address this central question using processing tomatoes as a model for a mechanized crop. By integrating in a single web-based platform of ‘Phenom Networks’ a broad germplasm base, deep phenotypes, and multiple genome sequences of tomato species, we will identify the genes and mechanisms that dictate crop productivity and implement them in the creation of next generation F1 hybrids. Our work is founded on our years of efforts to establish the following integrated genetic pillars: 1) The tomato genome revealed SNPs for broader marker-assisted selection between cultivated parents and untapped diversity from closely-related red-fruited ancestors. We will develop new elite parental lines into which all discovered traits will be introduced. 2) We will enrich the narrow genetic base of modern processing tomato by pyramiding recessive, additive, dominant and overdominant QTL from six wild species introgression lines (ILs) and field-test them in diverse environments. 3) By producing hybrids with ‘recessive’ deleterious mutants we have identified heterosis genes that increase yield by ~50%; these will be combined with the IL QTL. 4) Finally, we will focus on newly discovered “stability QTL” that significantly improve the reproducibility of yield effects by canalizing this phenotype in spite of environmental perturbations. This multi-faceted integrated tomato breeding effort will unite classical and genomics assisted methods with statistical genetics to demonstrate that yield barriers of the leading commercial hybrids are only there to be broken. We will clone the genes responsible for yield, domestication, heterosis, epistasis and canalization and explore their molecular action. I expect that the breeding concepts and methods developed through this project will lead the way to increased productivity of crops that are important for global food security.
Project acronym YODA
Project Topographic signaling and spatial landmarks of key polarized neuro-developmental processes
Researcher (PI) Valérie Lucienne Corinne Castellani
Summary Polarization, which confers asymmetry at molecular, cellular and tissue scales, is a fascinating process establishing fundamental features of biological systems. In multicellular organisms, symmetry breaking triggers the specification of embryonic body axes, governing the positioning of subsequent morphogenetic processes. Cells and tissues acquire complex polarity features, which remarkably, are highly precisely positioned within the body axes. How are polarization processes spatially oriented remlains fully enigmatic. During the formation of the nervous system, some crucial processes are polarized. Likewise, the navigation of neuronal projections in the body is a typical polarized process, axons selecting specific pathways to reach their targets. Studies in this field established crucial roles for topographic cues in controlling the polarized growth of neuronal projections. Up to now, my lab has focused on axon guidance mechanisms and while investigating the links between spatial position and neural circuit formation, I became convinced that topographic signalling must be equally required to set other key polarized processes of the developing nervous system. For example in the neuroepithelium, progenitor division is polarized along the apico-basal axis of the neural tube. Likewise in the young post-mitotic neuron, precise coordinates along the body axes define the site where the axon emerges. First, we postulate the existence of a topographic signaling giving to neuronal cells (but this might be a more general case) landmarks of the different embryonic axes so that polarization takes place with appropriate spatial orientation. Second, we make the assumption that this topographic signalling is ensured by cues initially identified for their role during axon navigation. Our goals are to explore these issues, using as a model the sensorimotor circuits, where several processes can be investigated for questioning the interplay between polarity and topography.
Polarization, which confers asymmetry at molecular, cellular and tissue scales, is a fascinating process establishing fundamental features of biological systems. In multicellular organisms, symmetry breaking triggers the specification of embryonic body axes, governing the positioning of subsequent morphogenetic processes. Cells and tissues acquire complex polarity features, which remarkably, are highly precisely positioned within the body axes. How are polarization processes spatially oriented remlains fully enigmatic. During the formation of the nervous system, some crucial processes are polarized. Likewise, the navigation of neuronal projections in the body is a typical polarized process, axons selecting specific pathways to reach their targets. Studies in this field established crucial roles for topographic cues in controlling the polarized growth of neuronal projections. Up to now, my lab has focused on axon guidance mechanisms and while investigating the links between spatial position and neural circuit formation, I became convinced that topographic signalling must be equally required to set other key polarized processes of the developing nervous system. For example in the neuroepithelium, progenitor division is polarized along the apico-basal axis of the neural tube. Likewise in the young post-mitotic neuron, precise coordinates along the body axes define the site where the axon emerges. First, we postulate the existence of a topographic signaling giving to neuronal cells (but this might be a more general case) landmarks of the different embryonic axes so that polarization takes place with appropriate spatial orientation. Second, we make the assumption that this topographic signalling is ensured by cues initially identified for their role during axon navigation. Our goals are to explore these issues, using as a model the sensorimotor circuits, where several processes can be investigated for questioning the interplay between polarity and topography.
Project acronym YOUCITIZEN
Project Youth Citizenship in Divided Societies: Between Cosmpolitanism, Nation, and Civil Society
Researcher (PI) Lynn Staeheli
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM
Summary YouCitizen is a comparative, multi-level ethnographic research project that examines the efforts of international organisations, civil society organisations, and states to foster citizenship for youth in divided societies. In their efforts, agents working in such organisations often engage in paradoxical, if not contradictory, acts to promote both cosmopolitanism within civil society and national identities, even when aspects of national identity have been a source of division. A central premise of the research is that the outcomes of these efforts are conditioned by the contexts in which programmes for youth are delivered and enacted. In these contexts – which include histories of division and marginalisation, societal and communal norms, family histories, and the spaces of daily life – youth interpret and experience citizenship. YouCitizen’s critical intervention is in extending the examination of citizenship formation to consider the ways in which youth interpret, experience, and potentially remake citizenship that is different to, and may actually challenge, the forms of citizenship that organisations and states attempt to instil. The empirical foci of the study are the networks of organisations promoting citizenship and/or civic engagement, and youth, aged 15-24 in South Africa, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lebanon who have been involved with those programmes. It explores the goals of those organisations, their funding sources and activities to understand both the vision of citizenship they promote and the traditions and influences from which they draw; particular attention is paid to ideals and values associated with cosmopolitanism vis-à-vis the nation and the ways in which they address social division. Interviews and participant observation with youth explore the ways in which their experiences and understanding of citizenship are influenced by those programmes, but are also entwined with daily life in their homes and communities.
YouCitizen is a comparative, multi-level ethnographic research project that examines the efforts of international organisations, civil society organisations, and states to foster citizenship for youth in divided societies. In their efforts, agents working in such organisations often engage in paradoxical, if not contradictory, acts to promote both cosmopolitanism within civil society and national identities, even when aspects of national identity have been a source of division. A central premise of the research is that the outcomes of these efforts are conditioned by the contexts in which programmes for youth are delivered and enacted. In these contexts – which include histories of division and marginalisation, societal and communal norms, family histories, and the spaces of daily life – youth interpret and experience citizenship. YouCitizen’s critical intervention is in extending the examination of citizenship formation to consider the ways in which youth interpret, experience, and potentially remake citizenship that is different to, and may actually challenge, the forms of citizenship that organisations and states attempt to instil. The empirical foci of the study are the networks of organisations promoting citizenship and/or civic engagement, and youth, aged 15-24 in South Africa, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lebanon who have been involved with those programmes. It explores the goals of those organisations, their funding sources and activities to understand both the vision of citizenship they promote and the traditions and influences from which they draw; particular attention is paid to ideals and values associated with cosmopolitanism vis-à-vis the nation and the ways in which they address social division. Interviews and participant observation with youth explore the ways in which their experiences and understanding of citizenship are influenced by those programmes, but are also entwined with daily life in their homes and communities.
Project acronym ZFISHSLEEP
Project Resolving the Neuropharmacology and Genetics of Zebrafish Sleep
Researcher (PI) Jason Rihel
Summary Sleep is a fundamental process, yet the genetic and neural mechanisms that regulate sleep are largely unknown. We have developed the zebrafish as a model system to study the regulation of sleep because it combines the genetics of invertebrates with the basic brain structures that regulate sleep in humans. We previously designed high throughput behavioural assays to measure sleep behaviours in the fish and used genetic tools to demonstrate that the wake-regulating hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt) system is functionally conserved in the zebrafish. We have also used our assays to perform a small molecule screen and identified both conserved and novel candidate regulators of sleep in zebrafish. In Aim 1, we will observe the behaviour of wild type and Hcrt receptor mutants to a panel of small molecules known to alter zebrafish sleep. This aim tests the hypothesis that these compounds exert their effects on sleep and wake through the Hcrt system. In Aim 2, we will follow-up on the compounds that had differential effects in the mutants. We will monitor the activity of Hcrt neurons in response to drugs using a new neuroluminescent technique to observe the activity of neurons in freely behaving zebrafish larvae. This Aim will extend the behavioural data to the level of neural circuits. In Aim 3, we will use new methods to globally observe neuronal activity in the zebrafish brain to extend our analysis to neurons thought to interact with the Hcrt system. By observing activity across the sleep/wake cycle, we may also uncover novel sleep regulating neurons. Overall, this project takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of sleep and the Hcrt system, leveraging new methods from chemical biology, molecular genetics, and behavioural neuroscience in the zebrafish. As little is known about the mechanisms and sites of action for most sleep-altering compounds, any progress would advance the sleep field and could have clinical relevance to the treatment of sleep disorders.
Sleep is a fundamental process, yet the genetic and neural mechanisms that regulate sleep are largely unknown. We have developed the zebrafish as a model system to study the regulation of sleep because it combines the genetics of invertebrates with the basic brain structures that regulate sleep in humans. We previously designed high throughput behavioural assays to measure sleep behaviours in the fish and used genetic tools to demonstrate that the wake-regulating hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt) system is functionally conserved in the zebrafish. We have also used our assays to perform a small molecule screen and identified both conserved and novel candidate regulators of sleep in zebrafish. In Aim 1, we will observe the behaviour of wild type and Hcrt receptor mutants to a panel of small molecules known to alter zebrafish sleep. This aim tests the hypothesis that these compounds exert their effects on sleep and wake through the Hcrt system. In Aim 2, we will follow-up on the compounds that had differential effects in the mutants. We will monitor the activity of Hcrt neurons in response to drugs using a new neuroluminescent technique to observe the activity of neurons in freely behaving zebrafish larvae. This Aim will extend the behavioural data to the level of neural circuits. In Aim 3, we will use new methods to globally observe neuronal activity in the zebrafish brain to extend our analysis to neurons thought to interact with the Hcrt system. By observing activity across the sleep/wake cycle, we may also uncover novel sleep regulating neurons. Overall, this project takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of sleep and the Hcrt system, leveraging new methods from chemical biology, molecular genetics, and behavioural neuroscience in the zebrafish. As little is known about the mechanisms and sites of action for most sleep-altering compounds, any progress would advance the sleep field and could have clinical relevance to the treatment of sleep disorders.
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Director of the United States Census Bureau
Chief administrator of the United States Census Bureau
Steven Dillingham, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau
The Director of the Bureau of the Census is the chief administrator of the United States Census Bureau (USCB). The officeholder is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate and assisted by the Deputy Director of the United States Census Bureau.
1 History of the office
2 Chronology of Census Bureau leadership
2.1 Secretaries of State
2.2 Superintending Clerks of the Census
2.3 Superintendents of the Census
2.4 Directors of the Census Bureau
History of the office[edit]
The nominal head of the early censuses was the Secretary of State, but management responsibility was actually devolved to the U.S. marshal in each state. These marshals collected and tabulated their own returns; the Secretary of State only oversaw the final compilation and tabulation of the data.[1]
By 1840, the increasing standardization of census questionnaires and the enumeration process made it clear that more leadership at the federal level was necessary. Secretary of State John Forsyth appointed William Augustus Weaver as the first "superintending clerk of the census" in that year. Weaver and his successors oversaw the technical aspects of the census, including designing questionnaires, and more closely managed the tabulation process.[1]
By 1870, the leader of the Census Office was the "superintendent of the census." The superintendent oversaw the entire census-taking process, and usually held the position from a year before the census until the final tabulations had been published.[1]
After the Census Office became a permanent agency in 1902, the first director was the incumbent superintendent, William Rush Merriam. He set the standard for many directors of the U.S. Census Bureau over the next hundred years by focusing on external issues such as congressional testimony and leaving technical operations to the experts.[1]
In 2012, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011[2] set the term for the Census Bureau director at five years; the director can serve for up to two terms. The Census director must also "have a demonstrated ability in managing large organizations and experience in the collection, analysis, and use of statistical data."
Chronology of Census Bureau leadership[edit]
The following is a chronological list of those who supervised the Census of the United States.[1]
Secretaries of State[edit]
The Secretary of State was the nominal director of the first five censuses, responsible for supervision and compilation of each U.S. marshal's tabulation. In reality, these cabinet officers did very little actual directing. The authorizing legislation for most early censuses was very specific, and the marshals oversaw the actual enumeration process.[3]
1 Thomas Jefferson 1790
2 John Marshall 1800
3 Robert Smith 1810
4 John Quincy Adams 1820
5 Martin Van Buren 1830
Superintending Clerks of the Census[edit]
Beginning in 1840 and continuing for the succeeding three censuses, operations and oversight were directed by a superintending clerk of the census.[4] Also, the Census Office shut down after it finished publishing the results of each census. Because of this, there were several periods in the nineteenth century in which there was no director.[5]
1 William Augustus Weaver 1840
2 Joseph Camp Griffith Kennedy 1850–1853
3 James Dunwoody Brownson DeBow 1853–1855
Superintendents of the Census[edit]
1 Francis Amasa Walker 1870
2 Francis Amasa Walker 1879–1881
3 Charles W. Seaton 1881–1885
4 Robert Percival Porter 1889–1893
5 Carroll D. Wright 1893–1897
6 William Rush Merriam 1899–1902
Directors of the Census Bureau[edit]
The Census Bureau became a permanent agency in 1902.[5]
2 Simon Newton Dexter North 1903–1909
3 Edward Dana Durand 1909–1913
4 William J. Harris 1913–1915
5 Samuel Lyle Rogers 1915–1921
6 William Mott Steuart 1921–1933
7 William Lane Austin 1933–1941
8 James Clyde Capt 1941–1949
9 Roy Victor Peel 1950–1953
10 Robert Wilbur Burgess 1953–1961
11 Richard M. Scammon 1961–1965
12 A. Ross Eckler 1965–1969
13 George Hay Brown 1969–1973
14 Vincent Barabba 1973–1976
15 Manuel D. Plotkin 1977–1979
Vincent Barabba 1979–1981
16 Bruce Chapman 1981–1983
17 John G. Keane 1984–1987
18 Barbara Everitt Bryant 1989–1993
19 Martha Farnsworth Riche 1994–1998
20 Kenneth Prewitt 1998–2001
21 Charles Louis Kincannon 2002–2008
22 Steve H. Murdock 2008–2009
23 Robert M. Groves 2009–2012
24 John H. Thompson 2013–June 30, 2017
25 Ron Jarmin (acting) June 30, 2017– January 7, 2019
26 Steven Dillingham January 7, 2019– present
^ a b c d e https://www.census.gov/history/www/census_then_now/director_biographies/
^ http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-112publ166/html/PLAW-112publ166.htm
^ https://www.census.gov/history/www/director_biographies/010880.html
^ a b https://www.census.gov/history/www/director_biographies/010925.html
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Director_of_the_United_States_Census_Bureau&oldid=890054664"
Directors of the United States Census Bureau
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(Redirected from Johann Lavater)
"Lavater" redirects here. For the surname, see Lavater (surname).
Find sources: "Johann Kaspar Lavater" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Johann Kaspar Lavater, by August Friedrich Oelenhainz
Johann Kaspar (or Caspar) Lavater (Alemannic German: [ˈlɒːv̥ɒtər];[1] 15 November 1741 – 2 January 1801) was a Swiss poet, writer, philosopher, physiognomist and theologian.
2 Corruption fighter
3 Zwinglian
4 Physiognomy
5 Poet
6 Goethe
7 Blake
8 Last days
Lavater was born in Zürich, and was educated at the Gymnasium there, where J. J. Bodmer and J. J. Breitinger were amongst his teachers.
Corruption fighter[edit]
At barely twenty-one years of age, Lavater greatly distinguished himself by denouncing, in conjunction with his friend Henry Fuseli the painter, an iniquitous magistrate, who was compelled to make restitution of his ill-gotten gains.
Zwinglian[edit]
In 1769 Lavater took Holy Orders in Zurich's Zwinglian Church, and officiated until his death as deacon or pastor in churches in his native city. His oratorical fervor and genuine depth of conviction gave him great personal influence; he was extensively consulted as a casuist, and was welcomed with enthusiasm on his journeys throughout Germany. His writings on mysticism were widely popular as well.
In the same year (1769), Lavater tried to convert Moses Mendelssohn to Christianity, by sending him a translation of Charles Bonnet's Palingénésie philosophique, and demanding that he either publicly refute Bonnet's arguments or convert. Mendelssohn refused to do either, and many prominent intellectuals took Mendelssohn's side, including Lichtenberg and Herder.
Physiognomy[edit]
Image of woodcut from Physiognomische Fragmente zur Beförderung der Menschenkenntnis und Menschenliebe (1775-1778)
Lavater is most well known for his work in the field of physiognomy, Physiognomische Fragmente zur Beförderung der Menschenkenntnis und Menschenliebe, published between 1775 and 1778. He introduced the idea that physiognomy related to the specific character traits of individuals, rather than general types.[2]
The fame of this book, which found admirers in France and England as well as Germany, rests largely upon the handsome style of publication and the accompanying illustrations.[citation needed]
The two principal sources from which Lavater developed his physiognomical studies were the writings of the Italian polymath Giambattista della Porta, and the observations made by Sir Thomas Browne in his Religio Medici (translated into German in 1748 and praised by Lavater).
Poet[edit]
Lavater's Apparatus for Taking Silhouettes.--(From an ancient engraving of 1783)
As a poet, Lavater published Christliche Lieder (1776–1780) and two epics, Jesus Messias (1780) and Joseph von Arimathia (1794), in the style of Klopstock. More relevant to the religious temperament of Lavater's times are his introspective Aussichten in die Ewigkeit (4 vols. 1768-1778), Geheimes Tagebuch von einem Beobachter seiner selbst (2 vols., 1772–1773), and Pontius Pilatus, oder der Mensch in allen Gestalten (4 vols., 1782–1785).
Goethe[edit]
From 1774 on, Goethe was intimately acquainted with Lavater, but later had a falling out with him, accusing him of superstition and hypocrisy.
Blake[edit]
In 1788 William Blake annotated Lavater's Aphorisms of Man.[3][4] Lavater published 632 aphorisms in all. Blake considered the following aphorism to be an excellent example of an aphorism. "40. Who, under pressing temptations to lie, adheres to truth, nor to the profane betrays aught of a sacred trust, is near the summit of wisdom and virtue."
Last days[edit]
During his later years, Lavater's influence waned, and he incurred considerable ridicule due to his vanity. His conduct during the French occupation of Switzerland brought about his death. On the taking of Zürich by the French in 1799, Lavater, while trying to appease the aggressors, was shot by an infuriated grenadier; he died over a year later, after protracted sufferings borne with great fortitude.
The Swiss artist and illustrator, Warja Honegger-Lavater, was a direct descendent of Johann Kaspar Lavater.
Vermischte Schriften (2 vols., 1774–1781)
Kleinere prosaische Schriften (3 vols., 1784–1785)
Nachgelassene Schriften (5 vols., 1801–1802)
Sämtliche Werke (poems only; 6 vols., 1836–1838)
Ausgewählte Schriften (8 vols., 1841–1844).
^ "How to pronounce Lavater". Forvo.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
^ J. Arianne Baggerman; Rudolf M. Dekker; Michael James Mascuch (22 June 2011). Controlling Time and Shaping the Self: Developments in Autobiographical Writing Since the Sixteenth Century. BRILL. p. 250–. ISBN 90-04-19500-9.
^ Aphorisms of Man
^ Annotations to Lavater's Aphorisms on Man
The Faces of physiognomy : interdisciplinary approaches to Johann Caspar Lavater. Edited by Ellis Shookman. Columbia, SC : Camden House, 1993. (ISBN 1879751518)
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Lavater, Johann Kaspar" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Johann Kaspar Lavater
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Johann Kaspar Lavater.
Works by Johann Kaspar Lavater at Project Gutenberg
Works by or about Johann Kaspar Lavater at Internet Archive
Works by Johann Kaspar Lavater at Open Library
Publications by and about Johann Kaspar Lavater in the catalogue Helveticat of the Swiss National Library
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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johann_Kaspar_Lavater&oldid=868873755"
People from Zürich
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The Newspaper World
The Newspaper World (1890)
by Alfred Baker
2538073The Newspaper WorldAlfred Baker1890
This work is incomplete. If you'd like to help expand it, see the help pages and the style guide, or leave a comment on this work's talk page.
NEWSPAPER WORLD:
ESSAYS ON
PRESS HISTORY AND WORK,
PAST AND PRESENT,
ALFRED BAKER,
Member of the Institute of Journalists (Incorporated).
"The Press is the impersonation of a grand cosmopolitan Revolution,—not revolution in the anarchic or worst sense of the term, but in the sense of a great moral, social, and political transformation."—James Grant.
LONDON: ISAAC PITMAN & SONS, 1 AMEN CORNER,
PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.
BATH: PHONETIC INSTITUTE.
NEW YORK: 3 EAST FOURTEENTH STREET.
CONTENTS.
I. — Origin of British Newspapers to the Abolition of the Censorship
II. — From the Imposition of the Stamp Duty to Mr Fox's Libel Bill ...
III. — London and County Newspapers of the Eighteenth Century
IV.~The Struggle for Freedom
V. — Development of the Free Press
VI. — Organization of Journalism
VII. — Old and New Journalism — London
VIII. — Old and New Journalism — Provincial
IX.— The Telegraph and the Press
X. — Editors and Leading Articles
XI. — Special Correspondents
XII. — "Our London Correspondent"
XIII.— The Sub-Editor
XIV.— The Reporter ...
XV.— The Reporter at Work
XVI.—Liners and Lineage
XVII. — Women as Journalists
XVIII Newspapers as Party Organs
XIX. Art and Literary Criticism
XX.— The Press of Greater Britain
PREFACE.
In the following chapters the attempt has been made to present in a succinct form the chief incidents in the history of British Journalism, from its early days down to the granting of the Royal Charter—a period of more than two centuries-and-a-half—and to give some account of the journalist's vocation, in all its varied phases, in the present day.
The story of the struggle and ultimate triumph of the Press of our land over Government censorship, repressive laws, crushing fiscal imposts, and all the forces of prejudice and ignorance, forms a branch of national history as important, as interesting, and as full of lessons for the present and the future, as any part of the narrative of the struggle for religious and political liberty. In a compendious volume like the present—where the historical retrospect forms only a portion of the scheme of contents—it is possible to present only the outlines of newspaper history, but it is hoped that what has been written may prove a useful introduction to the study of such works as the late Mr James Grant's "The Newspaper Press," and Mr H. R. Fox Bourne's "English Newspapers." The long and interesting story of Parliamentary reporting has not been touched on, because it was felt that to treat it adequately would need, not a chapter, but a volume.
For the general reader, some account is given of the functions of the various members of the newspaper staff in the present day, from the editor downwards, and—without making the description at all technical — the conditions of newspaper production and the methods of work have been described in a fashion which it is hoped will interest and inform, and at the same time serve to clear away some of the misconceptions which still exist in the public mind on these subjects. It is not imagined that in this there is much, if anything, which is not familiar to every member of the profession to which the author feels it an honor to belong, but he claims at least to have endeavored to portray faithfully and describe truthfully newspaper workers and work as they exist.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=The_Newspaper_World&oldid=8898844"
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November 10, 2013 | Article about November 10, 2013 by The Free Dictionary
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/November+10%2c+2013
American Indian Heritage Month (November)
Edmund Fitzgerald Anniversary (On the Sunday closest to November 10)
Horse Show and Rodeo American Royal Livestock (October-November)
Kristallnacht (November 9-10)
La Quintaine (Second Sunday in November)
Martinsfest (November 10-11)
Plebeian Games (November 4-17)
St. Martin's Eve
Celebrated in: Estonia
Stewardship Sunday (Second Sunday in November)
Legal Holidays by Countries
Independence Proclamation Panama
<a href="https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/November+10%2c+2013">November 10, 2013</a>
108 houses were completely destroyed and 250 partially damaged as a result of the earthquake on November 10, 2013.
New village for victims of devastating earthquake under construction in Tajikistan
Previous results from earlier phases of expansion drilling on the Bluelite deposit were reported in the Company's November 10, 2013, November 20, 2013 and December 16, 2013 news releases.
Canada : Scorpio Gold Reports Final Results from 2013 Expansion Drilling at the Bluelite Satellite Deposit, Mineral Ridge Project, Nevada
Earlier, senior Haqqani Network leader Dr Nasiruddin Haqqani was shot dead near Islamabad on November 10, 2013.
Afghan Taliban leader gunned down in Peshawar
Subsequent to the market disclosure on November 10, 2013, on the bank's exit from its associate investment in Mangal Keshav Securities, the Indian securities firm, through a share buyback by the company, the bank has considered during the year, an impairment of 2.
Bank Muscat net profit surge by 9.3 per cent in 2013
Minister of Finance and Minister in charge of Oil and Gas Affairs Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa stated that the decision was made in line with the Cabinet meeting held on November 10, 2013, in which the government subsidy to asphalt and the best means to ensure that the citizens are the first to benefit from government subsidies were examined.
NOGA: asphalt to be sold according to global market's prices
November 10, 2013 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Expatriates Affairs Organ (EAO) has formed an emergency committee to follow up on the conditions of the deportees from Saudi Arabia and announced its readiness to facilitate their entry through coordination with the relevant authorities.
Sudan preparing for influx of deportees from Saudi Arabia
November 10, 2013 More than 20 years have passed since Iraq's occupation of Kuwait and the fate of hundreds of Kuwaitis and other nationals remains unknown.
In memory of those missing since Iraq''s 1990 invasion of Kuwait
The voucher is valid for use today, Sunday, November 10, 2013, only.
FREE ERASERLAND SET
It added that Amiri assumed his duties from November 10, 2013.
Ajman Bank names Amiri as new CEO
com)-- Ethics, contracts and procedure will be among the many Third Party Reproduction topics to be discussed at the Mills House, Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon, November 10, 2013.
Charleston Assisted Reproduction Technology Conference
Phone: + 974 4531032; 44738000 Fax: + 974 44833855 Closing date: November 10, 2013
None would be issued the permission letter after November 10, 2013.
FIRs to be lodged against violators of road cutting
Novella, Agostino
Novelli, Ermete
Novello, Antonia C.
novelty flooring
novelty siding
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Millettia pinnata
January 4, 2018 January 4, 2018 by Webmaster
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre [2] is a species of tree in the pea family, Fabaceae , native in tropical and temperate Asia Including parts of Indian subcontinent , China , Japan , Malesia ,Australia and Pacific islands . [1] [3] [4] It is Often Known by the synonym Pongamia pinnata As It Was Moved to the genus Millettia only recently. Common names include Indian beech ,Magul karanda (මැගුල් කරන්ද in Sinhala) Pongam oiltree , karanj ( Hindi ), honge / karajata (ಹೊಂಗೆ / ಕರಜಾತ in Kannada ), pungai (புங்கை in Tamil ), kānuga (కానుగ in Telugu ), karach (করচ গাছ in Bengali ), naktamāla (नक्तमाल in Sanskrit ), Sukh Chain (سکھ چین in Urdu ).
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Stone is a vegetable tree that grows to about 15-25 meters (50-80 ft) in height with a wide canopy which spreads equally wide. It can be deciduous for short periods. It has a straight gold crooked trunk, 50-80 centimeters (20-30 in) in diameter, with gray-brown bark which is smooth or vertically fissured. Branches are glabrous with pale stipulate scars. The imparipinnate leaves of the tree alternate and are short-stalked, rounded or cuneateat the base, ovate or oblong along the length, obtuse-acuminate at the apex, and not toothed on the edges. They are a soft, shiny burgundy when young and mature to a glossy, deep green as the season progresses with prominent veins underneath. [5]
Flowering all starts after 3-4 years with small clusters of white, purple, and pink flowers blossoming throughout the year. The raceme -like inflorescence bear two to four flowers which are strongly fragrant and grow to be 15-18 millimeters (0.59-0.71 in) long. The calyx of the flowers is bell-shaped and truncate, while the corolla is a rounded ovate shape with basal auricles and often with a central blotch of green color. [4] [6]
Croppings of indehiscent pods can occur by 4-6 years. The brown seed pods appear immediately after flowering and mature in 10 to 11 months. The pods are thick-walled, smooth, somewhat flattened and elliptical, slightly curved with a short, curved point. The pods contain within one of two bean-like brownish-red seeds, but because they do not break open naturally the pods need to decompose before the seeds can germinate. The seeds are about 1.5-2.5 centimeters (0.59-0.98 in) long, with a brittle, oily coat and are unpalatable to herbivores. [5] [6]
Naturally distributed in tropical and temperate Asia, from India to Japan to Malesia to north and north-eastern Australia to some Pacific islands; [1] [4] It has been propagated and distributed over the world in humid and subtropical environments to 1200m, although in the Himalayan foothills it is not above 600m. [7] Withstanding temperatures below 0 ° C (32 ° F) and up to about 50 ° C (120 ° F) and annual rainfall of 500-2,500 mm (20-100 in), the tree grows wild on sandy and rocky soils, including oolitic limestone , and will grow in most soil types, even with its roots in salt water. [8]
The tree is well suited to intense heat and sunlight and its dense network of lateral roots and its thick, long taproot make it drought-tolerant. The dense shade It provides slows the evaporation of Surface Water and Its root nodules Promote nitrogen fixation , a symbiotic process by qui gaseous nitrogen (N 2 ) from the air is converted into ammonium (NH 4 + , a form of nitrogen available to the plant ). M. pinnata is also a fresh water flooded forest species as it can survive total submergence. M. pinnata tree is the pioneer tree in Ratargul fresh water flooded forestin Bangladesh and Tonlesap lake in Cambodia
Millettia pinnata is an outbreeding diploid legume tree, with a diploid chromosome number of 22. [6] Root nodules are of the determinate type (as those on soybean and common bean) formed by the causative bacterium Bradyrhizobium .
Millettia pinnata is renowned for its shade and is well known in its medicinal properties. It is also grown as a host plant for lake insects. The tree is also one of the food plants for Common Cerulean ( Jamides celeno ). The seeds contain pongam oil that is now being explored as an alternative fuel source.
Pongamia pinnata (L.) is well-adapted to arid areas and has many traditional uses. It is often used for landscaping purposes as a windbreak or for shade of the canopy and showy fragrant flowers. The flowers are used by gardeners and compost for plants requiring rich nutrients . The bark can be used to make a dirty beer. The wood is said to be beautifully broken down and easily relegated to firewood , posts, and tool handles. [7]
While the oil and residue of the plant are toxic and will Induce nausea and vomiting if Ingested, the fruits and sprouts, along with the seeds, are used in Many traditional remedies. [8] Juices from the plant, are antiseptic [ medical citation needed ] and resistant to pests. In addition M. pinnata has the rare property of producing seeds of 25-40% lipid content of which half is oleic acid . [9] Oil made from the seeds, Known As pongamia oil , is significant year asset of this tree and has-been used as lamp oil , in soapmaking, and as a lubricant for thousands of years. The oil: has a high glad of triglycerides , and Its disagreeable taste and odor are due to bitter flavonoid constituents Including karanjin , pongamol , tannin and karanjachromene . [8] It can be grown in rainwater harvesting up to 6 m (20 ft) in water depth with its greenery and remaining useful for biodiesel production. [10]
The residue of oil extraction, called a cake, is used as a fertilizer and animal feed for ruminants and poultry. [11]
Long used as tree shade, M. pinnata is heavily self-seeding and can spread lateral roots up to 9 m (30 ft) over its lifetime. If not managed it can Carefully Quickly Become a Leading weed Some, Including Miami-Dade County , to label the tree as an invasive species . [12] However this dense network of lateral roots makes this tree ideal for controlling soil erosion and binding sand dunes . [7]
Research efforts
The seed oil has-been found to be Useful in diesel generators and, along with Jatropha and Castor , it is in being white Explored Hundreds of projects Throughout India and the third world as feedstock for biodiesel . [13] It is particularly attractive because it grows naturally over much of India, having very deep roots to reach water, and is one of the few crops well-suited to India’s large population of rural poor. Several unelectrified villages have recently used pongamia oil , simple processing techniques, and diesel generators to create their own grid systems to run water pumps and electric lighting. [14]
In 1997 the Indian Institute of Science started researching and Promoting the use of the seed oil as a vegetable oil fuel for stationary generators for electricity and irrigation pumps in the rural areas of Karnataka and Andhra . The program, SuTRA, successfully demonstrated the sustainability of such use in many villages all over India. [ quote needed ]
In 2003, the Himalayan Institute of Biofuel Rural Development Initiative initiated a campaign of education and public awareness to rural farmers. M. pinnata in two Indian states. One of the Himalayan Institute’s partners has Developed Consistently high yield scion That Reduced the time it takes to mature from 10 years to as little as three. To help the farmers in the transition to the pinnata of the Indian government has contributed $ 30 million in low-interest loans and donated 4.5 million kg (5,000 short tones)) of rice to sustain impoverished drought-stricken farmers Since the project began in 2003 over 20 million trees have been planted and 45,000 farmers are now involved. [15]
In 2006, the Himalayan Institute began to look for locations in Africa to transplant M. pinnata into. Initially they started in Uganda but the lack of infrastructure and growing desertification has been growing slowly. They also began a project in the Kumbo region of Cameroon where conditions are better. There were some suggestions that Mr Pinnata could be grown all over the continent as a way to prevent the encroachment of the Sahara . [16]
The University of Queensland node of the Australian Research Council Center for Excellence in Legume Research, under the directorship of Professor Peter Gresshoff, in conjunction with Pacific Renewable Energy ares currently working is Mr. pinnata for commercial use for the manufacture of biofuel. Projects ares currently Focused on understanding aspects of M. pinnataIncluding root biology, nodulation, nitrogen fixation, domestication genes, grafting, salinity tolerance, and the genetics of the oil producing pathways. Emphasis is given to analyzing carbon sequestration (in relation to carbon credits) and nitrogen gain.
Research has also been used as a feedstock, supplemented by the production of high-protein feeds, and byproducts contain up to 30% protein. Other studies have shown some potential for biocidal activity against V. cholerae and E. coli , as well as anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive (reduction in sensitivity to painful stimuli) and antipyretic (reduction in fever) properties. There is no doubt that M. pinnata can be used as a natural insecticide . [17]
Solar power in India
Millettia pinnata seed oil
^ Jump up to:a b c “Millettia pinnata” . Germplasm Resources Information Network(GRIN) . Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) . Retrieved 2010-05-02 .
Jump up^ http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/ild-4759
Jump up^ “Plant profile for Millettia pinnata (pongame oiltree)” . PLANTS Profile. United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 2012-03-30 .
^ Jump up to:a b c Hyland, BPM ; Whiffin, T .; Zich, FA; et al. (Dec 2010). “Factsheet –Millettia pinnata ” . Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants . Edition 6.1, online version [RFK 6.1]. Cairns, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), through its Division of Plant Industry; the Center for Australian National Biodiversity Research; the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University . Retrieved 14 Mar2013 .
^ Jump up to:a b Orwa C .; Mutua A .; Kindt R .; Jamnadass R .; Simons A. (2009). “Pongamia pinnata, Fabaceae – Papilionoideae, (L.) Pierre, pongam, karanj, karanga, kanji” (PDF) . Agroforestry Database version 4.0 . Retrieved 2013-11-27 .
^ Jump up to:a b c “Weed Risk Assessment: Pongamia” (PDF) . Daff.qld.gov.au . Retrieved 2013-11-21 .
^ Jump up to:a b c Pongamia pinnata – a nitrogen fixing tree for oilseed
^ Jump up to:a b c “Factsheet from New Disciplines at Purdue University” . Hort.purdue.edu. 1998-01-08 . Retrieved 2013-09-28 .
Jump up^ “Pongamia Factsheet” (PDF) . Retrieved 2013-09-28 .
Jump up^ “Rain water harvesting by fresh water flooded forests” . Scribd.com . Retrieved 2013-09-28 .
Jump up^ Heuze V., Tran G., Delagarde R., Hassoun P., Bastianelli D., Lebas F., 2017. Karanja (Millettia pinnata). Feedipedia, a program by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/636
Jump up^ “Miam-Dade County Invasive Plants” (PDF) . Retrieved 2013-09-28 .
Jump up^ Karmee, SK; Chadha, A (2005). “Preparation of biodiesel from crude oil of Pongamia pinnata”. Bioresource technology . 96 (13): 1425-9. doi :10.1016 / j.biortech.2004.12.011 . PMID 15939268 .
Jump up^ “On Biodiesel” . Tve.org. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-28 .
Jump up^ Himalayan Institute
Jump up^ “Biodiesel in Africa” . Riverreporter.com. 2006-01-18 . Retrieved 2013-09-28 .
Jump up^ Scott, Paul T .; Pregelj, Lisette; Chen, Ning; Hadler, Johanna S .; Djordjevic, Michael A .; Gresshoff, Peter M. (2008). “Pongamia pinnata: An Untapped Resource for the Biofuels Industry of the Future”. BioEnergy Research . 1 : 2. doi : 10.1007 / s12155-008-9003-0 .
Categories Biodiesel feedstock sources, Biomass, Energy crops Post navigation
Jatropha curcas
Pongamia oil
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 01, 2015: Panning shot of passenger airplane of Russian airlines Aeroflot building up speed and flying-off from Sheremetyevo Airport
Editorial: Yes
4KMOV (mjpeg) - 1038.7 MB
HDMOV (h264) - 455.2 MB
HDMP4 (h264) - 55.1 MB
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 01, 2015: Panning shot of passenger plane of Korean Air airline moving on take-off runway and passing by fire truck at Sheremetyevo Airport
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 01, 2015: Panning shot of yellow aircraft tow tractor moving on take-off strip at Sheremetyevo Airport. SCHOPF is a powerful engine capable to tug largest airplanes, made in Germany
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 1, 2015: Passenger plane is moving in the Sheremetyevo airport.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 01, 2015: Panning shot of a passenger airplane moving on the airport area. Aeroflot is the largest airline in the Russian Federation
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 01, 2015: Panning shot of Sheremetyevo International Airport with many airplanes, moving trucks and terminal buildings on its territory
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - AUGUST 07, 2017: Aeroflot passenger airliner taking off and flying against orange evening sky. Sheremetyevo International Airport
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 01, 2018: Airplane of Aeroflot airlines taxiing on runway after landing and slowing down, winter view at Sheremetyevo Airport
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 01, 2018: Aircraft Airbus A320 of Aeroflot airlines on high speed on runway and taking off, winter view. Departure from Sheremetyevo Airport
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 23, 2018: Aircraft Boeing 737-800 of Aeroflot departing from Sheremetyevo Airport. Plane taking off and ascending in the sky. Airline carried 35. 8 million passengers in 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 01, 2018: Aircraft Airbus A320 S. Kovalevskaya of Aeroflot taxiing to the runway, winter view. Largest Russian airline with hub at Sheremetyevo International Airport
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 01, 2018: Airbus A330 I. Frank of Aeroflot taxiing at Sheremetyevo Airport in winter. Flag carrier and the largest airline in the country
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 23, 2018: Airplane Boeing 737-800 of Aeroflot taking off and climbing. Airliner departing from Sheremetyevo Airport. Largest Russian airline with 35. 8 million passengers in 2018
11DR1VB072516F4kaeroflotaireair-stripaeronaveaerolíneaaviónAeropuertoáreaaviationsalireditorialvueloflying-offget offinternacionaljetviajelanding stripMoscúpanningplanopistarussiasheremetyevocielovelocidadtirasvotake-off runwaytakeofftransportetransporteviajesviajeuhdUltra HD
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Are You Willing to Be ...
Are You Willing to Be Selfish?
Five rewards for making self-care a priority
Perhaps you have been hearing how important self-care is and how you must make yourself a priority. Friends and loved ones may be urging you to make more time for yourself and to stop putting yourself last. Maybe you have read social media posts or an article or two reminding you that self-care is essential to your own fulfillment and joy. The message is out there, but actually committing to self-care may be another story. As a Solo Mom, it can feel impossible and selfish to even think about putting yourself first and making self-care your highest priority. Maybe one day you will have time for that, but now, not so much. After all, you have so many other more important things that need your attention. Or do you?
What if I were to tell you that nothing is more important than self-care and that in order to thrive, and allow your kids to thrive, you need to make yourself the highest priority? What if I told you that the most selfless decision you could ever make in your life is the decision to be selfish?
For many years, I lived according to the unwritten rule that love meant sacrificing yourself for others and putting those you love first. I became so skilled at it I would anticipate other people’s needs and adjust my own feelings and behaviors accordingly. Making others feel happy and at peace was my utmost priority. I put my own needs aside and convinced myself that was what it meant to love and the way those around me would know how much I loved them. And for a while, it felt good. I was proud of myself for being so giving and wore my selflessness like a badge of honor.
Until it didn’t feel so good anymore. Little by little, my resentment grew. I would get mad at the people I loved for not noticing and appreciating my self-sacrifice and frustrated with others for not giving of themselves to me in the same way. I felt depleted and empty as I watched my relationships fracture and eventually fall apart.
And then someone I love deeply gave me some tough love and told me to stop trying to be a martyr, reminding me that the universe wouldn’t be giving me any extra bonus points for doing so. She helped me see that I was making myself miserable and, in turn, making it impossible for my loved ones to feel connected to me. Wow. With that one sentence, as difficult as it was to hear, she forced me to see how I was perceived and how I needed to change.
One of the biggest changes I made was to make myself a priority and commit to my self-care. Words can’t describe how awkward and selfish that felt for me at first. It required me to be patient and kind to myself, and persistent; however, after a while, I noticed things shifting internally and externally. My heart opened up, and I was connecting and interacting with people in a deeper way. Putting myself first was the most transformative decision I ever made, and choosing to be selfish was the most selfless thing I had ever done.
How the choice to be selfish can change your life
1. What used to feel like sacrifice will now feel like gifting. It’s true that for those we love, we make them and their happiness a priority in our life. Sometimes that involves putting their feelings first or doing something solely for their pleasure. When you make self-care your number-one priority, however, doing those things for others no longer feels like a sacrifice that depletes you; instead it feels like a gift being birthed from the excess of love you have created within yourself.
2. There is more of you to give. As you practice self-care consistently, you notice your capability and energy increase exponentially. Learning to tune into your own feelings, meet your own needs, and take actions that bring you joy quite simply are uplifting and feel good. Suddenly, a well within you that felt depleted is overflowing and you feel like there is so much more of you to give. An abundance of energy and possibility open up and expand your world.
3. A current of joy replaces resentments and other heavy energies. You know the feeling of having given too much, that exhaustion that sets in and the resentment that builds up. It feels heavy and icky and prevents you from feeling joy. When you begin to fulfill your own needs, you are able to connect with that inner source of joy and create happiness from the inside out. Joy becomes a free-flowing current that exists throughout your life, no matter the circumstances you face.
4. You are able to see opportunity where you formerly saw problems. It all comes down to mindset. When you are taking care of yourself and feeling the fullness of life, your ability to see possibilities expands and problems fade into the distance. It isn’t that problems go away; rather, you are able to see them as opportunities for growth and eagerly accept the challenge they offer. This new perspective results in an excitement about the life you are choosing to live.
5. Your relationships fill with ease and deepen with connection. Let’s face it, when you feel joy within yourself, you extend happiness to others. Anger, resentment, and depletion are replaced with contentment and fulfillment, enabling you to connect with others at a deeper level. Those negative emotions no longer get in the way and cause unnecessary friction with those you love.
Making the choice to be selfish may at first feel awkward, even impossible, but consistently implementing self-care practices will change your life. I know that as a busy Solo Mom, it can seem like there is no time to tend to yourself. It requires planning and some creativity, but it is possible. It really comes down to one question and one choice: Are you willing to be selfish?
If so, check out some of these articles: “Creating Your Own Spa Day at Home” and “Easy Self-Care Ideas for Single Moms.”
Jennifer Butler is a writer and transformation coach, currently working as a community leader for DivorceForce. Beyond an extensive education, Jennifer also went through a life transformation as a result of her own divorce and has dedicated her work to supporting others. You can connect with Jennifer at JennJoy Coaching and on Instagram.
self-care Wellness exercise Fitness wellbeing
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HomePosts tagged 'Guam'
Maine, Minnesota and Missouri? – It Must Be Fasab Fact Day!
October 21, 2014 October 9, 2014 fasab Factoids, Unusual Arrowsmith, astronauts, beaches, book, borders, byte, cobalt mining, committed suicide, concrete, coral, coral sand, death toll, Dodge brothers, education, Entertainment, fact, factoid, factoids, facts, fasab fact day, first American woman in space, first Dodge emblem, first jelly beans in outer space, first state to plow it's roads, flea expert, Forrest Gump, ground coral, Guam, ham, Ham radio operators, ham-fisted operators, hanging, hangnail, Horace and John, importing, information, interesting, island of Guam, jelly beans, Jelly Belly, Jesus wept, Jewish, John 11 35, john travolta, Maine, Michigan, Middle English, Minnesota, Missouri, morse code, painting, person, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, pullicologist, quintessential, radio users, regular sand, roads, Sally Ride, sand, shortest verse in the Bible, Sinclair Lewis, Space Shuttle Challenger, St Louis Gateway Arch, Star of David, state, Tom Hanks, trivia, Vincent Van Gogh, Wheat Field with Crows, world leader, world's cobalt supply, yellow dividing line, Zaire
Yes it is fasab fact day. Another random selection of interesting things, some of which you may know some you may not.
The only way you will find out is by taking a look.
Maine is the only state that
borders on only one state.
The only person ever to decline a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
was Sinclair Lewis for his book Arrowsmith.
Michigan was the first state to plow it’s roads
and the first to adopt a yellow dividing line.
The word ‘byte’ is a contraction of ‘by eight.’
The roads on the island of Guam are made with coral.
Guam has no sand. The sand on the beaches is actually ground coral.
When concrete is mixed, the coral sand is used instead of
importing regular sand from thousands of miles away.
The shortest verse in the Bible
is “Jesus wept.” John 11:35
Zaire is the world leader in cobalt mining,
producing two-thirds of the world’s cobalt supply.
The St. Louis Gateway Arch had a
projected death toll while it was being built.
No one died.
Vincent Van Gogh comitted suicide
while painting Wheat Field with Crows.
Jelly Belly jelly beans were the first jelly beans in outer space
when they went up with astronauts in the June 21, 1983 voyage
of the space shuttle Challenger
(the same voyage as the first American woman in space, Sally Ride).
A flea expert is a pullicologist.
The Dodge brothers Horace and John were Jewish,
that’s why the first Dodge emblem had a star of David in it.
Ham radio operators got the term “ham”
coined from the expression “ham-fisted operators”,
a term used to describe early radio users who sent Morse code
(i.e. pounded their fists).
The word “hangnail” comes from Middle English:
ang- (painful) + nail. Nothing to do with hanging.
It’s almost hard to believe it,
but the quintessential Tom Hanks role
as Forrest Gump was initially offered to
John Travolta who declined to take part in the film.
Is Obama Making A Bad Korea Move?
April 7, 2013 fasab Current Events, Politics, Rants, War 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 38th parallel, aggression, America, apocalyptic threats, B-2, B-52, Beijing, best crises, BHO, Bliar, britain, Castro, China, conventional war, Cuba, Cuban crisis, Cuban nuclear crisis, Current Events, delusional, Democrats, dictator, dictators, different kettle of fish, Dubya, east coast, economic goals, education, embassies, evacuation, events, Fidel Castro, Foreign Policy, George W. Bush, girlfriends, greedy, Guam, Hawaii, history, Imperial Japan, insane, jfk, jingoistic, jury is still out, Kennedy, Khrushchev, Kim Jong-un, Korea, Korean War, Kremlin, Losing face, macho culture, militaristic, military action, military drills, military goals, Misc, Miscellaneous, missile, multiple delusions, Nobel Peace Prize, north korea, North Korean army, North Koreans, nuclear crisis, nuclear threat, nuclear threats, nuclear war, nuclear weapons, Obama, Opinion, Pearl Harbor, pissing contest, poke it with a sharp stick, posturing, posturing competition, power hungry, proliferation of nuclear weapons, propaganda, Pyongyang, Random, Rants, Russia, Saddam Hussein, south korea, South Korea-US, South Koreans, Soviet Union, statesman, stealth bombers, stigma, stupidity, threat, Tony Blair, UN sanctions, United States of America, up the ante, US base, US Pacific bases, US Presidents, US-backed, War, warmongers, Washington, weapons of mass destruction, who blinked first, who could have seen that coming, world wars, world's number one cigar salesman
It was either a title with a pun in it or just call today’s post “The Sunday Sermon”, but as you can see the pun got the better of me as usual.
If you hadn’t guessed, this one is my take on the goings on in North Korea.
Before the sermon starts I should preface it by saying we are in the current mess because politicians faffed about instead of stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons when they had the opportunity. It’s their mess, but unfortunately we are all in it with them.
JFK had Cuba and now BHO has North Korea, both countries run by dictators and both in their time posing a nuclear threat.
Why do the Democrats always get the best crises? Poor old Dubya and his greedy and power hungry ally in Britain, Tony Blair (often deliberately spelled Bliar for good reason), had to make up an excuse to start a war with Saddam Hussein. Remember the Weapons Of Mass Destruction that never actually existed?
Of course, when JFK was doing his statesman like thing, during his brief breaks between his girlfriends, I was far too young to know or care about nuclear threats or more world wars. I had other more important things to be getting on with like battling invaders from Mars or trying to pluck up the courage to explore that eerie wood just a short distance from the bottom of our garden.
So what I know about the Cuban crisis of the early 1960s is all gleaned from books and reports from that period which are now a matter of history. (We’ll leave the debate about just how accurate and reliable that is for another time.)
The truth seems to be that the Cuban nuclear crisis had very little to do with Cuba or Castro. It was a posturing competition between the United States of America and the Soviet Union, and to a lesser degree a pissing contest between Kennedy and Khrushchev.
Khrushchev-Kennedy
In both Washington and the Kremlin, although there were the warmongers, there were more people who were sensible enough to realize that devastating each other’s countries would leave them both weaker and achieve very little. They were able to reach that conclusion simply because they were people who were not completely insane or delusional.
It probably seemed difficult at the time, but for JFK it was a relatively easy crisis to manage.
The ‘nuclear crisis’ facing Obama, if indeed it is that, is a different kettle of fish because Kim Jong-un shows all the signs of being both delusional and ever so slightly insane.
He can’t be held entirely to blame for this. He is the son of a long time dictator, who himself suffered from multiple delusions. And he was brought up in a militaristic and jingoistic regime, which is what dictators like to create for themselves simply because it makes their own people easier to control. North Korean propaganda has taught the public that military goals and economic goals are intertwined and therefore that Kim Jong-un’s actions are for the good of his people.
Kim Jong Un, flanked by Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yong Chun
In the latest moves to up the ante, the North Koreans have told Britain and Russia that they should consider the evacuation of their embassies in Pyongyang. They have also moved another missile to their east coast as a further threat to US Pacific bases.
This in itself is just the latest response to UN sanctions and South Korea-US military drills, both of which have done nothing to ease tensions and in fact have annoyed the North Koreans immensely.
Now the North Korean army is saying that it has received final approval for military action, possibly involving nuclear weapons, against the threat posed by US B-52 and B-2 stealth bombers taking part in the joint drills. And all this has been accompanied by a series of apocalyptic threats of nuclear war in recent weeks.
The trouble with all this posturing is that Washington, which always gets a ‘F’ for ‘FAIL’ in Foreign Policy, very seldom, if ever, gets it right at the right time.
Washington doesn’t seem to understand that the macho culture in many other countries makes it extremely difficult for them to be seen by their own people as the one who blinked first. Losing face has a terrible stigma for them.
Further military ‘exercises’ and posturing will probably have the result of leaving the Jong-un regime with little alternative (in their eyes) but to act aggressively.
How that aggression will manifest itself is anybody’s guess. Least likely would be an attack on America – it’s too far away for the type of missiles North Korea currently has.
An attack of some kind on the US base at Guam is possible, as is an attack on neighboring South Korea. The latter, depending on the scale and the number of casualties, could spark of retaliatory strikes by the US-backed South Koreans and from there it is a short step into a conventional and probably very bloody war.
And we should remember that the Korean war during the 1950s was a spectacular waste of human lives. Generals sacrificed their men for years and ended back at the 38th parallel, more or less the same place they started.
military-trucks-crossing-38th-parallel
Admittedly things might be a lot different this time if China decides that the North Korean regime is too out of control to support militarily. I doubt very much if it is in China’s long term interest to have a whacky dictatorship armed with nuclear weapons on their doorstep. After all it’s only 1,000Km to Beijing and more than 5,000Km to Hawaii, the closest state of the US to North Korea. At the same time would China want an economically united and strong US dominated state on its borders?
The jury is still out on that one.
Another thing that Washington gets badly wrong is that it thinks that because it is the most powerful military nation on earth – and it is by a long way – that therefore other countries will be afraid to take it on.
Rather than a comparison with the Cuban Crisis that everyone is concentrating on, I see parallels between North Korea today and Imperial Japan in the 1930s. Both are/were jingoistic regimes with an ’emperor’ having complete control, and both created a military style regime more as a way to suppress and control their own people, and therefore to cling to power, than to attack another nation.
But things being what they are, and people being so bloody stupid it’s unbelievable at times, there comes a time when those in power in such regimes lose their sense of reality and get carried away believing their own propaganda.
Hence Pearl Harbor when Imperial Japan forgot that when something big and powerful is asleep you should never poke it with a sharp stick, coz when it wakens up it will kick the crap right out of you!
And hence, the North Koreans are not afraid of taking on America. They should be, but they aren’t, which again makes some kind of attack more possible the more they are backed into a corner.
Thankfully there are some signs that Washington might be getting the message and preparing to step back from the rapidly approaching brink. American officials have reportedly decided to “pause” the recent show of US force in Korea because
– wait for it, it’s a good one –
they are surprised at the intensity of the North’s response.
I mean who could have seen that coming? Well the answer is just about everyone except for the cretins in Washington!
What is surprising, however, is that the most sense talked about the whole affair recently has been from the world’s number one cigar salesman, Fidel Castro. In fact, make that doubly surprising, in that he has said some things that I am in agreement with and that he is still around to say it!
Fidel Castro and cigar
He said “If a war breaks out there, there would be a terrible slaughter of people” in both North and South Korea “with no benefit for either of them.” And also that the “duty” to avoid the conflict is in the hands of Washington “and of the people of the United States.”
Castro hasn’t quite figured out that once elected US Presidents do whatever THEY want, not whatever the PEOPLE want.
But what he must have figured out is that politicians like to be liked because he also warns President Obama that his second term, “would be buried in a deluge of images that would portray him as the most sinister personality in the history of the United States.”
Equally, he cautions the North Koreans that now they have, demonstrated their “technical and scientific advances, we remind them of their duties with those countries that have been their great friends.” And he urged them to remember that “such a war would affect … more than 70 per cent of the planet’s population,” and decried “the gravity of such an incredible and absurd event” in such a densely populated region.
Do you think he is hankering after one of those Nobel Peace Prizes, like the one Obama got for not being George W Bush?
Who knows.
And who knows what is going to happen in the Koreas?
Certainly not the mob in Washington I think!
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2015 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge Report
By Gomez on October 29, 2015 in Destinations, Events, Races
By : Euan Pennington
“It’s the French Line.”
Four words, but as Hipsters might say, it could get Cray Cray. Last year I ran support for a rider on the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge, I was undecided if I would indulge again this year, then the email arrived. The French Line. Mad not to.
The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge does what it says on the tin. A race across the Simpson Desert in Central Australia, apparently the biggest sand desert in the world. It’s a stage race, so every rider has vehicle support, and there is a minimum speed required or the rider is “swept” for that stage. The winner is the rider who rides the most kilometres of the course. Should two riders ride the same distance, (100%, for example), the winner is the quicker of the two.
There is a fun range of tracks across the Simpson, and the race tends to select different routes each year to keep things fresh and interesting. Except. Except that the French Line was tried 29 years ago and was abandoned after day one – too soft, too rough, too many tears, never to be tried again. Until now. Now, it was thought, with the advent of fat bikes it could be a goer. Initial reconnaissance in March showed a soft sandy track of despair that by late September was sure to be cut up by beginner 4wdrivers and inappropriately towed camper trailers, the temperature was likely steamy at over 40, (Celcius, that is. 40 Fahrenheit is in no way steamy. So, for those readers that still speak Roman Catholic, we are talking three figure temperatures. Warmish), and the track would be rough as bags. No one really knew if this one might fly. Was I in? As I said, mad not to.
This year, despite owning two fat bikes, overseas trips and work meant I was not ready to ride, partly through not being fit or prepared, and partly through not being barking mad. Consequently, I joined the medical team, but although I arrived with Band-Aids and a hammer, (knowing that what I couldn’t fix with one I would fix with the other), it turned out I was only really needed as a driver, and occasionally to dispense a lanolin based unguent commonly referred to in the parlance of the race as “sheep dip”, or bum cream. Essentially I was chauffeuring a paramedic who did the technical stuff. Like dispense bum cream.
Medics were given the power to pull people out of the race, should they be too hot or damaged to continue, but thankfully this year there was little to do. Most riders were aware of their limitations when the temperature hit the ton, and long before they were collapsed and hallucinating from heat they had already looked sideways at the air conditioned fourby, looked up the track at the unrelenting sand dunes, looked again at the fourby, scratched their sand filled padded underpants and made what could be seen as a wise and unsurprising decision, at times garnished with language of little ambiguity letting the assembled masses know of their thoughts on heat, dust, bike seats, pain or just life in general. Consequently, the crews all finished roughly in the shape they started in, although it should be said only ten racers resorted Mr Toyota’s padded chairs, the other ten rode the full race, which is just an astonishing performance in the conditions we encountered.
The race begins at Purni Bore, a casual three days drive from my home in Melbourne, and even the drive in can be punishing, with vehicles arriving after days of desert travel with all manner of issues, minor and major. One of the great things about the race, though, is the camaraderie amongst the teams, and the various skills in the group. Within a few hours of arriving at the start point there were people under vehicles brandishing multi meters and American Screwdrivers, (or hammer, as it’s sometimes known), I had borrowed a headlight globe, was scrounging fuses and had lent out my spare tent. It was as if everyone brought what they had, put it in the middle and took out what they needed. It’s this sense of community that keeps people returning to the event.
This sense of community can extend to the rear of the race as well, as racers help each other through the gruelling stages, whilst up at the front it was not so much community as hard fought racing. Paul Schroeder, this year’s eventual winner, showed his hand on day one in the first ten minutes when it became apparent that his race plan was to get to the front, ride fast and win. As the days wore on the plan changed little, as he rode fast, led and won, and no quiet commentary about “dialling tyre pressures” or “getting comfortable” could disguise his fitness and skill. The icing on the cake for me was that in amongst some tasty carbon treats with all the fruit he was riding an original purple Pugsley from back when they still came with V-Brake bosses, outfitted with Large Marge rims, (too heavy, no longer made), and Endomorph Tyres, (too heavy, no longer in production). Cutting edge ten years ago, now wildly outdated in our modern fast moving market place, but in his hands it sat up and boogied, and no one could touch this quietly spoken chap.
The reason the French Line had not been tried for decades became apparent after 20 kilometres, with a casual 490 to go. 1200 sand dunes crammed into 500 kays, pot holes, corrugations, soft sand, heat and headwinds had both riders and support drivers sitting up to take notice, the support drivers slightly clenched and shamefaced as the riders outpaced them in some sections. For five days the dance continued until finally the Birdsville Pub appeared on the horizon. As a finish line, a purveyor of cold beverages in certainly a winning idea, and I think everyone was happy to wash the dust of travel out of their throat with a quiet ale, followed by a slightly more rowdy one, plus another couple for moral support. Or perhaps that was just me.
Either way, the event was held for three reasons – to foster a love of the Outback, to provide a sporting challenge, and to raise money for charity. General consensus was that the first two aims were achieved, and the sixty large that found it’s way to the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service says the third aim was without question achieved, so a successful event all round.
If this sounds like a fine way to spend a couple of weeks, and (although it’s not officially a fat bike event) you have a fat bike, get onto desertchallenge.org to find out more, and perhaps next year you could experience the magic of the Simpson Desert on the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge.
(click any photo to enlarge)
You can learn more about the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge at – http://desertchallenge.org/
About Gomez
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Fat (video) Tuesday – Munda Biddi Trail – Australia
Summer Solstice Bivvy
australia, beach, beach ride, desert, desert riding, fat, fat-bike, fat-bikes, fatbike, fatbikes, fatbiking, simpson desert bike challenge
Global Fat-Bike Day – Toys 4 Tots – CONTEST!
Weekly Dose of Fat Radio – Show #78 – Special Guest Kathi Merchant from the ITI and Big Fat Ride
3 Responses to 2015 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge Report
David October 29, 2015 at 4:00 pm #
It is so cool that the winner was on a 10 year old bike.
Grant October 29, 2015 at 9:43 pm #
What a great race. I was Paul Schroder’s support crew and although I had only meet him the day before setting off for the race, we developed and experienced the comradery that Pirate writes about. We meet some great people, had a fabulous time and will line up again.
Velobike October 30, 2015 at 5:10 pm #
That’s a great effort by Paul Schroeder, and a great vindication of the original design of the Pugsley.
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Showcasing the best of movies, and film festivals from around the world.
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HomeFilm Review: AQUAMAN (USA 2018) ***
Film Review: AQUAMAN (USA 2018) ***
December 19, 2018 festreviews 2018 movies, movie, Movie Review, UncategorizedAmber Heard, AQUAMAN, film reviews, gilbert seah, James Wan, Jason Momoa, movie review, Willem Dafoe
David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (screenplay by), Will Beall (screenplay by) |5 more credits »
Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe
As much as I have complaints about the new Superhero DC comic AQUAMAN film adaptation, I have the highest regards for the film’s director James Wan. Born In East Malaysia, (a neighbour of Singapore where I was born), Wan is the only Hollywood successful director from that region. Wan was a skinny teen like myself, and his early photos reminds me of myself. He has gained fame and fortune through his talent and horror films like he SAW franchise, INSIDIOUS and the CONJURING films. He also brings on board Patrick Wilson from the latter two movies to play the villain in AQUAMAN.
Wan is known for his excesses. Excesses abound in the 2 and a half hour action blockbuster aquarian fantasy AQUAMAN, played with aplomb by Jason Momoa. There are plenty of images and CGI effects to gawk at. The film looks amazing. See it in IMAX and one will feel that one is in a gigantic fish tank as in one of those big aquariums found in big cities. As far as super-action hero movies go, there is plenty to satisfy the fan base. Superhero action fans will no doubt leave the theatre cheering, as in the case of the promo screening I attended. Surprise guest Patrick Wilson was present . Who can ask for anything more?
But one can. The film lacks any good plot development, character intelligence and spicy dialogue. When Aquaman is told that he has to save the underwater and land worlds by claiming the throne, all he can say is ‘duh!’. The script does not offer him any good one-liners either. Lazy writing leaves a lot of unexplained and choppy facts in the story. The effect of the evil that the villains do is brought down several notches by making them misunderstood beings. One scene shows AQUAMAN as a boy at a city aquarium bullied by other kids, when a shark in the tank comes to the rescue. Where did the boy, who is supposedly born and bred by the lighthouse keeper father find residence in the city and who where his foster parents? That one scene appears from nowhere and conveniently disappears. The key that only unlocks the trident with droplets of water is far-fetched bulls**t. The climatic fight underwater by the edge of the cliffs makes no sense. No one can fall off a cliff underwater.
The story begins in the year 1985, though Aquaman existed in comics way before then. In Maine, lighthouse keeper Thomas Curry (Temuera Morrison ) rescues Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), the princess of the underwater nation of Atlantis, during a storm. They eventually fall in love and have a son, Arthur, who is born with the power to communicate with marine lifeforms. Atlanna is forced to abandon her family and return to Atlantis, entrusting to her loyal advisor Nuidis Vulko (Willem Dafoe) the mission of training Arthur. Under Vulko’s guidance, Arthur becomes a skilled warrior but is rejected by the Atlanteans for being a half-breed and ultimately leaves Atlantis behind.
There is a subplot that really looks out of place with an invasion in which Arthur confronts a group of pirates attempting to hijack a nuclear submarine. Their leader, Jesse Kane, dies during the confrontation while his son, David (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), vows revenge against Arthur. David later targets Atlantis at the behest of Orm (Patrick Wilson), Arthur’s younger half-brother and Atlantis’ king who uses the attack as a pretext to declare war on the surface. All thistles to Aquaman having to retrieve a trident (like the Sword in the Stone) and battle Orm to ave the world. Yes, all action here films involve saving the world. The inter-racial subplot looks too obvious a political correct move. We have seen all this before time and again.
Still, as far as Warner Bros. DC super hero film adaptations go, (example the awful BATMAN v. SUPERMAN, SUICIDE SQUAD), AQUAMAN, as in WONDER WOMAN is one of the better films.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDkg3h8PCVU
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UN claims to be above the law, says its legal to kill 8000 Haitians with impunity
US False Benevolence in Haiti
Haiti is back on the plantation: UN claims to be above the law, denies responsibility for cholera deaths in Haiti
Ezili Dantò of HLLN, Photo credit: Kesler Pierre, August 12, 2011
Human rights attorney Ezili Dantò of Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network (HLLN) discusses on Black Agenda Report with Glen Ford theUS occupation forces claiming absolute immunity for bringing cholera deaths and water poisoning to Haiti, February 22, 2013, (Download – UN denies liability for bringing cholera to Haiti.)
End the killing and illegal US occupation of Haiti behind UN coalition guns
HLLN has never subscribed to the callous and profiting-on-misery notion of letting the UN independently investigate itself while Haiti’s people die unmercifully.
Ezili’s Clean Water and Renewable Energy for Everyone in Haiti Project (Donate to support Zili Dlo – Clean water and renewable power for Haiti)
On February 21, 2013, the United Nations officially rejected legal responsibility for damage claims to Haiti cholera victims. Martin Nesirky, Spokesman for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, stated:
“Consideration of the claims would necessarily involve a review of political and policy matters. Accordingly, the claims are not receivable, pursuant to Section 29 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 February 1946.”
It is established national and international law that tort claims or disputes of a private law character are excepted from the absolute immunity privileges afforded to governments and state officials. That is to also say, it is established national and international law that personal injuries accidentally occurring that are outside of an authorized governmental function are generally subject to tort laws. But, with this announcement, the UN and thus its employer, the US, has made legal history with “the Haiti exception” to international and national established laws. Basically saying it is legal to kill 8,000 and infect over 647,000 Haitians. That Haitians have no recourse to legal redress as a matter of UN and thus US “politics and policy?!” With this decision, the US, veiled within a UN-coalition cloak, is directly saying that Haitians have no individual rights under the law. No private law rights. We live at the discretion of UN and thus US politics and policy.
There you go folks. They’ve come right out and actually told us the truth of the matter and very clearly. What else is there to know? HLLN has been saying the UN is killing Haitians for the coup detat powers and the ruling international community as a matter of policy and politics in Haiti since 2004, no? (See, also, Aljazeera Video – Haiti: Victimising the victims?; UN Capitalizing on Cholera: playing arsonists and firemen ; U.N. Says it Will Not Pay Compensation for Haiti’s Cholera Victims.)
A UN document prepared by their Office of Legal Affairs,readily available on the UN website helps us to decode this UN announcement. It explains the relevant provision of theConvention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and is for perusal by everyone. It provides:
“The de facto “absolute” immunity of the United Nations is mitigated by the fact that article VIII, section 29, of the Convention requires the United Nations to “make provisions for appropriate modes of settlement of: (a) disputes arising out of contracts or other disputes of a private law character to which the United Nations is a party”. The General Convention’s obligation to provide for alternative dispute settlement in case of the Organization’s immunity from legal process can be regarded as an acknowledgment of the right of access to court as contained in all major human rights instruments.”
The accused UN cannot investigate itself” – Ezili Dantò, Oct 30, 2010 interview with Yves Point Du Jour
Haiti elections and Cholera interview with Ezili Dantò of HLLN, Oct. 22, 2010, Gorilla Radio.
Ezili speak on transcending the 2002 Ottawa Initiative for Haiti
Felipe Luciano interviews Ezili Dantò, 3 years after the quake.
It is an exercise in futility to go to the perpetrators and executioners of human rights crimes in Haiti in hopes of getting justice for our people.”Ezili Dantò of HLLN, Foreign violence against Haiti is the normand Haiti: Jan 1, 2013: Another Independence Day Under Occupation
The UN representative, Martin Nesirky, said that the claim for damages for bringing cholera to Haiti is “not receivable” because they concern “a review of political and policy matters“. What this says outright is that it’s “policy” to poison Haitians, kill them and then provide no due process, no legal redress, no right of access to court, no obligation of the UN (and thus in reality its boss, the US) to make provisions for appropriate modes of settlement. If you didn’t know Haitians were under attack and at war for their very lives, you should be clear on this now. The UN said it. Its legal to kill 8000 Haitians with impunity.
At Ezili’s HLLN we don’t have the luxury of the grand denials others not in need of immediate injunctive relief canroll in. And, as the UN has rejected or been non-responsive to virtually every human right violation claims made by Haitians since the US occupation began in 2004, we at HLLN also had no past UN behavior that provided a logical basis to expect a different answer from the UN other than the one it announced.
HLLN advocates the strategic use of the cholera case (and all the other symptoms rooted in the occupation) to expose and help take down the US occupation in Haiti, free the world from UN cloaking of imperialism
HLLN does not advocate relying on the oppressors to give Haiti back its stolen liberty. But, in addition to urging Haitians in the diaspora to help provide Haiti with clean water, renewable power and sanitation, demanding an end to the cholera killings, we do advocate the strategic use of the cholera case to take down the US occupation; help the cause of world freedom by exposing and stopping the US use of UN missions to cloak its colonizing and genocidal rampages across the world. It’s just been announced, for instance, that the UN (and thus in reality, the US/Euro superpowers) will use drone warfare in the Congo against the “rebels?”. (The Security Council has approved the use of surveillance drones over Eastern Congo; UN to expand the largest peacekeeping mission: Existing DR Congo peace mission to be enhanced with addition of at least 2,000 ‘intervention’ troops and use of drone aircraft.)
Someone asked today how does HLLN respond to the denial of the Brian Concannon/IDJH administrative letter of demand to the UN after 15-months of UN deliberations? I referred them to the interview herein posted I did with Glen Ford of Black Agenda Report that addresses the expected and continual UN denial of accountability in Haiti, quoted some excepts from our non-colonial complaint against the US/UN occupiers for importing cholera to Haiti, reminded everyone of our different strategy as a Haiti-led, Haiti-capacity building Network to use this case, not because we expect justice from our oppressors, but to help lift the UN cloak on US imperialism, suggested folks listen to the Haiti position as we expressed it on the Yves Point Du Jour show the week the cholera epidemic was imported to Haiti, at the Haiti elections and Cholera interview on Oct. 22, 2010 for Gorilla Radio and also said this:
“The US and thus for now the Obama administration runs the UN. How does the US fare in keeping Blacks healthy in the US, in Africa…why would anyone think the UN acting for the US would care how many Blacks their imported disease killed? They own the law, military, media, banks, why not our human rights?”
Below are excerpt 1 and 2 from the un-edited HLLN non-colonial narrative complaint written not long after the cholera importation. I think the announcement of the UN claiming absolute immunity, saying it will not compensation for Haiti’s cholera victims, is a good time as any to begin publishing the Haiti non-colonial legal narrative of this issue.
Try as we may no deep pocket law firm or Hollywood celebrity is willing to help fund the
Ezili Dantò, Euvonie Georges August andSister Sandy Muhammad. Zili Dlo clean water and renewable power is life and health for Haiti, Photostream 2011. See Zili Dlo 2012 Solar project
non-colonial Haiti narrative on the US occupational forces illegal occupation in Haiti and the deadly fruits of their rotten presence unlawfully authorized by Gerald Latortue/UN Status of Force Agreement(SOFA) in 2004.
HLLN has not found a courageous law firm, with staff and resources, to help Haitians like us take on the class action suit categories harmed by the US occupation forces in Haiti. No one yet willing to break with precedent, set new legal precedent and work outside the orbit of the usual suspects taking on every Haiti human rights case, raising celebrity monies and losing each and every one with a whimper. It is as it should be: no white savior stakeholder in the capitalist system will put game changing resources behind a Haitian who is not working FOR them. So, HLLN publishes parts of our complaint that one day, if not in this generation than the next, Haiti shall one day use to bring the US and its employee, the UN, before independent courts of law.
The UN justifies its presence in Haiti through a Status of forces agreement (SOFA) agreement supposedly signed for Haiti by former UN employee, Gerald Latortue, and presumably ratified under the reign of the puppet Haitians governments elected to power since 2004 by the Washington coup d’etat forces and their international cohorts.
HLLN address this illegality in our complaint against the US for bringing in the UN to uphold instability and against the UN for unleashing cholera, thus:
EXCERPT ONE:
from HLLN complaint against the US/Obama occupational forces for bringing UN cholera to Haiti. (c) 2013 Ezili Dantò, All rights reserved
– Excerpt from HLLN complaint against the US occupational forces for bringing cholera to Haiti
The indignity of the illness is almost, if not more horrible, than the physical pain. See our Haiti photos at the epicenter of the cholera outbreak in Mirebalais, one year later:UN Imported Cholera in Mirebalais:The hard reality of ill and discombobulated adults reduced to infancy.USAID ordered 200,000 body bags at the beginning of the outbreak, spending more monies with US firms providing these death bags than in providing purified clean drinking water or guaranteeing the UN troops disease carriers.
Ezili at Mirebalais Cholera Center, Photo Credit: Jean Ristil Jean Baptise, HLLN. More Cholera Thursday at Mirebalais Photos on Flickr
“Article 5, Par. 23 of the SOFA provides that “MINUSTAH and the Government shall cooperate with respect to sanitary services and shall extend to each other the fullest cooperation in matters concerning health, particularly in respect to the control of communicable diseases in accordance with international conventions.”
“The purpose of immunity is so that diplomats are not harassed…however this does not mean that there should be more privileges and immunities abandoned because they serve certain purposes for the UN.” Immunity does not mean impunity. Liability to Haitians for cholera is not “harassment,” it would be UN accountability.
Moreover, it ought to be noted by the Court that the SOFA broad immunity given to UN was:
A) Signed by a transitional defacto Haiti government, supported by the US/UN and unelected by the Haiti masses. Haiti’s duly elected Prime Minster, Yvon Neptune, was put in jail for years while the defacto Prime Minister signed the SOFA.
Gerald Latortue, a resident of Boca Raton Florida was the UN/US supported, defacto Prime Minister, unconstitutionally installed after the departure of President Aristide following the 2004 US-backed-coup/kidnapping. Gerald Latortue who signed SOFA legitimizing the UN occupation of Haiti was a former career UN employee and unelected by the Haiti masses.
The US (and, to a lesser extent France and Canada) played a critical role in financing the counter-revolutionary Haiti opposition that destabilized Aristide’s second tenure in office. It was a US rendition plane, along with US Special Forces, that escorted – deported – Haiti’s duly elected President Aristide to the Central Africa Republic on February 29, 2004. The US’s own State Department translator verified that the democratically elected Haiti president, Jean Bertrand Aristide, did not voluntarily resigned.
Instead of coming in to restore the democratically elected President and duly appointed Prime Minister, the UN/MINUSTAH mission, which took over from the US-commanded multi-national force that came into Haiti per UN Resolution 1329 after February 29, 2004, has been a partisan force to solidify the rule of the Haiti oligarchy, private investor interests not Haiti’s masses and to return the Duvalierists back to power through the facade of democratic elections.
Since then, under the UN and US occupation of Haiti, Haiti’s largest political party, the Lavalas party of President Aristide, has been forbidden to participate in elections.
Zili Dlo: Solar engineers for Haiti. Support Haiti-led, Haiti-capacity building.
B) The SOFA’s Article 105 Convention immunity clause, giving the MINUSTAH troops absolute immunity, is tempered by the provisions at article 54 and 55 of SOFA which requires that immunity for third party personal injury claims against UN soldiers are subject to there being an adequate dispute resolution mechanism.
SOFA’s individual claims procedure for third party personal injury claims that falls outside of operational necessity, is inadequate thus operates as a waiver of UN immunity. Or, at least requires UN to exercise its duty to waive in order to avoid injustice to Haitians and not impede the course of justice…”
I. NATURE OF HLLN ACTION
1. The majority of Haiti’s population of ten million lack access to sanitary infrastructure and clean water. In late October 2010 the United Nations (“UN”) Nepalese contingent from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (“MINUSTAH”) brought cholera to Haiti, a novel, virulent strain previously unknown in the Western Hemisphere. Before the arrival of the UN soldiers, Haiti had not had a single case of cholera in a century, if ever. Haitian had no antibodies to act as immune defense against the UN-imported lethal biogerm. The UN was well aware of Haiti’s lack of sanitary infrastructure and higher needs for clean water, yet failed to maintain sanitary conditions at their base. The UN had a greater responsibility not to negligently nor recklessly add to the public health challenges of a country they were sent to protect. The UN’s complete lack of care is impunity that the laws granting immunity do not support. The UN had a greater responsibility not to negligently nor recklessly poison the people with a vicious foreign germ effectively acting, given the unique public health circumstances in Haiti, as a weapon of mass destruction – in two years killing over 8,000 Haitians and infecting over 647,000 of the population with 200 new people infected each day.
2. The UN organization had a greater responsibility – given they are the guardians and arbiters of human rights norms, standards and guidelines in the world, given their mission in Haiti as well as their documented knowledge of Haiti’s health challenges, to be more accountable and vigilant to the population they were sent to protect. The UN is in violation of the explicit purposes of the Charter of the United Nations promoting and encouraging respect for human rights.
Fon Batis energy committee
Zili Dlo: 2012 Solar power and Clean water for Haiti. Support Haiti-led, Haiti-capacity building.
3. As evidenced through the international sanitary rules and conventions incorporated within the Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) agreement between Haiti and the UN, it is clear that contemporary law of nations has expanded to prohibit a tort such as the reckless transmission of a contagious disease and cover-up of the outbreaks source. Multilateral treaties, customary international law as well as domestic prohibitions on transmission of anthrax, HIV, syphilis, cholera and other highly contagious diseases evidence specific, universal, obligatory prohibition of official transmission of infectious diseases.
4. Under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), conventions and agreements, including, inter alia, the International Health Regulation 2005, nearly all the world’s nations have banned together to ensure the containment and global eradication of infectious diseases. Containing contagious disease is a definable, universal and obligatory norm for the UN member nations. UN peacekeepers and missions are fundamentally accountable to the global, multilateral consensus and efforts of UN member nations to participate in globally containing and eradicating the spread of contagious diseases. The UN is not a super state with powers and immunities that exceeds the powers of those it represents. The commitment to contain communicable diseases and hold those responsible for their spread applies to the UN mission in Haiti.” – (Excerpt from HLLN’s 100page complaint against the US occupational forces for bringing cholera to Haiti (c) 2013 Ezili Dantò, All rights reserved.)
EXCERPT TWO:
HAITIANS HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE, HEALTH, LEGAL REDRESS, ACCESS TO COURTS AND A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL HEARING
“It is a principle of International Law that any violation of an international obligation that has caused damages triggers the duty to make adequate amends.” — Inter-American Court of Human Rights, (Case of the Miguel Castro Prison, Merits, Reparations, and Cost, Judgment, Int-Am. Ct. Hum Rts. (ser. C) No. 160, par. 335 (Nov. 25, 2006)
Haiti plaintiffs are entitled to legal redress and remedy. UN provisions under the SOFA agreement allowing UN absolute discretion to certify or not certify whether Plaintiffs has a legitimate personal injury claim in light of the aforementioned political bias of UN, is not sufficient at law. Plaintiffs require immediate relief to stop cholera from becoming endemic in Haiti and causing further injuries and deaths. The UN has a duty to take corrective measures. Injunctive relief to Plaintiff that orders UN to immediately prevent the further spread of its contaminable disease onto a poor and vulnerable peoples denied the basic right to life, health and non-UN contaminated Haiti water, which UN has gotten away with imposing on Plaintiff for over a year now, is urgently need to prevent further irreparable harm. Plaintiffs are not disposable people who may be so negligently degraded, grossly devalued, utterly betrayed without legal consequence.
The Alien Tort Statute (28 U.S.C. § 1350)
The Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) is a section of the United States Code that reads: “The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.” This statute is notable for allowing United States courts to hear human rights cases brought by foreign citizens for conduct committed outside the United States.
— Excerpt from HLLN’s 100page complaint against the US occupational forces for bringing cholera to Haiti
“UN IS AN OCCUPATION, NOT A NEUTRAL FORCE in Haiti
1. There’s more violence in the U.S. colonies of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands than there is in Haiti. The UN’s 2011 Global Study on Homicide show Haiti’s violence rate is only marginally higher than that of the United States. There’s more violence in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, indeed in most of the Caribbean and the Americas than there is in Haiti. Brazil, whose forces command the UN mission in Haiti has more violence in their own country than there is in Haiti. There is more acute violence in Washington, D.C. and in other parts of the United States then there is in the country of Haiti. Yet, there are no UN peacekeeping missions in these countries where there’s more violence than there is in Haiti. Even if there was a plausible disturbance of the peace in 2004, it was orchestrated by the member states and their Non Governmental Organizations benefiting from the current US occupation in Haiti behind the UN guns. And, since 2006 there’s purportedly been a duly elected government so UN denial of Haiti sovereignty is absolutely unwarranted.
2. The UN presence in Haiti in 2004 was not warranted in accordance with international law. There was no peace agreement to enforce. US/international interests in installing a puppet Haiti government more interested in pursuing US/international corporate, commercial and Haiti oligarchy interests at the expense of the public safety, security, welfare and health of the majority of Haitians is illegal under international and national laws, does not merit a UN Chapter VII intervention.
3. MINUSTAH’s presence in Haiti is a violation of the UN Charter, the American Convention on Human Rights, national laws, international laws, Plaintiffs human rights, dignity, right to self-determination…
Zili Dlo 2012: Ezili Dantò with Haiti solar mothers – Marie Andrea Saint Felix, Marie Ilma Meriste, Madeleine Saint Louis at Toussaint Louverture airport on Sept. 29, 2012 reading itinerary, giving final travel instruction to India to Haiti solar mothers traveling to attend 6-months course at Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan.
4. Neither the Security Council at the UN nor the US/Euro superpowers nor Canada have the authority or can vest in the UN the authority to deploy armed forces on sovereign territory when the conflict is manufactured by other member states (US/Canada/France) to serve as a pretext for their landing to restore order. The UN Charter states that “the organization is based upon the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members” and that the United Nations shall not “intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state.” In 2004, the UN Security Council had a fiduciary responsibility to assist the democratically elected, Constitutional Aristide/Neptune government in Haiti to stop the tiny US-supported and financed military aggressors invading from the Dominican Republic, a US client state. Instead, the UN sanctioned the US imperial aggression against defenseless Haiti with UN Resolution 1329 approving the US commanded multi-national force that invaded Haiti beginning February 29, 2004, later legitimizing the US-led action to restore the Duvalierist factions to power with the UN’s MINUSTAH mission responsible for bringing and spreading cholera in October 2010 to the Western Hemisphere. UN/MINUSTAH effectively provided cover for the tiny right wing local Oligarchs and Duvalierists to neutralize the supporters of Haiti’s fledgling efforts to establish participatory democracy.
5. Since 2004, MINUSTAH has used UN military authority, moral weight, force and power to take the side of the foreign-orchestrated and funded Haiti Insurgents returning the Duvalierists and morally repugnant Haiti oligarchy to power, disenfranchising nearly ten million Haitians in violation of the rule of law, the UN charter, American Convention on Human Rights, Haiti constitution and international treaties and conventions.
A Chapter VII mission under these circumstances is an act of war against a nation without an army by the world body charged and authorized with the powers to intervene against the threat to the peace, breach of the peace or acts of aggression against a sovereign state…” — Excerpt from HLLN’s 100page complaint against the US occupational forces for bringing cholera to Haiti (c) 2013 Ezili Dantò, All rights reserved.
Support Dantò’s work
“Like” Ezili Dantò public page on Facebook and Follow Ezili Dantò @Ezilidanto on Twitter. Check below and on this website for more excerpts to come from HLLN’s 100+page complaint against the US occupational forces for bringing cholera to Haiti and generally on the subject of the UN casually exonerating itself with absolute immunity although their SOFA, on its face, provides exceptions to their diplomatic immunity. — HLLN
on the illegality of the US occupation of Haiti. Its responsibility for employing UN forces that brought in cholera deaths.
– The Alien Tort Statute (28 U.S.C.§1350) is a section of the United States Code that reads: “The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.” This statute is notable for allowing U.S. courts to hear human-rights cases brought by foreign citizens for conduct committed outside the United States.
“On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly agreed to a resolution declaring the human right to “safe and clean drinking water and sanitation.” The resolution, presented by the Bolivian government, had 122 countries vote in its favor, while 41 countries – abstained.”
“An estimated $9 billion of public and private funding has been spent on disaster recovery in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. Of that, $2.25 billion in public funding has been disbursed by the United States alone. But despite the large amount of public money involved, it is nearly impossible to track how it has been spent and what has been achieved. ” —US Spending in Haiti: The Need for Greater Transparency and Accountability , Feb. 19, 2013;Foreign violence against Haiti is the norm and Haiti: Jan 1, 2013: Another Independence Day Under Occupation.
Featured HLLN links on Cholera:
Haiti: Ezili Dantò on Wash Post Cholera editorial
Washington Justice For Haiti
http://bit.ly/Kp57D8
Ezili’s HLLN denounces massacres of Haiti Vodouist, holds UN responsible
http://bit.ly/mRLrhf
Haiti Message on UN responsibility for importing cholera – Demand a stop to the denials http://bit.ly/jjqWlj )
“The UN plays the role of both arsonist and fireman in Haiti’s cholera epidemic. UN announces a rehashed 10-year plan for clean water that is unfunded. Kristof’s white savior bridge characters, filled with conflicts of interests, declare cautious success. They help throttle justice for Haitians, put bandages on plunder, help prolong Black and indigenous world suffering. UN plans for Haiti are not solutions. The UN is the problem.” — Ezili Dantò at UN Capitalizing on Cholera: playing arsonists and firemen http://bit.ly/12EQiU7
“Washington Justice For Haiti:
In support of Paul Farmer’s pharmaceuticals and the Farmer groups – Brian Concannon/IDJH – asking the UN to judge itself guilty on behalf of Haiti cholera victims, Washington Post opines, justice for the Haiti cholera victims would be collectively awarding $40million to Paul Farmer pharmaceuticals for cholera vaccines http://bit.ly/Kp57D8
HLLN analysis of Times” cholera article
http://bit.ly/X1TVD4
Haiti Message on UN responsibility for importing cholera
http://bit.ly/jjqWlj
Demand a stop to the denials.
The UN is accountable for not controlling its own troops” hygiene, for importing a communicable disease, for not controlling that communicable disease, for the damage done, the lives lost, the Haiti farmers and Artibonite breadbasket that’s been contaminated. The UN’s failure to properly dispose of its human fecal waste, is not a “state action” subject to state immunity. It’s a personal injury inflicted upon a vulnerable people the UN says its mandated to protect. The UN is paying itself almost $1 billion ($860million) dollars per year for said “protection.” The UN is not above the law, immune for violating international sanitary standards, nor for failing to control the spread of its own disease.
In a nutshell, the UN imported the deadly cholera disease to Haiti, but blames the fatal injury on the victim’s pre-existing conditions. (Blaming their injustice on their defenseless victims is not new for the UN forces in Haiti.) ”Ezili Dantò of HLLN http://bit.ly/jjqWlj
UN Calls Haiti Cholera Claim “Not Receivable,” O’Brien & Ban Leaving Town
By Matthew Russell Lee, Source: Inner City Press
UNITED NATIONS, February 21 – More than a year after a complaint about introducing cholera into Haiti was filed with the UN (video here), on Thursday afternoon Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesman Martin Nesirky announced that the claim was “not receivable.”
Inner City Press asked him to explain what the phrase meant, immunity or impunity, and why it had taken the UN so long. February 21 video here, from Minute 10.
Nesirky first declined to explain, saying it is not the UN’s practice to discuss in public the details of claims filed. Then he cited the “privileges and immunities” resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on February 13, 1946.
He said that since considering the claims would involve reviewing “political and policy matters,” the claim was not receivable.
Why take more than a year then, Inner City Press asked. Nesirky explained that the UN had engaged in “serious consideration” for the time necessary of the claims in all their aspects.
Repeatedly since the claim was filed, Inner City Press asked for the status or for Ban Ki-moon’s top lawyer Patricia O’Brien to answer questions. The new Free UN Coalition for Access also made this request, that O’Brien as an Under Secretary General hold a press conference. It never happened.
Now Patricia O’Brien is about to leave the UN, to go represent Ireland at the UN in Geneva. To skeptics it appears that the UN waited until now, to get the disturbing decision out of the way before a new UN top lawyer comes in. They note that Ban Ki-moon is about to leave New York on a trip.
But how can the UN preach “rule of law” while holding itself exempt? How can it even try to avoid explaining how it exonerated itself? Who will hold this UN to account? Watch this site.
Footnote: Inner City Press has also asked the head of UN Peacekeeping Herve Ladsous what safeguards if any he’s implemented to avoid spreading cholera elsewhere.
Ladsous refused to answer, then after FUNCA protested, on February 6 purported to answer Inner City Press on cholera – with no reference to safeguards. This continued, this week, in the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping. UNlawful…
From the February 21, 2013 UN noon briefing transcript:
Inner City Press: I want to ask you a question about the Haiti announcement you made, when you say it is not receivable, what is the legal argument? Was a Standing Claims Commission, as required by the status-of-forces agreement, established? It makes it sound like it is a legal determination, but is there going to be some kind of a memo? What’s the basis? What took so long, and “not receivable” in what way? It was received. Is it basically a claim of immunity by the UN? Can you say more about what this “not receivable” means?
Spokesperson Martin Nesirky: Well, I am not in a position to provide you with any details. It’s not the United Nations practice to discuss in public the details of and the response to claims filed against the Organization. Let me also say I can confirm that we have informed counsel for the claimants that the claims are not receivable. Consideration of the claims would necessarily involve a review of political and policy matters. Accordingly, the claims are not receivable, pursuant to Section 29 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 February 1946. Just to answer your question about the time taken: we gave serious consideration to the matter, and took the time necessary to properly review the various claims raised in all their aspects.
Bill Clinton. Ban Ki Moon, Ezili Dantò, HLLN, human rights violations, illegal MINUSTAH, Paul Farmer, UN claims to be a superstate not subject to human rights laws, UN false benevolence, United Nations, US false benevolence
American Mercenaries Arrested in Hait... — Corrupt Haiti Government Snipers-For-Hire Caught In Hait...
Celebrating Bwa Kayiman 2017 — https://ezilidanto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/spotBw...
Django, white saviors, false benevolence and the Haiti quake
Ezili’s Haiti Work: The non-colonial narrative
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Look in the mirror at America and see the world brotherhood
Larry Kummer, Editor America 30 October 2012 1 February 2014
Is this American exceptionalism? From an interesting article in the latest New York Review of Books:
{It} might fit something John Dower identifies as a common trait in America, something he translates as “victim consciousness” {in Japanese higaisha ishiki}. What this means is the tendency to focus on the suffering of America, especially at the hands of foreigners, while conveniently forgetting the suffering inflicted by Americans on others.
… The largest mainstream newspaper companies, despite some differences in political tone, can be depended on to echo a kind of national consensus established by the same web of government and business interests of which the mainstream press forms an integral part.
… In the so-called “press club system” {kisha in Japanese} reporters from the major national papers are allowed access to particular politicians or government agencies, on the understanding that these powerful sources will never be discomfited by scoops, unauthorized reports, or special investigations. It breeds a kind of journalistic conformity that is hardly unknown in more freewheeling democracies … but is institutionalized in America.
The mainstream press does not really compete for news. What it does much too often instead is faithfully reflect the official version of reality.
This is a follow-up post to Where did the great post-war dream for a new world go sour? on the related subject of American exceptionalism. The above text is — slightly modified — from “Expect to Be Lied to in Japan” by Ian Buruma, New York Review of Books, 8 November 2012. America has been substituted for Japan. The description remains equally accurate, showing some of the commonalities among the developed nations. We’re not as exceptional as we believe; perhaps we’re no longer exceptional in any significant way — except in our self-regard.
We were exceptional in a few years after WWII. Our terms of peace with former enemies. The UN and associated agencies, the realm of law (in seed form) they embodied. The great domestic programs to provide greater equality of opportunity in America, from veterans’ benefits to the great equal rights bills. Apollo, a great dream despite its flawed execution and meager results. But the effort to be exceptional proved too much for America.
Look at what we’ve become. Garden-variety hegemonic wars built on lies to gain oil and bases, to crush regional rivals. Domestically letting our infrastructure rot (including the college system built after WW2) in order to lower taxes for the rich; a idle citizenry watching its liberties fade away. The dream will get a page in the history textbooks of the future. Its decay just a paragraph, something too typical to warrant more.
Note about the NYRB
This is one of the most useful periodicals I subscribe to, along with the London Review of Books at the top of my reading pile. In this article Buruma reviews
Ways of Forgetting, Ways of Remembering: Japan in the Modern World by John W. Dower
Strong in the Rain: Surviving Japan’s Earthquake, Tsunami, and Fukushima Nuclear Disaster by David McNeill and Lucy Birmingham
“This agglomeration which was called and which still calls itself the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.”
— Voltaire (1756) about the decay of the dream of a unified Europe. Perhaps someone will write an equally witty quip about American exceptionalism.
Other posts about Japan
As Japan sails into the shadows, let’s wish them well and wave good-by, 14 July 2009
We are following Japan’s path of decline. The real test comes later this year., 23 June 2010
News about the earthquake in northeastern Japan, 13 March 2011
About the atomic crisis in Japan – background information and reliable news sources, 15 March 2011
ian buruma
Published 30 October 2012 1 February 2014
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5 thoughts on “Look in the mirror at America and see the world brotherhood”
Why is it that Americans, who have suffered least compared to other nations (none of our cities bombed from the air, no mass genocides by invading armies, none of our cities destroyed and all the inhabitants murdered, no mass torture or death squads) feel so sorry for themselves, while other nations like Poland or the Czech and Slovak republics (which have suffered enormous and horrible invasions and mass murders throughout hundreds of years) respond to adversity with such good humor and optimism and hardiness?
It puts me in mind of an observation by a Brit in a German POW camp who noted that the Americans were invariably the most spoiled and infantile of all the prisoners, while the Poles and particularly the Spanish and French expatriates fighting for the Allies bore hardships most cheerfully.
Fabius Maximus says:
That’s a good question about a sad reality. See this comment on the FM website page about Imran Khan — Pakistan’s most popular politician and possible future Prime Minister:
“Imran Khan is an enemy of the United States, to wit, his calling for an open jihad against US troops in Afghanistan. If anything, he should be on the drone kill list.”
“And in the end, the most satisfying thing we can do is carry out one last worthwhile drone strike on the way out. Imran Khan’s a POS.”
“Sure, is Imran Khan worthy of a $100 Hellfire shot from a drone? Probably not in the grand scheme of things (not that probably any of our drone strikes by and large have been worthy of the direct or unintended costs), but it’s a good strategic messaging thing to hang our hat on as we leave the AOR.
Also: the cost of a Hellfire missile is $25,000 (Wikipedia), not $100.
João P. Bragança (@thefringeninja) says:
That’s right america! For the cost of someone’s part time job, you can make yourselves feel better! Don’t stay butthurt at the WORDS of someone on the other side of the planet! Hellfire Missiles: Get Your Revenge Today!*
* disclaimer: you will get butthurt at something else almost immediately.
atheist says:
Just as this national attitude of exceptionalism leads to “victim consciousness”, a focus on ones personal uniqueness leads to unhappiness. At least I find that when I focus on my own specialness I invariably become resentful. But when I focus on my commonalities with others I feel calmer. My class (the “middle class”) is trained to view ourselves as unique but when one looks at us objectively, our connections to others — to the working class — are stronger than our differences. Your thought-experiment above, of taking writing about Japan and changing its name to the US, is much like a middle-class person reminding ourselves that we are pretty much the same as everyone else, and it has the same kind of calming, strengthening effect.
Nicely said! Thanks for the feedback.
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10 Reasons Why We Love Ximena Sinfuego
A Dreamer and a doer.
So, Ximena is a total boss, right?
She's smart, bold, and more than a bit of a badass. If you're not totally obsessed with this strong, inspiring woman, then you will be after you check out our list below. You can also watch Ximena in action during her daring escape in The Fosters summer finale, streaming now on Freeform.
1. She took Mariana under her wing when she needed someone to guide her.
2. And she gave Callie the confidence to find herself.
3. She's a woman who empowers other women.
And we love her for it.
4. She has a crazy cool derby name.
It's so perfect. 😍
5. She threw a kickass, and legally permitted, fundraising party.
Still mad that we didn't get an invite. 😒
6. She's a great mentor.
7. She isn't afraid to speak out.
Courage thy name is Ximena.
8. She's so strong, even when things get really serious.
Does she ever lose her composure?
9. She saved the ABCC prom on incredibly short notice.
Saving the day at the last minute like it's no big deal.
10. She's a fighter.
Being a Dreamer in today's America is not easy, but Ximena doesn't let it stop her from living life, supporting her family, and fighting for justice. She's our hero. ❤️
What do you love about Ximena? Let us know in the comments!
Catch-up on everything Ximena in the most recent episodes of The Fosters season 5.
Prove You're A True Fan Of The Fosters By Guessing Which Season These Images Are From
The Fosters Has Come To An End, But Here's 10 Reasons It Will Stay With Us Forever
The Adams Fosters: Then And Now
Follow The Fosters:
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AndresLionheart
About AndresLionheart
https://www.youtube.com/AndresLionheart
SlyferGestahl
Whitelightnin683
SupergiantStarr
KimiRaines
fabiansc83
V_BloodLine's Dispute
AndresLionheart replied to V_BloodLine's topic in Flagged Game Disputes
I didn't check the list but in Spyro 2 there is a map load storage glitch that allows you to be in the state of the Speedway stages (unlimited super flight and super charge) in other stages. With it you can clip through the bottom of the map into the gate thing that gives you the permanent super flame. However, I believe this still requires beating the final boss to access that Dragon Fair or whatever it is.
Easy to Plat RPGs?
AndresLionheart replied to Spraragen88's topic in PlayStation 4
Why play strategy games if you don't want to plan ahead? It's like if I wanted to play an action game but I only do it if I can stop and take my time mid battle. I also don't remember much "planning ahead" in Valkyria Chronicles. On topic, so many games had already been mentioned... from the Tales games I'd say only Berseria is easy to platinum.
Tales of AndresLionheart's backlog
AndresLionheart replied to AndresLionheart's topic in Trophy Checklists
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! Game Difficulty: 1/10 Platinum Difficulty: 2/10 Time to Platinum: 8 hours Thoughts on the game I don't remember these games being so short. I dunno, I feel like as a kid I spent way more time in each stage. I didn't remember that much about this one but my foggy memory had a few signs of the first 2 hubs, nothing of the third. The obvious reason why these games feel shorter now is that Sparx being able to point to that one gem that you didn't see saves a shitton of wasted time. It is especially important in this one because green gems can easily blend with the grass. I don't have much to say about this game. It felt worse than Spyro 1 in every single aspect. There is much less personality everywhere due to the lack of something like the dragons talking to you every time you save one. Those were also the moments in which Spyro's adorable animations and comments shined. In this one Spyro barely gets to talk. There is a good amount of variety in stage themes, but these being so varied and completely disjointed form the world hub they are in makes them less memorable as well. The way gems are spread in levels also feels kinda random. Overall the level design was uninspired. New skills being unlocked after visiting some areas just add back tracking. It is not that much time wasted, but it's time wasted nonetheless. Most of the abilities are underutilized anyway so they should just have introduced the new skill in the first level that required it. In general the game feels smaller. There seems to be less of everything. When I finished Spyro 1 I was really looking forward to playing more. This one on the other hand left me with a "meh" feeling. Hopefully it picks up again for the third one, which I may have never played, I'm not completely sure. Thoughts on the Platinum Even easier and faster than the first one. None of the trophy requirements are challenging. There is one that could have been it, but it is actually a "Skill Point" and not a trophy. It involves beating the second boss without getting hit (which can be cheesed after finishing the game thanks to the permanent upgraded flame attack). Still, these Skill Points are not needed for any trophy and all they do is unlock the image gallery (I did them anyway, though). After finishing the game there is this last area with some mini games to play for tokens to unlock a theather but for whatever reason nothing of that is needed for the platinum. Due to this I didn't feel compelled to complete any of that D=. The only reason I rated this a 2/10 is because there are some kinda annoying trophies in a few levels that may require 2 hands. These are also two of this Super Charge areas that I can see people with slow reflexes having trouble with.
Bloodstained: Trophy Thoughts
AndresLionheart replied to majob's topic in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
For me it didn't show on the cleared file either, but after reloading that file and saving again it went to 100%
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Game Difficulty: 4/10 Platinum Difficulty: 5/10 Time to Platinum: 23 hours Thoughts on the game This is the third game I supported on Kickstarter and the first I dedicate time to. After not even wanting to check Mighty No.9 and only played Yooka-Laylee for like 3 hours I get an interesting game. I checked the Kickstarter to see some information and turns out this was initially slated for March 2017... Damn it got delayed, I didn't even realize how long it's been. In that time I got around to play the main inspiration for this game, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. I know this is a spiritual successor, but it feels exactly like SotN. There are a few areas that feel ripped right from that game, lol (for example the Underground Waterway, which has this cave corridor to the left with toads and that ends in a Waterfall with an item behind it). Miriam controls just like Alucard. Fluent movement, responsive jumps. The mechanic I was most happy to see still here was jump cancelling to bypass endlag on attacks. Even after the graphics overhaul the game still looks just okay. SotN with it's sprites looks better =/. However, that is not my biggest issue. The game performs pretty badly. It chugs on big areas or when too much stuff is going on (the biggest example is a boss called Valefor. He has an attack with stacks of poker chips that tanks the game almost to a halt). When you get into a new area if you attack something too quickly the game just freezes for a few seconds. And this is on PS4, people on Switch can't even play. Even of PS4 I have seen reports of the game crashing on getting locked up on inifinite loading screens. It suffices to say that the game still needed a few more months to be completely ready. Not only that, there are a bunch of stretch goals that have yet to be implemented and are supposed to come out on August, so we will see if they bring the game to an acceptable state by then. Enough about that, how does the game play? Well, I'm happy to say that is a Metroidvania through and through. There is a big map to explore with little to no guidance, so it's up to you to remember things that you could not access (or use some map markers, I guess) to later come back and see if that's the next place to go. There is a character in the starting area that will share some advice about the next objective but it is sometimes so vague that it doesn't even help at all. I really like the shard system. Basically, whenever you kill an enemy there is a chance to get a shard that gives new abilities or passives. Only one of each type can be equipped at a time. These can be upgraded by getting repeats and by using alchemy. Most types of shards just get stronger effects, but passive shards can also become a permanent passive when fully improved through alchemy. This makes it so you can become a monster by maxing passives that affect your current build. On top of that there is the equipment. There is a lot of variaty in weapon types, each with their own style of play. I ended up maining Katanas, mostly because I just like them but also because they really benefit from jump cancelling (fast startup on attacks but long ending lag). Throughout the game you can find bookshelves that containt info on the story and, more importantly, special weapon techniques. These work like in SotN, with special button inputs like quarter circle forward or forward back forward motions. Those made me like Katanas even more because they have the usual badass quick slash through enemies that is so fast that they feel it moments later. Normally these are specific to each weapon but after several uses are mastered and become available for any weapon in that category. One curious feeling I had is that since this uses the same characters from the 8-bit style spin-off, Curse of the Moon, I felt like I was playing a reboot from an NES game, even though CotM came out only a year ago. Seeing the transition of those little simple sprites into their fully 3D models gave me that same feeling The music is fine, I say it's in line with SotN. Still, I dunno what is with me but I tend to not be able to enjoy music in these games. I think it may be because I'm too focused in what I'm doing so I don't have time to enjoy what I'm hearing. There are a few secrets here and there, and a bit too many points taken from SotN. I won't say because of spoilers but some parts in the progression through the game are EXACTLY like SotN, like too exactly. At least there wasn't an inverted castle... Anyway, overall I like this beginning. I hope in the future more creative liberties are taken so we can get a fully new game. For now I'm done but I will be back to check the roguelike dungeon, I feel that the shard and weapon systems are perfect for some randomized playthroughs. Thoughts on the Platinum 100% Item List... yeah... haven't seen one of those in a while. Nowadays most games only ask for like 80 or 90%, but here you need everything. There is a lot of going around getting materials with drop rates from 1 to 12% (most of them around 6 to 8%). This may look awful but it is not that bad because the Luck stat affects drop chances quite a bit. Before doing any of this I prepared a full set focusing on Luck, which let me get it over 100. I dunno exactly how much that increases the rates, but something with 2% drop rate would appear every 10 kills or so, so I'm gonna throw a fake number and say that 100 Luck means 5 times the drop chances =P (which is made up and especially false because I was also using a ring that said it increased item drops). The rest of the completion is good fun. If it wasn't for the grind to get 100% of the item list I would actually get this Platinum again in another account. Be wary that there are 2 missable trophies regarding bad endings! I randomly came across a comment that mentioned this before getting to that point, but I think I would have at least realized about one of them because it works pretty much like SotN. The Media Corner Just like with SotN, I completed everything else before heading into the final boss. This means I am waaaaay stronger than I should be. Popping the Platinum. I was so fricking strong from maximizing my build while I completed everything else that I destroy these bosses. I triple checked the map to be completely sure I didn't miss a room somewhere. My final stats. I actually had a better head piece that would put me over 400 Atk but I didn't use it because I didn't like how it looked with everything else. Yes, there is some customization.
AndresLionheart started following fabiansc83 June 27
Un misionero =o, que grande! Me gusta encontrar a gente del interior por estos lugares =p.
Debo ser el unico Misionero en psnprofiles 😂 ademas soy de Leo igual que vos jaja 👌 Un saludo!
Where are the Genuine PS3 controllers?
AndresLionheart replied to willmill97's topic in PlayStation 3
I haven't used a DS3 since I learned I can use DS4 wirelessly on PS3. DS4s are so much more comfortable. Not having Sixaxis or rumble doesn't matter to me. To open the XMB I just keep a DS3 around, although most of time I only open it just to turn off the console. I do have 4 DS3 from back in the day, but if I was in your situation I would just use the fake controller just for XMB and forget about it.
zerobaiano's Dispute
AndresLionheart replied to zerobaiano's topic in Flagged Game Disputes
If you need any more flags, his Tales of Graces f list is also fucked. He comea back after 3 months and gets a bunch of 50-100 title trophies for every character. Seems he played the game normally at first but then decided to use a savefile to pop those trophies (it's funny because that could be my savefile that I uploaded to gamefaqs back in the day when I was naive and didn't think about people using those to pop trophies)
Hi. Yeh, it's been a while. After a few plats I thought something could have happened to you so I checked your profile to see you latest activity, lol. I mean, maybe you died or Maduro decided to censor the whole internet by disabling it in the country or something, lol. Good to see neither of those things happened. Doing that Symphonia plat does take some special mental state, for sure. I don't know what happened to me but I got into this Tales mood that made me finally want to go through the game. That walkthrough helped a lot with condensing all the sidequests along with the main story in one place. My usual problem with games like Symphonia is the annoyance of having to check a bunch of different sources a bunch of times because the information is not in chronological order. Now that I think about it, I should have taken notes of the order in which I was completing things for a simple point to point guide for those concerned about getting lost and missing something... damn, that would have been so useful, lol. Of course we all love weeb trash! I just wasn't sure if I was getting the point across that I simply like calling it weeb trash, I found the term funny xD. I enjoyed my time with Totori. Since it was the first one I played it felt like a different take on RPGs. At the time I remember I was unsure about having a limited amount of time to play, but I quickly got very efficient at the game and went through it without any issues. I really liked completing small tasks for the adventurer points, it actually made it feel like I was working for a real license. That game also had this feeling of wanting to know what was further away from the town, making earning those license upgrades that much sweeter. The cast of characters in that one was more developed, too, if I remember correctly. Also, I'm sorry for making fun of people running out of time =P. Although, the time in Totori was more strict (and I've heard is even stricter in previous games).
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey Game Difficulty: 4/10 Platinum Difficulty: 4/10 Time to Platinum: 49 hours I haven't played one of these since Atelier Totori back in 2013. This would be the second one I play in the millions of these games, although I did play Atelier Meruru for a few hours (I did end up dropping it because I started it way too soon after finishing Totori). These games are nothing to write home about. In essence all they are is low budget weeb trash. The crafting is cool an allows for varied creations, but all these games are pretty much the same. A cast filled with moe characters with the player controlling a cute girl starting to learn alchemy because of X or Y reason. It sounds like I'm bashing the game for it but that's not it. I knew head on what I was getting into and I got what I expected. This is what these games do and why they sell to whatever small amount of people that buy them. A niche that has lived quite long (I think since the PS2?). I mean, I like weeb trash, that's why I play things like this, Senran Kagura and Neptunia. Anyway, the game starts with this girl that lives in a town inside a big cave. She has never been able to go outside of the cave so her dream is to be able to. The course of history changes when Sophie, the alchemist form the previous game, visits the town and teaches Firis alchemy. From here starts something I liked, the fact that you are not allowed to go out of this place for the following hour or so of game. That made the event of leaving the place also important for the player. From there you are given 360 days to get 3 out of the 5 letters of recommendations from licensed alchemists to be allowed to take the exam to become a fully fledged alchemist. The time is extremelly lenient. You only need 3 letters of recommendation but I got all 5 and I still had 182 days left. I used about 60 days to craft some good shit for the exam (since you need to win an important battle for the only missable trophy, or play the game again in a NG+ of sorts... no thanks). After the exam there is no more time limit so you get to do the other half of the game without having to mind wasting time. I didn't have any problem with the time limit, but not seeing the counter below the clock made me feel relieved anyway. What I found funny is that while looking for some info I read about people who were running out of time while not even close to the exam, or getting to the exam with Firis only at level 2... like how... I sometimes don't understand how people can play games like this so wrong, lol. The worst part about this game is how unimportant most of the characters are. The only characters, other than Firis, that get any importance are Liane (Firis' older sister) and Sophie, the other 6 characters that join the party feel like whatever. I mean, I understand the budget at hand, but why add so many then? Worst part is you can't even have all of them on the group at the same time, 3 are left out, so why not just simply cut 3 characters and put some more time on to the others? This is the first game to adopt an Open World of sorts, and I have to say I like it more like this. The disjointed areas I remember from Totori felt really artifitial. In this game you get a portable Atelier, so no need to go back to a town or to the house every night! (you don't even need to sleep =P). Along the journey you meet a bunch of characters, so many that you forget half of them right away because, unless you are looking everywhere (which you can't when a time limit is looming over), you will never see them again. From all the random events that happened I wanted to make note of this one in which Sophie and Plachta (the other important character from the previous game) were arguing about Liane's age. They come to the Atelier to ask that, to which Liane says she is 18. What is important here is that since she is the older sister I only then started wondering about Firis' age. Compared to other Atelier protagonists she seemed older (although her VA was pretty terrible trying to sound super young) and, while short, she still had a more developed body (for once, she has boobs). This is how she looks like, btw: So, I looked up her age because I got curious... Turns out she is 15? Like... thanks, Japan, that's a very well developed 15 years old, I guess. All the characters are pretty one note. Liane is the classic older sister obsessed with her cute younger sister to the point it just feels she wants to fuck her. Sophie is the messy teacher. Oskar is obsessed with flowers. Revy is obsessed with becoming stronger by finding ancient treasures. Angriff is obsessed with money (although for good reason). Kald is obsessed with recording history. Drossel is obsessed with dolls. Yes, a lot of obsessed people, so you get my point =P. The battles in this game are weird... Due to how alchemy works, this game can be as difficult or as easy as your ability with making equipment gets. The problem with this is that the balancing can be all over the place. In my experience all my fights were completely binary, I either destroyed the boss and it had no chance at all, or I was doing misserable amounts of damage and getting one shot. There are a lot of abilities and items but only a few were important because of this blancing. I never had to heal or revive someone, I never had to choose items wisely or use buffs (I used some buffs but I knew they weren't necessary). I dunno how they could fix that, though. In closing, I enjoyed my journey, but it was nothing I can recommend. Another game I will for sure never play again. Thoughts on the Platinum It has 10 endings, but all can be achieved one right after the other. Different from something like Atelier Totori, you can unlock every character ending without one voiding the other, you simply get to choose at the end from all the ones that you have unlocked (including the true ending which is unlocked by fulfilling the requirements of all other endings). The part that I thank the most is not requiring to beat any of the highest level bosses and only asking for 80% of data completion. If this game asked for 100% of everything I bet the plat would be Ultra Rare. There are a lot of things to get, fight and create, but the game gets to a point in which you don't want to synthetize any more items... especially the good ones. With how the alchemy system works it is possible to create some sick equipment and usable items that can demolish everything, but that takes time and some planning, things I was not willing to offer at the point close to the end. The Media Corner I popped the platinum with the True Ending, but the pop happens upon making the decision instead of when the scene happens, so that's very uninteresting, so let's just show some random things. This is how Firis looks in a Hotspring. Some boss that I think may be a recurrent character in the series? Not sure about that. After this fight you get a quest to refight her a few days later, which I guess would be a harder fight. This is a good example of how my fights went. Keep in mind my equipment wasn't even that good. I only made a few OP accessories, all the weapons and armors were found or dropped by bosses.
Alex_Beerson's Dispute
AndresLionheart replied to Alex_Beerson's topic in Flagged Game Disputes
On Devil May Cry 5 he has the trophy for finishing every mission in every difficulty with an S-rank but he doesn't have the trophy for finishing the game in Hell and Hell.
OMG IT'S HAPPENING (FF8 Remaster)
AndresLionheart replied to Asmund89's topic in Unreleased Games
I wasn't talking about the graphics when I said it didn't age well, it's more about how the game is laid out. A bunch of times I got lost because indications where not clear enough. The materia system is cool but is to me is a case where it is too much freedom. Random encounters would have made it annoying as well because of their frequency, but the PS4 version cheats fix that (along being really slow at points, which is fixed with the 3x speed). Basically stuff that has been streamlined over the years for an overall better experience. I would never judge such an old game on the graphics. Super Mario 64 looks like crap, too, but that doesn't make it any less fun.
Lol, it's so funny how different opinioms can be. VIII is my favorite one and XV is second xD. Although I feel IX could easily overtake XV if I play it fully. I'm haven't played a lot of them, though. From the usually well received ones I still have to play VI. I didn't care much for VII, although I played it for the first time like 2 years ago and it has aged poorly. For me the worst one is XIII. Well, maybe not worse than II, but around there.
Am97k_'s Dispute
AndresLionheart replied to Am97k_'s topic in Flagged Game Disputes
Why exactly? Because the cheater makes a public dispute, lies, and then gets destroyed by other people for it? Oh, btw, he also used a save for Nier Automata since he accessed the Trophy shop before finishing the game (endings C or D).
Since FF9 and 7 came out on PSN with trophy support I've wanted the same thing for FF8. It is my favorite FF but I never fully completed it (I always miss cards), so I wanted it on PSN to have the incentive to finally get to it. Not only that but is actually a remaster with better models =D. I was watching the event live for the FF7R stuff but I cannot express how hyped I got the intant I heard Liberi Fatali right after the "what fans have been waiting for so long" or whatever it said.
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Afghanistan To Hold Loya Jirga Grand Assembly To Discuss Peace Talks
Afghanistan is scheduled on April 29 to convene a rare Loya Jirga -- a traditional gathering of elders, religious scholars, and prominent Afghans.
U.S., Russia, China Call For 'Inclusive Afghan-Led' Peace Process
The United States, Russia, and China have agreed on the goal of withdrawing foreign forces from Afghanistan and to seek an "inclusive Afghan-led" peace process, the three countries declared in a joint statement.
U.S. Official: Afghan Peace Deal Could Trigger Internal Woes
Taliban And Afghan Gov’t Dispute Clouds Qatar Talks
Differences between Afghanistan’s hard-line Taliban and the Afghan government hang over a planned weekend gathering in Qatar seen as a stepping stone toward eventual negotiations between the two.
Afghanistan To Send 250 Delegates To Taliban Meeting In Qatar
The Afghan government says it will send 250 delegates for talks with the Taliban in Qatar this week that are seen as a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the nearly 18-year war.
U.S., Taliban Signal Afghan Peace Talks Intact Despite Offensive'
American and Taliban officials have indicated their months-long peace dialogue remains on track, despite the intensification of hostilities in Afghanistan that came with the start of the insurgent group's spring offensive.
Report: Press Freedom Endangered In Pakistan
Pakistan’s leading rights watchdog says it has documented the “unprecedented level” to which the freedom of expression and press freedom has shrunk in the country.
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Damen to Construct Baltic Sea’s First LNG Ship-to-Ship Bunkering Vessel
October 3, 2018 by gCaptain
Dutch shipbuilding group Damen has announced receiving contract from the Estonian natural gas company Eesti Gaas for the construction of the first short-sea LNG bunkering vessels to operate in the Baltic Sea. The vessel, which is scheduled for delivery in September 2020, will be used to provide ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services to vessels, particulary in the passenger, … [Read more...]
‘Major’ Oil Storage Terminal Coming to Adriatic
October 31, 2016 by Reuters
By Libby George LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Global oil storage company VTTI launched a new terminal in Croatia on Monday to target oil product demand in the Adriatic in advance of what the company says is substantial further expansion in Europe. The storage company announced its acquisition of a newly opened Adriatic Tank Terminal in Ploce, a deepwater port on the Croatian … [Read more...]
EU Agrees On Plan to End Overfishing in Baltic Sea
March 16, 2016 by Reuters
By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS, March 16 (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers and member states have agreed on a long-term plan to end over fishing of cod, sprat and herring stocks in the Baltic Sea, the first such plan of its kind under the EU's reformed fisheries policy. The multi-annual deal clinched late on Tuesday will combine the management of cod, herring and sprat … [Read more...]
Baltic Navy Shadow-Boxing Said to Reach Cold War Levels
May 4, 2015 by Reuters
VISBY FORWARD OPERATING BASE, Sweden — A daily game of Cold War cat-and-mouse is ratcheting up tensions in the Baltic and drawing the biggest military presence into the region for over 20 years, Swedish navy officials say. Eye-to-eye encounters with Russian combat jets and reports of suspected submarines in Swedish and Finnish waters are fuelling regional concerns about … [Read more...]
Sweden’s Submarine Whodunit Brings Cold War Back to Baltic Sea
October 21, 2014 by Bloomberg
By Amanda Billner and James G. Neuger Oct. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Is it a submarine? Is it Russian? And what’s it doing off the coast of Sweden? The swirling nautical whodunit in the Baltic Sea brought back memories of Cold War fact and fiction, fueling the hypothesis among jittery neighbors that President Vladimir Putin’s Russia is making more regional trouble. That is, if … [Read more...]
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Community › Wedding Boards › Destination Weddings
Destination Weddings Wedding Boards All Boards
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This Week's Leaders in Chit Chat
'Destination' wedding...but only for some
KnickerGold member
November 2015 in Destination Weddings
Hi all, I'm new here as I just got engaged last Saturday!
So, I'm originally from NYC. My parents now live in Florida. I live in Texas, as does my fiancee's family- albeit 3+ hours from us. The rest of my family lives between Mass and DC. So really anywhere would be a destination wedding for a large percentage of our guests.
We settled on NYC, getting married where my parents did. Not an issue for any family members, but fiancee has indicated it may be an issue for some of his friends (he hasn't spoken with any of them about it, he just thinks it will be) and they may not be able to attend.
So fiancee wants to have 'another reception' in Texas after we get back from our honeymoon, which most likely puts us in early/mid november, which means the "easy fun ranch party" (held at the back of the ranch where I board my horses) won't be easy or fun because most likely it will be cold and rainy. And if by chance it's sunny, the ground will still be very very muddy--which is how it is from late October through April every.single.year.
Plus, I don't really see why we *need* to have another party, all of our family will be at the main event. AND the ranch is at least 2.5 hours away for most of his friends anyway, so they'd still need to get a hotel. Plus, do I then invite those people who also came to the wedding? That seems silly and odd. But if not, then it's us and 10-15 people... so why bother? Not that they aren't important, but why don't we just go down to where they all live one weekend and have a big dinner or something- I feel like that would make more sense. But Fiancee wants it to be like a second reception... outside in the mud...
I'd feel differently if we were going to Italy or Aruba or something to get married and only inviting 15-20 people, but we're having a full wedding/reception already, and all the people we'd invite to the 'second reception' would already be invited to the wedding and declined to attend...
What do those with more wedding experience say?
Re: 'Destination' wedding...but only for some
Go with your gut - don't have a second party.
Jells2dot0 Cowtown mod
Agree- no need for a second party. Technically, it's not a destination wedding anyway because not everyone has to travel, so the whole "AHR" thing doesn't apply. Invite his friends to the wedding in NY and if certain people cannot make it, perhaps plan to meet up with a few of them informally over dinner and or drinks when you get home.
ETF- I seriously cannot write today
Glad I'm not crazy!
What's AHR?
holyguacamole79 a taco truck in Houston member
Knottie54289357 said:
At home reception.
Agree with PPs.
artbyallie mod
People know when they're being offered a consolation prize. Skip it.
However, perhaps you should sit down with your fiancé. If it's important to him to have his friends attend, he can clear the date/location with them ahead of time. How equally was the decision made on NYC? Would he prefer to get married in Texas? I don't have much to go on here, but since he suggested a second party, maybe he's not entirely on board with the original plan.
artbyallie said:
He repeatedly says 'whatever you want' in regards to plans. I wasn't 100% on NYC since it will be more expensive than Texas but my Dad -who is paying- wants NYC. When FI heard that he said 'must do NYC'.
We had talked about getting married abroad at one point- with maybe 10 people invited- and then having a ranch party/second reception for everyone. So I guess he hasn't put it together that inviting everyone the first time means no need for round 2.
justsie member
I agree with all PPs, skip it. Invite your friends to the wedding and if they come they come. You might want to consider STD so they have an opportunity to make plans since they will be traveling- although STDs are not required. If you do send STDs though remember that everyone that gets one must be invited to the wedding.
He repeatedly says 'whatever you want' in regards to plans. I wasn't 100% on NYC since it will be more expensive than Texas but my Dad -who is paying- wants NYC. When FI heard that he said 'must do NYC'. We had talked about getting married abroad at one point- with maybe 10 people invited- and then having a ranch party/second reception for everyone. So I guess he hasn't put it together that inviting everyone the first time means no need for round 2.
Okay, that's fair. He who pays gets the say. And it's okay to do something casual if it's 100% not labeled as wedding-related. Have a holiday party or a BBQ or whatever for friends back home. Invite who you would like regardless of whether they attended the wedding.
justsie said:
I'm new to this whole wedding thing, but would people really send STDs and then NOT invite people to the wedding? That's crazy rude!
How early are STDs supposed to go out? We're currently planning on Oct '16, and should have ceremony and reception sites nailed down this week.
You would be surprised at the number of rude things people do.
And STDs typically go out between 6-12 months prior to the wedding. So you could send them out at any point.
princessleia22 Oceanfront Property in Arizona member
Like others said, it would be fine to do an informal get-together or go out to dinner with friends back home, but it shouldn't be a do-over reception. His friends will know its not the real thing... and honestly, all they probably want is to congratulate you and have a drink or two anyway. You can do that without having a repeat reception.
And, yeah, you would be surprised at some of the rude things that people suggest on this site. Sending out STD without inviting someone is just the tip of that iceburg. An easy offender of this is people that get over-excited and post a general STD on facebook to all of their "friends", then only invite a select few. Lurk around some of the old threads, especially on the etiquette page, and you'll find some interesting stories of how not to do a wedding.
levioosa Southern California member
princessleia22 said:
Ha, I'll have to go take a look!!
Also, what is 'JIC'? Just in case?
JIC is "Just in case". (Just in case you don't like the honest answers you get from people and want to delete your post... you can't delete the reply's or quotes.)
Honestly, I got married in June 2014 and the main reason I stick around is the entertainment factor of some of the horror stories. And to occasionally help steer new brides on the correct path.
From your few posts, you seem to have a decent head on your shoulders and seem to be here to confirm that your instincts of a redo reception being rude and to throw a proper event. There are many that come on here and will argue that it's "their day" and they can do whatever they want and it doesn't matter if it's considered rude. Or very common is "my family & friends love me, so they won't care if I do [insert rude behavior]". Hopefully you stick around and take the advice of the smart ladies on this site. They often get accused of being rude, but that's because they are brutally honest and will tell you straight out if you are being incredibly rude to your guests or that your event isn't just for you and you need to host your guests properly. Many of your guests/family won't tell you if you are making etiquette mistakes... they will just talk about it behind your back.
This happened to me. It sucked hard core, especially since I had already bought my plane ticket for the wedding.
I don't see why I'd delete my post, I asked a question, and got answers, not of which were rude, nor did I take offense to any... weird.
I haven't been to a wedding in years, so I'm lost, hence the questions. I think FI has given up on the idea of a second reception, thankfully. Once I pointed out that we'd be inviting a bunch of people who came to the wedding it seemed to click in his head that two parties may be redundant.
Plus, I told him he'd have to plan it.
The second reception topic tends to be a hot button issue on this site. A lot of people want to do at home receptions, but redo all the wedding elements (wear dress, cake cutting, even saying vows). And a lot of the brides get upset when people tell them that it's not a great idea. It's a common topic where brides get honest answers and the originally poster feels hurt that nobody agrees with them or tells them that it's okay to do and they delete the post. For some people, it doesn't take much for them to get hurt and delete. For example, there is a whole slew of delete posts from one person that posted on several boards today (look at chit chat, etiquette board, reception board, etc.). The post wasn't about redo reception, but people were not rude in their responses and now all the boards have a topic called "deleted", because she didn't like the answers. So, nothing personal, but usually someone will do a JIC quote whenever there is a potential hot button topic.
Ah interesting!
Again, would never imagine re-wearing my wedding dress/re-doing vows (well maybe re-doing vows in 10 years!) that seems umm odd. Ha! Going to check those threads out...
You have a great attitude. Please change your name to something that's not Knottie#s (PM KnotHolly or KnotRiley) and stick around!
It's been changed
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Solving Chornovol assault has become a game of poker... and links between perp and politicos
This from United States Mission to the OSCE, delivered today by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer, in his "Statement on Events in Ukraine",
"....The United States, like many other countries, was deeply dismayed to learn of the violent beating of Ukrainian activist and journalist Tatiana Chornovol in the early morning of December 25. A few hours earlier, Chornovol, who has reported critically on alleged government misuse of state resources, had posted on her blog photos of a residence alleged to belong to a member of the Yanukovich government. The photographs of Chornovol’s bloodied and battered face after she was left in a ditch by her assailants are a haunting reminder of the work still before us to prevent future abuses in the OSCE space.
"Chornovol’s beating appears to be part of an emerging pattern of retribution against those who have organized, participated in, or reported sympathetically on the Euromaidan protests in exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly. One journalist tweeted poignantly on Christmas Day: “The scary thing [about] an assault on Chornovol [is] that every journalist working in Ukraine now could easily imagine himself in her place, me included.”
Will the case ever be fully solved? Will those who commissioned it ever be brought to justice?
Because of the total mistrust of law enforcement agencies, most Ukrainians have little faith that they will. Nevertheless, it seems that the authorities have at last realised the magnitude of the resonance of this crime.
Even the dashboard camera recordings from Chornovol's vehicle leaked onto YouTube by Chornovol's family and their opposition party aids have been edited - there are several short portions clipped out. This is unfortunate..
These portions may well contain further evidence that could be produced if law enforcement agencies present a falsified version of events in any trial of the accused. E.g. the portions of video held back may contain details of a second vehicle that was allegedly involved. The presence of a second vehicle would make any case of conspiracy far more credible and could provide further clues as to the identity of the commissioners of the crime..
The highway along which Chornovol's vehicle was chased and forced off the road has many video surveillance cameras posted along it. She may have passed a dozen of these. Some reports claim that vehicles can be continuously tracked along this stretch of highway, so investigators will be checking video footage...but what will they produce in court?
Chornovol herself may provide vital evidence. Her husband today stated that she can ID one of her assailants..
There is a game of poker going on, with both sides keeping several cards very close to their chests in order to blacken opponents and minimise political damage.
When Tetyana Chornovol does eventually return to health she will almost certainly continue her work investigating wrongdoing by the president and those in the cabinet...and will expose those evil men who tried to kill her.
p.s. The diabolical links between career criminals and Ukrainian politicians are well illustrated by this entire case.
There are many unofficial reports that the fifth suspect is a Roman Aleksandrovych Zalyubovsky .
He is about 34 years of age, was born, and lives in Dniprodzerzhinsk.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs' official statements, he works as a security guard. According to another of the suspects, he looked like a boxer..
In 2010, Zalyubovsky became founder and director of a real estate company called "World-Bud"- in reality he was probably only the 'front man'.
Before him the owner of the company was Oleh Netrebko, who was the founder of the Ukrainian Horting (martial arts) Federation . Netrebko also owns a chain of other companies related to real estate, and other businesses in the Dnipropetrovsk region, farms etc.
In 2006 Netrebko was a candidate for Natalia Vitrenko's 'Rus' party.
Netrebko was according to some reports, also a criminal authority in the region, a.k.a. "Netrik." and collaborated with another crime boss who featured heavily in my blogs several years ago, the late Maksym [a.k.a. Mad Max] Kurochkin. [Oh, happy days..]
Netrebko was an aid to the former PoR parliamentary deputy Valeriya Matyukha. She had been called as a witness in investigation of the murder of one Roman Yerokhin [who also featured in 'ForeignNotes' a few years ago.]
Organised crime investigator Yerohkin had been delving into money laundering operations in Eastern Ukraine - some of it allegedly linked to current interior minister Zaharchenko.
Matyukha started her career as a secretary in the company of Olena Lukash - who is now the current Minister of Justice of Ukraine....
How bad can it get? This is why YevroMaidan's favourite chant is "Bandu Het!" [Out with the criminal gang] They know what what they want...
[More here]
Posted by LEvko at 1:26 AM No comments:
Labels: Chornovol
Chornovol beating suspect's story does not stack up
Serhiy Kotenko, one of the arrested suspects accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Tetyana Chornovol, spoke to a journalist through courtroom cage bars when he appeared in court. a couple of days ago. Partial transcript in English here:
Much of his story does not stack up.
I have personally had involvement with guys from Ukraine purchasing vehicles. They are ultra, ultra careful to verify everything, particularly documents relating to ownership. A smudged document stamp or one wrong number in a chassis or engine number entered on a registration document, and its no deal..
"The goods" are invariably scrupulously, if not microscopically examined, inside, outside, underneath, everywhere...
Kotenko claims he was selling the Porsche Cayenne [which rammed Chornovol's little Chevrolet], yet he was not the owner - the vehicle was registered to another of the suspects, one Oleksandr Khramtsov. He and prospective purchasers would be well aware no sale could be made without correct paperwork.
I cannot imagine anyone buying [or selling, come to that] a vehicle at midnight in the middle of winter, on the street, to strangers, particularly a high-end Porsche, even though it was a few years old.
Kotenko says the two prospective purchasers he met looked tough and mean - he thought they were boxers; he did not know them yet he let them drive the vehicle on a main highway in the middle of the night...knowing though they could have dumped him any time at the side of the road and drive away scot-free.
They smashed up his vehicle, beat up Chornovol, drove to Brovary, and left him without saying a word. But Kotenko went to a friend's place and goes to bed..without informing the police....
At the end of the dash camera footage from Chornovol's car, two guys emerge from the Porsche, and the vehicle then drives forward..Either Kotenko was at the wheel and not on the back seat as he claims, in which case he actively participated in the crime, or he was one of the two guys seen coming out of the vehicle, the other prospective purchasers being behind the wheel, steering the car to one side of the road.
Posted by LEvko at 11:36 PM No comments:
Husband provides details of attempt on life of Tetyana Chornovol
Although there have been many reports on the dreadful assault on Tetyana Chornovol in English, .e.g. as in 'KyivPost' here and here they have missed several important details.
Today Chornovol's husband, Mykola Berozovyi, was interviewed on the internet-based 'Hromadske.tv'
He makes the following points, amongst others:
A second automobile, as well as the Porsche Cayenne, was used by the perpetrators in the attempt to force Chornovol's small Chevrolet into oncoming traffic on the busy Boryspil highway, in order to cause a head-on crash. No mention has been made of any second automobile in any official statement by official law enforcement bodies. [The authorities at first claimed it had been a 'road rage' incident..the presence of two vehicles would discount this theory and also would suggest a wider, planned conspiracy].
At least three traffic control video cameras were passed by Chornovol and her assailants as they drove along this highway, maybe many more. No mention has been made of any recordings to date, although one tv station has published a brief surveillance video from a filling station showing both Chornovol's automobile and the Porsche Cayenne which repeatedly rammed it shortly after, driving through.
Berezovyi revealed that Chornovol had been systematically followed in recent times, and at first considered the attending Porsche was just a continuation of this process. She was convinced that she would soon be arrested. She and her husband had used intrigue and set false trails to check and prove that her phone was being bugged. This constant surveillance must have been authorised and logged by senior law enforcement officials, but Berezovyi suggested that this vital evidence will never be revealed, for obvious reasons: no-one is about to incriminate themselves or their superiors.
He explained that the violent assault was certainly an attempt to kill his wife. She had been violently struck about the temples and face, hard enough to cause multiple, serious fractures, but nowhere else about her body. She was severely concussed and is still suffering from partial amnesia as a result. Her lungs contained a large quantity of blood so must have been unconscious when she was dumped by her assailants, and until she was found, providing more evidence she had been left for dead.
The video recorder in Chornovol's Chevrolet had only been installed two days previously - the assailants would not have known of its existence, so they made no attempt to remove it.
Berezovyi points the finger of suspicion at Kyiv 'Berkut' chief, Serhiy Kusyuk. Chornovol and Kusyuk had had several confrontations by the Kyiv city council building when it was stormed by Euromaidan supporters, and when 'Berkut' forces indiscriminately beat up peaceful demonstrators on the Euromaidan on the night of 30th November. Chornovol had punched Kusyuk in the liver in the melee, and this had been seen by many of his subordinates [She had made a monkey out of him, much to Kusyuk's embarrassment]
Berezovyi states the obvious when he asserts that those who commissioned the attempted murder of his wife will do everything possible to 'muddy the waters' and lay false trails in the investigation of this crime. He repeats [as does your blogger] what is often forgotten - those who govern and control the country right now came to the fore in the murderous early and mid nineties in Donetsk, stepping over the corpses of dozens of prominent businessmen that had come to a grizzly end at that time.
The reason why virtually none of these crimes were ever solved was because law enforcement officials and the judiciary were colluding and provided cover to the perpetrators. Rubbing out the opposition by violent means is part of their modus operandi..
But Berezovyi does not rule out others in commissioning the attempt on his wife's life, and names Viktor Medvedchuk too.
The Porsche Cayenne had also tailed her hours before when she was returning from the house of Viktor Pshonka, the prosecutor-general, a few hours previously..
p.s. A fifth assailant has been detained - he has allegedly 'fessed up'. But unlike the other four suspects, his name has been withheld...to prevent independent investigators digging up evidence linking him to the commissioners of the crime?
Pshonka and Zakharchenko should step down, not lead Chornovol attempted murder case [updated]
I'm sure readers of this blog were just as appalled as your blogger when they read of the diabolical assault on Tetyana Chornovol.
Her reports featuring the wrongdoings of top Ukrainian politicians, including the president, have featured many times in 'ForeignNotes' over the years
"President Viktor Yanukovych's press service released a statement on Dec. 25, saying that the president condemned this act of violence and ordered Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka and Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko to do everything to solve the case of Chornovol's beating."
A few hours before the incident Chornovol had posted a blog on the newly renamed 'YevropeyskaPravda' site entitled:
"The executioner lives here! The residence of "Minister of Internal Affairs Vitaliy Zakharchenko"
In any decent country Zakharchenko, as a possible suspect, would be immediately removed from further participation into the investigation of this dreadful crime, rather than shamelessly bragging about personally supervising the investigation, on this official video.
Because Chornovol was also simultaneously actively investigating the prosecutor-general Pshonka and his property, Pshonka too should have been completely isolated from participation in any law enforcement activities connected with this dreadful business.
If they were decent men, they would voluntarily step aside, if only temporarily, until the perpetrators are dealt with.
But they are not, and neither is the president - the man who has 'ordered' them to solve the case...
Pshonka, in 2001, was allegedly involved in the murder of another journalist, Igor Aleksandrov, who was clubbed to death with baseball bats. Aleksandrov had been investigating Pshonka's son's links to local organised crime gangs.
Pshonka was a highly placed prosecutor in the Dontesk oblast from 1986 until 2003. During this period, particularly in the the mid nineties, many dozens killings of top businessmen/crime bosses took place in the oblast. Few if any of these crimes were solved. Those guys who survived and prospered*, the Donetsk clan, now run Ukraine..
Chornovol's small automobile was forced off the road and was impacted many times by a Porsche Cayenne SUV, whilst driving along a busy highway late at night. The Porsche, according to some reports, was escorted by two other vehicles. Her assailants beat her severely causing several fractures, then left her for dead in a ditch. She is currently in intensive care in a serious but stable condition. This was unquestionably an attempted killing...not what the police have cynically and disgracefully labelled 'hooliganism' on their official site. Hooliganism encompasses many minor crimes.... like the painting of graffiti...
The assault was one of a series of what is looking ever more like an organised campaign of violence against many organisers of the Maidan. To date over 50 of them have been beaten; dozens of vehicles have been torched.
Taras Chornovil, [no relation to Chornovol] whose presidential candidate father was murdered over a decade ago, has suggested that Zakharchenko has set up a band of 'werewolves' or 'eagles' similar to those involved in the killing of journalist Georgiy Gongadze and his father.
Tetyana Chornovol, a very high profile investigative journalist, had been a thorn in the sides of the authorities for many years. She had in the last few weeks figured in criminal cases. Yesterday was the first time she had left the Maidan for several weeks. She was constantly under surveillance and followed and harassed by law enforcement agents. Some degree of involvement by security forces is therefore quite probable...They would have known that last night, unusually, she was travelling home alone. She was found and taken to hospital by DAI road traffic police very quickly after the incident.
BBC, in their profile on Tetyana Chornovol today, include this: "In 2008, she was at the centre of a libel case in which Donetsk tycoon Rinat Akhmetov sued the Obozrevatel website in a London court over "false allegations" in her reports on his early career. The court awarded Mr Akhmetov $100,000 in damages."
I hope the lawyers who represented Akhmetov enjoyed spending their no doubt substantial fee..and choke on their Christmas pudding when they read the story....
Allegations will be made that Chornovol was beaten in an act of provocation to further ramp up anger against Yanukovych, and to revitalise the Maidan movement of which she is an active participant. Against the background of paid troublemakers a.k.a. 'titushky' at pro-government rallies, and the series of attacks against Maidan organisers, these allegations will have little traction..
Party of Regions' spokesman Olena Bondarenko, on the official PoR site, requests those with any information about the Chornovol attack to come forward, but in a mealy-mouthed response declares:
"..today the opposition has shown that it does not control the situation. And proof of this is the incident surrounding civic activist Tatyana Chornovol. Despite the fact that civic leaders take part in mass disturbances, smash windows, it is impermissible to commit violence against them" in other words its all the fault of the opposition...
p.s. A while ago I ran this:
"By the end of the 90's, an unspoken agreement between the general public and these elites* was formed because the people in power that had grabbed former state property by force, managed to set up certain rules of the game so ending the gangster lawlessness of the early 90's.
A mutually acceptable amnesia descended on the country, and the dangerous, lawless days of the early and mid-nineties were all but forgotten about by everyone....it became a taboo subject. Society gave the appearance of having forgiven the country's elite in exchange for something that resembled civilised life."
This amnesia is now lifting..
p.p.s. Say a little prayer for this brave, wonderful young woman tonight...
Update: Investigators are suggesting the brutal assault on Chornovol was a simple case of 'road rage'., the well-to-do perpetrators, who are allegedly members of Ukraine's rotten elite, wanted to teach the victim a lesson for cutting them up on the road.
This simply will not do...
Be sure, Chornovol's many journalist friends will get to the bottom of this...
Posted by LEvko at 12:06 AM 1 comment:
Will Maidan run out of steam?
James Sherr, in his "KyivPost" interview today proposes five possible outcomes to the current stand-off between the protesters in Maidan and president Yanukovych.
The third of these, Yanukovych' "preferred option" would be to restore his authority "by apparent coexistence with a diminishing Maidan, by creeping repression and by return to an apparent normality".
Yanukovych's strategy is to play the long game, hoping that the cold and inclement weather, combined with the seasonal holiday period, will cause the Maidan to wither. Even some supporters question its proposed restructuring, considering this to be a partial, harmful hijacking by existing opposition parties.
There is plenty of evidence the authorities have been systematically targeting individual civic opposition activists, arresting them and locking them up on flimsy, fabricated charges, hoping to frightens off others.
Some observers, including your blogger, consider that some of the video clips showing peaceful demonstrators being viscously assaulted by Berkut special forces early morning 30th November in the Maidan, and on the following Sunday outside the presidential administration, were leaked onto YouTube by law enforcement officials themselves in order to deter further protests. This, of course, backfired spectacularly and lead to the gigantic peaceful demonstration on the next Sunday, and Sundays following these violent events.
Targeting individuals for persecution now will also cause even greater indignation.
Many of those who have been wearied by their days on Maidan will return home for holidays. But they will rest, meet other friends and family members, and will return re-energised, perhaps more organised, in even in greater numbers to Maidan. It has to be remembered many Ukrainians work in agriculture...for them winter is a quieter season. And with the country in recession for many months, industrial workers have been working short time or have even been laid off for long durations. Traditionally, these workers are not made redundant as would be the case in factories in the West...but remain 'on the books' despite there being no work for them.
The Maidan organisers know that they simply must have to have several thousand people there constantly...but they can confidently assume that many tens of thousands will turn up every week or two to support them, as they have over the last month for mass meetings and rallies, especially if Yanukovych makes any more blunders..
The holiday period will also be used by some disgruntled PoR parliamentary deputies [some allege there could be more than 60], as well as some of the three dozen or so non affiliated deputies, who are unhappy about Yanukovych selling out to Putin, to weigh up their options..
p.s. There were some rumours including in 'Segodnya', that Yanukovych may have been taken ill today on the eve of his visit to Moscow...Hmm...
Some joke that in order to become president in Ukraine you have to have spent time in prison, and preferably also have survived an assassination attack..It must be a worry when your predecessor nearly died of poisoning...if you ever get a tummy upset.. or anything like that...
p.p.s. "I once asked a man whom I trusted why on earth he thought those men already in possession of power and riches beyond anyone's wildest dreams, never stop trying to accumulate. First, he replied, because they only feel their power in the moment they exert it. Second, because you can't take your wealth with you when you die (death is the great equaliser, every act of self-empowerment is a futile protest against death..."
Posted by LEvko at 12:44 AM 2 comments:
Yanukovych sensing his own demise?
"On December 17, after a session of the Russian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would place part of reserves from its National Welfare Fund in the amount of $15 billion in Ukrainian government securities.
In addition, Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukraine signed a supplement to the January 19, 2009 contract on natural gas deliveries. Putin said that the document permits Gazprom delivering gas to Ukraine at $268.5 per 1,000 cubic meters down from $400 now." [Source ]
Russian law does not currently permit the country's 'rainy day' pension fund to invest in other nation's bonds, especially those having a low rating such as Ukraine's. It is by no means certain that such transactions will take place, and if they do, on what terms.
As for the gas deal, Ukraine will have to purchase much larger quantities that it currently does, and the price may be re-evaluated every three months.
Conclusion: The deals struck by the presidents of Russia and Ukraine are mere window-dressing...neither side will stick to their side of the bargain and fresh circumstances will necessitate their reassessment.
As for the gas deal struck two days ago, this is the second occasion that Yanukovych has 'tacked on' supplementary arrangements onto the so-called ruinous 2009 Tymoshenko agreement in which she allegedly 'exceeded her powers' resulting in her imprisonment for seven years. Previously the 2010 Russian/Ukrainian Naval Base for Gas treaty, the 'Kharkiv Accord', was also also based on the 2009 deal.
According to Putin: "The gas contract signed with the Ukrainian government led by Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was economically feasible, and the deal's price setting formula was the same as the one applied to all of the consumers in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference on Thursday.
"We actively worked with the Ukrainian government headed by Tymoshenko as well. We worked very vigorously in all the areas. By the way, it was her government that signed the gas contract then. And I have always thought that this contract is absolutely economically feasible," he said.
This contract fully complied with "our practice of work with other foreign partners," Putin said.
"Its price setting formula is the same as the one that is valid for all of our consumers in Europe. One should not imagine anything else there," he said.
This contract was "not designed to strangle anyone," the president said. [From link above]
Yet Tymoshenko has been in detention over two years....a victim of political persecution instigated by Yanukovych.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia's most prominent political prisoner, having been imprisoned for over 10 years, may be pardoned soon by Putin. Yanukovych should take note of this and release Yulia Tymoshenko too.
I watched president Yanukovych's televised press conference this afternoon. The last time I saw such a flat delivery and such boring drudgery was in latter decades of the last century in Communist Poland. . If I were a young, ambitious enthusiastic, entrepreneurial Ukrainian I would have been deeply depressed by it all.
Yanukovych hardly spoke about creating an environment for encouraging economic growth, aid for small business start-ups, tax breaks or easy credit for high tech companies, attracting foreign investment, simplifying labyrinthine regulations which currently allow state officials to rake in kick-backs, tackling corruption in the higher echelons of government etc.
Instead he just stuck to describing major infrastructure projects - exactly the kind where his Party of Regions' oligarch pals can fix tenders and skim off vast sums before stashing them in exotic off-shore banks.
Curiously, he dodged a question whether he would be standing for re-election as president after his first term, hinting that one term might be enough for him.
“If my rating is, figuratively speaking, low and I have no prospects, I will not be disturbing the country’s development and move forward,” he said
In contrast, most western leaders would have replied: "I need a second term to complete my vision for the country - to complete the job I was elected to do - We are making good progress in difficult circumstances...I am confident that the electorate will support me, my policies are already bearing fruit..." and so on.
The reply he gave will surely reduce confidence and trust in him amongst his own ranks even further..
He struck me as being rather bored and tired of having to explain everything and of having to answer banal 'dolly drop' questions. [In my part of the world a soft ball gently thrown to a small child is called a 'dolly drop']
After meeting Yanukovych recently, British Prime Minister David Cameron [allegedly] said: "He's from a different civilization. He's not a partner for Europe at all."
Having watched Yanukovych's performance I have to agree..
Posted by LEvko at 1:51 AM 1 comment:
Loans from IMF and EU would have been much more difficult to steal
Tonight there are credible reports that the EU would have provided Ukraine with a transparent financial support package more or less equivalent to that which Putin apparently proposed to Yanukovych a couple of days ago.
For many months it has been quite apparent that Yanukovych was not negotiating in good faith with the EU. The ridiculous nonsense of attempting to change the law in parliament to enable Yulia Tymoshenko to be released for medical treatment abroad was merely confirmation of this.
At the beginning of December Putin and Yanukovych had a secret meeting and reached agreement on future economic ties between their two countries, in particular concerning gas purchases and loans to prop up Ukraine's ailing economy.
As will all Russia-Ukraine gas deals struck in recent years, true details will never be known..they are arranged on the principle of 'Ponyatiyka' - gang-land verbal agreements.
The latest deal will set up the president's "Family" as an intermediary in the Russian/Ukrainian gas trade - enabling them, and Russian 'partners' to skim off hundreds of millions of dollars every year - hence the 'cheap' gas.
'Vetek' linked to Yanukovych's "Wizard of Gaz", Serhiy Kurchenko will replace the infamous RUE, [much to the annoyance of Dmitro Firtash].
But most sadly of all: loans granted to Ukraine, from whatever source, will be totally wasted unless they are linked to solid reforms, and their use closely scrutinised..
Any loan from Russia will quickly wind up in the pockets of Ukrainian and Russian kleptocratic politicians and oligarchs. Ukraine's citizens will be saddled with debt repayments for years to come..
Between a rock and a hard place
For yet another weekend the Maidan has witnessed gigantic meetings attended, by well over 1/4 million people maybe many more, on both Saturday and Sunday. Watching the emotional speeches on a live video link, it felt like a historic event. And it is likely Maydan will maintain its existence for weeks to come.
Observers consider it to be the "last battle, the last stand of Ukraine's middle classes...'; if it fails Ukraine could become another Belarus.
All Maidan can do is sit tight and settle down for the long haul. Opposition parties, although in good heart, do not have the necessary power to influence the country's future, unless they win a future elections.
So, in the next few days the fate of the country will be decided by a handful of the richest oligarchs, the Akhmetovs, Pinchuks, Kolomoyskys and Firtashes, and the several dozen Party of Regions parliamentary deputies they control.
For these mega-rich oligarchs money is never enough. Reputation and status abroad, rubbing shoulders with the world's richest people is most important. Pressure by the USA and the EU on them - the possibility of losing access to these countries really hits them hard, hence their recent statements calling on peaceful conflict resolution in Ukraine.
Yanukovych is caught between a rock and a hard place. He cannot go meet Putin on Tuesday with his head held high whilst is Maidan in place...any major deal the pair make will not have much validity if the president Yanukovych's chair is wobbling under him.
But Maidan can only be removed by extreme force. When a heavy-handed previous unsuccessful attempt was made to do this three normally 'fire-proof' loyalists have been jettisoned and have had to pay the price, even though everyone knows orders came from the very top. Others, therefore, will be more reluctant to do the president's dirty work in future as a result. And if Yanukovych does try to solve his problem using extreme force and declares martial law he knows the assets of major oligarchs, of which he is now one, located in western banks will be under significant threat. Similar warnings have been expressed by the USA.
General strikes and further chaos would inevitably follow. There would be a risk to the integrity of the country itself.
The oligarchs, and Party of Regions deputies have some big decisions to make. They are to attend an extraordinary party meeting Monday - there are credible rumours that over 100 are now willing to approve the sacking the cabinet of ministers..
On Tuesday, one likely outcome of the Putin/Yanukovych meeting will be some kind of deal on gas...and Ukraine's gas transport system transferred to a [Ukr/Russian/EU?] gas consortium.
An [over?] optimistic prediction could follow this scenario: Several dozen PoR deputies could support a campaign to dump PM Azarov, and perhaps the Minister of the Interior. A cabinet of national salvation could be formed and perhaps even a parliamentary vote could achieve a constitutional 2/3 majority to curtail the president's powers back to those of 2004 .
Armed with these changes, the country could turn to the IMF for an emergency, much needed loan, and the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU could be wrapped up as quickly as possible.
Yanukovych's decision making has been dangerously haphazard these last few weeks. So maybe wiser heads in PoR will rein him in..we will see..
p.s. The anti-maidan organised by PoR was a rather pitiful sight. But the few who agreed to speak to reporters did make valid points. It will be they, workers from factories in the eastern part of the country, who lose their jobs if the Kremlin continues its embargo on Ukrainian produce. Only Petro Poroshenko mentioned this on Maidan today. He considered the probable 'hit' to the Ukrainian economy by Russia's embargo was exaggerated, and that Ukraine/Russian trade would inevitably pick up and return to previous levels.
And only one speaker, firebrand journalist/activist Tetyana Chornovol, bothered to mention Yulia Tymoshenko...good for her. Without Tymoshenko there would have been no Yushchenko victory in 2004, and Ukraine could have looked completely different to what it looks like now..Chornovol herself is facing criminal charges and arrest. Like Tymoshenko, the brave Chornovol said she will not run and hide....
p.p.s. Scott is absolutely correct - corruption is rotting Ukraine from within. If the country joins the Eurasian Customs Union and Yanukovych joins its club of dictators there is no hope of the situation improving. If Ukraine does choose a western vector, then at least there is a little hope, maybe just a little, that the corruption problem can be tackled. I guess this is what motivates the brave guys on Maidan. Its the last hope.
Some random things
Levko has his usual exceptional insights on this but here are some random things picked up over the past couple of days:
--Azarov said the government didn’t use force on the square Dec. 11th. I guess he would say it was just a street cleaning.
Notwithstanding his claims some fingers are now pointed at Popov. He’s the character who was moved into Chornevetsky’s place as mayor when he fell out of favor. The word is that Popov ordered the square cleaned (cleared? Maybe a typo? Not in Russian.) And now protestors are picketing his home.
Berkut was bused in to protect it and him.
--One man who was gassed on the square that night now swears by the stuff. He said he was stuffed up and nothing would relieve it until he got a nose full of tear gas. Best stuff for clearing out the sinuses he has ever seen.
This is bravado but it’s the kind that holds barricades.
--Pro government people are being bused in from the east and other areas. Rumor has it that some of them are government workers pressed into service. They will rally for Yanukovych. I saw what had to be a number of them when I was out. Big, burly, cocky guys in street clothes walking around in groups up near the Vauxhall.
Some think the government wants the two sides to clash. It would be street clothes clad people against street clothes clad people instead of a clash with the brutes from Berkut or those dressed in the Darth Vader helmets with shields and truncheons. They think that will be the pretext the government needs (read: optics the government needs) to clear the square. They think this weekend.
--The riot people stationed in ranks up near the president’s administration building and other places are not allowed a break to go to the bathroom. This makes for the obvious problem which many are solving by simply going in place. (And at attention I would guess.)
This creates obvious problems with wet and soiled clothes in the cold. Poor guys. And some girls.
I think it goes to either the paranoia of those involved that they can’t let them take a break for even a couple of minutes or to the fact that they can’t get as many of these people out to do this sort of thing as they need to. That may be why they are shipping in people from outside.
Maybe it’s both.
--Some people we know who have gone down to the square recently say that the character of it has changed. A few days ago there were women and children and men of course, but the ambience was more like taking an afternoon stroll. Now it’s mostly men and they are hunkered down into what looks like something from a war zone.
--Some veterans are upset with Klitchko because they saw him speaking to someone from Berkut. They think he might be selling them all out. He probably isn’t but it highlights the fact that there is no one of any real stature down there for the opposition. That is not a good thing and it will be even more keenly felt if there is actually change in government.
--A court has ordered the Trade Union Building cleared. (It’s right next to the square.) Some thought they might try to do it last night but it didn’t happen. They thought it would be used as a pretext to clear the square.
It would be a better one than saving the Christmas tree.
The Trade Union Building’s first floor is where food is stored and prepared for those n the square. The second floor is where they have medical supplies. (Some reports say they have enough to stock a hospital.) Klitchko and his people have an office in it.
Some observations:
--The AA agreement. Ironically, the AA agreement with the EU wouldn’t have helped Ukraine in the short term and might even have hurt. This would be true even without the threats issued by Putin et al. It is not clear how much trade there would be with the EU and the point I make with people is that you’ve got to be able to compete with European goods anyway to trade with them. Many Ukrainian goods cannot. That leaves mostly commodities and those are controlled by the usual suspects.
Russia on the other hand offers some real benefits right now. Cheaper gas and closer trade relations with a country that already buys Ukrainian products. And there wouldn’t be sanctions.
Let’s face it, the EU and the US aren’t going to pour any money into Ukraine because notwithstanding the statements of solidarity, Ukraine just isn’t that high a priority. And there probably isn’t the will under the present economic circumstances anyway. Or the money.
Besides, that sort of money has a tendency to disappear when it comes this way. Even if Yanukovych is gone they all won’t be--they control significant assets in the country.
The hope is that the AA would mean a move toward more transparency in dealings. The benefit for the regime and friends of the regime is that dealing with Russia means being able to set up all these shady kinds of transactions and companies to skim off the top. It benefits Yanukovych et al quite handsomely. They’d be vassals of Russia and that was one reason why Yanukovych played to the west even when it was against his personal interests--he could play Russian off the EU and the US and get better deals in the end.
So signing the AA agreement would probably not have helped the country short term but it would have helped Yanukovych. Moving toward Russia would have helped the country short, short term, but Yanukovych is finding it hasn’t helped him.
--Leadership. I hate to be a wet blanket but what does the opposition do if they win? The country is in serious trouble and if there’s any money out there in the IMF for instance to help bail the country out, which is a big if, it would come with pretty strict demands to overhaul the budget in ways that will affect social payments here. They will have to deal with this anyway even without any bailout money from abroad and that’s going to pit them against the very people who have taken to the barricades. They could win the war only to find people taking to the streets again when the budget cuts come.
This will be tough for someone with credibility but there is no one in the opposition who has very much of it. Tymoshenko has it in spades and if there is a change of government she’d be released. But her instincts are populist and that won’t sit well with the business community, the business community that has had enough of the present regime. (In a number of ways this is a small business revolt.)
Vilify them and restrict them if you want to but they employ people and good jobs are needed here--lots of them. A good business climate would also encourage international investments many of which have simply pulled out because of the risks. (Both governmental and otherwise.)
--Corruption. People here want to live a more normal life like many Europeans do. The real reason for the protests is the problem of corruption. Yanukovych is corrupt. His son was not on the list of the top fifty richest people in Ukraine in 2010. Three years later, he’s number two or three. (When Yanukovych was asked about it he said his son’s been working hard. He must be exhausted.)
But the corruption problem is not simply a problem of those on top. It is a problem throughout Ukrainian society. Some here say that that is true because people saw the bad examples of the now oligarchs who stole the country’s assets after perestroika and they wanted their piece of it. But it was a problem during the soviet days and even before that.
It is just the way things get done here. And everybody does it. So a person might take to the barricades to protest corruption on the part of government and the elite and be at the same time on the cell phone finding someone who can get little Vanya into the right school, the right kind of position in the military (not too hard or dangerous mind) or job. And an exchange of value will be a part of that.
The police here are corrupt. (They stop cars for violations and then expect their palms to be crossed.) Education here is corrupt. (You can pay for a degree. Short of that, you can pay a teacher for grades.) And medicine is corrupt. (It’s free but it’s freer and the service is better if you pay.) These are the areas that affect the lives of Ukrainians more intimately and they know what they need to do to get the job done. And many seem happy to do it.
We in the west think that if you just jigger the institutions right, get them fine-tuned a certain way, that the problem of corruption will just melt away. And they flew in a lot of high paid consultants to do just that. For example, they revised the commercial code here into something more approximating Europe’s and they held no end of seminars about rule of law and legal institutions to support that and better judging. But after they collected their pay and flew off to some other conquest, nothing changed. Things are the same as they were before because the reference point here is not institutions or laws but relationships.
That makes it a much tougher proposition.
--Tear gas. Some are saying that a line has been crossed with the use of tear gas. They say it has never been used on Ukrainians before. Maybe it has been but not in the memories of most of the people if it has. So Yanukovych has been responsible for doing something that has never been done before to his own people.
This is one of the reasons people are mad. And agreements signed by whoever aren’t going to make that go away.
--Palace Guard. The Berkut is now the palace guard. But not all of them. They relied on out of town Berkut to do the dirty work on the 30th. Some other units have refused.
Palace guards never work out very good.
Posted by Scott W. Clark at 1:48 PM No comments:
Opposition should attend round table talks
My uncle was born at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in what was then the Tsarist Russian town of Pinsk [now in Belarus]. Even though he died many years ago the stories which told me of his adventurous life during the Russian revolution and during its Soviet aftermath remain vivid in my memory; they provided me with an insight into the minds of Russians and neighbouring nationalities particularly in a Soviet, Stalinist environment.
One tenet he held was that any person in authority at that time would, by default, inevitably use his status to bully underlings; anyone showing weakness would be mercilessly exploited or crushed. To survive in such a system one has to stand up rigidly and act tough, stone-faced, whether you are the master or the underling, no matter what..or be swept away.
President Yanukovych acted in this way when he imprisoned his greatest political rival Yulia Tymoshenko and has grabbed vast assets for his 'family' and closest associates.
In recent days has ordered raiding and stealing the computer servers from the country's opposition party headquarters in order to curtail its activities.
Has tried to clear peaceful demonstrations by brutal force from the streets even whilst European and US top bananas are in the country.
Called a round table with three former Ukrainian presidents, two of whom are political corpses in hock to the president, the third, Kravchuk a cuddly old teddy bear: then conduct an cringe-making, stilted round-table 'discussion' on television about what to do to solve the current crisis.
Oh, and then, on the next day, called upon the opposition and civic leaders to attend a round table meeting 'for the good of the country'.
The MO is stereotypical - give your opponents a good kicking, then say, 'now lets have a friendly chat'.
The opposition know all of this too, so have a hard decison to make because they have to play by different rules. Their first reaction has been to decline Yanukovych's invitation and not attend Wednesday's round table....but great pressure will be applied for them change their mind by Western leaders.
Seasoned journalists allege unnamed Regiony bosses nearly 'shit their pants' when they saw the gigantic crowds in Kyiv these last two Sundays. They thought the crowds would dismantle their offices brick by brick and tear them apart...The PoR talking heads I have seen and heard are nowhere near as cock-sure as they were a week or two ago.
It is your blogger's belief that if Yanuk digs in and does not compromise in the days to come the ever-more determined crowd in the end will win out...but if he does weaken, he is finished in any case...and he knows it.
Opposition leaders should sit at the round table..they have less to lose..they should feel confident because the protests are strengthening, not weakening; the majority of Kyivans and the rest of the country are behind them..
p.s. Former president Yushchenko says he will not go to the Maidan, even though he would like to, because if he did it would look like 'self-promotion'.
Without the Maidan, and without Yulia Tymoshenko's constant support nine years ago he would never, ever have become president.
He testified against Tymoshenio in the kangaroo-court trial which sentenced her to seven years in prison for allegedly 'exceeding her authority' as prime minister...The European Court of Human Rights are currently assessing whether Tymoshenko's rights were abused at this trial.
Everyone knows if Yushchenko went to the Maidan he would be booed off the stage..because he is a total dickhead...[sorry for lowering the tone of the blog]
Posted by LEvko at 1:10 AM 3 comments:
This has long been Levko's domain but I thought i might butt in and maybe add some things from time to time about the situation here.
The people on Maidan are declaring victory over the forces sent last night to clear the square. From what we can piece together there were clashes last night when police tried to pull down the barricades. Tear gas was used. But the word got out and people started coming to the square. This is at 4 a.m. They came by car and walked. Someof them were chanting someething like "Stand firm!" when they got there.
Whoever it was, the police or Berkut or the military (someone else might know who better) pulled back and that has allowed the people down there to declare victory.
Word has gone out now for a million people to come today. (I wouldn't be surprised if they get that many.) And they have asked for carpenters and woodworkers to come down and help replace or repair the barricades.
All this was done after the EU rep was here. Kind of like spitting in the face, no?
It is one thing to be corrupt but aother thing entirely to be corrupt and stupid. And those in power from the top to the bottom have shown themslves to be incredibly stupid in this. From the idiotic reason for calling in Berkut last Saturday ("we must protect the Christmas tree!") to the stupid comments all around coming from Azarov and company (Azarov: "There will be no payment for government workers because I have been too busy with the events down on Maidan." And Azarov has said that the west of Ukraine is agitating this thing so they won't be sending any money west. The west responded that they would just use the money they would normally send to Kiev thank you. Not bright.)
The protests on the square were never a threat. The opposition down there had no plan to unite anyone behind except to occupy the square. Pulling down the Lenin statue didn't mean anything (if that is it was by the protestors which there is some doubt about). None of this was a threat to anyone's power. None of this threatened Ukraine's financial standing. But the paranoids reacted and solidified the opposition and made people more mad and Ukraine's financial standing is threatened at a time when the government needs all the help they can get. (And goodwill.)
Yanukovich isn't Putin. He doesn't have the control of things that Putin has. But I don't think that has dawned on him. His will has become law only within a narrow segment of the elite but that is the echo chamber he has lived in.
Now he's hearing from the rest.
Posted by Scott W. Clark at 12:09 PM 2 comments:
Hromadske.tv with English overdub
Watch 'Hromadske.tv', complete with instant overdub in [imo very good] English here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-P_kCkdqmA
They have several excellent journalists 'in the field' armed with video cameras providing live-streamed pictures...
p.s. Yanukovych better watch out - George Clooney has offered his support in this video to the Ukrainian demonstrators and opposition parties...
Secret Sochi deal...and who toppled Lenin?
A couple of days ago well-known author and 'Economist' editor, Edward Lucas, tweeted that Yanuk and Putin had done a secret deal during their meeting in Sochi.
There has been no confirmation of such a deal by any other so-called respectable source.
Your blogger has frequently stated that the Kremlin will give Ukraine nothing, unless it is in exchange for a serious chunk of Ukrainian state assets, but this does not mean some kind of deal was not struck.
Sonya Koshkina in lb.ua considers that a deal was probably made - she calls it a 'Ponyatiyka' - a gang-land verbal agreement.
Yanukovych's "Family" will act as an intermediary in the Russian/Ukrainian gas trade - enabling them to skim off hundred of millions of dollars every year - hence the 'cheap' gas. Kurchenko's 'Vetek' will replace the infamous RUE.
However, if a Ukraine-Customs Union tie up is included in this deal, which is quite possible, then it has to be ratified in the Verkhovna Rada. Many PR deputies linked to big Ukrainian business will find great difficulty supporting such a massively dangerous move, as would many independents, particularly following today's huge demo and the turbulent events of the last three weeks..[good video here if you want to assess the numbers present]
During both the previous last two weekends attempts were made to topple the Lenin statue in Kyiv .
On both occasions the statue was securely protected by a large detail of security service personnel, and the attempts repulsed.
It was most apparent that the statue had become a 'hot' target.
Tonight an almost unprotected Lenin statue was felled by a gang of masked youths armed with a ladder, a cable, a hand winch and a big hammer.
In any normal large city, when mass protests, marches, or even mass celebrations take place, important monuments have a scaffold frame constructed around them and are securely boarded up for protection.
Why was this not done in Kyiv?
The authorities certainly had plenty of warning that it could be attacked, and had plenty of time to take remedial action..But they did nothing...
Incompetence...or collusion...or provocation?
p.s. Hundreds of witnesses who were present are willing to swear that the statue blew over of its own accord.
p.p.s. Well done guys...
If #euromaidan flops future is bleak...
There is currently much discussion on what the Ukrainian government, the opposition, the EU, the USA, Putin etc. should do in order that the country's crisis situation can be tempered.
One thing is almost certain. As journalist Mustafa Nayem, the man who started #euromaidan, puts it:
"..I think that if what is happening in the streets fails, a dreadful scenario awaits us. I think the purges that will pass through civil society activists, among students, among teachers, and politicians, will be worst Ukraine has ever seen. Because they will not stop.
For them it [this failure] would be a sign of the weakness of civil society and the opposition. And they will be afraid of what happened in 2004, and will do everything in their power to avoid this. Moreover, they will say, look, you are weak, you wanted to do illegal deeds."
Luckily the evidence suggests many, many Ukrainians [and also leading European politicians] feel the same way as Nayem..
p.s. This contribution in Ukraineanalysis describes the dangers of potential failure of the current Maidan..
Labels: euromaidan
Sadists in the president's back yard [updated]
There is loads of video evidence showing Berkut special forces sadistically beating and kicking apprehended protesters last Sunday as they lay on the floor.
Some of these appalling incidents took place inside the grounds of the President's Administration building on Bank Street where many of the protesters had been dragged their for 'special treatment'.
The link above shows dozens of Berkut and other police personnel, perhaps even staff from the PA itself, watching on indifferently, listening to the screams and watching the blood flow. Failure to intervene makes these onlookers just as culpable for the outrages as the perpetrators.
As with any important building in any capital city, the PA building roof is well loaded with web-cams. The Berkut stormtroopers must have been sure they could act with impunity.
About four dozen or more accredited journalists have also been seriously and systematically assaulted by law enforcement officers since the recent troubles began. Some of these journalists were in the Verkhovna Rada Tuesday, continuing to do their job, interviewing deputies, including those of the ruling coalition, surrealistically, with bandages wrapped around their heads and plaster casts on their arms....
The response of the Ukrainian government and the president in whose back yard some these incidents occurred, has been pathetic.
All of this just underscores the true nature of Yanukovych and his 'banda'...and provides even greater motivation to the demonstrators to stick to their ground...
p.s One of the features of the current troubles is the mass of video recordings being made. Pocket TV stations like hromadske.tv have been live streaming most dramatic footage from numerous journalists at various 'hot spots', some just using mobile phones. Yesterday one guy wandered behind police lines protecting parliament, live streaming what was going on, minutes before the vote of no confidence in the Cabinet of Ministers.
The was a temporary stage erected in the grounds of the Verkhovna Rada, and about 50 to 100 young guys, many hooded, in sports gear milling around, some hiding their faces. Lots of police and security guys were intermingled with them. On stage was Oleh Kalashnikov - a notorious, well known trouble-maker. Several cabinet ministers, including foreign minister Kozhara walked through these sinister youths to enter the parliament building.
Even more sinister, some of these thugs are from ministry of the interior security units based in Crimea - boxing instructors etc. Video evidence here.
More and more of these so-called 'titushky' are being assembled in Kyiv today.
Many have gathered in a city-centre park, and some of them are getting restless because they are not being allowed to leave their compounds by Party of Regions' supervisors.
The authorities are knowingly, systematically employing thuggish bands, if necessary, to intimidate opposition deputies and demonstrators...It's quite outrageous..
The potential for serious violence in Kyiv in the next few days is now very real...
Labels: euromaidan, titushky
Conflict resolution scenario
Following Sunday's tumultuous events in Kyiv and elsewhere my thoughts are these:
Thank goodness no-one has been killed.
It has been reported that one or two hundred demonstrators and law enforcement officers have received injuries of varying degrees, but most worryingly, several dozen of these were journalists merely doing their jobs. Nevertheless, matters have to be kept in proportion. Violence on this scale has been seen many times in other European capitals in previous years...it could have been much, much worse. [But the brutal treatment of bona fide journalists is very worrying]
What could happen next?
One possibility is suggested by OdessaTalk blog. Because of desire for quick resolution by leading oligarchs, the government in parliament may not survive a vote of no confidence as many PoR deputies jump ship.
This would be good because the heads of PM Azarov, who froze the signing of the Association Agreement, and Minister of the Interior, Zakharchenko who must take responsibility for mindless scattering of Maidan early Saturday morning triggering Sundays mass turnout, have to roll.
A reorientated parliament could reign in the powers of the president, and start running the country in a more balanced manner.
Yanukovych was planning at least two presidential terms...he might not even last one term.
The next few days are critically important...
Party of Regions in turmoil
Putin's last meeting with Yanukovych took place in the most secret of circumstances in an unspecified location in Russia, according to some, to prevent any leaks or eavesdropping. Even senior Party of Regions figures were not informed about what was discussed.
After the debacle in Vilnius on Friday, Party of Regions, from being, by Ukrainian standards, a disciplined party, are suddenly in turmoil, e.g. as described by 'OdessaTalk' blogger.
Several PoR 'big beasts' have resigned from the party and there are rumours 15 - 20 parliamentary deputies could go on Monday..
One of their most well known 'faces', Inna Bohoslovska, today has quite astonishingly spoken of a threat to the integrity and sovereignty of the country from Russia. She calls for the creation of a new majority in parliament, a new speaker, the dismissal of the Azarov government, calls for an extraordinary EU-Ukraine summit for the Association Agreement to be signed, and new presidential elections to be held. Otherwise she predicts bloodshed...
Head of the president's administration, Serhiy Lyovochkin has also allegedly resigned. His Inter TV station broadcast a dramatic 'ShusterLive' on Friday night, which was, temporarily brought down, when opposition leaders turned up. During the show the opposition guys were receiving text messages from Maidan, where fighting was taking place, and left. The government ministers, including deputy prime minister Vilkul, and foreign minister Kozhara were truly 'hammered'. Journalists who had been in Vilnius described the disgust expressed by European leaders behind the scenes after the non signing of the AA.
Unlike other tv channels, Lyovochkin's Inter broadcast a detailed report about the dramatic events on Maidan.
Most commentators expect another huge demo on Sunday in Kyiv..In Western Ukraine passions are running very high too.... a general strike is quite possible.
Yanukovych is scheduled to visit China on a state visit commencing 3rd December. If he goes, who knows what he will find when he returns...
So far he has given no message of hope, particularly on how the country will fare and where essential financial support will come from, post Vilnius.
The spiv who did not come in from the cold [Update]
Good 5 minute video report from the UK's Channel 4 News
They call Yanukovych "the spiv who did not come in from the cold..."
p.s. Thousands of paid provocateurs [so called titushky] were seen loitering in parks in the centre of Kyiv today.
Were it not for warnings by the US ambassador about serious consequences if force were used against the participants of the EuroMaidan, there may well have been serious bloodshed.
These provocateurs, whose movements were not hindered by law enforcement agencies, were bussed from far and wide in dozens and dozens of buses. This was a well-organised and costly operation - it is inconceivable that the authorities were not in some way involved. Can there be a better illustration of the kind of regime that is currently in power in Ukraine? That would use such menacing thugs against students from the country's best universities, children of the elite - the flower of the nation.
Saturday morning update: Most regrettably, there now has been serious bloodshed, the process of Lukashenkisation has began. There are rumours of splits amongst Yanukovych's advisers..perhaps this will temper future events. The head of the president's administration may have submitted his resignation. Also last night's 'ShusterLive' was paused, then delayed for a while during behind the scenes wrangling...
Yanukovych's cock-eyed logic
Today Yanukovych, staged a television interview.
"The President emphasized that Ukraine would continue its European integration course.
“We will go our own way, we will do everything for Ukraine to become economically stronger,”
"As soon as we reach that level [when we are competitive] which will be comfortable for us and which meets our interests, when we will get agreement [with the EU] on normal terms, then we will conduct a discussion on signing [ the Association Agreement]. When will this be...time will tell."
[My translation - The presidential website's official imo 'ropey' translation also at the link above].
So when Ukraine sorts out it problems with the oh so generous help of Russia, Yanukovych will sign the AA with the EU.
In other words, according to Yanukovych the Russians are going to assist Ukraine improve its economy. As soon at the economy gets better, it's good bye Russia, hello EU... Are you kidding?
The Russian will do everything possible to trash the Ukrainian economy even further....
You have to jump now pal...
p.s. Yanukovych also stressed: "that not less than 20 billion EUR per year were necessary for Ukrainian economy to switch to the European standards. “Overall, about 160 billion EUR are necessary until 2017,” he said.
Just a minute....2014, 2015, 2016, 2017...that's four years.....times 20 billion....hmmm...doesn't that make 80 Billion? Forgot his calculator? Needs to take his shoes and socks off to count above 10?
No wonder the country is in such a mess...
Putin will give nothing [update]
Putin has always behaved as a bully toward Ukraine. He has forced Ukraine, both under presidents Yushchenko and Yanukovych to allegedly pay the highest prices in Europe for gas. Since the summer Putin has conducted a trade war against Ukrainian importers..And as everyone knows, when a bully smells weakness the bullying inevitably increases...
Yanukovych has sat in the middle of the see saw playing off Russia on one end against the EU on the other. Now the president has pushed the EU off their end, Ukraine will be even more vulnerable to Putin's demands.
Russia has its own financial woes and capital is short. There are rumours that the Russian state pension fund will soon start raiding the country's private pension funds. Any loans from Russia will have to be paid for, as a former British PM once said, by Ukraine "selling off the family silver". There is no guarantee exports from Ukraine to Russia will pick up either.
What of the Europeans? The chief negotiators of the European Union and Ukraine initialled the text of the Association Agreement, which included provisions on the establishment of a DCFTA about nine months ago. Everything was agreed and ready ...then last week's dramatic volte-face by the Ukrainian side..
Yanukovych is as a result can now be considered 'damaged goods' - an unreliable and unpredictable interlocutor. Next autumn Europarliamentary elections take place. The new boys will not be as friendly and understanding as the current lot.
There are reports that despite this mess, behind the scenes negotiations are still taking place between Ukraine and the EU.
Rinat Akmetov is allegedly suggesting to Yanukovych that if the EU provides 7-8 Bn Euro stabilisation money and improves quotas for Ukrainian metallurgical products, a deal could still theoretically be done in Vilnius later this week. His big-selling newspaper, 'Segodnya', unlike state broadcasters, seems to have been most objective when reporting recent events.
I watched portions of yesterday's anti-maidan. The PoR speakers....tired political geriatrics like Anatoliy Kinakh, looked like yesterday's men. Half of the audience that had gathered had their backs to them as they spoke and stuttered...they all dispersed very quickly..
As for the true Euromaidans, these are student-dominated. A countrywide general students strike is currently being seriously discussed; if it comes to fruition, an significant new civic force will have been created.
The president's first official response to Thursday's Cabinet of Ministers' bombshell [poorly translated here] is vague and confusing waffle. The freezing of the AA is not mentioned at all.
He says: "The will of Ukrainian citizens have always been, is and will be decisive for every my decision." Well, we will see..
p.s. Petro Poroshenko has done a half hour interview on BBC 24's HARDtalk with the excellent Stephen Sackur, who was at the recent YES summit. It may be available here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03mkby1
Loss of hope drives demonstrators
Today, 24 November, was a watershed day. Had only 10 or 15 thousand turned out to support today's pro-EU demonstration Yanukovych and his goverment could sleep easy. The massive turnout was a surprise to the organisers, the authorities, and to those who went along.
Why did so many turn out? Thier hopes for a better tomorrow resulting from closer ties with wealthy and decent western neighbours were crushed by Thursday's cabinet of ministers' announcement that they were putting a freeze the Association Agreement deal with the EU planned to be signed in Vilnius later this week.
I watched Friday's ShusterLive during which an old and tired PM Azarov gave a weak and unconvincing explanation for the decision. There was a sense of resignation hanging in the air. A good politician would have offered some crumbs of comfort...some positive spin...at least one plus point for the decision. But there was none of this. It was all defeatist, the tone negative..He looked a loser....Someone sent out to take the flak for his boss Yanukovych.. [Who seems to have locked himself into his bathroom in Mezhyhirya last Thursday with his backside glued onto his gold toilet.]
In contrast, most of those present at today's events were young, under 30, students, young families etc.
If the pro-EU demos continue, Azarov has already hinted they will be scattered.
But you cannot fight off the inevitable – A Ukrainian-Russian divorce. And the young always win out in the end.
Those supporting today's actions in Kyiv and other cities have been revitalised and emboldened.
Re-elections are to take place on 15 December 2013 in seven constituencies were results in last autumn's parliamentary elections were suspect, so the political temperature in the country will remain hot.
Most significantly, the Ukrainian pull-out of the AA signing has created a huge expanse of clear blue water in the policies of the government parties and the opposition. It is generally accepted that a majority of Ukrainians are for closer ties with the EU...Yanukovych has therefore two options, 'Lukashenkisation', or lose the 2015 presidential elections..
The EU and the USA will be looking at lists containing the names of prominent Ukrainian pro-government supporters, their property and bank accounts in the west in case things get ugly, which they may well do...
A sense of dashed hopes, and a dread of a return to a new USSR will most likely fuel more protests.
p.s. Azarov hinted in an interview on Russian tv that today's demonstrations may have been 'financed'..what cheek! Thousands of youths of sporting appearance [so-called Titushky'] were seen congregating near the president's administration and in a central park today. When challenged, they turned away and refused to answer journalists' questions..Who is financing these meatheads?
He has also suggested that if western leaders care so much for Tymoshenko, they should pay her fine and make good the loses she allegedly caused the country by her bad decisions. What cheek! There is widespread belief that she was wrongfully imprisoned and her trial was a farce. They slap absurd politically motivated charges against her, then propose western countries pay the massive fine. Crude extortion or what? Only a dumb Donetsk gangster could make such a suggestion...
p.p.s. At time of writing it seems the silovyky have started swinging their sticks...could get ugly...so many brave, bright-eyed young people still on 'Evropeyska ploshcha'.
Solving Chornovol assault has become a game of pok...
Chornovol beating suspect's story does not stack u...
Husband provides details of attempt on life of Tet...
Pshonka and Zakharchenko should step down, not lea...
Loans from IMF and EU would have been much more di...
The spiv who did not come in from the cold [Update...
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Thread: Overview of CarveWright System
CarveWright Staff
The Great Texas Gulf Coast
OVERVIEW OF CARVEWRIGHT:
(More information is available by clicking the CARVEWRIGHT logo in top left to go to our website. Please see PRODUCTS menu or call 713-473-6572 to speak to a sales representative.)
The basic CarveWright Woodworking System/CompuCarve includes a small tabletop size carving machine, with the user friendly Project Designer software, a carving & cutting bit, memory card, and memory card programmer. Additional accessories and advanced software, such as the scanning probe, full bit set STL & DXF Importers and Centerline Text, are available. Online web support from www.carvewright.com includes tutorials, projects, user's forum, FAQ's, downloads and access to purchase or sell additional designs through the Pattern Depot.
From simple signs to the creation of electric guitars, the possibilities with a CarveWright Woodworking System are abundant. There are tons of applications for this machine. See a few of them under the Ideas link. Most uses include woods, both soft and hard. Polycarbonate (Lexan), Corian and cast acrylics are other fun mediums. When acrylics are backlit, images such as photos, come to life in front of your eyes. Certain foams can also be carved, but do not attempt any type of Plexiglass, nylon, ABS, metal, ceramic tile, stone, concrete or glass, as these may damage the machine and/or cause personal injury.
CarveWright Machine – Version C
The award-winning CarveWright System was first developed by NASA Robotics Engineers on a mission to create the first consumer level carving system. To do this they had three goals in mind:
• Be compact to fit in anyone’s garage, while providing a maximum output capacity
• Include software that is full-featured, yet easy enough for beginners to learn to use
• Make it available at a price that makes professional CNC fabricating affordable
The CarveWright answered all of these, becoming a market sensation when it launched in 2006. Completing that mission, the engineers continued to explore new ways to improve and after 4 years of heavy use and re-engineering, upgrades and new developments, the CarveWright System has been re-invented and is now more robust than ever.
The New CarveWright Version C still remains the most affordable compact system available and allows anyone to easily create complex carvings, while meeting this next phase of objectives:
• Run quieter and more smoothly
• Build a tougher system that offers enhanced stability
• Add powerful new software functions
• Minimize maintenance and simplify repairs
Critical design changes responsible for meeting these goals include these new and improved features:
• CarveTight Spindle System
• Base Reinforcements
• Vertical Guide Rod Stabilizer Feet
• Reinforced Strapping on Power Supply
• Modified Board Tracking Sensor
• Simplified X Gear Drive
• Software and Firmware Improvements
The CarveWright Woodworking System is unlike most CNC's in several ways. For one, the footprint of the machine is much smaller at only 15" x 18" x 26", but packs a lot of power for its compact size. The servo motor is also a lot faster on the CW. Unlike most CNC's that move the carving bit around a stationary board and require a larger bed, CW uses a combination of belts and a moving head that pulls the medium through the machine allowing for a longer carved piece and smaller machine. With proper support, the CW can facilitate wood or other medium that has an unlimited length. The software allows for a design length up to 12'. The maximum width is 14.5", but carved pieces can be adjoined for wider projects. It can accept a material that is 5" or less in height and its carving depth is about 8/10" depending upon which bit is used.
The program panel located on the side of the CW allows the user not only access to their projects, but also many other built-in functions. A menu style interface includes an LCD display and keypad. Some work pieces may need to be "dressed" before carving. These functions are accessed through shortcuts included on the keypad.
Project Designer Software
This intuitive and easy to use Software Package is the foundation of the entire CarveWright system. It is second-to-none in bringing advanced carving capabilities to even the most novice users. The software has a familiar look and feel that most computer users will immediately recognize and comfortably navigate, while being pleasantly surprised at the potential projects the full featured software inspires you to create.
An extensive 3D pattern library gets you started and allows for expansion through the import of other 2D images, scanned elements and purchased 3D patterns. These patterns can then be placed on the 3D project work piece in a “drag and drop” fashion, combined and manipulated with additional elements such as text and 2D drawing tools, then fine tuned with any of the many options available.
Memory Card & Programmer
Transfer of your project design from the design software to the CW machine can easily and safely be accomplished via the memory card. The memory card programmer attaches to a USB port and the project design is saved to the memory card. This arrangement allows the design work to be accomplished from your office or computer room away from any sawdust or other possible hazards in your workshop. The computer is never connected to the CW machine.
The card is inserted into the memory card slot on the side of your CW machine. The capacity of the memory card is large enough to hold a significant number of projects and scans. How many it will hold depends on the size of the individual projects. Typically, 30 to 40 average size projects can be stored on a single memory card. If the card fills up, simply delete some of the files using the Flash Manager in the software. As long as you save the project file to your computer hard drive before compiling it to your memory card, it can be compiled and put onto the memory card over and over. Compiled projects files cannot be transferred from the card back to the software. The only thing that goes from the card to the software is an image that has been scanned using the Scanning Probe.
Carving, Cutting & Decorative Bits
The CarveWright carving and cutting bits are unique in that they are "all carbide" designed for longer-life and more precise cutting performance. They are also "plungeable" and specifically calibrated with the CW Designer Software. The CW is intuitive enough to let you know when to change a bit from its LCD display.
The Full Bit Set includes a variety of bits for different decorative purposes. The magnetic container that house the bits allow for convenient storage on the side of the machine or it can be placed on your workshop pegboard or propped up on its own built in stand. The bits, available in different sizes and with your choice of adapter, can create a variety of cuts and carves including routing, beveling, joining, mitering, squaring, rip-cutting and cross-cutting.
A Scanning Probe can also be purchased as an accessory to the CarveWright. This probe attaches like a bit on the CW machine and allows the reproduction of 3-dimensional objects by scanning with an accuracy of up to .005 of an inch in detail. The image can then be accessed and manipulated from the Pattern Editor Software, which comes free with the purchase of a Scanning Probe.
The CarveTight is the tough-as-nails spindle system upgrade for older CarveWright systems. It's made from one solid piece of hardened ground steel to significantly reduce vibration, improve run out, run quieter, and enhance the overall quality of the CarveWright machine. This item is standard on the CarveWright Version C machine.
Heavy Duty Traction Belts
These belts are an upgrade option to the existing Sandpaper Traction Belts that ship standard of every system. These are made from a heavy rubber that is almost impossible to puncture and guaranteed not to role. These are a must for any heavy duty shop.
Centerline Text is an add-on module to the CW Designer Software. This software feature allows you to carve text with pin-point accuracy using a V-groove bit. Centerline Text carves point to point in a vector mode following the center of the letter and offers a much faster carve time.
Conforming Vectors is an advanced feature available for use with your Project Designer Software. Apply Centerline Text and all other vector cutting to a carved region or virtually any surface, whether domed or textured; even patterns. It can be any vector cut such as those done with our drawing tools, the Outline and Centerline Text and vectors brought in through DXF Importer.
Pattern Editor Software
The Pattern Editor Software has now been made available for purchase independent of the probe. The Pattern Editor Software allows the manipulation of a scanned or imported image on a pixel by pixel level basis. This powerful program features Visual 3D image display efficient real time editing, the ability to edit images at the pixel level, tools for painting, erasing, blurring, filling and sampling, filters that raise/lower, smooth and blur the surface.
The STL Importer software is an advanced feature that is available which gives the user the ability to import 3D models from any 3rd party design software as STL format. They can then slice them up at various depths and angles for carving and reassembly into a physical 3D model.
The DXF Importer software is another advanced feature which allows the user to import 2D vector files as DXF’s. Tools allow scaling, rearranging, flipping, rotating, auto-connecting of lines, splitting (tiling designs), create boards to layout shapes, and importing boards into Designer to be carved or cut out.
Pattern Depot
The Pattern Depot found on the CarveWright website (www.carvewright.com) contains about 4,000 patterns that can be purchased and used in your projects. The purchased patterns can be manipulated by rotating, resizing, flipping, mirroring and added to other elements. The Try button allows you to download a pattern and play with it in your project design. You will not be able to upload it to a memory card until it has been purchased and the license code activated. Our newer version of CW Designer Software allows for a higher 16 Bit resolution pattern. Those higher resolution patterns have the 16 Bit designation beside them. You cannot activate the 16 Bit unless you have the later version of software. The 16 Bit designation does not refer to with which carving or cutting bit used.
There are also complete projects and pattern collections located in the Pattern Depot. Some of the patterns have been placed in Collections and are generally offered by the pattern vendors at a lower price. Each complete project contains a list of all materials and tools that will be required for the project, all of the artwork for that project and step-by-step instructions on how to produce the project on the CW and how to assemble the project. Projects are categorized as Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced skill levels depending upon the tools that are required for the project. Beginner Projects require little or no additional tools while Advanced Projects require the most.
Last edited by lynnfrwd; 08-25-2011 at 04:24 PM.
CarveWright CX Packaged System - starting at $2000
CarversClub 1 Year Subscription - $150.00/year
Adv. Support w/out CC membership - $25.00/issue
CarveWright Community Forum - PRICELESS!
Quick Navigation Overview of CarveWright System Top
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GE Renews Gas Turbine Packaging Agreement in China
Source: www.gulfoilandgas.com 12/12/2011, Location: Asia
GE Oil & Gas has renewed an agreement with China Aviation Gas Turbine Ltd. (CAGT) to continue supplying GE10-1 gas turbine engines and control panels for use in power generation in oil and gas plants and coke oven gas applications in China and abroad through customers whose headquarters are in mainland China.
The original agreement between GE and CAGT was signed in 2002 and renewed in 2007. The new agreement covers the next five years, with a possible option to extend it for another three years, and also includes a services section. Since 2002, GE has sold a significant number of these units to CAGT that now account for nearly one third of the global installed fleet of GE10-1 gas turbines.
GE provides GE10-1 flange to flange gas turbine engines and Mark Vle control panels to CAGT, who integrates them into gas turbine-generator packages and sells them to end customers under the brand name QD-100. The flange-to-flange equipment is supplied from GE Oil & Gas facilities in Florence, Italy and the control panels are supplied from GE facilities in Salem, Va. CAGT�s manufacturing is based in Shenyang, with the company headquarters in Beijing.
�CAGT is a major player in gas turbine packaging and servicing in China. Our relationship with them has opened the door to establish our GE10-1 technology in China�s revitalized gas turbine industry,� said Prady Iyyanki, president and CEO�turbomachinery equipment for GE Oil & Gas.
In addition to the industry sectors already being served, GE and CAGT also are exploring new opportunities in offshore platform power generation.
Turbines: Gas >>
Turbines: Gas News in China >>
KCA Deutag�s Land Operation Wins $168m of New Drilling Contracts in Russia
Russia >> 7/15/2019 - Global drilling and engineering contractor KCA Deutag KCAD) is delighted to announce that its land drilling operation has won three new contracts in R...
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Eni Receives Approval for the Abay Subsoil Use Right
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Purchase Contract Signed for Turkmen Gas
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India >> 7/2/2019 - McDermott International, Inc. has completed the first of two offshore campaigns for Reliance Industries Ltd. KG-D6 R-Cluster subsea field development,...
NOVATEK, Mitsui & JOGMEC Sign Sale Agreement for Arctic LNG 2 Stake
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MHPS Receives Order for Two H-25 Gas Turbines for Major Chinese Paper Firm
MHI Technology Selected for Rovuma LNG Project
SIEMENS & SPIC Agree on Comprehensive Cooperation
BHGE to Supply Turbomachinery Equipment for Golden Pass LNG Export Facility
Arctic LNG 2 & Nuovo Pignone Sign Equipment Supply Agreement
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Oil & Gas Companies in China >>
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AZ BD BN CN GE HK ID IN IR JP KR KZ MM MN MY PG PH PK RU SG TH TJ TM TW UA UZ VN
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Walmart's greenwash
Is your stuff falling apart? Thank Walmart
By Stacy Mitchell on Nov 11, 2011
Forever in blue jeans, babe? Not anymore.Photo: bburkyMy friend Tony’s closet is as good a place as any to begin an investigation of Walmart’s environmental impact. Tony has a pair of Levi’s that date back to high school more than 20 years ago. They still fit him and they’re still in rotation. The fabric has a smooth patina that hints at its age, but, compared to another pair of Levi’s he bought only a couple of years ago, this pair actually looks far less worn. The denim is sturdier, the seams more substantial, the rivets bigger.
Tony’s old pair of Levi’s may well have been made in the U.S, and they likely cost more than his new pair. The new ones were manufactured abroad — Levi’s closed its last U.S. factory in 2003 — and, though Tony didn’t buy them at Walmart, their shoddy construction can be blamed at least in part on the giant retailer and the way it’s reshaping manufacturing around the world.
Since 1994, the consumer price of apparel, in real terms, has fallen by 39 percent. “It is now possible to buy clothing, long a high-priced and valuable commodity, by the pound, for prices comparable to cheap agricultural products,” notes Juliet Schor. Cheapness — and the decline in durability that has accompanied it — has triggered an astonishing increase in the amount of clothing we buy. In the mid-1990s, the average American bought 28 items of clothing a year. Today, we buy 59 items. We also throw away an average of 83 pounds of textiles per person, mostly discarded apparel, each year. That’s four times as much as we did in 1980, according to an EPA analysis of municipal waste streams [PDF].
More in this series :
Walmart by the numbers: Green vs. growth
Think Walmart uses 100% clean energy? Try 2%
Walmart’s promised green product rankings fall off the radar
Can you say ‘sprawl’? Walmart’s biggest climate impact goes ignored
Most consumer products have followed a similar trajectory over the last two decades. Walmart has done more than any other company to drive these changes, though other retailers have since followed its model. Where once we measured value when we shopped, Walmart trained us to see only price. Its hard bargaining pushed manufacturers offshore and drove them, year after year, to cut more corners and make shoddier products. As union-wage production jobs and family-owned businesses fell by the wayside, many Americans could no longer afford anything but Walmart’s cheap offerings.
Today Walmart says it wants to reduce the amount of pollution involved in making some of the stuff it sells. That seems like a good thing — except that everything else Walmart does is designed to undermine the durability of consumer goods, accelerate the flow of products from factory to landfill, and get us to buy more stuff. Even if Walmart does succeed in reducing the resources used to make a T-shirt or a television set, those gains will be more than outstripped by growth in the number of T-shirts and TVs we’re consuming.
The six-dollar toaster
On a recent visit to Walmart store No. 2659, just outside of Portland, Maine, I tried to find evidence of a shift to more sustainable products, but I didn’t see much beyond CFL bulbs and reusable shopping bags. There were no Seventh Generation cleaning supplies or organic cotton clothes, for example.
I did, however, spot a toaster that retails for $6.24 — a price that renders its longevity virtually irrelevant. If it breaks, just buy another.
Prices on general household goods have fallen by about one-third since the mid-1990s. Given how awash in stuff we were in those boom years, it’s shocking just how much more we buy now. Since 1995, the number of toasters and other small electro-thermal appliances sold in the U.S. each year increased from 188 million to 279 million. The average household now buys a new TV every 2.5 years, up from every 3.4 years in the early 1990s. We buy more than 2 billion bath towels a year, up from 1.4 billion in 1994. And on and on.
While there are certainly factors beyond Walmart that have contributed to this ever-expanding avalanche of consumption, the company has been a major driver of the trend. Its growth and profitability rest on fueling an ever-faster churn of products, from factory to shelf to house to landfill.
In a paper [PDF] that came out last year, three business professors illustrate how inducing manufacturers to cut product quality enhances Walmart’s competitive position. “Because lower quality products are usually cheaper to produce, it is often argued that discount retailers induce lower quality in order to drive down prices. Our model suggests, however, that the competitive and bargaining position effects provide incentives to induce lower quality regardless of changes in production costs,” the authors write.
They don’t make ’em like they used to. Photo: Camilla CarlströmIn other words, getting manufacturers to make shoddier products doesn’t just mean that Walmart can offer super-cheap wares; it also helps Walmart marginalize its competitors and gain more dominance over its suppliers. By using its market power to drive down the quality of manufacturing, Walmart gains an advantage over department stores and independent retailers because quality (and the knowledgeable service that typically goes with it) is no longer an important factor in a consumer’s choice about where to shop. If you are going to end up with a crappy to mediocre blender anyway, then why bother spending more or availing yourself of the advice and service of a specialty retailer? Reducing the overall quality of products thus destroys a key competitive advantage of Walmart’s smaller rivals.
Even when a manufacturer responds to Walmart’s cost-cutting pressure by producing a separate, cheaper line to sell only in big-box stores — as many name-brand companies now do — the brand’s reputation for quality can suffer, making it hard for specialty retailers to persuade customers that the higher-quality, longer-lasting versions they offer are worth more.
As local stores and other competing retailers are weakened, manufacturers become more dependent on Walmart. Many major consumer products companies now rely on Walmart for one-quarter or more of their business. According to the study, this gives the chain greater bargaining power over its suppliers, who have fewer options for bringing their wares to market and thus little leverage to resist the retailer’s demands.
Walmart is also a master at getting shoppers to buy more than they came for. It employs all of the techniques that have been shown to spur “unplanned buying,” according to a recent study [PDF] in the Journal of Marketing. The study found that large stores that promote the concept of one-stop shopping and can only be reached by car generate the most impulse buys. Marketing messages that evoke abstract shopping goals are also highly effective at inducing people to put more stuff in their carts. The authors cite Walmart’s “Save Money, Live Better” slogan as a leading example.
According to the study, the least amount of unplanned buying occurs when a shopping trip involves multiple stores, each with a specific product focus, and the customer arrives on foot or by mass transit — in other words, when you shop at small neighborhood and downtown retailers.
A low-tar cigarette
Check out our whole series on Walmart's greenwashing.
Walmart has a powerful incentive to increase the scale of consumption. Sustainability will never be more than a modest sideshow to this larger endeavor. Nowhere in Walmart’s pronouncements about greening its supply chain does the company mention the durability of products or the pace at which households burn through the stuff its stores sell.
As consumers, we’re hardly innocent in all of this, of course. With prices falling below the real human and environmental costs of production, we have been happy to upgrade to a bigger TV or buy four T-shirts when one would suffice. But imagining that Walmart might be part of the cure is like putting tobacco companies in charge of ending smoking. Walmart’s sustainability plan is the low-tar cigarette of the environmental movement: it admits there’s a problem, but offers a kind of pseudo solution that’s really aimed at keeping us all puffing.
As Walmart takes over an ever-larger share of the global economy, companies that favor a more durable and sustainable model of production are squeezed to the margins. The business press is replete with tales of storied U.S. brands, like Levi’s, which held out against Walmart for years before finally giving in, moving overseas, and figuring out how to make a $10 pair of jeans. Some still resist. Stihl, for example, the world’s leading maker of chain saws, has been vocal about retaining the quality of its products by not selling to the big boxes. But if Walmart and those that follow its model continue to grow, there may soon come a day when no producer can escape its dictates.
Next up: How is Walmart really doing on renewables?
Stories in this series:
Walmart’s six-year-old sustainability campaign has helped improve its public image, enabling the company to grow bigger and faster. That growth, ironically, has dramatically increased the retailer’s environmental footprint, and hurt local economies and the U.S. job market along the way.
Walmart is moving like a tortoise toward its clean-energy goal.Context is critical to understanding Walmart’s sustainability initiatives and their impact on the retailer’s overall environmental footprint. But context has been sorely absent in the news media’s coverage of Walmart’s green …
In 2009, Walmart created a stir when it announced that it would develop a Sustainability Index to assess the environmental impacts of every item on its shelves and provide an easy rating system to help shoppers make greener choices. CEO …
See all articles in this series
netflix and chill out
Binge-watching and porn are draining the planet’s battery
Blonde Petition
What truths can we learn from Big Little Lies’ climate change episode?
STARK REALITY
Robert Downey Jr. wants to use artificial intelligence to solve climate change
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Win 7 Tip: Device Stage Gadget Interface Is Gorgeous (When Supported!)
Filed to: Windows 7 tipFiled to: Windows 7 tip
Windows 7 tip
Win 7 tip
Device stage
Devices and printers
Windows 7 tips
Win 7 tips
Device Stage is a set of baked-in icons and menus for printers, cameras, phones, etc. that wait for the moment when you plug something in. Recognition comes fast and smooth—provided the gadget is supported. UPDATE
When you connect a supported gadget, like in this case the Epson Artisan 800, you instantly see the icon with its shiny black case and colorful printout. There was no download, this stuff was already cached somewhere. The icon at first had a yellow alert badge, but after a quick troubleshoot wizard, the badge changed to a happy green check mark.
Epson Artisan 800 All-In-One Lightning Review
The Gadget: The Epson Artisan 800 All-In-One with Wi-Fi and fax. On paper, it has all the signs of…
There are three components of Device Stage: An icon in Devices and Printers, an XML page with links to services and apps, and an icon in the taskbar with a nice tidy pop-up menu of device options.
The icon in the Devices and Printers page, which you can easily reach from the the Start Menu. If you can't find your device anywhere else, it will at least be here. If your gadget is not plugged in, its icon is slightly translucent. If it is, you see a clear shiny device. Click on the icon once, and a contextual ribbon at the top of the window changes to give you device specific options. (For the Epson all-in-one, it was "Start scan" "See what's printing" "Manage default printers" etc. For a mass storage device, it's "Browse Files" and "Safely Remove.")
Double-clicking the icon in the Devices page brings up the services page, essentially a webpage that lives in your computer, and can launch both websites and apps. The look and feel is developed by the device manufacturer, though I'm sure there's a nice Microsoft template if needed. As you can see from both its contents and the following, cool taskbar icon, this page is the sort of thing that would probably used most when the gadget is first bought, and forgotten about later.
The taskbar icon is the ooh-aah part of Device Stage. Right click it (or click and swipe upwards) and you get a series of "Tasks"—essentially a summarized version of what the big XML page offers, with some more specific commands too. Printers are pretty obvious, but it will be really fun to see what people can do with cameras and phones, not to mention totally specialized devices like a Slacker portable radio or a Chumby.
Speaking of Chumby, devices don't need to connect via USB. They can connect via the network or Bluetooth, and are given the same rich metadata treatment.
I did notice one thing in particular that probably won't be "fixed" in the final release: Even though the Epson menu offered all of the Artisan 800's functionality, some of the functions brought up error messages like the one you see below. I didn't run the install disc, and I am assuming that the .EXE apps that the launcher couldn't find were ones I needed to install from the Epson's CD. This makes sense: The richer the experience offered by the device manufacturer, the more likely it is that they will try to make you install more of their software. It's too bad that, as far as I know, you can't customize these jump lists, though, because I would love to see a pop up that only had the crap I care about.
Up top, I made a gripe about products only working if they're supported. If they're not supported, they get generic icons and you see the old AutoPlay pop-up from Windows systems past. In other words, it sucks—like this—when they're not supported:
Don't get me wrong. This isn't a complaint about how few gadgets are currently supported by Windows 7 Beta. The list is here, and it's small, but you know damn well it's going to get longer and longer and longer, every week if not every day.
What I am saying is that I have mixed feelings about what Device Stage will mean to consumer electronics companies. One one hand, companies would do well to stop messing around with their own silly proprietary crapware for say, alerting me when I need printer ink, or downloading the photos from my camera. The Device Stage interface, as you can see below, is an elegant way to facilitate those kinds of menial tasks.
On the other hand, though, I hate for this to become some kind of gear mafia. Back in the day, PlaysForSure's website listed a bunch of compatible music players, but it didn't list all of them. People going to the site would have been swayed to buy officially supported hardware, even if it wasn't the best. I am sure in this case that Microsoft will upload all of the content of all those who participate, but I would hate for people to be choosing devices just because of their ability to talk to Windows 7—an inferior printer, say, having a better Win 7 interface than a superior model.
The ideal solution is for all makers of decent gadgets pay some dude $50 to write the stupid XML code for it to appear in Device Stage—I'm told it's ridiculously simple to submit data. Then it would be a given that a hot new device will just show up. But will there be awesome gadgets that—because of inattentiveness on the part of their makers—end up looking like ass in Windows 7? The chances are good. [More Windows 7 at Gizmodo]
UPDATE: I received the Device Stage package for the Nikon D90 (what Steve Ballmer used to demo Device Stage at CES). Here's a gallery of screenshots from that, showing similar functionality. I did have some trouble getting it to load the user's manual, but that is probably something that can be fixed before the official Win 7 launch.
Live: Microsoft CES 2009 Keynote Kicks Off The Ballmer Years
Here at CES 2009 in Las Vegas, Steve Ballmer has kicked off his speech wearing Bill Gates' old …
Recent from Wilson Rothman
Wilson Rothman, Signing Off
Why I Steal Movies… Even Ones I'm In
LSD, Sexy Fonts and Muppet Genitalia: The Strangest Tech Q&A We've Ever Witnessed
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TURNING THE GENRE ON ITS EAR
A Video Review of “Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” also known as “Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Gidora: Daikaiju Soukougeki” or “Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: The Giant Monsters General Offensive”
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
Writer director Shusuke Kaneko finally tries his hand at Godzilla after revitalizing the Gamera franchise for Daiei. It was bits like the absurd idea of naming the monsters that clued me in to this movie’s real intent – to turn the kaiju eiga genre on its ear. Rethink it and create something new. Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack does just that.
Most surprising right away is the opening sequence which acknowledges the original 1954 Gojira as its only prequel yet also refers to the 1998 American Godzilla as being in continuity as well. Wow. Or more appropriately, oh no.
Now I’m not sure how I feel about the idea that this is all new. Mothra, Baragon and King Ghidorah have never appeared before and they are possessed by the spirits of Japan’s war dead. I don’t buy it but okay, I can deal with it.
These three ‘guardian monsters’ have returned to stop Godzilla from destroying Japan. That’s your plot. Throw in a plucky girl reporter along with a few masterfully directed monster fights and that’s the movie.
Baragon is a nice update of the underground monster from Frankenstein Conquers the World, a gone but not forgotten Toho classic from the 1960s. Mothra’s larva form has been made fiercer and a bit scarier. King Ghidora this time around is rather short and stocky, traditional gold in color and the wings seem small and rather useless at first. Its final form is the King Ghidora we all know and hate.
The reworking of Godzilla is different from its Millennium predecessor. Nasty empty eyes and an old school design highlight this decidedly evil creature bent on destruction. It’s a while before we actually a look at this new Godzilla probably to increase the suspense.
Writer director Shusuke Kaneko has a good vibe on how Godzilla and giant monsters in general should work. The big G is frequently filmed from below to accentuate his enormous size. Puns aside, yes, in this genre size does matter. When Godzilla uses his breath trees fly through the air in his inhalation. The camera shakes with his footsteps. The only bad parts are where he walks like Barney but we won’t mention that. Kaneko knows how to induce size and danger in this type of flick. His Godzilla rocks.
Chiharo Niyama plays Yuri the plucky girl reporter. She’s quite possibly the first likeable human player in a G film in a long time (even Miki Segusa wore on me after a while). She works for a tabloid TV station specializing in the paranormal – an excellent conduit for daikaiju reporting. I can’t help but notice the parallel to “Ultra Q.”
When Baragon first shows up folks think he’s Godzilla – last seen fifty years prior – when the real G appears they understand how deep their sh!t truly is. He towers over Baragon. The battle between Baragon and Godzilla is among the best I’ve seen in some time. The smaller kaiju displays all the scrappiness he did in his original cinematic appearances.
The Mothra transformation from larva to imago is among the most uninteresting I’ve seen however. The queen moth is just a big bug here. Yawn. When she does appear in full glory as a moth though she flies low over a crowd including twin sisters who glance at each other knowingly. Nice touch.
Godzilla vs. Mothra. Again as with Baragon, size matters. As I said, she’s just a big bug. It would have been a very boring fight had King Ghidora not shown up. Unfortunately Godzilla dispatches them both easily.
There is some beautiful miniature work as a suspension bridge goes down toward the end. That might not sound like much considering the scale model building effects haven’t improved all that much since the 1990s but the bridge scene is superior.
The musical score, although missing the familiar marches of the legendary Akira Ifukube, is just as incredible by Kow Otani. He has a definite ear for how a kaiju eiga should sound.
This off the wall Godzilla flick that stands alone and knocks the genre on its butt is one of the best. Definitely check GMK out.
DEADLY OBSESSION
A Video Review of “Heavenly Creatures”
Heavenly Creatures is based on the true-life murder of Nora Parker in 1954 Christchurch, New Zealand. This horrid murder was committed by her daughter Pauline and her best friend Juliet Hulme and triggered one of the most scandalous trials in New Zealand history.
The girls, here played by Melanie Lynnesky and a young pre-Titanic Kate Winslet, as outcasts with vivid imaginations form an intense relationship. The two are fast and inseparatable friends who obsess over Mario Lanza, Orson Welles in The Third Man, the Biggles books and a world they create for themselves. One of their mothers believes the girls have developed an ‘unhealthy’ (that’s fifties-speak for homosexual, folks) relationship and tries to keep them away from each other. Pauline and Juliet retaliate with a plan to kill Pauline’s mother.
This is the film that introduced both Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynnesky. We all know what happened to Miss Winslet but why haven’t we seen more of Miss Lynnesky? They are equally Oscar-class actresses here. In my opinion neither actress has matched their performances as the deeply disturbed young women in Heavenly Creatures since.
Other cast standouts are all small parts. Stephen Reilly as Mario Lanza is memorable and Jean Guerin as Orson Welles is unmistakable. The highlight however is Clive Merrison, a Peter Sellers lookalike who also remarkably looks like the real Henry Hulme who he plays.
Peter Jackson’s direction is flawless. His fantasy sequences are breathtaking. All the locations are authentic. That and the locations for the Lord of the Rings trilogy show Jackson’s love for New Zealand. He also co-wrote the screenplay based on the real events and excerpts from Pauline Parker’s diary. All of the voiceovers are read directly from that diary.
Heavenly Creatures is one of the best most underrated movies of the 1990s. See it as soon as you can. It’s well worth it.
Rating *****
***** Must see
**** Worth seeing
*** So you have eight dollars you want to throw away…
** Is Adam Sandler in this mess?
* A bullet would be quicker.
The above is a longer version of a review that previously appeared at the now defunct and sadly missed Project Popcorn.
A Video Review of “Bonnie and Clyde”
Warren Beauty worked long and hard to get this film made and as with other projects he put his heart and soul into (Bullworth, Dick Tracy) the result is nearly flawless. Hollywood was dead set against Beatty’s vision. He was bringing unwelcome European sensibilities to the United States. Some might say he was the Orson Welles of his time.
The performances are near perfect; Faye Dunaway at the peak of her career and Oscar-nominated work by Beatty, Dunaway, Gene Hackman, Michael J. Pollard, director Arthur Penn and Estelle Parsons who won for supporting actress. Parsons’ hysterics and Hackman’s disturbing death scene are among the finest in the film.
There are so many good performances in this film, too many to count almost. There is Pollard’s adoring C.W. Moss, Denver Pyle’s vengeful Texas Ranger and Mabel Cavitt’s haunting portrayal of Bonnie Parker’s mother. Longtime character actor Dub “Cannonball” Taylor has the role of his life as C.W. Moss’ father, in my opinion the finest of his career.
We watch Bonnie and Clyde’s romance through the ups and downs of the Depression era anti-heroes. And as dysfunctional as it is Bonnie and Clyde is still a love story. From their meeting in the first few minutes to their grisly end we know they love each other no matter the absurd obstacles. Beatty and Dunaway are incredible. Because the characters are so well defined we love them and root for them so hard it hurts when the end comes.
There are so many good scenes here, poignant and humorous and violent. Who can forget the humiliation of the Texas Ranger? Or the kidnapping of Gene Wilder and his girlfriend? Or Flatt and Scruggs’ “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” accompanying the chase scenes. The ending is both breathtakingly and bloody. Its slow motion finality definitely influenced John Woo in his Hong Kong action films.
This is probably one of the best gangster movies ever made, I can watch it over and over again.
A shorter and less interesting version of this review previously appeared at Project Popcorn.
I COULDN’T MAKE THIS UP
A Film Review of “Spirited Away” also known as “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi”
Hayao Miyazaki is a genius. He brought us Princess Mononoke and Kiki’s Delivery Service as well as one of my personal favorites Laputa: Castle in the Sky. Prior to those he worked on “Lupin” and “Nausicaa” for Japanese television. The animation is second to none – vastly superior to anything Disney (who distributed this feature in America by the way) has done lately.
Spirited Away is the story of a little girl named Chihiro who wanders away from her parents at an abandoned amusement park and becomes the workslave for spirits and demons in an extra-dimensional bathhouse. Did I mention her folks have been turned into pigs? No. Really. I couldn’t make that up.
It comes off as an anime version of Alice in Wonderland meets The Wizard of Oz. The fun stuff comes when Miyazaki takes the idea of the lost little girl in another world and then throws in everything including the kitchen sink. We get every kind of spirit, demon and monster you can imagine and more. Really.
In the world of Japanese legend they are known as yokai or spirits who can transform and our little heroine encounters many in her time at the bathhouse. The most memorable are the radish spirit, the stink spirit and Master Haku who becomes a flying Chinese dragon. My favorite is the unfathomable No Face. He switches from lonely to hungry to dangerous to friendly with the randomness of the wind.
The voice talent involved is unequaled. Michael Chiklis (“The Commish”) and Lauren Holly (“Picket Fences”) cameo as little Chihiro’s parents. Suzanne Pleshette is delightfully menacing as the evil bathhouse mistress Yubaba. John Ratzenberger (Cliff from “Cheers”) however is the comedic highlight as one of the frog foremen.
Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is a wild ride and a fun ride (long too, your butt will get numb). It doesn’t always make sense to the uninitiated but it’s definitely worth the price of admission. And besides it’s always a thrill to see anime on the big screen.
The above is a revised version of a review previously posted elsewhere on the net.
THE BEST MOVIE OF 2001
A Video Review of “Josie and the Pussycats”
This was the best movie of 2001, forget the first installments of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, this was it. I enjoyed this a lot more than most of the crap out there.
Based on the Archie Comic created by Dan DeCarlo and by association the more widely known and popular Saturday morning cartoon series it follows the adventures of an aspiring all girl rock band and their friends. The cartoon was very Scooby-Doo, derivative in that the kids were always stumbling across mysteries and dastardly villains and putting things right by meddling.
The movie kicks ass because not only does it stick close to its source material while updating itself to the 21st century it never once -never once- takes itself seriously. This is the work of co-writer/co-director team of Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont. They were also responsible for other underrated flicks like A Very Brady Sequel and The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. They even take a shot at the critics regarding their other work Can’t Hardly Wait in this one. Their Josie and the Pussycats is just a fantastic non-stop roller coaster ride.
The satire is thick as the plot involves music being used to subliminally brainwash the youth of America to use certain products. To drive home this point the whole movie is punch drunk with on-screen advertising and product placement (particularly hilarious is Melanie taking a shower in her McDonald’s decorated bathroom). It’s everywhere, everywhere, you can’t get away from it and therein lies the joke.
Kaplan and Elfont prey on this in their own unique wink-wink way. The music industry, especially the pop music industry, is all about advertising. It’s true and you know it. I know it too. If I see N’Sync pushing baby back ribs from Chili’s one more time I’ll puke. Britney for Pepsi at least makes sense, but baby back ribs??!?
The primary roles are taken by Rachel Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson and Tara Reid as Josie, Valerie and Melanie. As in the comics and some of the roles are reversed, here Josie is the smart one and Valerie is the sexy one but Melanie is still the ditsy one. All are played to a tee. Melanie of course gets all the good lines.
Alan Cumming is, as always, amazing as Wyatt the uber-manager who engineers the Pussycats’ miracle rise to the top. Everyone else plays their parts to perfection including the wonderful Parker Posey who finally stars in a film that didn’t go straight to video. Also the short conspiracy promotional film starring Eugene Levy which stinks of a 1950s science filmstrip is hilarious.
My favorite character in the film is Carson Daly who plays Carson Daly as an automaton – in other words, himself. Aries Spears of “Mad TV” is also good as the ‘other’ Carson Daly. The fight sequence where the two Carson Dalys try to off Valerie and Melanie is particularly amusing because of the dialogue between Daly and Reid who were dating at the time.
The songs, music and videos are incredibly played like MTV in an MTV movie designed to mock MTV. Marvelous. Vocals on the Josie songs are by Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo, surprisingly backed up by Cook and Dawson.
My favorite dialogue in the flick (and probably of all time) comes when super-manager Wyatt asks Alexandra why she is with the band. Missi Pyle, done up in perfect skunk hairdo, deadpans her answer: “Because I was in the comic book.” I just love it.
The movie is wall-to-wall fun. Don’t miss it and remember, blue is the new red. Rent this video, buy this video, enjoy this video.
The above revised from previous versions appearing elsewhere on the net.
HERO VERSUS VILLAIN AND VICE VERSA
A Video Review of “Dillinger” (1973)
Written and directed by John Milius (Conan the Barbarian, Farewell to the King), this is a tribute to the anti-hero. Milius obviously studied Peckinpah (or at least Bonnie and Clyde) because his style of cinematic violence is the flavor of the flick. It’s subtle but always in your face. Dillinger is also interspersed with odd romantic vignettes and country music videos using black and white stills. Some work, some don’t.
Highlighted by the flawless acting of the late Warren Oates in the title role we see John Dillinger portrayed as a hero of the people, likable, popular and not the murdering criminal he really was. Warren Oates does Dillinger with the same down home flair of Andy Griffith as Lonesome Rhoads in the classic A Face in the Crowd. This is Oates’ finest performance. It’s sad we lost him so young.
Ben Johnson is thrust into the ironically villainous role of G-man Melvin Purvis. If John Dillinger is the hero of the piece Purvis is surely the bad guy. Johnson plays his part with quiet cool and confidence, unperturbed by Dillinger’s violence and close calls. He knows he will win.
Richard Dreyfus is quite amusing as the obnoxious brat ‘Babyface’ Nelson. His clashes with Oates are priceless. When I see Dreyfus here and in things like Jaws, it occurs to me that he does a lot of phoning in performances, because here is solid proof he can actually act. Michelle Phillips is adequate. Harry Dean Stanton is superb. Also look for Cloris Leachman as the notorious lady in red.
Despite the lack of fact it’s a great movie. It’s one of the best of the new wave Depression era gangster films. Check it out.
The above previously appeared in a much shorter form at Project Popcorn.
For more of my movie reviews check out:
Comic Widows at
http://www.comicwidows.com
or the Internet Movie Database at
http://www.imdb.com
or Yahoo! Movies at
http://movies.yahoo.com
Contact me at
monsura2@yahoo.com
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Olympic silver medalist Stevenson wins in Jersey hometown
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Tour de France: Julian Alaphilippe wins stage three to take yellow jersey • Quick-Step rider makes late solo breakaway to take overall lead• Frenchman wins stage, 26 seconds ahead of Michael MatthewsJulian Alaphilippe, the ...
Groenewegen wins Tour stage seven as Ciccone retains yellow jersey Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen put his nightmare of a Tour de France start behind him when he won the seventh stage in a bunch sprint after a pancake-fla...
Lucy Bronze wins Women's World Cup Silver Ball as Megan Rapinoe scoops award for competition's best player England's Lucy Bronze has been awarded the Fifa Women's World Cup Silver Ball, recognising her as the second best player in this summer's competition...
Giro d'Italia: Fausto Masnada wins stage six as Valerio Conti takes pink jersey Italian rider led breakaway with Valerio ContiConti takes leader’s jersey from Primoz RoglicUAE Team Emirates’ Valerio Conti took over the leader’s p...
Roglic wins Time Trial and Conti holds on to pink jersey as Yates slips up in wet conditions "Primoz Roglic mastered the tough conditions to win Sunday’s Time Trial at the Giro d’Italia and put himself in a strong position in the General Clas...
Five Great Tools For Polishing Silver, Even If You Hate Polishing Silver I’m one of those weird people (full stop) who loves polishing silver. I dunno! To me, it’s just a very easy and satisfying job that ends with a brigh...
Stevenson KOs Guevara in thrilling homecoming Rising featherweight star Shakur Stevenson retained his regional belt after a dominant showing against Alberto Guevara in his hometown of Newark, New...
Stevenson KO's Guevara in thrilling homecoming Rising featherweight star Shakur Stevenson retained his regional belt after a dominant showing against Alberto Guevara in his hometown of Newark, New...
Why Shakur Stevenson needs to put on a show in Newark As talented as any young fighter Shakur Stevenson is getting close to a title shot, but despite the main event status, Mark Kriegel notes that Steven...
Shakur Stevenson targets Josh Warrington Elite American prospect Shakur Stevenson wants to challenge IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington, and he's willing to come to the UK to do it T...
Nothing but the Truth: A Q&A With Bryan Stevenson, Subject of HBO’s True Justice Montgomery, Alabama, exists as a paradox. It is here that slavers sold other human beings at market, and where a young Rosa Parks set off a campaign ...
Bryan Stevenson: the lawyer devoting his life to fighting injustice Michael B Jordan is to play him in a new film – but first a documentary tells the incredible true story of a man taking on America’s criminal justice...
Zion Williamson’s jersey has become a hot seller. His high school jersey, that is. The latest fashion trend among fans is sporting the high school jerseys of the NBA's young stars, and small-time vendors are stepping in to fill the ...
Asian Games gold medalist tests positive for doping with EPO MONACO (AP) — Asian Games steeplechase champion Hossein Keyhani has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for EPO. The Athletics Integr...
OIympic race walk medalist banned for 4 years for doping MONACO (AP) — Olympic race walk silver medalist Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez has been banned for four years for doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit, whi...
OIympic race walk medalist banned for four years for doping MONACO — Olympic race walk silver medalist Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez has been banned for four years for doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit, which pr...
Abner Doubleday feted on 200th at hometown BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (AP) — Abner Doubleday’s boyhood hometown is celebrating his birth 200 years ago. The story that Doubleday invented baseball...
In Google's hometown, some residents are living on the streets in RVs There’s a housing crisis in one of the most affluent areas in the country. To make it even more shocking, it's at the doorstep of one of the world's ...
End of an era: Bob Seger plays his final hometown show It was the end of an era Friday as Seger and the Silver Bullet Band played their final concert at the old Pine Knob. ...
How leaving my hometown helped me get my life back I began to feel hemmed in by the city while pregnant with my second child. Now, five years after embracing rural living, it still feels thrillingly n...
In Hometown of Migrants Who Drowned, Hardship and Grief: ‘I Didn’t Want Them to Go’ A photograph capturing the fate of Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his daughter, Angie Valeria, points to one of the major drivers of the crisis t...
Hometown hero Maroon lifts Blues in Game 7 OT Pat Maroon's goal pushed the Blues past the Stars and into the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night in what was a record third series this post...
Thomas Jefferson’s hometown will no longer honor his birthday Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, April 13, will no longer be a holiday in the Founding Father’s hometown of Charlottesville, Va., the city council decide...
Melania Trump Gets a Statue Near Her Hometown, Carved by Chain Saw An American artist commissioned a local amateur wood carver to create “the first monument to Melania” in her native Slovenia. Not everyone is impress...
Andy Ruiz Jr. Shocked the Boxing World. But Not His Hometown. The “chubby kid” from the rough-and-tumble boxing circuit on the Mexican border upset Anthony Joshua to claim the heavyweight crown. In Imperial, Cal...
A Monster to History, Stalin Is a Tourist Magnet in His Hometown How do you market a homegrown monster to the rest of the world? A popular museum in Stalin’s hometown in Georgia adopts an admiring tone, and the gui...
Pujols saluted after HR for Angels vs hometown Cards in loss ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols took a curtain call for his adoring fans at Busch Stadium after homering against the Cardinals, but Marcell Ozuna conn...
How Hannah Brown Made The Bachelorette History After Hometown Visits There's a first time for everything, even on a franchise that's been around for 17 years. On the Monday, July 8 episode of The Bachelorette, Hannah B...
Jerry Kelly lead hometown PGA Tour Champions event MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Jerry Kelly shot a 7-under 65 on Friday to take the first-round lead in his hometown American Family Insurance Championship. Kel...
In hometown, Macron battles disillusion and apathy ahead of EU election In Emmanuel Macron's hometown of Amiens, it's hard to find enthusiasm for either the French president or the European Union, less than a week before ...
Emma Greenwell on The Rook and the joys of shooting in her hometown of London Starz’s new sci-fi series The Rook follows the fictional British secret service agency, the Checquy, a Men In Black-like organization for “people wit...
Kidnapping survivor Jayme Closs honored with ‘Hometown Hero’ award Kidnapping victim Jayme Closs made a rare public appearance on Wednesday, when she was honored with the “Hometown Hero” award by Wisconsi...
Eddie Lampert's Company to Buy the Rest of Sears Hometown, Outlet Stores The parent company of Sears and Kmart stores, controlled by former Sears Holdings CEO Eddie Lampert, has agreed to buy the rest of Sears Hometown and...
Thomas Jefferson's hometown of Charlottesville, Va., will no longer mark his birthday: report Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, April 13, will no longer be a holiday in the Founding Father’s hometown of Charlottesville, Va., the city council decide...
Saudi Arabia's hometown ambitions could clip wealth fund's wings Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) risks being pulled deeper into Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s domestic projects, curbing its internat...
Former NFL star Deion Sanders apologizes to hometown in long-awaited return Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders apologized to his hometown of Fort Myers, Florida during a community forum at a local high school. &#...
Who Knew Luke's Hometown Date Wouldn't Be The Bachelorette's Most Dramatic Of the Night? Ever since it was reported that Jed Wyatt allegedly had a serious girlfriend right up until he got on the plane to head to The Bachelorette, every da...
In Andy Ruiz Jr.'s Hometown, Boxing And Border Patrol Are All Part Of The Scenery IMPERIAL, Calif. — On Andy Ruiz Jr. Day in Imperial, the temperature had already climbed past 90 degrees by 9 a.m. The cooler wind that had been blow...
Wooden Melania Trump statue unveiled near her Slovenian hometown gets mixed reviews Melania Trump is back in Slovenia – in the form of a wooden statue commissioned by US artist Brad Downey and created by local artisan Ales Zupe...
Late Tyler Skaggs shared special bond with fellow pitcher from his hometown Conner Greene reflects on the life of Tyler Skaggs and the relationship the Santa Monica High alums and fellow pitchers built. ...
Ariana Grande Tears Up Paying Tribute to Late Ex Mac Miller at Concert in His Hometown Ariana Grande got emotional as she sang onstage about her late ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, in his hometown of Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The 26-year-old...
Kidnap victim Jayme Closs honored as ‘hometown hero’ by Wisconsin Assembly A 13-year-old who was held prisoner in a Wisconsin cabin for three months before escaping her abductor is being honored by state lawmakers as a “home...
'Just like real Melania': A wooden statue of the First Lady that was carved using a chainsaw draws a crowd in her hometown Borut Zivulovic/Reuters A life-size statue of First Lady Melania Trump that was carved out of a living tree with a chainsaw was unveiled in her home...
A Wood-Carved Statue of Melania Trump Has Been Unveiled in Her Hometown. Local Residents Are Bemused A new monument to Melania Trump has been erected in her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, and its creators are calling it the first public statue in com...
This is how the silver Galaxy S10+ looks... you still can't have it, though! There are two things Samsung likes to do — release a new color for its Galaxy S line some months after the phone's official launch, and lock some col...
Gold up, Silver up The May gold contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange closed today at $1,285.70 an ounce — up $2.20. The current silver contract on the ...
Jose Antonio Reyes' funeral held in hometown of Utrera as hundreds of mourners pay their respects Hundreds of people paid their respects on Monday morning at the funeral of former Sevilla player Jose Antonio Reyes, who died in a car accident on Sa...
Samsung has created a silver Galaxy S10+ but you can't have it The Galaxy S10+ is already available in a wide range of colors including Prism Green, Flamingo Pink, and the new Cardinal Red. But if none of these f...
Silver Alert issued for 78-year-old man MESA, Ariz. – The Apache Junction Police Department has issued a Silver Alert for 78-year-old Marcus Schluter. According to AJPD, Schluter was ...
Gold rises, Silver falls The June gold contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange closed today at $1,414.30 an ounce — up $18.10. The current silver contract on the &...
Silver wants half of new NBA refs to be women Adam Silver, noting that two of the past five referees added to the NBA ranks from the G League were women, said he wants half of all new game offici...
Adam Silver: NBA could abolish 'one-and-done' policy by 2022 NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes the "one-and-done" policy that prevents high school players from immediately joining the NBA could be abolished...
Silver Alert issued for missing man from Colorado MESA, Ariz. – A Silver Alert has been issued for 92-year-old Ventura Liufau, a man visiting Mesa from Colorado. Liufau is in Mesa visiting fami...
Sony Still Has Plans for Silver Sable and the Black Cat Also, in the least surprising news, Tom Hardy will be back for Venom 2. The remake of The Craft has found a member of its coven. Josh Gad continues t...
NBA: League looks to Africa as next growth area - Silver NBA commissioner Adam Silver delivered a state of the league address on Thursday that sounded more like a foreign policy briefing that underscored th...
Silver: NBA needs 'enforceable' free-agency rules Adam Silver acknowledged the NBA has "work to do" with enforcement of rules after several star players changed teams through deals that were apparent...
Silver after Drake confab: 'We're in a good place' Raptors superfan Drake met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver prior to the start of the NBA Finals to discuss Drake's conduct on the sidelines. During...
Silver: Insights into the Unfolding Chart Pattern On Nov. 14, 2018, silver had been declining for 5 months when EWI called for a low. It turned out that silver's price bottomed that very day. Now, le...
TVS NTorq 125 Launched In New Matte Silver Colour TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of a new Matte Silver shade for its popular 125 cc scooter - TVS NTorq 125. The new colour has been launch...
NBA commissioner Silver wants more female refs _ and coaches WASHINGTON (AP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants half of all new referees joining the league to be women — and he would like to see teams hire fe...
NBA commissioner Silver wants more female refs -- and coaches NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants half of all new referees joining the league to be women — and he would like to see teams hire female coaches, too....
Apple's silver linings are not enough to offset the storms It wasn't hard for Apple to not disappoint Wall Street with expectations as low as they were, but it's clear that Apple is putting a brave face on wh...
Adam Silver: ‘Line needs to be drawn’ on Drake, superfans TORONTO — NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed his concern with Drake’s eccentric sideline theatrics and the league’s recent discussion with the Ra...
Commissioner Silver wants half of new NBA referees and coaches to be women NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday made a call for more gender diversity among referees and head coaches in a league he has overseen for five y...
Adam Silver: NBA stopped using term ‘owner’ years ago While some NBA teams have begun backing away from the term “owner” because of racial insensitivity, commissioner Adam Silver says the lea...
Yankees can’t crack Rays in loss that has one big silver lining ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Missing a chance to extend the AL East lead over the Rays didn’t change the big picture for the first-place Yankees. After win...
Adam Silver reveals advice he’s given to Zion Williamson TORONTO (AP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he has already offered presumed No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson advice on enjoying the proc...
Ice from the Alps reveals Europeans ditched gold for silver in AD 660 The people of north-west Europe embraced a silver currency instead of gold in the seventh century, and this may have fuelled a post-Roman economic bo...
Producer Joel Silver is getting $8M Jeff Koons sculpture after all Silver, who produced “The Matrix,” sued the Gagosian Gallery for not delivering “Balloon Venus Hohlen Fels,” a Koons sculpture that Silver agreed to ...
Silver Alert cancelled for missing vulnerable adult SHOW LOW, Ariz – The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a silver alert for 87-year-old Lucy Garcia Anaya Wednesday afternoon. According...
In Silver's Slide, Another Sign of Global-Growth Worries The price of silver has fallen to its lowest level relative to gold in more than 26 years, a sign of slowing global growth to analysts who use the re...
Fellow Knicks rookie is silver lining to another RJ Barrett dud LAS VEGAS — Oddly, the Knicks seem to have better luck with their second-round draft picks than their lottery picks lately. In the second game at the...
Silver Alert issued for missing Peoria woman Peoria, Ariz.- The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for 72-year-old Mary Endreson. She was last seen leaving her apar...
The silver lining to RJ Barrett’s latest Knicks performance LAS VEGAS — Knicks fan can breathe a little bit easier today. The Knicks new lottery pick, RJ Barrett, came on late to secure a double-double but the...
Silver hopeful reformed lottery rules end tanking NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he believes the "greatest success" of the reformed draft lottery system is that "hopefully it'll stop fans in those...
The (End)Game of Thrones: Mythical pet redemption, VFX, and finale silver linings Enlarge / The Stark children during happier times? (Back in April when the final season of Game of Thrones premiered in Belfast and no one else knew ...
Punjab Likely To Be Silver Lining For Congress, Exit Polls Predict The two-year-old government of Amarinder Singh in Punjab, which the BJP hoped was facing some amount of anti-incumbency, could fare the best among th...
Adam Silver Calls for More Gender Diversity in N.B.A. Officiating and Coaching In a talk in Washington, the N.B.A. commissioner also said that the Golden State Warriors were “not ideal” for the competitive balance of the league....
Daniel Roberts Runs Epic 13.00 for NCAA 110H Silver Daniel Roberts comes up short in the 110m hurdles – Photo by Chet White, UK Athletics AUSTIN, Texas – Kentucky track and field junior Daniel Ro...
Lithuanian stripped of London 2012 canoe silver medal: IOC Lithuanian Jevgenij Shuklin, who won silver in Canoe Sprint at the London 2012 Olympics, has been stripped of his medal after re-tests of his sample ...
Gold/Silver Options Skews: Upside Risk Ahead? Do out-of-the-money put options in gold and silver offer any investment guidance? We created a model of a fully-funded long futures position to find ...
Rentals in Silver Spring bring citylike living to the suburbs With so many shops, restaurants and entertainment options within walking distance, and Metro just steps away, you may not even need a car if you live...
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gets New Silver Colour Option For India India Kawasaki Motor has introduced a new colour scheme on the Ninja 1000 sports tourer. The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 now gets the metallic matte fus...
Here's how Mollie Tibbetts' hometown is honoring her on what would have been her 21st birthday Nearly 10 months after college student Mollie Tibbetts was killed, friends and family honor her kindness on what would have been her 21st birthday. ...
Jay-Z pays tribute to Nipsey Hussle, disses 'Avengers' during intimate hometown show Jay-Z reopened the legendary Webster Hall in New York's East Village with a set list that was light on hits but full of memorable moments. ...
Silver Jews offshoot band Purple Mountains announces new album David Berman is ready to release new music, but it’s not with his regular group Silver Jews. That band is still broken up, and has been for over a de...
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says league needs 'enforceable' free agency rules NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he believes the league has "work to do" when it comes to free agency and making sure the league finds more "enforce...
Issa Rae Options Tayari Jones’ Novel Silver Sparrow, Which Follows the Daughters of a Bigamist Imagine having one book in the hottest book club known to man and named-checked by the Obamas—and then, having another book being optioned for adapta...
Adam Silver: Smart teams like Nets rewarded in free agency LAS VEGAS — There has always been a concern about big market-small market disparities in the NBA, and five of the league’s superstars ended up in eit...
Bulls found saddest silver lining after losing NBA draft lottery Well, it could always be worse. That was Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson’s takeaway from his team winding up with the seven...
Laugher and Goodfellow strike World Series gold and silver in London "Jack Laugher MBE and Dan Goodfellow produced a pair of stunning performances to secure a Great Britain 1-2 in the Men’s 3m Springboard at the London...
Lady Gaga celebrates Oscar win, Pride Month at emotional 'Enigma' show in hometown NYC On Monday, nine-time Grammy winner Lady Gaga brought her usual theatrics, as well as plenty of heart, to her most intimate show in more than a decade...
Silver King, Mexican Wrestler, Dies in Ring During Lucha Libre Match César González Barrón, who appeared in the 2006 movie “Nacho Libre,” became unresponsive during a bout in London. No cause of death has been released...
Silver King: wrestler and Nacho Libre star dies at London show Cesar Barron had a heart attack during performance at the Roundhouse in Camden, according to industry reportsA former World Championship Wrestling st...
Trade tensions have hit cargo demand in Asia, but there's a silver lining for regional airlines Ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions are negatively affecting air cargo demand — but the passenger side of the business is much more positive for Asian ...
Silver King, wrestling star who appeared in ‘Nacho Libre,’ dies in ring A professional wrestler who appeared in the Jack Black movie Nacho Libre collapsed and died in the ring in front of hundreds of horrified fans. Wrest...
Bayer bets on 'silver bullet' defense in Roundup litigation; experts see hurdles Bayer AG plans to argue that a $2 billion jury award and thousands of U.S. lawsuits claiming its glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup causes cancer s...
Anthony Joshua finds silver lining as Deontay Wilder plan collapses Anthony Joshua’s plan was this: He was going to successfully defend his IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles against Andy Ruiz Jr. on Saturday night a...
Okay, So Breakdancing Might Really Become an Olympic Sport Hip-hop’s cultural impact is undeniable and it appears that it’s one step closer to infiltrating what was once considered unimaginable—the Olympics....
‘Nacho Libre’ wrestler Silver King dies after collapsing in the ring A well-known Mexican wrestler who co-starred in the comedy "Nacho Libre" has died of a suspected heart attack after collapsing on stage in London. &...
CORRECTED (OFFICIAL)-Societe Generale resigns as London gold and silver market maker The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) said Societe Generale had resigned as a market maker for gold and silver, as France's third-largest bank...
Olympic Games Are Getting More Competitive for Advertisers The Olympic Games remain advertising gold—so much so that exclusive sponsorship deals are becoming much costlier for the world’s most powerful compan...
Olympic swimmer saves drowning man Former world champion and Olympic swimmer Filippo Magnini saved the life of a man who was drowning off a Sardinian beach, according to an eyewitness....
U.S. Olympic Committee changes name to recognize Paralympians Organization votes to change name to United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee in order 'to create an inclusive environment for Team USA athletes,...
USOC changes name to US Olympic & Paralympic Committee CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. Olympic Committee is changing its name to include the Paralympic movement. The organization will be known as the U.S. Olympic...
Olympic Boxing Remains In Crisis The Olympics are a bureaucratic rat’s nest, with national governing bodies, international governing bodies, host cities, various Olympic committees, ...
Opinion: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver blew it with soft penalty for Warriors' minority owner The popular commissioner didn't come down hard enough on Mark Stevens, failing to protect the NBA's image and the players who are vulnerabl...
NBA approves coach's challenge; Adam Silver discusses improving free agency process The NBA has approved a coach's challenge for the 2019-20 season. Adam Silver also said league will spend time figuring out better free agency sy...
Former Olympic kayaker Ferguson to defend America's Cup Former Olympic swimmer and kayaker Steven Ferguson has become the latest top-class athlete to join Team New Zealand as they confirmed their squad for...
Tokyo Olympic tickets: Be prepared to be disappointed TOKYO (AP) — Want tickets for next year’s Tokyo Olympics? Prepare to be let down. Millions were disappointed Thursday when applicants in a tick...
IOC investigates allegations of bribery over Rio’s 2016 Olympic bid • Former state governor accuses nine members of corruption• Sergey Bubka among those named by Sérgio CabralThe International Olympic Committee is to ...
Double Olympic champion Dahlmeier retires at 25 "Double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier announced her retirement from the sport on Friday after a rollercoaster season that saw her miss ou...
Hayter reassesses ambitions as Olympic bid comes into view "Rising cycling star Ethan Hayter says his focus will soon switch back to the track and the Tokyo Olympics next year after a strong showing at the To...
| IOC reforms Olympic host city race The IOC has adopted a host of reforms to streamline the troubled process of hosting and awarding the Olympic Games in a bid to avoid having "too many...
Japanese rush to buy Tokyo Olympic tickets on first day TOKYO (AP) — If you’re a Japan resident and you want tickets for next year’s Tokyo Olympics — be patient. Tokyo organizers on Friday said...
Olympic champ Harrison looks to win big, grow upstart PFL Kayla Harrison made an Army veteran tap out and moved closer to cashing in on the richest fight of her pro career: her search for gold over, Harrison...
Olympic swimmer saves drowning man in Sardinia Former world champion and Olympic swimmer Filippo Magnini saved the life of a man who was drowning off a Sardinian beach, according to an eyewitness....
Biathlon: Double Olympic champion Dahlmeier retires at 25 Double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier announced her retirement from the sport on Friday after a rollercoaster season that saw her miss ou...
Olympic chief sympathizes with Semenya, respects CAS decision Olympic chief Thomas Bach said on Saturday he had sympathy for Caster Semenya but respected the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)'s decision that ...
Sayers to be presented with Olympic bronze at Anniversary Games "Goldie Sayers will receive her Olympic bronze medal in front of a home crowd at the Anniversary Games more than ten years after throwing a British r...
Skateboarders raise their game as Olympic qualifiers begin LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Being an Olympic sport is starting to bring a different vibe to skateboarding. With a promise from the IOC to keep the spir...
Rammstein on Tour: Live at the Berlin Olympic Stadium While every nuance of Rammstein’s tour makes the news in Germany on an almost daily basis, fans continue to devour the band's images, recordings and ...
Tokyo Olympic stadium 90% finished, to open in December With the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics a little over a year away, the National Stadium, set to be the centerpiece of the Games, is 90% completed a...
IOC: India's back in the running to host Olympic events The International Olympic Committee lifted the hosting ban on India Thursday after the country promised to grant visas to all athletes in relevant Ol...
U.S. Olympic Committee must earn back athletes' trust: CEO The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) must work hard toward earning back the trust of American athletes after a sexual abuse sca...
Official linked to Olympic ticket scam set to be IOC member LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The IOC has nominated Greek official Spyros Capralos as a member, seven years after he was linked to black market ticket...
Star quality can’t save Sweden from 8th Olympic bid loss LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Sweden sent its heir to the throne, its prime minister, and a hockey icon to help persuade International Olympic Committ...
IOC to change process of Olympic bid races, host elections LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The IOC is changing how and when it picks Olympic hosts, and will approach candidates who can be from multiple cities or...
Boxing chief criticizes IOC comments on Olympic competition The head of the international boxing federation has criticized IOC president Thomas Bach's comments that Olympic officials could organize the To...
JOC gets new leader in wake of Tokyo Olympic bribery scandal A former gold medalist has been elected to lead the Japanese Olympic Committee, which is mired in a scandal that forced the former president to step ...
Olympic official reassures sports federations about cuts TOKYO (AP) — An Olympic official has made a guarantee that should please the heads of world sports federations who are concerned that Tokyo Games org...
Olympic officials reassure sports federations about cuts An Olympic official has made a guarantee that should please the heads of world sports federations that are concerned that Tokyo Games organizers migh...
McIlroy chooses Ireland over Britain for Olympic golf Rory McIlroy is "most likely" to play next year's Olympic golf in Tokyo and would represent Ireland rather than Britain, the Northern Irishman said o...
Paddle surfing still plotting Olympic course despite ownership dispute Paddle surfers could yet be racing for gold medals down the River Seine at the 2024 Olympics if a row over who controls the sport is resolved soon, t...
Woods sets sights on Olympic gold in Tokyo Tiger Woods has collected plenty of Green Jackets and Claret Jugs during his decorated career, but there is one shiny thing missing from his collecti...
Tokyo Olympic CEO reminds all: Cannabis is banned in Japan TOKYO (AP) — Cannabis has been legalized in some parts of the world. But the chief executive of next year’s Tokyo Olympics has reminded potenti...
| Tokyo or bust as Tiger eyes Olympic dream Tiger Woods is setting his sights on next year's Olympic games, driven on by the knowledge that he may not get many more chances to add a gold medal ...
Armani unveils Italian Olympic team uniforms during MFW Giorgio Armani put a sporty accent on Day 2 of Milan Fashion Week, with an Emporio Armani collection that accented active wear. And he introduced his...
USA sevens sparkle at Twickenham to secure Olympic spot Eagles and Fiji ensure qualification for Tokyo Games next yearCoach Mike Friday: ‘I’m so proud and pleased for all the boys’ USA have become the firs...
McLaughlin upstages Olympic champion Muhammad in Oslo World junior record holder Sydney McLaughlin upstaged Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad to win the women's 400 meters hurdles race at the Bislett Gam...
Kenya's Olympic track coach banned 10 years for corruption The Kenyan track team coach who was sent home from the 2016 Olympics was banned for 10 years Wednesday for seeking a bribe of $12,000 to help athlete...
Olympic great Johnson embarks on stroke education campaign Champion Olympic sprinter Michael Johnson has minor lingering effects from a stroke, but has made an excellent overall recovery and is urging others ...
Stripped of Olympic status, boxing body calls new elections GENEVA (AP) — One day after being stripped of Olympic recognition, boxing body AIBA called for fresh elections in November to help rebuild its image ...
Boxing body near bankrupt, facing 2020 Olympic exclusion The International Boxing Association says it is near bankruptcy, days before a decision to formally exclude the body from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics &#...
WATCH Olympic hopeful Jordan Reynolds on his fighting life What are you fighting for? Meet GB middleweight Jordan Reynolds The post WATCH Olympic hopeful Jordan Reynolds on his fighting life appeared first on...
Olympic marathon runner-up Kirwa banned 4 years for doping MONACO (AP) — Olympic marathon silver medalist Eunice Kirwa has been banned for four years for doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit says Kirwa’...
Olympic champion Semenya loses appeal over testosterone rules Olympic 800-metres champion Caster Semenya on Wednesday lost her appeal against rules that mean middle distance female athletes with a high natural l...
Step Up: Tokyo Olympic podiums made of discarded plastic Tokyo Olympic organizers say the podiums for next year's games will be made of recycled household plastics ...
Olympic ice dance champions Virtue and Moir: 'We’re so proud of our relationship' The Canadian gold medallists talk to Eoin O’Callaghan about winning gold, maintaining a professional relationship and ignoring fan fictionThere’s a g...
Olympic cycling champ Sanchez accepts doping sanction AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) — Former Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez has accepted a two-year doping ban from cycling. The International Cycling...
Dutch Olympic champion completes 195-kilometer charity swim Olympic long-distance swimming champion Maarten van der Weijden has completed a marathon swim along the route of a famous Dutch speedskating race to ...
IOC strips Olympic status from troubled boxing body AIBA The IOC has stripped Olympic status from troubled boxing body AIBA and will now organize qualifying and final tournaments for the 2020 Tokyo Games &...
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Podiums To Be Made From Recycled Plastic Podiums at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be made from plastic waste donated by local residents or collected from the sea, organisers said Tuesday, as ...
Kenya’s Olympic track coach banned 10 years for corruption The coach of Kenya’s Olympic track team in 2016 has been banned for 10 years for corruption after he asked for $12,000 to give athletes advance...
Special Olympic Edition of the Samsung Galaxy S10+ will launch in July A web page posted by Japan's largest wireless carrier, NTT Docomo (via SamMobile), reveals that Samsung is offering a special Olympics Games Edition ...
Doping: CAS lifts Olympic ban on former Russian Sports Minister Mutko The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has overturned a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude former Russian Sports Mini...
New funding figures leave Queensland 2032 Olympic bid in better shape Significant IOC contribution for Games is likelyOperating costs can be cost-neutral, says Brisbane mayorSouth-east Queensland’s bid to host the 2032 ...
Olympic sports slam Tokyo organizers over cuts at venues GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Olympic sports leaders have criticized Tokyo Games organizers for cutting spending on how events will be presented at ve...
Opinion: Three years later, Sweden still talking trash about Rio Olympic win over U.S. women Their loss to Sweden in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics was the U.S. women's earliest exit at a major international tournament. ...
Olympic boxing body mulls legal fight against IOC inquiry LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Under pressure from an IOC inquiry into its integrity, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has been weighing leg...
Italian bid edges Swedish rival in 2026 Olympic host study The Italian bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo looks stronger than the Stockholm-Are project in an IOC analysis...
Trae 'Quadzilla' Williams seeks to muscle in on Olympic rugby sevens Australia’s fastest man ends sprint careerTargets next year’s Games in Tokyo for sevens teamPowerhouse Australian sprinter Trae Williams has made the...
American Olympic hopeful Gabriele Grunewald dies at age 32 after battling cancer American middle-distance runner Gabriele Grunewald, an Olympic hopeful who publicly chronicled her fight with cancer on social media, died at age 32....
| Russian swim star denies taking bribe for backing Rio Olympic bid Russian swimming great Alexander Popov has reacted furiously to allegations he took a bribe in exchange for supporting Rio de Janeiro as host of the ...
Sweden sends princess, prime minister to 2026 Olympic vote STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden is sending its heir to the throne and head of government to Switzerland to support its bid in the 2026 Winter Olympics host v...
Designed by committee, Toyota's Japan Taxi becomes an expensive Olympic symbol Toyota Motor's Japan Taxi, born in a government committee and designed to be an all-things-to-all-people cab, has become a high-priced icon of Tokyo'...
Stockholm Olympic bidders confident Swedes will back 2026 Games Officials for Stockholm's 2026 Winter Olympics bid believe the majority of Swedes will eventually back the project if the city wins the Games on Mond...
Australia fall in final but look good for Olympic rugby sevens qualification John Manenti’s side virtually guaranteed berth in TokyoTop-ranked New Zealand win final in Canada Australia lost 21-17 to New Zealand in the final of...
Russia's Olympic chief regrets IAAF extension of doping ban: TASS Russian Olympic Committee chief Stanislav Pozdnyakov said on Monday he regretted the decision by global athletics governing body IAAF to extend a ban...
Sea rescue: Olympic swimmer Filippo Magnini saves tourist in Italy Former world champion swimmer Filippo Magnini, who won bronze at 2004 Athens Olympics, had no problem helping swimmer whose float got carried by wind...
Olympic swimmer Filippo Magnini saves tourist in Italy sea rescue MILAN — A swimmer struggling in the sea off Sardinia soon discovered it was his lucky day. Italian news agency ANSA says the male tourist got in trou...
Beauty, beasts and Olympic sprints: David Bintley's ballets – in pictures David Bintley, the choreographer and director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, is standing down after 25 years. We look back at some of his most compellin...
Reconstruction and robots: can Tokyo 2020 live up to 1964’s Olympic legacy? The Japanese capital’s futuristic first Games in 1964 set a dazzlingly high bar it will struggle to reach next yearロボットと復興：東京2020大会は1964年の東京オリンピックを上回...
Embattled U.S. Olympic chief Scott Blackmun received $2.4 million severance The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee chairman was scrutinized for the organization's lack of response to sexual assault allegations against gymnas...
Russians cite threats for Olympic Games boycott - archive, 9 May 1984 9 May 1984: East Europeans, except Romanians, expected to follow Soviet leadThe USSR is pulling out of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the off...
Olympic ticket lottery opens in Japan; foreign sales June 15 Residents of Japan have begun entering a ticket lottery to land seats for next year's Tokyo Olympics. ...
Olympic triathlete shatters pelvis after crash with deer in London park A triathlete who helped the Brownlee brothers to victory at London 2012 shattered his pelvis after being thrown from his bicycle in a crash with a de...
Valentina Vezzali: Six-time Olympic champion… but this bronze was her greatest moment "We revisit Valentina Vezzali’s bronze medal match from London 2012 – a bout that proved you should never give up. Head to the Olympic Channel to wat...
Tokyo 2020 unveils Olympic Games torch relay route The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, dubbed Tokyo 2020, unveiled details Saturday of the official Olympic torch relay ...
Boxing body faces Olympic inquiry team before Tokyo ruling The embattled amateur boxing federation faces an Olympic inquiry on Monday fearing it will be punished for forcing out a longtime IOC member as its p...
Why mountain goats are being airlifted from Olympic National Park to Cascade Mountains Mountain goats are being airlifted out of Olympic National Park to the Cascade Mountains where there are more salt licks and fewer humans. ...
Residents fight plans for new concrete plant near Olympic Park over air quality fears An east London community is fighting plans for a concrete factory close to their homes amid complaints their air is already being blighted by dust cl...
Nintendo announces 'Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2' at E3, 'Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Nintendo announced a number of new games coming to the Switch console during its E3 Direct presentation including a sequel to "Zelda: Breath of the W...
Olympic champion Caster Semenya loses landmark case on testosterone levels Athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) will now have to take medication in order to compete in events ranging from 400-metres to a mi...
Breakdancing is one step closer to becoming an Olympic sport at 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris The International Olympic Committee voted in favor of adding breakdancing as a competitive sport for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. ...
Mo Farah calls time on track return and targets 2020 Olympic marathon • Briton concedes he may never run a track race again• Farah beat Andy Butchart in Vitality London 10kmMo Farah has conceded he will almost certainly...
China Mengniu Dairy, Coca-Cola sign Olympic deal to 2032 China Mengniu Dairy and Coca-Cola have signed a multi-year global Olympic deal as joint beverages and dairy sponsors starting from 2021 until 2032, t...
Caster Semenya: Olympic 800m champion files appeal to Swiss court Olympic champion Caster Semenya files a new appeal to a Swiss court to challenge the decision regarding the restriction of testosterone levels in fem...
Olympic dream lost to cancer, Tatiana Suarez has refocused her pursuit of gold Tatiana Suarez was headed toward Olympic glory in wrestling until cancer stopped her in her tracks. Now she is on a new path in the UFC, dominating e...
How an Olympic volleyball star found purpose after sister's tragic murder Five-time Olympian Danielle Scott reflects on the alleged murder of her sister and the fight to stay positive after tragedy. ...
Swedish PM Lofven says country ready to host 2026 Winter Olympic Games Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven made a last-minute effort to back Stockholm's 2026 Winter Olympics bid on Sunday, saying his country was ready t...
Rory McIlroy declares intention to play for Ireland at 2020 Olympic Games • McIlroy did not play at 2016 Games in Rio• World No4 said: ‘I’m excited to play for Ireland’Rory McIlroy is expected to compete for Ireland at next...
Celtics hiring Kara Lawson, former WNBA, Olympic champ, as assistant coach Kara Lawson joins Brad Stevens' NBA coaching staff in Boston after a 12-year WNBA career and time as analyst for the Wizards and ESPN. &#...
Olympic greats Bubka, Popov deny Rio 2016 vote-buying claims Olympic gold medalists Sergey Bubka and Alexander Popov are denying claims made in a Brazilian court they were paid to vote for Rio de Janeiro's...
Russian Olympic chief calls on athletes to stay away from banned coaches: TASS Russia's Olympic chief on Thursday urged athletes to steer clear of coaches banned for doping after Reuters reported that two athletics coaches and o...
Europe’s best set to go head to head with start of 2019 CEV Golden and Silver European Leagues "The final preparations are being completed and excitement is building for the start of the 2019 European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) Golden and S...
Breaking news: Street dance moves closer to Olympic debut at Paris 2024 Breaking among four sports Paris looks to add for 2024 programFinal decision on added sports to be made in December 2020Breakdancing, known as breaki...
Caster Semenya: Olympic champion temporarily cleared to compete without medication by Swiss court Caster Semenya is temporarily free to compete in her preferred 800m event without taking medication to lower her testosterone levels as she awaits th...
Ex-NBA star Lamar Odom admits to using prosthetic penis to cheat Olympic drug test NBA champion Lamar Odom revealed in his upcoming memoir, "Darkness to Light," that he cheated a drug test in order to play for USA Basketball. ...
Court rules Olympic runner Caster Semenya must use hormone-suppressing drugs to compete The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport will force the South African to follow IAAF guidelines in suppressing her natural testosterone lev...
Olympic swimmer Filippo Magnini saves drowning man after wind pushed him off unicorn float Olympic medal-winning swimmer Filippo Magnini put his swimming skills to good use outside of the pool Sunday when he conveniently saved a man who was...
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver: Punishment for Warriors part-owner Mark Stevens 'appropriate' Adam Silver cited how forthcoming and apologetic Mark Stevens was in deciding against a lifetime ban for the Warriors minority owner. &#...
'He was an angel': Ariana Grande tears up singing 'Thank U, Next' in Mac Miller's hometown Ariana Grande teared up Wednesday night singing part of "Thank U, Next" about ex-boyfriend Mac Miller in the late rapper's hometown of Pittsburg...
Caster Semenya: IAAF vows to fight on after Swiss court hands Olympic champion reprieve The IAAF has pledged to take the fight to Caster Semenya after a Swiss court gave the two-times Olympic champion a temporary reprieve to continue com...
Silver: NBA 'can do a better job' on free agency, rules NBA to look at rules governing when teams can talk to free agents, knowing the current mandates are largely ignored &#...
Where to buy in east London: Stratford's Olympic success spreading to neighbouring areas with 33,000 new homes and the next Chiltern Firehouse Seven years on from the 2012 Games and five from the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford is fizzing with development, spilling ove...
New Jersey denies gas pipeline permits, but allows do-over MIDDLETOWN, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey regulators have denied key permits for a hotly contested pipeline project that would carry natural gas from Pennsy...
Police say 10 wounded following shooting at New Jersey bar TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey police say 10 people have been wounded following a shooting at a Trenton bar. Authorities say police were notified of...
Visit Jersey Zoo – and stay the night It’s easy to sell glamping with animals to the kids but a more sceptical dad is also won over – particularly by the ‘deep connection’ with other spec...
New Jersey man dies in fireworks accident NEWARK, N.J. — A man has died of injuries stemming from a fireworks accident in New Jersey’s largest city. Newark police say 23-year-old Antoni...
Historic New Jersey oak tree dead at 600 A New Jersey tree with a history dating back to the area’s first English settlement has come crashing down. The Salem white oak stood proudly f...
New Jersey house obliterated in explosion NEW JERSEY (WNBC) – A home somehow exploded in New Jersey Monday, generating a plume of smoke visible from Manhattan as firefighters battled a ...
Commissioner For A Day: Gregg Popovich Should Be Wearing A Jersey A great honor has been bestowed upon me: I am now the NBA Commissioner (for a day). With this great power comes great responsibility, and I have deci...
Armed man busted outside New Jersey elementary school A Delaware man armed with a handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets was busted Thursday outside an elementary school in New Jersey, authorities said...
Warriors to retire Kevin Durant's No. 35 jersey Kevin Durant's short tenure with the Golden State Warriors will result in his jersey hanging from the rafters, after the franchise announced its plan...
New Jersey jumps to No. 1 in sports betting over Nevada In May, New Jersey books took $318.9 million in bets, beating Nevada books' $317.4 million during the month, according to gaming regulators. &#...
Severe weather spurs flooding in New Jersey Severe storms containing heavy rains and strong winds spurred flooding across New Jersey, disrupting travel and damaging some property. The storms st...
This Is The Right Way To Treat A Kyrie Irving Celtics Jersey Here’s a new twist on a classic, courtesy of reader Henry. That’s what you get for willingly going to the NBA team with the dullest uniform, Kyrie!...
Embattled New Jersey mansion is now a whopping 75 percent off This northern New Jersey mansion dates to the roaring ’20s, but it’s certainly not roaring now. The grand property — once one of the stat...
Lawyers name more accused New Jersey predator priests Attorneys for a man seeking to force New Jersey's five Roman Catholic dioceses to release their clergy abuse records have issued their own list of mo...
Look: Kitten rescued from undercarriage of New Jersey police car Megan Brinster, executive director of the RBAR, said the kitten, a female now dubbed Cuffs, is expected to make a full recovery and will be placed up...
New Jersey ISIS recruiter gets just 48 months behind bars A Brooklyn federal court judge Wednesday sentenced an admitted ISIS recruiter and failed government cooperator to only 48 months behind bars — ...
1 killed, 4 others shot, in New Jersey shooting: cops Five people were shot — at least one fatally — Sunday morning in New Jersey, police said. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office con...
New Jersey couple goes missing on vacation in Barbados A New Jersey couple vanished while on vacation in Barbados after they rented a jet ski and never returned, according to police and family. Oscar Suar...
New Jersey woman sentenced for supporting ISIS — again A New Jersey native who acted as a double agent for ISIS was being sentenced in Brooklyn on Monday for providing material support to the terror group...
New Jersey town’s nearly 600-year-old oak tree falls down SALEM, N.J. (AP) — A 600-year-old oak tree known as the tallest one in New Jersey has uprooted. The Salem oak came down Thursday evening, drawing peo...
Jersey Shore's Snooki Gives Birth to Baby No. 3 Snooki's family just got a little bit bigger. The Jersey Shore star and husband Jionni LaValle welcomed baby boy Angelo James LaValle earlier today...
‘Kai the Hitchhiker’ gets 57 years for New Jersey lawyer’s murder One-time Internet sensation “Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker” was sentenced Thursday to 57 years in prison for beating a prominent Ne...
New Jersey cop pleads guilty to doing heroin in his patrol car A New Jersey cop lost his job after pleading guilty to doing heroin in his patrol car, officials said. Franklin Township police officer Matthew D. El...
This used-car salesman inspired a generation of migrants in New Jersey SALCAJA, Guatemala — Werner Dominguez is a pioneer. In 1981, he became one of the first migrants from this city nestled among verdant mist-shrouded m...
New Jersey mom charged in death of toddler left in hot car for hours A New Jersey mom has been charged in the death of her toddler, who was left in a hot car for 2½ hours, according to prosecutors. Police had been call...
Oprah Winfrey Surprises New Jersey School With $500,000 Gift It’s not easy being a billionaire gift-giver after Robert F. Smith dropped about $40 million on Morehouse’s Class of 2019, but Oprah’s been out here ...
New Jersey homeowner finds 2 bears battling in his yard FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Spring was in the air when a New Jersey homeowner found two black bears battling in his yard. Corey Bale tells NJ.com...
Irate New Jersey mom bites cop outside child’s school: police A New Jersey mom attacked two police officers – and bit one of them three times — in front of her child’s school after she refused to comply wi...
New Jersey drug ring had a ‘drive-through window’: feds Authorities have busted 25 people — several connected to the Bloods — for running a massive drug ring in New Jersey where they allegedly pedaled hero...
New Jersey health officials warn of possible measles exposure New Jersey health officials are warning that an airplane passenger infected with measles traveled from Israel to Newark last month and may have expos...
West Point says cadet killed in rollover was from New Jersey WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — The U.S. Military Academy has identified the cadet killed in a vehicle rollover during a training exercise as a 22-year-old f...
New Jersey man dies vacationing in Dominican Republic, reports say Joseph Allen, 55, was found dead in his hotel room at Terra Linda in Sosua on the morning of June 13, his sister, Jamie Reed, told ABC. ...
A New Jersey cop overdosed on heroin in a patrol car while on duty. He was fired A New Jersey police officer has pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and driving while intoxicated while on duty in April. ...
New Jersey sues Sackler family for opioid epidemic The New Jersey attorney general's office filed a lawsuit against members of the billionaire family behind pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma, allegin...
52 dogs rescued from alleged hoarder in New Jersey, officials say Authorities in New Jersey recovered dozens of dogs from a Trenton home – many malnourished and at least one in critical condition—and said a suspect ...
Yellow jersey Alaphilippe brings panache to the Tour In an era where riders are becoming slaves to power meters, earpieces and all sorts of technological gadgets, Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe is bringin...
New Jersey man charged with threatening to bomb Trump Tower A 20-year-old New Jersey man accused of threatening on social media to "shoot everybody" at a pro-Israel march and bomb the Trump Tower skyscraper i...
New Jersey rejects key permits for Williams' natgas pipeline- AP New Jersey regulators on late Wednesday rejected key permits from Williams Cos Inc on building the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) natural gas pi...
New Jersey mother, 25, is charged in hot-car death of 21-month-old: prosecutors A 25-year-old New Jersey mother has been charged in the death of her 21-month-old toddler; authorities say, alleging that the child was left in a hot...
New Jersey millionaire gets 7 years behind bars over sex with teen girl A New Jersey millionaire who engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl for seven months, according to court documents, was sentenced Monday to s...
New Jersey killer wants new trial over juror’s ‘LMAO’ post A New Jersey man convicted of his childhood pal’s murder says he deserves a new trial because of a dismissed juror’s “LMAO” p...
New Jersey tops Nevada in sports betting volume in May ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey took in more sports bets last month than Nevada did to lead the nation. Gambling regulators said this week that...
Barbados Police Searching for New Jersey Couple Who Disappeared on Jet Ski Police in Barbados are searching for a New Jersey couple who went out to sea on a jet ski and never returned. Oscar Suarez, 32 and Magdalena Devil, 2...
Bills give away O.J. Simpson’s 32 jersey to Senorise Perry The Bills opened camp this week with a nod to their past. Sort of. Running back Senorise Perry donned a No. 32 jersey for Buffalo, the first time the...
Visit Anthony Bourdain's Favorite New Jersey Restaurants This week—a year after his death—Chef Anthony Bourdain is being honored by New Jersey officials with a “food trail,” which celebrates the restaurants...
12-year-old boy drowns at upscale New Jersey country club A 12-year-old boy drowned Wednesday at an upscale New Jersey country club, authorities said. The child was playing in the water at private Lake Valha...
A New Jersey man is dead after falling ill in the Dominican Republic, his family says Joseph Allen died at a hotel in the Dominican Republic last week, his family says, making him at least the ninth US tourist to die at a Dominican Rep...
New Jersey pizza chain wants to sell you sad crust remnants I don’t really want to tell you about what rolled into my Twitter feed Wednesday afternoon because, why spread negativity? But when I shared it with ...
Louisville pitcher's mom looking for stolen CWS jersey, taken while they were at Mass Louisville pitcher Adam Elliott's College World Series jersey was stolen while his family was at Mass in Omaha. His mom is trying to track it do...
The Warriors Will Retire The Jersey Of A Guy Who Dumped Them For Kyrie Irving Having lost Kevin Durant in free agency to Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets, the Golden State Warriors announced Monday that Durant’s number-35 jer...
Suspect identified in murder of defrocked New Jersey priest A suspect in the murder of a defrocked New Jersey priest who was killed in Nevada after his name appeared on a list of those credibly accused of sexu...
Video shows tornado ripping through New Jersey backyard A tornado touched down in a South New Jersey town late Thursday — wreaking havoc on one family’s backyard, new video shows. Alex Ranra, of Mullica Hi...
New Jersey man sentenced for role in turtle smuggling scheme COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A New Jersey wildlife trader has been sentenced to two years’ probation for his role in a reptile smuggling ring that str...
Tractor-trailer dangles off New Jersey overpass after accident A tractor-trailer crashed and overturned Friday morning along a New Jersey highway and was left dangling off an overpass. The truck’s fuel tanks were...
New Jersey bans betting on Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Everyone, don’t place your bets. New Jersey, which became one of the first states outside of Nevada to allow sports betting after a 2018 Supreme Cour...
Supreme Court to hear New Jersey 'Bridgegate' appeal The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear an appeal concerning the criminal convictions of two former associates of former New Jersey Governor ...
Nathan Cleary retains NSW State of Origin jersey Five debutants in his side for State of Origin IMitchell Pearce and Luke Keary ruled out Nathan Cleary has retained his NSW State of Origin No 7 jump...
New Jersey cop, firefighter disciplined after dressing up as an Orthodox Jew at a party Photos of a New Jersey police officer dressed in the traditional style of an Orthodox Jewish man prompted an internal investigation. ...
‘Jersey Shore’ star’s ex-girlfriend accused of battering him LAS VEGAS (AP) — A lawyer says “Jersey Shore” star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro’s on-again-off-again girlfriend will fight a misdemeanor dome...
An entire New Jersey jail has been quarantined due to mumps outbreak If you end up in a county jail, chances are you’re not having the greatest of days to begin with. Inmates who found themselves behind the bars ...
Teunissen keeps yellow jersey after team time trial Dutch rider Mike Teunissen has kept the Tour de France yellow jersey after his Jumbo-Visma squad won Sunday's team time trial ...
Watch the attack that earned Alaphilippe the yellow jersey "Julian Alaphilippe ensured a Frenchman was dressed in yellow following the first French stage of the 2019 Tour de France, and this is the moment tha...
Babe Ruth jersey auctioned for record $5.64 million The Babe knows how to bring in a buck. A jersey worn by Yankees icon Babe Ruth around 1928-30 sold for $5.64 million, a record price for sports memor...
House explodes in New Jersey, showering neighborhood in rubble Videos and photos from the scene show a completely razed house on the 300 block of Abbott Avenue in Ridgefield. The blast, which happened just after ...
Conti - My family didn't know I'd retained the pink jersey! "Valerio Conti retained his maglia rosa after a fast and frenetic day in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, but his family took a while to realise!...
New Jersey gets official state microbe: Streptomyces griseus TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A microorganism that played a role in treating tuberculosis is now officially recognized as New Jersey’s state microbe. Go...
Tornado touched down in New Jersey: National Weather Service A tornado hit a New Jersey community on Tuesday night, knocking down power lines, toppling trees and damaging a high school, officials said Wednesday...
Dwight Gooden arrested for cocaine possession in New Jersey Mets legend Dwight Gooden — who has openly battled decades-long drug and alcohol addictions that derailed his Hall of Fame dreams — was busted in New...
New Jersey takes over $318M sports bets, more than Nevada While New York lawmakers waffled over legal sports betting, New Jersey was raking in the dough, according to a new report. In May, the Garden State t...
Alaphilippe takes Tour stage three and yellow jersey France’s Julian Alaphilippe lived up to the hype as he snatched the Tour de France overall leader’s yellow jersey by winning the third stage on Monda...
New Jersey first in U.S. to mandate 'panic buttons' for hotel workers New Jersey became the first of the United States Tuesday to pass a law requiring hotels provide "panic buttons" that employees can activate in case o...
New Jersey couple goes missing while on vacation in Barbados, going out to sea on jet ski, police say A couple from New Jersey vacationing on the island of Barbados has been reported missing after going out to sea on a jet ski, according to officials....
New Jersey truck accident snarls holiday eve traffic out of NYC An overturned garbage truck in New Jersey blocked a major route out of New York City during the evening commute Wednesday, one of the biggest travel ...
Five cases of mumps diagnosed in New Jersey jail outbreak A quarantine means no new inmates will be accepted until the outbreak is over. Visitors and attorneys will not have direct access to inmates. ...
CBOE TO LIST OPTIONS ON TWO NEW METALS ETF PRODUCTS: iSHARES COMEX GOLD TRUST & iSHARES SILVER TRUST CHICAGO, December 5, 2008 -Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) today announced that beginning Monday, Dec. 8, the Exchange will list options on two...
Gold falls, Silver falls The June gold contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange closed today at $1,344.60 an ounce — down $2.00. The current silver contract on the ...
Gold rises, Silver rises The May gold contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange closed today at $1,276.10 an ounce — up $1.60. The current silver contract on the ...
Tokyo opens Olympic rowing venue in heart of Tokyo Bay TOKYO (AP) — Organizers have opened the rowing venue for next year’s Tokyo Olympics. The venue is located in Tokyo Bay and is ready to go with ...
Olympic swimmer Nathan Adrian on testicular cancer diagnosis: I 'felt betrayed by my own body' After having two surgeries for testicular cancer, eight-time Olympic medalist Nathan Adrian is nervously excited about his return to the pool. ...
New Jersey parents indicted, accused of smothering infant in ‘timeout’ The parents of a 4-month-old New Jersey boy who died in a motel room last year after he was smothered while on a “time out” were indicted last week f...
Jersey man puts $1.5M life savings in Bitcoin scam, loses everything A resident of the self-governing British island, Jersey, has lost their life-savings to a Bitcoin scam. Scammers hoodwinked the victim over an 18-mon...
Oprah Winfrey surprises New Jersey high school with $500,000 gift The master of gift giving, Oprah Winfrey, dropped by a New Jersey High School on Friday to surprise students and faculty with a pizza party and annou...
Pujols concludes STL return with 2 hits, Molina jersey swap Angels slugger Albert Pujols had two hits and exchanged jerseys with former teammate Yadier Molina to conclude an emotional return to St. Louis, and ...
New Jersey Devils acquire PK Subban from Predators in blockbuster trade Devils add Subban hours after drafting Jack Hughes first overallSubban is three-time All-Star and former Norris Trophy winnerThe New Jersey Devils ac...
New Jersey man sentenced to life in prison in 2016 murder of former classmate The New Jersey man convicted earlier this year of strangling his former classmate to death then tossing her body off a bridge, staging a suicide scen...
Jersey Shore fire chiefs too unqualified to keep positions, resign The ax got brought down Monday in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, on some of the local fire department’s top brass — who reportedly “lac...
New Jersey selects Orsted for state's first offshore wind project New Jersey on Friday selected Denmark's Orsted A/S to develop a 1,100-megawatt offshore wind project off the coast of Atlantic City, the largest ever...
Top pick Jack Hughes skates at New Jersey Devils camp Top draft pick Jack Hughes was a little disappointed on his first night with the New Jersey Devils at their development camp for young players ...
New Jersey is first in the nation to require panic buttons for hotel workers Many major hotel chains have already said they'll provide emergency alert devices for employees who work alone. Now, New Jersey will require it....
Babe Ruth jersey sells for record $5.64 million at auction An anonymous buyer bought the jersey from 1928-30 for $5.64 million, a record price for a piece of sports memorabilia. ...
New Jersey woman found dead at her home during lunch break A 26-year-old New Jersey woman was found dead in her apartment — after neighbors recalled hearing faint screams and furniture moving, according to re...
New Jersey mandates panic buttons for hotel room cleaners ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a law requiring most of the state’s hotels to provide their workers with wear...
Babe Ruth road jersey sells at auction for $5.6 million NEW YORK (AP) — A Babe Ruth road jersey dating to 1928-30 has sold at auction for $5.6 million. Hunt Auctions, which handled Saturday’s sale, s...
New Jersey first state to require panic buttons for hotel workers ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Tuesday that he and others said is the nation’s first requiring most hotels to ...
Suspect in David Ortiz Shooting Was Wanted in New Jersey, Police Say Prosecutors in New Jersey said Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz, who is suspected of being the gunman in the Ortiz shooting, had been indicted in connection with ...
Coyote killed in New Jersey after injuring mom, child in ‘rare’ attack A coyote was killed by authorities in New Jersey on Thursday night after attacking a mom and her toddler at a small park, cops said. The coyote lunge...
Beach concerts at Jersey shore town cancelled for the birds SANDY HOOK, N.J. (AP) — A concert series on a popular New Jersey beach is cancelled this summer to protect dozens of shorebirds nesting there. Piping...
New Jersey man, 55, is latest case of tourist's death in Dominican Republic The State Department confirmed to Fox News the latest American tourist to die in the Dominican Republic, long one of the top Caribbean destinations f...
Jellyfish carrying paralysis toxins found along Jersey Shore Memorial Day revelers who flock to the Jersey Shore are being advised to be wary of a real sting operation. Hundreds of unwelcome visitors – toxic je...
Tornadoes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey catch many in the danger zone off-guard Tornadoes bore down on the western edge of New Jersey and the eastern edge of Pennsylvania this week, leaving some residents prepared for the worst, ...
New Jersey man arrested for plotting terror attack at Trump Tower A New Jersey man was arrested Wednesday on terror-related charges for allegedly seeking to provide material support to Hamas, and discussing the bomb...
Truck plummets through New Jersey parking garage's upper level Dramatic video showed a truck after it fell through the upper level of a parking garage in northern New Jersey, although no injuries have been report...
Feds say New Jersey man posted that he wanted to 'bomb Trump Tower' A man facing charges for supporting Hamas and making threats online said he wanted to "bomb Trump Tower" after visiting President Donald Trump's sign...
New Jersey man charged after allegedly threatening to bomb Trump Tower Jonathan Xie, of Basking Ridge, was taken into custody on charges of attempting to provide material support to Hamas, making false statements and tra...
Six men charged in connection with 2011 murder of New Jersey man in Puerto Rico Investigators say the defendants allegedly killed Maurice Spagnoletti because he canceled an inflated contract to provide janitorial services to Dora...
'Jersey Shore' star’s girlfriend gets new lawyer in Las Vegas case “Jersey Shore” star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro’s on-again-off-again girlfriend got a new lawyer to defend her on a misdemeanor allegation that she attacked O...
New Jersey man becomes latest American tourist to die at a Dominican Republic resort NBC News- A New Jersey man died last week while staying at a resort in the Dominican Republic, becoming at least the ninth American tourist to die un...
MS-13 gangster convicted of killing man for wearing Peyton Manning jersey An MS-13 gangster was found guilty on Thursday of conspiring to kill a man for wearing a No. 18 Peyton Manning jersey. Jose Suarez, also known as “Ch...
Dwyane Wade's jersey swap collection is already hilariously out of date It took less than two weeks of the NBA offseason for the jerseys Wade got during his "One Last Dance" tour to become the world's largest collection o...
Soccer store low on letters of Rapinoe’s name as jersey sales soar As the US women’s national soccer team heads into the World Cup finals, retailers say team merchandise is flying off shelves at record levels &...
Lithia acquires high-volume Honda store in New Jersey Hamilton Honda, once a top 10 U.S. store for the brand, was sold by a dealership group sued last year amid allegations that the group defaulted on mi...
New Jersey student fatally hit by car 6 months before completing doctorate: report A New Jersey girl who was six months from completing a doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Delaware and one day from her 24th birthday...
New Jersey woman convicted of forcing Sri Lankan to work 9 years without pay A New Jersey woman was convicted of forcing a Sri Lankan woman to work for her nine years without pay, causing her to overstay her visa and forcing h...
New Jersey woman who connected would-be terrorists with ISIS gets 48 months in prison A New Jersey woman who communicated on Facebook with members of ISIS under the name "Umm Nutella" only weeks after she pleaded guilty to connecting U...
Search called off for New Jersey couple missing on Barbados vacation The search was suspended for a New Jersey couple who went missing on a Barbados vacation last week when they rented a jet ski, according to reports. ...
Thomasina Miers’ recipe for tartiflette with jersey royals | The Simple Fix New potatoes swimming in a creamy cheese-and-onion sauce flavoured with smoky, salty pancettaEven when the weather is beautifully mild, I still want ...
Jersey Shore's Ronnie Ortiz-Magro Just Went Under the Knife to Get Six-Pack Abs The doctors are here! Whether he's vacationing along the Jersey Shore or spending time at home in Las Vegas, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro always makes fitness...
Truck plunges off New Jersey overpass onto Route 495 near Lincoln Tunnel At least 12 people were injured Wednesday when a garbage truck rolled off a New Jersey overpass and into a commuter bus on a roadway near the Lincoln...
Dying New Jersey woman identified twin sister as her killer A dying New Jersey woman identified her twin sister as her killer after being knifed in the chest during a fight outside their home, a judge revealed...
Search called off for New Jersey couple missing in Barbados after renting jet ski Authorities called off the search for a New Jersey couple that went missing in Barbados last week, but family members are still holding onto hope. &...
Tenured New Jersey teacher accused of calling students the n-word A New Jersey school district is fighting to fire a tenured teacher accused of calling students the n-word in class, according to a report. Bruce Bass...
Driver of truck that plunged off New Jersey overpass says brakes failed The driver of the garbage truck that plunged off a New Jersey overpass near the Lincoln Tunnel Wednesday says the brakes on his vehicle failed before...
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You are here: Home Page > Arts & Humanities > History > Regional & National History > European History > The People's War
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The People's War
Histories of Violence in the German Lands, 1820-1888
Mark Hewitson
Revises existing accounts of nineteenth-century German warfare, especially of 1848 and the wars of unification
Compares combatant and civilian testimonies to show the part played by warfare in the transformation of German states and societies
Explores military violence as a key component of political and civilian violence in wider society, and of new forms of warfare
Draws extensively on contemporary press reportage, war literature, paintings, lithographs, and photographry
How did ministers, journalists, academics, artists, and subjects in the German lands imagine war during the nineteenth century? The Napoleonic Wars had been the bloodiest in Europe's history, directly affecting millions of Germans, yet their long-term consequences on individuals and on 'politics' are still poorly understood. This study makes sense of contemporaries' memories and histories of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic campaigns within a much wider context of press reportage of wars elsewhere in Europe and overseas, debates about military service and the reform of Germany's armies, revolution and counter-revolution, and individuals' experiences of violence and death in their everyday lives. For the majority of the populations of the German states, wars during an era of conscription were not merely a matter of history and memory; rather, they concerned subjects' hopes, fears, and expectations of the future.
This is the second volume of Mark Hewitson's study of the violence of war in the German lands during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It investigates the complex relationship between military conflicts and the violent acts of individual soldiers. In particular, it considers the contradictory impact of 'pacification' in civilian life and exposure to increasingly destructive technologies of killing during war-time. This contradiction reached its nineteenth-century apogee during the 'wars of unification', leaving an ambiguous imprint on post-war discussions of military conflict.
Introduction: Military Violence in German History
Part I: The Romance of War, 1820-1864
1. Histories of Conflict
2. Life in the German Armies
3. Domestic Violence
4. Revolution and Civil War
5. War Reports
Part II: The Horror of War, 1864-1888
6. War and the Nation
7. Blood in the Sand
8. Brothers-at-War
9. The War of the Germans
10. Shock and Awe: The Aftermath of Conflict
Conclusion: Reflections on Violence
Mark Hewitson is a Professor of German History and Politics, and Director of European Social and Political Studies at University College London. His publications include monographs on National Identity and Political Thought in Germany (2000), Germany and the Causes of the First World War (2004), Nationalism in Germany, 1848-1866 (2010), and History and Causality (2014). He is the co-editor of What is a Nation? Europe, 1789-1914 (2006, with Timothy Baycroft), and of Europe in Crisis: Intellectuals and the European Idea, 1917-1957 (2012, with Matthew D'Auria).
"By highlighting the role of mediated depictions of combat and lived experience in shaping popular conceptions of war and violence, and by qualifying, while not discounting, the importance of nationalism as a motivation for German soldiers, he makes a significant contribution to the historiography of modern Europe and war and society ... meticulously researched, carefully structured, and thought provoking" -- Gavin Wiens, H-Net
"Hewitson's elaborate study provides an important overview on the history of warfare in nineteenth-century Germany and it will certainly become a reference work for this field of research." -- Christine G. Krüger, War in History
"A work of remarkable originality and scholarship. One of the best books this year on modern German history. Summing Up: Essential." -- CHOICE
"Mark Hewitson's achievements are formidable... these two books are a treasure trove of insights and information from which scholars will benefit for years to come." --James Sheehan, Journal of Modern History
"These two volumes are clearly structured, fluently written, and open up a broad panorama of contemporary German views on violence and warfare. ... We can look forward to the third volume in the trilogy." -- German Historical Institute London Bulletin
"[L]uminous....A work of remarkable originality and scholarship. One of the best books this year on modern German history....Essential."--CHOICE
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Arts & Humanities > History > Regional & National History > European History
Arts & Humanities > History > Military History
Arts & Humanities > History > Military History > Pre-20th Century Warfare
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UT's Center for Health IPE to share health-focused research, projects, and interprofessional workshops
UT Center to Host Inaugural Health Showcase
UT’s Center for Health IPE to share health-focused research, projects and interprofessional workshops
AUSTIN, Texas — On May, 3, 2019, The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Health Interprofessional Practice and Education (Health IPE) will host its first ever interprofessional health poster showcase. The event will provide a forum for students to present health-related projects in one of three categories: community engagement, quality improvement, and research. Faculty teams will also lead mini-workshops throughout the event where attendees can take a quick dive into health-related topics through an interprofessional lens.
The Center for Health IPE invited undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in health-related fields to submit abstracts. Over 70 students will present their posters and represent programs across the university and other Texas higher education institutions, including nursing, medicine, fine arts, pharmacy, education, athletic training, audiology, business, social work, public health, and engineering.
In addition to poster presentations, nine interprofessional workshops will take place throughout the event. Each workshop was developed by an interprofessional faculty team who designed each 50-minute workshop to pertain to a health topic using a team-based approach. The five different health topics include the language of addiction, stroke care, disordered eating in athletes, a complex pediatrics case, and a simulation about geriatric care. Faculty from athletic training, audiology, nutrition, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and speech language pathology will lead the workshops.
“The Center is so pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for students and residents to showcase their research and projects that focus on improving person-centered care and population-oriented health. Their scholarly work demonstrates the breadth and diversity of real-world issues being addressed at the university. We are thrilled to convene faculty experts to lead interprofessional workshops that allow attendees to learn about important health topics using a team-based approach.”
This event is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. It will take place at Dell Medical School’s Health Discovery Building on May 3, 2019 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. To learn more and register, visit https://healthipe.utexas.edu/interprofessional-health-showcase.
About the Center for Health IPE
The UT Austin Center for Health Interprofessional Practice and Education’s mission is to lead innovative interprofessional education, practice, and scholarship that advances collaborative person-centered health care and population-oriented health. The Center for Health IPE is housed out of the School of Nursing at 1710 Red River Street in Austin, Texas. Veronica Young, Director, may be reached at youngv@austin.utexas.edu and 512.475.9755. Lauren El-Assad, Program Manager, may be reached at lauren.el- assad@austin.utexas.edu and 512.471.9606. Learn more at https://healthipe.utexas.edu.
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© The University of Texas at Austin 2019
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