pred_label
stringclasses 2
values | pred_label_prob
float64 0.5
1
| wiki_prob
float64 0.25
1
| text
stringlengths 57
964k
| source
stringlengths 39
45
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
__label__cc
| 0.687306
| 0.312694
|
Jazz Interlude with Nordic Sounds
Nordic Sounds is a music project lead by musical partners saxophonist Villu Veski and accordion player Tiit Kalluste. Initially inspired by American jazz, the duo has moved its focus toward the atmospheric and spaciousness of music from the North. Joined by bassist Taavo Remmel and percussionist Abdissa ‘Mamba’ Assefa, the group will perform in Helsinki on November 1st. The concert ‘Jazz Interlude with Nordic Sounds’, produced by Jazz Club Jury, will be part of the TING Nordic Culture Festival.
Veski’s and Kalluste’s first love in music was American jazz. What triggered the twosome toward aesthetic and substantial perspective was a journey to Faroe Islands in ’97. That was where it all started. The inspiration of the natural surroundings and sounds heard on the Faroes was so fresh and invigorating, that the duo Veski-Kalluste immediately started recording their new Nordic-influenced repertoire. After just a few recording sessions, Sounds of the Nordic Islands, their first Nordic album, was born. The ’98 album also had a sequel, Sounds of the Nordic Islands II recorded four years later, with three additional musicians. The third instalment of the Veski-Kalluste Nordic saga Nordic Sounds Vol. 3 was recorded in 2009 by the Veski-Kalluste Quartet.
In between the recordings the duo also had a world-music collaboration with Argentinian drummer Daniel ‘Pipi’ Piazzolla. Since meeting in 2003 the line-up has released one CD, a DVD (Nordic Sounds meets Pipi Piazzolla) and has toured in Northern Europe.
The Nordic Sounds ‘family’ is getting bigger and bigger: bass player Taavo Remmel and percussionist Abdissa ‘Mamba’ Assefa have joined the band. Lead by Veski and Kalluste the group plays a world-music influenced repertoire, that has been warmly welcomed in different corners of the world.
Nordic Sounds will perform at a show produced byJazz Club Jury and part of the artistic, entertaining and culinary TING Nordic Culture Festival. On November 1st, one of Helsinki’s best live music venues, the Koko Jazz Club, will be filled with Nordic-inspired atmosphere and musical landscapes of the Finnish-Estonian band Nordic Sounds.
Category: Jazz Journal // Tags: Helsinki, Koko Jazz Club, Nordic Sounds, TING Nordic Culture Festival // 1 Response
One response to “Jazz Interlude with Nordic Sounds”
Jazz Interlude with Dave O'Higgins - Jazz Club Jury
January 15, 2013 at 11:32 | Permalink
[…] in the Jazz Interlude with series of concert was the Finnish-Estonian quartet Nordic Sounds. It was an intimate gig which formed part of TING Nordic Culture Festival. The event brought […]
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2966
|
__label__wiki
| 0.549128
| 0.549128
|
THE PUNCH Newspaper- Kazeem Busari
It is tedious preparing for major competitions and even more challenging for athletes to be at their best when preparing for the Olympics. But training for the fast-approaching London 2012 with substandard facilities and greatly hindered by the resultant effects of the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government could mean unimaginable suffering for the athletes planning to represent Nigeria when the games begin in July.
As if it was not enough to be poorly rewarded after winning laurels for Nigeria at various international competitions, the athletes still have to experience extreme hardship and humiliation from the National Sports Commission even as they hope to self-finance themselves for minor competitions that will qualify them to feature at the Olympics.
It is commonplace to see athletes spending most of their time at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos preparing for competitions.
It was a different story for them all on Monday however when the organised labour began the strike to protest the removal of fuel subsidy. They met the stadium locked and had to train at the gates and on the Western Avenue.
Loveth Ekufu, the national women�s boxing champion in the 48-51kg category, just like many other athletes, is living her share of the hell created by the fuel subsidy crisis.
Ekufu, who is also a kickboxing champion, lives in Isolo, a suburb in Lagos, and will need approximately N450 to get to the National Stadium in Surulere for her training.
�It wasn�t like this before the increase in price of petrol. The removal of the subsidy has changed many things but that will not mean I have to quit training,� Ekufu said on Monday, the first day of the labour strike organised to protest the decision of the government.
Unfortunately for Loveth, like many other athletes, she was unaware the stadium would be under lock during the strike; at least, she expected the facilities to be available to athletes as they prepare for big events this year. The expression on her face when she demounted the commercial motorcycle that brought her to the stadium on Monday morning was a mixture of disbelief, anger and surprise. She had spent a sizeable amount on transport just to keep an appointment with her coach but the sight of the locked gates instantly damped her spirits, while the realisation that the strike would be on indefinitely scared her into believing she might not be ready for the national championship slated to hold later in January.
She said, �I wouldn�t have taken the okada if I had known the stadium would not be available. I�m only managing the little money I have on my training because nothing much comes out of the sport except the glory.
�I have the national championship to prepare for and also want to be part of the trials coming up in a couple of months. I need to win all these if I hope to win medals at the Olympics.�
Again, like many of the athletes stranded at the stadium gate, Ekufu had to return home mostly on foot. She added, �Besides the fact that I don�t have much money, there�s no bus to convey me back home. I�ll have to trek from Ojuelegba through Idi-Araba to Mushin. I�ll see if I can get transport from there on.�
Unlike Ekufu, some of the boxers at the stadium gates were lucky enough to have their coach with them. One of them, Abdulwasiu Opeloyeru, a middleweight boxer is aiming at winning his bouts at the championship. Like the rest of his teammates at the venue, he had to occupy himself with shadow boxing while some others shared the single skipping rope available at the time.
�I�ve never experienced this before: training outside the stadium with just a few days to a very important competition,� Opeloyeru said.
�How do we hope to be at our best when we don�t have the facilities to train? It�s not that the stadium has the best of equipment to train us but we feel safer training in the stadium because the environment is controlled and our coaches can easily assess our performances.
�As it is, we are very uncomfortable training outside the stadium premises during a civil unrest. The police patrol has passed twice and we�re not comfortable the way they kept pointing at us. They may come back and arrest us, thinking we are Area Boys. We�ve already agreed to leave here early.�
Those are not the only things bothering Opeloyeru. Transport fare and feeding are top of his problems as he admitted he and his colleagues now find it a bit more difficult to get to the stadium from their homes.
He added, �Sometimes we jog from Mushin while some others take buses from Oshodi to Mushin before finding other means to get to the stadium. We all can�t afford the new transport fares everyday. It�s even difficult to buy sachet water because it now sells for N10.�
His coach, a lanky 60-year old simply known as Baba Ibeji, understood the reasons for the strike but lamented its effect on the boxers.
�We can�t achieve much without our equipment. There should have been a notice that the stadium will not be opened today. It is the only safe place for our sport,� the coach said.
If the boxers are looking forward to going back to their gyms when the stadium opens after the strike, the track and field athletes will still have to wait a little longer.
The only conducive place for the athletes to train is inside the Main Bowl and they have to get the permission of the NSC before they can have access to it.
Last December, the athletes sent a written request to the NSC to use the stadium and they were granted access for three hours of two days in a week for just three weeks. That is 18 hours for them to use the stadium to prepare for the athletic season which begins in February. That expired last week so they have to make another request.
�As if that hardship is not enough, we have to experience this strike and face the high cost of living the subsidy removal has brought us,� Joy Davies, a national women�s race walk champion said.
�Unlike some of the athletes who need the Main Bowl for their events, I only need the elevated walkways to work on my muscles. I can do that on the stadium bridge or the Ojuelegba bridge but I may likely not get the desired result because the gradients are not the same as what I will get in the stadium.
�I happen to be one of the lucky few that live in Surulere, so I don�t need to take a bus to get to the stadium. I hope the strike will not extend to a period that will adversely affect our programmes for the Olympics.�
Her training partner and reigning national race walk champion, Kazeem Adeyemi, shared a similar view when he said training on the streets would not help him be at his best for the competitions ahead.
He said, �The stadium is part of our success and the lack of it will definitely affect our performances. I was surprised it was locked when they know we need it to prepare for major events. In the meantime, we will continue to use the streets to train for the international competitions we�re preparing for.�
One of the stadium gatemen who preferred anonymity said they got the directive to lock everyone out on Saturday. He said most of the athletes training at the stadium were aware the facilities would not be available for use during the strike but came all the same, hoping to get special recognition or �VIP treatment� at the gates.
The national championships that will lead to trials and selections are expected to hold in January and February. The London 2012 Olympics begins in July.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2974
|
__label__wiki
| 0.84953
| 0.84953
|
VANGUARD Newspaper- Gbenga Ariyibi
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, formally assumed the mantle of leadership of Ekiti State, yesterday pledging a new dawn in which education will be free at primary and secondary school levels.
Governor Fayemi and his wife, Bisi after his swearing in as Ekiti state governor.
The new dispensation also covers a health scheme under which children below five years, pregnant women, the physically impaired and senior citizens are exempted from paying medical bills in government-owned hospitals.
Besides, a social security scheme for citizens from 65 and above is also in the offing.
Dr. Fayemi who was declared winner of the last governorship election in the state by the Court of Appeal, Ilorin, on Friday, also promised to shun recrimination or retaliation in running the affairs of the state although he said Mr. Segun Oni�s 42 months tenure would be subjected to a review.
�We will undertake a comprehensive review of what had transpired in the last 42 months as should be expected, but this is with a view to strengthening the fabric of democratic governance and correcting the ills of the past, not an exercise in with-hunting�, he said.
Governor Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Bisi and Ekiti State chief Judge, Justice Silas Oyewole during the swearing in ceremony of Governor Fayemi in Ado Ekiti Saturday.
He paid tribute to the people of the state for opting for the rule of law while his petition on the election lasted in the court.
Governor Fayemi said: �For 42 long months after that election, you insisted on pitching your tent with the truth and decided on a new politics for our time
��You did not respond by force of arm, or resort to criminality and brigandage. Instead, you pursued your conviction with dogged determination within the ambits of the constitution and the law.
��You heeded my plea that l do not want to be governor over dead compatriots and that we must pursue justice without shedding blood
And he declared: ��Never again in the history of the state of enlightenment shall a government not duly elected by the people be imposed on them
��You reflected what Ekiti history teaches us from the period of ancestors about resistance to oppression, about courage of conviction and about justice as the first condition of our humility,
Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka and her husband during her oath of office administeredn by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Silas Oyewole , Saturday. Photo: Dare Fasube.
�At a point the brazenness of the election thieves provoked our people to ask � Kini a tia seyise, Ekiti Kete. But the response you gave to the challenge was outstanding
�� Let it be repeated by generations to come; that on this day, at this place and in this historic time , a judicial verdict provided an opportunity for the light that is Ekiti State to shine again; the shining light which had been consecrated by those who came before us; is today snatched from the jaws of defeat and delivered to the doorsteps of victory
Fayemi admitted that the road to development might be rough, but with the cooperation of the people of the state the dreams of Ekiti forefathers would be achieved in his time
The new governor directed all permanent secretaries in the state civil service to revert to their positions as at May 28, 2009 immediately and announced the suspension of what he described as irregular civil service appointments.
Governor Fayemi and his deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka were sworn-in by the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Silas Oyewole.
Mrs. Olayinka took her oath first with her husband, Mr. Lanre Olayinka by her side.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2975
|
__label__wiki
| 0.939363
| 0.939363
|
GOOD CREDIT. GOOD JOBS. GOOD REFERENCES. BUT THE LANDLORD DENIED THEM THE APARTMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE. AND THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. It’s against the law for landlords to deny your application, give you the run around, charge you more rent, or steer you away from a rental complex or neighborhood because of your race. If you suspect housing discrimination, file a complaint with HUD or your local fair housing center, so we can investigate it. To file a complaint, go to hud.gov/fairhousing or call 1-800-669-9777 FAIR HOUSING IS YOUR RIGHT. USE IT. A public service message from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in partnership with the National Fair Housing Alliance. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. For more information, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
< page 1 page 2 page 3 page 4 page 5 page 6 page 7 page 8 page 9 page 10 page 11 page 12 page 13 page 14 page 15 page 16 page 17 page 18 page 19 page 20 page 21 page 22 page 23 page 24 page 25 page 26 page 27 page 28 page 29 page 30 page 31 page 32 page 33 page 34 page 35 page 36 page 37 page 38 page 39 page 40 page 41 page 42 page 43 page 44 page 45 page 46 page 47 page 48 page 49 page 50 page 51 page 52 page 53 page 54 page 55 page 56 page 57 page 58 page 59 page 60 page 61 page 62 page 63 page 64
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2980
|
__label__wiki
| 0.559066
| 0.559066
|
Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
SIGN IN REGISTER SUPPORT
All Issues Current Issue In Press
Journal Information Boards and Committees Indexing Sources Journal Metrics Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement Contact Us
The Relationship Between Polymorphisms of Glutathione S-Transferase (GSTM1, GSTT1) Gene and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Western Iran
Fatemeh Kazemisafa 1 , * , Kamalaldin Jadidian 1 , ** , Zohreh Rahimi 2 , Hamid Nomani 2 , Azadeh Ghanbari 1 , Gelareh Saeb 1 , Arash Alikhani 1
1 Health Department, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2 Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Corresponding Authors:
* Corresponding Author: MSc of Biochemistry, Health Department, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Postal Code: 6718874414, Kermanshah, Iran. Tel: +98-8337257697, Email: kazemisafa.f@gmail.com
** Corresponding Author: MSc in Parasitology, Health Department, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Postal Code: 6718874414, Kermanshah, Iran. Tel: +98-8337224043, Email: kamaljadid@yahoo.com
Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences: 22 (4); e85833
Received: August 6, 2018
Revised: December 5, 2018
DOI : 10.5812/jkums.85833
CHEKING
Background: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that causes many complications in the body. Oxidative free radicals affect human beta cells. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) can deactivate substances formed in oxidative stress.
Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between GSTs polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to investigate the presence of GSTM1 and T1 genotypes in 176 T2DM patients and 174 healthy cases as controls.
Methods: Multiplex PCR was used to confirm the presence or absence of GSTT1 and M1 genotypes.
Conclusions: The obtained results indicated that the polymorphism of GSTM1 and GSTT1 does not affect the prevalence of T2DM in the study population.
Glutathione S-Transferase Genetic Polymorphism Oxidative Stress T2DM
Copyright © 2018, Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits copy and redistribute the material just in noncommercial usages, provided the original work is properly cited.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most prevalent type of diabetes that involves nearly 4% of the world population. This disease has a multifactorial origin that includes genetic and environmental agents (1).
This disease is characterized by metabolic irregularities causing long-term negative effects on the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels (2).
Six percent of the world population is affected by T2DM, which is expected to rise to 77.6% by 2030 (3, 4).
A total of 1.5 million diabetics have been reported in Iran (3, 5).
Increased levels of toxic substances and decreased antioxidant defense have been observed in T2DM (6-8). These situations can lead to oxidative stress with significant effects on diabetes prolongation (9-11).
Different genes are recognized to contribute to reducing the effect of toxic substances produced in oxidative stress (12-14), including one that produces Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) as a multifunctional detoxification enzyme which defends cells against harmful effects caused by chemicals, metabolites and oxidative stress (15).
Several studies have identified GSTs polymorphisms as a risk factors for T2DM among different populations.
Given that oxidative stress plays a role in developing diabetes, GTS reduces oxidative stress in the body. The present study examined the association between this enzyme polymorphism (GSTT1 and GSTM1) and the prevalence of diabetes in the population of western Iran.
The present case-control study was performed in Kermanshah, Iran. The study participants comprised 176 patients, including 100 females and 76 males, aged 55.2 ± 11.5 years, with T2DM confirmed by clinical tests, and 174 control volunteers, including 102 females and 72 males aged 55.3 ± 11.2 years and proved by their medical history and laboratory tests not to have developed T2DM.
In the present study, the case group included T2DM patients with a fasting blood sugar (FBS) of at least 126 mg/dL and a 2hpp glucose of at least 200 mg/dL. Moreover, patients with type 1 diabetes, alcoholics, smokers and pregnant women were excluded from the study.
All the diabetics and controls were selected from the Regional Reference Laboratory, affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Furthermore, the study was approved by the University Ethics Committee, and the participants submitted their consent forms prior to the commencement of the research.
Five mL of venous blood was taken and transferred to a test tube containing ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA). Then leukocytes were isolated form the samples and their DNA was extracted.
The multiplex PCR technique helped detect the presence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in the samples. Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) locus was used as internal control.
The PCR primers included GSTM1 forward: 5' -GAA CTC CCT GAA AAGCTA AAGC-3', GSTM1 reverse: 5' -GTT GGG CTC AAA TAT ACGGTG G-3' and GSTT1 forward: 5' - TTC CTT ACTGGT CCT CAC ATC TC-3' , GSTT1 reverse: 5' - TCA CCGGACAT GGC CAG CA-3' and DHFR forward 5' -GGA ATG GAG AAC CAG GTC GTC TT-3' , DHFR reverse 5'-GCA TGT CTT TGG GAT GTG GA-3'.
PCR amplification was performed when GSTM1 and GSTT1 were found to be present in the DNA genome of the case and control samples.
The presence or absence of GSTM1 (a 215-bp fragment) and GSTT1 (a 480-bp fragment) was approved in the presence of amplified fragments of the DHFR gene (280 bp) (Figure 1).
Figure 1. PCR products: Lines 1 and 4 indicate two GST1M1-positive samples. Line 6 indicates a GSTM1-positive sample. Lines 3 and 5 indicate two GSTT1-positive samples, and lines 2 and 7 show the elimination of GSTM1 and GSTT1.
Table 1 presents the demographic characteristics of T2DM patients (n = 176) and the controls (n = 174). According to these results, the cases and controls showed no statistically significant differences in terms of age and gender (P > 0.05).
Table 1. Characteristics of Patients and Controls
Age, y 55.2 ± 11.5 55.3 ± 11.2 0.19
Gender 0.46
Female, No. (%) 100 (56.8) 102 (58.6)
Male, No. (%) 76 (43.2) 72 (41.4)
HbA1c (%) 8.5 ± 3.23 4.8 ± 0.39 < 0.001
FBS, mg/dL 167.5 ± 36.9 86.38 ± 7.7 < 0.001
Table 2 presents the prevalence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in the cases and controls.
Table 2. Frequency of GST M and GST T Genotypes in Patients and Controls
Patients, N = 100a
Controls, N = 100a
95 % CI
GST M1
Present 96 (54.5) 90 (51.7) 1.2 2.5 - 0.72 0.6
Null 80 (45.5) 84 (48.3)
GSTT1
Present 159 (91.32) 142 (82.5) 1.5 0.91 - 2.11 0.34
Null 17 (8.65) 32 (17.75)
a Values are expressed as No. (%).
The prevalence of GSTM1-null was found to be 45.5% and that of GSTT1-null genotype to be 8.65% in the T2DM patients, whereas in the control group, the frequency of null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 was calculated as 48.3% and 17.75%, respectively.
Statistical analyses revealed that the polymorphism of GSTM1 (OR = 1.2; 95% CI 0.72 - 2.5, P = 0.6) and GSTT1 (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 0.91 - 2.11, P = 0.34) were not associated with the disease.
All the results obtained indicate that genotype distributions in the controls followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
T2DM is a harmful and globally prevalent disease. The disease complications exacerbate by different factors, including aging, prolonged obesity and decreased mobility (16).
Oxidative stress significantly affects the development of this disease (17). Given that β-cells carry a small amount of antioxidant agents, they are very susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage. Ascented ROS can therefore play a key role in β-cell failures and the prolongation of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus (17).
GST is an antioxidant enzyme that is responsible for protecting cells against oxidative stress by catalyzing the conjugation of glutathione to an extensive range of electrophiles (18).
According to the obtained results, no significant relationships were observed between GSTM1-null genotype and T2DM in the study population (45.5% vs. 48.3 %).
No significant relationships were also observed between GSTT1-null genotype and T2DM in the study population (8.65% vs. 17.75 %).
Several studies have been conducted in different populations, and different results have been obtained on the relationship of T2DM with the polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1.
In contrast to the present research, the study conducted by Moasser et al. (2) in southern Iran indicated that an increase in the GSTM1-null genotype can be associated with the pathogenesis of T2DM. Moreover, the studies conducted in Turkey and North India found GSTM1-null genotype to be a risk factor for developing T2DM (19, 20).
In line with the present findings, Chinese and Egyptian researchers (21, 22) found no significant differences between the GSTM1 genotype of the controls and the patients with T2DM; nevertheless their reports indicated that an increase in GSTT1-null is associated with developing T2DM.
A study by Amer et al. showed that the prevalence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes notably differs between T2DM patients and the controls in Egypt. Moreover, the combined genotype of GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null was found to increase the risk of developing T2DM (23).
A large body of research suggests that GSTs are essential for protecting DNA against harmful compounds that produce oxidative stress, and that the lack of these enzymes can cause susceptibility to many diseases (24), which has been proved to be associated with different environmental and genetic factors (25). Research suggest that different agents contribute to different levels of susceptibility to diseases in different populations, including physical activity, nutrition, stress, alcohol consumption, ethnic history and environmental conditions.
4.1. Conclusion
The present study showed that the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes does not affect the prevalence of T2DM in the population of western Iran.
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the employees of the Western Regional Reference Laboratory for collaborating with this project.
Conflict of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to the publication of this article.
Ethical Considerations: The study was approved by the University Ethics Committee, and the participants submitted their consent forms prior to the commencement of the research.
Funding/Support: Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
1 Horikawa Y, Oda N, Cox NJ, Li X, Orho-Melander M, Hara M, et al. Genetic variation in the gene encoding calpain-10 is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nat Genet. 2000;26(2):163-75. doi: 10.1038/79876. [PubMed: 11017071].
2 Moasser E, Kazemi-Nezhad SR, Saadat M, Azarpira N. Study of the association between glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1) polymorphisms with type II diabetes mellitus in southern of Iran. Mol Biol Rep. 2012;39(12):10187-92. doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-1893-4. [PubMed: 23014993].
3 Azizi F, Guoya MM, Vazirian P, Dolatshati P, Habbibian S. Screening for type 2 diabetes in the Iranian national programme: A preliminary report. East Mediterr Health J. 2003;9(5-6):1122-7. [PubMed: 16450546].
4 Hussain A, Vaaler S, Sayeed MA, Mahtab H, Ali SM, Khan AK. Type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting blood glucose in rural Bangladesh: A population-based study. Eur J Public Health. 2007;17(3):291-6. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckl235. [PubMed: 17008328].
5 Azizi F, Gouya MM, Vazirian P, Dolatshahi P, Habibian S. The diabetes prevention and control programme of the Islamic Republic of Iran. East Mediterr Health J. 2003;9(5-6):1114-21. [PubMed: 16450545].
6 Giron MD, Salto R, Gonzalez Y, Giron JA, Nieto N, Periago JL, et al. Modulation of hepatic and intestinal glutathione S-transferases and other antioxidant enzymes by dietary lipids in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Chemosphere. 1999;38(13):3003-13. doi: 10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00502-5. [PubMed: 10230044].
7 Opara EC. Oxidative stress, micronutrients, diabetes mellitus and its complications. J R Soc Promot Health. 2002;122(1):28-34. doi: 10.1177/146642400212200112. [PubMed: 11989140].
8 Fridlyand LE, Philipson LH. Oxidative reactive species in cell injury: Mechanisms in diabetes mellitus and therapeutic approaches. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005;1066:136-51. doi: 10.1196/annals.1363.019. [PubMed: 16533924].
9 West IC. Radicals and oxidative stress in diabetes. Diabetic Medicine. 2000;17(3):171-80. doi: 10.1046/j.1464-5491.2000.00259.x.
10 Robertson RP, Harmon J, Tran PO, Tanaka Y, Takahashi H. Glucose toxicity in beta-cells: Type 2 diabetes, good radicals gone bad, and the glutathione connection. Diabetes. 2003;52(3):581-7. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.52.3.581. [PubMed: 12606496].
11 Niedowicz DM, Daleke DL. The role of oxidative stress in diabetic complications. Cell Biochem Biophys. 2005;43(2):289-330. doi: 10.1385/CBB:43:2:289. [PubMed: 16049352].
12 Hayes JD, Flanagan JU, Jowsey IR. Glutathione transferases. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2005;45:51-88. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.45.120403.095857. [PubMed: 15822171].
13 Mates JM, Perez-Gomez C, Nunez de Castro I. Antioxidant enzymes and human diseases. Clin Biochem. 1999;32(8):595-603. doi: 10.1016/S0009-9120(99)00075-2. [PubMed: 10638941].
14 Huang QY, Cheng MR, Ji SL. Linkage and association studies of the susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes. Acta Genetica Sinica. 2006;33(7):573-89. doi: 10.1016/s0379-4172(06)60087-5.
15 Kazemisafa F, Shahsavari G, Abyaneh RZ. Glutathione s-transferase M1 and T1 genetic polymorphisms in Iranian patients with glaucoma. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2014;17(5):332-6. [PubMed: 24967061]. [PubMed Central: PMC4069838].
16 Wild S, Roglic G, Green A, Sicree R, King H. Global prevalence of diabetes: Estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030. Diabetes Care. 2004;27(5):1047-53. doi: 10.2337/diacare.27.5.1047. [PubMed: 15111519].
17 Stephens JW, Khanolkar MP, Bain SC. The biological relevance and measurement of plasma markers of oxidative stress in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis. 2009;202(2):321-9. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.06.006. [PubMed: 18640680].
18 Moussa SA. Oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus. Romanian J biophys. 2008;18(3):225-36.
19 Yalin S, Hatungil R, Tamer L, Ates NA, Dogruer N, Yildirim H, et al. Glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms in Turkish patients with diabetes mellitus. Cell Biochem Funct. 2007;25(5):509-13. doi: 10.1002/cbf.1339. [PubMed: 16927413].
20 Bid HK, Konwar R, Saxena M, Chaudhari P, Agrawal CG, Banerjee M. Association of glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1, T1 and P1) gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus in north Indian population. J Postgrad Med. 2010;56(3):176-81. doi: 10.4103/0022-3859.68633. [PubMed: 20739761].
21 Wang G, Zhang L, Li Q. Genetic polymorphisms of GSTT1, GSTM1, and NQO1 genes and diabetes mellitus risk in Chinese population. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006;341(2):310-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.12.195. [PubMed: 16413497].
22 Rasool HAA, Kashmiry NK, Nowier SR, Morad H, Ismail S. Association of type 2 diabetes mellitus and glutathione S transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) genetic polymorphism. Med J Cairo Univ. 2009;77:71-7.
23 Amer MA, Ghattas MH, Abo-Elmatty DM, Abou-El-Ela SH. Influence of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms on type-2 diabetes mellitus risk. Genet Mol Res. 2011;10(4):3722-30. doi: 10.4238/2011.October.31.14. [PubMed: 22058002].
24 Thier R, Bruning T, Roos PH, Rihs HP, Golka K, Ko Y, et al. Markers of genetic susceptibility in human environmental hygiene and toxicology: The role of selected CYP, NAT and GST genes. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2003;206(3):149-71. doi: 10.1078/1438-4639-00209. [PubMed: 12872524].
25 Prokopenko I, McCarthy MI, Lindgren CM. Type 2 diabetes: New genes, new understanding. Trends Genet. 2008;24(12):613-21. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2008.09.004. [PubMed: 18952314].
LEAVE A COMMENT HERE:
DOWNLOAD PDF ( 366.92 KB )
Fatemeh Kazemisafa: [PubMed] [Scholar]
Kamalaldin Jadidian: [PubMed] [Scholar]
Zohreh Rahimi: [PubMed] [Scholar]
Hamid Nomani: [PubMed] [Scholar]
Azadeh Ghanbari: [PubMed] [Scholar]
Gelareh Saeb: [PubMed] [Scholar]
Arash Alikhani: [PubMed] [Scholar]
accepts terms & conditions of:
Journal Management System. Powered by NeoScriber ® 3.37
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2983
|
__label__wiki
| 0.688503
| 0.688503
|
Moon and Mars
Moon and Mars news updates from Nasa.
Gingrich touts moon base, Mars travel in Florida
Newt Gingrich told numerous thousand people today there will be a "permanent base on the moon" and other ground-breaking space-focused programs by the end of his second term as president.
The GOP presidential candidate said he had "a romantic belief it is really part of our destiny," adding that the current state of the space program is a "tragedy."
Gingrich, a former House speaker, said there will also be a "continuous propulsion system" that would allow travel to Mars in a shorter span of time.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has mocked Gingrich for his proposal for a colony on the moon -- comments that Gingrich said showed the difference between a "romantic" and "so-called practical people."
Gingrich said the idea that people could one day live on the moon or easily explore space would inspire children and future innovators to make dreams like that happen.
The speech was a departure from Gingrich's message in South Carolina, where he focused mainly on the economy and health care.
Jane Sheahan, 70, a retired federal accountant from Pinellas County, recently voted for Gingrich by absentee ballot and made more than 500 calls for his campaign over the past few days.
The reactions, she said, were mixed.
"There's just a lot of indecision," she said, adding that many people were tired of "terrible" ads that ran everyday on television by super PACs supporting other candidates.
Thanks: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/
Posted by Jeff adams at 2:15 AM No comments:
Labels: Moon, permanent base on the moon
Nasa launches vital new mission to recover its stolen moon rocks
The American space agency, Nasa, is not as busy as it once was sending astronauts into orbit aboard its freshly retired shuttle convoy, which means it has time to attend to other pressing business, like trying to track down countless samples of moon rock it has handed out over the years that have gone missing.
A new internal report depicts an agency that has generously distributed extra-terrestrial flotsam, including moon rock, to government leaders and scientific institutions promising to use them for research. But it has also been peculiarly lax about monitoring the whereabouts of the moon rock and ensuring the bits on loan were returned.
According to the report, signed by Paul Martin, the Inspector General of Nasa, 517 moon rocks and other so-called "astromaterial" samples loaned out by the agency between 1970 – when Apollo missions began to collect them – and 2010 have gone missing or have been stolen.
The job of retrieval is partly being undertaken by Joseph R. Gutheinz Jr., a Texas lawyer who once was an undercover Nasa agent intercepting attempts by private citizens trying to sell moon rock they had nefariously acquired on the open market for millions. Now he tries to find lost rocks wherever he can find them, which is as likely to be in a shoebox as in a vault.
Thanks : http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas
Labels: astromaterial, Nasa
NASA moon probes renamed as Ebb and Flow
A pair of unmanned NASA spacecraft that are orbiting the Moon were renamed Ebb and Flow on Wednesday by a middle school class in Montana, the US space agency announced.
The original names for the twin probes Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) -- A and B -- were not very inspired, admitted principal investigator Maria Zuber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"We were so busy in the design and getting these two spacecraft launched on time that when we gave them names, we gave them names of A and B, and that isn't too creative. So we asked the youth of America to assist us," she said.
More than 11,000 students took part in the contest to rename the twin craft which aim to map the Moon's surface, determine its gravity field and reveal the contents of its inner core.
The winners were a fourth grade classroom of nine- and 10-year-olds at Emily Dickinson School in Bozeman, Montana.
Thanks: http://zeenews.india.com/news/space
Posted by Jeff adams at 8:32 PM No comments:
Labels: Ebb, Flow, GRAIL, Nasa
Underfunding doomed Russian Mars probe
Mars has claimed many a spacecraft as victim, and the latest one, a Russian space probe, looks likely to tumble to Earth very soon.
Russia's Phobos-Grunt ("grunt" is Russian for ground or soil) mission aimed for a first landing of a probe on the Martian moon Phobos. Launched Nov. 8, the spacecraft reached Earth orbit but failed to fire the rocket that would send it on an eight-month interplanetary trip to Mars. It's likely to fall to Earth around Jan. 15, the Russian Defense Ministry concluded, the victim of a steadily dropping orbit.
"Way too ambitious and way too underfunded to reach its goal," space law attorney Michael Listner says.
The $163 million spacecraft carried a piggybacked Chinese Mars orbiter added late to the mission.
After weeks of attempts to re-establish radio communication by European Space Agency and NASA transmitters and fleeting hints of contact, Russian space agency officials declared the craft a loss last month.
Mars has claimed overly thrifty probes before. NASA's Mars Polar Lander, a $120 million spacecraft, was judged about 30% underfunded by an accident panel after its calamitous crash in 1999. Testing shortfalls probably played a role in the craft's landing rockets malfunctioning.
"The Phobos science team would like to repeat the mission using experience that we got working on this mission," said an e-mail from mission scientist Alexander Zakharov of the Space Research Institute in Moscow
Read More: http://www.usatoday.com
Labels: Mars, Nasa, NASA's Mars Polar Lander
Jeff Adams Real Estate
Nasa launches vital new mission to recover its sto...
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2988
|
__label__cc
| 0.508275
| 0.491725
|
Tag Archives: Dayne Carlso
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Exceeds Fundraising Goal
Posted on October 31, 2018 by lesliedinaberg
Justin Fox, lead singer of Dishwalla, performs a song with TBCF children, courtesy Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s (TBCF) annual Gold Ribbon Campaign and Luncheon was a deservedly huge success. The September fundraising campaign and October 4 benefit yielded $494,000 to benefit TBCF’s education advocacy, emotional support and financial stability programs.
The gathering at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara was a lovely al fresco luncheon and incredibly heartwarming program to celebrate and support the work of TBCF, the only nonprofit organization that provides financial, emotional and educational assistance to families who have a child with cancer in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. Guests had the opportunity to bid on a unique range of items in a silent auction, including beautiful pieces from Carol Burnett’s cherished silver collection.
TBCF Executive Director Lindsey Leonard spoke about many of the young recipients she had met throughout the year, some who went on to beat their struggle with cancer, others who tragically did not beat the disease. “One thing that everyone here today has in common is the desire to help others,” said Leonard. “Everyone has chosen to give of their time and resources because you know our sick children need you because they are literally fighting for their lives.”
TBCF Encouraging Youth Philanthropy program participants were introduced by the Luncheon’s Premier Sponsor, Earl Minnis. Courtesy Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
An inspiring group of young philanthropists who participated in TBCF’s Encouraging Youth Philanthropy program—which guides youth from elementary school through college ages through facilitated fundraisers of their choice, from concept to implementation to delivering the oversized check—were introduced by Premier Sponsor Earl Minnis. Some of the youth included: Dayne Carlson, who hosted bake sales, collected recyclables and raised funds through a percentage of his mother’s business income; Lily Groves, the youngest participant at age 8, who hosted a series of lemonade stands in her neighborhood; Isa Mireles & Talia Gerstenfeld, who produced a musical showcase featuring some of the best youth talents in Santa Barbara; Chloe & Griffin Kossen, who hosted a kick-a-thon event at their Hapkido studio; Alisha Mergaliyeva, who sold handmade art on Etsy; Reese Termond, who is organizing a dance showcase at her ballet studio; Ava Schuette, who donated her babysitting money to TBCF; Mia Young & Sarah Thielst, who started the Teddy Bear Club at San Marcos High School and hosted a series of bake sales at football games; Bella, Savannah & Paloma Valenzuela, who hosted a series of bake sales at Vons and at Isa & Talia’s Musical Showcase; and Sylvia Gilbar, Kian & Nica Greene and Sofia Tasca, who all raised funds online using Facebook and Mobile Cause. Together through their heroic efforts, these big-hearted young members of our community raised $18,000.
Attendees also learned about TBCF’s work from a mother, Nicci Carter, whose family was a recipient. She shared a moving account of her experience, which began when her toddler Garhett was diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma and began treatments at Cottage Children’s Medical Center—ultimately losing his courageous battle at the age of 3. “After our son died,” Carter tearfully recalled, “my husband and I showed up at the funeral home to make arrangements and were told that TBCF would be covering the cost. The organization also provided Christmas that year for our children who had just lost their brother. It came complete with the tree and gifts picked out specifically for each child. TBCF does everything they can to offer support not just for the child battling cancer, but for the siblings and parents too.”
Nicci Carter, TBCF mother from Santa Maria, shares a moving account of her experience with TBCF. Courtesy photo.
With TBCF’s mission so vividly exemplified by the Carter family’s experience, the event emcee, Andrew Firestone, presented the opportunity for attendees to Fund A Family through items of descending value, such as a hotel room for a parent to stay near the hospital if they live far away.
The Rudolf Schulte Family Foundation was presented with the Heart of Gold Award, highlighting the Schulte family’s enduring support for TBCF kids and families.
The Rudolf Schulte Family Foundation from Santa Barbara was presented with the Heart of Gold Award, courtesy Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
The Trejos family, who received support from TBCF when Madix Trejos was diagnosed with ganglioneuroblastoma at age 5, was presented the Pay It Forward Award for their ongoing work to raise funds and awareness for local families who have a child battling cancer. Madix is 13-years-old now and doing great!
The Trejos family from Moorpark was presented with the Pay It Forward Award, courtesy Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
Robyn Howard-Anderson was presented with the Humanitarian Award for working in close conjunction with TBCF for more than a decade as the pediatric oncology social worker at Cottage Hospital, and later as the pediatric oncology social worker at Ventura County Medical Center.
Robyn Howard-Anderson (center left) from Ventura was presented with the Humanitarian Award, courtesy Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
The Helping Hands Award was presented to longtime friends Tracy Angel and Shannyn Tupper. In addition to serving on committees and coordinating events for TBCF, they started, and have continued to run, a Santa Barbara-North County beneficiary event, Sangria Soiree.
The Helping Hands Award was presented to Tracy Angel (left) and Shannyn Tupper from Santa Ynez, courtesy Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
It would have been difficult to match the feeling of warmth and spirit of giving, were it not for TBCF children coming together to end the program with a joyful song led by Grammy Award-winning musician Justin Fox, lead singer of Dishwalla. Fox had graciously been practicing with the kids, spending time with them in his studio to record the track.
Since its founding in 2002, TBCF has awarded more than $2 million in financial assistance to 2,142 individuals living in the Tri-County Region. For more information or to make a donation, call 805/962-7466 or visit teddybearcancerfoundation.org.
Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 30, 2018.
Posted in Articles, Blog Posts, Human Interest News, Nonprofits | Tagged Alisha Mergaliyeva, Andrew Firestone, Ava Schuette, Bella Savannah & Paloma Valenzuela, Carol Burnett, central coast, Chloe & Griffin Kossen, Cottage Children’s Medical Center, Dayne Carlso, Dayne Carlson, Dishwalla, Earl Minnis, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Gold Ribbon Campaign, Isa Mireles, Justin Fox, Kian & Nica Greene, Leslie Dinaberg, Lily Groves, Mia Young, Nicci Carter, Reese Termond, Robyn Howard-Anderson, Rudolf Schulte Family Foundation, santa barbara, Santa Barbara Quarterly Magazine, Santa Barbara Seasons, Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine, Sarah Thiels, Sarah Thielst, SB SEasons, SB Seasons Magazine, seasons, Seasons Magazine, Seasons Publishing Group, Shannyn Tupper, Sofia Tasca, Sylvia Gilbar, Talia Gerstenfeld, TBCF’s Encouraging Youth Philanthropy program, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Teddy Bear Club at San Marcos High School, things to do in Santa Barbara, Tracy Angel, Trejos
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2989
|
__label__cc
| 0.540329
| 0.459671
|
The Dark Six: The Keeper
Posted on January 1, 2019 by Keith Baker
The Mockery is the lord of treachery and terror. The Devourer commands the destructive powers of nature. The Keeper will strike you down with disease and then snatch your soul so he can continue to torment you for eternity. Everything that we fear—poverty, disease, betrayal, madness, monsters—all of these fall under the sway of the Dark Six. What could drive people to worship these malevolent deities? What sort of player characters would follow them?
In the days ahead I’ll be delving into each of the Dark Six and their followers, starting here with an overview of the Six and a deeper look at the Keeper. Bear in mind that this is my personal take on the Dark Six and the Sovereign Host. It’s not canon material, and it may contradict canon sources.
NINE AND SIX AND ONE
Sourcebooks generally present the Dark Six and the Sovereign Host as if they’re two different faiths, but they’re closely intertwined. The world holds good and evil, joy and tragedy. The Sovereigns need the Dark Six to explain injustice and suffering. When there’s a bountiful harvest, farmers praise Arawai; when there’s a drought, they curse the Devourer. When magic is used for the greater good, it’s a blessing of Aureon; when magic causes suffering, it’s the work of the Shadow. The vassals (devotees) of the Sovereign Host don’t praise the Dark Six, but they acknowledge their existence and power. Prayers refer to the Nine and Six and One, but the point is that the Nine and Six ARE one. A few places where this can be seen…
When faced with a deadly storm, a vassal sailor may toss something precious into the water—making a sacrifice to placate the Devourer.
The Three Faces of War is a vassal cult found across the armies of the Five Nations. Initiates honor Dol Arrah, Dol Azur, and Dol Dorn—acknowledging that all three have a place on the battlefield, and that each warrior must choose a path between them.
The Restful Watch believe that the Keeper and Aureon occasionally work together; at Aureon’s direction, the Keeper catches the souls of heroes so that they aren’t lost to Dolurrh and can be returned when they are needed. The Restful Watch still acknowledge the Keeper as generally malevolent, but willing to bargain with Aureon to serve the greater good.
None of these three examples challenge the basic depiction of the Six. The Mockery, Devourer, and Keeper are still seen as dangerous and dark; it’s simply understood that they are part of the world and that there are times where it’s better to acknowledge them or even work with them than to ignore or entirely deny them. This same principle flows in reverse. A medusa of Khazaak Draal who reveres the Shadow doesn’t deny the existence of Aureon; she accepts them both and CHOOSES the path of the Shadow over that of Aureon. The choice is more meaningful because it is a choice; the medusa doesn’t deny that Aureon may exist, but says that if he does, his laws and attempt to impose morals on magic are misguided and tyrannical.
WHO FOLLOWS THE DARKNESS?
While most vassals acknowledge the existence of the Dark Six, most choose to live their lives according to the principles of the Nine. The ideas represented by the Nine form the foundation of civilization: knowledge, community, industry, commerce, honor, prosperity. The farmer depends on Arawai’s goodwill, and the hunter needs Balinor’s guidance; for both of them, the wrath of the Devourer is something to be feared. Any vassal can choose to bargain with the Six; the common practice of burying a corpse with valuables to distract the Keeper is an example of this. But this is a matter of placating one of the Six when you enter their domain as opposed to revering them.
The question is what drives someone to offer their first devotion to the Six: not simply placating them in desperate times, but idolizing one of these dark powers. In future articles I’ll explore each of the Dark Six, but let’s begin with the Sovereign of Death and Decay: The Keeper.
Sovereign over: Greed, death, hoarded wealth, unfair bargains
Common Subclasses: Death, Trickery (Cleric), Oathbreaker (Paladin), Fiend, Hexblade (Warlock)
Never flaunt good fortune. Avoid arrogance or pride. Those who crow too loudly may catch the jealous eye of the Keeper. Even the mightiest hero can be laid low by disease or ill fortune; the Keeper has a vast arsenal to bring down those that he desires. Once he pulls you down into the darkness, he will snatch your soul before it can reach Dolurrh and and you to his endless hoard, where he can toy with you and torment you until the end of time.
On first reading, this might not sound so bad. Isn’t Dolurrh a place where the soul fades and memories are lost? Aren’t those taken by the Keeper being spared from oblivion? Yes and no. The fading of Dolurrh is an observable effect. But the Vassals maintain that souls that fade in Dolurrh aren’t lost; rather, the fading of memory reflects the transition of the soul to a higher level of reality, where it joins the Sovereigns. So first of all, you’re losing a chance at paradise; second, even if you don’t accept that idea, it’s a choice of oblivion versus eternal torment. So, most people prefer to avoid the Keeper’s grasp. Initiates of the Restful Watch specialize in setting a price on the soul, establishing what must be buried or burned with the corpse to placate the Keeper.
The Keeper is the brother of Kol Korran and reflects the darker aspects of commerce, inspiring avarice, conspicuous consumption, and insatiable greed that can lead to murder or theft.Greed and hoarding are defining aspects of the Keeper; death is simply the tool that he uses to add souls to his hoard. This introduces an often overlooked aspect of the Keeper: bargaining. The Keeper is always searching for new treasures to add to his hoard… and these treasures can include souls, memories, and even more abstract things. A bargain with the Keeper can get you wealth, magic items, the powers of a warlock, or more. While the gifts of the Traveler often have unexpected consequences, the goods of the Keeper are generally exactly what they appear to be: but the Keeper never makes a deal unless the price is in his favor. Whatever you get from the Keeper, you’ll have to give up something of even greater value.
Followers of the Keeper
Out of the Six, the Keeper is the deity most commonly acknowledged by vassals—every funeral acknowledges his presence—but revered by few. Here’s a few ways you might encounter followers of the Keeper in the world.
The Greedy and Devious. Kol Korran is the patron of commerce and honest trade. The Keeper guides those who put their own personal gain above all else. The Keeper helps the liar and the cheat. The Mockery guides those who use deception to spill blood, but those who use guile to gain gold rely on the guidance of the Keeper. Criminals and rogues who see themselves as heroes may look to Olladra for good fortune in their endeavors. But those willing to acknowledge their own greed may offer prayers to the Keeper.
This sort of worship is typically a personal thing. Many members of the Boromar Clan offer prayers to the Keeper, but the clan doesn’t maintain a shrine to him. Individuals who are especially skilled at separating people from their riches may be considered to be blessed by the Keeper, just as a skilled blacksmith may be thought to be favored by Onatar; they may not have the trappings of a priest, but others may still ask for (and pay for) their blessing. On the other hand, you could also have a priest of the Keeper who runs their own guild of thieves; the critical point is that such a priest would typically see their congregation as tools to further their own greed. A cleric following this aspect of the Keeper would have the Trickery domain, but it’s just as appropriate for any rogue, criminal, or charlatan.
While a player character could follow this path, there’s little heroic about it. The Keeper is the lord of greed. Kol Korran governs the positive aspects of trade, and Olladra guides the playful trickster and bard. The Keeper is the patron of those concerned solely with their own personal gain regardless of the cost to others. However, it’s still possible for a mercenary character to begin their career as a cold-hearted devotee of the Keeper—fighting solely for gold—and to perhaps discover that there are things more important than simple acquisition along the way.
The Restful Watch. Priests of the Restful Watch specialize in embalming, funerals, and maintaining cemeteries. They can be found in every major city in the Five Nations, and even smaller towns may have a devotee of the Watch tending the boneyard. The doctrine of the Restful Watch is based on the idea that most spirits pass through Dolurrh and into the realm of the Sovereigns, but that once someone has entered the realm of the Sovereigns they can never return. As a result, if Aureon knows that a dead hero will be needed in the future, he has the Keeper snatch the soul before it reaches Dolurrh, so it can be restored when the time is right. Thus, initiates of the Restful Watch present themselves first and foremost as servants of Aureon, but they understand the Keeper. One of their most important duties is helping the bereaved choose appropriate grave goods or a sacrifice sufficient to distract the Keeper and ensure that the soul reaches Dolurrh. For a simple person with few achievements, a single coin might suffice; but the more remarkable the deceased, the greater interest the Keeper will have… requiring a more significant sacrifice to distract him.
While the Restful Watch can be found in any major city, they maintain a low profile; unless you’re planning a funeral, there’s little reason to interact with them. However, there’s a few ways that they could intersect with adventurers or serve as the foundation for a player character. Clerics of the Restful Watch typically take the Grave domain, reflecting their balance between the light of Aureon and the darkness of the Keeper. However, both the Knowledge domain and the Death domain are options. Likewise, Watch paladins typically embrace the Oaths of Devotion or Redemption, but those especially close to the Keeper could take the darker path of the Oathbreaker. With that in mind, here’s a few options for the Watch.
The Restful Watch believes that Aureon has preserved the souls of heroes so they may return for an apocalyptic conflict that lies ahead. Many scholars believe this cataclysm predicts the collapse of the Silver Flame and the unleashing of the Overlords of the First Age. As a Watchful Eye, you have been sent out into the world to search for signs that this cataclysm is drawing nigh. You may have a specific set of things you’re supposed to look for or investigate (such as the Mournland), or you could be largely given a free rein.
Occasionally the Watch identifies individuals who they’re sure have been marked by Aureon for preservation. You may have been assigned to such an individual—one of the other player characters—with the task of chronicling this person’s life and performing the proper rituals when they die. Whether or not the person appreciates or wants your companionship is irrelevant. “Don’t mind me, I’m just going to follow you around until your heroic death. Trust me, I think you’re going to accomplish some big things!”
Especially gifted priests of the Restful Watch serve as exorcists and mediums. As a cleric with the Grave domain, you may consider it your holy purpose to seek out the undead and lay their troubled spirits to rest.
Keeper’s Hands. Dedicated priests of the Keeper can be found in Droaam, Darguun, and even in Zilargo or the Lhazaar Principalities. These priests generally take the place of the Restful Watch, though they lack the benevolent aspect of Aureon. They still perform funerals and tend cemeteries, but they have no qualms about presenting themselves as servants of the the Keeper as opposed to being tied to some greater good. Like the Restful Watch, they will set a price for a soul’s passage; however, this will definitely include profit for the priest. In such places it’s generally accepted that one can gain the Keeper’s favor by sending him choice souls, either by simple dedication (which anyone can try—”Keeper take your soul!”) or more thorough ritual… so if you don’t pay the Keeper’s Hand to ensure the soul’s passage to Dolurrh, they’ll sell the soul to the Keeper themselves. Necromancy is also a common path for Keeper’s Hands, whether they are adepts, clerics (Death domain) or Oathbreaker paladins. They see necromancy as an earned gift from the Keeper and consider it the necromancer’s right to compel the dead to service… so, a far cry from the Restful Watch seeking to lay the dead to rest.
A Keeper’s Hand doesn’t see any of this as evil. It’s just the way the universe works. Life and death are business transactions, and a Keeper’s Hand is a merchant who expects to profit from them. Keeper’s Hands may also serve as talons (see Bargaining With The Keeper). As a path for a PC, you may have been raised in one of these dark cultures and simply be trying to use your gifts for your own benefit. Working with a mercenary band of violent adventurers is an excellent way to be around death—and you’re happy to dedicate those deaths to the Keeper in hope for favor.
While this focuses on the DEATH aspect of the Keeper, Keeper’s Hands are also often shrewd negotiators. Especially in more civilized regions, a Keeper’s Hand may be involved with smuggling or managing other criminal enterprises in addition to their religious duties. As a lone wolf adventurer, you could likewise be focused on all things that could bring you profit. There’s no reason you can’t be willing to share these profits with your friends, as long as you get what you want—so again, a Keeper’s Hand can be an excellent match for mercenary adventurers driven primarily by profit.
Keeper’s Fangs. The Keeper’s Hand simply pursues general profit, dedicating any deaths they can to the Keeper and hoping that this earns them favor. However, a few individuals feel a closer connection to the Keeper—they hear his voice or know what he wants most of all. Known as Keeper’s Fangs, these assassins hunt down and slay anyone marked by the Keeper. They may also be charged to find treasures the Keeper wants to add to his hoard. It’s up to the DM to decide if such a treasure must be immediately sacrificed upon acquisition, or if the Fang can make use of the relic before it is claimed by the Keeper.
In the ancient Sarlonan nation of Pyrine, Keeper’s Fangs were assassins who would sell death for gold. Assassination isn’t sanctioned in the Five Nations, but there is an order of Keeper’s Fangs who follows these old traditions. They are few enough in number that House Thuranni generally doesn’t see them as a threat to business. While this order exists, there are just as many Keeper’s Fangs who have an entirely personal relationship with the Keeper: they see what he wants in visions, and act in the hopes of personal reward. This is a logical path for a Hexblade warlock, whose shadow-infused weapons are a gift from the Keeper. However, it’s just as plausible for a Death cleric, Oathbreaker paladin, or rogue assassin.
Others. As noted above, these are a FEW ways to encounter followers of the Keeper. These ideas follow the traditional Pyrinean interpretation of the Six; but the Sovereigns and Six have been interpreted in many ways in various cultures. Among the giants of Rusheme, the Keeper is known as Karaak the Final Guardian, and considered to save the souls of the worthy from dissolution—similar to the beliefs of the Restful Watch, but without adding Aureon into the equation. The Keeper is always associated with death and greed, but the exact interpretation can vary considerably.
Bargaining With The Keeper
How do bargains with the Keeper work? The Six don’t walk the world, so you have to find an intermediary who can make a bargain. This could be a devoted outsider, or it could be a mortal with a strong connection to the Keeper. This could fall into any of the categories described above—a priest of the Restful Watch, a criminal considered to be blessed by the Keeper, a Keeper’s Hand or Fang. Someone operating in this capacity is referred to as a talon. Despite all of these options, talons are exceptionally rare—and those with established track records even more so. This is because working with a talon is entirely a matter of faith. The petitioner comes with a request. The talon establishes the exact terms. Payment is often abstract: the most common fee is the assurance that the Keeper will claim the petitioner’s soul after death, often with an added limitation on maximum lifespan (“Should you live to be forty years of age, the Keeper will end your life and claim his rightful prize”). But payment could be something unique that the petitioner possesses, whether physical or metaphysical. The only constant is that the Keeper never makes a bargain unless the price is in his favor; the cost will always be dear.
If a bargain has a material cost, the talon takes the goods on behalf of the Keeper. But the talon doesn’t provide the reward, and there’s no guarantee as to when the Keeper will uphold his end of the bargain. So an aspiring merchant could make a deal to acquire wealth and success in exchange for a 40-year lifespan and the only picture of her mother. The talon takes the picture and the merchant goes on her way. Within the year, she has a run of good fortune, or finds a wealthy investor, or stumbles upon buried treasure that allows her to set up her business. Is this the result of the bargain, or just coincidence? WILL she die when she’s forty, or is that also just superstition? An established talon is defined by having a string of successes; people have to BELIEVE that the talon can speak for the Keeper. But the Keeper acts in his own time and in his own way, and there’s nothing about a talon’s bargain that can’t be questioned by a skeptic.
A Keeper’s bargain is an excellent way to establish a character’s backstory. Player characters possess remarkable talent; did a character bargain for that talent, and if so, what was the cost? Perhaps the terms of the agreement only give the character one year to live: can they find a way to break the bargain before time runs out? This is also a possible explanation for the powers of a warlock, especially if the warlock specializes in conjuration and necromancy. In this case the warlock may not have an active and ongoing relationship with their patron (though the following section presents alternatives) but what were the terms of the deal? If a player character wants to make a bargain with a talon during a campaign, it’s up to the DM to decide what terms the Keeper will offer and what the practical effects will be. If someone offers to give up their musical talent in exchange for a silver tongue, the DM could allow them to swap a proficiency with Performance for Deception… but again, it’s up to the DM to decide if such a thing is possible and how to implement it. If someone bargains for “skill at arms” the DM could rule that this skill will be acquired over time as they gain levels; again, the benefit doesn’t have to come instantly, and most people can’t gain levels as PCs do. It’s also possible that a talon could approach the player characters with an offer. Perhaps they’ve acquired the Book of Vile Darkness and no one actually wants to read it. But a talon approaches them; the Keeper has spoken to them and wants the book, and is offering a different artifact in exchange. Are they interested? And again, such a bargain doesn’t mean that the talon possesses the other artifact; it’s simply assured that should the PCs give the book to the talon, the other artifact will come to them. Metaphysically, the theory is that most of the gifts the Keeper can bestow come from imbuing the beneficiary with an element of one of the souls in his hoard; the Keeper grants musical talent by imbuing the seeker with the soul of a renowned bard. As such, there are certainly things the Keeper CAN’T grant. The Keeper can’t granted arcane knowledge that no mortal has discovered; that would be the domain of the Shadow.
The Keeper and the Afterlife
DOES the Keeper snatch souls on their way to Dolurrh? As with anything tied to the divine, there’s no absolute proof. But from the preponderance of myths to the concrete fact of soul-trapping Keeper’s fang weapons, it’s POSSIBLE for souls to be lost in this way. There are tales told of heroes finding the Lair of the Keeper in the Demon Wastes and negotiating with a skeletal dragon to recover souls lost to Keeper’s Fangs. Perhaps these stories are literally true. Or perhaps the “Lair of the Keeper” is a portal to a demiplane ruled by the first and most powerful dracolich… and this mighty creature created the Keeper’s fangs. Ultimately it’s up to the DM to decide. Is there anything to a talon’s bargains beyond superstition and coincidence? Can souls be taken by the Keeper, and if so, how can they be recovered?
In this article I discuss the cost of resurrection—whether cast as a spell, or offered to a slain hero by supernatural forces. In Eberron, this is one more opportunity to bargain with the Keeper. Should a player character die early in their career, the Keeper (or something posing as him) could offer resurrection—but at what cost? Alternately, if the player characters have the ability to raise the dead, the Keeper can add an unexpected obstacle. If the Keeper claims a soul, Raise Dead won’t work unless the Keeper chooses to release the soul… which will require a bargain. See the linked article for ideas about what such bargains could entail!
This adds one more interesting background for a player character: the REVENANT. Even as a first level character, you could have died and been released by the Keeper… what bargain did you make? Is this tied to your class abilities? Did you die recently, or did you linger in limbo for centuries before returning—exactly what the Restful Watch describes? This could allow you to play an elf from the age of Aeren; a human who fought along Lhazaar, Galifar, or Tira Miron; a Goblin who fought the daelkyr; or any other hero from the past. This could have required a bargain with the Keeper (or something claiming to be the Keeper)… or perhaps there is something to the beliefs of the Restful Watch and you’ve been returned without strings—but if so, why were you preserved and why have you been restored now? What’s your purpose in the present day?
I love the idea of people burying treasures with the dead to distract the Keeper. If this is a common practice for everyone in Eberron, would you think it would lead to extensive grave robbing by non-believers? Is there some “curse” rumored to go with grave robbing?
Good question. It’s definitely seen as a bad idea to steal grave goods—even if the Keeper doesn’t physically take them, his eye has been on them and by taking them you’re drawing his eye to you. However, that’s only going to deter vassals; if someone doesn’t believe in the Keeper, they won’t believe in the curse. With that said, bear in mind that for MOST people we aren’t talking about things of tremendous value—a few copper crowns, something that was valuable to the deceased but doesn’t necessarily have high market value. if the thing that was most valuable to the deceased was a portrait of their lost child, that might suffice… even though you couldn’t get a great price for it. Beyond that, this is one of the specific duties of the Restful Watch—maintaining and protecting cemeteries. And in the case of someone who would be buried with things of considerable value—a noble, a hero—you would have crypts with actual security.
All of which leads to possible adventure: You need to get into the crypt of first King of Metrol to recover the sword that was buried with him… but is its power intact, or is it now cursed?
If you were to create a 3.5 lawful good paladin of the Keeper, what positive aspects of the Keeper would you emphasize? Or would you prefer they be a Paladin of the Restful Watch instead?
It’s a tough sell. I personally define the good alignments as reflecting empathy and altruism, and altruism is literally the antithesis of the Keeper. Even the Restful Watch doesn’t present the Keeper as an altruist; he’s just willing to work with Aureon, presumably profiting from the deal in some way. To me, the people who worship one of the Six above the Sovereigns don’t try to change the basic message of the Six, they simply embrace the darkness. The merchant who follows the Keeper is a mirror of the “Greed is Good” stockbroker, or the con artist who believes that if they can fool you, they’ve earned your gold. So personally, I’d go with the Restful Watch.
HOWEVER, if I absolutely had to make an LG paladin of the Keeper who wasn’t associated with the Restful Watch, I’d emphasize the role of the Talon. They help people make bargains with the Keeper. They don’t seek personal profit, and they offer the best advice they can to the prospective client. It could be that the paladin then acts to make the deal come true; if the Keeper has promised someone wealth, it’s up to the paladin to actual get it for them. So essentially, even though the Keeper always gets the best of the bargain, the paladin sees themselves as doing good by helping people make the deals to get what they need.
A general question about the Dark Six: How do you present them as being worshipped as a pantheon? Usually things focus on cults dedicated to individual members of the Six.
I lean towards the Nine and Six and One. Rather than say “There is a group that explicitly worships all six of the Dark Six and denies the Sovereigns,” I lean towards “There is a pantheon of fifteen deities, which ones appeal to the individual?” For example, a gnoll hunter in Droaam might respect the Keeper and the Shadow, but as a hunter they could also offer thanks to the Lord of Hunt and Horn—which is to say, Balinor. While Balinor is traditionally part of the Nine, if you’re a hunter, he’s your patron. The Devourer doesn’t guide the hunter; he resides in the storm and the wildfire. The gnoll might RESPECT the Devourer, but if he’s looking for guidance in the hunt, that’s not what the Devourer does.
Essentially, with any of the Sovereigns and Six, there will be members of the pantheon who are more relevant to your life than others. If you’re not a soldier you don’t have a lot of reasons to invoke the Three Faces of War. If you’re not an artisan you may never have a need to ask Onatar for guidance. The same holds true with the Six. The Keeper is relevant to everyone, because we all die. The Shadow is generally seen as the patron of monsters and thus is broadly relevant to all of the denizens of Droaam. But the Devourer and the Fury are more specialized and typically only invoked when needed.
With that said, there are certainly cults in the Five Nations who take it as a point of pride that they follow the Six instead of the Nine. Typically this is seen as a statement of freedom and independence. The Nine are tied to the typical rules of civilization; law, honor, duty, commerce. The Six embody the things we fear, the forces that defy civilization. Someone who embraces the Six is stating that they choose to stand with these forces… even if they may never actually invoke the Devourer directly.
How do followers of the Blood of Vol feel about the Keeper?
This is a case where people say “They both use necromancy, so they must be allies, right?” WRONG. Many followers of the Blood of Vol maintains that mortality is a curse set on the world by cruel gods… and the Keeper is a cruel god who inflicts death and suffering. The Keeper grants power over the dead, but the Blood of Vol sees the entire idea of the Keeper and any who would revere him as abominations.
What makes The Keeper and Katashka: the Gatekeeper definitely different beings and sources of power to the dragons?
Katashka the Gatekeeper is one of the Overlords of the First Age, an archfiend embodying the fears of death and undeath. There’s certainly some overlap, and one of the common theories is that the inspiration for the Keeper was a draconic champion of the First Age who bargained with Katashka and became the first dracolich—and that this entity could be the inhabitant of the Lair of the Keeper in the Demon Wastes. But there are critical differences between the two. Again, Katashka is a fiend who embodies our fears of death and undeath. If freed from his bonds, Katashka would create a blighted realm in which undead prey upon the living. Katashka is in essence a predator who strikes indiscriminately, spreading the influence of the dead across his domain. He is a source of necromantic power, certainly, but he’s an immortal fiend—not something a dragon could aspire to become.
By contrast, the Keeper is the embodiment of greed… it just happens that one of the things he covets is souls, and he uses death and disease as a way to acquire them. The Thir archetype tied to the Keeper is the Master of the Hoard; dragons who emulate the Keeper “treat life and death as simple negotiations and collect actual souls.” As a general rule, Katashka isn’t interested in bargaining or acquiring PARTICULAR souls; he’s all-consuming. The Keeper is a connoisseur who relishes his hoard and who’s always interested in a bargain. And of course, dragons believe that it’s possible for an exceptional Master of the Hoard to BECOME the new Keeper.
My question would be what kind of monsters or monstrous humanoids would have an association with the Keeper?
It’s not generally a strict racial connection. There are Keeper’s Hands in Droaam and Darguun, but they aren’t tied to a particular species. Medusas revere the Shadow, but in Graywall the primary priestess of the Keeper is a medusa. Essentially, it’s the same principle as anyone worshipping the Sovereign Host; offer devotion to the deities you feel govern your situation or whose guidance you seek. Culturally many of the inhabitants of Droaam are more comfortable with death and with open greed than people of the Five Nations. Humans usually embrace Kol Korran over the Keeper because they want to feel that they are the hero of the story—clever, certainly, but not rapacious or cruel. Following the Keeper acknowledges that you put your own desires ahead of all others. And again, while there are Keeper’s Hands in Droaam, there’s also Keeper’s Hands in Zilargo or Lhazaar.
With all that said, a monstrous race that lives on the edge of life and death or is closely aligned with negative energy could see themselves as children of the Keeper. I can’t think of one off the top of my head, but maybe I’m missing one.
Post your questions and comments about the Keeper below! And thanks as always to my Patreon supporters for making this possible!
This entry was posted in Eberron FAQ, Gaming Features, Uncategorized and tagged Dark Six, Eberron, Keeper by Keith Baker. Bookmark the permalink.
35 thoughts on “The Dark Six: The Keeper”
Joseph on January 1, 2019 at 7:26 am said:
While this might be getting ahead, a question about Changelings. Changelings are usually associated with The Traveler, but are there any broad trends for how Changelings feel about the rest of the six? (Well, in this case, The Keeper)
Keith Baker on January 1, 2019 at 8:12 am said:
Changelings have a broad association with the Traveler because the Traveler embodies CHANGE, and in many myths is the source of changelings. Changelings have no particular affinity for death or greed, so they don’t have any culturally distinct relationship to the Keeper.
Jarrod Taylor on January 1, 2019 at 7:50 am said:
This is an amazing article. I look forward to implementing this take on the Keeper (and subsequent Dark Six).
Kieran on January 1, 2019 at 7:57 am said:
Are you able to expand on the Keeper as the Giants of Xendrik see him?. Since they seem to see the Keeper as no being evil.
Actually i’d love if someday they expanded on the way the Giants of Xendrik saw the Nine & Six .. but that might be asking a bit much. XD
The Rusheme beliefs mirror the Restful Watch. “The giants say that Karrak measures each life at the moment of death, considering past deeds and the unfulfilled destiny of the soul. He saves the worthy souls from disappearing into the greater whole of Rushemé, preserving them in his realm until they are needed on Eberron once again.” Essentially, they drop the “Greed” aspect, but keep the aspect that he can preserve souls from dissolution and return them when they’re needed.
Chris Handforth on January 1, 2019 at 8:31 am said:
Thanks Keith, I’m looking forward to the rest in this series! Happy new year!
Patrick on January 1, 2019 at 2:17 pm said:
Question about the relation and contrast between The Keeper and Katashka: The Gatekeeper, the Overlord of the First Age.
The latter is often described as an inspiration for the former. Their domains and stories about them certainly seem to overlap. However the one notable culture who would know about Katashka, the Dragons of Argonessen (after all they still have to live with The Harvest of Pain) certainly see a distinct difference between the Thir religion’s Sovereign Archetype of The Keeper and their hated foe Katashka: The Gatekeeper.
Long way of asking “What makes The Keeper and Katashka: the Gatekeeper definitely different beings and sources of power to the dragons?”
Keith Baker on January 1, 2019 at 5:45 pm said:
Just added my answer to the Q&A section!
Nick on January 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm said:
Thanks Keith and happy new year!
My question would be what kind of monsters or monstrous humanoids would have an association with the Keeper? I’m aware of how monsters with spell-like abilities feel they are gifts from the Shadow but are there monstrous races that associate with the Keeper?
Ben on January 1, 2019 at 6:11 pm said:
Just to add I thought your idea in The Queen of Stone about Znir Pact gnolls collecting trophies from fallen foes for the afterlife gave them a connection to The Keeper. Since hyenas are so closely tied with scavenging in popular culture.
Ghyrryn says “The Keeper takes us all.” I don’t see this as a particular reverence for the Keeper, but rather a simple statement of fact: We all die eventually. The Znir acknowledge the power of the Keeper, but I think they’d acknowledge the Shadow and the Devourer as equals.
Keith, how is the relationship between followers of The Dark Six with the undead different from followers of the Blood of Vol with the undead? Would followers of The Keeper see it as a way sanctioned by The Keeper to preserve someone for a time of great need or as something else depending on circumstance?
Billy on January 1, 2019 at 6:59 pm said:
Question about the dark six: how would be a cult who worships them as a pantheon? They are usually presented as having each their own sects.
Z on January 1, 2019 at 7:46 pm said:
Some months ago, talking about “what cleric in eberron could have the HUNGER domain?” You suggested the keeper. Would you develop this possibility?
I don’t actually have access to the Hunger domain, so it’s hard for me to explore the idea in detail. From what I gather it’s largely tied to ghouls and grants the cleric a bite attack? The Keeper is driven by greed and avarice; one could easily present hunger as a form of this, and look to a hunger cleric as a form of Keeper’s Fang.
Matthew Brady on January 1, 2019 at 9:00 pm said:
I had a question regarding the Dark Six in general but I might as well ask it here in case the Keeper pertains. In an article on WotC years ago you talked about how the 3.5 class Beguiler fits into Eberron, and one of my favourite manifestations of that is the sheelidar
“In Droaam and the Shadow Marches, a few children spontaneously manifest beguiler talents; traditionally, these gifts are seen as the touch of the Dark Six, and these youths are often claimed by priests and raised to revere the Six. These natural beguilers are known as sheelidar — “six-fingered hands” — and a few actually do have an extra digit on hands and feet.”
A) If I wanted to play a sheelidar in 5e would you say that it’s more a sorcerer, bard or warlock?
B) Obviously enchantment and illusion focused casters are in good with the Shadow, but what about the other five? Would such a blessed character be looked upon much like a Keeper’s Hand or are they too generalist to take on the traits of one sect or another’s traits?
It’s a difficult choice. I’d probably do a warlock, personally. I’d say that their powers would determine if they’re tied to a particular patron; a sheelidar with necromantic spells could be seen as touched by the Keeper.
Max on January 1, 2019 at 9:36 pm said:
I never game much thought to the Dark Six, they never seemed like the sort of thing a PC of mine would want to be involved with. While I am not sure that has changed, this article has certainly kindled an interest in them, for which I am most appreciative!
Do you have any thoughts on those who follow the Six/Keeper from a culture with a less negative view vs someone who embraces the worship believing the negative view to be correct? The Droamite who worships the Keeper vs a previously (or still!) devout vassal who wants the all the terrible things the Keeper offers to do all the terrible things the Keeper is supposed to allow?
Would you say those who approach the Six with the intention of getting something from a deity they believe to be evil tend to be worse than those who viewed them as less or not evil?
How do Vassals and other devout reconcile the different views of the Six? If a vassal heard that Medusa talking about the Shadow would they think that both descriptions were true or that one of the two was wrong?
As always, thanks for writing this!
I did notice:
“With that in ming, here’s a few options for the Watch.”
And you referred to talons as fangs a few times in their section.
Ex: “If a bargain has a material cost, the fang takes the goods on behalf of the Keeper.”
Chris Handforth on January 3, 2019 at 9:29 pm said:
So… hypothetically a 3.5 LG paladin of the Keeper should be possible, although it would be tricky to pull off. If you were to do that, what positive aspects of the Keeper would you emphasize? Or would you prefer they be a Paladin of the Restful Watch instead?
Keith Baker on January 11, 2019 at 7:10 pm said:
Chris Handforth on January 11, 2019 at 8:28 pm said:
Oooo, I like that idea! Thanks Keith!
Micah Davis on January 4, 2019 at 9:49 pm said:
So, I had an idea for a cult of god-complex Jorasco healers who worshipped the Keeper, but are there any other institutions that you think are ripe for Keeper worshippers?
Any merchant or institution that uses unscrupulous methods to gain profit may have fans of the Keeper among its staff. I could certainly see people in Cannith’s sales department carrying the Keeper’s token in their purses.
Nanashi on January 6, 2019 at 7:10 am said:
Are Kender the exception to “If it exists in D&D, there’s a place for it in Eberron”?
Bob on January 7, 2019 at 5:43 pm said:
I’ve actually used kender in Eberron by making them chaotic fey associated with the concept of Childhood. That means they’re just as likely to be mischievous but friendly wanderous, thieving bully tricksters, or as a rare evil example, gleefully murderous psychopaths. Once you establish them as fairytale characters from Thelanis rather than a race of humanoid, it’s a lot easier for players to accept their otherwise disruptive hijinks.
Don’t make them playable, though.
The unwritten part of “there’s a place” is “… if you want there to be.” I don’t have Kender in MY Eberron. But if you wanted them in yours, there’s lots of ways to do it. You could follow the other suggestion in this thread; say they’re halflings touched by Thelanis (either due to a manifest zone or a bargain). You could say that they were created by Mordain the Fleshweaver as an experiment. You could just pick a place in Khorvaire and say that they’re an offshoot of the halfling species. They aren’t in MY Eberron, but it would be easy enough to drop them in.
Nanashi on January 14, 2019 at 9:53 am said:
I’d say nobody wants them to be anywhere, but for some reason Wizards (apparently) considered them during the 5E playtest
Mike on January 8, 2019 at 3:41 am said:
Loved the article! Quick question, out of curiosity: I love the idea of people burying treasures with the dead to distract the Keeper. If this is a common practice for everyone in Eberron, would you think it would lead to extensive grave robbing by non-believers? Is there some “curse” rumored to go with grave robbing?
And how does the fact that the treasure is (presumably) still with the body when it is disinterred square with it being a distraction to the Keeper — I suppose the idea is that “he” admires it, but doesn’t directly take it to his hoard?
Great post, Keith! Quick question — if burial with valuables is a common practice in Eberron, how do you handle grave robbers? Are there rumored curses if people steal the “Keeper’s” treasure? Do people tend to guard their dead? Are there elaborate Egyptian-style tombs to guard the riches of kings?
I see a lot of people conclude that, since the Mournland matches Cyre’s artificial and arbitrary borders (very recent ones at that, as Darguun and Valenar weren’t hit) , some intelligent force had to be behind it (instead of of being a random magical event). Is this what in-universe people think?
Keith Baker on January 16, 2019 at 7:26 am said:
There’s many in-world theories as to what caused the Mourning. But yes, this is certainly something that people in the world feel has to be linked to the explanation. If you look to the novel The Fading Dream, you have one example of people in-world advancing a theory that reflects the seemingly targeted borders, though it’s not a popular theory.
Matthew Brady on January 16, 2019 at 3:35 am said:
Does the Restful Watch share most Vassals’ opinion of items like Keeper’s Fangs, that they are anathema and to be destroyed, or are there times a cleric of the Restful Watch would trap a soul rather than let it pass?
Is this only something a heretical member might do?
Leave a Reply to Joseph Cancel reply
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line2994
|
__label__cc
| 0.514589
| 0.485411
|
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTORY RULES...
Download "SECTION 1 INTRODUCTORY RULES..."
Kory Anderson
2 Preamble This Arbitration Procedure has been prepared by Engineers Ireland principally for use in disputes arising out of engineering work, and in particular construction Contracts. However its use is not restricted to such work and it has been purposely written to allow for more general application. The Procedure has been specifically written for use with the Arbitration Act 2010 and thus it differs from the Engineers Ireland Arbitration Procedure 2000, which was intended for arbitrations conducted under the Arbitration Acts 1954 to 1998, and which may still be used for that purpose. The 2000 version, and also the 1987 version of the Engineers Ireland Arbitration Procedure which preceded it, were based on the corresponding versions of the Institution of Civil Engineers Arbitration Procedure; when drafting this current Procedure the Board has used the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules 2010 as a base and has had regard to the latest version of the ICE Procedure, as well as to current practice in this country. The Arbitration Act 2010 has significantly extended the Arbitrator s authority and thus many of the provisions in the 2000 Procedure are no longer necessary and have been omitted from this document. The guiding principle has been to exploit the opportunity within the 2010 Act to streamline the arbitral process while at the same time providing for multi-party arbitrations and tribunals with more than one Arbitrator. In smaller and less complex disputes the Board suggests that the Engineers Ireland 100-Day Arbitration Procedure may be appropriate in order to achieve a more expeditious outcome. This document will not be produced in hard copy; instead, it will be made freely available on the Engineers Ireland website so that it may be downloaded and used by parties involved in arbitration. A contribution, as set out on the website, to the costs incurred by Engineers Ireland will be sought where the Procedure is used, without a Presidential appointment, by any person on an Engineers Ireland panel. The document will be reviewed and updated as required and parties using it are advised to check that they are using the current version. Finally, the Board would welcome comments and suggestions from those using the document. Ciaran Fahy, Chairman, Dispute Resolution Board, Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Dublin 4. May 2011 i
3 Contents Preamble... i SECTION 1 INTRODUCTORY RULES... 1 Rule 1. Aims and objectives Definitions Application Confidentiality Communication and calculation of time Reference to arbitration Response to Notice to Refer... 5 SECTION 2 APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATOR... 6 Rule 8. Appointment by agreement Appointment by the President Independence and impartiality of Arbitrator Challenge to Arbitrator Replacement of Arbitrator Exclusion of liability... 8 SECTION 3 ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS... 9 Rule 14. General Arbitration timetable Statement of Claim Statement of Defence; Counterclaim Amendments to the Claim or Defence Jurisdiction Further information Default Interim measures and preliminary orders Evidence Disclosure of documents Hearings Arbitrator-appointed Experts Closure of hearings Waiver of right to object SECTION 4 THE AWARD Rule 29. Form and effect of the award Applicable law Settlement or other grounds for termination Correction and interpretation of award; additional award Arbitrator s fees and expenses Costs... 19
4 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTORY RULES Rule 1 Aims and objectives 1.1 The aim of this Procedure is to facilitate the fair, expeditious, efficient and cost-effective resolution of disputes by means of arbitration under the Arbitration Act The Arbitrator has been given significant powers and is encouraged to use them to achieve the objectives set out above; the parties are also enjoined to use the process, chosen by them, to resolve the matters which divide them without unnecessary delay or expense. Rule 2 Definitions 2.1 The following definitions apply in this Procedure: a) the 'Act' means the Arbitration Act 2010 and words defined therein shall have the same meaning in this Procedure. Any reference to a Section ('S.') shall be to a Section, while an Article ('Art.') means a reference to an Article of the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration included in Schedule 1 of the Act; b) Arbitration' means an Arbitration governed by the Arbitration Act 2010 to which the Procedure applies; c) 'Arbitration Agreement' means an agreement between the parties complying with the requirements of Option 1 of Art. 7; d) 'Arbitrator' means a tribunal of one or more Arbitrators; e) 'Contract' means a Contract between the parties, which incorporates the Arbitration agreement under which the dispute arises; f) 'Court' means Court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of the Act; Page 1 of 19
5 g) Days means calendar Days, less all public holidays, established under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, and Good Friday; h) 'Expert' means an Expert witness or person called to give Expert opinion evidence; i) 'President' means the President for the time being of Engineers Ireland or any Vice-President of the institution acting on behalf of the President, or such other entity as may have been nominated in the agreement to appoint the Arbitrator in default of agreement between the parties; j) 'Procedure' means Engineers Ireland Arbitration Procedure 2011 unless the context otherwise requires. If the Arbitration Procedure 2011 has been amended, the version current at the time of the appointment of the Arbitrator shall be used; and, k) Termination Order means an order made by the Arbitrator under Art. 32 to bring the Arbitration proceedings to a close. Rule 3 Application 3.1 Where parties have agreed that disputes between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not, shall be referred to Arbitration under the Procedure, then such disputes shall be settled in accordance with the Procedure subject to such modifications as the parties may agree. 3.2 The Procedure shall govern the Arbitration proceedings except that, where any of these Rules is in conflict with a provision of the Act, from which the parties cannot derogate, that provision shall prevail. Page 2 of 19
6 Rule 4 Confidentiality 4.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, the parties and the Arbitrator undertake to treat the Arbitration as confidential to the greatest extent possible. In particular all proceedings, materials and documents prepared or produced for the purpose of the arbitration shall be kept confidential unless they are already in the public domain, or their disclosure is required as part of a legal duty or to pursue a legal right, or to enforce or challenge an award. Such confidentiality shall not apply between a party and a superior entity to which it is answerable, such as a parent company or a government department, provided that superior entity in its turn agrees with all the parties on the same terms to keep confidential any such information provided to it. Rule 5 Communication and calculation of time 5.1 All communication by the parties with the Arbitrator, other than at meetings or hearings, shall be in writing and may be sent by any means of communication that provides or allows for a record of its transmission. Any communication sent to the Arbitrator by a party shall be copied, at the same time, to all the other parties and shall be marked as such. 5.2 The provisions as regards the delivery of communications shall be as set out in Art Any time period specified within this Procedure shall run from the day immediately after a notice has been received. If the final day of such a time period falls on a public holiday or a non-business day, the period shall be extended until the first business day which follows. Page 3 of 19
7 Rule 6 Reference to arbitration 6.1 The party or parties initiating recourse to arbitration (the 'Claimant') shall communicate to the other party or parties (the 'Respondent') a notice of arbitration (a 'Notice to Refer'). 6.2 The Arbitration shall be deemed to commence on the date on which the Notice to Refer is received by the Respondent. 6.3 The Notice to Refer shall include the following: a) a demand that the dispute be referred to arbitration; b) the names and contact details of the parties; c) the text of the Arbitration Agreement that is invoked; d) identification of any Contract or other legal instrument out of or in relation to which the dispute arises or, in the absence of such Contract or instrument, a brief description of the relevant relationship; e) a brief description of the claim and an indication of the amount involved, if any; f) the relief or remedy sought; and, g) a proposal as to the number of Arbitrators, and language and place of arbitration, if the parties have not previously agreed thereon. 6.4 The Notice to Refer shall be accompanied by the names of one or more persons being proposed as Arbitrator by the Claimant, together with contact details of each, for consideration by the Respondent. Page 4 of 19
8 Rule 7 Response to Notice to Refer 7.1 Within 14 Days of the receipt of the Notice to Refer, the Respondent shall communicate to the Claimant a response to the Notice to Refer, which shall include: a) the name and contact details of the Respondent; and, b) a response to the information set forth in the Notice to Refer under Rule 6, paragraphs 3(c) to 3(g). 7.2 The response to the Notice to Refer may also include: a) any plea that an arbitration to be constituted under this Procedure lacks jurisdiction; b) a brief description of Counterclaims or claims for the purpose of a setoff, if any, including, where relevant, an indication of the amounts involved and the relief or remedies sought; and, c) a Notice to Refer in accordance with Rule 6 in case the Respondent formulates a claim against a party to the Arbitration Agreement other than the Claimant. 7.3 The response shall be accompanied by a response to any names of persons proposed as Arbitrator by the Claimant under Rule 6. The Respondent may accept the Claimant s proposal as regards the Arbitrator or, alternatively, may reject it and put forward further names of persons to act as Arbitrator. 7.4 The appointment of the Arbitrator shall not be hindered by any controversy with respect to the sufficiency of the Notice to Refer, or the Respondent s failure to communicate a response to the Notice to Refer, or an incomplete or late response to the Notice to Refer, and any such matters shall be finally resolved by the Arbitrator as provided for in Art. 16. Page 5 of 19
9 SECTION 2 APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATOR Rule 8 Appointment by agreement 8.1 If, following the exchange of the names of prospective Arbitrators provided for in Rules 6 and 7, the parties are in agreement on the choice of Arbitrator, the Claimant shall write to the person, or persons, so selected, enclosing a copy of the Notice to Refer, and also the response to it, together with confirmation of the Respondent s agreement to the appointment. 8.2 If the person, or persons, so invited accept the appointment, that person, or persons, shall notify the Claimant and the Respondent in writing to that effect. The date of receipt of that communication shall be deemed to be the date on which the Arbitrator s appointment is completed. Rule 9 Appointment by the President 9.1 If the parties have failed to agree on an Arbitrator in accordance with Rule 8 within 21 Days from the service of the Notice to Refer, any party may then apply to the President to appoint an Arbitrator. 9.2 The application to the President shall be in writing, and copied to the other parties, and shall be accompanied by: a) a copy of the Notice to Refer; b) the appropriate fee; c) confirmation that any conditions precedent to arbitration contained in the Contract or Arbitration Agreement have been complied with; and, d) any other relevant information. 9.3 The President shall, within 14 Days of receipt of the application, make the appointment and shall notify the parties and the Arbitrator in writing of the appointment. Page 6 of 19
10 9.4 Where the Arbitration Agreement provides for a tribunal with more than one Arbitrator, the President shall appoint one or more Arbitrators in accordance with that agreement. Where a party fails to exercise its right to appoint an Arbitrator, the President may, on the application of any other party, appoint such an Arbitrator. 9.5 If the person, or persons, accepts the Presidential appointment, that person, or persons, shall notify the Claimant and the Respondent in writing to that effect. The date of receipt of that communication shall be deemed to be the date on which the Arbitrator's appointment is completed. Rule 10 Independence and impartiality of Arbitrator 10.1 Before accepting the appointment a prospective Arbitrator shall, in accordance with Art. 12, notify the parties of any circumstances that might give rise to justifiable doubts as to the Arbitrator s impartiality or independence. The Arbitrator shall be under a continuing duty to disclose in writing to the parties any such circumstances that may arise during the period of the Arbitrator s appointment. Rule 11 Challenge to Arbitrator 11.1 Any challenge to an Arbitrator shall be dealt with as provided for in Art. 13. Rule 12 Replacement of Arbitrator 12.1 Where an appointed Arbitrator is unable to continue, for whatever reason, a replacement Arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with these rules, whether by agreement of the parties or, if necessary, by appointment by the President Where necessary, the replacement Arbitrator shall decide on how to continue the arbitration proceedings and may repeat any hearings previously held. Page 7 of 19
11 Rule 13 Exclusion of liability 13.1 The Arbitrator, together with the President and Engineers Ireland, shall have the immunities provided for in S. 22. Page 8 of 19
12 SECTION 3 ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS Rule 14 General 14.1 Unless the parties have decided otherwise, the Arbitrator, in accordance with Art. 18 and subject to these Rules, may conduct the arbitration in such a manner as the Arbitrator considers appropriate, provided that the parties are treated with equality and, at an appropriate stage of the arbitration proceedings, each party is given a reasonable opportunity of presenting its case. The Arbitrator, in exercising this discretion, shall conduct the arbitration proceedings so as to avoid unnecessary delay and expense, and to provide a fair and efficient process for resolving the parties dispute The Arbitrator may, in accordance with Art. 19, decide all procedural and evidential matters, except where the parties have decided otherwise, and this power shall include but is not limited to: a) what form of written statements of claim, Counterclaim and Defence are to be used and when these should be supplied; b) whether any, and if so what, questions should be put to and answered by the parties in advance of a hearing and when and in what form this should be done; c) whether, and to what extent, there should be oral or written evidence or submissions; d) whether, when and to what extent, Expert evidence should be adduced; e) whether, and to what extent, evidence should be given under oath or affirmation; f) the manner in which the evidence of witnesses should be taken, including whether they should be physically present or may give evidence by video conferencing or other method; and, g) when, and where, any part of the hearing is to be held Where the parties have not done so, the Arbitrator shall decide the place of arbitration, and also the language or languages to be used in the arbitration proceedings, in accordance with Art. 20 and Art. 22. Page 9 of 19
13 14.4 Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the Arbitrator may deal with liability and quantum separately, and may make more than one award at different times on different aspects of the matters to be determined, including making an award relating to any issue affecting the whole or part of any Claim or Counterclaim The Arbitrator may, at the request of any party, allow one or more third persons to be joined in the arbitration as a party, provided such person is a party to the Arbitration Agreement and accepts the application of this Procedure, unless the Arbitrator finds, after giving all parties, including the person or persons to be joined, the opportunity to be heard, that joinder should not be permitted because of prejudice to any of those parties. The Arbitrator may make a single award or several awards in respect of all parties so involved in the arbitration. Rule 15 Arbitration timetable 15.1 At the outset of the arbitration the Arbitrator shall establish a timetable for the process, following consultation with the parties, and this timetable shall be updated and amended as required in order to ensure the expeditious conduct of the arbitration As soon as possible after appointment, the Arbitrator may convene a preliminary meeting of the parties and, during the course of the arbitration, may convene such further procedural meetings as the Arbitrator deems necessary. The Arbitrator may determine whether such procedural meetings should be carried out in person or whether they should be done remotely by video link, teleconference or similar method Any party may at any time apply to the Arbitrator to deal with any procedural matter, and the Arbitrator shall do so either by means of a meeting or in correspondence or otherwise at the Arbitrator s discretion. Page 10 of 19
14 15.4 At the preliminary meeting the parties, and the Arbitrator, shall consider how the arbitral process may be streamlined and in particular whether, and to what extent: a) this Procedure and these Rules should be amended to meet the particular requirements of the arbitration; b) the Engineers Ireland 100-Day Arbitration Procedure should be used; c) the arbitration should proceed on a documents only basis; d) some of the issues should be decided in advance of others in order to save time and costs; e) evidence of Experts may be necessary or desirable; f) what, if any, disclosure of documents is appropriate; g) recoverable costs should be limited, whether by agreement, or by decision of the Arbitrator; and, h) any hearing should be recorded and the method of any such recording. Rule 16 Statement of Claim 16.1 Within 30 Days of the completion of the Arbitrator s appointment, or such other time set by the Arbitrator, the Claimant shall deliver to the Respondent and the Arbitrator its Statement of Claim as provided for in Art The Statement of Claim shall include the following particulars: a) the names and contact details of the parties; b) a statement of the facts supporting the claim; c) the points at issue; d) the relief or remedy sought; and, e) the legal grounds or arguments supporting the claim A copy of any Contract or other legal instrument out of, or in relation to which, the dispute arises, and of the Arbitration Agreement shall be annexed to the Statement of Claim. Page 11 of 19
15 16.4 The Statement of Claim should, as far as possible, be accompanied by all documents and other evidence relied upon by the Claimant, or contain references to them The Claimant may elect to treat its Notice to Refer as set out in Rule 6 as its Statement of Claim, provided that it includes all of the information as required under this Rule. Rule 17 Statement of Defence; Counterclaim 17.1 The Respondent shall communicate its Statement of Defence in writing to the Claimant and the Arbitrator within 30 Days of receipt of the Statement of Claim, or such other time set by the Arbitrator. The Statement of Defence shall respond to the issues raised in the Statement of Claim, and it shall raise any other relevant issues, including any Counterclaims that are to form part of the arbitration The requirements as regards the provision of information, set out in Rule 16, shall also apply to the Statement of Defence and in particular it should, as far as possible, be accompanied by all documents and other evidence relied upon by the Respondent, or contain references to them The Respondent may elect to treat its response to the Notice to Refer, as set out under Rule 7, as its Statement of Defence, provided all of the other requirements of this Rule have been complied with Where the Claimant elects to treat its Notice to Refer as its Statement of Claim, the Respondent shall communicate its Statement of Defence within 30 Days of receipt of the Claimant's election, or 30 Days of completion of the Arbitrator's appointment, whichever is the later, or such other time set by the Arbitrator Where a Counterclaim is made by the Respondent, the Claimant shall communicate its defence to that Counterclaim within a further 30 Days, or such other time set by the Arbitrator. The defence to the Counterclaim shall comply with the requirements of Rule Page 12 of 19
16 Rule 18 Amendments to the Claim or Defence 18.1 During the course of the arbitration proceedings, a party may amend or supplement its Claim or Defence, including a Counterclaim, as provided for in Art 23(2). However, a Claim or Defence, including a Counterclaim, may not be amended or supplemented in such a manner that the amended or supplemented Claim or Defence falls outside the jurisdiction of the Arbitrator. Rule 19 Jurisdiction 19.1 Any issues raised as regards the Arbitrator s jurisdiction shall be determined in accordance with Art. 16. Rule 20 Further information 20.1 In addition to the statements of Claim or Defence, the Arbitrator shall decide whether and to what extent any further written statements are required, and shall also fix the time periods for the provision of such statements The statements of Claim or Defence shall be provided in sufficient detail for the other party to know the case it has to meet. Requests for further information may be granted by the Arbitrator at any time, to meet that objective, and shall be responded to by the other party within time limits set by the Arbitrator. Rule 21 Default 21.1 Subject to what the parties may agree, the Arbitrator may issue directions to the parties to set and modify the time for each stage and element of the arbitration proceedings, including any times set out in these Rules. The Arbitrator shall use this power in an effort to streamline the arbitration proceedings. Page 13 of 19
17 21.2 If, without showing sufficient cause, a party fails to comply with the Arbitrator s directions, the Arbitrator: a) shall proceed, where appropriate, as set out in Art. 25; b) may draw such adverse inferences from the party s non-compliance as the circumstances justify; and, c) shall consider making an order or interim award requiring the defaulting party to pay the costs of the arbitration incurred as a result of its non-compliance. In the case of such an order or award, the Arbitrator may decide the basis for such costs and, if the Arbitrator deems it appropriate, determine the amount of such costs. This is an exception to the provision on costs in Rule 34. Rule 22 Interim measures and preliminary orders 22.1 The power of the Arbitrator to grant interim measures or preliminary orders shall be as set out in Art. 17. Rule 23 Evidence 23.1 The Arbitrator may order any party to submit, in advance of the hearing, a list of the witnesses it intends to call; however, that party shall not be bound to call any witness so listed Expert evidence shall be adduced only with the consent of the Arbitrator, and that consent may be given on such terms and conditions as the Arbitrator thinks fit. Unless ordered otherwise by the Arbitrator, Expert reports shall be exchanged simultaneously between the parties, and provided to the Arbitrator, within a reasonable time before the hearing Unless otherwise agreed or directed, the parties shall exchange simultaneously, and shall also provide to the Arbitrator, a witness statement from each of its witnesses of fact. Each witness statement shall be cogent and shall contain the factual evidence to be adduced by that witness. Page 14 of 19
18 23.4 Any witness statement or Expert report delivered in accordance with this Rule shall be taken as the evidence in chief of that witness, and the other parties shall be given an opportunity to cross-examine the witness on it at any hearing. The Arbitrator may also, at any time before cross-examination at a hearing, order the witness or Expert to deliver written answers to questions arising out of any statement or report The Arbitrator may order that Experts appear at the hearing separately or concurrently, so that the Arbitrator may examine them inquisitorially, provided always that at the conclusion of the Arbitrator s questions, the parties shall have the opportunity to put such further questions to the Experts (or any one of them) as they may reasonably require Prior to any hearing the Arbitrator may also: a) order that the parties meet in order to agree, in so far as they can, all factual matters; b) order the parties to prepare and agree a paginated bundle of all documents relied upon by the parties. The agreed bundle shall be deemed to have been entered into evidence without further proof and without being read out at the hearing, provided always that the inclusion of any document within the agreed bundle shall not imply that it is genuine or admissible; c) order that any Experts, whose reports have been exchanged, should meet and prepare a joint report identifying the points in issue and any other matters, covered by the reports, upon which they are in agreement and those upon which they disagree, stating the reasons for any disagreement; and, d) may view the site or works, the subject matter of the arbitration, provided that the parties have been given advance notice. Rule 24 Disclosure of documents 24.1 Document means a written text, communication, picture, drawing, programme or data of any kind, whether recorded or maintained on paper or by electronic, audio, visual or any other means. Page 15 of 19
19 24.2 Subject to what the parties may decide, the Arbitrator may order the production of any document in the possession, custody or control of a party subject to the following: a) the Arbitrator shall have regard to the specificity, relevance, materiality and proportionality of the documents to be produced; and, b) the Arbitrator shall not order the production of documents covered by legal privilege or where there are grounds such as commercial sensitivity, which the Arbitrator determines to be compelling. If the Arbitrator deems it necessary, the Arbitrator may review any document in order to determine if it should be produced If a party fails, without satisfactory explanation, to comply with the Arbitrator's order to produce documents, the Arbitrator may infer that such documents would be adverse to the interests of that party. Rule 25 Hearings 25.1 Any hearing shall be private unless the parties agree otherwise. In addition, subject to Art. 4 and unless the parties have agreed otherwise, the Arbitrator may: a) decide when and where to hold hearings and may adjourn the hearing for any period as the Arbitrator thinks fit; b) determine the order in which the parties present their cases and/or the order in which the issues are to be heard and determined; and, c) allocate the time available at the hearing between the parties where they have agreed it shall be limited. In the event that a party fails to adhere to the time allocated, the Arbitrator may allow further time at the discretion of the Arbitrator and upon such conditions as the Arbitrator sees fit. Rule 26 Arbitrator-appointed Experts 26.1 The Arbitrator may appoint one or more Experts as provided for in Art. 26, but before doing so shall consult with the parties and shall provide them with a copy of the Expert s terms of reference as well the qualifications of the prospective Expert. Page 16 of 19
20 26.2 A party may object to the appointment of any Expert within seven Days of receipt of the information, described in Rule 26.1 above, on the grounds of qualifications, impartiality or independence, with reasons for such objection. Any such objection shall be determined promptly by the Arbitrator, whose decision shall be final. Rule 27 Closure of hearings 27.1 The Arbitrator may enquire of the parties if they have any further evidence to offer and, if there is none, may declare the hearings closed In exceptional circumstances, the Arbitrator may, either at the request of a party or at the Arbitrator s own initiative, reopen the hearings at any time before the award is made. Rule 28 Waiver of right to object 28.1 In addition to the waiver in Art. 4, a failure by any party to object promptly to any noncompliance with these Rules shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right of such party to make such an objection. Page 17 of 19
21 SECTION 4 THE AWARD Rule 29 Form and effect of the award 29.1 The form and contents of any award shall be in accordance with Art All awards shall be final and binding on the parties. The parties shall carry out the provisions of all awards without delay. Rule 30 Applicable law 30.1 The Arbitrator shall determine all matters in dispute in accordance with the requirements of Art. 28. Rule 31 Settlement or other grounds for termination 31.1 The arbitration proceedings may be terminated by settlement as provided for in Art. 30. Where such settlement gives rise to an agreed consent award, this shall be made by the Arbitrator as provided for in Art. 31 except that reasons need not be given The arbitration proceedings may also be terminated by means of a final award or Termination Order as provided for in Art. 32. Rule 32 Correction and interpretation of award; additional award 32.1 The making of an additional award, as well as the correction or interpretation of any award, shall be dealt with as provided for in Art. 33. Page 18 of 19
22 Rule 33 Arbitrator s fees and expenses 33.1 The fees and expenses of the Arbitrator shall be reasonable in amount, taking into account the amount in dispute, the complexity of the subject matter, the time spent by the Arbitrator and any other relevant circumstances of the case Promptly after appointment, the Arbitrator shall provide the parties with terms of appointment including the basis for the Arbitrator s fees and expenses The Arbitrator shall be entitled to withhold delivery of an award pending payment of the Arbitrator s fees. The Arbitrator may require a deposit from one or more parties as security of costs during the arbitration proceedings to cover the anticipated fees and expenses. If such advance payments are not made, the Arbitrator may direct the suspension or termination of the arbitration proceedings at any time, on giving reasonable notice, until the payments are made. On completion of the arbitration, the Arbitrator shall render an account to the parties of the deposits received and return any unexpended balance to the parties. Rule 34 Costs 34.1 In any award, the Arbitrator may as provided for in S. 21: a) allocate the costs of the arbitration between the parties; and, b) direct the basis upon which the costs are to be determined The Arbitrator shall allocate costs on the general principle that costs should follow the event, in other words should be borne by the unsuccessful party or parties, except where it appears that in the circumstances this is not appropriate in relation to the whole or part of the costs In default of agreement by the parties, the amount of the recoverable costs shall be determined by a Taxing Master of the High Court, or the County Registrar, as appropriate. Page 19 of 19
Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration King Fahad Branch Rd, Al Mutamarat, Riyadh, KSA PO Box 3758, Riyadh Tel:
SCCA Arbitration Rules Shaaban 1437 - May 2016 Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration King Fahad Branch Rd, Al Mutamarat, Riyadh, KSA PO Box 3758, Riyadh 11481 Tel: 920003625 info@sadr.org www.sadr.org
Dr. Nael Bunni, Chairman, Dispute Resolution Panel, Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. December 2000.
Preamble This Arbitration Procedure has been prepared by Engineers Ireland principally for use with the Engineers Ireland Conditions of Contract for arbitrations conducted under the Arbitration Acts 1954
Rules for the Conduct of an administered Arbitration
Rules for the Conduct of an administered Arbitration EXPLANATORY STATEMENT 1.1 These Rules govern disputes which are international in character, and are referred by the parties to AFSA INTERNATIONAL for
ANNEX V PROCEDURAL RULES ON CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION OF CONTRACTS FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND (EDF)
ANNEX V PROCEDURAL RULES ON CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION OF CONTRACTS FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND (EDF) I. INTRODUCTION Article 1 - Scope of application. Article 2 - Definitions. Article
Preamble. i. 1. Aims and objectives Application Timetable Statement of Claim; Counterclaim Statement of Defence...
Preamble This Arbitration Procedure has been prepared by the Board as a companion document to the Engineers Ireland Arbitration Procedure 2011, and is intended to lead to a rapid resolution of disputes
RULES FOR EXPEDITED ARBITRATION. of the Finland Chamber of Commerce
RULES FOR EXPEDITED ARBITRATION of the Finland Chamber of Commerce RULES FOR EXPEDITED ARBITRATION of the Finland Chamber of Commerce The English text prevails over other language versions. TABLE OF CONTENTS
ICDR INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION ARBITRATION RULES
APPENDIX 3.8 ICDR INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION ARBITRATION RULES (Rules Amended and Effective June 1, 2009) (Fee Schedule Amended and Effective June 1, 2010) Article 1 a. Where parties have
INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES (Including Mediation and Arbitration Rules) Rules Amended and Effective June 1, 2014 available online at icdr.org Table of Contents Introduction.... 5 International
ADR INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC. ADRIC ARBITRATION RULES I. MODEL DISPUTE RESOLUTION CLAUSE
ADR INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC. ADRIC ARBITRATION RULES I. MODEL DISPUTE RESOLUTION CLAUSE Parties who agree to arbitrate under the Rules may use the following clause in their agreement: ADRIC Arbitration
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE RULES 2007 AS OF 22 ND FEBRUARY Introductory Provisions. Article (1) Definitions
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE RULES 2007 AS OF 22 ND FEBRUARY 2011 Introductory Provisions Article (1) Definitions 1.1 The following words and phrases shall have the meaning assigned thereto unless
PART 8 ARBITRATION REGULATIONS CONTENTS
PART 8 ARBITRATION REGULATIONS * CONTENTS Section Page 1 Definitions and Interpretations 8-1 2 Commencement 8-2 3 Appointment of Tribunal 8-3 4 Procedure 8-5 5 Notices and Communications 8-5 6 Submission
WIPO WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION ARBITRATION RULES
APPENDIX 3.17 WIPO WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION ARBITRATION RULES (as from 1 October 2002) I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Abbreviated Expressions Article 1 In these Rules: Arbitration Agreement means
AAA Healthcare. Payor Provider Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures. Available online at adr.org/healthcare
AAA Healthcare Payor Provider Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures Available online at adr.org/healthcare Rules Amended and Effective November 1, 2014 Rules Amended and Effective November 1, 2014.
JAMS International Arbitration Rules & Procedures
JAMS International Arbitration Rules & Procedures Effective September 1, 2016 JAMS INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION RULES JAMS International and JAMS provide arbitration and mediation services from Resolution
AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures (Including Procedures for Large, Complex, Commercial Disputes)
APPENDIX 4 AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures (Including Procedures for Large, Complex, Commercial Disputes) Commercial Mediation Procedures M-1. Agreement of Parties Whenever, by
THE LAW SOCIETY CONVEYANCING ARBITRATION RULES
THE LAW SOCIETY CONVEYANCING ARBITRATION RULES (For disputes arising under the Contract for Sale of Land 2005 Edition) Preamble The Council of the Law Society of New South Wales resolved at a meeting on
ARBITRATION RULES OF THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE SIAC RULES (5 TH EDITION, 1 APRIL 2013)
ARBITRATION RULES OF THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE SIAC RULES (5 TH EDITION, 1 APRIL 2013) 1. Scope of Application and Interpretation 1.1 Where parties have agreed to refer their disputes
National Patent Board Non-Binding Arbitration Rules TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Patent Board Non-Binding Arbitration Rules Rules Amended and Effective June 1, 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Important Notice...3 Introduction...3 Standard Clause...3 Submission Agreement...3 Administrative
CHAPTER 4 THE ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT. Arrangement of Sections.
CHAPTER 4 THE ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT. Arrangement of Sections. Section 1. Application. 2. Interpretation. PART I PRELIMINARY. PART II ARBITRATION. 3. Form of arbitration agreement. 4. Waiver
ARBITRATION RULES. Arbitration Rules Archive. 1. Agreement of Parties
ARBITRATION RULES 1. Agreement of Parties The parties shall be deemed to have made these rules a part of their arbitration agreement whenever they have provided for arbitration by ADR Services, Inc. (hereinafter
ICDR/AAA EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Annex I Arbitration Rules
ICDR/AAA EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Annex I Arbitration Rules Effective as of September 15, 2017 THE EU-U.S. PRIVACY SHIELD ANNEX I BINDING ARBITRATION PROGRAM These Rules govern arbitrations that take place
ARBITRATION RULES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION ADR COUNCIL
ARBITRATION RULES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION ADR COUNCIL TABLE OF CONTENTS I. THE RULES AS PART OF THE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT PAGES 1.1 Application... 1 1.2 Scope... 1 II. TRIBUNALS AND ADMINISTRATION 2.1 Name
ARBITRATION RULES OF THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE SIAC RULES (5 TH EDITION, 1 APRIL 2013) CONTENTS
CONTENTS Rule 1 Scope of Application and Interpretation 1 Rule 2 Notice, Calculation of Periods of Time 3 Rule 3 Notice of Arbitration 4 Rule 4 Response to Notice of Arbitration 6 Rule 5 Expedited Procedure
Arbitration rules. International Chamber of Commerce. The world business organization
Arbitration and adr rules International Chamber of Commerce The world business organization International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) 38, Cours Albert 1er, 75008 Paris, France www.iccwbo.org ICC 2001, 2011
Arbitration Act CHAPTER Part I. Arbitration pursuant to an arbitration agreement. Introductory
Arbitration Act 1996 1996 CHAPTER 23 1 Part I Arbitration pursuant to an arbitration agreement Introductory 1. General principles. 2. Scope of application of provisions. 3. The seat of the arbitration.
ARBITRATION RULES THE NATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION CENTER KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA
ARBITRATION RULES OF THE NATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION CENTER OF KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA 11 July 2014 CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 GENERAL RULE$... 9 Rule 1.- Definitions...... 9 Rule 2.- Scope of application... 9
THE ELECTRICITY ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION
The Rules of this Association were amended with effect from the 1 st January, 1993 in the manner herein set out. This is to allow for the reference to the Association, in accordance with its Rules, of
Arbitration Rules of the Court of International Commercial Arbitration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania
Arbitration Rules of the Court of International Commercial Arbitration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania adopted by the Board of the Court of International Commercial Arbitration in force
/...1 PRIVATE ARBITRATION KIT
1007453/...1 PRIVATE ARBITRATION KIT Introduction This document contains Guidelines, Rules and a Model Agreement in respect of private arbitrations. It is designed to assist practitioners when referring
Construction Industry Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures (Including Procedures for Large, Complex Construction Disputes)
Construction Industry Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures (Including Procedures for Large, Complex Construction Disputes) Rules Amended and Effective October 1, 2009 Fee Schedule Amended and Effective
Consolidated text PROJET DE LOI ENTITLED. The Arbitration (Guernsey) Law, 2016 * [CONSOLIDATED TEXT] NOTE
PROJET DE LOI ENTITLED The Arbitration (Guernsey) Law, 2016 * [CONSOLIDATED TEXT] NOTE This consolidated version of the enactment incorporates all amendments listed in the footnote below. It has been prepared
WIPO Mediation, Arbitration, Expedited Arbitration and Expert Determination Rules and Clauses. Alternative Dispute Resolution
WIPO Mediation, Arbitration, Expedited Arbitration and Expert Determination Rules and Clauses Alternative Dispute Resolution 2016 WIPO Mediation, Arbitration, Expedited Arbitration and Expert Determination
THE LMAA TERMS (2006)
THE LONDON MARITIME ARBITRATORS ASSOCIATION THE LMAA TERMS (2006) Effective for appointments on and after 1st January 2006 THE LMAA TERMS (2006) PRELIMINARY 1. These Terms may be referred to as the LMAA
Arbitration Act 1996
Arbitration Act 1996 An Act to restate and improve the law relating to arbitration pursuant to an arbitration agreement; to make other provision relating to arbitration and arbitration awards; and for
Arbitration Rules. Administered. Effective July 1, 2013 CPR PROCEDURES & CLAUSES. International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution
International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution CPR PROCEDURES & CLAUSES Administered Arbitration Rules Effective July 1, 2013 30 East 33rd Street 6th Floor New York, NY 10016 tel +1.212.949.6490
For more information contact the: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Mediation Center Address: 34, chemin des Colombettes P.O. Box 18 CH-1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland WIPO ARBITRATION AND
SUMMARY OF CHANGES COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES
SUMMARY OF CHANGES COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES Amended and Effective October, 1, 2013 SIGNIFICANT CHANGES: 1. Mediation R-9. Mediation: Mediation is increasingly relied upon and is an accepted part of
ERITREA ETHIOPIA CLAIMS COMMISSION RULES OF PROCEDURE CHAPTER ONE: RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL PROCEEDINGS
ERITREA ETHIOPIA CLAIMS COMMISSION RULES OF PROCEDURE CHAPTER ONE: RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL PROCEEDINGS SECTION I - INTRODUCTORY RULES Scope of Application Article 1 1. Pursuant to Article 5, paragraph
RULES FOR ARBITRATION BETWEEN THE BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS AND PRIVATE PARTIES
RULES FOR ARBITRATION BETWEEN THE BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS AND PRIVATE PARTIES Effective March 23, 2001 Scope of Application and Definitions Article 1 1. These Rules shall govern an arbitration
LOUISIANA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM RULES (Prev. Rev. 10/06/00) Effective May 1, Preamble
LOUISIANA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM RULES (Prev. Rev. 10/06/00) Effective May 1, 2010 Preamble The purpose of the Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program is to give timely, reasonable,
ADR CODE OF PROCEDURE
Last Revised 12/1/2006 ADR CODE OF PROCEDURE Rules & Procedures for Arbitration RULE 1: SCOPE OF RULES A. The arbitration Rules and Procedures ( Rules ) govern binding arbitration of disputes or claims
- legal sources - - corpus iuris -
- legal sources - - corpus iuris - contents: - TABLE OF CONTENT; EDITORIAL - ARBITRATION RULES OF THE STOCKHOLM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - UNCITRAL MODEL LAW ON INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION - CONVENTION
STREAMLINED JAMS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES
JAMS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES Effective JULY 15, 2009 STREAMLINED JAMS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES JAMS provides arbitration and mediation services from Resolution Centers
CPR PROCEDURES & CLAUSES. Non-Administered. Arbitration Rules. Effective March 1, tel fax
CPR PROCEDURES & CLAUSES Non-Administered Arbitration Rules Effective March 1, 2018 tel +1.212.949.6490 fax +1.212.949.8859 www.cpradr.org CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution
Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures
RESOLUTIONS, LLC s GUIDE TO DISPUTE RESOLUTION Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures 1. Scope of Rules The RESOLUTIONS, LLC Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures ("Rules") govern binding
ARBITRATION RULES MEDIATION RULES
ARBITRATION RULES MEDIATION RULES International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) 33-43 avenue du Président Wilson 75116 Paris, France www.iccwbo.org Copyright 2011, 2013 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Wills and Trusts Arbitration RULES
Wills and Trusts Arbitration RULES Effective September 15, 2005 Introduction Standard Arbitration Clause Administrative Fees Wills and Trusts Arbitration Rules 1. Incorporation of These Rules into a Will
Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center) Arbitration Rules
Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center) Effective as from January 1, 2015 CONTENTS of Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration
Minnesota No-Fault, Comprehensive or Collisions Damage Automobile Insurance Arbitration RULES
Minnesota No-Fault, Comprehensive or Collisions Damage Automobile Insurance Arbitration RULES Amended and Effective August 5, 2003 Rule 1. Purpose and Administration a. b. c. The purpose of the Minnesota
RULES OF ARBITRATION
RULES OF ARBITRATION IN FORCE AS FROM 1 NOVEMBER 2016 Palais Brongniart, 16 place de la Bourse, 75002 Paris, France www.delosdr.org. secretariat@delosdr.org MODEL CLAUSES... 2 SEAT AND LANGUAGES S CHEDULES
2009 No (L. 20) TRIBUNALS AND INQUIRIES
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S 2009 No. 1976 (L. 20) TRIBUNALS AND INQUIRIES The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (General Regulatory Chamber) Rules 2009 Made - - - - 16th July 2009 Laid
Wills and Trusts Arbitration RULES Rules Amended and Effective June 1, 2009 Introduction Standard Arbitration Clause Administrative Fees Wills and Trusts Arbitration Rules 1. Incorporation of These Rules
Arbitration Act of United Kingdom United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Arbitration Act of United Kingdom United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Royaume-Uni - Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'irlande du Nord) ARBITRATION ACT 1996 1996 CHAPTER 23 An Act to
ARBITRATION RULES OF THE COMMON COURT OF JUSTICE AND ARBITRATION
COMPILATION OF TREATIES AND UNIFORM ACTS OFFICIAL TRANSLATION ARBITRATION RULES OF THE COMMON COURT OF JUSTICE AND ARBITRATION 521 522 COMPILATION OF TREATIES AND UNIFORM ACTS OFFICIAL TRANSLATION TABLE
COMPREHENSIVE JAMS COMPREHENSIVE ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES
COMPREHENSIVE JAMS COMPREHENSIVE ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES Effective October 1, 2010 JAMS COMPREHENSIVE ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES JAMS provides arbitration and mediation services from Resolution
CHILDREN COURT RULES, 2018
CHILDREN COURT RULES, 2018 CONTENTS Rule Page PART 1 CITATION, COMMENCEMENT AND POWERS Citation and Commencement Rule 1.1 Definitions Rule 1.2 Application of the Rules Rule 1.3 Effect of non-compliance
BERMUDA BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT : 29
QUO FA T A F U E R N T BERMUDA BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT 1993 1993 : 29 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Short Title PART I PRELIMINARY
REVISED AS OF MARCH 2014
REVISED AS OF MARCH 2014 JUDICATE WEST COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES RULE 1. INTENT AND OVERVIEW 1 RULE 1.A. INTENT 1 RULE 1.B. COMMITMENT TO EFFICIENT RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES 1 RULE 2. JURISDICTION 1 RULE
THE STATUTES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ARBITRATION ACT (CHAPTER 10)
THE STATUTES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ARBITRATION ACT (CHAPTER 10) (Original Enactment: Act 37 of 2001) REVISED EDITION 2002 (31st July 2002) Prepared and Published by THE LAW REVISION COMMISSION UNDER
Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre ADJUDICATION RULES
Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre ADJUDICATION RULES Table of Contents Contents Page No. 1. Introductory Notes. P.3 2. Section I Object and Administration of Adjudication.. P.4 3. Section II The
2012 ICC Rules 1998 ICC Rules. Article 1
2012 ICC Rules 1998 ICC Rules Article 1 International Court of Arbitration 1 The International Court of Arbitration (the "Court") of the International Chamber of Commerce (the "ICC") is the independent
PLEASE NOTE This document, prepared by the Legislative Counsel Office, is an office consolidation of this Act, current to January 1, 2009. It is intended for information and reference purposes only. This
CIArb/IMPRESS ARBITRATION SCHEME RULES ( the Rules ) FOR USE IN ENGLAND & WALES
CIArb/IMPRESS ARBITRATION SCHEME RULES ( the Rules ) FOR USE IN ENGLAND & WALES 1 CIArb/IMPRESS ARBITRATION SCHEME RULES ( the Rules ) FOR USE IN ENGLAND & WALES Where any claim is referred for arbitration
PART I ARBITRATION - CHAPTER I
INDIAN BARE ACTS THE ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT, 1996 No.26 of 1996 [16th August, 1996] An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to domestic arbitration, international commercial arbitration
RULES FOR EXPEDITED ARBITRATIONS
2017 RULES FOR EXPEDITED ARBITRATIONS MODEL ARBITRATION CLAUSE Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with this contract, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof, shall
Page 1 of 17 Attorney General International Commercial Arbitration Act (R.S.N.B. 2011, c. 176) Act current to March 7, 2012 2011, c.176 International Commercial Arbitration Act Deposited May 13, 2011 Definitions
Source: BOOK: International Handbook on Commercial Arbitration, J. Paulsson (ed.), Suppl. 30 (January/2000)
Source: BOOK: International Handbook on Commercial Arbitration, J. Paulsson (ed.), Suppl. 30 (January/2000) The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (No. 26 of 1996), [16th August 1996] India An Act
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE GENERAL COURT
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE GENERAL COURT This edition consolidates: the Rules of Procedure of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities of 2 May 1991 (OJ L 136 of 30.5.1991, p. 1, and OJ L
RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Financial Services Tribunal Tribunal des services financiers RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE FOR PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE FINANCIAL SERVICES TRIBUNAL Ce document est également disponible en français TABLE
IMPORTANT NOTICE...3 INTRODUCTION...4. Standard Arbitration Clause...5. Administrative Fees...5 HEALTHCARE PAYOR PROVIDER RULES -- REGULAR TRACK...
AAA Healthcare Payor Provider Arbitration Rules Effective Date: January 31, 2011 To access the AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures with the previous versions of Fee Schedules, visit
PARLIAMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA ARBITRATION ACT NO. 11 OF 1995
PARLIAMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA ARBITRATION ACT NO. 11 OF 1995 (Certified on 30 th June-1995) Arbitration Act. No. 11 of 1995 1 (Certified on 30 th June-1995) L.D. O.10/93
THE COURTS ACT. Rules made by the Chief Justice, after consultation with the Rules Committee and the Judges, under section 198 of the Courts Act
THE COURTS ACT Rules made by the Chief Justice, after consultation with the Rules Committee and the Judges, under section 198 of the Courts Act 1. Title These rules may be cited as the Supreme Court (International
Minnesota Rules of No-Fault Arbitration Procedures
Minnesota Rules of No-Fault Arbitration Procedures Available online at adr.org Rules Amended and Effective January 1, 2018 Table of Contents Minnesota Rules of No-Fault Arbitration Procedures... 4 Rule
SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE (SIAC)
GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION IN SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE (SIAC) Written By S. Ravi Shankar Advocate on Record - Supreme Court of India National President of Arbitration Bar of India
DISPUTE RESOLUTION RULES
DISPUTE RESOLUTION RULES First Issued: March 1998 Amended: November 1999 Amended: July 2000 Amended: September 2001 Amended: September 2003 Amended: October 2004 Amended: May 2005 Amended: September 2005
AAA Dispute Resolution Board Guide Specifications Effective December 1, 2000
AAA Dispute Resolution Board Guide Specifications Effective December 1, 2000 1.1 General A. Definitions B. Summary C. Scope D. Purpose E. Three-Party Agreement F. Continuance of Work G. Tenure of Board
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION., ) Plaintiff, ) ) CONSENT STIPULATIONS FOR v. ) ARBITRATION PROCEDURES ), ) Defendant.
NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION -CVD-, ) Plaintiff, ) ) CONSENT STIPULATIONS FOR v. ) ARBITRATION PROCEDURES ), ) Defendant. ) THIS CAUSE came on to be heard
Guidelines on Evidence
China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission Guidelines on Evidence Preamble The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission ( CIETAC ) adopts these Guidelines on Evidence
EMPLOYMENT AND DISCRIMINATION TRIBUNAL (PROCEDURE) ORDER 2016
Arrangement EMPLOYMENT AND DISCRIMINATION TRIBUNAL (PROCEDURE) ORDER 2016 Arrangement Article PART 1 3 INTRODUCTORY AND GENERAL 3 1 Interpretation... 3 2 Overriding objective... 4 3 Time... 5 PART 2 5
2016 No. 41 POLICE. The Police (Conduct) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016
S T A T U T O R Y R U L E S O F N O R T H E R N I R E L A N D 2016 No. 41 POLICE The Police (Conduct) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 Made - - - - 17th February 2016 Coming into operation - 1st June
PAMS ARBITRATION RULES
PAMS ARBITRATION RULES 1. Initiation. (a) Arbitration is initiated by the service, within the applicable time period or statute of limitations period, of a written demand for arbitration, on the respondent(s).
RULES OF INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION
RULES OF INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION (As amended on and with effect from 1st April, 2016) INDIAN COUNCIL OF ARBITRATION Federation House Tansen Marg New Delhi Web: www.icaindia.co.in ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE LONDON BAR ARBITRATION SCHEME. Administered by The London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
THE LONDON BAR ARBITRATION SCHEME Administered by The London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association 2004 EDITION Correspondence to be addressed to Melissa Wood Administrator, LCLCBA Hardwicke Hardwicke
Arbitration Act B.E. 2545
1 (Translation) Arbitration Act B.E. 2545 BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, REX., Given on the 23 rd day of April B.E. 2545 (2002) Being the 57 th Year of the Present Reign. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is graciously
Sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Employee Benefit Plan Claims Arbitration RULES As Amended and Effective on January 1, 1988 Sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Administered by the American Arbitration Association
Japan Arbitration Update: New JCAA Rules Comparison of Key Asian Arbitral Institutions
Japan Arbitration Update: New JCAA Rules Comparison of Key Asian Arbitral Institutions INTRODUCTION As we reported recently, the published new Commercial Arbitration Rules earlier this year. The new JCAA
Dispute Resolution Service Procedure
Dispute Resolution Service Procedure DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICE POLICY VERSION 3 - JULY 2008 (APPLIES TO ALL DISPUTES FILED ON OR AFTER 29 JULY 2008) (VERSION 2 APPLIED TO DISPUTES FILED BETWEEN 25 OCTOBER
1. Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the European Union Civil Service Tribunal of 14 January 2009 (OJ L 24 of , p.
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION CIVIL SERVICE TRIBUNAL This edition consolidates: the Rules of Procedure of the European Union Civil Service Tribunal of 25 July 2007 (OJ L 225 of 29.8.2007, p.
CHAPTER 9 INVESTMENT. Section A
CHAPTER 9 INVESTMENT Section A Article 9.1: Definitions For the purposes of this Chapter: Centre means the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) established by the ICSID Convention;
Rule 8400 Rules of Practice and Procedure GENERAL Introduction Definitions General Principles
Rule 8400 Rules of Practice and Procedure GENERAL 8401. Introduction (1) The Rules of Practice and Procedure (the Rules of Procedure ) set out the rules that govern the conduct of IIROC s enforcement proceedings
MARITIME ARBITRATION RULES SOCIETY OF MARITIME ARBITRATORS, INC.
MARITIME ARBITRATION RULES SOCIETY OF MARITIME ARBITRATORS, INC. These Rules apply to contracts entered into on or after March 14, 2018 P R E A M B L E INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF RULES The powers
The SIAC Arbitration Rules 2016: A detailed look at the new rules 1 August 2016
The SIAC Arbitration Rules 2016: A detailed look at the new rules 1 August 2016 The SIAC Arbitration Rules 2016 (the 2016 Rules) came into force on 1 August 2016 and apply to all arbitrations commenced
Dispute Resolution Service Policy
Dispute Resolution Service Policy 1. Definitions Abusive Registration means a Domain Name which either: i. was registered or otherwise acquired in a manner which, at the time when the registration or acquisition
IVAMS Administrative and Arbitration Rules (Amended September 22, 2015) IVAMS Administrative Rules
IVAMS ARBITRATION & MEDIATION SERVICES Corporate Offices: 8287 White Oak Avenue Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Tel: (909) 466-1665 Fax: (909) 466-1796 E-mail: info@ivams.com www.ivams.com IVAMS Administrative
AN BILLE EADRÁNA 2008 ARBITRATION BILL Mar a tionscnaíodh As initiated ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS. PART 1 Preliminary and General
AN BILLE EADRÁNA 2008 ARBITRATION BILL 2008 Mar a tionscnaíodh As initiated ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART 1 Preliminary and General Section 1. Short title and commencement. 2. Interpretation. 3. Application
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3002
|
__label__wiki
| 0.942747
| 0.942747
|
Soho by Richard Scott
I hugely admire a book that can be so brazenly sexual and plunder the depths of personal experience to tease out meanings that are profound and revelatory. Richard Scott’s book of poetry “Soho” demonstrates a full frontal engagement with queer experience while vigorously searching for a gay lineage and history to connect to. In its opening poem 'Public Library, 1998' the poet performs an Orton-Halliwell stunt of defacing library books to insert the “COCK” and gayness into literature as well as highlighting queer subtext. The final long poem ‘Oh My Soho!’ documents a search for that history in the present-day manifestation of a queer community that feels in some was disconnected from its past. There’s a potent anger in how “We’re a people robbed of ancestors – they were stolen, hooded, from us” through stigmatisation and death by criminalization and disease, but also how reformed queer identity has become: “We, too, are not immune to this shameful progress; us homos are no longer revolting!” The double meaning of this line is blistering in its recognition of progress, but at the expense of behaviour which has been sanitised by heteronormative practices and a lack of political engagement. Scott seamlessly treads between the personal and political to create poetry that burns hot pink. This poetry gripped me, turned me on, made me teary-eyed and left me grinning.
In one of my favourite poems 'Sandcastles' a scene plays out where a family at a playground is encroached upon by a “tall gent”. The narrator self-consciously migrates between the identities of the people there to engage in furtive public toilet sex or become a nurturing influence to a girl building sandcastles or become the girl playing in the sand. So there is a mind-blowing simultaneous embodiment of these contrasting feelings of perversion and innocence. One of the most gut-wrenchingly emotional poems 'crocodile' describes what it is to have survived sexual trauma “I have died already and somehow survived” but tragically being made to feel like your tears are not valid. Several poems describe the negotiation between the childhood self and the fully-cognizant sexually-active adult. Some focus on how childhood abuse can be transformed into adulthood fetishes like in the poem ‘under neon lights my arms glow scar-‘ while others explore dark feelings of self-loathing “I hated still hate this body”.
Other poems have a much more light-hearted nature and poke fun at the cult of poetry such as 'Permissions' which invokes the community of chap books and poetry slams where poets freely fuse together imagery to titillate, disturb, connect or grieve “collecting rapey verse like a tramp pocketing bin-butts”. Another poem sees the poet critiquing himself for co-opting theorists and writers after having just presented a series of poems re-imagining the love poetry of Verlaine and splicing in quotes from writers such as Walt Whitman, Kosofsky Sedgwick, Mark Doty, Michael Foucault and Jean Genet. Scott lambasts himself ‘shame on you faggot for bending whitman to your will” in a way that endearingly shows he’s not taking himself too seriously while writing about serious things.
Throughout the book there is a rigorous engagement with sex, the body and desire. These include feverish poems which celebrate the act such as ‘slavic boys will tell you’ whose format on the page takes on the evocative shape of a mushroom. But frequently there is a sense of sex being mixed with violence or death. One of the most striking is the poem ‘you slug me and’ whose startling invitation “ask the terrible questions of my flesh” describes how violence in sex can be a means towards self-discovery. Another poem ‘you spit in my mouth and I’ takes on a Jean Genet-like mentality to discover levels of beauty in sexual degradation. An entire section of the book includes poems focusing on shame as a complex attendant to sex, especially for gay people. Scott describes “those pre-grindr days when loneliness stung like a hunger” and how “my head's a cloud and my heart's a puddle”. The triumphant final poem ‘Oh My Soho!’ describes the desultory sensation “I’m chock-full of shame, riven with dark man-jostling alleyways, a treasure map of buried trauma.” An ever-recurring need for sexual gratification makes it seem as if we are condemned to a state where “this desperate place... is your home now”. But the poem 'the presence of x' epitomises Scott’s rejection of religion and “heteronormative bullshit” out of a commitment to “believe in sex the blue hours you've spent fucking me the bruises you left on my arms”. This results in an individual who gazes askance at society to resolutely declare “I am the homosexual you cannot be proud of”.
It’s so heartening to see a fresh generation of poets like Richard Scott, Andrew McMillan and Danez Smith whose writing engages with the dimensions and politics of queer identity in refreshing new ways. I loved reading this playful, moving and riotous poetry collection.
CategoriesRichard Scott
TagsSoho, Poetry, Faber & Faber
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3007
|
__label__cc
| 0.697112
| 0.302888
|
Love To Light.
Photography, Lighting, Post-Production and Gear
How to do Non-Destructive Editing in Photoshop
In Post Production Nick Kilford
When it comes to image editing, Photoshop is a superpower. But, as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Non-destructive editing in Photoshop is a concept you’ll need a solid grip on, in order to work efficiently. However, working in this fashion isn’t very intuitive and it’s definitely not how people naturally use the program. In fact, I know very few people who take advantage of this way of working, noobs and seasoned pros alike. But have no fear Photoshop warriors, once you get a hang of working like this, it will quickly become second nature.
Difference between destructive and non-destructive editing
Anytime we hear the word destructive or any of it’s derivatives, it’s in our human nature to think of something that has been completely FUBAR. But in Photoshop-language it doesn’t quite mean that. Over the years amazing work has been produced without using a non-destructive workflow and many will continue to work this way, well into the future.
As is described in my “What’s the difference between Photoshop and Lightroom” article Photoshop is a pixel based editing program. What this means is that without the proper knowledge, editing will be done at the pixel level i.e. you will be directly affecting pixels and any adjustments made will permanently be embedded into the file. So “destructive” in this context, really means “irreversible”.
A non-destructive workflow in Lightroom, for example, is native to the program, meaning there is simply no way you can butcher your originals. In Photoshop however, a non-destructive workflow is voluntary, therefor you have to edit in a certain way to keep your image safe. Of course you can keep copies of your images but that would only help to a certain extent since you will be starting all over again.
In this article I will be covering some techniques that will enable you to work non-destructively in Photoshop, which in a nutshell is to work in such a way that doesn’t directly affect pixels, gives you the flexibility of making future changes without compromising quality and keeps your original image layer intact.
Why work non-destructively and how to do it?
As many of us know, clients change their mind all the time, which is the same as saying that your first shot is most likely gonna be off-target. Having the ability to make changes to images according to your clients’ needs/desires/mood/whim quickly while maintaining quality, without having to start from scratch is a huge benefit. The same holds true if you are only a hobbyist. It’s all about flexibility, efficiency and staying in the driver’s seat, minus the frustration of having to go back to square one and start over. Having more free time to watch Game of Thrones, play with pooch or engage in extreme ironing competitions is always a plus too.
Now for the fun part. Photoshop has several methods available that allow you to work without affecting your pixels. I will show you the techniques I use with only a brief description of each but will go into more detail in separate articles.
Adjustment layers
These are ready made layers that allow you to make tonal and color adjustments to your image and they can be summoned from the round black and white icon at the bottom of the Layers palette. These guys are awesome. When you add an Adjustment Layer it sits on top of the previously selected layer and affects all layers below it. Adjustment layers do not alter pixels, they just hold information about how the image looks. Not only do they have a built in mask allowing you to reveal or hide parts of the effect but you can go back at any future time to edit or reset previous settings. If you feel that a certain adjustment layer was a bad idea all together, just delete it.
The destructive equivalent to Adjustment Layers are the Image Adjustments and can be found… well, you already know where they are, don’t you? That’s it, top menu under Image > Adjustments > Pick your Poison.
Adjustment layers can be easily added from the bottom of the Layers Palette. Change Adjustment layer settings in the Properties panel. © Nick Kilford
Smart Objects and Smart Filters
Smart Objects are layers that contain pixel or vector based image information and preserve the original content even after the layer has been edited. This means that the adjustments you make are made to a virtual copy of the layer not the original pixels. Smart objects shine brightest when you want to perform scaling, rotation, distorting etc because they keep the original size of the image protected.
If you apply a filter to a Smart Object, Photoshop turns it into a Smart Filter. With Smart Filters you can go back in and adjust it’s settings, hide it or simply remove the filter from the Smart Object. Also Smart filters have a mask included and you can even stack filters.
Use the fly-out menu in the Layers palette to convert layers to Smart Objects
Retouching on a separate layer
Believe it or not, I actually know someone that, back in the day, performed minor retouching directly on a printed image with a really small paintbrush. This was of course prior to Photoshop but that was how retouchers rolled back then (so i was told). It’s needless to say that sometimes this technique didn’t work out so well and the print had to be trashed. The digital equivalent of this risky technique is to not use an empty layer (or copy of the original) for retouching.
By adding an empty layer on top of your image layer and doing your magic there, you are keeping your pixels out of harms way and if you screw up on this layer you can easily erase your mistakes or ditch the layer all together. Turning the retouch layer on and off allows for a before and after view too. Cool.
I’ve been using Photoshop for almost two decades now and although masks were introduced long before that, my initial adventures with the program resorted to actually erasing the pixels I didn’t want to be visible in the image. This worked OK sometimes, but more often than not, I just wished I hadn’t sent those pixels flying into the ether.
Then one day I was introduced to Masks and was instantly hooked.
Masks allow you to Hide or Reveal (completely or partially) an effect or adjustment you have made to a layer or Group of layers. Erasing pixels will provide you with a similar result, but layer masks are much more flexible because they allow you to bring back or hide parts of the underlying image or effect, without ever deleting a single pixel.
Add layer masks from the Layers Palette to hide or reveal the contents of the corresponding layer. © Nick Kilford
Use a dedicated layer to Dodge and Burn
Dodging and Burning is a technique that dates back to the days of the darkroom, a process used to further lighten (Dodge) or darken (Burn) certain areas of a print. Like most activities in Photoshop there are several techniques you can use to Dodge and Burn but there is something common to every smart way of going about it and that is to not work on the image layer itself.
I do it like this: Add an empty layer > Change Blending mode to Overlay or Soft Light and Fill the layer with 50% Grey (super-great-awesome tip: Option (Alt) + click the new layer icon in Layers Palette allows you to do all this from the same window). Set your Foreground and Background to the default Black and White (another super-awesome-fantastic tip: press D on your keyboard). Black burns (darkens), White dodges (lightens). Select the Brush Tool and choose an adequate sized soft edge brush. Set Brush opacity to 5%-10% (I use 6%). Now you can D&B to your hearts content. Gone a bit too heavy on this technique? No problemo, just paint back over with 50% grey.
Dodge and Burn on a new empty layer in Overlay mode filled with 50% gray. © Nick Kilford
Wrappin’ up
So there you have it, developing a smart and efficient work ethic in Photoshop will improve your workflow tremendously, will definitely make you look like a Photoshop deity around coworkers, clients, fellow photographers and your boss, adds 30 seconds to your life for every adjustment layer you use (doesn’t count if you delete it) and can increase your chances of getting laid, if you’re also rich, funny and good looking. So, if you are not already using these techniques, these are a few damn good reasons to do so. 😉
Whether you’re a photographer, designer or digital artist, when daily work life throws you a curve ball, it’s very likely that non-destructive editing will save your butt.
I would love to hear from you guys so if you have any questions or would like to share your experience please do so in the comment section below.
Nick Kilford
How to use Levels in Photoshop
Do MegaPixels matter?
LumoPro Double Flash Bracket – Hands on review
2 comments: On How to do Non-Destructive Editing in Photoshop
June 3, 2016 at 10:46 - Reply
Very enlightening Nick, looking forward to your more detailed articles about each of these non-destructive editing methods!
June 17, 2016 at 14:50 - Reply
Glad you liked it, stay tuned for more articles!
Nick’s mini bio
Nick is an exclusive photographer at iStock and Getty Images and runs a Fine Art printing business in Lisbon. He is a failed vegetarian that loves rock climbing, skiing and traveling abroad by bicycle. Also likes martial arts, but sucks at it. He gets grumpy when hungry or sleepy, but apart from that he's a really nice guy to be around.
LumoPro LP180 Flash – Hands on Review
What is the difference between Photoshop and Lightroom?
How to get Shallow Depth of Field when using Flash
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3009
|
__label__cc
| 0.555126
| 0.444874
|
About the IMCS Pax Romana
International President
Secrétaire Générale
International Chaplain
Previous International Teams
Pre-History
Paxromana Milestones
IMCS and IYCS
Collaboration with IYCS
Our identity tools
UN Advocacy and Representation
ECOSOC New York
Sustainable Developement Goals (SDGs)
World Humanitarian Summit Advisory Group
UN New Urban Agenda ( Habitat III)
High level political Forum (HLPF)
International Labor Organisation
UN Human Right council
Council of Europe (Strasbourg)
UN in Vienna
UN Alliance for Civilisations (UNAOC)
UNMGCY
International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organizations (ICMYO)
Study Sessions
Campañas/Declaraciones
Intercultural (faith) dialogue
Inquiries reports
Annuals Reports
Reflections Documents
Forums newsletters
Facilitation of international student’s Integration
Middle East Coordination
Latin America and Caribbean Coordination
National Movements
Take action /Get Involved
Scholarship and other trainings calls
Appel à contribution/Papier
Become member/create a new group
join our teams/Commissions
Economic commission
International Media Commission
United Nation Task Team (UNTT)
Commission on Science
Join our activities/ Apply
Campaign on sustainable lifestyles
Social immersion in Indonesia 2017
International training session Italy 2017
Short film competition
Eco week-ends (EWEs)
IMCS Pax Romana at the World Youth Forum (Sharm El Sheikh, 04th-10th Nov 2017)
Published by admin at Saturday November 11th, 2017
Proposed by the Egyptian government as a multicultural exchange framework, the first edition of the World Youth Forum was held from 4th to 10th November 2017 in Sharm el Sheikh, called the city of tourism and peace. The initiative was attended by 3200 young people from all over the world and discussions focused on related development topics.
IMCS Pax Romana, was officially represented by 5 students (Sameh Kamel and Abdul from Egypt, Fandis Ngarang and Thompson Sabungan Silalahi from Indonesia, Carine from Lebanon and the International President Edouard Karoue). They formed the same delegation with the United Nations Major Group for Children and youth (UNMGCY), which is the UN-mandated platform to facilitate youth participation in the UN processes. This group was therefore the framework of action of IMCS Pax Romana during the forum in Egypt.
As a prelude to all official activities, a meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sport of Egypt was held at the Rixos Hotel on the morning of 05 November. The objective of this meeting was to introduce the UNMGCY to the Minister and analyze to what extent he could bring his experience to the organization of a future forum of this scope. It was also discussed the contribution that the UNMGCY could be for the Egyptian youth in terms of participation and capacity building within the framework of the united nations. The interaction with the minister and his team lasted nearly two hours and resulted in fruitful collaboration. Other meetings with the national authorities represented at the meeting will take place on the sidelines of the sessions scheduled for the Forum.
The opening ceremony of the evening of 05th November was attended by several heads of state and government. During this ceremony, it was privileged the interventions of young models who have rewarding experiences in various fields. These interventions were supplemented by official speeches, including that of the President of the Republic of Egypt. The ceremony was accompanied by a dinner hosted by the President of the Republic Abdel Fattah el-sisi. Other dinners will be offered to participants at the end of the scheduled daily sessions throughout the week.
The main topics of the forum range from peace issues to the crucial issue of intercultural dialogue, as well as topics related to technology, humanitarian art, tourism, sustainable development, etc. In short, it was widely stressed the need to include the dialogue of cultures as a part taking the conditions for achieving the SDGs. A detailed report outlining the quintessence of the presentations is being compiled by the UNMGCY delegation and will be made available. The participation of the delegation of the UNMGCY was noticed by the availability of speakers and the participation in the interviews as well as the animation of groups of reflections.
Interpersonal meetings have been a crucial part of this forum as they allow for new collaborations for bilateral initiatives. It was an opportunity for several young people to meet for the first time the national authorities of their country and to have physical contact with them.
To close the internal activities of the UNMGCY, a consultation was organized with about thirty young people to collect their views on migration (in the global sense of the term) and the challenges they see as a young local actor. These views will be compiled in the UNMGCY advocacy document for the preparation of the Global compact on Refugee following the New York Declaration (http://refugeesmigrants.un.org/declaration).
The President of the Egyptian Republic has promised to work for the organization of a second edition of the World Youth Forum. Hopefully a fruitfull evaluation of this forum for a second edition more successful.
IMCS SUMMER SCHOOL IN MEXICO CITY_16-26TH JULY 2018
Friday March 9th, 2018
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: Lens For Change Short Film Festival on “sexual Harassement”
Wednesday March 7th, 2018
IMCS Pax Romana Twitter Chat on the International Women Day
IMSC Pax Romana
The beginnings of IMCS can be traced back past our “official” founding in 1921 in Fribourg, Switzerland, to the late 19th Century with the International Union of Catholic Students. In 1921, a diverse group of existing national federations of Catholic university students from Europe, Argentina, Java (Indonesia), and the United States, founded IMCS with the name of Pax Romana, to express their desire to build peace and solidarity in a world torn apart by war. Since then the identity of IMCS at the international, regional, national, and local levels has changed and grown to meet the challenges of the world and the local context in which they are active. The identity, name and structure of each national movement within IMCS also often differs from county to country.
office@imcs-miec.org
+33 (0) 1.45.44.70.75
7 Impasse Reille
© 2017 IMCS - MIEC PAX ROMANA. All Rights Reserved
Follow via Facebook Follow via Twitter Follow via Youtube Follow via Instagram
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3018
|
__label__cc
| 0.554121
| 0.445879
|
Knocknashee Hill, Sligo
Last Tuesday my Australian cousin and myself climbed Knocknashee Hill between Tubbercurry and Coolaney, Co Sligo. {It's the hill in the masthead (bloghead?) above.} Our parents were born close by and had climbed the hill in their youth so this was an essential part of a Sligo visit. The rain and the wind only added a necessary touch of hardship to the occasion.
The summit of the hill has a fairly recently identified hill fort with hut circles and habitation sites. There are two stone cairns on top one of which has an open chamber. No excavations have yet been carried out on the hill.
In spite of the rain there was an impressive view from the top. To the north are the Ox Mountains and the peak closest to Coolaney, Doomore, has a cairn on the top. Over the Ox Mountains we could just make out Knocknarea with its cairn. To the south east is the hill of Keash with its cairn.
In between there are smaller hills some of which have mounds or cairns. None of these mounds have been excavated, they may contain tombs, passage graves possibly. There are a number of Wedge Graves especially along the slopes of the Ox Mountains and an array of old burial grounds and church ruins in every direction.
The term Sacred Landscape has been used extensively to describe just such an area. It's not a term I like, smacking as it does of something else rather than the day to day living and dying that went on here and everywhere else over thousands of years. People lived and made their marks some of which survive, some not.
Anyway Knocknashee and the area around it is a wonderful landscape which is probably better off remaining relatively unknown. I can't help comparing it to a much more famous hill, Tara, with its few earthworks with fancy made-up names.
There is an emigrant ballad called The Hill(s) of Knocknashee. A number of versions on YouTube, here and here. You can buy a version here.
So there's not a great reason for me to write a poem on the visit . . . or is there? It was All Soul's Day of course.
Labels: Knocknashee; Tubbercurry;Coolaney; Ox Mountains; Tara
There's an interesting book on that landscape, "Pi in the Sky". Sacred or not, I don't know, but interesting!
FM.
Orla Fay said...
Great pic!
Thanks for sharing about Knocknashee. The one and only time I climed it, I was a little boy of maybe 7 or 8 years (50 yrs ago) and I climbed it with my mum - we were visiting (from England) her mum (my grandmother). My mum grew up on a small farm at the foot of Knocknashee (They were Henrys). I remember her telling us that it meant 'hill of the fairies', and I don't know whether it's still there, but I recollect her showing us a couple of rocks which made a sort of seat looking over the view you mentioned. She called it the 'wishing seat.' I also remember her telling us a legend about the giant that was going to move the hill, but it was too big for him to carry, so he was going to take it a bit at a time. He took the top off (hence Knocknashee is flat-topped), but soon tired or his journey and put the top down and left it - now called Mucklty. Thanks again for the trip down memory lane.
Thanks Michael for your great pics of Knocknashee. However, despite your discomfort with the term 'sacred' This landscape is definitely very sacred and the people who built its monuments were a very 'religious' people indeed. These monuments had obviously deep 'supernatural' power and significance for these people also, as did the 'ritual' landscape they were built on. It is obvious that some sort of pilgrimage took place here that involved processions across the landscape from monument to monument and probably culminating on the summit of Knocknarea, the most sacred hill of them all. This pilgrimage was annual (probably taking place at different significant dates throughout each year) and guaranteed that the natural world they inhabited continued to provide for the very large population that lived there. This was also their 'Garden of Eden' where the gods or more succinctly the Goddess', 'Meave?' created the whole universe they knew, at the beginning of time. As such this is a mythic landscape and by traversing it the people guaranteed that the magic that created the universe they inhabited continued to flow and provide and sustain them year after year. Eliade called this phenomenon the 'eternal return'. Croagh Patrick is another example of this sacred landscape and was almost certainly used as a place of pilgrimage thousands of years before the Christians discovered it and its first 'religious' use was probably coeval with the use of this landscape.
Brian Lynch and the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Compet...
November Snow
Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award 2010 - 2
Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award 2010
Writing, the Budget and the Current Economic Clima...
Noel Dempsey's Office, Trim.
Cavan Launch of The Moth Issue 3
Arlen House Launch, Dublin
I have a poem in THE SHOp
Grainne Toher at Boyne Readings
Boyne Readings and Open Mic, Grainne Toher
Keash UIL Banner
Sligo Rovers Win the FAI Cup
FAI Cup Final
Theatre Nights
House Ruins
Arvon Poetry Prize - Jean O'Brien
Keash United Irish League Banner
Reading in Kilmore, Cavan
Poetry and music at The See House, Cavan
The Divine Comedy and Conceptual Poetry
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3024
|
__label__cc
| 0.670029
| 0.329971
|
Fruit Tree Sale
Fertilizer/Cookbook
Articles written by Darryl McCullough (unless otherwise noted)
How Does Fruit Ripen?
I've never really known what happens when a fruit ripens, except that ethylene gas is released and somehow triggers the process. And that bananas give off a lot of ethylene as they ripen, leading to the well-known technique of stimulating ripening by enclosing fruit together with some bananas in a paper bag.
That's not a lot to know about it, so I went to the Google machine (actually, I use Ecosia, a very capable search engine that sends 80% of its surplus income to good causes, primarily tree planting). Up popped a clear and non-technical explanation of the ripening process at a website maintained by Professor Ross Koenig of Eastern Connecticut State University.
It's a complicated world out there, of course, and there are many ways that fruits carry out their miraculous transformations. But typically, as explained by Dr. Koenig, an unripe fruit contains acid (hence the sour taste), starch, pectin (basically the glue that holds the cells together, making the fruit hard), chlorophyll, and various large organic molecules. For many fruits, the ripening process begins with the release of ethylene gas, one of the simplest possible hydrocarbons (C2H4). This signal activates the genes that produce a host of enzymes that transform the fruit from inedible to delicious.
The acids are broken down, while enzymes called amylases convert starch into sugar, producing sweetness. Other enzymes break down the pectin, softening the fruit. Still others decompose large organic molecules into smaller volatile ones that are released, often producing a characteristic aroma. Chlorophyll is broken down, and revealed or newly produced pigments give the fruit its ripened color.
Damage such as a wound to the skin of a fruit may trigger the process too early, which explains why my lemon tree drops a few early yellow fruit that usually turn out to be no good inside. And that's why one bad apple really can spoil a whole barrel, by releasing ethylene and triggering undesired ripening of the rest.
As unpicked fruit ripens, a similar process occurs in part of its pedicel--- the stem that attaches the fruit to the tree. This allows it to drop off at the right time for an animal to carry it off and disperse the seeds to new locations. If the fruit is good enough, some social primate might even start cultivating it, propagating it, and spreading it to any place in the world it can grow.
Posted by Manatee Rare Fruit Council at 4:49 AM
A Walk In The (Palma Sola) Park
Last week we learned about some of the benefits of a “nature experience” such as a walk through a park. One of the best places for such an experience is, of course, our own Palma Sola Botanical Park. And a great time for it would be 11:00 a. m. on Sunday, October 25.
That's when the MRFC is hosting an educational tour through our fruit tree collection as part of the fifth annual Eat Local Week for our two-county area. Here is our event's description page at the website of Transition Sarasota, the organizer of Eat Local Week. Please spread the word to promote our event, and if you can copy and distribute some flyers, they are available on the description page.
Details of all the Eat Local Week events can be found here.
In addition to our Palma Sola tour, two other Eat Local Week events concern fruit tree horticulture in our area. The Tropical Fruit Society of Sarasota will have a fruit tree mini-sale at the downtown Sarasota Farmer's Market on Saturday, October 24. Vendor Steve Cucura will have the new SuperHass avocado, said to be just like the Hass but highly productive in our climate. On Tuesday night, October 27, the TFSS monthly meeting will feature Noris Ledesma speaking on jakfruit. I expect that her presentation will be similar to the one she gave to the MRFC some months ago, but if you missed that one, or just want a refresher, this is the opportunity.
Many other Eat Local Week events are of interest to plant lovers. Geraldson Community Farm--- which adjoins Palma Sola Park to the south--- holds its Fall Harvest Fest on October 24. There will be not just one, but three plant walks to learn about wild native plants, including this one directed by clinical herbalist Bob Linde at Palmetto's Emerson Point Preserve on Thursday, October 29. The plant walks require pre-registration for a limited number of openings, so don't wait until the last minute.
With a diverse slate of 28 events, Eat Local Week has something for everyone: fruit trees, school gardens, cooking, aquaculture at Mote Aquarium, charity harvesting for the food bank, tasting local craft beers, and more. It's yet another benefit of living here on Florida's Suncoast.
Writers have been praising the joys of experiencing nature for a while now. Aristotle wrote that “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” More to the focus of today's post, nineteenth-century environmentalist John Muir said that “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” Speaking of walks, playwright Noel Coward said “I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.” But now we're wandering off-topic.
OK, so it's not news that a walk out in nature is a pleasure, but a recent New York Times article headlined as How Walking In Nature Changes The Brain tells about some recent efforts by scientists to pin down just why it is that a stroll through the grove can be such a balm for the spirit.
Stanford University graduate student Gregory Bateman and four collaborators recently published an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that describes more precisely what happens in our brains during a “nature experience”, as they call it.
As summarized in the Times article, the key is the mental state we call brooding--- the unhealthy internal fretting over what is wrong with us, with our lives, and so on. Physiologically, brooding is strongly associated with increased activity of a region of the brain called the subgenual prefrontal cortex.
The scientists divided their research subjects into two groups. Each member of the lucky group took a solitary 90-minute walk through a quiet, parklike area of the Stanford campus, with no iPods or other distractions allowed. The others took a similar stroll along a noisy highway.
A post-walk questionnaire showed that the forester hikers were not dwelling as much on the negative aspects of their lives as the road walkers. This was corroborated by a post-walk brain scan showing less blood flow to the subgenual prefrontal cortex in the first group.
The scientists are the first to admit that many questions remain about just what is going on here, let alone about how much walking under what conditions gives the beneficial effect. I do applaud their work, and especially their choice of subject matter, but a description of the brain chemistry that goes on when one walks in the woods--- or eats a mango--- doesn't really get at the experience itself. Let the science proceed, but let's not leave aside the poets.
Florida Hills
I live on the top of a hill. It's a Florida hill, about two feet higher than the surrounding land, made of fill trucked in to meet building code requirements. In fact much of the eastern half of my property is hilly, with a gradient of at least one foot from north to south, and a central valley that became a 3-inch deep lake for a while in the summer of 2013.
OK, so it's not much by the standards of most locales, but I've observed that even gentle slopes and the almost imperceptible peaks and valleys of a “flat” area can have a horticultural impact. When the soil on the slope down from my house is dry, or even when it isn't, the lion's share of the heavier rainfalls runs off. Where there is turf, more is captured. But turf is a tough competitor best kept away from favored trees--- just lift a shovelful and you'll generally find the soil bone dry below its tightly-packed roots. Either way, precious little water finds its way to tree-root level.
To remedy this, I took to terracing those of my slope-dwelling plants that needed frequent watering, or seemed to languish for no apparent reason. Often, the results have been dramatic. To the left is a young Bougainvillea glabra--- the upright growing and less-thorny Tree Bougainvillea--- that I nearly pulled out after it defoliated last fall and went well into spring with no sign of activity. In fact, the shovel was in my hand when I noticed a few low buds, so instead I used the shovel to lay in some concrete edging and level off the surrounding soil. Besides giving rain or hand watering a better chance to soak in, the little wall retains a thicker layer of mulch, with its attendant benefits. As you can see, the effect has been dramatic, with the vigorous bloomer now on its way to being a showpiece.
I prefer the 2-by-6-inch “scalloped” edging with three decorative arches on one side, but I like to put that side in the ground to produce a nice, straight look, and to make it easier to clear off intruding grass and weeds. It comes in 2-foot straight sections and in 90-degree turns. It may be a bit hard to find--- in the north half of Sarasota I know only one place that sells it--- and it costs a few bucks more. The smaller, lighter product found in big-box home-and-construction stores would work, but I think the extra height and thickness cut the maintenance effort and enable one to keep a thicker layer of mulch around the plant. In sandy soil, either kind is easy to lay in (unless oak tree roots are in the way), but I do need to use a level to keep the top even.
To the right is an Irwin mango planted last May on a high spot. Once its tap root is established, it won't need any help staying hydrated, but this mini-terrace made it very easy to get the four-footer established.
To the right of Irwin is part of a self-maintaining stand of Sauropus androgynus (Katuk), an excellent-tasting perennial green. I just clip a bit of this and scissor the leaves directly onto a salad, for flavor and nutritional diversification.
I could go on and on, but let's just close with a couple more photos. First, Cogshall and Fairchild mangos and a Raggedy Ann copperleaf on the slope by the driveway, all looking happy as can be with no irrigation, and second, a non-irrigated green sapote tree behind the house. Even here in Flatland, terracing can be a useful technique.
Posted by Manatee Rare Fruit Council at 10:51 AM
Sign up to receive articles by email
Buy Fruit Tree Fertilizer
Need fertilizer for your fruit trees? Call Fertilizer chairman, Al Semago at (941) 725-3273 to arrange pick-up for some of our “Fruitilizer” or email him at tjgator4@yahoo.com
Links to Fruit Tree Growing Information
Fruits for Warm Climates
Tropical Fruit Forum
Manatee County Extension Office
MRFC Cookbook
Follow @ManateeRFC Manatee Rare Fruit Council
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3040
|
__label__wiki
| 0.616649
| 0.616649
|
Franz André – Carnival of the Animals, Daphnis and Chloe Suite No.2; François Ruhlmann – Chabrier’s España; Maurice Maréchal, Philippe Gaubert – Lalo’s Cello Concerto; W.H. Squire, Hamilton Harty – Saint-Saëns’s First Cello Concerto; Arnold Földesy – Bruch’s Kol Nidrei; Antonio Janigro, Dean Dixon – Dvorak’s Cello Concerto
February 19 2010 / By Damians78s / In Instrumental, Orchestral / Leave Comment
The themes this month are the cello and French composers. A number of recordings will fall into both categories.
We begin with Franz André conducting Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals and Ravel’s second Daphnis and Chloe suite. The early 1950s Telefunken sound is generally good, particularly in the Saint-Saëns, with its sparer textures. The Ravel, the earlier of the two recordings, suffers some crumbling of sound in climaxes. Both works receive impressive performances, though the double bass player in Le Carnaval isn’t as secure as one would wish.
From twenty years earlier, François Ruhlmann conducts Chabrier’s España, on a rather noisy Pathé recording.
Recordings of two French cello concertos date from about the same period. Maurice Maréchal plays the Lalo concerto impressively, with solid backing from Philippe Gaubert in a 1932 Columbia recording. There are a few small cuts in the first movement. And from spring of 1926, W.H. Squire plays Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No.1 with equally fine support from Hamilton Harty and the Hallé Orchestra.
Arnold Földesy recorded for the Gramophone company around 1915-19, Odeon in the early 1920s, and again for the Gramophone Company around 1930. Among his HMV recordings were movements from the Lalo concerto, presumably abridged. He was principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic for a number of years, before working as a soloist. His cello is now owned by Daniel Müller-Scholl, who has recorded Bruch’s Kol Nidrei on it. It is this work that we can hear Földesy playing (with a minor cut), in an early 1930s Gramophone Company recording with piano accompaniment.
For the final cello recording of this update, we return to the early LP era. Antonio Janigro plays Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, with the support of Dean Dixon and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra.
Saint-Saëns – Carnival of the Animals
Ravel – Daphnis and Chloe Suite No.2
Mediafire link for Saint-Saëns and Ravel – Franz André
Telefunken GMA 41
Matrices LPO-65330-3B, LPO-36498-3B
Recorded 5th October 1952, November 1950
L’ Orchestre Symphonique de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Belge, Franz André
with Frank Vanbulck and Jeanne Visele, pianos
Chabrier – España – Rapsodie pour orchestre
Download – Chabrier – Espana – François Ruhlmann
http://www.damians78s.co.uk/X5446_-_Chabrier_-_Espana_-_Ruhlmann.mp3
Pathé X.5446
Matrices N 8689-1, N 8690-1 (M5-50495, –)
Orchestre Symphonique, François Ruhlmann
Lalo – Cello Concerto
Mediafire link for Lalo – Cello Concerto – Maurice Maréchal, Philippe Gaubert
Columbia LFX 282-4
Matrices WLX 1619-3, 1620-2, 1621-3, 1622-3, 1623-1, 1624-1 (M6-62012, 62565, 62567, 62569, 62017, 62016)
Recorded June 5 1932 (sides 1 and 2), June 6 1932 (remainder)
Maurice Maréchal, cello
Orchestre Symphonique, Philippe Gaubert
I. 1er Temps (2½ sides)
II. Intermezzo (1½ sides)
III. Final (2 sides)
The first movement has several cuts: bars 7-12 of fig 7; first 8 bars of fig 8; from beat before fig 9 to last beat of 10th bar of fig 9.
Saint-Saens – Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor Op.33
Mediafire link for Saint-Saëns – Cello Concerto No.1 – W.H. Squire, Hamilton Harty
(This is an mp3 file – left click the link, download the file)
Matrices WAX 1414-2, 1415-1, 1416-1, 1417-1, 1418-4, 1419-1 (6064, 6066, 6057, 6058, 6067, 6065)
Recorded 25th March 1926
Available from December 1926 to January 1940
W.H. Squire, cello
All sides run at 80.6rpm, and maintain a consistent speed – this seems a rare occurrence for Columbias of this vintage. The work is in one continous movement, though it is divided into sections.
Bruch – Kol Nidrei
Download – Bruch – Kol Nidrei – Arnold Földesy
http://www.damians78s.co.uk/EH15_-_Bruch_-_Kol_Nidrei_-_Foldesy.mp3
His Master’s Voice E.H. 15
Matrices Cw 303-I, 304-I (single-side numbers 4-047850/1)
Arnold Földesy, cello
Helmut Baerwald, piano
Side 1 runs from the start of the work to the first beat of letter D in the score. The second side picks up at one beat before letter E – thus omitting 11½ bars.
Földesy also recorded this work in August 1920 for Odeon.
Dvorak – Cello Concerto in B minor Op.104
Mediafire link for Dvorak – Cello Concerto – Antonio Janigro, Dean Dixon
World Record Club T 342 (Westminster recording)
Matrices W 7904-1N, 7905-1N
Recorded 1953/4
II. Adagio ma non troppo
III. Allegro moderato
Antonio Janigro, cello
Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Dean Dixon
The original Nixa release of this recording was reviewed in Gramophone in June 1954. It was described as “first-class in every way.” It is compared favourably against versions by Zara Nelsova and Rostropovich.
The original release had the first two movements on the first side, and the third movement on the second side. On this World Record Club reissue, the 2nd movement is moved onto the second side.
Tags: Antonio Janigro Arnold Földesy Bruch Carnival of the Animals Cello Concerto Chabrier Daphnis and Chloe Dean Dixon Dvorak Espana François Ruhlmann Frank Vanbulck Franz André Hamilton Harty Helmut Baerwald Jeanne Visele Kol Nidrei Lalo Maurice Maréchal Philippe Gaubert Ravel Saint-Saëns W.H. Squire
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3043
|
__label__cc
| 0.676866
| 0.323134
|
850,000 Ontarians have reason to smile about their pensions
Not many people need reminding that 2015 was a terrible year for their investments. The main index in Toronto was down 11 per cent, and things only got worse in the New Year. Much worse, if you owned energy stocks.
But a bright spot for 850,000 people in Ontario’s public sector is that their pension funds bypassed the misery and came out ahead. These funds returned 5 and 6 per cent respectively last year, as revealed in their annual results released this month.
One is the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) with 390,000 members, which represents such groups as nurses, lab technicians and hospital housekeeping staff. Its assets grew by 5.12 per cent to $63.9 billion in 2015, and its funded position increased to 122 per cent. That means it has $1.22 on hand for every $1 it needs to pay out. A surplus, in other words.
The other is OMERS, the municipal employee plan that has 461,000 members including police officers, firefighters, paramedics and the non-teaching staff of school boards. Its funded position rose to 91.5 per cent and its assets by 6.7 per cent to $77 billion.
Canada’s public pensions come under a lot of fire. The main criticism is that the plans are too generous and get too much support from all of us at a time when private-sector pensions are disappearing.
You can certainly argue about the pros and cons of how the plans are set up, but you can’t argue with how they are managed.
As individual investors, we’d be lucky to match their performance. We don’t have the scale, expertise, or the long-term time horizon. But we can gain insights from the way they do things.
Here’s what the big pension funds’ results reveal.
Risk management: Big funds spread their holdings across different types of assets, types of businesses and global locations. The TSX fell 11 per cent last year, but Japan’s main exchange rose 17 per cent. Energy stocks did poorly, but technology companies did well.
Only 8.6 per cent of HOOPP’s publicly traded stocks are Canadian. OMERS’ biggest single stock holding is Microsoft Corp.
Diversification: A friend recently mentioned that her investments are 100 per cent in stocks, and those stocks are all Canadian banks. Blue chip for sure, but that’s a very high-risk approach.
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board splits its holdings: 65 per cent stocks and other investments and 35 per cent bonds. The bonds may not offer huge returns, but they’re stable sources of income.
Both HOOPP and OMERS had higher returns from bond-like and private investments in 2015 than from stocks.
Sticking to a plan: Small investors often follow the news rather than a plan. If they don’t have a plan to begin with, any investment that comes along seems good because there’s nothing to compare it to. Or if they have a plan, they abandon it at the first sign of trouble.
HOOPP’s plan has two pieces aimed at its main goal, which is to have enough money to pay its pensioners. It has a hedge portfolio that invests in bonds and real estate, providing a stream of cash and inflation protection. It also has a growth portfolio that invests in stocks and other assets to increase returns.
Watching fees: Fees come off the top of your investments before you get a thing, and over time they really hurt your return. The big plans rely on in-house staff to buy and sell stocks, meaning they aren’t paying fees to brokers and investment dealers. OMERS’ management expense ratio is 0.65 per cent; the average Canadian mutual fund fee in 2015 was 2.2 per cent, which is paid before you make a thing. Sticking to the plan, trading less frequently and avoiding funds with high costs are a way to control your costs.
Related: How a 2% fee can cost you $350,000 over time
Patience: It’s the internet age, and we get impatient if our browser won’t load in under a second. Pension plans think decades or more ahead to make their bets to pay off. We’re not so lucky, but we can stick to quality and a plan.
The good news is that after a rocky start to 2016, the TSX has gained 14 per cent since its Jan. 20 low. Like the big pension plans, hopefully better things lie ahead for us too.
By: Adam Mayers Personal Finance Editor, Published on Wed Mar 16 2016
Nursing award deadline approaches
10 Secrets That Nurses Keep From Their Patients
Congratulations Sun Parlor ONA Members
ONA Hospital Bargaining Update - Mar. 24, 2016
Nurses Know!
Failure to understand worker protection
Include Ontario Nurses in PTSD Law
Health hackathon opens registrations
International Day for the Elimination of Discrimin...
RNs, NPs, RPNs – There's Room for all in Health Ca...
Read the latest Front Lines!
850,000 Ontarians have reason to smile about their...
ONA Local 8 Registered Nurses - Night of Education...
Proud to be an ONA Registered Nurse
ONA RN Cuts Flatline, March 2016
Guelph General Hospital Failing to Take Safety Ser...
Look who has been cutting Registered Nurses? Is yo...
Be part of our virtual rally!!!
ONA/CFNU Student Scholarships - Deadline July 1, 2...
Local 8 Nurses Week Awards
Local 8 Nurses Week Dinner - Thursday May 12, 2016...
HOOPP's 2015 Results: 122% Fully-Funded!!
Ontario needs more RNs, yet we lose more every day...
St. Joe's backs down on replacing neonatal RNs wit...
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3048
|
__label__cc
| 0.689048
| 0.310952
|
A Jewish rabbi has called for the Jewish settlers to take up arms against Jewish soldiers
Rabbi Dov Wolpo, Chairman of the organization SOS Israel has called for Jewish settlers to react in kind when under attack by the Israeli Defense Forces saying when Jewish soldiers come to destroy their homes and shoot rubber bullets, the settlers need to return fire with rubber bullets against the Israeli soldiers.
The rabbi said he believes Israel is headed towards a civil war, especially in light of the new Israeli government policy of using weapons and munitions that kill in the conflict of Jews against Jews.
Wolpo is the rabbi who a year ago called for a second Jewish state because the government of the one Jewish state today, Israel seems to ignore the rights of the religious Jews living in a land that they say God has given them.
The call by a rabbi to have Jews take up arms against other Jews and at the same time say that Israel is on the verge of a civil war, Jew against Jew, is a page out of Bible prophecy.
You might consider this story as the evidence that Israeli Jews are divided today. They may well go into a civil war, Jew against Jew, in a very near future tomorrow. The call by Rabbi Dov Wolpo for the Jewish settlers to take up arms against Jewish soldiers seems to be a very radical statement however when you understand Rabbi Wolpo's position, that God gave the Jewish people this land in question that they are fighting for, you realize that the rabbi is on more solid ground for his call to arms for the Jewish settlers.
God's Word does back the rabbi in Ezekiel 34 where God tells the prophet 18 times that He the Lord will find the Jewish people wherever they have been scattered over the last two thousand years and bring them back into their promised land.
Ezekiel 37:15-23 reveals a prophetic scenario that does actually call for a second Jewish state which will be titled, "Judah". Rabbi Wolpo has already called for the Jewish people to be in place in Israel and ready to establish a second Jewish state that is, as I mentioned, called for in Bible prophecy. There will be a second Jewish state in Israel soon after the Rapture, before Jesus Christ comes back to the earth.
Rabbi Wolpo's actions are indeed setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
Posted by Jodi at Wednesday, July 13, 2016
A Jewish rabbi has called for the Jewish settlers ...
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3051
|
__label__wiki
| 0.510262
| 0.510262
|
Low Orava
Low Orava region lies in the southern part of former administrative district Orava. The region of White Orava lies in the north and the region of the Upper Orava lies in the northeast. Frontiers of the Low Orava region are similar to frontiers of Dolný Kubín County.
Eastern part of the region is filled by western ravines of Skorušina hills. In the south there are Choč hills with the highest peak called Veľký Choč (Great Choč) /1608 m/, in the west stretches the part of mountains called Malá Fatra (Small Fatra) and in the middle lie varied highlands called Oravská vrchovina (Orava highlands). The peaks of Veľký Choč (Great Choč), Minčol, Súšava above village Chlebnice and also Šíp above village Kraľovany are popular among tourists. The hill Veľký Choč is considered to be one of the three most picturesque peaks in Slovakia together with Kriváň and Rozsutec peaks.
There are numerous caves in the region of Low Orava. They can be found in the massif of the hill Šíp, in the rocks of Vyšný Kubín and in mountains Malá Fatra near village Kraľovany. However, none of them is open to public.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3061
|
__label__wiki
| 0.646039
| 0.646039
|
Home > Piedmont Chemical Launches 100 Percent Renewable Polyester Polyols Leveraging Renewable Chemicals from DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products and Myriant Corporation
Piedmont Chemical Launches 100 Percent Renewable Polyester Polyols Leveraging Renewable Chemicals from DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products and Myriant Corporation
Product Samples for Customer Validation Expected by Year-End 2012
Piedmont Chemical (Piedmont) announced today a new offering of renewable, sustainable polyester polyols – building-block chemical intermediates used in the production of urethane foams, coatings, adhesives and sealants. Piedmont combines Susterra® propanediol from DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products (DTL) with Bio-Succinic Acid from Myriant Corporation (Myriant) to produce high-purity, 100 percent bio-based polyols that are functionally equal and cost-competitive with petroleum-derived polyols without requiring green-price premiums. The novel polyol formulations, which are made from renewable resources, ultimately enable the production of eco-friendly, sustainable products. The technical specification and polyol samples will be available by year-end for urethane producers looking to utilize “green polyols” for their end-market applications.
The novel polyol formulations combining DTL’s Susterra® and Myriant’s Bio-Succinic will specifically address the growing global demand for renewable urethanes in industrial applications. According to a 2012 report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc, entitled, “Polyols: A Global Strategic Business Report,” the world market for polyols is forecast to reach 4.33 billion pounds by 2017. Renewable polyols, made from various sustainable resources, are witnessing increasing demand as product manufacturers respond to consumers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, conserve natural resources and live more sustainably. Industrial applications, including paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, and microcellular elastomers, represent the single largest end-use sector for polyols.
DTL commercially produces Susterra® in Loudon, Tenn., with a capacity of 140 million lbs. per year. The plant has been operational since November 2006. Myriant will begin commercial production of Bio-Succinic Acid in first quarter 2013 in Lake Providence, La., with a capacity of 30 million lbs. per year.
Under a strategic collaboration between Piedmont, DTL and Myriant, the three companies have agreed to an “open innovation” concept by which the polyol formulations will be made available to polyol producers and the urethane industry at large. This means that polyol customers will be able to purchase polyols produced from DTL’s Susterra® propanediol and Myriant’s Bio-Succinic Acid from Piedmont as well as from other polyol producers. Piedmont will manufacture the initial polyol product samples and will offer commercial supply of the polyol products to the market.
“We have worked with Myriant’s and DTL’s products for some time now. In deciding on suppliers and collaboration partners it was critical for us to be certain that these renewable chemical building blocks would be available at commercial quantities with the right specification. In the last year, we have become confident that both Myriant and DTL meet these requirements,” said Emil Delgado, chief operating officer for Piedmont.
“DTL and Myriant enjoy shared objectives of bringing renewable chemicals to market that offer high performance and cost competitiveness compared to their petroleum-based chemical counterparts,” said Steve Hurff, vice president of Marketing and Sales from DTL. “We’re looking forward to Piedmont’s success in meeting the needs of urethanes producers who are seeking renewable chemical building blocks.”
“This is Myriant’s second collaboration with DTL and we’re proud to team with them again on this opportunity to expand the tool box of renewable building blocks available to polyol producers,” said Alif Saleh, vice president, Sales and Marketing for Myriant Corporation. “Myriant is committed to becoming a reliable supplier of Bio Succinic Acid to the polyol producers. By providing open access to the formulations and technical specifications, polyol producers are encouraged to integrate our renewable chemicals for the production of green, cost-competitive polyols.”
Myriant utilizes its proprietary technology platform to develop innovative, performance-based, renewable chemicals utilizing low-cost sugars. In December 2010, Myriant broke ground on its flagship 30 million pound commercial bio-succinic acid facility in Lake Providence, La., and anticipates beginning commercial production in early 2013. The company’s D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant has agreements with ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH for engineering, Davy Process Technology for the integration of Myriant’s bio-succinic acid process with the Davy butanediol process for the production of bio-based butanediol, and PTT Chemical for the commercialization of Myriant’s technology in Southeast Asia. Myriant is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Details are available at www.myriant.com.
Piedmont Chemical Industries I, LLC is a subsidiary of Piedmont Chemical Industries Inc., a privately owned chemical manufacturer headquartered in High Point, N.C. Founded in 1938 to support the local textile industry, the corporation has since evolved into 5 different production sites in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee with additional satellite facilities in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia. For more information, visit www.piedmontchemical.com.
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products is a joint venture between DuPont, a global science company, and Tate & Lyle, a world-leading renewable food and industrial ingredients company. DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products provides natural and renewably sourced ingredients that do not compromise product performance. For more information on the company’s products, visit www.duponttateandlyle.com.
Susterra® and the circle logo are registered trademarks of DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Source: Myriant, press release, 2012-12-03.
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products
Myriant Technologies LLC
Piedmont Chemical
Indonesia palm output set to rise seven percent next year
nova-Institut: Weihnachtsgrüße und ein Geschenk von nova
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3067
|
__label__cc
| 0.615298
| 0.384702
|
Tag Archives: purity test
In Defense of Purity Tests
Supporters of center-right Democrats like Cory Booker and Kamala Harris have a response to left progressives who criticize their candidates for cozying up to Wall Street banks and trying to execute innocent men: stop with the purity tests!
The term is everywhere these days. “In the political world,” Alan MacLeod writes for FAIR, “the term ‘purity test’ has a very specific meaning, largely used by elites to chastise and attack the left, or to gaslight them into supporting more centrist or right-wing policies.”
Progressives should not fall for the purity-test smear. Voters have every right to demand certain standards of behavior and policy positions in exchange for their support. And so far, lefties have not asked for much: $15-an-hour minimum wage, Medicare For All, free college tuition, eschew donations by corporations. Yet even these modest attempts to nudge the needle to the left go too far for the Third Way/Democratic Leadership Council/moderates clinging to control over the Democratic Party.
Barack Obama is leading the charge. The former president and self-described “moderate Republican” recently argued that Democrats “sometimes creat[e] what’s called a ‘circular firing squad’ where you start shooting at your allies because one of them is straying from purity on the issues.” The word “allies” is interesting. Is someone who disagrees with you on important issues really an ally?
Here’s a typical use of the term from the June 6th edition of that most elitist of establishmentarian power-sucking publications, the New York Times: “In a contest where purity tests on the left have already propelled leading campaigns to disavow super PACs and reject money from federal lobbyists, is [accepting] tech money still politically acceptable?” The corrupting influence of super PACs is well-documented yet the Times wants us to think a politician can take their cash without being bought.
Framing is everything in politics and the “purity test” trope is one of the cleverest reframes in recent history. Describing the world as complicated—well, duh—the purity test narrative portrays politicians who fall short of the progressive Puritans’ impossibly high standards as victims of a shrieking mob. Virtuous attackers become fanatic Javerts, persecutors of minutiae. Corrupt, bloodthirsty scoundrels deserve our sympathy—and our votes.
Screw that.
Everyone—left, right, center—assesses candidates based on their personal metrics. Some are demographic: Is Mayor Pete too young? Is Bernie too old? Some are relatively arbitrary: Is Amy Klobuchar too mean of a boss? Is Beto too spazzy?
What right-wing Democrats call “purity tests” are what used to be called “standards.” They’re about ideology. And they’re valid.
Eighteen years into the losing war against Afghanistan, left-leaning Americans have good cause to question militarism and its enablers. Joe Biden voted for the Iraq War. He’s never even apologized. Bernie Sanders voted no when it was unpopular to oppose Bush. Why shouldn’t progressives conclude that Sanders is closer to them—not to mention smarter? Biden voted to kill more than a million Iraqis for no reason whatsoever; being held accountable for contributing to one of the biggest mass murders in history no more constitutes a purity test than voting against Charles Manson for mayor.
The Democratic tent has long included officials who oppose abortion. Now that states are passing bans against abortion that don’t even include exceptions for incest and danger to the life of the mother, however, Democratic presidential candidates like Harris and Julián Castro say that all Democrats should be pro-choice. Given how strident the pro-life movement has become and the fact that Roe v. Wade is likely to be overturned, it’s hard to dismiss this as an inane “purity test.”
Don’t be fooled, progressives. You have the right to vote for, or against, any candidate you want, for any reason you want. Personally, I can’t support anyone who doesn’t oppose drones, Gitmo, torture, militarism, wars of choice and doesn’t support huge cuts in defense spending. I can’t support someone who doesn’t think saving the planet from ecocide is our top priority. I can’t support a person who doesn’t want to tax the hell out of the rich and eradicate poverty.
Center-rightists tell me that my standards are too high, that none of the current field of 24 presidential candidates can pass my test. They’re probably right. But it’s not my problem. It’s theirs.
(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, is the author of “Francis: The People’s Pope.” You can support Ted’s hard-hitting political cartoons and columns and see his work first by sponsoring his work on Patreon.)
This entry was posted in Blog, Columns and tagged 2020 presidential campaign, Abortion, Bernie Sanders, Beto O'Rourke, Ideology, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, purity test, standards on June 17, 2019 by Ted Rall.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3078
|
__label__cc
| 0.715602
| 0.284398
|
Home > 2009 / 2010 Season > 2010 World Junior Championships - © Robin Ritoss
Most viewed - 2010 World Junior Championships - © Robin Ritoss
508 files on 11 page(s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3082
|
__label__cc
| 0.585926
| 0.414074
|
Crawl is a movie starring Kaya Scodelario, Barry Pepper, and Ross Anderson. A young woman, while attempting to save her father during a Category 5 hurricane, finds herself trapped in a flooding house and must fight for her life...
Genres: Action, Adventure, Horror, Thriller
Director: Alexandre Aja
Production: Paramount Pictures, Raimi Productions
crawl free
crawl online
one word title
trapped in a house
crawl putlocker
crawl 9movies
crawl yesmovies
crawl 123movies
crawl solarmovie
crawl fmovies
crawl movie4k
crawl watch32
crawl watchseries
crawl movie25
crawl xmovies8
crawl gomovies
One-time martial arts prodigy Michael Shaw is sentenced to community service at a rundown karate school, where he gets back into the discipline of the ...
Actor: Michael Biehn, Cody Hackman, Krzysztof Soszynski, Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Jess Brown, Daniel Faraldo, Nick Bateman, Tom Bolton, Christina Aceto, Dante Albidone, Anna Alexopoulous, Mitchell Aulis, Julie-Anne Barbosa, Casandra Bella
In the future humans have extended and improved our lives through highly sophisticated and expensive mechanical organs created by a company called "The Union". The ...
Country: USA, Canada
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Crime
Actor: Jude Law, Forest Whitaker, Alice Braga, Liev Schreiber, Carice van Houten, Chandler Canterbury, Joe Pingue, Liza Lapira, Tiffany Espensen, Yvette Nicole Brown, RZA, Wayne Ward, Tanya Clarke, Max Turnbull, Howard Hoover
Bangkok Dangerous
Joe is a professional hit man who picks someone off the street to do his errands, and after he is finished kills that person. His ...
Actor: Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Yeung, Panward Hemmanee, Nirattisai Kaljareuk, Dom Hetrakul, Tuck Napaskorn, Steve Baldocchi, Chris Heebink, James With, Peter Shadrin, Arthajid Puengvicha, Duangjai Srisawang, Veerasak Boonchard, Joe Sakol Palvanichkul
Evil Feed
A group of young martial artists infiltrate an underground pit fighting ring where the loser is chopped up and served in a Chinese restaurant.
Actor: Laci J Mailey, Terry Chen, Alain Chanoine, Alyson Bath, Derek Gilroy, Bishop Brigante, Curtis Lum, Sebastian Gacki, David Milchard, Carrie Genzel, Johnson Phan, Anne Marie Corcuera, Doug Abrahams, Fraser Aitcheson, Kristy Dawn Dinsmore
Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the ...
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Dileep Rao, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Pete Postlethwaite, Michael Caine, Lukas Haas, Tai-Li Lee, Claire Geare, Magnus Nolan
4Got10
Brian Barnes (Johnny Messner) wakes up in the desert wounded and with no memory and no idea why he's surrounded by eight bodies, a van ...
Genre: Action, Western, Thriller
Actor: Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Paré, Natassia Malthe, John Laughlin, Angell Conwell, Michael John Long, Klement Tinaj, Chris Jai Alex, Erin O'Brien, Jon Foo, Jayde Rossi, Leonel Claude
In 1928, in Egypt, a strange device is found by an expedition. In the present days, the outcast linguist Dr. Daniel Jackson is invited by ...
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Actor: Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, Viveca Lindfors, Alexis Cruz, Mili Avital, Leon Rippy, John Diehl, Carlos Lauchu, Djimon Hounsou, Erick Avari, French Stewart, Gianin Loffler, Christopher John Fields, Derek Webster
Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses
Frank Vega teams up with grumpy old agoraphobic Bernie Pope to kick ass and clean up the streets of L.A.
Genre: Action, Drama, Comedy
Actor: Danny Trejo, Danny Glover, Andrew Divoff, Jacqueline Obradors, Elizabeth Barondes, Dante Basco, Federico Berte, Damien Bray, Charlie Carver, Al Coronel, Sophie Dee, Sarah Dumont, Patrick Fabian, Sergio Garcia, David Scott Gaudin
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. ...
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Actor: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Anthony Mackie, Judy Greer, Abby Ryder Fortson, Michael Peña, David Dastmalchian, T.I., Wood Harris, Hayley Atwell, John Slattery, Martin Donovan
Big Momma's House
FBI agent Malcolm Turner is known best for being a brilliant, master of disguise. Malcolm's latest assignment sends him to small-town Georgia, where he's assigned ...
Country: Germany, USA
Actor: Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Paul Giamatti, Jascha Washington, Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Ella Mitchell, Carl Wright, Phyllis Applegate, Starletta DuPois, Jessie Mae Holmes, Nicole Prescott, Octavia Spencer, Tichina Arnold, Cedric the Entertainer
Demolition Man
Frozen in 1996, Simon Phoenix, a convicted crime lord, is revived for a parole hearing well into the 21st century. Revived into a society free ...
Actor: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Gunton, Glenn Shadix, Denis Leary, Grand L. Bush, Pat Skipper, Steve Kahan, Paul Bollen, Mark Colson, Andre Gregory, John Enos III
A somewhat daffy book editor on a rail trip from Los Angeles to Chicago thinks that he sees a murdered man thrown from the train. ...
Genre: Action, Romance, Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Actor: Gene Wilder, Jill Clayburgh, Richard Pryor, Patrick McGoohan, Ned Beatty, Clifton James, Ray Walston, Stefan Gierasch, Len Birman, Valerie Curtin, Lucille Benson, Scatman Crothers, Richard Kiel, Fred Willard, Delos V. Smith Jr.
The Anomaly
Set in the future, the film is about the development of new cutting-edge bioweapon. Traumatized ex-soldier Ryan Reeve wakes up in the back of a ...
Actor: Noel Clarke, Ian Somerhalder, Brian Cox, Alexis Knapp, Luke Hemsworth, Niall Greig Fulton, Michael Bisping, Ali Cook, Art Parkinson, Reuben Dabrow, Erman Alexander, Gordon Alexander, Linn Allen, Paul Blackwell, Victoria Broom
Redirected
Four friends - John, Ben, Tim and Michael - turned first-time robbers, get stranded in Eastern Europe through a series of misadventures and have to ...
Country: Lithuania, UK
Genre: Action, Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Actor: Vinnie Jones, Scot Williams, Gil Darnell, Oliver Jackson, Anthony Strachan, Andrius Ziurauskas, Vytautas Sapranauskas, Artur Smolyaninov, Vita Siauciunaite, Monika Vaiciulyte, Daniel-John Williams, Daniel Nehme, Daniel Bowker, Andrew McHale, Aurimas Meliesius
Man on a Ledge
An ex-cop turned con threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel rooftop. The nearest New York Police officer immediately responds to a ...
Actor: Sam Worthington, Mandy Gonzalez, William Sadler, Barbara Marineau, J. Smith-Cameron, Anthony Mackie, Patrick Collins, Jamie Bell, Genesis Rodriguez, Afton Williamson, Robert Clohessy, Joe Lisi, Candice McKoy, Edward Burns, Johnny Solo
Silent Trigger
Action superstar Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier) delivers big-screen entertainment in the adventure thriller that's loaded with special effects and hard-hitting action...SILENT TRIGGER! Lundgren plays a ...
Country: Canada, UK
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Actor: Dolph Lundgren, Gina Bellman, Conrad Dunn, Christopher Heyerdahl, Emma Stevens, Alexandria Haber, Reynald Robinson, Dale Hayes, Erin Simms, Jonathan Robert Rondeau, Carl Alacchi, Jonathan Larocque, Andreas Apergis, Tim Post, Jason Cavalier
Trailer: Crawl
Download subtitles Crawl
Report: Crawl
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3084
|
__label__cc
| 0.701066
| 0.298934
|
You are here: Home » Playwrights » Jen McGregor
www.jenmcgregor.com
@jenbitespeople
Playwrights' Studio
Former Mentored Playwright
Jen McGregor
Jen trained in directing at Mountview. She is based in Edinburgh.
Her first play, Creepie Stool, was commissioned by the JUST Festival in 2013 as part of the Scottish Government's Tackling Sectarianism initiative. It first appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe and has been revived at Previously…Scotland's History Festival, St Giles' Cathedral and Glasgow Women's Library. She was later invited to write a second play, Such a Nice Girl, for the same project.
In 2015 Jen's Christmas tragedy Comfort & Joy was selected for the TREND festival in Rome. In 2015-16, her play Heaven Burns was performed as a rehearsed reading for Previously…Scotland's History Festival, and her play, #SonsOfGod, an adaptation of Coriolanus, premiered at the Charioteer Theatre/Piccolo Theatre of Milan.
Jen's short plays have been featured at Village Pub Theatre, Words Word Words, Collider, Artists Anonymous, East End Literary Salon and TALOS: The Science Fiction Theatre Festival of London.
In addition to writing plays, Jen writes fiction and occasionally poetry. Her short story Old Woman With Masks was shortlisted for the SMHAFF Writing Awards, and her poem One Character In Search of an Exit has been shortlisted for the Great British Write Off.
◀ Andy McGregor
L.J. McIntyre ▶
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3085
|
__label__cc
| 0.616388
| 0.383612
|
We used to make things in this country. #101: B.N.T. Canada, Toronto, Ontario
Below, two ball pein hammers made by BNT Canada:
And a BNT sledge hammer:
All of the other BNT tools I've found are stamped Sheffield. For example, a wood chisel:
A miniature hacksaw:
The parent firm was made up of an amalgamation of three storied British tool makers: Brades, Nash and Tyzack. Brades Forge dates back in the the late 18th century, making steel and edge tools. It was purchased by William Hunt and Sons, whose initials WHS in those harsh times were also rumoured to stand for "Work Hard or Starve." William Tyzack founded his Sheffield tool-making company in the mid-19th Century, also specializing in edge tools.
Sell's National Directory of Large Commercial Houses
and Buyers' Guide. London: Business Dictionaries Ltd., 1920.
His nephew Joseph succeeded him, and Joseph's son Thomas is best known for his invention of the plasterer's steel trowel or float. (To view an online copy of their 1957 catalogue, visit the Trowel and Masonry Tools Collectors Resource.) In 1942 Tyzack amalgamated with Isaac Nash of Stourbridge to form Nash Tyzack and in 1951 Brades became part of the mix, forming Brades & Nash Tyzack or B.N.T.
1957. Source: Grace's Guide to British Industry
Spear & Jackson gobbled them up in 1962, which in turn was swallowed by the Neill Tools Group of Sheffield which still uses the Tyzack brand name.
As far as I know, they are the only British tool-making firm which operated a Canadian subsidiary making tools in this country. (As an aside, the daughter of the ex-patriate Brit who first ran the BNT Canada operation was the actress Jackie Burroughs, who went on to win three Geminis for her role as the eccentric school teacher Hetty King in the Canadian TV series the Road to Avonlea, which was based on the quintessentially Canadian novel Anne of Green Gables.)
BNT also offered an unusual Whitworth wrench:
Similar "Surpans" wrenches in metric sizes were also offered by "Peugeot Frères" (or "Peugeot Brothers" of French car fame):
"Surpans" is French ('sur pans") for "on sections" and refers to a "flank-drive" wrench which applies its driving force to the flats of a fastener rather than the corners. "Bte" is an abbreviation of "Brevetés", meaning "Patented". Apparently such wrenches were common at one time in the toolkits of French cars. It looks like BNT made some Whitworth wrenches to the design of this French patent. (In the U.S., the New Britain Machine Company originally patented such a design in the mid 1950's and offered it under the "Nut Master" name. Patented in 1964, Utica-Bonney Tools also offered "Loc-Rite" wrenches using the same principles. Below, from one of their catalogues:
Utica Loc-Rite wrenches and sockets work on a revolutionary principle that prevents leaks, fastener damage, distortion, or false torque readings. Instead of tightening by pressing inward, Loc-Rite wrenches exert pressure tangentially, from the sturdy hex flats around the shoulder of the fitting. Because a Loc-Rite wrench bears on hex flats instead of hex points, there is no damage to fasteners, no out- of-round condition developed even during high-torque wrenching of thin wall fasteners or soft metals. So there is no galling of threads, no undue thread friction, no false torque readings—and no leakage from incorrectly tightened fittings.! Another advantage of Loc-Rite tangential force is that you can use a Loc-Rite wrench to loosen and possibly re-use a fitting so badly damaged that conventional wrenches will no longer turn it! Even if the hex points have been crushed, a Loc-Rite wrench will work, since it snugs deep into hex flats.
I knew the owner of BNT Canada (operating out of Niagara St. offices in Toronto) very well and I have a fair number of BNT tools still in my possession; they continue to be used by me. Would be glad to chat further about BNT.
I'd love to hear from you! Please email me at bishrip@gmail.com.
Scott Mudie said...
"Thank you for your informative post about power tools which are made in Sheffield . Especial thanks for that catalogs link."
Russ Bartlett said...
First up you have the wrong Tyzack as it was the Joseph Tyzack. Also Spear & Jackson did operate in Canada with a manufacturing plant
I have a BNT chopping maul. Says BNT 3860 on it.
Art Keeble said...
I have a tool marked BNT Canada. It is shaped like a hammer but the ens have 1/8" slots in either face. Interested in knowing what it was used for.
Hmmm. Don't know offhand. Send us a few photos. If we don't recognize it, we'll post the pics and see if some visitors can solve the puzzle for you.
Can't figure out how to post pics on here. Do you have an email address or FB?
Hi You can send to this address gerald@vanwyngaarden.ca
Sent pics to the email, hope you received them.
Thanks to whoever solved the mystery of my BNT tool. A scutching hammer, minus the combs.
broomhandlemauser said...
Dont want to argue "unknown" but my BNT splitting maul has the numbers 3880 and 8 LB .I bought it in 1966 and have just put a new handle on it! It stil worked but was a bit ratty.It is European now with a French "leborgne" shaft !Both made of glass fibre.Wish I had £1 for every log it,s split !
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3086
|
__label__cc
| 0.661716
| 0.338284
|
HomeUncategorizedThe high clinical suspicion for DVT and t
The high clinical suspicion for DVT and t
SCP-like antigenicity is first present in Tritonia diomedea generic viagra sildenafil citrate in small cells of the cerebral ganglia and a single axon crossing the cerebral commissure of 8-day-old embryos. To examine tobacco use among teenagers, identify factors related to tobacco use, as well as evaluate the outcome of a smoking prevention program. Evaluation of apex cardiography with patients on supine position or lying on the left side The experimental determination of detector performance is carried out with 37Ar. Immunostaining of human NMO lesions for neutrophil elastase revealed many degranulating perivascular neutrophils, with no equivalent perivascular neutrophils in human multiple sclerosis lesions.
VLPs showed hemagglutination and neuraminidase activities and reacted with specific antisera. Two new sesquiterpene lactones from the pericarp of Illicium macranthum Cox proportional hazards regression analyses indicated that EE did not predict the emergence of depressive symptoms. Long-term energy and climate implications of carbon capture and storage deployment strategies in the US coal-fired electricity fleet. We demonstrated a wide variation in practice across the UK in rates of pre-procedural ventilation in emergency PCI.
This difference was induced by an antiviral effect of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta and was most likely mediated by goodrx sildenafil antiviral enzymes as well as by an effect of these IFNs on T-cell responses. Sex workers (SW) clients represent a bridge population for HIV transmission from high risk to low risk general population. The simulation of diffusion by Monte Carlo methods is often essential to describing NMR measurements of diffusion in porous media. Increases in intrinsically held values predicted less ITL after training.
Compared with earlier models, current pumps are much smaller, simpler, and more efficient, offering long-term or even permanent support. The authors hypothesized that repressive CAD patients are at risk for clinical generic sildenafil citrate 100mg events, despite low self-rated distress. The study participants comprised 974 patients with metabolic syndrome. Radiologic features of pediatric thalamic and hypothalamic tumors. A sensitive method for simultaneous determination of histamine and noradrenaline with high-performance liquid chromatography/electrochemistry.
Genitogluteal porokeratosis generic viagra 100mg sildenafil involving the scrotum: an unusual presentation of an uncommon disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of sustained symptomatic mediastinal varicose vein. Reactions of phosphine-boranes and related frustrated Lewis pairs with transition metal complexes. Deoxyribonucleic acid base composition of kappa and Paramecium aurelia, stock 51. The cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase activity in foetal rat hepatocytes was examined in relation to the pattern of cell to cell attachment during cell isolation and culture. This article describes an interesting case of automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) extrusion fifteen months after implantation.
Three major causative organisms generic viagra 100mg sildenafil were identified: Klebsiella spp (28.6 percent), E. Artificial foreign body embolism after percutaneous cardiac catheterization. A new security policy that mandates polygraph testing as a security measure at U.S. Two alpha genes and one beta gene were assigned to the R-DP subregion, one alpha gene and one beta gene to the R-DQ subregion, and one alpha gene and eight beta genes to the R-DR subregion. Enhancer activity can also be generated by duplication of either domain.
IgA and IgG specific for the 20-peptide in human and mice serum were detected. The potential antidepressant activity of the goodrx sildenafil drug was indicated in rats by antagonism of reserpine and its effect in the social-conflict test. These findings suggest that the attenuation of morphine-induced antinociception and dopamine D2 receptor-mediated function in diabetic mice may somehow be related. During the last 15 years, 19 patients underwent repeated hepatic resections for malignant lesions of the liver.
In contrast, ripening fruit are primarily dependent on PTOX and on plastid integrity for carotenoid generic viagra sildenafil citrate desaturation. Occurrence of extracellular hyaluronic acid and hyaluronatlyase in streptococci of groups A, B, C, and G. This surgical simulation system appears to meet clinical demands well and is an important facilitator of communication between orthodontists and surgeons. Serum AFP level was down from 614 ng/ml to the normal range of 0.5 ng/ml after the therapy. Pairs of amino acid positions that evolve in a correlated manner are proposed to play important roles in protein structure or function.
Hsp70 binding protein generic sildenafil citrate 100mg 1 (HspBP1) modulates the activity of Hsp70 but its biological significance has remained unclear. We present a case of a 63-year-old man who was eventually diagnosed with DLB three and a half years after his initial presentation. The outcome of the operation was investigated both clinically and using a questionnaire sent to patients. A representative HRT scheme was tested with an experimental phantom study.
Finally, we find that the one-dimensional character of the models impede an appropriate description of the fast fluctuations of the cargo position at small loads. We investigated the learning habits of final-stage medical students during their clinical paediatric rotation using mixed methods, involving learning analytics and a student questionnaire. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of arrhythmia, and its prevalence is increasing. Early thrombocythemia is associated with systemic and ocular thrombotic and embolic complications.
http://silklarge.fun/tf-fviia-par-2-signaling-has-also-been-shown/
http://cardiff.europills365.com/in-addition-learners-were-sensitive-to-graded-chan/
http://hanover.europills365.com/atovaquone-is-the-major-active-component-of-t/
http://liv.svenskepiller.com/predictors-of-an-unfavorable-outcome-were-identified-th/
http://utrecht.europills365.com/severe-hematemesis-complicated-by-pe/
http://selma.svenskepiller.com/outcome-of-radiotherapy-for-gastric-mucosa-associated/
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3090
|
__label__cc
| 0.692489
| 0.307511
|
Continuing a vision... a lasting legacy
Post-Garza County Endowment Awards Over $21,000 in Community Grants
The Post-Garza County Endowment, an affiliate of Community Foundation of West Texas, was created in 2010 to give the people of Post and Garza County the opportunity to build a pool of permanent resources exclusively for the benefit of their community. The Post-Garza County Endowment (PGCE) was created by and for the people of this…
The Post-Garza County Endowment, an affiliate of Community Foundation of West Texas, was created in 2010 to give the people of Post and Garza County the opportunity to build a pool of permanent resources exclusively for the benefit of their community. The Post-Garza County Endowment (PGCE) was created by and for the people of…
Post-Garza County Endowment Award Grants
Post Teachers Receive Min-Grants
Post Garza Co. Endowment Awards Grants
On August 26, 2016 during halftime at the Post High School Football game, the Post-Garza County Endowment awarded grants to nine area nonprofit organizations totaling $15,500. Since the endowment’s inception in 2010, the Post-Garza County Endowment has distributed $57,300 to nonprofit organizations in Post and Garza Co. The 2015 grants were generated by earnings from…
Post-Garza County Endowment Awards Grants
On September 11, 2015, the Post-Garza County Endowment awarded grants to nine area nonprofit organizations. The grant announcement came during halftime at the Post High School football game. The 2015 grants were generated by earnings from the Post-Garza County endowment fund, and generous gifts given by the Community Foundation of West Texas (formerly the Lubbock…
On Friday, August 29, 2014, the Post-Garza County Endowment awarded grants to eight area nonprofit organizations during the Post High School football game at halftime. The grants for 2014 were generated by earnings from the endowment fund, and generous gifts given by the Lubbock Area Foundation and Xcel Energy. We thank LAF and Xcel Energy…
admin September 2, 2014 0
© 2019 Post-Garza County Endowment. Built using WordPress and OnePage Express Theme.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3094
|
__label__cc
| 0.676962
| 0.323038
|
How to get discovered online with BBC Radio 6 Music potential
You want to get your music heard by influencers, you want those influencers to share it with their audiences, you want those audiences to become fans – but how?
There are lots of ways to spread your music and get it heard, especially thanks to the openness of the internet. That doesn’t mean it isn’t hard, especially putting yourself in front of the right audiences. Fresh On The Net is an independent music blog created by Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6 Music presenter and music lover, which gives independent artists a shot at some exposure.
Fresh On The Net takes submissions from independent musicians around the world to highlight and share around the web. Are they the site for you though? Decide for yourself, as they say: “Our mission is to help independent musicians find new listeners, and independent listeners find new music.”
Made up of over a dozen music-lovers, including Robinson himself, the team listen to the up to 200 or more tracks they get each week to select their favourite 25. All of the submitted tracks get added to a SoundCloud playlist so anyone around the world can tune in and explore independent music from all over and artists can also check out what they’re up against.
If you get picked to be in their top 25 tunes you will be added to Fresh On The Net’s ‘Listening Post’ which they create each weekend to present visitors with 25 awesome, new tracks from small artists everywhere. Listeners can vote on who their favourites are and then every Sunday the votes are added up for a Fresh Faves post where one of the Fresh On The Net team will review and feature the top tracks.
It’s amazing exposure in itself and a brilliant community of small and independent artists but with Tom Robinson behind it there is a big chance you could be featured on his popular radio show on the wonderful BBC Radio 6 Music if you make an impact on him. Fresh On The Net is also highly regarded amongst critics and influencers so beyond Tom Robinson you could be picked up by another big figure who could take your music to whole new lands.
It’s an entirely independent community doing it out of a love for music so please respect that!
Fresh On The Net is 100% independent – with no advertising, commercial sponsors, or connections with record industry. We don’t have any link with the BBC, other than the fact that they pay Tom’s wages and he subsidises this blog. Our job isn’t to find the latest Hot New Acts or predict the Stars Of Tomorrow. Our job is to listen to the music you send us – and help the most interesting tunes each week find a wider audience.
The site also features an advice section full of great tips on promoting and sharing your music. Find out how to apply and the guidelines here: freshonthenet.co.uk/about-us
6 musicArtistartistsbbcdiscoverexposurefresh on the netindependentindiemusicpromoteradioshareTom Robinson
PreviousPandora add stream counts for artists on Next Big Sound
NextArtists and labels get paid from their music on Facebook and Instagram with RouteNote
How to release your own podcast FREE and get it on Spotify, Apple, Google + more
Podcasts are catching up with music streaming as people tune in to new shows around the world every day. It’s the perfect time to get your podcast running and out there online. According to Forbes,…
Does RouteNote Pay the Contributors and Collaborator for My Sound Recordings?
No. (Unless You Use of Revenue Sharing Tool) Under normal circumstance RouteNote doesn’t pay all the people who might have rights in your release – composers, lyricists, singers, etc. However, in your RouteNote account under…
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3095
|
__label__wiki
| 0.847837
| 0.847837
|
Orville Steele
The device will be curved both on the back and on the front, and will become the first OnePlus-branded phone to ship with a curved display. Also, the base variant of the OnePlus 7 Pro with 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage will be retailing from Euro 699 (approx United States dollars 785 / INR 55,000) in Europe. Images leaked onto China's social media site Weibo showed the OnePlus 7 Pro showed a device that looked similar to Samsung's high-end phones.
Overnight Roland Quandt has revealed via website Winfuture all the European details for the OnePlus 7 Pro.
Like with the OnePlus 6T, T-Mobile will once again be the exclusive U.S. carrier partner for the next OnePlus phone, the OnePlus 7 Pro.
New York Senate passes 2 bills that take direct aim at Trump
Barr said he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein decided there were not grounds to charge Trump with obstruction. The dispute with the White House over McGahn is among several requests being resisted by the administration.
Brexit: EU elections will go ahead, government confirms
He said Labour would only agree to some Brexit bargain which contained a customs union with the EU to prevent barriers to trade. The government wants a looser relationship with the bloc that would let Britain strike new trade deals around the world.
Let's See What Leicester City Can Do At Manchester City - Jurgen Klopp
James' Park to beat Newcastle United 3-2 on Saturday to move back to the top of the Premier League table. I'm just trying to contribute and today we went one step closer. "It's not easy, honestly.
The OnePlus 7-series smartphones will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC. The 8GB RAM variant of the OnePlus 7 Pro comes in all three color options - Mirror Gray, Nebula Blue, and Almond. The speaker grille sits on the bottom of the device, and the same can be said for the phone's SIM card tray.
The press release only mentions the OnePlus 7 Pro, and not the regular OnePlus 7. The camera setup also includes laser autofocus and dual LED flash. The goal with the OnePlus 7 Pro, he added, is to "create the best phone possible in not just the premium tier, but the ultrapremium tier". The previous phones having chalked up as a great success, the new generation is therefore expected to be firmly established, especially since for the first time the Chinese manufacturer should announce not one but two new smartphones. "For the top of the line OnePlus 7 Pro, it is expected to come with a large 6.67" Fluid AMOLED display that pushes a higher refresh rate of 90Hz. Furthermore, the rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps/60fps, 1080p videos at 30fps/60fps, 720p videos at 30fps, and super slow motion 1080p and 720p videos at 240fps and 480fps respectively. It is backed by a 4,000mAh non-removable battery and supports Warp Charge 30 fast charging technology which offers 30W (5V/6A) power output.
Yes, Baby Sussex's Full Name is Archie-Not Archibald
Explosion hits near major Sufi shrine in Lahore
Google's Android Auto Refreshed With Dark Mode And Enhanced Navigation Bar
Balotelli defends Messi and Ronaldo after UCL exits
Trump Tax Returns Reveal Over $1Bln in Losses
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin denies request for Trump’s tax returns
Fallen Man United face huge rebuild after Champions League failure
Sheriff says shots fired at school in suburban Denver
Burr "get the memo?" Mueller did not find evidence of conspiracy, but did not make a recommendation on the obstruction question. He said the committee reserves the right to call witnesses back if they see inconsistencies in testimony.
Oil falls as U.S.-China trade fears overshadow supply drop
Brent for July settlement gained 2 cents to $70.39 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. US President Donald Trump had threatened the duties after China backtracked on a trade deal.
US files plans to raise tariffs on Chinese imports
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said China was "retreating from specific commitments that had already been made". The surprise move jeopardized talks as the two largest economies in the world appeared headed for a deal.
The hackers were unable to access the Binance cold storage-the off-line wallets where the majority of funds are kept. A hot wallet is used for transactions processing and contained almost 2% of the exchange's total holdings.
"Star Wars": Three untitled new films announced following "The Rise of Skywalker"
What all of these films have in common is that they were well on their way to being made at the time that Disney acquired Fox. Avatar 2 will arrive on December 17, 2021, as opposed to its initial December 18, 2020 release date.
Trump defends "tax shelter" practice after report that his businesses lost millions
New reports of Mr rump's low tax bills are fueling House Democrats' anger at not being able to view his more recent tax returns. Mr Trump broke with more than 40 years of tradition by refusing to release his tax returns before the 2016 election.
Bucks look for 3-1 series lead at Boston
This has been perhaps the most confusing Boston Celtics season of my lifetime and just like that, it's on it's way to ending. The Celtics reserves finished with just 23 points between the two games.
NBA Free Agency Odds: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving May Re-Sign
Once again, Durant carried the Warriors' scoring load - this time, with a team-high 34 points. Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
Prince Harry 'over the moon' as Meghan gives birth to a boy
He added: "The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it, that's the next bit". What will the baby be called? "It may well be that they (Harry and Meghan) decide not".
Iran to Respond to West’s Breach of Nuclear Deal Commitments by Wednesday
Iran said the action was being taken because the European Union and others "did not have the power to resist U.S. pressure". Currently, the accord limits Iran to enriching uranium to 3.67 per cent, which can fuel a commercial nuclear power plant.
Michael Owen states his prediction for Liverpool FC v FC Barcelona
"Celebrating the goal last week, people know the importance of scoring in a Champions League semi-final", Suarez added. Hard to argue with this quote after watching that performance from Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and the fans at Anfield.
Government admits United Kingdom must take part in European elections
So far, there has been no agreement and few held out any hope of a breakthrough. The Prime Minister is facing calls to step down.
Watch Dogs Legion will contain fan-created songs
"We will be slashing prices": Aussies kick off Prime Day
Nintendo Announces the Switch Lite, Coming This Fall
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3097
|
__label__cc
| 0.560914
| 0.439086
|
RIGHT FUCKING NOW 29.09.2005 21:14
GodHatesFags Coming to Beaverton
Members of Pastor Fred Phelps' church, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka,KS are heading to Beaverton this Friday with one message, "God Hates Fags." Southridge High School in Beaverton, OR was planning on putting on a production of "The Laramie Project," a play about the aftermath of Matthew Shepard's murder in Laramie, WY.
However, the school principal, Amy Gordon, stopped the play before it could get underway, saying that it was "too controversial" (the politically correct way of saying 'too gay'). Yet, members of the Westboro Baptist Church, which runs the website godhatesfags.com are still coming to Beaverton to let the school know that they never should have considered the play in the first place. First off, this is homophobia and discrimination in stopping this outstanding play. Second, this is bigotry of the most extreme degree coming into town to make sure that this homophobia stays in place.
This needs to stop. [ Friday, September 30th @ 2pm] ----Southridge High School at 2pm (on the dot, they're prompt) tomorrow and tell these people where they can stick their mis-interpreted bible. Southridge high school is located at 9625 SW 125th Ave. [ Schwarzenegger vetoes California's same-sex marriage bill | Gay bashers Protest at Beaverton School
"we must double our efforts---now" 29.09.2005 01:24
The little black electric clock was buzzing, I was in a wonderful dream, and we were at peace. When I looked at the clock it said 0600; I had to get up and be about the business of protesting on the Morrison Bridge, Portland, Or. I wanted coffee----give me coffee and all things would seem better. My beloved wife Patty said, "You don't have to get up, it is your day off, and taking one Friday off from your protest will not change the world." During my second cup of coffee, waiting for the bus to come at 0705, I wondered what keeps me going.
What makes a guy who is happy with his life, has a great lady to share his adventure of living for the last 25 years (+)---grandkids that think he is funny and love building things with him; what makes him risk being arrested or run over by some nutty Bush supporter who gets angry over one of his signs.
What makes this guy, who now calls himself the "Lone Vet" because he has decided to stand alone on the bridge from 0730-0830 every Friday with a sign that most people ignore, some cheer, and others who yell commie coward. One word comes to mind, "Fear." [ read more ]
previous: Protest continues on the Morrison Bridge
Two More Oregon Soldiers Die in the War
As the sad word reaches us about two more deaths half a world away, in a war that should not be, I am feeling conflicted about how to respond to the news. I understand that flags will be flying at half mast tomorrow and the next day, in a symbolic gesture of futility meant to be respectful of the dead. But how much respect can I really offer? Almost none at all.
This probably seems cold to most people, as if I were slandering the dead. But that is not my intention. I, too, am saddened by the news of yet more "collateral damage" in a war that seems like it may never end. I, too, understand that these two human beings surely had other intentions for their lives, than to wind up blowing away with the dusts of Afghanistan. And I, too, wish they had never been asked to go there at all. But I cannot call them heroes. I cannot give them a moment of silence that is not haunted with the dead they took with them. And I cannot give the "brave soldiers" who might survive all this any kind of parade.
The Threat of High Electric & Natural Gas Bills
Prices are predicted to soar and there seem to be few alternatives for the low income consumer. When persistance of reports that heating oil and natural gas bills will soar this winter due to the hurricane devastation and other factors, we -- like many other low income and poverty level families -- have been frightened at the prospect of having to pay higher heating prices when we are already stretched to the limit by high rent, food, and other necessary monthly expenses. Since our local energy suppliers are essentially monopolies catering to shareholders, we don't have the luxury of shopping around.
Eyewitness Report of DC Monday Arrests
There were nine of us, who came from different parts of Oregon, to participate in the three-day events in DC. We all walked in the massive march on Saturday; on Monday two in our group chose to participate in the civil disobedience action.
About 10AM Monday morning, our group walked over to Lafayette Park, which is across the street from the White House. By 12:30 marching groups from Camp Casey and another from the Laity and Clergy group converged onto the park with great cheers from the rest of us. By now, we were about 1,000 strong. [ Read More ]
What it was like: an account of Sept. 24th D.C.
The demonstration in DC was like a convention. One lady my age touched my arm and asked, "Who would have ever thought we would have to do this again?" Then she vanished into the crowd. We all had to show up at this convention to convince ourselves that there were others in a nation of over 280 million people occupying half a continent who have not gone stark raving mad. We were the others who gathered together at Washington DC on the 24th of September, 2005 and at points all over the USA and all over the world. We move to gather again, to get to know each other. These are not "demonstrations," because it is no longer possible to demonstrate the obvious. This was and will be a gathering of strength, of information, of momentum. It was like seeing hope. It was like seeing the future as it will be; green, whether in local sustainable communities or in recovering forests outside the ruins. [ Read More ]
Dinner at Trillium Hollow Couhousing Community
Many people don't know it but Portland has 2 cohousing communities, Trillium Hollow Cohousing Community and Cascadia Cohousing Community. Cohousing is style of cooperative housing whereby the residents of the community live and engage in intentional community. For more information on cohousing you can check out http://www.cohousing.org.
Trillium Hollow (TH) is located in Portland's West Hills in the Cedar Mill area 7.5 miles from downtown Portland. TH has 29 family units located on 3.6 acres with an adjacent 11 acres of greenbelt. TH common areas include a year round stream, wetland, organic gardens, greenhouse, 4,500 sf common house, children's play areas, laundry, and much much more.
THE WAR-EGO-NIAN STRIKES AGAIN 27.09.2005 16:59
Oregonian's Misleading Protest Coverage
Two Protests were held in Washington, DC this week around the issue of war in Iraq. An anti-war contingent organized the largest public rally in recent memory agains the policies of the Bush Administration. They expected 100,000 people, and all estimates I've seen of actual attendance ranged from 100,000-200,000. The next day, a counter demonstration was organized by groups that support war and agree with our current President. Organizers said they expected 10,000-20,000 attendees. The actual turnout according to the Associated Press--"as many as 400."
Despite the massive difference in scale between these two demonstrations, the Oregonian gave more space, and better coverage to the pro-war gathering. They ran two stories, a 10 paragraph piece on the anti-war gathering on page A-10, and a 17 paragraph piece on the pro-war gathering on page A-2. So, the anti-war gathering had at least 250 times as many people, but got 40% less ink, and was buried in the middle of the paper, while the pro-war side gets on the back of the front page--one of the most read areas. [ read more ]
Oregonian biased coverage of anti and pro war demos
To the editor, The Oregonian
On Sept. 25, you gave 30 column inches on A10, including a photo, to an AP story ("Thousands rally in Washington to bring troops home from Iraq") on the Washington demo using the lowest estimate for the turnout. That space included a 3" box noting that "about 100" held signs and candles in a silent protest on downtown Portland bridges. You did not cover the other Portland demo, which drew about 150 on Friday nor the largest of the Oregon Saturday events in Albany where almost 500 particiapted or any of the other local events from Waldport to La Grande.
On Sept 26, you devoted more space (32 column inches) on A2 ("Support for U.S. troops guides rally"--in larger type) including a photo and contact information (missing from your anti war coverage) to an AP report on an event 3000 miles away for which only a tiny group of between 200 and 400 supporters of the war turned out (organizers were looking for 20,000) evidently to denounce the overwhelming success of the anti-war events. Its significance event can only lie in its pathetic failure and suggest a lack of popular support for the war. It was not even noted by the New York Times. [ read more ]
more criticism of corporate media "coverage" of s24: [ Corp Media Mentioned DC S24 - But There Was Much More | Please post photos of Bridge Vigil | Corporate Media coverage of the protests? ]
portland indymedia s24 coverage
More Cheers Than Jeers
On Saturday, September 24th, a group of about 40 citizens gathered at the Chamber of Commerce office in St. Helens. 40 people in this small town, miles outside of the metropolitan area, cared enough to take a stand. They turned out to protest the war in Iraq and ask that our troops be brought home. Compared to the turnout in larger, more cosmopolitan cities 40 may not seem like a lot. In St. Helens, however, there are few activities that draw such a large crowd, and those are more likely to be high school sporting events than political rallies.
On Tuesday, September 26, 2005 a second demonstration was held in South Columbia County. People of all ages and backgrounds gathered together at the Totem Pole in Scappoose to make a statement. The number changed as demonstrators came and left, devoting time as they could. Some stopped in before hurrying home to fix dinner for their families, some arrived directly after work, all demonstrated their commitment to ending the war in Iraq.
Witness Globally, Lobby Locally
On Sept. 26, representatives of Veterans for Peace Chapter 72, Code Pink Portland, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, WILPF, Oregonians Against the War, and OPW visited the Portland offices of Senators Smith and Wyden, and Representatives Blumenauer and Wu. We delivered messages urging the legislators to take action to bring the war to an immediate end, which included: a formal letter from the members of VFP72 (see attached .pdf file), individual letters and petitions, and more than 1,300 post cards to the two senators, 1,000 of which were signed at the Saturday Bridge Vigil. Letters were delivered to Rep. Darlene Hooley's office on Sept. 27.
The interaction with the legislators' staffs was predictably courteous and bland, with the exception of Earl Blumenauer's staff, who were clearly happy to see us and with whom we carried on the only real lobbying dialog of the day.
Reportback from a rebellious woman: S24-Seattle
You are a rebellious woman. I will talk to your husband but not to you. You are a rebellious woman.
On the way up to Seattle we passed the time filling in madlibs packed by the spirit of creation, a mother with fire and love in her heart. Mothers must terrify the pro-Bush "Christian" death worshippers who called me a rebellious woman as I passed their contingent of two by Westlake Center. Females need one seed, then create on their own... life in all its uncomfortable, uncontrollable glory. To have your own power, your own voice, to seize your life as your own insults the death cultists, threatens their existence, gnaws thru the shabby veil of their reality construct and shows them their uselessness, base cowardice and petty, peevish, shoe-licking opportunism. They must silence all but the 3rd tier death-worshipping zombies from which they draw the small amount of spark it takes them to somnambulate and try to spread their filth. And forget the Christ they say they worship. A man if not a god who died for what he believed and shared a compassion which threatened the already parasitic power structure. [ read more ]
S24 - Seattle Pictures: The Good: cheerleaders gave the small anti-imperialist contingent a much-needed boost in ENERGY. if they hadn't been there, it would've been a little drab. i wish i had pictures. The Bad: the arrest of some guy and the docile liberal reaction to it. "oh lets just all get on the sidewalk" this one old hippy guy was like "i say we all get off the street and go listen to some more speeches!" [ read more ]
What I did to get arrested: "And I wonder what that poor guy we saw getting arrested did to deserve it?" Funny you should ask. According to the police report, the reason I was arrested was "pedestrian interference". I have two ideas why they chose me. First, I asked what law I was breaking by standing in the street (they never answered me by the way). Second, I suspect I was recognized by a few of the cops (at the J20 event for example, I managed to piss a cop off enough he had to leave the front line, pointing at me saying, "he's the first to go!" I think I've gotten the attention of a few of them...). [ September 24th Protest in Seattle ]
related: [ Please post photos of Bridge Vigil | S24: Images from the Streets ]
Klamath community demands for Portland based Pacific Power to remove dams
Today at the Lloyd Tower Klamath river residents and supporters joined Native people of the Klamath River to ask Pacific Power to remove thier fish killing dams. The Klamath dams are currently in a process that occurs every 50 years, in dam removal is possible. However after years of negotiations Pacific Power shocked river communities by ignoring fish passage and down river communities in their plans. Now community members are taking their issues straight to the doorsteps of Pacific Power.
Residents and tribal members told of the lowest Chinook (or King) Salmon runs in recorded history and the impacts to thier way of life due to continuing fish kills in the Klamath. They also demanded for Pacific Power to Bring the Salmon home to the upper Klamath watershed, which has not seen Salmon in almost a century. This fight is far from over. 50 years is too long to wait for the return of the salmon and steelhead runs. It may already be too late for the spring Chinook which historically had up to a million returning adults per year, many of which used the upper basin above the dams. Currently their are less then 200 in the whole river.
photos: 1, 2 | karuk.us | klamathjustice.org
Venezuelan trade union leaders discuss way forward for the revolution
More than 50 Venezuelan trade union leaders attended the First Trade Union and Political Education Workshop, organised by the UNT and the Bolivarian Workers' Force (FBT), with the collaboration of the Ministry of Labour in El Paraiso, Caracas from September 19 to 23. The main aim of the meeting was to "start a process of ideological and political rearming of the trade union movement".
The workshop passed a very interesting resolution which we reproduce here: We ratify the leading role of our president Hugo Chavez Frias in this democratic and participatory revolutionary process. We understand that faced with the failure of capitalism, which is the cause of all exploitation, exclusion, oppression, hunger, pollution and misery in the world, we must go to a new model of society based on equality and with a social economy. we believe that the means of production must be expropriated and collectivised, and we believe in the building of socialism of the 21st century as a government of the workers and the people.
www.handsoffvenezuela.org
Portland Bridge Vigil Re-Cap
The vigil on the bridges last night was awesome, with participants ranging from teens to families with little ones, to olders, and elders. Candles thickly lined all three of the downtown bridges. The Oregonian apparently put the total at 100 folks, organizers estimate pretty conservatively at 900-1000. [ read more ]
Photos of PDX s24 bridge vigils for peace: I had thought that three bridges was over-reaching, but I was wrong. All but the last photo are from the vigil on the south side of the Burnside Bridge. I'm told that there were many more participating in the vigil on the Hawthorne Bridge. However, I got to the Hawthorne bridge very late. Still I like the way the series ends with an edgy photo of one of the last to leave vigil participants to leave the Hawthorne Bridge. [ read more ]
Photos from S24 vigil, Morrison Bridge: Photos from the anti-war vigil on the evening of September 24, 2005, on 3 of portland's bridges. these are all from the Morrison Bridge. I estimate there were about 100-150 on that bridge. The Oregonion reported only 100 total on all 3 bridges, but there were at least that many on just the Morrison, and I heard there were a about 500 on the Burnside and several hundred on the Hawthorne. [ read more ]
Pix from Saturday night vigil on Hawthorne Bridge: Here's some pix of the vigil on the Hawthorne Bridge on Saturday night. Critics say: "You're protesting doesn't do any good." I say: "Well, at the very least, it reminds me that I'm not alone." [ read more ]
From the Bridges tonight: At least a thousand, maybe 2000 on the Burnside, Morrison and Hawthorne Bridges tonight. We lined the bridges with candles, flags, signs and our passion that this evil war end now. Passing motorists honking horns lent support - even a stretch limo. The best motor support came at the end while walking down off the Morrison Bridge when a PDX Police wagon honked and waved the peace sign. [ read more ]
Sheehan Arrested
Several Sources are reporting that Cindy Sheehan was arrested moments ago after protesting with a group of several hundred in front of the Whitehouse. She allegedly sat down with around a dozen other protestors and was warned by authorities that she must move along or be arrested. She was arrested almost immediately after the warning was given.
Update: Sheehan was released.
http://dc.indymedia.org | www.bigmuddyimc.org
Top Animal Activists in Portland
Two of the nation's most influential writers and speakers on cruelties of the animal farming industry and benefits of vegetarianism will be in Portland this week.
Howard Lyman, who dramatically changed his life from fourth-generation cattle farmer to animal advocate, will appear Tuesday, Sept. 27, for the first Portland viewing of his documentary, "The Mad Cowboy." The film, directed by Michael Tobias, will be shown at 7 PM in First Congregational Church, 1126 SW Park Ave.
Also, Erik Marcus will discuss his latest book, "Meat Market: Animals, Ethics, and Money," on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 PM in Powell's Books, 1005 W. Burnside St. The free event is co-sponsored by Northwest VEG, a nonprofit vegetarian education and outreach group, and Powell's. In "Meat Market," he explores slaughterhouse practices and the disregard for animal welfare in modern agribusiness and argues why and how people should work to dismantle the cruel system.
For more information, see www.nwveg.org or www.erikmarcus.com.
Bring The Salmon Home - Un-Dam the Klamath!
I went to the Klamath River Tribes film screening and presentation tonight... to understand a little about the way of life the Klamath River tribes are struggling to both restore and preserve....At issue is the 50 year dam relicensing application due in March of 2006, for the complex of dams along the rivers in the Klamath Basin, where there are currently 6 dams sited. Salmon are being blocked from 350 miles of spawning habitat as a result of these dams. After the 'bucket brigades' by Klamath basin farmers, over 100,000 fish died on the Klamath.
Pacificorp dams on the Klamath River provide less than 2 percent of Pacificorp's total operating power; A study by the California Energy Commission found that already-operational power plants could easily replace any energy lost from decommissioning the Klamath River dams. Water Quality is now one of the main issues that the Klamath Tribes are working on calling attention to... independent water testing was done by the tribes this year. It was discovered that in the summer with the heat and fertilizer runoff, there are huge algae blooms. When the air cools, the algae decomposes, lowering oxygen levels in the water behind the Copco and Iron Gate dams. one type of algae present is toxic to the liver, called microcystis aeruginosa was found in levels that exceeded 100 times the World Health Organization standards.
The sale of Pacificorp and the relicensing of the Klamath River dams are both still under consideration by the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and by the PUC (Public Utility Commission). Cascadians need to put pressure on these agencies, along with our legislators and governor. We need our legislature to take a more active role in the management of the Klamath basin. Fisheries and recreational and cultural values need to take as big a role in decision-making as agriculture. We have to speak out to preserve these rivers, and in doing so, preserving the way of life of indigenous peoples. To not do so is to condone genocide. We need to contact our legislators about this gross human rights violation and argue against the relicensure of these dams, and to argue for dam removal.
Related: [ July '04 anti-ESA rally opposition by Tribes | Tribes Host protest July 12 '05 in Southern Oregon and Scotland for Klamath Salmon] | Klamath Tribes Return To Scotland July '05 to urge dam removal as fish are dying | http://karuk.us ]
AUDIO FILES: Save the Salmon, Real Media | Save the Salmon, MP3
The Mother of All Anti-War Rallies
As I pulled my car into the parking lot of the "New Carrollton" metro station, just northeast of our nation's capital, around 9:30 AM, on Sept. 24, 2005, I knew it was going to be a great day! The place was already mobbed with Anti-War protesters carrying all kinds of flashy banners, signs and posters indicating their opposition to the Iraqi War. From New Carrollton, it is only a short hop to the "Smithsonian" metro station, which is right on the National Mall and very close to the Washington Monument. A further hike by foot takes you - to the staging area for the "Bring the Troops Home Now," rally: the Ellipse.
When I reached the Mall, which runs on a mostly east to west line from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, I saw a sea of people emerging from every direction onto its still green lawns. I headed for the Washington Monument, where the sponsoring organization, the "United for Peace & Justice" organization, had set up a temporary village of tents "designed to connect grassroots activists with a wide array of organizations and campaigns." [ read more ]
Size Didn't Matter; It was the Message, and it was Big
100,000? (DC police, AP) 250,000? (my unscientific count) 300,000? (organizers) 500,000? (Truthout's William Pitt and CNN). Really, who cares how many marched and rallied in Washington on Saturday? The important thing is that huge numbers of people of all ages, races, and walks of life, from all over the country--more people than the right could hope to entire to any event, even if it paid them--converged on the White House to condemn the War on the people of Iraq, and to condemn administration whose domestic policies are destroying the country.
As a conservatively dressed middle-aged woman from Buffalo, NY, riding the Metro back to her hotel, said, explaining why she had trekked all the way down to the nation's capital with a friend to join the protest, "I just got tired of sitting around the house being angry all the time." [ read more ]
[ Pictures from DC on S24 (part 1) | Pictures from DC on S24 (part 2) | dc indymedia ]
s24 Mobilization Reportbacks
Seattle: Here are a few pictures I snapped with a digital camera today. The protest brought together a great group of people as expected. I saw an estimate of around six to seven thousand people on the Seattle Indymedia website. After leaving the protest and heading back to my home on the bus I ran into a young fellow asking me if I was at the rally. I told him that I had been there and told him about the people that were there. "Do you really think that everyone getting together like that is going to end the war?" [ read more ]
Portland Bridges:At least a thousand, maybe 2000 on the Burnside, Morrison and Hawthorne Bridges tonight. We lined the bridges with candles, flags, signs and our passion that this evil war end now. The best motor support came at the end while walking down off the Morrison Bridge when a PDX Police wagon honked and waved the peace sign. [ read more ]
Estacada: We attended a small but dedicated gathering for Peace in Estacada this afternoon. There were 70 to 80 people in attendance, which is pretty astonishing for a little town like Estacada. Several speeches were given and a reading of a poem written by Casey Sheehan's sister which was very moving. Lloyd Marbet also spoke. There was music and companionship and a parade through town to be followed by a candlelight vigil this evening. No riot suited police were observed![ read more ]
Eugene:A great day! I'm not any good at estimating crowds, but it was a large and spirited one. Several hundred at least. The largest demonstration I've seen in the two years I've been in Eugene. We marched around downtown, past the Saturday Market, and then had a rally near the courthouse with some heartfelt speeches. It looks like we're coming back together. [ read more ]
Klamath River film night Sunday Sep 25: Free the Klamath, bring down the dams
Come see "Salmon on the Backs of Buffalo" and other films on the Klamath Salmon and dams including a new video featuring underwater footage of the Klamath Salmon, Sturgeon, Steelhead and Lamprey. Native Speakers will share their environmental justice stories along with how to get involved with the struggle to force Portland-based Pacific Power (a subsidiary of Scottish Power) to take down the Klamath dams that now block hundreds of miles of fish habitat, and how to insure there will never again be a massive fish kill like the one that killed over 60,000 adult salmon in 2002.
Many of us from the Klamath River and other areas in Southern Oregon are coming to Portland on the Oxygen Collective bio-diesel bus because Pacific Power's headquarters is located in Portland. And we hope to drum up support to stop Pacific Power from killing more fish. We want to bring the salmon home to the upper Klamath Basin. Rides are available from Happy Camp, Ashland, and Eugene on the Oxygen Collective bus. There will also be a discussion on future protests in Portland to support the people and the animals of the Klamath River Portland Contact Number: (503) 493-7495 Other contact number 541 951-0126
http://karuk.us
Greet a true hero from New Orleans, Charmaine Neville, at the Airport on Saturday
Charmaine Neville is arriving in Portland on Saturday evening to perform at Blues for Katrina on Sunday on the waterfront. Watch this video and you'll be standing there wiht flowers just like me. This is the text from Reggie Houston's email, her former bandmate who now lives in Portland.
www.reggiehouston.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3099
|
__label__cc
| 0.596144
| 0.403856
|
Video: OHSU Tortures Animals
Rally and Procession to morn the deaths of countless animals as a result of animal experimentation at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in Portland Oregon. Event was sponsored and organized by Portland Animal Defense League, who can be contacted on both Myspace and Facebook
OHSU Tortures Animals
The gathering stood for a time in front of the hospital with numerous signs indicating their opposition to this lucrative animal experimentation before commencing the funeral procession. At this time they proceeded to march along both sides of the street, morning the needless loss of life and demonstrating OHSU's callous disregard for the sanctity of life.
The signs being carried by the demonstrators claim that at OHSU "Pigtail Macaques are beaten," "monies are used to kill bunnies," and that "pregnant mothers are forced to smoke." This last refers to the work of Dr. Elliot Spindel, who introduces high levels of nicotine into pregnant monkeys through transdermal mechanisms, and later dissects the infants, amazingly discovering that nicotine is bad for infant Primates.
In an interview with Tim Hitchins, spokesperson for Portland Animal Defense League, he states that these experiments are scientific fraudulent, morally unjustifiable and a waste of the taxpayers money.
These experiments are fraudulent, according to Hitchins, because humans respond completely different to tests and pharmaceutical drugs than animals do.
"The reason these experiments are defended so strongly by OHSU.........is because of the amount of money they bring to the University. We're talking about tens upon tens of millions of dollars that help fund....other facilities on their campus."
Other procedures cited by Hitchins in this interview include deliberately stressing animals and the deliberate inducing of obesity.
Activists Hold Funeral Procession at OHSU to Mourn the Deaths of Murdered Animals
30 activists from Portland Animal Defense League gathered at OHSU on Sam Jackson Rd. dressed for a funeral procession to mourn the deaths of thousands of animals that have been needlessly raped, tortured and killed by vivisectors at OHSU.
Portland, OR - On Friday, January 7th at 12:30 pm, about 30 activists from Portland Animal Defense League gathered at OHSU on Sam Jackson Rd. dressed for a funeral procession to mourn the deaths of thousands of animals that have been needlessly tortured and killed by vivisectors at OHSU.
Animals in laboratories are subjected to horrible experiences. Recent government documentation has revealed primates dying of dehydration, starvation, hypothermia, heat stress, being boiled alive in cage washers, wasting diseases, hepatitis, encephalitis, and many other severe illnesses.
"This funeral procession and rally acts as a reminder to OHSU that activists and the concerned public have not forgotten about their horrific animal abusing experiments. Rape, torture and murder will not be tolerated for any species." says a representative of Portland Animal Defense League. "As long as there are animals slated to die at OHSU, their captors will have to answer to the demands for their liberation."
Please visit pdxanimaldefenseleague.org for more information on the movement to end vivisection.
Video: FBI speaks at Portland Human Rights Commission Meeting 1/5/10 in Portland
A 2.5 hour meeting
The US District Attorney and the Local FBI speak about the city of Portland (police) joining the terrorism Task Force (JTTF)
This was the regular monthly meeting.
The main topic of this meeting was having dialog on the JTTF / working with police in Portland:
http://www.archive.org/details/PortlandHumanRightsMeetingWithJttfTaskForce1511
There was good public comment in this presentation
And good info from the ACLU
And good questions by the Human Right Commission
The FBI and the US DA gave their side;
Like a bucket with holes ...they tried to make their logic and position look worth while
Message From Coffee Strong G.I. Coffe House
Coffee Strong is a veteran-owned and veteran-operated coffee shop outside of Fort Lewis, Washington, which since 2008 has provided a comfortable and safe atmosphere for veterans to share their experiences and find out about resources available to them.
September 2010 Interview with Member of Coffee Strong Coffeehouse
Coffee Strong provides free coffee, internet, concerts, movie screenings and other events to active-duty military personnel and their families, and acts as a meeting place for various organizations and support groups. It provides a place for veterans to socialize and relax in a safe atmosphere that also allows them to feel comfortable in seeking help if necessary.
In the past year, Coffee Strong has provided the following resources for the GI / veteran community:
Free, confidential counseling by a licensed therapist who is a veteran of Iraq;
G.I. rights counseling and advocacy for active-duty service members on Fort Lewis;
Weekly veterans' benefit assistance by experienced Veteran Service Officers.
Access to information and resources available to veterans within the local community; The New Website Coffee Strong for updates and connections to assistance.
Coffee Strong also acts as a hub for veteran activism, providing a place for interested veterans to speak out about the realities of the wars, address veteran issues, and pursue social change. Modeled on similar GI coffeehouses during the Vietnam War, it is a place where all veterans can feel free to share their opinions without fear.
These are difficult times for businesses to survive, especially nonprofits. Coffee Strong needs your help in order to continue to provide much needed resources to our soldiers and veterans.
Take action now to Stop the Jordan Cove LNG terminal
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is currently accepting public comments on the application to dredge Coos Bay in order to accommodate the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal. The amount of material that they propose to dredge out of the Coos Bay estuary would fill the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena nearly 14 times! Help us reach the goal of submitting 500 comments to the Department of State Lands asking them to deny the application from Port of Coos Bay for massive dredging to accommodate the Jordan Cove LNG terminal.
Follow this link to our action page for an easy way to send a comment.
weagreenolng.org
nocaliforniapipeline.com
KS Wild's Action page
Veterans for Peace Forum and B Media Collective
Monthly Public Access program, "Veterans for Peace Forum," hosted by VFP,Chapter 72 member and Vietnam veteran, Dan Shea.
Veterans for Peace Forum airs live on the fourth Saturday of every month from 7:00 - 8:00 on channel 11, featuring interviews and discussions regarding community efforts to end war.
The November program featured two members of the Portland B Media Collective. The guests discussed projects in the local area as well as their experiences in Venezuela, providing a few video clips of their work.
This program is produced through the facilities of Metro East Community Media by Kellie La Bonty.
VFP Forum Featuring B Media
Thurston County (WA) imposes 12-month moratorium on biomass permits!
On Tuesday, Thurston County Commissioners imposed an emergency 12-month moratorium on biomass permits. This could spell the death of the Evergreen State College's forest-destroying gasification plant!
The County Commissioners will use this extra year to research the environmental consequences of using biomass (destroyed forests) for energy. Evergreen needs to enter a contract to build the facility by June 2011 to receive a $3.7 million grant from the state, but likely cannot do so if it has not received permits from the county.
While Thurston County is safe (for the next year) from dirty biomass energy, neighboring Mason County may not be so lucky. Engineers at the Olympia Regional Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) recently recommended approval of air pollution permits for the Adage biomass incinerator in Shelton, WA, despite health, safety, and ecological concerns and strong opposition from local and regional citizens. Since the engineers recommended approval, the public now has 40 days to comment on the recommendation (available at www.orcaa.org). There are also two public hearings on the Adage incinerator, scheduled for January 31st at 1 pm and 6 pm at the Shelton Civic Center (525 W. Cota St.).
Olympia Rising Tide is a member of Rising Tide North America. Rising Tide North America (RTNA) is a decentralized network of groups and individuals organizing against the root causes of climate change.
http://risingtidenorthamerica.org
Rally Against Animal Torture at OHSU
This is a rally against the animal killing done at OHSU. It has been excused time and time again all for "in the name of science", but shall not be excused anymore! Come out with ADL and show your support for those without a voice as we stand against OHSU and their murdering ways!
WHEN: January 7th, 2011 @ 12:00pm
WHERE: OHSU Campus, 3118 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, Or.
Near the Tram Entrance. Do NOT Park on OHSU Campus.
THEME: Street Theatre Funeral Procession and Demo.
Please Wear ALL Black.
More details for exact location will be updated in the very near future!
www.pdxanimaldefenseleague.org
http://www.ohsukillsprimates.com
Video: Police Fire Medical - helping the homeless - Portland 12.19.10
A short film of a man who appears to be homeless, who was soon surrounded by police, fire and Chiers detox workers. I video taped the interaction. This was in filmed in downtown Portland, near Pioneer Square.
It does seem like a lot of city agencies were involved, but the man was not hurt, nor arrested, and he ended up getting some shelter services. It looks like someone may of even gave him something to eat.
At the end of the video: I ask one of the cops what happened, he takes a long look at my press pass and then briefly explains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FcC4x6KfCs
homepage: http://www.joe-anybody.com
Video: Portland Human Rights Committee - December Meeting
December 2 2010 meeting of The Portland Human Rights Committee
A 75 minute video of the public meeting. This video was filmed at the monthly meeting for the Portland Human Rights Committee
Meetings are usually held at their N Portland office, this meeting was held in NE Portland
http://www.archive.org/details/PortlandHumanRightsCommittiee12.2.10
I have archived past videos from the Human Rights Committee previous meetings in Portland here:
http://www.joe-anybody.com/id125.html
Video: Canadian Tar Sands and the Heavy Haul
Public Access program, "A Growing Concern," featuring information regarding the ongoing resistance to Tar Sands oil production in Alberta Canada and the transportation of large pieces of mining and refining equipment from the west coast to Alberta Canada.
[Video:] A Growing Concern: Tar Sands and the Heavy Haul
Michael O'Leary, Oregon Representative for the National Wildlife Federation discusses Tar Sands and why this is a bad deal for Oregonians, the country and the planet. Featured in the program are short videos on the subject taken from the internet from various website sources.
These websites include:
Northern Rockies Rising Tide
Two Websites opposing the Heavy Haul
Fighting Goliath
All Against the Haul
What are the Tar Sands?
"The 'Tar Sands' (or if you are a business executive, 'unconventional or heavy oil') are naturally occurring deposits of petroleum, sand and clay mixed up to make an asphalt-like substance technically known as bitumen. For much of the 20th century, these deposits were largely ignored by oil companies as a source of petroleum due to the comparably inefficient process used to turn bitumen-in-the-ground into gasoline-in-the-tank, if you will. Now, because of dwindling production of conventional petroleum sources since the cresting of Hubbert's predicted peak oil scenario, every major oil company in the world is now investing in tar sand extraction."
"The KMT is a requested project by ExxonMobile to transport large pieces of mining and refining equipment from factories in South Korea to the tar sand operations in Alberta, Canada. The equipment will travel by sea to the Port of Portland, Oregon where it will be transferred onto barges. The barges will carry the loads up the Columbia and Snake rivers to the Port of Lewiston, Idaho. In Lewiston the "modules" (as the cargo is being called by Exxon) will be transferred to truck-trailers for their final journey overland. These trucks will move their loads across northern Idaho and western Montana on their way to Alberta."
A.L.F.-Raided Fur Farm Confirmed Closed by Anonymous Tipster
From Voice of the Voiceless
An anonymous tipster reports the Animal Liberation Front-raided Ide Fur Farm is now closed.
Good news for Christmas: an anonymous Christmas tree shopper finds no animals and empty sheds at the Ide Christmas tree / mink farm in Illinois.
Earlier this month, Voice of the Voiceless reported on how to visit a fur farm legally
(see: "How To Visit a Fur Farm ? Without Being the A.L.F."). The article covered several mink farms that also operate cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the property and (possibly) get a close look at a mink farm - without being the Animal Liberation Front.
One anonymous Christmas tree shopper read the Voice of the Voiceless article, visited the Ide Christmas Tree Farm (also the site of the Ide Fur Farm), and submitted an anonymous report.
Their findings: The Ide Fur Farm is closed.
Fire Frashour campaign hold press conference for Darryel Ferguson
The Fire Frashour campaign in association with Rose City Copwatch held a press conference concerning Darryel Ferguson outside the Multnomah County Justice Center. Ferguson was shot and killed by Portland police last Friday. Portland, OR, 20/12/2010.
Darryel Dwayne Ferguson, 46, was shot and killed by 2 officers outside his apartment, number 201 of the Ventura Park Plaza on the corner of Southeast Burnside and 122nd Avenue. Reportedly he pulled a replica handgun on the officers who were called to the building following complaints of a threatening neighbour.
16 Shots were counted by neighbour Shawn Bartmess who said in a report, "I believe in law enforcement, that they are here to protect us, but 16 shots in such close quarters, with a child in the apartment, seems excessive."
The conference today addressed the question concerning the fact that according to early reports, Ferguson was seeking to protect his family from an aggressive neighbour, not realising police were at the door.
Kathryn Cates, a representative for the campaign stated in accordance with the aforementioned that, "If so, then it seems the police resorted to force where none was necessary and did not even attempt to de-escalate the situation. The cops handling of this incident showed a reckless disregard for the safety of Ferguson, his family, his neighbours, and in short anyone besides the police themselves. The cops seem paranoid about their own safety and utterly indifferent to the safety of the public."
The campaign, originally aimed at Officer Ronald Frashour who shot and killed Aaron Campbell, has decided to continue with the 'Fire Frashour' Campaign as they expect his reinstatement after his arbitration. Mayor of Portland Sam Adams and Police Chief Mike Reese decide to terminate his contract on November 17th over the Campbell incident.
Aaron Campbell was shot in the back January 29th 2010 with an AR-15 by Officer Frashour whilst surrendering to the police.
Reportedly, the November 2010 issue of the Portland Police Association's (PPA) newsletter, titled 'The Rap Sheet' consisted of any essay stating that police departments should 'reward aggression', specifically urging police to use their firearms as opposed to other methods to dissipate situations.
Peace rally to condemn Pioneer Square bomb Plot
A Peace Solidarity rally was held in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square. Called for by the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center and the Muslim community of Corvallis, it condemned the 'heinous' Christmas tree lighting bomb plot. Portland, USA 19/12/2010.
Community members gathered on a cold afternoon downtown Portland to condemn what they call a heinous act, referring to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony bomb plot orchestrated by the FBI with Mohamed Osman Mohamud at 5:40pm November 26th.
They were also speaking out against all other terrorist attacks.
Speakers included;
Sara O Connell
Sam Adams (Unable to attend due to illness)
Amanda Fritz, Commissioner of City of Portland
Allan Orr Tigard Police Chief
Mr. David Leslie, Executive Director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Rabbi Michael Cahana, Senior Rabbi, Beth Israel
Sr. Mollie Reavis, SNJM, Institute for Christian Understanding
Jim Kennedy, Japanese American Citizens League
Rabbi Joey Wolfe, Havurah Shalom
Rev. Bill Sinkford, First Unitarian Church of Portland
Mohamed Siala, Director Islamic Center of Corvallis
Laurie Childers
homepage: http://www.alexmilantracy.com
Video: Responding to Violence With Unity
On Sunday afternoon, December 19, 2010, the local Portland community Rallied in Pioneer Square to condemn acts of violence and support the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center and the Muslim community of Corvallis, who have recent suffered acts of terrorism at their mosque.
Both Muslims and Non-Muslims were invited to attend and stand up next to each other, showing unity and solidarity against any form of violence against anyone, regardless of faith, race, nationality or gender.
Each spoke of the need for love and unity, and as emphasized by Hajji Mikal Hammad Shabazz, director of the Oregon Islamic Chaplains Organization, standing for Justice, rather than merely opposing injustice.
Speakers on hand were from the Portland City government, the Jewish and Christian Communities, the Tigard Police Department and the Japanese-American Citizens League.
[Video:] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en6POXgV4eU
Being Subpeonaed by the FBI for Visiting Israel and Palestine
Being subpeonaed by the FBI to appear before a Grand Jury for the act of visiting Israel and Palestine...Sarah Smith statement at December 6 Press Conference, Chicago:
Friday morning, December 3, I received a phone call from an FBI agent. He asked if I had about 30 minutes to sit down and speak with him so he could ask me some questions. I asked about what and he said he "was not at liberty to discuss it." I then asked if I needed a lawyer present and he said it was up to me but that I was not in any trouble and that they just had a few questions. He then said that it had to deal with the trip I took this summer. He then emphasized, "I think you know which one I'm talking about."
The trip I took last summer was to Israel and Palestine. I am Jewish and wanted to see first hand what life is like for Israelis and Palestinians.I went with 2 Palestinian-American friends. You would think Jews and Palestinians going together to visit Israel and Palestine is something the U.S. government would encourage. Instead, we are now being ordered by the FBI to go before a Grand Jury for going on that trip.
http://www.windycitizen.com
http://www.stopFBI.net
Portland Fruit Tree Project announces expanded Fruit Tree Stewardship programs
This is an announcement of Portland Fruit Tree Project's 2011 Fruit Tree Stewardship and includes opportunities for interested individuals to get involved. Portland Fruit Tree Project (PFTP) is a non-profit organization that increases equitable access to healthy food and strengthens communities by empowering neighbors to share in the bounty and care of city-grown food resources. We register fruit and nut trees throughout the city, bring people together to harvest and distribute thousands of pounds of fresh fruit each year, and teach tree care and food preservation in hands-on workshops.
http://www.portlandfruit.org
In 2011, PFTP will continue to expand its year-round Fruit Tree Stewardship programs. The goals of this program are to increase the health and abundance of registered fruit trees through volunteer-powered tree care services, and to engage tree owners and interested community members in hands-on opportunities to build skills and knowledge in fruit tree care. To accomplish these goals, we will offer an expanded series of Tree Care Workshops, and our unique Tree Care Teams program, now in its second year! More details below...
Beekeepers call for immediate ban on CCD-linked pesticide
On December 8, Pesticide Action Network and Beyond Pesticides joined beekeepers from around the country in calling on EPA to pull a neonicotinoid pesticide linked with Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) off the market immediately. Our call is based on a leaked EPA memo that discloses a critically flawed scientific study, thus suggesting there may be imminent hazards to honeybees posed by continued use of clothianidin, the pesticide in question. Several issues are at play: poorly conducted science, a broken regulatory system that puts chemicals on the market before testing them, lack of transparency and, most critically, the survival of honeybees and commercial beekeepers.
CCD is the name given to the mysterious decline of honeybee populations across the world beginning around 2006. Each winter since, one-third of the U.S. honeybee population has died off or disappeared. CCD is likely caused by a combination of pathogens, the stresses of industrial beekeeping, loss of habitat and more. But many scientists believe that sublethal pesticide exposures are a critical co-factor potentiating this mix. In the U.S., agencies are focused on research, trying to quantify these risks. In Germany, Italy and France, they decided they knew enough to take action years ago, banning suspect neonicotinoid pesticides. Bee colonies there are recovering and beekeepers here are outraged.
Learn more >> Fact Sheet on Clothianidin & CCD
http://www.panna.org/sites/default/files/Clothianidin&CCD_Backgrounder.pdf
http://www.panna.org
Eric McDavid Update
Dear friends, On Wednesday, December 8, the 9th circuit court of appeals denied Eric's request for a rehearing en banc. This was, in effect, Eric's last available option in the appeals process (other than appealing to the extremely conservative supreme court). Hope has proven to be a fleeting, evasive creature throughout this whole process. Many of us knew better than to fall for its seductive overtures. But hearts are so often blind to what our minds know to be truth - even when we knew what the outcome would be, our hearts had trouble letting go. We wanted Eric out here, with us. Free to wander in ancient forests, to play in the swirling, roaring ocean. To live outside a cage. But now, whatever traces of hope may have remained have been scattered in the wind. And so, his struggle continues.
Eric would like to send his sincerest thanks to all of you. Your letters, your songs, your donations, your words of encouragement have kept Eric and his loved ones inspired and strong. Keep it coming! Eric has a long road ahead of him, but with your love and support he will press on. He remains strong in heart and mind. And he knows that dreams can never be caged.
http://www.supporteric.org
The Largest Food Not Bombs ever! Discussion & Thoughts.
The 2010 Hempstead Food Share Bonanza was the largest Food Not Bombs ever and the largest vegan Thanksgiving ever! On that day over 30,000 pounds of food was shared with thousands of people, and Long Island Food Not Bombs followed this with nearly a dozen consecutive Thanksgiving events throughout the rest of the week, sharing a total of nearly 55,000 pounds of groceries in 5 days!
For more information, pictures, videos and to share your thoughts please check out Long Island Food Not Bombs
The 2010 Hempstead Food Share Bonanza was the largest Food Not Bombs ever and the largest vegan Thanksgiving ever! On that day over 30,000 pounds of food was shared with thousands of people, and Long Island Food Not Bombs followed this with nearly a dozen consecutive Thanksgiving events throughout the rest of the week, sharing a total of nearly 55,000 pounds of groceries in 5 days! It was solidarity, it was incredible and it was inspiring. So we invite you to learn more about what happened, watch videos, see photos, read thoughts, see our special thanks, check out media coverage and share your thoughts. What the 2010 Thanksgiving Bonanza Looked Like: At 1:30pm a caravan of nearly 40 vehicles overflowing with groceries, hot vegan meals, clothing, books and other goodies pulled into the Hempstead Train Station parking lot and was greeted by hundreds of excited community members.
A line of vehicles stretched across the quarter mile lot. One car at a time would pull up, hundreds of volunteers would help unload it, that car would pull away, another would pull up in its place and the unloading process would start all over again. After about 45 minutes of this we were ready to begin [cont...]
www.lifnb.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3100
|
__label__cc
| 0.61377
| 0.38623
|
107 Newtown Road
Suite 1D
11 Route 37
New Fairfield Commons
New Fairfield, CT 06812
Thomas W. Fowler
181 Beach Rd
Salisbury, MA 01952
Contact Chief’s Office
Emergency Dial . . 911
Alternate Emergency
Citizen Complaint or Commendation Procedure
Salisbury Police Officers attend Swearing-in of Chief King
Stratham, NH-6 May 19- Stratham Town offices, Selectman swear in the new Chief of Police Anthony J. King
Parking Enforcement begins 1 MAY 2019
5 MAY 19- Parking enforcement for the beach commerical district has commenced on 1 May 2019
Please pay attention to where you are parked and use the correct kiosk (to the closest location from where you parked).
Any questions, concerns or complaints contact Sgt Kelley.
We enforce ALL parking rules and regulations
Please be aware of the corner law (20 feet) from any corner of an intersection.
Salisbury Police Receive State Funding for Seatbelt Grant
Salisbury, MA – 5 May 2019-The Salisbury Police Department received grant funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to increase seat belt enforcement patrols as part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign taking place May 13th-June 2nd. Salisbury Police will be joined by Massachusetts State Police and up to 140 other local departments in this high-visibility enforcement effort designed to reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries.
“Reducing the number of people who are needlessly injured or killed in our community is our priority,” said Chief Fowler. These funds allow us to put more patrols in high crash locations and stress the importance of buckling up to motorists who are unbuckled.”
The seat belt use rate rose significantly to 81.6 percent in Massachusetts last year, but it still lags well behind the national average of 89.7 percent, according to the state’s annual seat belt observation study.
Sixty-two percent of the 207 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts in 2017 were unrestrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Seatbelts saved an estimated 61 lives in Massachusetts in 2017, and an additional 45 deaths could have been prevented if seatbelt usage was at 100 percent.
The current Massachusetts Seat Belt Law requires all motor vehicle occupants to be properly restrained by seat belts when riding in private or commercial vehicles, including vans and trucks. Fines begin at $25 per violation. The Massachusetts Enhanced Child Passenger Safety Law requires children riding as passengers in motor vehicles to be in a federally-approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured until they are 8 years old or over 57 inches tall. Children older than 8 years or taller than 57 inches must wear seat belts.
Massachusetts has more than 230 inspection sites where parents and caregivers can have their child’s car seat checked for free to ensure it is properly installed. Visit mass.gov/carseats for a map and listing of all inspection sites.
Please ask our department’s public information officer about the use of seat belts in all crashes being reported on and include in any coverage.
Distracted or impaired crashes are not “accidents”. We urge media to follow AP Stylebook, which suggests avoiding the word “accident” in reference to negligent or impaired driving crashes.
Flag Drop Off Box
Salisbury, MA- 1 May 10. Salisbury Police Station now has an “old flag” drop off box located at the front of the station adjacent to the front entrance.
The box was donated by the U.S. Post Office and was refurbished for free by DeLuca Auto on Elm Street.
Please place all of your old and worn out flags in the box for proper disposal.
Salisbury Police Awarded Grant to Enhance Pedestrian & Bicyclist Safety
Salisbury, MA.-1 March 2019- SPD was recently awarded a grant from EOPSS/OGR/HSD to improve traffic safety on all local roads for pedestrians and bicyclists.
In total, $700,000 was awarded to 93 police department’s across the Commonwealth.
In Massachusetts, the rate of pedestrians killed and injured is above the national average. Pedestrians represent more than 20% of all traffic fatalities!
Under the grant, departments will pay for overtime enforcement to increase compliance w/ traffic laws by all road users. Departments are also eligible to purchase educational materials, bicycle helmets and other safety items to help enhance pedestrian & bicyclist visibility at night.
According to NHTSA, 94% of crashes can be tied back to human choice or error! We urge the medial to follow the AP Stylebook which suggests avoiding the use of the word “accident” in reference to distracted, negligent, or imparied crashes
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 section 11 states, “Motorists MUST yield, slow or stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk who is on the same half of the roadway as the vehicle, or approaching from opposite half of the way and within 10 feet of the vehicles lane.”
Furthermore, "Even if the traffic control signal indicates that the vehicle may proceed (on a green light) the driver may NOT enter a marked crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing. "
Salisbury Police Officers will be enforcing all pedestrian crosswalk violations! We will be out in force conducting surveillance and patrol deployments to stop and identify violators.
Just a note…ANY pedestrian standing inside the lines of a crosswalk (at any time) regardless if they are “looking” at you or not- means you MUST stop!
DATA LINKS:
GHSA Drug Impaired Driving – Marijuana and Opioids Raise Critical Issues for States
What You Need to Know About Marijuana Use and Driving
Does Marijuana Use Affect Driving?
The Effect of Cannabis Compared with Alcohol on Driving
“Driving with a Marijuana High: How Dangerous Is It?”
NEWS REGARDING LICENSE TO CARRY
Basic Firearms Safety Course
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3107
|
__label__cc
| 0.689011
| 0.310989
|
Category Archives: SPPI eWire 10/26/2007
“An Examination of the Impacts of Global Warming on the Chesapeake Bay”
By Staff | September 25, 2007
Today’s hearing is on the impact global warming is having on the Chesapeake Bay. It is also this Committee’s 14th hearing on global warming. It was my hope that we would begin having hearings and discussions on actual bill language so that Members can begin to understand the intricate details of how many of the ideas mentioned today… Read More »
SPPI eWire 10/26/2007
The Soros Threat To Democracy
Democracy: George Soros is known for funding groups such as MoveOn.org that seek to manipulate public opinion. So why is the billionaire’s backing of what he believes in problematic? In a word: transparency.
Study – Farms Fuel Frog Deformities
Frog-deforming infections caused by tiny parasites are increasing because of North American farms’ nutrient-rich watershed, a new study shows.
Unbelievably Disgraceful Global Warming Hysteria by the AP
The political battle over climate change has clearly taken a dramatic turn for the worse this month, for it now seems media are actually competing to see which outlet can present the most hysterical report concerning imminent planetary doom at the hands of manmade global warming.
Peabody charges NY politicizes carbon disclosure
NEW YORK, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Coal producer Peabody Energy Corp (BTU.N: Quote, Profile, Research) accused New York Attorney-General Andrew Cuomo on Monday of politicizing the issue of carbon emission disclosure.
NASA’s Hansen Playing Enron Accounting Games With Climate Data?
Since NASA’s James Hansen finally released computer codes related to how climate data are collected and adjusted, anthropogenic global warming skeptics around the world have been waiting to see what a scientific examination of this information would produce.
New York Subpoenas 5 Energy Companies
Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has opened an investigation of five large energy companies, questioning whether their plans to build coal-fired power plants pose undisclosed financial risks that their investors should know about.
Should Laurie David’s new kids book be renamed “An Inconvenient Error?”
WorldNetDaily reported yesterday that a new children’s book on global warming by Hollywood activist Laurie David makes a critical scientific error in its attempt to demonstrate evidence for catastrophic climate change. Fortunately, there’s a new book out for kids that gets the science right.
Twisting Science to Fit the Global Warming Template
By Staff | August 9, 2007
The global warming crowd does not take kindly to being contradicted, either by critics or data. Of course, critics can be defamed and data can be skewed. But unless the critics can be silenced, they can fight back and expose phony data. When it begins to look like predictions of doom are not turning out sufficiently catastrophic, a… Read More »
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3115
|
__label__cc
| 0.51842
| 0.48158
|
Truth, Justice, and Ferguson
by Anthony Castle | in Editorials | Thu, 9 October 2014
The story of Ferguson, an image of small town USA torn apart, unfolded through the media in increasing complexity. First, there were the tragic reports of a black, unarmed teenager shot six times, twice in the head, by a white police officer. Then, the shocking scenes of grieving demonstrators being attacked by police with tear gas, rubber bullets, and armored tanks were televised. Commentary then detailed how Ferguson consists of a predominantly lower class black community living under a predominantly white police force and political representation. Some analysis considered it a class struggle, an eruption of the desperation and anger that arises from poverty. The story of Ferguson became a complex one of militarized policing, systemic racism, and growing inequality.
Then we saw Superman.
Images surfaced of a man running the streets of Ferguson dressed as Superman. Michael Wheeler, 63 years old, claimed he wore the costume in order to promote peace. As someone continually fascinated by the character of Superman as an image of American social justice, I found myself asking ‘how might Superman have actually helped respond to the complex injustice of Ferguson?’
Well, the suggestion that Superman might have saved Michael Brown’s life is a sour one. Not only does invoking comic book messiahs feel disrespectful to the boy’s memory, but even if Superman did intervene, no superhero could save every unarmed victim of racial profiling and police violence. What of John Crawford, Oscar Grant, Jonathan Ferrell or Ezell Ford? Instead, I wondered if Superman could address some of the unjust causes of the consequent unrest. Could Superman disarm every police officer in the area without risking escalation in the process? Could Superman review the 10-33 program that had resulted in police acquiring surplus military equipment? Could Superman establish racial quotas for representation in policing and politics in Missouri? Could Superman engineer an economic policy to reverse the growing income inequality that has destabilised communities since the 1970s? Could Superman have done anything in Ferguson?
Well, no. I suspect Superman would feel rather helpless in Ferguson.
I know a little of how that helplessness feels. I lived for a few months as one of a handful of white people in an impoverished African American community in the South. I experienced firsthand the dynamics of a predominantly white police force, armed and sometimes armoured, operating in a predominantly black area. In a neighbourhood where gunfights broke out at a moment’s notice, my neighbours consequently digging bullets from their front doors, a police presence still wasn’t always welcome. The children feared the police who were associated with arrests, shootings, and with families disrupted by child protection interventions. The police, and the majority of authority figures in culture and governance, represented a systemic racism where power was divided along racial lines. Class seemed similarly divided. This was evident when hanging out on the porch with the local kids. These children wore torn t-shirts and lived off mac and cheese, sharing a mattress on the floor with their siblings, all the while knowing that pristine middleclass suburbia and the towers of corporate downtown were just a few miles away. On the occasion that I met people outside of the neighborhood, the notion of a white Australian living in the American ghetto often piqued curiosity. Many were surprised, even shocked at what I had seen, but some were skeptical. So I told stories, stories of armed cops, unarmed kids, racism and crushing poverty.
And the stories often changed people’s minds. There’s a reason Ferguson police confiscated recording equipment and journalists were threatened and arrested. In instances of ignorance and prejudice, reporting can certainly change people’s thinking. Consider the murder of unarmed civil rights demonstrator Jimmie Lee Jackson by police in 1965. When demonstrators marched from Selma to protest Jackson’s death and advocate for voting reform they were stopped by state troopers and attacked with clubs and tear gas. The scenes of that day, Bloody Sunday, were reported on television and pricked the nation’s conscience. The US Congress passed the Voting Rights Act that year. In Selma, Ferguson, and elsewhere, stories, told by journalists, can change the minds of a nation.
Now, for those of us making comic books, we don’t report the news. While sequential art narrative is not bound by any particular narrative parameters, it isn’t too much of a stretch to state that the majority of funny books tell fictional stories within fantastic genres. When Umberto Eco asked “why does he (Superman) not go to liberate six hundred million Chinese from the yoke of Mao?”, he didn’t realize that Superman’s forays into reality had been tried and found wanting.1 When Siegel and Shuster had Superman single handedly apprehended Adolph Hitler and Josef Stalin in What If Superman Ended the War? the result felt rather silly. More recently, David Goyer’s story in Action Comics #900 portrayed Superman renouncing his American citizenship after becoming involved in peaceful protests in Tehran, an idea alternately accused of being boring or outrageous. When we imagine Superman directly responding to the injustices and conflicts of our all too real world, it becomes apparent that no show of strength could resolve these situations and the final product is either insulting or lackluster. The graphic novel Superman: Peace on Earth, by Paul Dini and Alex Ross, where the Last Son of Krypton fails to address world hunger is a fine demonstration of the character’s limitations. Superheroes work best when employed as fantastic avatars, exploring radical ideas and responding to the ills of our status quo, cleverly dressed in metaphor and subtext.
There are important Superman stories to be told in response to Ferguson, however, precisely because where the Man of Steel might fail, a mild mannered reporter can succeed. When some of our superheroes are billionaires and playboys, the 1% so to speak, we can realize the significance of secret identities with journalistic day jobs (in Ferguson, Lois Lane, Vicki Vale and Iris West might be more useful than their respective heroes). Superman is unique in this respect because as a bulletproof journalist from a small town, Clark Kent is able to report the events, critique injustice and expose the untruths of a complex situation like Ferguson. If comics are to consider the militarization of police, systemic racism and growing inequality in America (and they bloody well should), then perhaps we don’t just need superheroes as much as we need journalists. Perhaps we need stories of small town USA torn apart, writ large enough in mythic metaphor so that our favorite ubermensch can fight for justice, yet also real enough that a reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper can tell us the tragic truths we so often need to know. This isn’t just a job for Superman.
This looks like a job for Clark Kent.
* Ferguson in October, October 10-13, is a weekend of demonstration and activism facilitated by Hands Up United, Organization for Black Struggle and Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment. Ferguson in October is a nationwide movement against police violence.
For more information, see fergusonoctober.com
1: Eco, U, Chilton, N. The Myth of Superman, Diacritics, Vol. 2, No. 1
(Spring 1972), The John Hopkins University Press, pp. 22.
Tagged Alex Ross, Ferguson, race and ethnicity, racism, Superman. Bookmark the permalink.
RSS feed for Anthony Castle
@A_N_Castle
Anthony N. Castle is an author who has penned prose, storyboarded picture books, and contributes to the Australian Comics Journal. He co-wrote the indie feature film Justice Squad (a mockumentary about dysfunctional superheroes), but his first love is writing comic books. He is the writer of the comic anthology Dead Ends: Fables of Loss and Mortality, created with artist Chadwick Ashby. Anthony lives with his wife in Adelaide, Australia, and works as a copywriter and a journalist for a non-profit organisation. His first job involved medical experimentation and eating radioactive hamburgers for money. Check out Anthony's website.
See more, including free online content, on Anthony Castle's author page.
Gunning for Hits #1: Image Comics and Power and Responsibility
An Open Letter to Guys
Why Latinx Superheroes Matter: An Interview with Eisner Nominee Frederick Luis Aldama
Alan Moore’s Marvelman, Part 1: From the Ashes of Obscurity…
Politics, Power, and the Black Panther: A Commentary
Larry Nevin Should Never Have Been Taken Seriously, or Why the Super Sons Matter
Remembering and Celebrating Superman II – The Richard Donner Cut
The Early Superman
Mister Mxyzptlk and the Dilemma of Drawing in Five Dimensions
Hidden Figures: An Old-Fashioned Feel-Good Movie that Teaches
Professor Nancy Wang Yuen on Her Career, Pop-Culture Studies, and Her Book, Reel Inequality
Doomsday, the 90′s, and Comic Book Innocence
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3121
|
__label__cc
| 0.675766
| 0.324234
|
Luciano Pavarotti : Celebrity Addresses
The community has reported that this celebrity has died.
Be extremely sensitive of this if you decide to write to these addresses.
Celebrity death reported by: brackattack 3, 13
Date deceased: 09/06/2007
Comments: AP) Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high C's and ebullient showmanship made him one of the world's most beloved tenors, has died, his manager told The Associated Press. He was 71. His manager, Terri Robson, told the AP in an e-mail statement that Pavarotti died at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5 a.m. local time Thursday. Pavarotti had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and underwent further treatment in August.
Reported as outdated on 09/06/2007 by jolie77 109, 461
Comments: Sadly Luciano Pavarotti has passed away...A legend!
941 Via Giardini 41040
Saliceta Guiliano
Modena,
Posted by: wozzyhonk 193, 371 on 03/06/2008
Looks Authentic (but not sure) 1/1/2006 1/1/2008
Notes: Got back a signed photo of him on his latest LP
⇒ Submit an address for Luciano Pavarotti
⇒ Request an updated address for Luciano Pavarotti (deceased)
⇒ Setup email alerts for Luciano Pavarotti.
⇒ Report Luciano Pavarotti is deceased (Already reported)
Add a private personal diary entry for Luciano Pavarotti
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3135
|
__label__wiki
| 0.800145
| 0.800145
|
Friends 2002 -
(프렌즈)is a Feb. 4, 2002 - Feb. 5, 2002 TBS) / Feb. 15 - Feb. 16, 2002 MBC) TV series directed by Nobuhiro Doi,
Hogu's Love (Korean Drama - 2015) -
(호구의 사랑)is a February 9, 2015 -- TV series directed by Pyo Min-Soo South Korea.PlotHo-Goo ( Choi Woo-Sik ) has never dated in his life. He runs into his first love Do-Hee ( Uee ). She is
Freedom Fighter, Lee Hoe Young (Special Drama)
Details Title: 자유인 이회영 / Jayuin Lee Hoe Young Also known as: Freedom Fighter, Lee Hoe Young Genre: Historical Episodes: 4 Broadcast network: KBS1 Broadcast period: 2010-Aug-29 to TBA Air time: Saturday & Sunday 21:40 Synopsis A four-part drama produced for the 100th anniversary of the occupation of Korea by Japan. Freedom Fighter, Lee Hoe Young will be the third and final installment of a series of dramas by KBS that focus on noblesse oblige and famous inviduals who sacrificed much to provide for their fellow countrymen. Lee Hoe Young was an independence fighter who donated his savings and started a school for soldiers and scholars in China, but was later captured and tortured by the Japanese. Kimura Junpei is a Japanese reporter that he meets. ..
Flowers for My Life (꽃 찾으러 왔단다 / I Came in Search of a Flower)
May 14 - July 3, 200
Na hana loves money more than anything. she left her home town for seoul. She decided that the only way she could be with money is to marry a rich man who will die soon. She soon meets yoon ho sang, a young man who is a poor, troublemaker, and also loves money, but is in diguise of a very rich man who died. these two meet and soon love sparks but yoon ho sang has a serious cancer problem which he first lied to a man who he owes money to...
Grandpas Over Flowers Investigation Team
May 9 - July 25, 2014
(꽃할배 수사대)is a May 9 - July 25, 2014 TV series directed by Kim Jin-Young(tvN Episodes 12) South Korea.PlotYoung detectives, who suddenly change to 70-year-old men, struggle to regain their young bodies...
Flower Boy Ramyun Shop (Korean Drama 2011)
October 31, 2011 -- December 20,2011
(꽃미남 라면가게)is a October 31, 2011 -- December 20,2011 TV series directed by Jung Jung-Hwa(tvN Episodes 16) South Korea.PlotCha Chi-Soo ( Jung Il-Woo ) is the only son for a family that owns Korea's largest food conglomerate named Chasung. Chi-Soo comes back from New York without telling his father. He looks for a place that his father would not know about, but it isn't easy to hide from his dad. Chi-Soo hears that one of his friends works a part-time job in the Norangjin area. When he arrives there he is followed by people who works for his father. Chi-Soo rushes into the restroom, but in there is Yang Eun-Bi ( Lee Chung-Ah ). Eventually, Chi-Soo goes home to talk with his father. He persuades his father not to send him back to America and in return Chi-Soo promises to go back to school.Yang Eun-Bi ( Lee Chung-Ah ) is 25-years-old and a senior in college studying physical education. She believes that teaching is the best type of job to hav..
tvN The Pretty Boy Next Door - Flower Boy Next Door
January 7, 2013 --
(이웃집 꽃미남)is a January 7, 2013 -- TV series directed by Jung Jung-Hwa(tvN Episodes 16) South Korea.PlotKo Dok-Mi ( Park Shin-Hye ) lives peacefully in apartment #402 at Ocean Village. She rarely leaves her apartment. Since last fall, Ko Dok-Mi has peeped out her apartment at her neighbor Tae-Joon ( Kim Jung-San ), who lives across from her. Peeping at Tae-Joon has become part of Ko Dok-Mi's daily routine. Her comfortable and peaceful life is shattered, when a group of handsome neighbors appear at her door.Video game designer Enrique Keum ( Yoon Si-Yoon ) just came to Korea from Spain. He lives with Tae-Joon. Oh Jin-Rok ( Kim Ji-Hoon ) lives in apartment #401 with his assistant Dong-Hoon ( Ko Gyung-Pyo ). Oh Jin-Rok is a web comic writer and begins writing his new comic by observing Ko Dok-Mi. There's also Watanabe ( Kouki Mizuta ), who moved next to Ko Dok-Mi.The men has gathered, because Enrique Keum caught Ko Dok-Mi peeping at Tae-Joo..
video source from videoweed
August 18, 2012 --
(다섯손가락)is a August 4, 2012 -- TV series directed by Choi Hyeong-Hun(SBS Episodes 50) South Korea.Plot"Five Fingers" is about young people who each have their own tragedies to overcome and achieve their dreams. A pianist ( Joo Ji-Hoon ) has extraordinary talent, but must overcome his family's tragic history. A drama about youths and written by Kim Soon-ok from "Temptation of Wife". Upcomming drama Five Fingers Viewers are heating up the SBS drama "Five Fingers" bulletin with demands of Ham Eun-jeong stepping down. "Five Fingers" is written by Kim Soon-ok and is about youths with a past recovering from their pain and finding their dreams and love once again. The cast includes Chae Si-ra, Joo Ji-hoon as Yoo Ji-ho the genius pianist and Ji Chang-wook as Yoo In-ha who envies his talents. Ham Eun-jeong was cast for the role of sentimental pianist Hon Da-mi who steals the heart of the two men. However, as T-ara is in a hot spot ..
Flames of Desire / Flames of Desire / Women Only Love Once in a Lifetime
October 2, 2010 - Ma
(욕망의 불꽃)is a October 2, 2010 - April, 2011 TV series directed by Kim Do-Hoon(MBC Episodes 50) South Korea.Plot"Flames of Desire" tells the story of success and devastation of a chaebol family.Kim Min-Jae is the son from a powerful chaebol family. He is the successor for the company, but he is more interested in painting than business.Park Su-Bin is a popular actress, better known under her stage name of Park In-Gi. She has worked in various high profile CF and won several best actress awards. A scandal then occurs between Park In-Gi and Kim Min-Jae, which leads the two to marriage. Park In-Gi's seems to push forwards so she can escape her past and the secret of her birth. She also believes love, fortune, & destruction is only a game. If she wins then she can be happy.Conflict then occurs between Park In-Gi and her mother-in-law Yun-Na-Young ( Shin Eun-Kyung ) - who is obsessed with money. ..
Five Enough / Five Children
February 20, 2016 --
(아이가 다섯)is a February 20, 2016 -- TV series directed by Kim Jung-Kyu South Korea.PlotSang-Tae ( Ahn Jae-Wook ) is left with his two children after his wife passes away. Since that time, he lives with his two kids and parents-in-law. He works as a marketing team leader for a fashion brand.Mi-Jung ( So Yu-Jin ) works as an assistant manager at the same fashion company. 3 years ago, her husband had an affair with her friend and left her. She couldn't tell her kids the truth about their father and lied that their father went to work in America. To this day, the children still believe that their father is in America.Sang-Tae and Mi-Jung never thought about falling in love again, but they fall in love with each other. ..
The Firstborn (Korean Drama - 2013)
video source from tudou
September 14, 2013 --
(맏이)is a September 14, 2013 -- TV series directed by Lee Gwan-Hee(JTBC Episodes 50) South Korea.PlotSet in the 1960's, Young-Sun is the eldest of five siblings. They lost their parents from a young age and she raise her younger siblings to become successful figures...
Prince's First Love / First Love of a Royal Prince
First Love of a Royal Prince ( 황태자의 첫사랑; RR: Hwang-tae-ja-ui Cheot-sa-rang; also known as A Prince's First Love) is a 2004 South Korean television series starring Sung Yu-ri,[1] Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Nam-jin and Jin Jae-young. It aired on MBC from June 23 to August 26, 2004 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 18 episodes. Plot Kim Yu-bin (Sung Yu-ri) is a fun-loving, affable sandwich shop delivery girl who has been harboring a crush on the recipient of her first delivery, Cha Seung-hyun (Kim Nam-jin). Seung-hyun, a well pedigreed and recognized manager of Any Electronics, stands in stark contrast to Choi Gun-hee (Cha Tae-hyun), a spoiled heir skipping out on school in the United States unbeknownst to his father. Yu-bin wins a trip to a ski resort in Japan and decides to visit her friend Shin Ye-seo (Jennie Lee) who works as a guide there, one of several owned by Gun-hee's father. That weekend, Gun-hee sneaks off to the same reso..
Seven First Kisses
A romantic drama of a duty free shop worker meeting seven different men...
Fight (TVN) (맞짱 / Fight)
The drama about men who engage in fights and a deep bond develops between them...
Feast of the Gods
February 4, 2012 --
(신들의 만찬)is a February 4, 2012 -- TV series directed by Lee Dong-Yoon(MBC Episodes 32) South Korea.PlotSet within the backdrop of a traditional royal cuisine restaurant named Arirang, "Feast of the Gods" depicts how two women grow as chefs through competitions with each other....For 15 years, Sung Do-Hee ( Jeon In-Hwa ) and Baek Sul ( Kim Bo-Yeon ) received training to become the master chef and to run the traditional Korean restaurant Arirang. Today is the day, these two will compete for the honor to become master chef. Due to the pressure, Baek Suk burns herself while cooking and loses the competition. Sung Do-Hee becomes the master chef who will run Arirang restaurant. Sung Do-Hee, her husband Ha Young-Beom ( Jeong Dong-Hwan ), their son and daughter Ha In-Joo (later played Sung Yu-Ri ) go on a cruise trip after winning the competition. That evening, her husband Ha Yeong-Beom asks for a divorce, but Sung Do-Hee refuses. While th..
Fermented Family
December 7, 2011 --
(발효가족)is a December 7, 2011 -- February 23, 2012 TV series directed by Park Chan-Hong(jTBC Episodes 24) South Korea.PlotSet within the famous Korean restaurant Chunjiin, known especially for their kimchi dish. Ko Ho-Tae ( Song Il-Guk ), who grew up as an orphan, begins to work at the restaurant.Ho-Tae was abandoned in front of an orphanage when he was only 4 years old. He then left the orphanage at the age of 18 and soon became involved with the mafia. More recently, the #1 crime boss in his group was hospitalized. The #2 man in their crime group begins a loan sharking business. Ho-Tae doesn't like the #2 guy or the loan sharking business.One day, Ho-Tae goes to a western food restaurant where a woman named Kang-San ( Park Jin-Hee ) works. Ho-Tae arrives to meet a man who is in debt to the crime group for a past loan. Ho-Tae warns the man that he has only 2 days left to pay back the loan plus interest. While eating his lunch, he also complains ..
Father, I'll Take Care of You
November 12, 2016 --
(아버님 제가 모실게요)is a November 12, 2016 -- TV series directed by Lee Dae-Young South Korea.PlotAfter their 4 children become independent, an old couple decide to live for themselves. One day, their 4 children come back to them...
Father's House (SBS Korean End of year special Drama)
Title: 아버지의 집 / Ahbeojieui Jip / Father’s House Chinese Title : 父亲的家 Genre: Family Episodes: 2 Broadcast network: SBS Broadcast period: 2009-Dec-28 to 2009-Dec-29 Air time: Monday & Tuesday 20:55 Synopsis The drama begins in 1988 and focuses on the life of Kang Man Ho, a stuntman in his early 30s who has a one night stand with a pianist, Lee Hyun Jae. Man Ho soon has to learn how to take care of his son and become a father who makes sacrifices for his son. ..
Fated To Love You (Korean Drama)
July 2 - September 4, 2014
(운명처럼 널 사랑해)is a July 2 - September 4, 2014 TV series directed by Lee Dong-Yoon,PlotAn ordinary woman happens to spend one night with the successor of a large company. She finds herself being pregnant…....
March 4, 2017 --
(아버지가 이상해)is a March 4, 2017 -- TV series directed by Lee Jae-Sang South Korea.PlotAhn Joong-Hee ( Lee Joon ) is an actor who used to be a member of an idol group. One day, he appears in front of a family who consists Byun Han-Soo and Na Young-Sil and their 4 children including Hye-Young and Mi-Young ( Jung So-Min ). Joong-Hee begins to live wth them. ..
(패션왕)is a March 19, 2012 -- TV series directed by Lee Myung-Woo(SBS Episodes 20) South Korea.Plot"Fashion King" revolves around the world of fashion designers, from start-ups in the Dongdaemun area of Seoul onto world class designers....Young-Gul ( Yoo Ah-In ) makes imitation designer clothes at a small factory and sells them at Dongdaemun Market. He is in bad financial shape.Since Ga-Young's ( Shin Se-Kyung ) parents died in an accident, she is raised by Jo Soon-Hee ( Jang Mi-Hie ), owner and designer at Boutique Jo, which Ga-Young's parents and Jo Soon-Hee started together. Ga-Young lives and works at Boutique Jo. Ga-Young has talent as a designer. While Ga-Young works under Jo Soon-Hee, she applies to a famous design school in New York. Jo Soon-Hee then hides her acceptance letter from her and eventually kicks Jo Soon-Hee kicks out for setting a fire at Boutique Jo, which Ga-Young had nothing to do with. Ga-Young has no place to go ..
Fashion 70s (Korean Drama)
(패션 70's / Pae-syeon 70's)Fashion 70's focused on the lives of four young people, from their childhood during the Korean War, to their careers and love lives within the booming fashion world of the seventies. When Joon Hee was young, she befriends a little girl called Kang Hee, this two girls always get into trouble because of Kang Hee's greedy mother. At the same time, Joon Hee also makes friends with two boys, Dong Young, the son of a military general and Jang Bin. But when North Korean forces invade their town, both girls are separated from their parents and Joon Hee's mother is killed in an explosion. Believing his daughter to have died, Joon Hee's father adopts Kang Hee and raises her as his own daughter. Joon Hee is discovered at an orphanage by Kang Hee's mother, and is also adopted. The trauma of the events causes Joon Hee to block out her childhood memories and she grows up on a small island as Doe Mi, unaware of her true identity...
Family's Honor
October 11, 2008 - A
This drama is of the person knew how to love yourself, wait. Need to love yourself, it's meaning and, believe you can bandeuthaejil contains a story that's a lot of people wait ilgwonaen. Think he done. Jonggaran, fatigue is leading a group of people? It was maybe the family might be another of selfishness? So I put a hidden secret to the birth of the hamangi. Hamangi load of bam is ongui paternity. myeolmunhan drafted when the family in Japanese jongson hajungung ongeun has been dragged back into the body of infertility. raped his wife and his baby, and then hang up her own life. Close slammed the door, but, as atonement for jongbu deoreophin family to disconnect his wife's life. hajungung ongeun was treated as jongbu his dead wife. The birth of a child believed the jongbu jongson. So meokyimyeo dongnyang get wet, raised his son, the birth of the child cursor for his genealogy of the old one have deulchumyeo 'm afraid to talk to the beautiful ..
Fantastic (Korean Drama)
September 2, 2016 --
(판타스틱)is a September 2, 2016 -- TV series directed by Jo Nam-Kook South Korea.PlotStory depicts the romance between So-Hye ( Kim Hyun-Joo ) and Hae-Sung ( Joo Sang-Wook ). So-Hye is a popular TV drama series writer, but she has only 6 months left to live. Hae-Sung is a poplar actor, but he is not good at acting. ..
Couple Or Trouble / Fantasy Couple / Couple Fantasy
October 14 - Decembe
Amnesia becomes the culprit behind a drama of labor extortion under the pretext of love!! Two people as different as night and day, who would never even cross paths under normal circumstances, come together in an outrageous situation and are eventually reborn as a fantastic couple. And the catalyst that brings about the entanglement of this unlikely couple? That most common of all common excuses: amnesia. Three out of every ten protagonists in TV drama shows suffer amnesia, and the heroine of Couple in Trouble is no exception. In this situation, the dashing hero ought naturally to rise to the occasion by taking her in and sheltering her from harm, but... Sorry, not this time. A clichd situation gets a thoroughly new makeover through the use of unique characters. A drama of labor extortion with the heroines memory as hostage. The singular storyline puts a twist on a hackneyed subject, providing fresh and provocative entertainment. < Episode ..
Faith / The Great Doctor
(신의)is a August 13, 2012 -- TV series directed by Kim Jong-Hak(SBS Episodes 24) South Korea.Plot"Faith" shows the love between a warrior from the Goryeo Period and a female doctor from the present day, their love transcending time and space. Lee Min-ho and Kim Soo-hyeon-I melts hearts with action Pretty boys Lee Min-ho, Kim Soo-hyeon-I and Kim Hyun-joong are busy with action practice. Lee Min-ho is about to show action like never seen before in the new SBS drama "Faith". He takes on the role of a Koryo warrior who swings around a sword. His agency Staus Entertainment claimed, "He's been practicing two months before the real thing. He's learnt martial arts before so it wasn't that hard but learning the sword was. He works well with martial arts director Yang Gil-yeong so he's working well. Kim Soo-hyeon-I started building his body since May. Taking on the role of a North spy, Kim is so highly equipped with martial talents that he'..
Falling for Challenge
When you meet the love of your life at a special place, you want that place to be around forever. Ban Ha Na (Kim So Eun) is the president of the college hobby club known as “One Plus One.” She is trying to round up new members for her club. She meets Na Do Jeon (Xiumin), an eccentric student who works part-time dressed up like a Pierrot clown because he genuinely likes to make people laugh. He supports Ha Na’s dream of one day owning a food truck. As Ha Na and Do Jeon fall for each other, can they fight to keep their club from being shut down? “Falling for Challenge” is a 2015 South Korean web drama series directed by Lee Hyung Min. ..
Falling For Innocence (Fall in Love with Soon-Jung)
April 3, 2015 --
(순정에 반하다)is a April 3, 2015 -- TV series directed by Ji Yeong-Su South Korea.PlotMin-Ho's ( Jung Kyoung-Ho ) father ran a large company, but his death led to his uncle taking over the company. Because of this, Min-Ho grows into a cutthroat investor. Min-Ho then undergoes a heart transplant surgery and his personality changes. Thanks to his new heart, he begins to have warm feelings and he falls in love with a woman named Soon-Jung ( Kim So-Yeon ). ..
Everybody Cha Cha Cha/ Jolly Widows
Two women became widows on the same day, same hour. Ha Yoon-jeong becomes the matriarch of the family of her husband. Yoon-jeong supports them because she feels guilty about her husband’s disappearance. Oh Dong-ja, Yoon-jeong’s sister-in-law, has been living with Yoon-jeong’s help as well. After the terrifying day of losing their husbands, the two women have been living as each other’s good companions. However, now they become implacable enemies because of their children! What would happen if their daughters rival each other in love? What would happen if Yoon-jeong’s husband, who everyone thought was dead, appears before them as the future father-in-law of Dong-ja’s son? Could Yoon-jeong and Dong-ja’s relation go back to the good old days?..
May 8, 2015 --
(구여친클럽)is a May 8, 2015 -- TV series directed by Kwon Seok-Jang South Korea.PlotA popular webtooon writer writes about his ex-girlfriends. While his webtoon is being made into a movie, he meets a female film producer...
Displaying 641 to 672 (of 1335 list) Result Pages: [<< Prev] ... 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ... [Next >>]
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3137
|
__label__wiki
| 0.680097
| 0.680097
|
[ HOME ] — [ ESCORT LOGIN ] — [ LINK TO US ] — [ SEARCH ] — [ DIRECTORY ] — [ ESCORT ESTONIA ] — [ BUY A BANNER ] — [ CONTACT US ]
Escort Tallinn - Independent and Agency Escorts in
Tallinn,
Escort Tallinn
SWEET SONATA
TS Alessandra Monique XXXL
Miss Viktoria
SexDoll Merilyn
sexytallinn
Miss Kristell and Mrs Alice
Maarja
VIP PARADISE GIRLS
VipGirls
TutvuMEcom
LEJONA
high-class-escort-Tallinn
male-escort-Tallinn
female-escort-Tallinn
transexual-escort-Tallinn
blonde-hair-escort-Tallinn
brunette-hair-escort-Tallinn
redhead-escort-Tallinn
black-haired-escort-Tallinn
anal-escort-Tallinn
couples-escort-Tallinn
domination-escort-Tallinn
GFE-escort-Tallinn
lapdance-escort-Tallinn
massage-escort-Tallinn
rimming-escort-Tallinn
strapon-escort-Tallinn
threesome-escort-Tallinn
toys-escort-Tallinn
uniforms-escort-Tallinn
watersports-escort-Tallinn
oral-escort-Tallinn
sextoy-escort-Tallinn
groupsex-escort-Tallinn
Tallinn Escorts
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg in Harju County. From the 13th century until 1918, the city was known as Reval. Tallinn occupies an area of and has a population of 445,054. Approximately a third of Estonias total population lives in Tallinn.
Tallinn, first mentioned in 1154, received city rights in 1248, but the earliest human settlements date back 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest capital cities of Northern Europe. The initial claim over the land was laid by the Danes in 1219 after a successful raid of Lyndanisse led by Valdemar II of Denmark, followed by a period of alternating Scandinavian and German rule. Due to its strategic location, the city became a major trade hub, especially from the 14th to the 16th century, when it grew in importance as part of the Hanseatic League.
Tallinns Old Town is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tallinn is the major political, financial, cultural and educational center of Estonia. Often dubbed the Silicon Valley of Europe, Providing to the global cybersecurity it is the home to the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.
It is ranked as a global city and has been listed among the top 10 digital cities in the world. According to the Global Financial Centres Index Tallinn is the most competitive financial hub in Northern Europe and ranks 42nd internationally. The city was a European Capital of Culture for 2011, along with Turku in Finland.
This uses material from Wikipedia which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3138
|
__label__cc
| 0.739344
| 0.260656
|
Magazine Pro Theme
Translation of Magazine Pro Theme: Algerian Arabic
Put yourself on the front lines of online publishing with the up-to-the-minute, high-gloss look and feel of the Magazine theme. You have to log in to add a translation. Details
Put yourself on the front lines of online publishing with the up-to-the-minute, high-gloss look and feel of the Magazine theme.
http://my.studiopress.com/themes/magazine/ You have to log in to add a translation. Details
http://my.studiopress.com/themes/magazine/
Magazine Pro You have to log in to add a translation. Details
Magazine Pro
This is the bottom section of the homepage. You have to log in to add a translation. Details
This is the bottom section of the homepage.
Home - Bottom You have to log in to add a translation. Details
Home - Bottom
This is the middle section of the homepage. You have to log in to add a translation. Details
This is the middle section of the homepage.
Home - Middle You have to log in to add a translation. Details
Home - Middle
This is the top section of the homepage. You have to log in to add a translation. Details
This is the top section of the homepage.
Home - Top You have to log in to add a translation. Details
Search the site ... You have to log in to add a translation. Details
Before Header Menu You have to log in to add a translation. Details
Before Header Menu
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3146
|
__label__wiki
| 0.83561
| 0.83561
|
Turkish Businessman Alptekin Rejects Kidnapping Plot Allegations
Published in Businessman
A Turkish businessman on Saturday refuted “fabricated” allegations that a former aide to U.S President Donald Trump discussed with Turkish representatives, a quid pro quo plan to kidnap Fetullah Gulen, the U.S based-leader of the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO). The Wall Street Journal claimed in a report that Ekim Alptekin, a Turkish businessman, organized a meeting between former White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Turkish representatives in 2016. Alptekin told Anadolu Agency: “Turkey and the possible bilateral relations with the U.S. -- and nothing illegal -- were discussed in the meeting."
Alptekin, who is the chairman of the Turkey-U.S. Business Council said: “The only purpose of leveling these fabricated allegations is to damage Turkey’s reputation".
“I regret seeing some respected media outlets crediting these lies,” he added.
The Wall Street Journal claimed that investigators working for Special Counsel Robert Mueller on the investigation over alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S election had found out that Flynn had met with Turkish representatives twice last year.
Flynn, who only lasted 24 days as Trump's national security adviser, has been a key figure in Mueller’s Russia investigation.
According to the story, the latest meeting with Turkish officials took place last December, i.e. before Trump's inauguration, and Flynn and his son Michael Flynn Jr. were offered $15 million to kidnap Gulen from his multimillion-dollar complex in Pennsylvania.
The report said that in a previous meeting on Sept. 19, Flynn and two Turkish businessmen discussed ways to deliver Gulen to Turkey without going through U.S. legal procedures.
The Journal based its story regarding the December meeting on sources familiar with the investigation without mentioning their identity.
In a previous story, the paper had claimed that former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director James Woolsey, who was once Flynn's business partner, also attended the meeting in September.
The paper quoted Woolsey as saying that many issues including the kidnapping of Gulen were discussed at the meeting.
Some news wires claimed that Woolsey met with the same two Turkish businessmen one day later -- on Sept 20 -- and asked for $10 million to discredit Gulen. But the businessmen allegedly turned down the proposal.
The former head of CIA declined to comment on the reports.
“No doubt, the truth will come out and embarrass those who promoted these lies," said Alptekin.
FETO and its leader Gulen orchestrated the July 15, 2016 attempted coup, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Meanwhile, Robert Kelner, Flynn’s top attorney said in a statement Friday: "Today's news cycle has brought allegations about General Flynn, ranging from kidnapping to bribery, that are so outrageous and prejudicial [...]: They are false."
By Mucahid Eker - AA
ekim alptekin
Admin TOA
Turkish FM Says FBI Targeting FETÖ in the US
FBI Gave $50,000 'Assistance' to Gülenist Who Confessed Role in Op to Overthrow Turkey's Gov't: Court Hearing
Turkish Dep. PM Demands US ‘Immediately’ Arrest Gulen
Who Was Behind The 15th July Coup In Turkey?
Turkish Ambassador Highlights How July 15 Coup Stands Out In 'Unfortunate History'
Latest from Admin TOA
The Distinguished Friends of Turkey and The Loved Ones Whom We Lost
Unity Bank for Turkish-American Community
"Turks and Korean, We Could Be Brothers and Sisters"
A True Friend of Turkey in Georgia
Dr Oz and Seval Oz Write About Their Father for TURKOFAMERICA
More in this category: « Chobani’s Big Vision for the Magic Valley Chobani Building $21 Million Research Center, Not in New York »
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3153
|
__label__wiki
| 0.834246
| 0.834246
|
Road to the Grammys: Fahir Atakoglu's Album Hits the Charts
Fahir Atakoğlu’s new album “Istanbul in Blue” is being picked up by many radio stations across the USA and the list is growing. Atakoğlu’s fans have sent thousands of email requests to XM Radio to listen his latest album.
Published in Culture & Art
Neither Too Far Nor Too Close
By Elif Özmenek
The face of New York changes with every street … I leave Chinatown, with its heavy smell of ducks hanging in the storefronts like bunches of hairpins, and move to Little Italy accompanied by the smell of cakes fresh from the oven.
Written by Elif Ozmenek
The Twins of the Opera
By Melda Akansel
Having made the promotion of Turkish composers and their works their mission, Sinem and Didem Balık, known in the music world as the Opera Twins, are greatly admired by vocal-music connoisseurs.
Soprano Leyla Gencer, Turkish opera’s gift to the world
Written by Melda Akansel
Hollywood Needs a Turkish Story
The Turkish image in Hollywood has revolved around movies with no artistic value but which were used to spread propaganda such as “Midnight Express”, directed by Oliver Stone, or “Laurence of Arabia” and “Ararat”. The Turkish characters are shown only when there is a need for an evil Middle Easterner in a scene or when a villain is needed for a fight scene with the main character.
The World is On the Tip of His Brush
Turkey has not sent only unskilled workers to Europe, even if the stereotype image of the Turk is that of an immigrant worker doing manual labor. Mehmet Guler is one of our painters esteemed for his career and works of art. He has displayed his canvases at exhibitions, biennials, and museums all around the world.
Filling His Life with Music and His Music with Life
By Muge Mengu
Lovers of classical music will be familiar with the name Efe Baltacigil, a rare talent who, after astounding Yo Yo Ma with his mastery of cello, received an invitation to share the stage with music giants like Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zuckerman and Midori at Carnegie Hall, New York’s famous concert hall.
Written by Muge Mengu
A Guitar Virtuoso
Ali Çınar – Connecticut
This month we are in Milford, a town by the ocean. Every month we visit another part of the state of Connecticut, chasing a success story. Our guest in this issue is guitarist Cem Duruoz, who was awarded the Artists International Special Presentation Award at the New York Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Duruoz is the first Turkish artist to receive this award.
Doctor of Music
Since last year music enthusiasts in Boston have been able to enjoy themselves at a variety of music concerts, ranging from arabesque to Sufi music, from Anatolian rock to the songs of the famous minstrel Asik Veysel, from jazz to Turkish Art Music.
Blue Voyage to Dance
Mustafa Aykaç – Boston
Founded in the fall of 2002, Mavi Dance has rapidly progressed to become a dynamic force in the Boston arts scene. Its founder, H. Pinar Zengingonul, Ph.D, has long taken an interest in a wide range of folk dance styles, from those of her native Turkey to Irish, Russian, and many others.
Written by Mustafa Aykac
Seeking a Sponsor for a Movie about the Real Turkey
Aram Gulyuz is a scenarist, director, and producer who has created many TV serials, movies and TV programs that have been watched by millions in Turkey. His first movie was Sensiz Yıllar (Years without You), which he shot in 1960. So far Gulyuz has directed 154 films, produced 42 others and written 25 scenarios.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3154
|
__label__cc
| 0.743943
| 0.256057
|
The Navajo War Dance
Older Navajo people did not generally have access to medicines that could heal severe ailments. Mountain tobacco, herbs and a few salves often defined their medical kits. What they did have in their arsenal, however, and what they relied upon heavily, was psychology. Early on medicine men realized that by healing the mind they accomplished miracles with the body. Severe ailments were mostly unmanageable, but a measure of comfort was obtainable using these psychological treatments. Sacred ceremony was primarily effective in helping a patient heal after an emotionally damaging occurrence. One of the most effective ceremonies of this type is the war dance, which is also known as the enemy way.
Navajo Enemy Way Basket
The Navajo war dance is intended heal the battle-scared minds of Navajo warriors returning from hostile interaction with a foreign foe. It is also believed to be effective to those who struggle with ghosts of a perceived enemy. Navajo families decide if an individual is in need of the ceremony, and if a healing is deemed necessary they contact a medicine man to initiate the process. The initial treatment requires blackening the patient with soot and ash to the point where a ghost or ghost-like enemy has difficulty recognizing him under this cover of darkness. If there is a noticeable improvement, the full ceremony is commenced. At that point a new hogan must be built and a scalp obtained. A chosen member of the tribe or a close family member is sent on the warpath to gather an article associated with the ghost. This "scalp" is rolled onto a stick and carefully returned to a protected point near the newly built hogan.
Any war dance requires at least two singers; the first prepares and decorates a rattle stick and the second receives the stick at a separate location. The stick is created from a specially chosen cedar or juniper limb which is chanted over while it is cut. As prescribed by the Hero Twin Monster Slayer, a small but precise ceremony is undertaken to decorate the stick, which is representative of all vegetation. The stick is bound with buckskin and trimmed with grass, plants, sage and turkey feathers. Eagle tail feathers, deer hooves and strands of red yarn are also attached. The yarn is for the women, and represents blood cleansing the earth to make it more productive during planting and harvesting. A sacred water drum is also an essential element of the war ceremony. The drum is used to beat the ghosts of the enemy into the ground. With the aid of the drum, the first singer sings coyote, owl and burrowing owl songs.
When the rattle is complete, the patient grasps it firmly and the singer sings a song to begin the process of carrying it away. When the song is complete, the patient or a chosen representative will take the stick, mount a horse and deliver the stick to another home where the second medicine man waits to receive it. The second medicine man inhales the breath of the stick, which indicates his acceptance of the rattle. This activity begins the three nights which comprise the war dance. Those participating at the second camp will mark themselves accordingly and take up their own water drum to begin more singing. The singer in the second camp is now in charge, and chooses a young, unmarried, reliable girl to be the stick carrier and leader of the girl dancers.
Legend tells us that in the first war dance two girls were sent out to meet the warriors returning from war on Taos Pueblo. The girls encircled each warrior, beginning with the leader and proceeding down the entire line. Upon reaching the last man, they returned in like fashion. The girls of the present day represent these two young women. In modern dances, each girl selects a man from the crowd and, standing behind him, moves him in a circle once or twice and then reverses the motion. The female stick carrier continues to guard the stick, and the drum is beaten during the songs. It is said that in the first war dance warriors promised the two girls that their wishes for a better, more productive earth would be fulfilled. The warriors told them that regardless of the blood covering it from the war on Taos, the stick would produce vegetation and the girls would be in charge of rain. Therefore the girls must not release their partners without a gift from him. The two camps merge into one during the girls' dance.
During the morning of the first day, friends and relatives provide small gifts to be thrown through the smoke hole of the hogan while a serenade is sung. An oversize cigarette is provided the drummer, and an auction or gift swap is enacted. The small gifts represent booty taken in war, while the exchange represents the initiation of peace. A serenade is sung to the stick receiver, who then throws the gifts out of the smoke hole. This distribution of gifts to the serenaders and the public expresses the tribe's joy and appreciation for restoration of the earth’s productivity. The party bringing the stick from the patient’s camp now returns to the first hogan. They enter, circle the fire twice in a counterclockwise position and settle in. A scalp shooter must be secured and a singer for the concluding songs of the entire ceremonial must be agreed upon. A crow bill must then be made for the patient. A buckskin from a strangled deer, one not wounded by an arrow or pierced by a bullet, must be secured. Three ceremonial baskets are sought, one for the hair bath, one to contain an emetic and the third to contain a no-cedar mush.
On the second night of the ceremony, the singer sings selected songs, and the receiver's camp prepares to move. At the approaching dawn, both singers and camps begin the ceremony anew. With the aid of the ceremonial baskets, there is a cleansing and the emetic is prepared. The patient drinks the emetic and dispels the enemy ghost as the sun rises. When the sun is fairly high in the sky, the crowd begins to move from the receiver’s camp to the first camp. The girl carries the stick, a man holds the pot drum. When close to the camp, the patient enters the first hogan and horsemen go out to meet the crowd, discharging their guns. The receiver’s party also discharge their guns and both parties begin chasing one another in a wide circle around the hogan. They repeat this four times, after which the receiver’s party makes camp some distance from the first hogan. Food is served, representing the meal brought to the Black God at the first war dance.
The serenade is re-initiated, new gifts are flung from the smoke hole and the gift exchange or auction is concluded. The drummer is given an over-sized cigarette and relieved of duty. Feathers and vegetation are burned and tallow and red ocher are added. The substance is used to blacken the patients face in preparation of the attack on the scalp. The individual shooting the scalp and the patient's wife must be blackened. The blackening of the woman represents the restoration of the earth's productivity. Shoulder bands and wristlets representing paraphernalia of the Hero Twins are provided to the patient. The patient is also provided a decorated crow bill, which is used as an instrument to help kill the ghost of the scalp. During the singing, yucca fronds tied into knots are cut at parts of the body where ghosts can be dispelled. At this point a scalp shooter is employed. He may use a gun or an arrow to shoot at the scalp that was kept safely outside the hogan. Ashes are then thrown upon it. The patient and a couple of aids poke the scalp with the crow's bill saying; "It is dead. It is dead!" They walk away, turn their shoulder straps in the opposite direction, face the sun and inhale its breath four times. The entire gathering then inhales the breath of the sun four times. The men and women separate into distinct quarters. Others may shoot at the scalp if they choose, but the patient has concluded his attack.
After the scalp shooter has strewn the scalp with ashes and the attack on it has been concluded he carries it into the circle of dancers who face the enemy. The end men draw the circle eastward, away from the hogan entrance. This formation puts the scalp in the center, and leaves just a small opening between the two end men. Some fifteen songs mention the distant enemy’s name and motion or order him into the ground, ridding the warrior most effectually of his enemy. After the conclusion of these songs, ashes are again strewn upon the scalp and around the hogan by the scalp shooter, who now carries it out of the dance circle some distance away. The end man at the south now swings around counterclockwise to the north and the entire group of dancers face the hogan entrance. This symbolizes the return from war, originally from Taos, now any war or harmful encounter. The songs sung facing the hogan express rejoining. They tell how the warrior defeated his enemy. They shout his name out in public, something that is never done in private life.
On the last night the two singers retire and the conductor of ceremonies and the stick receiver take charge. Those who were blackened are released by untying their wristlets and removing the shoulder bands and plumes. Songs are sung as the sun dips lower in the sky and the group moves towards the hogan. They form a line with the stick carrier at one side of the entrance, the drummer at the other side, and the stick receiver immediately behind these two. As soon as the song is concluded the patient shoves a basket out bellow the entrance curtain. The stick receiver picks it up and tosses it in the air with a shout in which the entire group joins. He then sits down facing the curtain with the basket turned bottom up before him. He clasps his hands during four songs which he sings, slapping the basket with his hands. He then sings the four first songs again. When these are finished, the pot drum is brought out from the hogan and the people begin sway-singing. The basket is given as a gift to the stick receiver.
This sway-singing continues at the hogan for a time, after which the stick receiver’s party moves their drum to their camp and continues to sing and dance. About midnight, the hogan party carries their drum to the receiver’s camp, where both drums are retired. Fire may be set to the wood pile. The girl carries the stick out, and other girls follow her bringing the remaining men to dance. This continues until the night is fairly well advanced. Then the stick receiver takes the rattle stick and stands in the center of a sway-singing group with it for the rest of the night. At dawn the singer of the hogan ceremonies leads the patient outside. He eats pollen and throws a portion to the four sacred directions as an offering. The singer then asks the stick carrier to conclude the ceremonial and again intones the four opening songs, the first of which he concludes, while the stick receiver finishes the other three. When these are finished, the patient makes a pollen offering and inhales dawn’s breath four times, then all return to their own side of the living quarters. When the stick receiver’s party moves camp and returns home one of them disposes of the rattle stick in the prescribed manner with song and prayer. The stick is never used again.
This is a basic explanation of a highly elaborate ceremony. I have been informed that Navajo medicine men, based upon their attachment to different areas of the Reservation, practice numerous variations on the theme. The basic implication of the war dance describes a ceremony that focuses on the mental health and well-being of loved ones. This is brought about through sacred ceremony initiated and carried out by family and friends. There is also a conscious awareness of their close, symbiotic relationship to Mother Earth. Here at Twin Rocks Trading Post we wish you the best of the Holiday Season. We wish you the love and hope the spirit of the season has to offer. We pray that you are surrounded by the love of family and friends, that your ghosts are exorcised, that the earth embraces you and that the breath of the sun fills you with youth and vigor. Be well and prosper.
Two Zits
Dictionary.com defines zit as, “A pimple or skin blemish.” The term can, however, mean much more than just another unwanted skin condition; at least for me.
Last Friday morning, I noticed two assignments Grange had left on his bed before heading off to school. Jana and I are generally conscientious about going over the assignments Kira and Grange bring home, so I placed these on the kitchen counter for later review and discussion. As I grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch, Jana perused the documents. We are accustomed to seeing 90s or 100s on Grange’s class work, so I was surprised to find 75s written in red pencil on the worksheets.
While Jana and I discussed the reasons why Grange had not performed as well as expected, he came strolling in. Friday is a short day in this district, so he was home early. As we talked with Grange, I noticed he had developed two small blemishes on his forehead. I vividly remember the unhappy time when similar blotches began appearing on my own face. To my surprise, however, rather than worrying about Grange’s complexion, and immediately dialing up the dermatologist for a remedy, I was overcome with delight. These spots conclusively demonstrated that my 10 year old son is growing up and developing all the characteristics of a young man, including the widely detested zits.
When I expressed my fascination with his blemishes, Grange was clearly displeased and became seriously self-conscious. There are times when I don’t express myself well and this was obviously one of them; my enthusiasm was lost on him. In those two red dots, however, I saw both his past and future. A myriad of memories flooded my mind, making me smile broadly.
Remembering Grange’s first day on earth, I recalled proudly displaying him to Kira. Her response was, “Dad, can you give him back to his mother?” “Yes,” I said, “but I don’t think that solves your problem.” Although there were the expected bites, scratches, snubs and scrapes from his sister, over the years Grange and Kira have grown exceptionally close, as have he and I.
From the time he was old enough to walk to school, Grange and I have taken morning journeys from the house above Twin Rocks Trading Post, past Far Out Adventures and Calf Canyon Bed & Breakfast to Bluff Elementary School. During our walks I am often reminded of the opening scene from the Andy Griffith Show, where Opie and Andy stroll down a dirt road towards a fishing hole. Bluff is, I am convinced, much like of Mayberry.
As Grange grew and became more coordinated we began having short foot races, playing football or tossing a baseball. For me, this is treasured time. Once in a while he even tell me he loves me, something I have always found difficult with my own father.
Even now I can hear the lyrics from that old Harry Chapin song, Cat’s in the Cradle:
Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"
Seeing the pimples on Grange’s face reinforced my conclusion that he is growing up faster than I would like, and that our morning walks will soon end. Next year he will attend fifth grade in Blanding, and instead of the 15 or 20 minutes I have with him each morning, I will see him board the bus and be whisked away. Not long after, there will be high school, car keys and see you later can I have them please.
Of Snakes and Servers
"There's a snake out there," said Ruth, "a rattle snake!" Looking at her carefully, I tried to guage Ruth's sincerity. After hiring her as a server at Twin Rocks Cafe, I had come to understand that she was a fun-loving character and not above jerking my chain. I vividly recall the spring day in 2002 when she walked in and applied for for a job. "I will be the best server you've ever had," she proclaimed. We hired her on the spot and never regretted the decision. When it came to pranks, however, Ruth was extremely imaginative. Focusing on her cornflower blue eyes, and looking for any hint of deception, I asked, "Seriously?" "Yes,"she said, "seriously!" I could tell by the urgency in her voice, and the disquieted look in her eyes, that Ruth was indeed sincere.
Lorraine Black with her Snake Basket.
Ruth pointed out the back door of the kitchen and said, "I was taking out the trash and heard it rattle; right by the wall!" I grabbed a broom and walked out the door into the inky blackness. Twin Rocks Cafe is built into the talus slope, near the slick rock. Exiting the kitchen door lands you on a sidewalk heading east between the back of the building and a narrow access road. There is a concrete retaining wall that starts out about three feet high and in about twelve feet tapers down to eighteen inches. The access road rests about ten inches below the top of the wall, creating a shadowed area. According to Ruth, somewhere on the other side of that wall was a poisonous serpent.
It was one of those deep, dark summer nights with no moon, and the crystalline stars above the towering bluffs provided no help when it came to illuminating the forbidding shadows. The day had been hot and was still warm, even at 11:00 p.m. The air was dry and the breeze nonexistent. I stepped to the wall and began to probe the shadows with the broom handle. I was still sweating from mopping the dining room floor and the suspense of what might be on the far side of that wall was not helping. About half way down the wall I discovered the problem. Something began buzzing like a turbo charged bumble bee. Even though I was half expecting it, the darn thing still scared the heck out of me and I jumped back.
What I did not immediately realize was that Ruth had followed me out the back door and was right behind me the whole time. When I backed into her, she screamed like a mashed cat and shoved me back in the direction of the fanged one. Although she was slight, I quickly discovered she was also quite strong. I do not know if it was the rush of adrenalin or something else, but when Ruth pushed me in the direction of that snake, I went. I did not want to go anywhere near that thing, but I had no choice. The combination of discovering a viper in our midst, backing into a screaming banshee and being shoved into the abyss upset me.
I am not sure whether I screamed, but the cooks watching from the safety of the kitchen swear I did. What I know for sure is that I fell to the concrete sidewalk and did a reverse crab walk back towards the now retreating Ruth and a door full of shouting and laughing cooks. When I hit the threshold I regained my feet, turned to Ruth and said something like, "Doggone it Ruth, that was just not nice!" Ruth apologized, but refused to go out the door until the reptile had been dispatched. The rest of the staff agreed whole heartedly. When I finally regained my composure, I secured a shovel and a flashlight. The staff we maintained (mostly of Navajo persuasion) reminded me not to hurt the snake and that doing so would bring about disastrous repercussions. I assured them I was well aware of the snake's power, and would not harm it.
Navajo mythology tells us that Monster Slayer is credited with presenting Snake with witch medicine. Snake, being naked and with no place to put it, placed the evil brew in his mouth for safe keeping. That is why snakes are poisonous. Snakes are considered sacred and have their own prayer sticks and corresponding songs and ceremonies. Snake people were prominent players in the emergence of the Navajo from the fourth world, they are believed to have held back the flood waters long enough for the others to escape. In the Windway ceremony we see the power of Great Snake and his relationship to Lightning, Thunder and Wind. Medicinally, the myth and chant of the Windway help cure "snake infection," which includes a whole host of illnesses. Mythologically, the chant warns against the violation of ancient Navajo codes, which include a prohibition against ignoring the dominion of Great Snake. The connection between Great Snake and his representatives on earth (that is, all snakes) should be noted, as well as the tie between Great Snake, Thunder and Lightning.
Great Snake's retributive power derives from being able to call forth Thunder and Lightning. Symbolically, Snake, Lightning and Arrow are closely related. In sandpaintings, the two-headed arrow looks like lightning. Snakes, which are often designed as zigzags, or lightning-like motifs, are sometimes shown with lightning coming from their mouths. Navajo mythology often depicts the snake as a link between earth and sky. The Feathered Serpent (part bird, part snake) is perhaps one of the oldest archetypes of this ancient union. It is interesting to note that in Navajo sandpaintings the marking on Snake's back are a symbol for brotherhood, again emphasizing the positive link between the worlds of earth and sky, man and reptile. Navajo mythology shows the positive power of Snake, Thunder, Lightning and Wind. It also shows how, when human transgression is present, these forces work against human will and become detrimental.
The snake at the back of the cafe was not very big, maybe a foot long and half an inch thick. He was angry, full of piss and vinegar and itching for a fight. I was reminded of a quote I once read by Mark Twain, one that I also attribute to my son Spenser and his attitude towards life. It goes like this, "It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog,". . . or snake in this case. I knew these critters were highly venomous, so I kept my distance, gently picking it up with the blade of the shovel and carrying it over the hill and far away. As I set it down, I looked around to see if I was being watched. There was no one in sight. In the way of the Navajo, I chastised brother snake for coming to town and causing such a commotion. The reptile, ignoring my tirade, crawled under a large boulder. Fortunately, we have not seen him since.
Light-en Bluff
Last Sunday I stood at the easterly entrance of Twin Rocks Cafe and watched as the sun expanded its influence over this small river valley. At the old Jones farm an east-west line of mist hung like a curtain over the field. As the sun's rays touched the frosty clouds, the fog glistened like a shimmering veil. The scene reminded me how traditional Navajo people believe there are portals to mystical, parallel worlds where sparkling, all knowing beings exist in peace and tranquility; a Navajo Shangri-La as it where. Watching this ethereal scene unfold made me wonder whether experiences like this are the origin of such legends.
Bluff Sunrise
Reaching into my jacket pocket and pulling out my iPod, I set the earphones and scrolled through my play list, landing on an a capella version of Amazing Grace by LeAnn Rimes. As she lent her distinctly powerful and emotionally charged voice to Newton's timeless lyrics, I watched the sunrise enhance, then evaporate the veil; ultimately consigning it to the heavens. With thoughts of mystery and magic in my head, and LeAnn's song ringing in my ears, a considerable chill ran up and down my spine.
This time of year, the morning light on the red rock landscape is awe-inspiring. At dawn, the tufted grass on the upper benches glows golden with rosy red undertones rising from the bumpy hillocks of blow sand. Stunted and gnarled vestiges of sage and Navajo tea add a dark purple, shadowy effect to the singular scene. Looking off to the wide expanses of the four sacred directions, there are shifting degrees of light and shadow. Statuesque silhouettes manifest monuments, mesas, canyons and clefts in soft, watercolor detail.
Dropping into town through the gateway rift of Cow Canyon, I see jumbles of fallen, rough, nature hewn rock of earthy red and sunburnt white. A ragged line of bowed and buckled cottonwood trees crowned in gold escort me into our quaint little pioneer settlement. The contorted roadway discharges into a wide river valley braced on the northern and southern boundaries by towering bastions of mineral stained red rock. A semi-verdant hayfield carpets the valley on the left. To the right begins the town of Bluff herself, its cluttered groupings of varied and unique home sites spread sporadically about town. The only similarity of these dwellings and outbuildings being that they rest closely clustered under cottonwood trees that have, somehow, writhed up out of the less than fruitful earth. These much appreciated topiaries offer shade in summer, color in the fall and dramatic, skeletal effects in winter.
The town of Bluff has always been an inspiration to me on many levels. Here I realize a calm peaceful niche where old dogs and no longer young men can sit back, relax, commemorate and resuscitate, and the youth can truly live. To be born unto this place, to be labeled a Bluffoon, is considered by many to be a high honor. There are those who claim membership through association, ancestral connectivity or simply adoption. We accept all positive minded beings with open arms. The more uncommonly singular the better! The unique atmosphere and attraction of this fair hamlet is based on a cosmic connectivity and magnetic energy from iron rich rock enhanced by Bluff's good citizens.
To come and stay one must be attracted to the earth; Gaia dwells here. We embrace the dynamically crystalline night sky, uninfluenced by light or man made structures. We are moved by echo, transfixed by visions of the great expanse and absorbed by silence. Traditional Navajo people promote the Beauty Way or Pollen Path, which translate into focusing on the light and evading the darkness. They seek the way of enlightenment and so do we. Whether you find your destiny through the natural world, the world of science or somewhere in between does not matter, so long as you discover your truth and your proper place in the world. Our search has left us here.
Ella and The Great Unwashed
Not long ago Ella Toney dropped by with some of her signature stamped jewelry. Ella said she needed a little money to buy hay for her son’s livestock; he had done her a good turn and she needed to return the favor. Although we did not really need the jewelry, Barry and I agreed to buy it anyway. We are fond of Ella and realized she needed a individual economic stimulus package. After all, what’s a few hundred bucks when the federal government is spending trillions?
Navajo Jewelry Artist Ella Toney
Over the years, I have developed a theory that there is a universal energy that notices and rewards good deeds. Some call it God, Barry refers to it in terms of string theory, but I think it is less complex. I believe the good energy radiates out and touches others who correspondingly respond to the positive stimulation. In any case, before we had finalized the transaction with Ella, a customer telephoned to buy a Ray Lovato turquoise necklace, validating my hypothesis.
Borrowing a page from Barry’s philosophy text, mixing in a little of my own testament and making a large round shape in the air with my index finger, I said to Ella, “You see, there is this great cosmic circle. Here’s how it works, your son does something nice for you, and you return the kindness. We buy your jewelry and somebody calls in to purchase something from us. It’s all part of the cycle. It’s . . . magic!” Looking over her shoulder and winking as she exited into the bright October sunshine, Ella said, “Steve, that’s called a blessing!” As I stood pondering Ella’s comment, a customer who reminded me of playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s “The Great Unwashed” came walking in.
At Twin Rocks we often see those who have spent a lot of time in the outdoors. Some are beautifully tanned and others, having forgotten their sunscreen are red as lobsters. Most are freshly scrubbed, but a few arrive before experiencing the sublime and reinvigorating pleasure of a shower or bath. This customer fell into the latter category. He had spent so much time hiking and camping in our red rock sanctuary that his fingernails were black and his formerly straight blond hair had evolved into dreadlocks. He smelled of smoke and sage, and there was a crust of red dust on him that, despite his fair skin, made him look almost Native.
Having walked through the small museum we maintain in the back room of the trading post, he expressed interest in the Twin Rocks Modern weavings by Eleanor Yazzie and watercolor paintings by Serena Supplee we currently have on display. These are some of our favorite Navajo rugs and Serena is a perennial favorite at the trading post, so it did not take much to engage me in a spirited conversation. After only a few moments of discussion, however, the visitor quickly changed the topic. In the every day odyssey that is Twin Rocks Trading Post, that in not an unusual occurrence. Our dialogues with customers frequently take unpredictable turns, and we often wind up discussing the most unexpected and enlightening topics. In this particular instance, however, the abrupt switch took me by surprise.
As I explained how Serena had been “directed by the Great Spirit” to paint rug patterns and how Eleanor had quickly adopted these as her own, the man said, “Oh, that’s a blessing!” In short order he launched into a lecture on respecting the needs of others and how his life had been changed by learning that fundamental principle.
An hour and a half later, as my eyes were becoming droopy and I was seriously concerned I might fall over from fatigue before his discourse ended, he said, “My girlfriend recently told me I am too impulsive and insensitive. She’s right, it was a blessing; she blessed me with that information.” With that, he said goodbye and left me standing there once again.
Since our visits from Ella and the Great Unwashed, Barry, Tina and Priscilla have blessed me many times with valuable information about my personality and daily habits. After an initial bout of sensitivity, I began to consider what the Great Unwashed had said and realized he was right; blessings often come in strange and unusual ways, and there is nothing more strange and unusual than the trading post staff. As Ella would say, “Steve, that too is a blessing.”
McKinney's Market
Lately Craig, Steve and I have been contemplating the possibility of retirement, and have decided it is just not in the cards for us. As our dear old dad, "Duke", says about work, "I'll be here until they haul me out feet first!" Mom replies, "If that's the case, you're on your own!" Obviously a consensus has not been reached. Some people work to retire, while others work to live. If our parents cannot reach an accord soon it might cost our father a good woman, or at least a bump on the head.
Barry @ Twin Rocks Trading Post.
Duke and Rose's decision is one of choice, not necessity. Not so with us. As a result of the times in which we live, and the commitment we have made to Twin Rocks Trading Post and Cafe, my brothers and I have concluded that, unless there is divine intervention, we are truely "tied to the post".
That said, I have been considering how to approach our position with some sense of decorum. In other words, we are in need of a comfortable, yet manageable, approach to "hanging around". While considering our options, I was reminded of an interesting experience I had after working a trade show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Years ago, the Smoky Mountain Gift Show was a venue we took advantage of to share American Indian arts and crafts with the rest of the country. On one particular trip, I attended the show with my sister Cindy. While there, Cindy became seriously ill and had to bow out of the breakdown and clean up. We later discovered she was pregnant with Tarrik, and was reacting poorly to her introduction to gravidity. Friends took her to Ashville to rest and wait for our flight home. I packed up the show, contacted the freight company about shipping the containers home and promptly left the building.
Just before leaving town I realized the car was in need of gasoline, so I wheeled the rental into McKinney's Market, which is located at the intersection of the Great Smoky Mountain Parkway and the Historic Nature Trail. Exiting the vehicle, I discovered the pumps were not programmed to accept credit cards. Taking a chance, I lifted the nozzle from its cradle and tilted the lever. The pump surged to life, so I filled the tank and headed inside to pay. I smiled inwardly as I told myself there are still trusting people in the world. I remember thinking it might also be that or sheriff Buford T. Pusser was on hand to run down anyone attempting to gas and go. About that time, I noticed a set of double glass doors at the entrance of the building. When I pulled on the left side, which was covered with a blizzard of local fliers, it seemed blocked. All indications pointed to the conclusion that the right door was the only available access, so I heaved it open and stepped inside the store.
Upon entering, I noticed an attractive young lady standing behind a counter, which was situated immediately to my left. Turning toward her, I nearly fell over an antiquated woman perched in a lounge chair just behind the left door. I apologized vehemently, but received only a disdainfully raised eyebrow in return. Backing off a bit, I surveyed the situation and found an eighty-something, well-fed woman stretched out in a Lazy Boy chair which was elevated on a 6" high pine dais. She was casually dressed in wool slacks, black boots, an over-sized purple sweater and a plaid shirt jacket. The old girl wore a heavily wrinkled exterior; had intelligent blue eyes; and sported short, well managed shoulder-length gray hair. She gnawed less than delicately on either a baseball player sized wad of bubblegum or an unhealthy chunk of chewing tobacco. Her outward manifestation made it clear she did not much care for the opinions of others.
As I looked her over, she stared back at me with a contemptuous expression on her furrowed brow. The young woman wore an apologetic look. "That will be $14.50", she said, as if to more quickly conclude the transaction. I moved forward again, steering clear of the lounging woman's faux leather boots. Because of the close proximity of the staring woman on my left and a rack of potato chips on my right, this maneuver was rather uncomfortable. I felt like a bull being herded into a cattle chute. I nervously stepped into the narrow gap and was struck with an epiphany. Turning back to the lounger, I said, "You are Mrs. McKinney, aren't you?" "Damn Right!" she shot back as she switched her chaw from one cheek to the other. "Nice to meet you ma'am," I said respectfully. "Yup!" said Mrs. McKinney, as if I had been slow on the uptake. The young woman smiled sweetly, took my money and said, "Thank you very much sir. Ya'll have a good one." "You un's too." I said in my best Southern drawl. Tipping my head respectfully to Mrs. McKinney, I left the store and proceeded to Ashville.
As I think about it now, lounge chairs might be solution to my retirement dilemma. There are two sides to the cash register in the trading post; one for me and one for Steve. Personally, I am partial to distressed leather. There are also double glass doors at the cafe; plenty of room for Craig to place an overstuffed chair, just like Mrs. McKinney. All we need to do is take up chewin' and cussin'. Laurie would agree that I am well on my way to perfecting such an existence. All I can say is "Damn right!"
Copyright 200 Twin Rocks Trading Post
Hello Goodbye
Just outside the Kokopelli doors hang two woodcarvings by Dave Sipe, a folk artist from Mancos, Colorado. The carvings feature Navajo men holding signs that say “Ha’goo’nee” and “Ya’ at’ eeh.” While not exactly culturally or grammatically accurate, they are attractive, whimsical pieces.
Ya' at' eeh'
On days when the doors are flung open to reveal the beauty of Bluff, people often stand just outside the threshold, point to the carvings and ask, “What do they mean?” I frequently joke that they indicate our acceptance of American Express and Visa credit cards. After a good laugh, I explain that ya’ at’ eeh is Navajo for “hello” and ha’goo’nee’ is “goodbye.” Although that generally ends the investigation, for me the carvings have much deeper meaning.
Having grown up in the 1960s, I cannot walk past the pieces without thinking of the 1967 Beatles tune Hello Goodbye. Shortly after that song was released in the United States, Paul McCartney was asked to explain its meaning. He responded by saying, “The answer to everything is simple. It’s a song about everything and nothing. If you have black, you have to have white. That’s the amazing thing about life.”
McCartney’s explanation echos the Navajo belief that everything in nature has both positive and negative aspects. As McCartney noted, black does not exist without white. Correspondingly, males do not exist without females and there is no day without night.
This positive/negative framework of the Navajo does not fit neatly within the Western philosophy of right and wrong, it is a much broader, more subtle concept. Navajo scholar Harry Walters once described it to me in terms of a blizzard. “If you go out in it without the proper clothing, you might freeze to death,” he said, “it’s dangerous.” The storm, however, brings much needed moisture to the land, and is therefore beneficial. Harry’s interpretation was that all things can help or harm you, it is simply a matter of how you manage the various elements.
Priscilla and I have often stood on the Twin Rocks Trading Post porch and watched as a violent thunderstorm flashes its way across the land. On those occasions, she frequently says something like, “Steve, that’s a male storm. See how it blusters and blows like a man; lots of wasted energy. Female storms are gentler, quieter and leave more useful moisture; the rain does not simply run off.” I have many times thought of her comments when I am about to commence a storm of my own making. Her sound teaching has saved me, and those around me, a lot of heartache.
The other day I was in a particularly rambunctious, some might say obnoxious, mood. Having tolerated all she could stand, Jana finally declared, “Stop being such a . . . guy!” Her statement reminded me of a basket woven by Agnes Gray several years ago. The title of the weaving was Separation of the Sexes.
In that story First Woman infuriates First Man by belching after dinner and immediately launching into a lecture about how important she is to the relationship. As a result of the ensuing argument, all females are banished to the other side of the river. First Man apparently wished to drive home the point that men can live without women easier than women can live without men. The men and women finally reconcile, but not before serious consequences arise for the Navajo people; the monsters are spawned and begin terrorizing the tribe.
Ha'goo'nee'
Eventually both sexes realize they are inextricably woven together in one great tapestry, and separation is not a viable option. The fabric of life needs us all, with our many and varied characteristics, to make it whole. As McCartney said, “That’s the amazing thing about life.”
Virginia Got Lucky!
Last Thursday, a Navajo rug weaver I had known in the old days walked into the trading post with one of her beautiful Yei-be-chei weavings. Virginia had not been in Twin Rocks Trading Post for years, because her pricing had long ago outpaced our purchasing power. Sometime in the early 1980s, our Sedona, Arizona competitor began offering extraordinary prices for her rugs. Being unwilling to compete with this high-end buyer, we stopped purchasing Virginia's weavings.
Virginia and her son.
Virginia originally came to us through her mother, Lena Poyer. Lena also wove white Yei rugs that made me weak and was one of the toughest negotiators I have ever dealt with. Somehow she knew I would always buy her weavings, so she universally took advantage of the situation to put me through my paces. Unfortunately, Lena now struggles with dementia and can no longer weave. I miss her a great deal.
Virginia Poyer-Begay shares her mother's weaving talents, but has an altogether different negotiating approach; she simply doesn't bargain! Virginia is one of those artists who has always been a pleasure to deal with; she is calm, cool, collected and self-assured. In the past Virginia would state her price and we would scramble to empty ash trays and lift the sofa cushions, looking for every spare coin to pay the tariff. There was simply no negotiating, it was all or nothing. I think Steve and I bought every rug Virginia ever brought in; until her prices tripled.
When Virginia came in this time, I was working in my office. Priscilla, who was covering the floor for me, said, "Barry, you might want to come out, there is someone here to see you." Looking through the open door, I noticed Virginia toting a rug rolled into a long narrow cylinder. Even from my poor vantage point I could tell the weaving was spectacular.
Although I was pleased to see an old friend, I feared the rug in her hand, knew the process that would follow and immediately got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Hello Virginia," I said, and in the same breath, "I can't afford your rug." Virginia smiled broadly and said, "Hello Barry, yes you can!" We bantered pleasantly for a short time, and I mentioned that she could likely get a lot more for her weavings than I could pay her. "That was then." she said, "Have you been living in a cave? Times have changed." I was dumbfounded, because this is the approach I have recently taken with artists trying to sell their work. Virginia had turned the tables on me and I was in unfamiliar territory.
"Whaddayamean?" I stammered. Virginia explained that she was well aware of the difficult economic times, and that it was no longer possible to get the extraordinary prices she once received. She told me she was willing to sell her rug at 1980 prices. "But I want something more," she said. I looked at Virginia skeptically and said, "Whaddayamean?" "Stop that!" she laughed, "Do you remember what that price was?" I shook my head in the affirmative and looked at her closely, trying to predict what would follow.
What I did not know was that Virginia and her entourage had become attached to "Lucky", the mangled brown sheep which stood just inside the Kokopelli doors. We had taken to calling the sheep Lucky after that famous lost dog poster; the one featuring an accidentally neutered dog with three legs, one blind eye, a missing ear and a broken tail. The dog answered to the name Lucky, you know the one. Our brown sheep was in a similar state of disrepair. He was so popular with visiting children that he had been worn to a frazzle. Our hapless sheep had loose horns, was missing his tail, one eye had fallen out and his ear had been loved off; thus the descriptive moniker. "I want the same price you used to pay me and that brown sheep!" said Virginia.
Struggling to understand the psychology behind the request, I gave up and began scratching my head. "We used to have the tail around here somewhere," Priscilla said. I shot her a wondering look and asked Virginia why she wanted such an ill-fated character. "He reminds me of the Simpson brothers!" was her spontaneous reply. "All three of you are in various states of disrepair. The sheep reminds me of you, and the economy. I like it!"
Laughing at Virginia's painfully pointed statement, I agreed to her terms. I paid Virginia's price and her son gathered up Lucky, leaving me to wonder at the unusual encounter. Once Virginia and her clan were gone, Priscilla began rooting around noisily in the cabinets. "What the heck are you doing", I asked. "Looking for Lucky's tail", she said. "I promised to drop it off at Virginia's place if I find it." I shook my head sadly and went back into my office, smiling at the memory of all the good friends we have made through the years.
Almost Fifty
Last Friday, Jana, Kira and Grange headed for Albuquerque to visit the more respectable side of the clan, so I had a little more familial freedom than usual. Consequently, when Barry and I barred the Twin Rocks Trading Post doors for the evening, I rushed upstairs and tugged on my cycling gear. It was going to be a beautiful evening, and I was feeling the pull of the pavement. Never mind that it might be dark by the time I finished; I had to get on the road.
Mother Earth & Sun Baskets
As I began the climb up Cow Canyon, I could tell my training had not been as diligent as it otherwise might have been. The breeze was, however, cool and soft, the cottonwoods golden and the rocks ablaze with early October light. It seemed clear that all the elements necessary for a great ride were falling into place. It is rare that I get to ride later in the day so, in spite of the struggle, I was smiling widely when I crested the hill.
Heading north as fast as my legs would carry me, which frankly was not very fast, I noticed the sun striding towards Comb Ridge. I was reminded of Johonaa’e, the Navajo deity responsible for carrying the sun disk across the sky each day. On this particular evening, he was blazing orange, and exhibiting all the majesty ascribed to him.
In Navajo mythology, Johonaa’e is represented as a tall, virile, handsome man with long black locks of hair. It was the union of Johonaa’e and Changing Woman that resulted in the birth of the Hero Twins, Monsterslayer and Born-for-Water. These twins were destroyers of the demons plaguing the Navajo and redeemers of their people.
Racing the sun towards White Mesa Hill, which I refer to as my personal nemesis because it is the last big climb before I make the turn home, I could see the sun would win and set long before I made it to Bluff. On the way back, about half way between White Mesa and town, Johonaa’e dropped below the horizon and Tl’ehonaa’e, the bearer of the moon, stepped onto the stage. Tl’ehonaa’e is just the opposite of Johonaa’e, and is portrayed as an elderly man with long silver hair. Tl’ehonaa’e has acquired the wisdom of the ages and is revered among the Navajo for his knowledge and experience.
As the diamonds of the desert began to ignite on the Reservation, twinkling an amber color, I could not help thinking that the setting of Johonaa’e and the rise of Tl’ehonaa’e was a perfect metaphor for this stage of my life. In less than a week, I will have been striding Mother Earth 50 years, and will begin receiving mailings from AARP. In my case, the youthful attributes of Johonaa’e have surely begun to dim, and in many cases have altogether faded. In my graying mane one would clearly recognize Tl’ehonaa’e. I am hopeful that in the preceding half century of life I have at least planted the seeds of knowledge and wisdom. What may sprout from those plantings is anybody’s guess.
As I dropped into Bluff through the rocky crag that is Cow Canyon and turned into the Twin Rocks Cafe parking lot, I noticed a group of European tourists standing on the porch. As I slowly peddled across the gravel, I heard one say in a French accent, “Mon dieu, a full moon.” Looking over my shoulder, I noticed the high cliffs behind the restaurant blocked my lunar companion from view. I sheepishly reached back and pulled down my cycling jersey. Maybe there is more Tl’ehonaa’e in me than I care to admit.
Football Follies and Financial Feasibility
This week I want to share one of my old football stories. I do so not as an opportunity to boast, because my high school football days are nothing to brag about. Instead, I share the tale because it is one I think about a lot; one that has become symbolic in my lifelong educational experience.
Navajo Baskets
While in high school, I followed my older brother, Craig, into the sport because he was really good at it. He was big, fast, strong and talented. I figured that because I was of the same gene pool I would be good as well. It was not until much later, however, that I learned the first rule of genetics, "What should be rarely is!"
Just to remain in Craig's wake I had to work extra hard. It was a good learning experience though, and I gained a better understanding of pride, greed, jealousy, self-pity and anger management. By the time I became a senior, I had come to terms with my lack of talent. By putting in the extra effort I become a decent football player. I was a 167 pound lineman, #66. In those days there were not enough "tackling dummies" for individual offensive and defensive squads, so most of us played both ways and nursed our bruises the next day.
On this memorable occasion we were practicing short yardage plays near the end zone; the team came up to the line and the quarterback barked out the call. From the huddle we knew it was a pass. A slant in for the wide receiver, slant out for the tight end and a curl in from the tail back. Bruce, our wideout, was the primary receiver. Our quarterback called out, "Down!", the line went down and braced for impact; "Set", we set ourselves for action; and then "HUT!" The entire team sprang into motion. The line tightened up to protect the passer. The ends sprinted off the line of scrimmage on their routes and the tailback hustled around the line towards the end zone. It was poetry in motion, a thing of beauty; mostly because we were not practicing against a live defense.
Bruce flew off the line, found his mark and slanted toward the end zone. The quarterback drew back, figured the trajectory and let fly. Bruce eyed the ball over his shoulder and put forth a burst of speed to catch the football and score. As Bruce and the ball sped to their appointed point of contact, we realized something terrible was about to occur. We watched in amazed wonder as Bruce sprinted blindly toward the goal post. We stood in silent fortitude, wishing to somehow impede our teammate's forward motion. Just short of where our wide receiver and the ball were supposed to meet, Bruce met the goal post.
There was a horrific banging, thudding sound, whereupon Bruce came to fully embrace the metal upright; was repelled and collapsed in a motionless heap. A collective groan rumbled through the team as we felt his pain. Everyone had seen it coming, but we could do nothing to prevent it. The coaches were the first to react, they sprinted to our hapless cohort and checked his pulse . . . He was still alive! They revived Bruce with smelling salts and drove him to the clinic for a check-up. It turned out Bruce was okay; mostly. His pads and helmet had saved his life. Bruce incurred a slight concussion, a loose front tooth and a new found respect for immovable objects.
Over the years we have often given Bruce a hard time about that event. Slapstick humor is actually really funny if no one gets hurt. Otherwise why would cartoons regularly feature Roadrunner dropping an anvil on Coyote's head, crushing his cranium; Jerry tripping Tom into a slamming door, thereby collapsing his nasal cavity; or Tweety Bird slapping Sylvester in the butt with a 2x4, forcing him into the Bull Dog's house. The Three Stooges made a living by poking each other in the eye and slapping one another other upside the head. Metaphorically speaking; there have been several times in my life where I have been running full-out, looking over my shoulder at a prize zipping my way, knowing full well I was going to score big and then, BANG!, hitting the goal post in full stride. I do not remember it ever being funny until healing had taken place and time had numbed the pain.
Surely many of us feel this way concerning our current economic woes. Way too many people have run into their own personal goalpost and dislodged a few teeth. Not necessarily because they were not paying attention, but because those we trust stood by and watched it happen. Many of the artists we deal with at the trading post have hit the wall. They are accustomed to asking us for advice on the subject. When they do, I often feel as I did watching Bruce racing towards that imminent impact and being unable to warn him. After much concerned concentration, Steve and I now tell the artists it is time to do their best work; to slow down and create art with passion and great attention to detail.
To effectively evade this economic goalpost and come out with a game winning catch we have to be even more aware of our surroundings; we have to work harder and sacrifice more. We must forgive the fact that we are not as big, fast, strong or talented as others. We can, however, accomplish great things if we put our minds to it. The artists of Twin Rocks Trading Post have really stepped up. They have shaken off the anchor of pride, greed, jealousy and self-pity, and discovered anger-management. Our customers have reacted favorably to this new and exciting thought process as well; they love that they are seeing better art and have been incredibly supportive.
Recently Lalana, reigning princess of the post, discovered a baseball Grange had abandoned some time ago. Grange has, at least for now, moved on to football and wrestling, so the baseball was not seeing a lot of glove time. Apparently the ball had found its way under a desk or behind a cabinet, and it took someone close to the ground to rediscover it.
Steve and Lalana at Twin Rocks Trading Post.
Lana, as she is known around Twin Rocks Trading Post, has become the latest in a long line of trading post kids. First there was Dacia, then Kira, Grange and now Lana. She was born to Tina, also known as “Mommatina”, our internet manager, almost three years ago. Like the others before her, Lana began coming to work only a few days after she arrived on this earth. She is now the ruler of the kingdom, and commands attention as she runs about downstairs shouting “Super Lana” and things of that sort. When Tina manages to trap her upstairs, Lana can be heard shouting, “Cilla, Cilla, go downstairs?”
It usually does not take long for Priscilla to cave in and bring her down, where she declares, “Oh, that’s a beautiful rug.” or “That’s a pretty basket. Let me see.” Barry and I have counseled her to wait until we conclude the transaction before making her pronouncements, but it has been to no avail. Our costs have begun to increase as she has acquired a greater appreciation for the Navajo jewelry, paintings, pottery and the other art we buy at the store.
Since discovering Grange’s baseball, Lana’s favorite pastime has become going out on the porch for a game of roll and catch. She petitions Barry, Priscilla and me endlessly to, “Go outside” with the ball. On these beautiful autumn afternoons, it is hugely enjoyable to sit on the cement and roll the ball back and forth, like I used to do with Dacia, Kira and Grange. I often feel Lana is preparing me to be a grandparent.
The other day I was in my office working on a project when I heard Lana say to Barry, “Go outside?” The chartreuse softball was carefully balanced in her outstretched hand. “No Lana,” Barry replied, “not this time.” Being very polite, Lana generally says, “Oh, okay.” This time, however, she was persistent, “Go outside Barry?” she insisted. When Barry reiterated that he could not, she demanded, “Why not!” We all had a good laugh, and Lana got her baseball game after all.
As I sat in my office, Lana’s question kept rolling around in my mind; why not, why not, why not. It was not long before a Navajo rug weaver strolled in through the open doors. “Want to buy a rug?” she asked. Feeling a little beaten up by the economy, I said, “Well, probably not today.” “WHY NOT?” the weaver persisted. “All right,” I said, “let’s see what you have.” As she proceeded to unwrap the rug from its bath towel covering, I notice it was a spectacular Yei-be-chei weaving. The price was right, so we made a deal and everyone was happy.
Still contemplating the importance of Lana’s question, I watched as Grange strolled into the trading post. “Can we go to the pond after work?” he asked. “No,” I said. “WHY NOT?” he shot back. I responded, “Well, it’s almost October, the pond will be cold, there is a storm coming in and I am just too tired.” Why not, why not, WHY NOT, my mind kept repeating. Finally giving in, I told him to go upstairs and put on his swimming suit.
When we arrived at the pond, I could see dark clouds accumulating over the red rock cliffs in the distance. When I put my toes into the water, I could feel the chill. Jumping in, I had the sense that this would surely be the last pond adventure of the season. In spite of all that, Grange, Buffy the Wonder Dog and I had one of the best times we have ever had at the swimming hole. As the storm grew in intensity and the wind began to pick up, we climbed out of the water and dashed for the truck; arriving home just seconds before the rain come thundering down. It was truly a memorable experience.
All too often we see the reasons why we cannot or do not want to do something, only to discover that we should be finding the reasons why we can. Barry and I have found more beautiful art at extremely nice prices during the recent economic downturn than we ever remember. It reminds us of the old saying that every dark cloud has a silver lining. At the trading post we are now asking “Why not?” more often, and having more fun than ever before.
Blueberries and Cream or Natures theme
Early Monday morning the sky over the trading post was a vision of blueberries and cream, with mile-high thunderheads tumbling across the vaulted heavens. The clouds accumulated and darkened with a temptuous promise of much needed moisture. As they skated across the sky, the thunderheads were torn into ragged remnants by unseen updrafts, only to reform in a continuous game of hide and seek. The filtered light of the brilliant sun backbit the clouds, adding a rich, milky outline to the pregnant formations.
Coyote and Badger Folk Art
Directly up valley to the east, between the red rock cliffs and the shadowed landscape, I noticed a heavy, deep purple downpour. The torrent drenched that portion of the parched earth in a deluge of heavenly, liquid life. Such a scene must have been the inspiration for the Navajo story of the birth of Coyote and Badger. As the story is told, earth and sky reached out to each other in a passionate embrace. This mating spawned opposites, children that are fundamentally different, yet compatible and necessary to each other.
As I watched, the interactive movement of light and shadow between earth and sky created the illusion of an erratic pulse upon the landscape. This subtle heartbeat gave me an underlying feeling of contentment and enrichment. At the same time the possibility of a lightning strike, flood, the scouring winds and/or an ear crunching crack of thunder made me a little anxious at the thought of the damage they might do. Stoic juniper and cottonwood trees stirred and shifted, as if attempting to track the seductive cloud formations across the sky. The sage, rabbit brush and clumps of golden grass all seemed to reach higher and stand taller in an effort to call down the nourishing but abusive thunderstorm.
Standing upon the cap rock above the trading post later that evening provided an impressive view to the north and west of town. The blueberries and cream sky scape was similar to the scene earlier that morning, only darker and richer with the recent sunset. There was a magnificent light show over the Bears Ears on Elk Ridge and the towering peaks of Blue Mountain. Lightning bolts scratched the sky and tapped the canyon rims and mesa tops with spectacular, raggedy bolts made up of varying combinations of red, orange and yellow discharges of atmospheric electricity. I could almost smell the fire and brimstone in the air circulating about me.
As the evening deepened, the cloud base floating over the mountains grew like a living thing. The ominous, now pitch black, clouds gathered about in a huge, billowy formation, and lightning sparked through and around it until it looked like something from a sci-phi flick. It was alive with electricity, and the lightning gave it essence and new dimension at every strobe-like stroke.
Witnessing the incredible power and visual stimulation of the storm helps me understand why the early Navajo people deified various aspects of the natural world. There is wonder, majesty, dynamic potency, along with angst and duress, within the various aspects of thunder, lightning and moisture produced by such an occurrence. Without scientific explanation, the people grew to embrace that which they loved, and feared, most. That helped explain all aspects of the human condition. Nature was given power over life and death, and was elevated above all else. The sun, moon, earth, sky and all associated events were granted the responsibility of all creation.
Being on the fringe of such a dynamic display gives me a great respect for what nature provides. Not only life and sustenance in a physical sense, but in an emotional sense as well. What I now visualize as blueberries and cream with a dash of excitement was once viewed in a completely different perspective. The imagination of these primitive yet thoughtful people gave them a common sense approach to explaining the world around them. It gave them promise and hope. Many of life's great questions were approached in this manner. The answers? Well, there lies our personal quest of discovery.
Past, Present and Future at the Bluff Pond
August had lapsed into September, but Southeastern Utah remained hot. The summer was stubbornly hanging on, and seemed worse than I remembered. In the cool of the morning I had gone for a bicycle ride, and despite consuming volumes of water afterwards, my core temperature was running high. Since we had exchanged the original swamp cooler for refrigeration almost ten years ago, inside Twin Rocks Trading Post it was comfortable, but l was personally sweltering.
Buffy and Grange @ Twin Rocks.
As closing time approached, I knew what had to be done. Nothing short of a trip to the Bluff Pond would cool my jets. Finally the clock struck six and I locked the doors, flew upstairs, quickly changed into my swimming shorts and headed west.
Like a horse to the barn, a moth to the flame and a Catholic to the Pope, I was drawn to the pond. Fortunately there were no tourists standing between me and the swimming hole or there might have been a catastrophe. Not even a long line of wallet waving or bracelet buying travelers could have stopped me once I became determined to splash into those rejuvenating waters.
As I hurried over the short dirt road leading to the pond, I could feel myself being hauled along as though by a magnetic force. Splashing into its shallow depths, I was immediately transported back over 40 years to a similarly hot summer afternoon in Bluff when Duke, Barry, Craig, Tillie and I had gone swimming. Before there were life vests and Quicksilver bathing suits, Duke floated in an inner tube and held us up by the belt loops of our cutoff Levis, which was at the time the latest recreational technology.
Tillie, a large German Shepherd owned by Warren and Freda Reck, was not much of a water dog. She never failed to jump in and save us, however, when Duke dropped us in the middle of the pond and we commenced shouting for help. Tillie would dutifully swim out, circle us so we could grasp her tail and paddle back to shore in an unending cycle of mock drownings.
Feeling the heat dissipate as the cool waters soaked into my overheated body, I rolled over on my back and looked skyward. In the turquoise sky, a small flock of ravens circled far above the red rocks cliffs, which were unchanged from four decades earlier. The scene was timeless, and I imagined being one of the earliest visitors to the pond, which dates to the 1930s.
Once in a while the sky was split by jets crisscrossing the heavens on their way to one large metropolis or another, reminding me that I actually do live in the modern era. The pond has a way of bringing you back to basic values, and I could not help feeling sorry for those who have never felt the joy and relaxation of a secluded small town swimming hole. Jana often jokes that in the cities they have their country clubs and in Bluff we have the pond. With its embracing cliffs and abundant cattails growing around the edge, given the option, I will choose the pond over the country club every time.
The next afternoon I was in the trading post working at selling more rugs, baskets and jewelry when Grange wandered in and said, “I’m hot, will you take me to the pond?” “Sure,” I readily agreed. At quitting time I loaded the redheaded boy and the red dog into the old red Ford. As I floated on a log, I noticed Grange sneaking out to the middle of the pond. “Help, Buffy, I’m drowning,” he shouted. Buffy dutifully swam out, circled Grange, let him grab her tail and paddled to shore, confident she had saved the life of her young master.
As Eugene O’Neill said in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, “The past is the present, isn’t it? It’s the future too.” At the pond I found my past in the present, while gazing into the future.
A few months ago, my sister-in-law Kathy decided a brood of hens was needed at our small farm. After developing her plan, she ordered a bunch of hatchings. Preparing for their arrival, we constructed a coop with an outside run in a small portion of the old barn located on the property. Every evening we check on the little tribe of poultry, whose dietary intake is supplemented with leftover greens from Twin Rocks Cafe. The offerings are always well-received by the hungry hoard, and the time required to maintain the chickens is a small price to pay for fresh eggs.
Navajo Folk Art
Just before leaving the trading post one night last week, I went to the cafe to gather leftovers. While doing so, I ran into my nephew Adam. I have been sparring with Adam since he was old enough to take a punch; roughing him up is my way of showing affection. Adam is now 23 years old, stands something over 6 feet tall and is "strong like Bull!" He can easily take whatever nonsense I offer and give it back with change. I began harassing the boy and he wasted no time responding. During the resulting fracas, I felt a disturbing pressure on my rib cage. Attempting to catch my breath, I realized a rib must have come from together to apart. Silly me!
Attempting to save face and not tear-up in public, I grabbed what I had come for, along with a handful of Ibuprofen, and exited the building. Driving home was a blur; I had not suffered a cracked rib since high school wrestling. Despite not having a broken rib for many years, I still remember they hurt a great deal and take a while to heal. By the feel of things, this injury would be no different. I arrived home, painfully made my way from the car to the house and found Laurie and the girls in the kitchen fixing dinner. I sat down slowly at the table, groaning slightly at the inconvenience.
"What's wrong Dad?" asked Alyssa. Laurie turned from her food preparation to carefully eye me. "It feels like I cracked a rib", I said casually. "Oh great, when did that happen?" she asked in a concerned manner. "Somewhere between the time I grabbed Adam and the time he let me go!" I said. Shaking her head sadly, she turned back to her work and, speaking mostly to herself, said, "When will you realize you are too old for that kind of nonsense?" Her, all too true, comment hurt more than the cracked rib.
Hoisting myself out of my chair and ignoring the pain, I said, "I have to go feed the chickens." "Way to be a man, Dad!" quipped McKale, giving Alyssa a high five. When it comes to pain and suffering, I am always telling the girls to, "Toughen up. Be a man!" In this instance I guess I deserve the sarcasm.
As I headed for the door Laurie set down her cooking implements, dusted the flour off her hands and sighed in resignation. "I will go with you", she said. "No need", I commented, "I can do it myself. I'll be fine." "Then take the girls", she said. "No", I replied, "they need to finish their homework." Shutting the door behind me, I moved slowly towards the truck. Laurie has never had much use for horseplay; it makes her nervous. I grew up in a house full of roughhousers. It is a way of life for me; a lesson in tough love. My wife, on the other hand grew up with four sisters and a baby brother. The worse she ever got was a little respectful bickering over a shared sweater. Now what fun is that?
With thoughts of compromise and painkillers weighing heavily on my mind, I gained my seat and drove up the mountain road to provide for the poultry. Upon arrival, I called to the barnyard biddies. They came running to the chicken wire fence in anticipation of fresh lettuce, kale, carrots, cucumbers, melon and their most preferred tomatoes. After tossing the salad into the pen, I went to check water storage. Propping the door latch in an upright position, I entered the coop, bent down to check the dispensers and noticed several hens jockeying for position between me and the door. It was as if they were attempting a chicken run. I was not in the mood to be chasing gumps around the barnyard, so I reached over and forcefully pulled the heavy door closed. As it slammed shut, I distinctly heard the outside latch drop into place.
"Dang", I said out loud. Pushing on the door proved fruitless, I was cooped up in a fowl place. Moving to the center of the pen, I sat down on the roost to consider my options. As I rested on my perch, considering the possibilities of escape, a couple of the hens that had gotten me into this predicament climbed up beside me, as if accepting me into the flock. I shook my head and smiled, recalling the old Hee Haw skit where Grandpa Jones, Roy Clark, Buck Owens, several other cast members and a pack of hounds lay on the porch drinking hooch and singing, "Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep, dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me."
Getting up slowly and holding my side, I looked over my containment. The door was rock solid, Craig had built a new wall across the barn, and it was tight. I popped the door a couple of times just to make sure. It didn't budge an inch. I could see through the old walls of the barn, but the wood was thick and well nailed. I checked the chicken wire covering the large window-like opening over the run, but decided I might cause a greater calamity by separating wire from wood, struggling through the opening and crawling across the heavy wire covering the run. I could just see myself entangled in the mesh. Looking over the wire covered ceiling of the coop, I spied a possible exit.
About that time I heard a vehicle drive up outside. I assumed it was the folks who lease the fields and the remainder of the barn. I caught my breath and began to worry about being found with egg on my face. If I were discovered, my folly would be bandied about town unmercifully. The thought of calling for help never even crossed my mind. Ain't pride a funny thing? I heard someone get out of the vehicle, go to the other side of the barn and begin hammering. Because there was a large stack of fresh hay between me and him, I felt safely anonymous. I went to the northeast corner of the cage, wedged myself as far as I could up in the junction , reached above me and pulled at the chicken wire.
Because of my fractured rib, it was all I could do to keep from crying outloud. I finally loosened enough brads to create a small opening between the wire and the superstructure of the building. I made my way up through the grit and grime covered beams of the age-old barn to freedom as the flock marked my progress, cackling back at my grunts, groans and creative language. Dropping back to the floor and re-entering the coop with its gathering of raucous spectators, I refilled water bottles and gravity grain feeders. Bidding the flock a less than fond au revoir, I locked the door behind me, hobbled out to the truck and drove home.
When I arrived at the house and went inside, dinner was being placed on the table. Corn and beans fresh from the garden, hot rolls with homemade raspberry jam, tossed green salad with tomatoes, Green River watermelon and . . . grilled chicken breasts. I cackled crazily at the coincidence while my family gazed at my dirty, ruffled, obviously pained appearance. Laurie, Alyssa and McKale looked me over very much like the chickens at the barn. I am sure they were considering my curious appearance, over-reaction and possibly, an extended furlough to the funny farm. We sat eying each other for a moment before Alyssa perked up and, in an obvious attempt to break an estranged silence, said, "What happened Dad, chickens get your goat?"
The young man stood close to the sales counter, his eyes slightly downcast. With his freshly scrubbed face and in his carefully pressed walking shorts and polo shirt, he was the picture of a well-bred, well-mannered boy. Digging the toe of his river sandaled foot into the carpet, he answered his mother’s inquiry with a determined, “No.” Unfortunately for him, his body language admitted what he would not.
1960's Natural Gem Grade Bisbee Turquoise Heavy Gauge Silver Bracelet
A few minutes earlier as he and his parents entered the trading post, his father had gently, but firmly, instructed him to keep his hands in his pockets and not touch anything. Giving the boy a trickster’s wink, I inquired, “How will we make any money if kids are not allowed to break a thing or two?” The boy’s parents did not overtly express displeasure, but their disappointment was apparent. I imagined them thinking, “Do not listen to that bad man. He will only cause you problems. You can tell from looking at him that he is trouble.”
Barry and I had been preparing to price certain antique jewelry pieces, so a Ray Lovato tab necklace, several bracelets, some earrings and a few brooches were on the counter. Apparently, the young man had not been able to restrain his curiosity, and had reached across the glass to more closely inspect one of the bracelets. As he did so, his inexperienced fingers fumbled and the cuff tumbled to the floor. It was at that moment the young man made a grave error.
Giving him a sharp look, his mother asked, “Did you touch that after we specifically asked you to keep your hands in your pockets?” “No!,” he answered far too quickly, trapping himself before he knew what had happened. At that point the inquisition and lecture ensued. “Sweetheart, don’t you know you should never lie to your parents? What kind of man will you grow up to be if you can’t tell the truth? I am not angry, I just need you to be honest; don’t tell me any stories” When the boy still could not bring himself to admit his mistake, his mother said, “This is the way it starts, with a small, insignificant lie, and the next thing you know, you are stealing cars and going to prison for a very long time. Do you want to go to prison?”
Her last comment startled me. Up to that point I was completely supportive and felt she had been quite compassionate. Stealing cars and going to prison was, however, overstating things a bit. Not that I hadn’t used precisely the same logic on my children when they were young. These parents, however, appeared much better prepared to guide their child in the proper ways of the world than I had been at their age. I have since learned a great deal about parenting, and work hard at not making insupportable statements.
As the couple walked out with their newly minted miscreant in tow, their comments reverberated in my mind. Although I had wanted to intervene in his behalf, out of respect for his parents, and with the hope he would soon redeem himself, I refrained from doing so.
Barry gave me a knowing look and went back to his office. Standing by the cash register, I watched the little family cross the parking lot and get into their car. They were extremely nice, and I regretted seeing the young man in trouble. As their vehicle pulled away, I sat down at the computer to write the next Tied to the Post essay.
When I had finished the story, I asked Barry to let me read it to him. “Did that really happen?” he asked. “Yes,” I said defensively, looking down at the floor and digging my toe into the carpet.
Looking at me with a penetrating stare and a smirk on his face, Barry said, “You shouldn’t tell stories. What kind of man will you grow up to be if you can’t tell the truth? The next thing you know, you will be stealing cars, going to prison for a very long time and getting tattoos.” I couldn’t help thinking, “Tattoos?”
Posted by Tied to the Post-Twin Rocks Trading Post at 9:18 AM No comments:
The other morning I saw a magnificent sunrise. I had to be in Bluff early, so I left the house before dawn and was graced with the amazing spectacle. It had rained the night before, so the earth smelled fresh, new. The heavy cloud cover made it darker than usual. Before I left the house, I hurried into the garden and picked a handful of fresh peas, two small tomatoes and a cob of sweet corn for breakfast. To me, there is nothing more tasty than vegetables straight from the garden. I hopped into the torpedo shaped Previa, pointed its nose south, split a shell and popped a few glorious peas into my mouth.
Navajo Fire Dance Ceremony Basket
Cruising slowly towards Bluff, and munching my freshly picked appetizers, I inhaled the refreshing fragrance of earth and sky flowing in through the open window. Approaching the newly mowed hayfields just south of Blanding, I looked to the east and was struck by a sky more wondrous than Elizabeth Taylor's eyes. The heavens were a magnificent lavender, with accents of vanilla highlights brushed across it. The whole scene was embellished with a tinge of rose blush about the edges. Driving to Bluff took approximately 35 minutes, and during that time the sky constantly transformed, ebbing and flowing in ever changing modifications of light and color. It was almost a shame to drop into the warm morning glow embracing Cow Canyon and leave behind this enchanted scene.
Often I speak of the natural world, probably because it often speaks to me. The Navajo people declare that humans were created of Earth and Sky, introduced through water, supported by wind and nourished by corn. Every aspect of human creation is recognized and granted sacred status. When I look closely at their interpretations, I see that every element of this creation story, every nuance, is essential to their survival and understanding.
Consistent with the Navajo traditions, modern science tells us that our bodies are primarily water (H2O); 65-90% by weight. Fundamentally we are oxygen molecules. Carbon, the basic unit for organic organisms, comes in second. In fact, 99% our bodies is comprised of just six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. The parallels among our differing stories are striking. As human beings with vastly varying life experiences, we simply interpret the stories differently.
When our parents, Duke and Rose Simpson, came to this less than hospitable river valley I doubt they realized the cultural implications. Our mother was educated in parochial schools, and was determined to familiarize us with Catholicism. The traveling priest was scheduled to pass through town once a month, but often missed his appointments because of other, more pressing, obligations. Concerned about raising a group of heathens, and undaunted in her religious efforts, Mom, with Dad's stern support, herded us over to Saint Christopher's Episcopal Mission, where Craig and I were installed as alter boys. Our parents adapted and evolved.
A multitude of rich and varied cultures surrounded us; Ancient Puebloan, Navajo, Ute, a smattering of outlaws and, from Bluff's founding fathers, Latter Day Saints. Most people would have been confounded by the convoluted infusion of articles of faith, natural interpretations and archaeological hypotheses. My wife, Laurie, will tell you that this is the origin of my addled state of mind. Our parents did their best to introduce us to all these traditions. They patiently counseled us to educate ourselves to all, take what we considered the best and most thoughtful from each and build a firm foundation from the available materials.
It was from the Navajo that I acquired my love of the natural world, and my desire to know more about myths and legends flowing in from all corners of the globe. Listening to Navajo creation stories and embracing the simple, basic elements of life illuminated the world around me. These tales allowed me to experience the unique color variations of dawn and dusk; the depth and emotion of landscape rendered texture, the visual uniqueness and appeal of stunted Juniper trees; the invigorating aroma of sage and rabbit brush at various seasons of the year; and the humor and life lessons of the animal kingdom. These experiences came from listening to traditional stories and interpreting Native art. In doing so, I gained a grasp of many simple realities.
For example, when I see turquoise I visualize a fractured piece of the sky thrown to earth as a gift of the gods. For me, Navajo rugs portray enchanting mountains, mesas and monuments enhanced with thunder, lightning and much desired moisture. In baskets I see sacred ceremony and life ways essential to the upward movement and forward motion of tradition and culture. In the art of the Navajo people, and the stories it tells, I see a sensitivity to the earth, sky and water. In it I witness an age old honor and respect for that which we depend upon to survive. I see common ground.
In Search of the Old Ones
Not long ago I was leaning on the counter, thumbing through a copy of In Search of the Old Ones by David Roberts, when a couple from Flagstaff began pushing on the Kokopelli doors. The book, which is about the Anasazi culture, has been on my “to read” list for several years. Like many things, however, I never seem to find time for it.
Navajo Monument Valley Mitten Basket
Not wanting to risk losing a potential customer in these challenging economic times, I put down the book and hurried around the counter to assist them. The trading post doors have gotten old and cranky. The automatic closer (not being mechanically inclined, I am at a loss for the correct term), has gotten sticky, requiring a strong push to enter and a powerful tug to exit the store.
Although Barry and I have attempted several repairs, none has been completely successful, and the thing-a-ma-bob is surely doomed. Replacing it, however, has been difficult because acknowledging that it is worn out will also be acknowledging the obvious; that it is not the only old and cranky thing that needs to be replaced. Barry and I realize we are not far down that list.
The couple wandered into the back room and noticed several piles of Navajo baskets Barry and I had laid out for transfer to the Utah Natural History Museum. We recently concluded an arrangement to convey our collection of approximately 300 weavings to the institution. After 30 years of accumulating, Barry and I have a serious case of separation anxiety, so we wanted to live with the baskets for a while longer before shipping them to their new home. The collection not only chronicles the evolution of contemporary Navajo basketry from its earliest days until now, it represents much of our work as Indian traders. Aside from being beautiful art, each piece serves as a repository of trading post memories.
Looking through the stacks with us, the couple was amazed by the variety, creativity and beauty of the baskets. As a result, they stayed for hours talking about Mary Holiday Black, Elsie Holiday, Joann Johnson and Lorraine Black, and the extraordinary creativity these artists have exhibited over the years. Barry and I explained how the art seems to be contracting, and that many of the basket weavers have slowed their production or quit weaving altogether. We talked about the halcyon days of basketry and discussed a time when the traditional Navajo people regularly came into the store with their beautiful turquoise jewelry, traditional clothing and leather moccasins. Admittedly, we were all a bit melancholy as we discussed the loss of traditional culture, including Navajo basket weaving.
At one point, the couple wandered past the cash register and noticed my book laying open on the counter. Picking it up, they read the title and, referring to the Navajo rather than the Anasazi, asked, “Where have all the old ones gone.” “I don’t know,” I responded, “but I genuinely miss them.”
Their question reminded me of Espee Jones, an elderly Navajo man who used to come into Twin Rocks Trading Post to pawn his rifles and turquoise beads. Espee had a congenital hip problem and walked with a severe limp. In spite of that, he was generally cheerful and fun to talk with. I always wanted to photograph him, but never seemed to have the right equipment when he arrived.
As pawn became complicated by gun registration laws and a variety of other issues, Barry and I determined to give it up. When we explained to him that we would no longer be pawning, Espee shook his head knowingly, and said, “Okay, just for me then?” It almost broke my heart to tell him that we would not be doing it for anyone, including him.
Although I never knew if the story was true or not, several years later I was told that one day Espee decided he had lived long enough and simply walked out into the desert to let nature take its course. I guess Barry and I have gone soft on old people and old things. Maybe we will hang on to that door thing-a-ma-bob a little longer, if only for sentimental reasons.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3158
|
__label__cc
| 0.72082
| 0.27918
|
Benefit Donation Art Giveaways/Silent Auction
Art Giveaways
For venue events and music festivals, we collect donations of artwork from members of the music community. We accept monetary donations and enter fans into art giveaways. We give away 1-15 prizes, and monetary donations get forwarded to a nonprofit, charity, or organization that our team resonates with, most often a local initiative.
Silent Auctions
Silent Auctions are run using donated artwork. Bids are made on the artwork until the end of bidding time. Proceeds are forwarded to the nights beneficiary.
Planting the Seeds of Life
This is a new program in which we will ask patrons at the events we attend to ‘sponsor a fruit tree.’ After about a year of collecting sponsorships, we will organize action days in which people who sponsored a tree can participate in a planting day, or they have the option to surrender their spot to another volunteer.
Our community engagement programs strive to engage the music community with their local communities in order to activate positive change.
Petition Signing and Local Initiative Information
We research local initiatives and organizations, and link the music community to these movements. We engage patrons with local petitions, and information on how to get involved in their community.
Advocates of Action
Advocates of Action is an volunteer action day program in which we invite members of the music community to participate in a volunteer day with a local organization that needs hands. We target attendees of music events for these volunteer days in order to engage the music community with their local communities. We honor volunteers work by offering ‘paradigm gifts.’ These perks can include an extra night of camping and music (at festivals), event posters, and other AOC merchandise or artwork.
Now That You Know
We organize pre-show workshops/pre-parties that engage members of the music community with topics such as sustainability, yoga, healing arts, and art collaboration. These pre-show gatherings also offer the opportunity for local musicians to share their talents with the community.
Artist Partnerships
Our artist partnership programs allow us to support the artists that support us so tremendously in a tangible way.
Donated Images – Our Artist Collective
We work with artists to create limited rights use contracts that allow us to reproduce images that they have donated to us. We use these reproductions (prints, canvas prints, stickers) for fundraising purposes, and are able to provide some compensation for the artists.
Original Art Design
Artists design event posters, silent auction items, and merchandise for us, and we split the proceeds with them.
Artist Showcases
Our artist showcase programs incorporates direct artist support with our art raffles. Instead of raffling off art from a variety of artists, we feature one artist to showcase. All of the artwork in the raffle is donated by this artist. Artists are also able to sell their artwork directly to patrons through our booth. We split the proceeds from donations for the raffle with artists 70/30, 30 to artist. For direct sales of artwork, we split donations 70/30, 70 to artist.
Whenever we are able, we love to invite local artists to come express themselves at the events we participate in!
Dream Out Loud Fund: Furthering the Arts One Dream at a Time
Dream Out Loud Fund: Furthering the Arts One Dream at a Time. Dream Out Loud is a grant program that will award four or more artists a year with funds to further their development and career as artists, especially as relates to inspiring and activating the community. We at Advocates of Change have seen first-hand the power that art has to change the world; our artists have raised over $40,000 for charities nationwide, helped heal and protect the environment, given hope to medical patients, given youth the opportunity to develop through art and music, and clothed and fed thousands of people. Art can inspire awe, evoke emotion, express an inner world of thoughts and feelings, spark action and movement, and strengthen resilience. Art defies the boundaries of conventional communication and has the power to unify and edify the human race. It is our aim through the Dream Out Loud program to sponsor and assist artists who intend to do just that.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3175
|
__label__cc
| 0.646218
| 0.353782
|
‘Seeing’ through robot eyes. Shutterstock/TrifonenkoIvan
Robots can learn a lot from nature if they want to ‘see’ the world
July 8, 2018 4.00pm EDT
Michael Milford, Jonathan Roberts, Queensland University of Technology
Michael Milford
Michael Milford is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor, Queensland University of Technology
Jonathan Roberts
Professor in Robotics, Queensland University of Technology
Professor Michael Milford is a Chief Investigator at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision, an Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Microsoft Research Faculty Fellow and Founding Director of the education startup Math Thrills Pty Ltd. He receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Queensland Government, Caterpillar Corporation, Mining3, Microsoft, the Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development and AMP.
Jonathan Roberts is a Chief Investigator at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision. He receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Queensland University of Technology provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.
Vision is one of nature’s amazing creations that has been with us for hundreds of millions of years. It’s a key sense for humans, but one we often take for granted: that is, until we start losing it or we try and recreate it for a robot.
Many research labs (including our own) have been modelling aspects of the vision systems found in animals and insects for decades. We draw heavily upon studies like those done in ants, in bees and even in rodents.
To model a biological system and make it useful for robots, you typically need to understand both the behavioural and neural basis of that vision system.
Read more: In an ant's world, the smaller you are the harder it is to see obstacles
The behavioural component is what you observe the animal doing and how that behaviour changes when you mess with what it can see, for example by trying different configurations of landmarks. The neural components are the circuits in the animal’s brain underlying visual learning for tasks, such as navigation.
Recognising faces
Recognition is a fundamental visual process for all animals and robots. It’s the ability to recognise familiar people, animals, objects and landmarks in the world.
Because of its importance, facial recognition comes partly “baked in” to natural systems such as a baby. We’re able to recognise faces quite early on.
Along those lines, some artificial face recognition systems are based on how biological systems are thought to function. For example, researchers have created sets of neural networks that mimic different levels of the visual processing hierarchy in primates to create a system that is capable of face recognition.
Recognising places
Visual place recognition is an important process for anything that navigates through the world.
Place recognition is the process by which a robot or animal looks at the world around it and is able to reconcile what it’s currently seeing with some past memory of a place, or in the case of humans, a description or expectation of that place.
Before the advent of GPS navigation, we may have been given instructions like “drive along until you see the church on the left and take the next right hand turn”. We know what a typical church looks like and hence can recognise one when we see it.
This place recognition may sound like an easy task, until one encounters challenges such as appearance-change – for example the change in the appearance caused by day-night cycles or by adverse weather conditions.
Visually recognising a place is straightforward … until the appearance of that place changes drastically. Michael Milford
Another challenge in visually recognising a place is viewpoint change: changes in how a place appears if you view it from a different perspective.
An extreme example of this is encountered when retracing a route along a road for the first time - you are encountering everything in the environment from the opposite viewpoint.
When viewed from opposing viewpoints, the same place appears very different. neyro2008 / Alexander Zelnitskiy / Maxim Popov / 123rf.com / 1 Year, 1,000km: The Oxford RobotCar Dataset.
Creating a robotic system that can recognise this place despite these challenges requires the vision system to have a deeper understanding of what is in the environment around it.
Sensing capability
Visual sensing hardware has advanced rapidly over the past decade, in part driven by the proliferation of highly capable cameras in smartphones. Modern cameras are now matching or surpassing even the more capable natural vision systems, at least in certain aspects.
For example, a consumer camera can now see as well as an adjusted human eye in the dark.
Sony A7s low light test.
New smartphone cameras can also record video at 1,000 frames per second, enabling the potential for robotic vision systems that operate at a higher frequency than a human vision system.
Specialist robotic vision sensing such as the Dynamic Vision Sensor (DVS) are even faster but only report the change in the brightness of a pixel, rather than its absolute colour. You can see the difference here in a walk around Hyde Park in London:
Mapping a walk through Hyde Park using an event camera. The top left panel shows the pixel intensity change “events”, the bottom left a normal colour camera for reference, and the right panel shows the resultant mapping of the person’s trajectory through the park, as if viewed from above.
Not all robot cameras have to be like conventional cameras either: roboticists use specialist cameras based on how animals such as ants see the world.
Skyline-based localisation for aggressively manoeuvring robots using UV sensors and spherical harmonics.
Required resolution?
One of the fundamental questions in all vision-based research for robots and animals is what visual resolution (or visual acuity) is required to “get the job done”.
For many insects and animals such as rodents, a relatively low visual resolution is all they have access to - equivalent to a camera with a few thousand pixels in many cases (compared with a modern smartphone which has camera resolutions ranging from 8 Megapixels to 40 Megapixels).
Bees navigate effectively using a relatively low resolution visual sensing capability. Bogdan Mircea Hoda / 123rf.com
The required resolution varies greatly depending on the task - for some navigation tasks, only a few pixels are required for both animals such as ants and bees and robots.
But for more complex tasks - such as self-driving cars - much higher camera resolutions are likely to be required.
If cars are ever to reliably recognise and predict what a human pedestrian is doing, or intending to do, they will likely require high resolution visual sensing systems that can pick up subtle facial expressions and body movement.
A tension between bio-inspiration and pragmatism
For roboticists looking to nature for inspiration, there is a constant tension between mimicking biology and capitalising on the constant advances in camera technology.
While biological vision systems were clearly superior to cameras in the past, constant rapid advancement in technology has resulted in cameras with superior sensing capabilities to natural systems in many instances. It’s only sensible that these practical capabilities should be exploited in the pursuit of creating high performance and safe robots and autonomous vehicles.
But biology will still play a key role in inspiring roboticists. The natural kingdom is superb at making highly capable vision systems that consume minimal space, computational and power resources, all key challenges for most robotic systems.
Extinction is a natural process, but it’s happening at 1,000 times the normal speed
Optimizing cows. Studio Peace/shutterstock
Milking cows for data – not just dairy products
You can’t resist the yawn. Chayanin Wongpracha/Shutterstock.com
What is it about yawning?
Spainter_vfx/Shutterstock.com
Why technology puts human rights at risk
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3178
|
__label__wiki
| 0.941572
| 0.941572
|
Campus hosts congressional candidates at student forum
by Maya AlZaben, Staff Writer
With midterm elections fast approaching, Associated Students gave San Diego State students an opportunity to meet congressional campaigns and get their questions answered on Oct. 23 in the student union.
The candidates present included Congresswoman Susan Davis, Republican House of Representatives candidate Morgan Murtaugh, Republican House candidate Omar Qurdat and a representative for Congressman Scott Peters, who could not physically appear at the event.
Education reform, one of the more important issues for Davis, was something she preached heavily to students.
“You end up paying incredible amounts of money for your education and the debt carries with you,” Davis said. “Maybe housing is not available. I understand some people even deter getting married because they’re having to work and go to school and pay off those debts.”
Murtaugh, who at the age of 26 is the youngest candidate for Congress in the country, said it is important that young people are involved with politics and understand the issues.
“It was only three years ago that I was in your exact position,” Murtaugh said. “I graduated from college in 2015 and I’m the youngest woman in the nation running for Congress. It excites me to see how many people are starting to get involved in our generation because we are the net generation of leadership.”
In talking about her policy perspectives, Murtaugh said many people are pleased to find she sits at the liberal end of the conservative agenda.
“People are pleasantly surprised by my candidacy and the fact that a Republican who supports gay marriage, and always has, who believes that marijuana should be removed from the list of Schedule 1 drugs and who is a total environmentalist hippie who believes that essential oils are the only essential medicine that I need in my life,” Murtaugh said.
Following Murtaugh, Republican Qudrat said he feels no obligation to always stand with the government.
“I don’t believe in the government,” Qudrat said. “I believe in the people.”
Preaching libertarian values, Qudrat explained that true freedom means not having to think about the government in people’s everyday lives.
“I don’t believe that the government should be getting involved in every choice that we have,” Qudrat said. “When I say freedom, I mean freedom from the government too.”
Congressman Scott Peters sent a representative to speak on his behalf, Cody Vierra, as he had a pre-existing commitment to speak at another event in Carmel Valley.
The representative also centered her speech around something many SDSU students relate to – student loans.
“I want to emphasize Congressman Peters has always been supportive of students,” the representative said. “He himself is a product of student loans and, if he didn’t have access to those when he was going to college, he wouldn’t be where he is today.”
When it comes to student loan reform, the representative said Peters has an impressive track record.
“Congressman Peters has actually passed legislation (regarding student loans),” the representative said. “He has passed a law to reduce them and introduced a new bill to reduced rates even further because he believes that it is wrong for the government to make a profit off of the backs of students and he has gone through that himself as well.”
Business administration junior Tatiana Daaboul said the event helped her decide who she wanted to vote for when Nov. 6 comes around.
“I honestly had no idea who I wanted to vote for at first because I wasn’t educated on the candidates,” Daaboul said. “But, this (event) really helped me make up my mind.”
Congresswoman Susan Davis said above all else, young voters need to go out and make the time to vote.
“We know mostly people that are older vote, they have a long history of voting and they’re gonna be sure that they vote,” Davis said. “Those numbers often overwhelm the numbers of people who don’t have a history of voting.”
Tags: election, midterms, omar qudrat, San Diego State, SDSU, Susan Davis
Campus-wide email warns of webcam security flaw
Fund created by SDSU alumna, employee supports students troubled by cancer
SDSU mandates full meningitis B vaccine for new students
PSFA to reopen next week, could see another two years of improvements
Women’s Resource Center issues campus-wide apology after sharing ‘disrespectful’ pro-Palestine photo
Year in review: Meningitis outbreak, Greek life suspensions, racism on campus
Least expensive meal plan option to be dropped starting next school year
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3179
|
__label__cc
| 0.741405
| 0.258595
|
The Movie Lovers - Episode 58: The Year So Far, 1985
Jeff and Shanna had to change plans suddenly due to a scheduling conflict! So, they'll discuss Toy Story 4 in a future episode. However, this time they look at the year so far and pick the worst and best of the year. In addition, Shanna catches up on a few Netflix shows and they go back in time to 1985! (cue Huey Lewis music) They count down their COMBINED list of favorite films from 1985.
Next time on The Movie Lovers: Spider-Man: Far from Home and Film Faves: Sci-Fi and Fantasy of the Decade! Look for it on 7/9.
· Opening and Introduction
· The Week in Review (0:01:21)
o Shanna’s Week:
§ You
§ Russian Doll
§ The Ted Bundy Tapes
§ Brazil
o Our Week: (0:16:10)
§ The Upside
· The Main Event: The Year So Far (0:22:08)
o General Discussion
o The Worst & Best of the Year (So Far)
· Film Faves: 1985 (0:57:35)
· Where You Can Find Us and Ending (1:31:12)
Our Fave 1985 Movies:
12. Desperately Seeking Susan - Prime
11. Weird Science
10. The Color Purple
9. Ran
8. Mask
7. Lost in America
6. Teen Wolf - Prime
5. The Goonies
4. The Jewel of the Nile
3. The Breakfast Club
2. Clue - Prime
1. Back to the Future
1985 Avengers best of the year Marvel The Movie Lovers
The Movie Lovers - Episode 39: Life Itself, 1992
After a bit of a break due to schedule conflicts, Jeff and Shanna return to play catch-up! They discuss A Simple Favor, review Life Itself and count down their favorite films of 1992.
The Movie Lovers - Episode 50: How to Train Your Dragon, Animated Movies of the Decade
In our 50th episode of The Movie Lovers (hey, we made it!), Jeff and Shanna discuss the Academy Awards and a couple of recent releases before diving into their review of the final How to Train Your Dragon film. And then they continue their year-long series corresponding with articles from the blog with a countdown of their favorite animated movies of the decade.
The Movie Lovers - Episode 52: Us, Foreign Film of the Decade
Jeff and Shanna are recovering from the flu, so turn up the volume for this episode! We apologize for the inconvenience.
In this episode they talk everything film and TV-related from Seattle's Emerald City Comic Con, review Jordan Peele's latest chiller Us, and continue the year-long series looking back on the decade with their favorite foreign films from the decade.
The Movie Lovers - Episode 58: The Year So Far, 19...
The Movie Lovers - Episode 57: Godzilla: King of t...
Best of the 2010s: Action Movies
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3182
|
__label__cc
| 0.675811
| 0.324189
|
Leave it up to Fate: Chapter Fifteen
Ana stared at the array of controls on the dashboard as she sat in Ken’s Porsche; it was one of the most luxurious cars she had ever been in. The engine was idling as she waited for him in front of his agency in Azabu where he was supposed to pick something up. Afterwards, Ken told her that he would take her to one of the best Indian places in Shibuya. Ana was a big fan of Indian food herself, and for the nth time she told herself that it was the reason why she was now sitting in his car.
Kaye’s warning from the night before rang in her head, “Careful that you don’t start believing in this fairy tale, proximity has a funny way of breeding familiarity,” she had said when Ana told her and Tessa that she was having lunch with Ken. Then she had started muttering that being a fairy godmother was hard work and that there ought to have just compensation schemes. Tessa started giggling as Ana stared at both of them in confusion.
It was just lunch, Ana told herself, as she fidgeted in the plush leather seats. It was just a simple lunch in a room full of people. Nothing more proper than that, Ana argued, people had lunch with each other everyday. Only people didn’t usually have lunch with handsome and charming companions who could steal your heart if you weren’t careful, a niggling voice inside her reminded her.
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she gave a start when her mobile began vibrating. She picked it up gingerly and peered at the word ‘call’ as it flashed on the screen. Ana sighed, it was another unidentified number. Over the past few days, she had been getting calls from a lot of local reporters and journalists, begging her for an interview. Even her private line at the institute had been inundated with calls. Resignedly, she decided to answer the call.
“Hello?” Ana answered warily. She hoped that answering in English might put the Japanese press off a bit.
“You forgot didn’t you?” a female voice whispered.
“Huh?” asked as she glanced around nervously, she wondered if she was being paranoid about the paparazzi, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
“Tanya’s birthday,” her sister-in-law clarified.
Ana groaned, she couldn’t believe she had forgotten her godchild’s birthday. “Lynne, I’m so sorry. Is she mad at me?”
Her former best friend chuckled, “Don’t worry, I took care of it,” she answered, “But mind you, I expect her Christmas gift to be extra-special,” she warned.
“You can count on it,” Ana promised, “Is she there? I’d like to talk to her.”
“Alright, I’ll put you on speaker phone,” Lynne said.
Ana could hear Lynne call to her daughter in the background. The excited patter of feet heralded her godchild’s voice, “Ninang Ana!” Tanya bellowed into the mouthpiece.
Ana smiled, “Hi sweetheart!” She could hear Lynne admonishing Tanya to speak in a normal volume. “How are you sweetie?”
“I’m fine Ninang,” Tanya answered, “Thank you for the dollhouse! Judy loves it!”
“Judy?” Ana asked, wondering if Judy was a playmate, a nanny, or otherwise.
“Yes Ninang,” the child piped up, “Remember Judy, the doll you gave me last Christmas. So now you gave me a house for her. Remember?”
“Yes darling, I remember,” Ana answered as Ken opened the door and slid into the driver’s seat. He tossed a sheaf of papers onto the backseat and looked curiously at Ana. She held up a finger asking him to wait.
“Ninang?” Tanya called.
“Yes darling, what is it?” Ana asked, missing Ken’s reaction at her statement. His brows were doing impressive aerial gymnastics again.
“Ninang, will you come home soon? I miss you,” Tanya asked plaintively.
Ana’s heart melted, she so loved her godchild. “I’m sorry baby,” she apologized, “I miss you too, but I can’t come back anytime soon,” she answered.
The frown on Ken’s face was definite as he growled, “Are you talking to Sato?”
Ana shushed him, “No, I’m talking to my godchild,” she said exasperatedly as she activated her mobile’s speakerphone system.
“Ninang?” Tanya’s childish voice came through loud and clear, “who was that?”
“That’s just Ninang’s friend sweetie, say hello,” Ana turned to Ken, and motioned for him to answer when Tanya said hello.
“What’s your name?” Tanya demanded.
“I’m Ken, what’s yours?”
“I’m Tanya. I’m five and I’m going to a real school soon,” she proudly announced, “Ninang, is he your boyfriend?”
Before Ana could reply however, the sound of heels on marble indicated that someone was hurrying towards the phone. She groaned as she heard her mom’s voice, “Ana? Hija? Who was that?”
“Hello Mama,” Ana answered as she scrambled to turn off the speakerphone system. Ken chuckled and Ana glared at him, “Uh, that was a friend,” she told her mother.
“Is he really?” her mother sighed, “I wish you would go out more hija, you’re not getting any younger…”
“Actually, I’m on a date. Right now,” Ana answered, her temper getting the better of her. Even her family believed her to be hopeless!
Her mother giggled in satisfaction, “I knew it hija!” she trilled, “So who is he, hmm?”
“No one you know,” Ana answered in Cebuano, glaring at Ken’s amused expression, “Uh, Ma we’re having lunch so I’ll call you back later. Love you, bye!” Ana sighed as she hung up.
“What was that all about?” Ken asked as he started the engine and eased the car onto the street.
“Long story.”
“Ii yo. We have time.”
Ana looked at him in exasperation, he smiled innocently at her and she laughed. “To make a long story short, my mother was about to launch into her favorite topic,” at Ken’s inquisitive smile, she continued, “If you must know, its the ‘poor-lonely-Ana-should-find-someone-to-spend-the-rest-of-her-life-with-soon’ speech.” She glared at him when he started laughing, “Its not funny at all! My mother can go on for hours on the subject!”
“Are mothers really like that?”
“I think all mothers are pre-programmed to do that.”
“I guess if my mom were still alive she’d probably be pressuring me to marry too.”
Ana could have kicked herself. How insensitive could she be? How could have she forgotten about Ken’s parents? Keeping her tone light, she turned to him and said, “Consider yourself lucky then, it’s not a situation I’d wish on anyone.”
Ken laughed at that, “I think I am lucky,” he said as he smiled at her, “In any case, I don’t think either of my parents would approve of my lifestyle.” Although Ken’s parents had encouraged his acting career, they were simple people who would never have approved of the superficial relationships that abound in his profession. In fact, if his parents still lived, Ken doubted if acting would have been anything other than a hobby. His dad had actively encouraged Ken’s early interest in diplomatic service and had even put Ken’s early earnings into what he called a college fund.
At Ana’s inquisitive look, he continued, “My parents loved each other. It was a rarity in those times,” he smiled as they turned a corner, “I remember what my mom said when she was asked if dad was omiai,” he said in reference to the traditional Japanese marriage mart, “she said that it was ai.”
Ana smiled at that. Ai—the Japanese word for the ephemeral concept of love. In Japan, most people expressed their feelings with the word suki or ‘like.’ The term daisuki or ‘to like very much’ was one level up, and ai suru or ‘to love’ was rarely used.
She smiled at Ken, “Your parents must have been happy together.”
He smiled back, “They were.”
Ken thought of his parents as he navigated through the light traffic. It wasn’t the girls he had gone out with that they probably would have disapproved of, Ken mused. No, it was his lack of emotional commitment that would have worried them. He had never really thought about it before now, but he acknowledged that part of his reticence in forming emotional attachments was because he had witnessed how it had destroyed his father when his mother died.
In the months after his mother passed away, Ken had seen the despair eat away at his father. He drank and worked until he became a mere shell of the man he used to be. He had forgotten about his children, Ken and Yuki, who were also grieving. After his father died, Ken had enclosed himself into an impenetrable cocoon and focused all his energies on bringing up his sister.
Over the years, Ken had found it difficult to build emotional connections. Yoshi had said as much when Ken ended a two-year relationship with a popular model a few years ago. The girl had been a common friend and had gone crying to Yoshi when Ken broke up with her. It wasn’t as if he did it consciously, Ken thought, it was just that not letting anyone get too close had simply become a force of habit. It had been easy. Most of the girls he had gone out with had been fun, but they had been flighty and immature and it had been easy for him not to form emotional roots with them.
Distractedly, glanced at the girl sitting next to him. Ana looked cool and composed as she quietly stared out at the passing scenery. Ken idly pondered what his parents might have thought of Ana and impulsively decided that they would have liked her. He may not be involved with her on a romantic level, but he enjoyed her company and felt like they could eventually be good friends. However explosive their relationship may be, Ken thought that he was truly himself when he was with her.
She was unlike any girl he had even gone out with. And therein lay the problem.
Posted by cpsanti at 7:39 AM
Mari said...
I just scanned the story, but it got me interested. I will probably come back to finish it later.
Thanks for your comment on my blog.
Nance said...
Hello there, cp!
You are a very good story teller!
my feedback? I like the way you answer the questions in your reader's mind, like Lynne is not only a SIL but was also a former best friend. Immediately i felt closeness between those two.
The flow is good, they are tied together and easy to follow. i have no problem with the language because you explained what they are. it didn't grab my attention right away but all in all, it was very well written! Keep writing, cpsanti!
Thanks for visiting my blog, am glad you did...hope it's ok to add your blog to mine?
hi mari! thanks for dropping by!
hi nance! thanks for the great comments ;-) i am so glad you enjoyed the story! thanks for taking time to read it!
laagan said...
Hi...I should really allot a specific time to read your stories. I scanned them and I know that I will enjoy myself. Busy days...really..
I really forgot the name of the hotel where we billeted in Paris..will have to check my files ehehe..
thanks for visiting my site
I can feel the build up! And I appreciate the mention of Indian food. Yummy yum yum.
Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Come back tomorrow!
A Pinay In EnglandYour Love CoachI, Woman
PEACHY said...
thanks for visiting my blog... will be back to read more.
hi laagan ;-) no worries, come back anytime!
hi joy ;-) so you're a big fan of indian food too?
hi peachy ;-) thanks for returning the visit!
Now I understand why Ken isn't comfortable with emotional attachment. Actually, nagtaka ako when he didn't want to talk about it with Yoshi. You introduced it with perfect timing. :)
Leave it up to Fate: Chapter Thirteen
Leave it up to Fate: Chapter Fourteen
Taym Pers: On the cover
Leave it up to Fate: Chapter Sixteen
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3183
|
__label__cc
| 0.599675
| 0.400325
|
THEY VS US: ON OTHERINESS
By Pius Adesanmi, PhD.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Thursday, September 3, 2009.
In the postcolonial and cultural theory part of my work, I teach something called the production of otherness at the graduate level. It has to do with how people, voices, or forces who perceive themselves as normative at certain points in history have represented those who do not look like them as anomalous, primitive, and inferior. Those producing ‘the other’ always see themselves as the norm. In postcolonial theory, we call them “the self”.
For much of the last six hundred years, for instance, the white race has been the most active producer of otherness, operating as a self that represents all other races - especially the black race - as its inferior others. Everywhere you turn to in human history, you encounter the phenomenon of otherness production.
The self needs and breeds otherness in order to have value or even to exist. For instance, to satisfy that necessity, Apartheid produced the kaffir; Islam produced the infidel; Christianity produced the unbeliever; heterosexuality produced the fag; Israelis produced the Araboushim; Americans produced the nigga; European colonizers produced the native; patriarchal man produced the hysteric woman. Even in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Nigeria, the nightmare known as the PDP is a self actively producing and victimizing otherness: the other of the PDP is otherwise known as the ordinary Nigerian.
Those who produce otherness always feel compelled to manufacture and acknowledge the rare exception who is then severed from his source and hoisted as a trophy on a pedestal. The production of otherness is a process that does not tolerate things in the singular. Rather, it always strives to be a broad, all-encompassing basket into which the othered is dropped and stereotyped.
Hence, all the negative traits that dominant white America churns out while othering the “nigga” or the Native American are not designed to describe just one “nigga” or one Indian. Niggas are all like that. Indians are generally lazy. Kaffirs are thieves. Africans are all diseased and poverty-stricken. The Araboushim are all terrorists who want to destroy Israel. My broda take am easy. Shebi you know women, they are all like that jare.
The list of blanket stereotyping is endless in the production of otherness. The self that produces the other possesses a tongue that can only victimize an entire people or an entire group. It is always “they are all like that except…”
Except LaShawnqua, my good African American female neighbor, who is not like the rest of them. Except Dakota Black Horse, my Native Indian friend who is so hard working and has nothing in common with, you know, other Indians. Except Abdelmalik, my Araboushim friend who abhors terrorism. Except Abdul Yahaya Jaiyeoba Okonkwo, my good Nigerian friend who is not into 419.
Welcome to the world of the exception that is created, perhaps as a conscience-salving proposition, by the self and made to represent everything his people or group is not! The world of this exceptional creature is, however, a lonely one. Created by the self and perpetually hoisted as a trophy of exception, this character, who is not like his people or his group, is usually the entry port of a generalized process of denigration of the very people who sired him. He is the first victim of the very people who think they admire him by othering him!
This is Wole Soyinka’s lonely and curious world in Igbo cyber discourse, raised to a cacophonous pitch recently by Soyinka’s rightful disagreement with the cream of Yoruba leadership over their unbelievable and mischievous attempts to ethnicize the freedom action undertaken by MEND against the Atlas Cove Jetty in Lagos – a property of Nigeria’s oppressor-aggressor Federal Government.
Soyinka’s disagreement with certain voices in Yoruba leadership became an open sesame for so many Igbo voices on the net – with a sprinkling of south-south voices – to manufacture him as “the good Yoruba”, thus tragically making Soyinka the latest addition to a long philosophico-historical list of othered and inferiorized subjects such as “the good Indian”, “the good nigga”, “the good native”, “the good kaffir” and, of course, “the good Muslim”.
Before making another foolish post on this subject in Nigerian listervs, before writing another silly blog, before making another uninformed chat room comment, I will advise non-Yoruba who admire Soyinka by describing him as different from his people to urgently read Dorothy Hammond’s and Alta Jablow’s The Africa that Never Was: Four Centuries of British Writing about Africa, Syed Hussein Alatas’s The Myth of the Lazy Native and Mahmood Mamdani’s Good Muslim, Bad Muslim in order to gain some awareness of the historical and philosophical dimensions of the production of otherness.
In The Africa that Never Was, our friends will discover how the bloody British spent four centuries manufacturing lazy and dishonest Africans – except the good African. In Alatas’s book, they will discover how, in over three hundred years of contact, Western colonialists blanketed out the Malays as lazy natives, a process in which they always systematically allowed just enough room for the “one good Malay” who is not like the rest.
In Mamdani’s book, they will read how, in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, it became the ideological strategy of a crusading Christian West, led by the crazy neocons around George Bush, to manufacture that good Muslim who, in the nature of things, is not like the terrorist rest! These are some of the introductory texts to my graduate seminar on the production of otherness.
One must make the concession that those non-Yoruba internet voices who are hoisting Wole Soyinka as their trophy Yoruba genuinely believe that they admire and respect the man, being blissfully unaware of the insertion of their discourse into a broader frame of historical production of otherness, which ironically makes Soyinka the very first victim and target of their insults. Hence you encounter such silly sentences as “Soyinka is the only Yoruba with a truly nationalist outlook”, “Oh, how I wish other Yoruba people would emulate him”, and other incrementally foolish and annoying statements in the same direction.
One must also conclude that Soyinka’s emergency admirers have simply never mentally self-projected into how they would feel if Nigerians from other ethnic groups suddenly began to hoist Chinua Achebe on a pole as the one good exception to his own people! To his own otherwise what people? Bad people? Useless people? Otherwise what people? And doing it in a most patronizing and condescending manner to boot!
If there are folks who should be aware of the insulting nuances of otherness, it is precisely the Igbo internet warriors who are now trafficking in Soyinka’s otherness and so-called difference from his people. The Igbos have been such egregious targets and victims of this same process that it has become a near-permanent feature of how they are represented on the net by non-Igbo ethnicist jingoists.
Ever so often, you encounter foolish statements by so many non-Igbo emergency specialists of Igbo people and culture blanketing out an entire people and culture with all the uncomplimentary epithets they can find in the dictionary. Such Nigerian racists would of course be quick to brandish the one Igbo friend they have or a previous sojourn in Igbo land as immunity against charges of being anti-Igbo. I addressed this phenomenon squarely in my essay, “Acultural”, when a Washington-based Yoruba intellectual and regular trafficker in needless inter-ethnic exchanges of muck almost convinced himself that acultural and Igboness are synonyms.
This, in essence, is a terrain that those now trafficking in Soyinka’s otherness and insulting him and his race in the process know only too well. And I wonder where they got the idea that Soyinka is a lone Yoruba voice in support of the agitations of the Niger Delta. By which abracadabra did they arrive at the conclusion that Soyinka is the only pan-Nigerian Yoruba nationalist? Where and when did they conduct their polling in Yoruba land? Just what is the empirical basis of their ‘authoritative’ submissions?
Since most of those othering Soyinka as the only Yoruba avatar of Nigerian nationalism are in fact known Igbo irredentists, we must ask: wetin concern those who scream daily about the rebirth of the principles of Biafra – and whose sentiments one is fully sympathetic to – with anybody being a pan-Nigerian nationalist in the first place? Wetin concern the agbero of Igbo irredentism, rooted as it is in separatism, with the overload of pan-Nigerian nationalism? How and where do the two meet?
Quite frankly, with regard to MEND, Soyinka’s voice pales beside that of Yinka Odumakin, human/civil/Yoruba rights activist and national publicity secretary of Afenifere Renewal Group whose principled support for MEND and the spirit of the Niger Delta struggle is near-legendary. Although it is not yet ascertained, the recent death threats Mr. Odumakin received may not be totally unconnected with his support for MEND and the aspirations of the Niger Delta.
The quiet hands of the nest of killers in Abuja may not be far from those threats. If this turns out to be true, what could possibly be more nationalistic than this Yoruba icon of the younger generation receiving threats to his life for his principled position on the Niger Delta question? Why is Odumakin not hoisted as the exception to his people? Ah, he has no Nobel! He is a less attractive candidate for otherness than a Nobel laureate. Soyinka is even far from being the most consistent Yoruba supporter of the legitimate agitations of the Niger Delta for equity, fairness, justice, and humane treatment within the Nigerian federation. He is just the most famous.
Soyinka has in fact not been totally free of the occasional outrageous prevarication on the Niger Delta question.
As recently as 2008, Soyinka advised the freedom fighters of the Niger Delta to lay down their arms and engage the federal government in what he called “intellectual militancy”! I was alarmed and disappointed that such a hollow statement came from Soyinka at the time. What the heck is intellectual militancy? What then did Ken Saro-Wiwa do if not pacific intellectual militancy? And what was the response of the corrupt criminals running the Federal Government of Nigeria to Saro-Wiwa’s intellectual militancy? How do you even begin to put anything intellectual and the charlatans of Abuja in the same bracket?
Although, one owes nobody any explanation, suffice it to state that I personally do not know any Yoruba in my own immediate intellectual and ideological spheres who isn’t in full support of MEND and the spirit of the Niger Delta struggle.
I am yet to encounter anybody in my own networks and circuits of Yoruba intellectual like-minds who has any sympathy for the Federal Government of Nigeria. We are all unapologetically in support of the struggles of the peoples of the Niger Delta and all other Nigerian victims of the congenital criminals in Abuja. Have our friends even been reading Yoruba public intellectuals of my generation such as Professors Wale Adebanwi and Ebenezer Obadare?
Those two friends of mine have been vocal and they are not unknown quantities in public discourse. Have they been reading Qansy Salako? As is, the Nigerian state is a criminal organization in the hands of a cabal of deadly criminals in Abuja holding all of us hostage. From Umuechem to Agge, from Gbaramatu to Odi, and Zaki Biam the criminal actions of that state collectively dehumanizes us, her victims. What then is so spectacular about Soyinka’s principled call for a de-ethnicization of the Atlas Cove freedom action that could possibly warrant the orgy of othering and insults that one has witnessed thus far?
I have stated time and again that those who invest in the production of otherness are often blind and deaf to the intrinsic humanism of their own cultures, starting with those odious Yoruba and Igbo characters who spend their lives exchanging unprintable and unhelpful rubbish about each other’s ethnic groups online. They don’t know how to read and listen to the great narratives of their own culture.
What, for instance, does Chinua Achebe have to say about insulting anybody as the exception to his own people? Well, there is this guy called Ezeulu in Arrow of God. He tells the truth according to the ancestral protocols of his people – my father told me that the land does not belong to us.
Just because Ezeulu’s perception of the truth coincides with the white man’s perception of things and goes against other versions of the truth by his people, Captain Winterbottom and other ignorant white men in the novel are quick to hoist him on a pole as “the good Igbo” who is not like his people. The exception to his people! And because Ezeulu is somewhat light-skinned, the Europeans even surmise that his is able to tell the truth because there must have been a mix up in his blood line – some light-skinned people must somehow have penetrated Ezeulu’s blood line along the way. The closer one is to whiteness, the better one is able to tell the truth. Of course!
What Winterbottom and the ignorant Europeans in Arrow of God do to Ezeulu is exactly what some of Soyinka’s Igbo admirers online are doing to him! What part of Arrow of God have they not read? What on earth do they imagine Achebe is saying about the production of otherness? I am only waiting for them to surmise that there must have been a contamination of Soyinka’s bloodline along the way. Maybe some non-Yoruba blood was accidentally infused in the bloodline?
And they have already started on that path by seeking extraneous explanations outside of the Yoruba world for Soyinka’s genius. One listserv commentator hinted and very nearly stated that Soyinka’s genius devolves from his long history of association with Christopher Okigbo and Chinua Achebe. We just merely narrowly escaped claims that Okigbo and Achebe helped him write Death and the King’s Horseman! Ever since I encountered that outrageous listserv comment, thankfully dismissed by the irrepressible Valentine Ojo,
I have been wondering if my ability to string together a few sentences in English prose is not due to my brotherly association with other Nigerian writers such as Obi Nwakanma, Okey Ndibe, Chika Okeke-Agulu, Unoma Azuah, and so many other Igbo writers. You never know!
Pius Adesanmi is a writer, scholar and literary critic. He teaches at the University of Toronto.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3185
|
__label__wiki
| 0.671151
| 0.671151
|
Truisms
Liberty Quotations
Quotations about our ideals of liberty, freedom, and justice.
Showing 1 through 36 of 82 quotations in this category.
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others."
-John Stuart Mill
"Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt."
-Bergen Evans
"Imagine the people who believe such things and who are not ashamed to ignore, totally, all the patient findings of thinking minds through all the centuries since the Bible was written. And it is these ignorant people, the most uneducated, the most unimaginative, the most unthinking among us, who would make themselves the guides and leaders of us all; who would force their feeble and childish beliefs on us; who would invade our schools and libraries and homes. I personally resent it bitterly."
-Isaac Asimov
"There is a reason terrorists hate us, and it's not our religion or our surplus of freedoms. It is that we continually bomb and economically rape countries poorer than us -- bully them into submission. And, if that doesn't work, it's obviously 'cause we haven't bombed them enough, so we bomb them some more."
-fruity1983 (on the web)
"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
-Patrick Henry
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
-Voltaire
"Man is condemned to be free. Condemned because he did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does."
-Jean-Paul Sartre
"The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number is self-protection."
"Unpopular ideas can be silenced, and inconvenient facts kept dark, without the need for any official ban ... At any given moment there is an orthodoxy, a body of ideas which it is assumed that all right-thinking people will accept without question... Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness. A genuinely unfashionable opinion is almost never given a fair hearing, either in the popular press or in the highbrow periodicals ... If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
-George Orwell
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning."
-Frederick Douglass
"Paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell."
-Hugo Black, Supreme Court Justice
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too."
"If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine."
-Ernesto "Che" Guevara
"Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."
-Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice
"The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right."
-William Safire
"Those who try to stifle the vibrancy of our democracy and shield policies from scrutiny behind a false cloak of patriotism miss the real value of what our troops defend and how we best defend our troops. We will ask questions and we will defend our democracy."
-US Senator John F. Kerry
"Conscience is the chamber of justice."
-Origen
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
"Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell."
-Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, in the 1971 Pentagon Papers case
"Because of what appears to be a lawful command on the surface, many Citizens, because of respect for the law, are cunningly coerced into waiving their rights due to ignorance."
-Supreme Court opinion, U.S. v. Minker
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
-Rudyard Kipling
"We have to fight the terrorists as if there were no rules and preserve our open society as if there were no terrorists."
-Thomas Friedman
"So long as we have enough people in this country willing to fight for their rights, we'll be called a democracy."
-Roger Baldwin
"We must remember that a right lost to one is lost to all."
-William Reece Smith, Jr.
"Respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, ... and that only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized."
-Preamble to the Libertarian Platform
"Those who have ever valued liberty for its own sake believed that to be free to choose, and not to be chosen for, is an inalienable ingredient in what makes human beings human."
-Isaiah Berlin
"You do not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in the light of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly administered."
-Lyndon Johnson
"The only thing that permits us to acquiesce in an erroneous theory is the lack of a better one; analogously, an injustice is tolerable only when it is necessary to avoid an even greater injustice."
-John Rawls
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
"As much as we wish to be safe forever from [terrorism], we simply cannot protect freedom by forsaking freedom."
-Paul McMasters
"The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins."
-Oliver Wendell Holmes
"When they took the fourth amendment, I was silent because I don't deal drugs. When they took the sixth amendment, I kept quiet because I know I'm innocent. When they took the second amendment, I said nothing because I don't own a gun. Now they've come for the first amendment, and I can't say anything at all."
-Tim Freeman
"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms."
-Samuel Adams
WellOfWisdom.com Privacy Policy
The quotation collections found on this web site are copyrighted. You may copy individual quotes, however copying entire sets without permission is a violation of copyright law.
WellOfWisdom.com © 2009
61<a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/gq121wktqks79DECEAC7C898FGD" target="_top" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.gadgetuniverse.com/cgi-bin/sgdynamo.exe?HTNAME=_home.htm';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"> <img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/jl65kpthnl68CDBD9B6B787EFC" alt="" border="0"></a>
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3193
|
__label__wiki
| 0.795313
| 0.795313
|
You are here: Home / Newsworthy / Task Force Formed to Counter Cyber Threats to Hunters
Task Force Formed to Counter Cyber Threats to Hunters
July 24, 2014 By windedbowhunter
(Columbus, Ohio) – Sportsmen, conservation organizations and outdoor personalities met at the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) headquarters yesterday to develop strategies to counter the recent increase in cyber-attacks on hunters.
The group makes up the Hunter Advancement Task Force with most members sharing a common theme of having been targeted by animal rights activists through social media.
“This is a great opportunity to start developing ways to hold those responsible for the recent wave of cyber-attacks against sportsmen accountable,” said Nick Pinizzotto, USSA president and CEO. “The task force is not only working to stop direct attacks on hunters but also discussing how best to educate the public on the vital role sportsmen play in the conservation of all wildlife.”
Attendees included outdoor television personalities Melissa Bachman and Jana Waller, Colorado hunter Charisa Argys along with her father Mark Jimerson, Doug Saunders of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Bill Dunn of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, John Jackson of Conservation Force, Dennis Foster of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, Tony Schoonan of the Boone and Crockett Club and Mark Holyoak of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Other attendees included USSA President and CEO, Nick Pinizzotto, Evan Heusinkveld, USSA vice president of government affairs, Bill Horn, USSA director of federal affairs, Michelle Scheuermann of Bullet Proof Communications and author Michael Sabbeth.
Bachman, a television producer and host, found her life and career threatened after posting a photo of an African lion she harvested to her Facebook page last year. Almost immediately, Bachman came under attack from anti-hunters around the world. Bachman also found herself the target of death threats that “hit way too close for comfort” when anti-hunters showed up at her office.
“Regardless of your beliefs about hunting, Americans can all agree that threatening someone’s life is simply unacceptable.” said Bachman.
Other members of the task force have also had personal experiences with cyber-bullying including Waller who has had not only threats to her life, but also to her career. Waller, the star of Skull Bound TV, found herself having to defend her livelihood after an anti-hunter called her show sponsors to accuse her of poaching.
“The whole issue of harassment is so important,” said Waller. “I am scared it is going to deter people from standing tall and proud as hunters.”
While attacks on outdoor-celebrity hunters have been going on for years, average hunters have largely avoided the wrath of the anti-hunting community. Earlier this year, however, Charisa Argys was thrown into the spotlight when a picture of her legally harvested mountain lion appeared online. The image brought a flood of criticism and threats not only to her, but to family members as well.
“Just because some anti-hunters in Europe went ballistic over a legal hunt, this issue is going to be associated with me for the rest of my life,” said Argys. “It is never going to go away. It’s going to be there forever. It could affect my job prospects and my life.”
This initial task force meeting was just the first of many to develop short and long-range strategies to protect hunters from cyber harassment.
“In the short term we are developing aggressive legal approaches to pursue both civil and criminal legal actions to prosecute anti-hunting harassers.” said Bill Horn, USSA director of federal affairs. “In the long term, we would like to cultivate strategies to provide additional legal protections for hunters who are finding themselves the target of cyber bullying.”
Pinizzotto added, “What this group discussed today and the ideas generated are a terrific first step in protecting hunters now and in the future. We have some of the brightest minds in our industry working on this critical issue. I look forward to continuing this discussion and adding additional key groups and individuals to the team in the coming weeks.”
About the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance: Founded in 1978, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) provides direct lobbying and grassroots coalition building to support, protect and advance the rights of hunters, trappers, anglers and scientific wildlife management professionals. USSA is the only organization exclusively devoted to combating the attacks made on America’s sportsman traditions by anti-hunting and animal rights extremists. USSA is a national organization which recently announced the opening of a Western U.S. office in Sacramento. USSA is a 501(c)4 organization.
NSSF Hails Passage of Sunday Hunting in Virginia
Under Armour Presents Ridge Reaper On Outdoor Channel
Stand up for Your Second Amendment Rights
Filed under: Newsworthy Tagged with
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3202
|
__label__wiki
| 0.507492
| 0.507492
|
From Aug 3rd To Aug 5th, 2018
Ljubljana From Aug 3rd To Aug 5th, 2018
Clutch game spells victory for Seidl and Waller
Qinzhou, China, October 1, 2018 – Austria’s Robin Seidl and Philipp Waller made a clutch finish to earn double victories on the first day of the main draw competition of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Qinzhou 3-star on Monday.
The Haiyang 3-star winners started with a 2-0 (21-17, 21-14) win over Japan’s Katsuhiro Shiratori and Takashi Tsuchiya, then thrived once more with a tactical finish against Australia’s Christopher McHugh and Zachery Schubert 2-0 (21-19, 23-21).
“It’s an Olympic qualification tournament so everyone is fighting,” Seidl said. “No match is easy and it’s really a fight to the end. I’m lucky we were able to win it in two (sets). The other team wanted to fight so hard and they didn’t see the holes, I saw it and I used it against them.”
European pairs dominated as seven of them earned double victories on the main draw opener, while the United States’ Casey Patterson and Stafford Slick of the United States were the lone duo that managed to come up with twin straight-set wins in Pool F against Japan’s Koichi Nishimura and Yu Koshikawa and Thailand’s Nuttanon Inkiew and Sedtawat Padsawud.
Meanwhile, the second-seeded Serbian duo Stefan Basta and Lazar Kolaric came up with a victory on the first match, but conceded in the tie-break set of their second match against Russia’s Maxim Hudyakov and Ruslan Bykanov.
The third-seeded Dries Koekelkoren and Tom van Walle cleared the first day hurdles with a straight-set and tie-break victories.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3205
|
__label__wiki
| 0.510351
| 0.510351
|
Bioregional Congress
Nurturing a deep sense of place
Back from the 10th Bioregional Congress
Posted by carynmg under Uncategorized
have just returned from the Tenth Continental Bioregional Congress at The Farm in Summertown, TN.
The Farm is an intentional living community which began in 1971 as an experiment in communal living when over 300 hippies, members of Stephen Gaskin’s Monday Night classes in San Francisco, formed a caravan and traveled across the country to settle in Southern Tennessee. You can read a fascinating history of The Farm here.
The Farm today is home to such organizations as the Ecovillage Training Center, Gaia University and Plenty International. It was a natural fit to locate the Tenth Continental Bioregional Congress there, since the Farm shares myriad goals and values with bioregionalism.
New Society Publishers’ roots are deep in the Bioregional Movement, and this was an exciting opportunity to meet old friends and new. I was especially thrilled to connect with a couple of our authors there. Albert Bates is the author of The Post-Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook and the director of the Ecovillage Training Center at the Farm, where he has lived since 1972. Albert has a formidable grasp of all things renewable and sustainable, and the distinction of having one of the friendliest smiles it has ever been my pleasure to encounter. Lately he has been focusing on biochar – watch this space next week for his article on using biochar in carbon farming which was recently published in Southern Tennessee’s Green Living Journal.
I was also very excited to finally meet Stephanie Mills in person – Stephanie wrote Whatever Happened to Ecology? and Turning Away from Technology, and is also the author of an upcoming biography of Bob Swann which we will be publishing in our Spring season. Stephanie was an incredible pleasure to spend time with – she is one of those people that feels like an old friend even though you’ve only just met. She recently received an honorary PhD from her Alma Mater in recognition of her lifetime body of work in the service of the environment and bioregionalism – exciting news!
The Congress itself was a cauldron of inspiration and ideas – people talking about permaculture, renewable energy, carbon farming, square foot gardening, foraging, wild farming, education, transportation, living in community, living in place, political revolution – a rich and vibrant tapestry of knowledge against a backdrop of song and celebration.
Interested? Bioregional events are regularly organized at the local and regional level. Check out the Congress Outreach Page and Links Page for ideas about contacting like-minded individuals or creating events in your area.
– Heather Nicholas, reprinted from New Society Publishers blog
CBC 10: A Love Letter
Getting set up in coffee shops to do my normal Goddard and workshops and readings and other arranging work, I can barely imagine what to say to friends about where I’ve been except, “in a parallel universe.” The congress itself is something out of o ur mainstream American, or even alternative American construct of time and space. What happened there? I’m not sure although I have some hope that telling you about it will help me know more. Where were we? In some place constant and occasional, ancient and ahead of its time, ceremonial and ordinary, Tennessee and beyond Tennessee. In many ways, the road trip to the congress — all 10 hours of driving plus numerous stops — meant t unneling into the world in the center of the earth, and now we’re out again, back to the surface, and I have to say I’m just a little heartbroken to be apart from the congress and all of you who were there (as well as all of you who have been there and simply must be there next time and haven’t yet been there but will be there in the future).
There were all the normal congress rhythms and patterns: the plenaries that delighted some and make others want to jump from their skins; the workshops some loved and found the highlight of their time and others found took us away from our time together; the dancing and singing; the food, which was tasty, but jeez, I seriously missed butter; the long talks heart to heart; the smiles across the circles; the sitting
together, knee to knee, to resolve conflicts and speak from the soul, dropping all defenses; the new friends who felt like old family; the old friends who felt like twin or triple souls; the weather with its too-much rain at times and too-seldom sunshine. Having now been to eight of the ten congresses, I kept more keenly attuned to the patterns — the way no one knows what we’re doing so much at first, and how it takes
several times to really arrive at congress together; the anxieties and what-am-I-doing-here moments; the nights it’s hard to sleep because of all the thrill until exhaustion overtakes excitement; and the collective
happiness that settles on us, or grabs us wildly to leap out of our chairs and salsa dance even if we don’t know how.
The congress is my home — I kn ow it when I’m there, and especially when I’m not anymore. The circle if the room where I live best. Hearing each person speak — whether in the opening circle when we crowded into the big room, lopsided and earnest, saying our names and where we were from, or later in the spiral of the women’s circle, when we spoke about being a woman, living as a woman’s body at this age — shows me who we really are together, and who I am apart: a part of the circle.
The highlights, which our carload of Ken, me, Natalie (17), Gesa (German student living with us now, 16) and Forest (14), named while driving across Missouri, are what you might expect:
* Latin Night with the amazing dancing and treats, the music and pulse, the beauty and vitality. Arnold, Roberto and Maria doing a salsa dance skit with finesse and beauty until Juan-Tomas tangoed in to steal away Maria.
* The party on the last night with the driving music, and also the gang of fairies who descended upon us from some place two hours away, complete with accordion and tutus, to sing, dance, and slip down the
slide of the playground (part of where the dance was) in full-beards and layers of white tull.
* The men’s and women’s circles: the men’s circle, around the fire, that went on for hours; the women’s circle, inside, with our chairs in a circle, oldest on the e nd and youngest in the center; both circles
making for the kind of connection that for days afterwards, I kept grabbing the younger women who blew my mind with their articulate hearts and heavy load of passion and possibility, asking them to tell me their
names again, hugging them and telling them to come stay with us sometime when they’re were traveling through Kansas.
* Some of the plenaries when everyone laughed together, when we crossed over to some common and complex understanding as one, when barriers dissolved and we saw ourselves as being in congress together continually, this meeting a continuation of one that began in ‘84 and will never end, I hope.
* A circle of those of us who served on the coordinating council — the congress between the congresses — for the last four years, early evening, our chairs and bodies as close as possible, tears and joy, pride and release, and when we stood up, holding each other close, and could barely stop kissing each other. Thank you, Bob, Liora, Mary, Richard, Ken, Laura, Juan-Tomas.
* Late nights in the house we rented with our extended family, speaking English, Spanish, German (although most of us only understood English), and laughing over something that happened or would happen.
* Cultural Sharing night when Natalie sang “Bewitched” and — what was his name? — played the most amazing finger-piano-type instruments and sang hauntingly piercing tunes — and then Alberto presented a dazzling — for its scope and depth — slide show on LaCaravana (nomadic guerilla theater troupe that spent 13 years spreading bioregionalism through the arts througout Central and South America).
* The close moments with new and old loved ones — I put my hand on so many people’s chests, it seemed, to feel their hearts — in the rain or by the fire, in the midst of drumming or in the wind that poured through the trees.
* Hanging out often with Stephen Gaskin who kept reappearing because, as he said, he “wanted to soak in the energy of the Mexicans,” and who kept reminding Laura Kuri and me that we were his Ninja Muses because when he first arrived, looking just a little confused, Laura and I leapt up and hugged him, and stood — one of us on each side of him — during the opening circle, telling him we would protect him as Ninja Muses.
* The moment we arrived, and there was Curtis in apron and big smile. The moment we left, and there was Leonora — incredible Venezuelan singer and activist, coming to the car window to kiss us goodbye in the
still-dark morning light.
* Gary’s healing hands and voice, and how many of us did he work on throughout the congress? I hardly saw him not doing massage, energy healing or prayer for/with someone.
* Bea’s artful presentation about Thomas Berry at the memorial service held one afternoon. David Haenke throwing his head back and belting out the most gorgeous song for Thomas Berry, and soon after, David and Alberto pressing their foreheads together, crying over the loss of this great and enduring spirit, our own dream of the earth.
* Alberto telling the story of how LaCaravana went for 13 years all over South America, and instead of money, they used art because, as Alberto said, sometimes there’s no ATM machine, but there’s always art, and art works as a credit card wherever you go.
* Biko drumming us in parade to begin the arts and education day of the bioregional curriculum session, and at the end, drumming us outside to dance among the trees while Odin drummed alongside him. When the first song was done, and Odin started to walk back to the building, Biko called out, “Where do you think you’re going?” while we watched, laughing. Odin came back, and they played more of the most astonishing drumming, grabbing our heart beats and making us dance and pulse with life.
* Walking back to the house one afternoon, the whitish horse watching me as I watched him, the sky still damp and beginning to lighten in orange at its edges, the air delicious.
* Natalie returning from a day walking trails with the girls and young women, telling me that she tried to just take it all in — the breathing earth — and it amazed her to see what she had never seen before. Pat,
the physician’s assistant who helped run the kitchen, making a house call to help Forest, who was sick much of the congress, and then spending ample time helping us find an open pharmacy. Gesa laughing –
her whole face glowing — at the dinner table with Alberto, Laura and Fabio.
* The beautiful site committee and how much they did to make it all work: Greg, Jennifer, Susan, Alayne, Biko, Roberta, and (forgive me, I can’t remember all the names) so many others: THANK YOU!
* Long talks with Patricia, Stephanie, Laura, Fabio, Greg, Stephen, Bea, David in the road, Alberto on the fly, Juan-Tomas as we walked in the dark with Natalie one night, and so many others. I miss and love you — and really everyone — now so much.
Back from the congress, I’m still at the congress. We carry this with us, a kind of birthright, a dance as old as our breath; a body full of contradictions and questions, naive then seas oned understandings, misunderstandings and eventual clearings, old hurts and new healings, and above all, something that transcends how we live in the non-ceremonial world and shows us how to bring the village we make
together — even just a fraction more — into wherever we land. Wherever we are next — in the Northwest or Canada or Ohio or wherever else — I can barely wait.
love to all,
Caryn (Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Wakarusa Watershed of Kansas Area Watershed Council)
Pictures (from top): the congress; the woods at the Farm; Juan-Tomas, Bob, Stephanie, Andy, Albert; Natalie and Nyela (Sadie’s baby); Laura and Helen (from Mexico); Natalie as cat; the fairies arrive on All Species Night; more All Species (note the porcupine); Bea and me; Gesa; Mark, Richard and the bioregional quilt (started in ‘84, quilted by the men); Fabio and Laura with Stephen Gaskin; Ken, Curtis and others; David and Alberto; Leonor from Venezuela; Stephanie and me; the welcome tent; Gary working on Alberto.
11th CBC Congress
Donate for Scholarships
Connecting to Place: bioregional resources
Right Livelihood: A New Institute
Bioregionalism, Progressive Education and Yoga
Some Thoughts on Earth-Based Ritual, Other Cultures and Bioregionalism
Bioregional Congress is powered by WordPress 3.6.1 and delivered to you in 0.144 seconds using 39 queries.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3207
|
__label__wiki
| 0.936084
| 0.936084
|
Joan of Arc UK Tour Starts Next Week, New Album ‘Life Like’ Out Now Via Polyvinyl
Chicago post hardcore pioneers Joan of Arc are about to embark on a UK tour next week. The newly embellished four piece comprised of former Cap N Jazz and Owlsmusicians Tim Kinsella and Victor Villareal will be playing songs from their latest album ‘Life Like’, available now through Polyvinyl Records. Support comes courtesy of Liverpool’s legendary post punkers Hot Club de Paris. Full details of these dates are below.
‘Life Like’ was recorded and engineered over 5 days with Steve Albini in Chicago’s Electrical Audio. You can hear a track off the album here, ‘Life Force’:
Joan of Arc – Life Force by Polyvinyl Records
Watch the accompanying video for ‘Life Force’:
‘Life Like’ is Joan of Arc distilled down to/embracing its rock essence.
Gone from the band’s music (for now) are the electronics and layers upon layers of tracks. Gone from their liner notes are an extensive list of musicians and instruments. Instead, ‘Life Like’ is the result of four men adhering to Thoreau’s famous principle, “Simplify, simplify, simplify!”
But, when it comes to Joan of Arc, even “simple” isn’t an entirely straightforward concept.
Judging only by the record’s impeccable guitar-bass-drum interplay, it might be hard to imagine that ‘Life Like’ was entirely conceived with one less member than Joan of Arc ultimately entered the studio with.
After recording October’s two-song ‘Meaningful Work’ 7″ as a trio, frontman Tim Kinsella, drummer Theo Katsaounis, and bassist Bobby Burg (Love of Everything, Vacations, Chin Up Chin Up) welcomed guitarist Victor Villarreal (Owls, Cap’n Jazz, Ghosts and Vodka) into the fold shortly before leaving on a month-and-a-half tour of the U.S. and Europe.
Friends since childhood, Villarreal and Kinsella re-connected during Cap’n Jazz’s reunion tour and this marks the first collaboration between them since the 2001 self-titled Owls album.
After years of being away from music, being on tour with Cap n Jazz renewed Villarreal’s enthusiasm for joining a new band. As such, this new chapter in his musical career became one for Joan of Arc as well.
Although ‘Life Like’s nine tracks had essentially already been written as a three-piece effort, Villarreal was quickly taught the structure of the new songs and allowed to work out his parts while performing each night.
A prominent example of Villarreal’s influence comes in the opening seconds of the album’s first single, ‘Love Life’. Bolstered by his signature characteristic of doubling the speed of an existing riff, the track showcases the hyper-meticulous style of playing found on Owls songs.
And so, show by show, ‘Life Like’s other eight songs underwent similar transformations while the band was on the road. Villarreal improvised his parts live each night, with each new performance building on the last, while the other three members re-arranged their contributions during sound checks and traded ideas for improvements back and forth on the van rides between shows.
After playing 20 concerts in 20 days on European soil, the band returned home on a Tuesday night and then on Thursday morning -before the jet lag could even wear off – entered Chicago’s Electrical Audio with Steve Albini (who has previously engineered records for two other Kinsella projects: Owls and Make Believe).
Five days later they emerged with ‘Life Like’.
Although thoroughly exhausting, this hectic schedule was actually beneficial — as Kinsella reveals “it removed all threats of cleverness from our critical faculties” and required the band to stick to strictly recording the new tracks as they had been played live.
And yet, as ‘Life Like’ proves, even when they’re working solely with the basics – guitar, bass, and drums – Joan of Arc still has the power to wring new sounds from the same old rock band machinery.
UK live dates with support from Hot Club de Paris:
23-June London CAMP Basement
https://birdonthewire.ticketabc.com/events/joan-arc/
24-June Nottingham Spanky Van Dykes
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/114406
25-June Liverpool The Kazimier
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_northwest&query=detail&event=443137&interface=ents24
26-June Glasgow Nice n Sleazy
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_scotland&query=detail&event=442448
27-June Aberdeen The Tunnels
29-June Leeds Brudenell Social Club
30-June Bournemouth The Winchester
http://musicosity.com/event/joan-arc
2-July Kingston The Peel
http://www.banquetrecords.com/joapeel
Joan of Arc Life Like
AZARI & III New Single “Manic”
THE RESIDENCE AT T IN THE PARK GETS BEAUTY BOOST WITH FAKE BAKE
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3209
|
__label__cc
| 0.547631
| 0.452369
|
primitive futures
←archive
Wavepool Abortion
DZ Tapes
When I first opened up the debut cassette from Wavepool Abortion, there were a few signifiers that this would suck beyond belief. It was the name that made me cringe most, but as the duo of Pyotr Reznikov and Matvei Solovyov make their home in Moscow, it could be chalked up to a broken translation. Then there’s the five-minute Photoshop slapdash of the artwork, but there was also a thrift-store sunken treasure quality to the tape. Finally, the manner in which the band described itself (“like maybe the Ramones and the Beatles taking a big shit”) was a bit green and unappealing. But somehow, some way, I was charmed enough to finally give it a listen, despite the whole thing giving off bad vibes.
Well, it may have taken a while to put it on, but these 17-year-olds’ hooks instantly took hold. I was smiling the entire time this played. Of course, these guys can’t be blamed for their dirt-pop influences, which recall the recent trappings of lo-fi and could easily be mistaken for Wavves if they aren’t careful. There are bubblegum harmonies hiding under intentional crud and fuzz, as well as big, wah-wah guitar swoons that bring the Smith Westerns and Girls to mind. The more punk numbers here either rely on drum machines or propulsion similar to No Age. It would be curmudgeonly to fault the duo for having such influences. After all, were they high school students in America, we would likely praise them for digging deeper than most. Either way, Wavepool Abortion may be begat from bands that have only surfaced in the last few years, but they have also managed to quickly transcend mere imitation. This debut is rudimentary—much like that of Texas counterparts Fungi Girls—and that is key to why this album is so frivolously infectious and a complete blast. The cassette is likely born of a four-track, as the low-brow pop of “Real Blood” and “Go Away” skid by in a homogenous cloud of hiss. Still, Wavepool Abortion know texture and how to use bedroom tricks to their advantage. Chalk it up to dumb luck or purposeful sonic ingenuity (I believe it’s the latter), this tape is filled with blink-and-miss-it odds and ends. Cell phone interference, in-studio random chatter, or just the way a drumstick sounds upon a piece of sheet metal—these tiny idiosyncrasies belie their age and experience. The best indication that Wavepool Abortion is not just a byproduct of lo-fi spreading on a global scale are the slower, more melodious moments like “Get Me Down” and the fitting instrumental finale of “Snuggle and Die,” which strike a balance against the usual blitz here. As this is a cassette limited to 100 copies, there seems to be no rush to spread the word just yet. That said, there’s enough endearing chutzpah here to wish for a name change, some vinyl in the future, and a trip to America to verify they are the real deal.
Kevin J. Elliott
Factorymen, Shitman and Yellow Eyes and the Sound of Vomit EP
Liquor Store, Yeah Buddy
Bonus Summer Singles Round-Up
Introducing... Rimar
August Singles Round-Up
Imaginary Softwoods, The Path of Spectrolite
Cheater Slicks, Our Food Is Chaos
An Interview with Purling Hiss
Hozac Summer 7-inches
The Men, Leave Home
Obnox, I'm Bleeding Now
June Singles Round-Up, Part 2
A Missive from Evil Weevil
Wet Hair, In Vogue Spirit
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3215
|
__label__wiki
| 0.578503
| 0.578503
|
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend Sneak Peak!
I have managed to find a clip that shows sneak peak of Alyssa's new movie "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend" and this time the clip centers on the scene between Alyssa & Christopher Gorham in a bar. I think they both clicked instantly and this video was the proof.Thanks to the poster, Tucker32 for his sharing..!
I have also make captures from the clips and added them in to the screen captures central so check them out there and enjoy!
Home > Movie Productions > My Girlfriend's Boyfriend > Sneak Peek
Alyssa Milano at Operation Smile Gala
Actress Alyssa Milano attended an event hosted by E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic for friends to design their own Glade Scented Oil Candle Holders for charity. Visit GladeDesignandShine.com to see your favorite celebrity designs from Alyssa Milano, Lauren Conrad, Lo Bosworth, Ken Paves and others. Try your own hand at a design for the chance to win $10,000 and have your design sold in stores. In total, the evening raised $75,000 for Operation Smile, Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010 in Los Angeles.
EDIT: I have added almost 9 photos on the particular gala..Alyssa look just incredible in the event!However I still don't find the HQ photos from this event so I added the MQ first and I am very sorry that the photos are tagged.I'll added more if I find them so later...<3
Home > Public Appearances > Appearances 2010 > Operation Smile Gala Hosted by Guliana Rancic
Source: Yahoo News Online
Charmed Season 5 Screencaptures Completed!
Hello everyone as usual!
Finally I have manage to complete the whole week with completing the caps for the fifth season of Charmed. It was definitely one of the best seasons of Charmed and Alyssa was as stunning as usual with her different styles it just the best episodes I have ever seen. I would definitely prefer Alyssa to work in films or tv shows with the same genre as Charmed or darker as she manage to bring out something different from her character through those kind of genres.So check them out in the Screen Captures Central and enjoy!
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x20: Sense And Sense Ability
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x21: Necromancing The Stone
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x22 - 5x23: Oh My Goddess Part 1 & 2
Looking For Help Again!
I'm just gonna make this short....I have been looking for clips and videos for all Alyssa Milano earlier projects and I would like to know if any of the fans here did have them,I would greatly appreciated it if you care to contribute captures from these Melrose Place's episodes & Who's The Boss' episodes that featured Alyssa and also from movies like Embrace of the Vampire and Deadly Sins if you can I will sure to fully credit you for the help around the site.
Also thank you very much to fans leaving us with nice and motivational comments I greatly appreciate all the input and stuffs the fans have given us..don't forget to stick around as I will make sure this site will grow into the largest fansite for Alyssa!So keep supporting us and email me for everything you want to contribute....
Two New Videos!
I have saw two great clips about Alyssa over Youtube and they belonged to their respective owners. One is about her shooting for the telefilm "Sundays at Tiffany's" and another clip about her double date with Renee Zellweger and Bradley Cooper so check them out and enjoy!
Alyssa Milano: Confessions of A Twitter Queen
Actress Alyssa Milano's expert use of Twitter as a social, promotional, and business platform offers lessons for us all.
I probably follow as many celebrities on Twitter as the average user. Most are disappointing, filling their Twitter streams with inanities. And few are as plugged into the Twitter zeitgeist as actress/businesswoman Alyssa Milano.
Star of Who's the Boss?, Charmed, and Melrose Place, as well as numerous other roles (check out her IMDB page for the full list), Milano grew up before our eyes. She's still acting (most recently as a guest on the TV show Castle), and she now runs a successful line of sportswear. And, she tweets. I started following Milano for the same reason I follow a lot of people: she tweeted about something I was interested in�baseball. Milano is a rabid Los Angeles Dodgers fan and she tends to significantly up her baseball-related tweets during the season.
Over time, I noticed that she mixed in baseball tweets with others on social activism, her general interests, social networking tools, technology, and more. Plus, she tweets almost as much as me (and that's saying something). She follows others celebrities, but Milano also follows so-called regular people, those who add something of significance to Twitter. Her celebrity status may account for her over 700,000 followers, but it might also be that Milano, a devout Mac user, is an expert tweeter who knows how to engage and keep an audience. Milano is currently ranked 41st out of over 6.2 million Twitter users by TwitterGrader.
I recently e-mailed Milano some questions about her Twitter status and why she thinks she's become a de facto queen of this still-young social medium.
Do you consider yourself a tech-savvy person?
I'm more of a tech-curious person. I try to stay up to date on what's happening in the world of technology. I find it all fascinating and inspiring.
How did you get into Twitter?
My mother and brother convinced me to join Twitter, but I'll admit I didn't quite get it at first. When I first signed up, I followed mostly just celebrities. Then I decided to do some research on other users who were using Twitter in a different way. I started following more content curators and social media enthusiasts. I've based my tweeting on how the users I admired were tweeting.
Why do you think it's a valuable platform?
It wasn't until the protests in Iran that I truly understood the power of Twitter. To get real-time reports from Iranian college students being impacted, right to my Twitter homepage, was pretty mind blowing. It made the experience more personal. There are no geographical boundaries on Twitter. All the ideals that I try to live by (like "We are all the same regardless of where we are" and "We are all connected") ring true on Twitter. The people of Iran were part of my Twitter community. The protests were also a personal revelation of how I could use Twitter as a platform to raise awareness, empower, and share ideas regarding topics that are important to me.
What do you use it for?
I have three accounts that I tweet from: my personal account, which I try to use as I just mentioned. I do very little self-promotion on my personal account. I use it as any responsible community member would. I have an account for my clothing line, Touch by Alyssa Milano. My clothing line is league-licensed sports female fan apparel. On the Touch account, the staff and I tweet not only about the brand but also about sports news. And my third account is for my upcoming show for ABC, Romantically Challenged. I share this account with the other actors on the show and the writing staff. We tweet behind-the-scenes updates, news about the show, and funny links about love and being romantically challenged. By having the two other business-related accounts, I'm able to keep my personal account as the account where I share a little bit of who I am as a person and things that inspire me. If anyone wants to hear about what I have going on professionally, they can follow the other accounts for updates.
How do you integrate it with your other social activities?
Twitter has just become part of my life, but like anything else, balance is key. If I'm doing something of interest, along with sharing the details with my friends via phone or text, I tweet about it to my followers or share a Twitpic. Of course, there are some experiences that are sacred that I don't share. It's about finding the balance.
What do you love about Twitter?
I love that Twitter can be anything the user makes it, and that it makes me feel like I am a member of a community of like-minded people. I love that it gives me a platform to use my voice to inspire positive change.
What do you hate?
Nothing yet...
Do you think it'll last?
I think if Twitter continues to adapt to how the users grow and use the service, there's no reason for it not to last.
Source: PCMag
Two More Charmed S5 Episodes Capped!
I have added another batch of caps from the fifth season of Charmed from the 17th and 18th episodes with over 1500+ caps and Alyssa look stunning in this season again with the hair net she looking as glamorous as ever!I think Alyssa had the best hairstyles during this season,playing many accessories that match her whole appearance.So check out the gallery for more and enjoy!
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x17: Lucky Charmed
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x18: Cat House
'Charmed' Comic Series Will Hold You Spellbound
COMICS GUY has to make readers aware of the new ongoing "Charmed" series from Fort Washington-based Zenescope. Yes, it's based on the TV show, but you don't have to know anything about the show to enjoy the book.
"Charmed" is lighter in tone than the average Zenescope offering, but with excellent horror writer Raven Gregory on board to co-write the series with Paul Ruditis, there is an edge to the comic that was largely absent on TV. In its heyday the show could never match the dark appeal of shows like "Angel" or "Buffy," but if this team had been writing scripts, it would have.
As the first story arc begins, it has been a quiet year-and-a-half, and it looks as if the Terrific Trio has won the constant struggle between good and evil. Things are peaceful, and each woman has gotten on with her life. Paige is teaching at a magic school, Piper has opened a restaurant and Phoebe is taking care of her magical infant.
All are finding these tasks more difficult than expected. Then a couple of mysterious strangers are seen poking around the Underworld. Next thing the Charmed Ones know, a young woman their age mysteriously dies . . . of old age. Before they can even begin to figure out how or why, it is soon made clear that someone - or something - is hunting down the innocents they saved and murdering them in cold blood.
This is a crisp, compelling read that comic fans should like, and fans of the show will be charmed.
'Charmed' sales magical
Though the company's recent series launches have been disappointing saleswise, Zenescope Editor in Chief Ralph Tedesco says the new "Charmed" series is definitely a hit.
"It's definitely meeting and even exceeding expectations a lot," Tedesco said. "We think it will continue to grow, too. We had to go to a second printing on issue No. 1 in less than a month, so that was great."
Read more | 0 Comments
More Screencaptures Added!
Wow I never believed I done it but I had again added almost 4000+ screen captures into the Screen Captures Central and I have finished adding caps from Charmed Season 5 episodes 15-19 and also My Name Is Earl Season 3 from episode 16 & 18.Alyssa look gorgeous in these tv shows and I simply adored her change of style in the fifth season of Charmed especially the hair net that she wear..Gorgeous!
So browse around and check out these caps and enjoy!
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x07: Sympathy For A Demon
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x08: A Witch In Time
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x15: The Day The Magic Died
Home > Television Shows > Charmed > Season Five > 5x16: Baby's First Demon
Home > Television Shows > My Name Is Earl > 3x18: Killerball
Home > Television Shows > My Name Is Earl > 3x16: Stole A Motorcycle
New Appearance at Katsuya!
Finally Alyssa made another surprising appearance by having double date with her husband along with Renee Zellweger & Bradley Cooper at Katsuya where she was spotted with her black lacy outfit and true, she did look stunning as usual so if you loved Alyssa as much as we do check out the gallery for more stunning photos of her from this event!
Home > Candids > Dinner Date at Katsuya
New MLB Message from Alyssa!
As you probably already know, I'm active on Twitter. (Understatement of the year? Perhaps.) One of the things I truly appreciate about the service is the ability to curate your web experience. What I mean is, you can create your timeline based on the categories of information that you usually search for on the web. I'm a humanitarian, tech enthusiast, sports fanatic and animal lover. I follow people who curate the best of the Internet specifically on these topics and by doing so, this means instead of having to go to the 20 different sites I used to visit, the best of these sites will end up on my Twitter timeline as tweets from the sources I follow.
Also, I use Twitter's list feature to make the experience even more specific and personalized. I think of Twitter lists almost like programming my very own TV networks. They same way you might watch The Discovery Channel and know tonally the type of programming you will get, when you make lists, you know exactly the types of tweets you will receive on the list. And by creating lists on your favorite topics, you can keep tabs of accounts you may not want to end up in your timeline but might still contribute to that certain niche. I have created separate lists for: philanthropy, animals, humor, news, technology, and sports. When I look at the lists, it almost feels like I am channel surfing.
Source: Official MLB Alyssa Blog
Testing New Cutenews System!
Excuse me...I'm testing the new cutenews system here...
Sorry for the inconvenience the previous cutenews had been hacked and now I have to re-install and all the previous news was gone so please bear with me.
We will be having new updates by tonight so stay tuned!
The Webmaster
<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 Next >>
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3223
|
__label__cc
| 0.618874
| 0.381126
|
Cheat Codes: lessons in love
A video art show curated by Amelia Winger-Bearskin
Opening Friday January 8, 2010 from 6pm - 10pm
January 8 - February 6
A lesson in love [or, a cheat code] is a key sequence, password, or series of steps to be entered within a video art work [video game] that will provide the player some object, ability, or access to a level or location within the game that is secret, hidden, or that would have otherwise been unobtainable or unavailable to the viewer [player] [12]
Featuring work by:
Joanna Bovay
Jennie H. Bringaker
Eunjung Hwang
David Horvitz
Basim Magdy
Jay Schleidt
Robert Spees
Brent Stewart
Amber Hawk Swanson
Joseph Whitt
Grant Worth
Also this month's Project Wall Space: Darina Mineva
1765 S. Laflin St.
www.antenapilsen.com
antenapilsen (at) gmail.com
BEN RUSSELL : LESSEN
BEN RUSSELL presents:
BEN FOCH
JOE GRIMM
NANCE KLEHM
CASEY LURIE
MICHAEL SNOW
1716 S Morgan #2F
Opening reception: Saturday 6-9 pm, December 12th, 2009
Private viewings by appointment*
*The performance of "Untitled (Lesson)" by Nance Klehm will be presented at approximately 8:00pm during the opening reception.
This one goes out to all you bloated-stomach Thanksgiving celebrants, you 4am Best Buy Black Friday tent-pitchers, youDamien Hirst diamond skull collectors, you non-recyclers and you Gucci Mane enthusiasts. These are foodstamp and slim wallettimes after all, and by now it should be clear that the best way forward is on your tiptoes, preferably in some nice soft leather moccasins. Your friends at BEN RUSSELL are here to help you focus your art consumption by 2/3rds, to find a use for all yourapple picking surplus and, if you do end up throwing anything away, to make sure that it ends up in that compost pile out back. With our help, you'll realize that gaudy neon flourishes are so 2008, that neo-minimalism persists only because Minimalism was abandoned far too soon, and that even "less is more" can be LESSENed to much less.
It's been a tough month or two at BEN RUSSELL, but now that our BEER hangover is finally over, we can clearly see thatBEN RUSSELL : LESSEN is in fact a lesson of the most useful kind, in five parts:
1) ABATE: From a Paiute American Indian reservation in California, ecologist/urban forager/gardener Nance Klehm gives us a virtual lesson on how to reduce and reuse our trace in the material world.
2) DECAY: Casey Lurie presents Apple Structure 2, the second iteration in a series of outdoor structures designed to be built using only quarter-inch dowel rods and apples as joints.
3) DIMINISH: In which the cash money ice glitz bling of hip-hop and R&B's greatest is subjected to the minimalist compositional tendencies of Joe Grimm's sonic minimalism/process art installation.
4) MINIMIZE: Complicating the transcendent ambition of high modernism's abstract expressionism, Ben Foch employs a common house painting roller to create a large scale gestural painting with an economy of means.
5) REDUCE: Michael Snow's 1967 seminal structuralist 16mm film Wavelength, comprising of a 44:00 zoom across a NYC loft, is screened in its 2003 15:00 video iteration as WVLNT (Wavelength For Those Who Don't Have the Time).
Please join us for the glorious-yet-humble 5th installment at BEN RUSSELL as we prepare for that long cold Chicago winter by clearing our collective bodies/minds of distractions and focusing on LESS(EN). Nothing, after all, is permanent; everything willLESSEN if we give it enough time...
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
BEN FOCH was born in Park Forest, IL. in 1977. He received his BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1999. Foch's practice is diverse, utilizing several formal devices to reach his ideological ends, specifically the boundaries and definitions of artistic expression and the minimum criteria for an objects claim to high art. He has exhibited nationally and recently at the now defunct Pilsen space VEGA ESTATES and the Hyde Park Art Center. Foch states: "The next logical space for pictorial investigation is economic. Formal distinctions are fundamentally economic distinctions and perception is the currency of the future." He lives and works in Chicago.
JOE GRIMM is a Chicago-based artist who uses sound and light to investigate sensory experience and its construction. His work applies rational, structuralist tools in pursuit of irrational, ecstatic results. Performances and installations frequently take the form of meditations: resonance, repetition, friction, and disintegration become the hypnotic focal points in an attempt to reach a state of inner tranquility and heightened attention to sonic minutiae. He has shown at CAPC Bordeaux, La Casa Encendida Madrid, BMOCA, The Boston Cyberarts Festival, and in basements and squats worldwide.
NANCE KLEHM is a radical ecologist, designer, urban forager, grower and teacher. Her solo and collaborative work focuses on creating participatory social ecologies in response to a direct experience of a place. She grows and forages much of her own food in a densely urban area. She actively composts food, landscape and human waste. She only uses a flush toilet when no other option is available. She designed and currently manages a large scale, closed-loop vermicompost project at a downtown Chicago homeless shelter where cafeteria food waste becomes 4 tons of worm castings a year which in turn is used as the soil that grows food to return to the cafeteria. Nance has shown and taught in Mexico, Australia, England, Scandinavia, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States. Her regular column ‘WEEDEATER’ appears in ARTHURmagazine.
CASEY LURIE is an artist and designer based in Chicago. Born in Goleta, California in 1976, Casey is a recent graduate of Northwestern's Art Theory and Practice department (M.F.A., 2009) and has also studied at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland, and California Institute of the Arts (B.F.A., 1998). A trained cabinet maker and carpenter Casey's work takes many forms and often explores the tension between man-made constructions and natural processes. Casey's work has been exhibited in the US and Asia.
MICHAEL SNOW is considered one of Canada's most important living artists, and one of the world's leading experimental filmmakers. His wide-ranging and multidisciplinary oeuvre explores the possibilities inherent in different mediums and genres, and encompasses film and video, painting, sculpture, photography, writing, and music. Snow's practice comprises a thorough investigation into the nature of perception. He played a major role in the "structural" film movement with such works as Wavelength (1967), Back and Forth (1969), and La Région Centrale (1971), exploring the world through deliberate and explicit decisions about formal approaches. Snow has had solo exhibitions and/or film retrospectives at the Venice Biennale, New York's Museum of Modern Art, the Paris Centre Pompidou, Cinémathèque Française, and elsewhere.
ABOUT THE SPACE:
BEN RUSSELL is a newly formed art space in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Co-curated by artists Brandon Alvendia and Ben Russell and situated around the front two rooms in the apartment of its namesake, BEN RUSSELL began presenting a series of month-long 5-person shows on Memorial Day Weekend in the year 2009. Participating artists are invited to produce and exhibit work that is in accordance with the title/theme of each show, the name of which will be derived entirely from the 10 letters in the words "ben russell." Future shows may include BEN RUSSELL : BLUENESS, BEN RUSSELL : REBELS, and BEN RUSSELL : US. In keeping with the structural conceits of the French Oulipo language group and the spatial and material limits of what is effectively a rented apartment, BEN RUSSELL maintains a set of restrictions for all exhibiting artists by which:
- One artist shall produce a wall-mounted work scaled at a minimum of three quarters of the thirteen by ten foot wall
- One artist shall produce a wall-mounted work at a maximum of one half of the opposing wall space between the two adjacent doors
- One artist shall produce a time-based work to be presented via a CRT flat screen monitor (and associated components) with Dolby 5.1 audio in the adjacent screening room
- One artist shall produce work to be installed in the all-weather sculpture garden
- One artist shall produce work to be performed for the duration of 15-30 minutes during the opening
BEN RUSSELL features a rotating roster of Chicago-based and non-Chicago-based artists and will be open for viewings one night a month and by appointment, as needed.
CELEBRATE UNIQUE MEXICAN TRADITIONS IN PILSEN, THE HEART OF CHICAGO’S MEXICAN COMMUNITY
Pilsen Posadas
18th Street, Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago
Chicagoans can get a jump on this year’s Holiday celebrations and the city’s winter festival season at the first ever Posadas en Pilsen festival on Saturday, December 12, 2009. The Posadas en Pilsen festival will be a daylong event that will take place from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. along 18th Street and extending into some arterial streets in Pilsen, the heart of Chicago’s Mexican community. The event is being organized by the Pilsen Commerce Roundtable, a group of small businesses united to expand and strengthen commerce in Pilsen.
There will be many opportunities throughout the day for people to join in the day’s festivities. The day’s activities begin at 5:00 a.m. with the celebration of La Virgen de Guadalupe, patron saint to Mexico, at the neighboring churches with music and mass, attendees will be given the opportunity to eat a traditional Mexican breakfasts at participating restaurants and cafes. The highlight of the event is a walking tour along 18th Street, the main commercial corridor in Pilsen, beginning at noon. Attendees will then have the opportunity to visit 25 participating businesses and sample traditional Ponche, a Mexican hot beverage consisting of sugar cane, fruits, and cinnamon, all the while judging nativity scenes either hand crafted by local artists or by the business. There will be awards given to both the best Ponche and Nativity Scene and will all culminate at an outdoor festival at Plaza Tenochtitlan on the intersection of 18th Street and Blue Island Ave. where attendees will be given a complimentary Aguinaldo, traditional gift-bag given to the attendees who make the pilgrimage throughout Pilsen filled with various traditional candies and fruits, also the children will be given the opportunity to participate in breaking of a piñata that same evening.
“We wanted to create this event for Pilsen because it’s one of Chicago’s largest Mexican communities, and the Posada tradition is very important to the Mexican and Latino community” said Hector Saldana, one of the event’s organizers. A variety of businesses from Pilsen have signed up to participate and compete including restaurants, cafes, galleries and other local business.
Participating businesses:
De Colores Restaurant
Galería y Sabores
1626 S. Halsted St.
Kristoffer’s Café
1733 S. Halsted
Chicago Community Bank/Chocolate For Your Body Spa/BLR Realty
Studio One Tattoo
The Beer Run Gallery
Ciao Amore Ristorante
Don Churro
1626 S. Blue Island Ave.
Mestizarte Casa de Cultura Carlos Cortez
Mundial Cocina Mestiza
Discoteca Angela
Oxala Art Gallery
Fogata Village Restaurant
1820 S. Ashland Ave.
Giron Books
Del Sol Realty/Real Fantasies Art Studio
1441 W. 18th St., 1
Jumping Bean Cafe
La Esperanza Restaurant
1864 S. Blue Island Ave
El Milagro Restaurant
2400 W. 21st Pl.
Rockotitlan/Casa Aztlan
1831 S. Racine
Tonantzin Cultural Gallery
For more information please visit www.PilsenPortal.org/Posadas
CELEBRATE UNIQUE MEXICAN TRADITIONS IN PILSEN, THE...
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3227
|
__label__wiki
| 0.565388
| 0.565388
|
Pure Escapades--Part One
Wow! Time went by so fast, I didn't post a blog in September! Between getting my kids off to a good start at school and finishing up soccer for the season, I've spent the last four weeks researching my new novel, Pure Desperation, the last in the Pure Escapades series. While I didn't intend for all of my books to end up as a series per se, that's how things have developed. My next few blogs, I want to give you a short preview of each of them, along with a short character review of my hero and heroine.
My first novel, Pure of Heart, starts during the French Revolution where Contesse, an English woman adopted by a French Bourgeoisie as a young girl (Gasp!) embarks on a journey throughout the English countryside after her adoptive father's death at the Bastille to find her familial roots. Contesse is special--she has albinism, having been shunned by her people years ago, she's not very trusting--of anyone. Her "Papa" was her entire world, and his death nearly crushes her. In his will, her Papa begs her to embark on an adventure to find her ancestral roots, and Contesse has no choice but to follow his wishes.
Upon crossing the Channel, Contesse meets Eric McEwan, an aspiring surgeon, when he nurses her back to health in London after a bout of travel sickness. In the midst of falling in love with the enchanting French girl, Eric has his own set of troubles with his domineering grandfather and father. He can never seem to please either of his patriarchs, and after being expelled from Cambridge medical school for practicing without proper licensure, he is cast out by his family. However, fate always intervenes, and Eric finds himself aiding Contesse on her journey to the northernmost depths of the England.
To make matters more interesting, Contesse is escorted to her ancestral home by two rather "unique" individuals: Madame Claire Carmadie, an old druidic woman (read--pagan, not paranormal) who knows and keeps secrets and Talon Barberry, a Romani man (Gypsy for those who aren't familiar with the term) familiar with the terrain. Along the way, Contesse and Eric discover the truth, leading to some shocking revelations about life, family, and love. Will Contesse truly be able to overcome her hidden past to marry the man who saved her life?
In my second novel, Pure Temptation, I continue this series in a different way: after writing Pure of Heart, I fell in love with my secondary character, Talon Barberry, and I decided he needed his happily ever after as well. His story begins about five years after leading the adventure with Contesse and Eric, and this story is more of a Historical Romance with Suspense. Talon finds himself bored, tired of his Romani father's expectations to take over the family's horse-breeding operations that the Barberry's have done for centuries. Setting out to find his own way in the world, Talon is hired by a radical Jacobin Frenchman to travel to the West Indies and kidnap the daughter of a prominent New Orleanian politician.
By nature, Talon is a suspicious man--for good reason. Not everything is what it seems with the Frenchman, and Talon uncovers a creole spy aboard the ship bound for the Americas. The "spy", Talia Montrose, was sent undercover by the Cabildo Government in New Orleans to find out exactly what the Frenchman has planned.
A young, beautiful woman of French and Spanish descent, Talia masquerades as the mayor's daughter and uses her gifts--her "feminine wiles"-- to find out why Talon is hired to "kidnap" her. Talia has always been the adventurous sort, but this time, it's personal. Her best friend is the mayor's daughter, and she wants nothing more than to save her friend from the devious "interloper" sent to kidnap her dear friend.
Talon is attracted to Talia from the start, although he has a constant, internal battle with himself over his intense feelings for the woman because she isn't Romani--it's forbidden in his family to marry a Gadje--white woman. While Talia has only used her beauty and brains for her work, there's something about the tall, brooding interloper that intrigues her. As the adventure wears on, Talon and Talia find it increasingly difficult to distance themselves from one another.
Soon, Talon and Talia both realize they've been used as pawns, and the Frenchman has something more sinister up his sleeve. They enlist the help of a little slave boy, Marcus, and Talia's childhood friend, Captain Alex Lafitte (yes, one of THE infamous, Lafittes, albeit fictitious), to try and take down the Jacobin leader hellbent on stoking a Revolution in the colonial territories by orchestrating slave rebellions throughout the West Indies and Louisiana--including Talia's childhood home, Temptation Hall. When push comes to shove, can Talon help Talia save her home and vanquish his reserved Romani traditions in order to finally accept her undying love?
Next Week: Join me as I return to continue the Pure Escapades saga with Captain Alex Lafitte, little Marcus (now a grown man), and my heroine, Zaria St. Clair.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3235
|
__label__wiki
| 0.535586
| 0.535586
|
Home/1970’s
Will Kohler September 29, 2018
WATCH: Rare Clip of Lauren Bacall As Margo Channing in the 1973 TV Production of “Applause” – VIDEO
This is a video clip from television production of the Broadway musical Applause. The musical based on the 1950 film classic…
Gay History – WATCH: Bette Midler’s Final Performance At The Continental Baths in NYC (1971) – Video
In the late 1960’s Steve Ostrow opened the Continental Baths in the basement of the landmark Ansonia Hotel, which…
Will Kohler May 15, 2018
Homo History – Sex: NYC’s Christopher Street, the Trucks, and the West Side Highway Piers A Sexual Wonderland
Greenwich Village in New York City was a homosexual’s dream come true in the 1970’s and early 80’s. You could…
FOUND FOOTAGE: See 1970’s NYC from CBGB’s to the Christopher Street Piers – Video
I found this on YouTube today while doing some LGBT history research and I thought I would share it with…
Will Kohler November 6, 2017
Forgotten Gay New York City: The Cock Ring and The Hotel Christopher – 180 Christopher Street
The once infamous Cock Ring and Hotel Christopher was located at 180 Christopher Street at West Street on the…
The BEST of Back2Stonewall: Remembering NYC’s Mineshaft – 835 Washington St. NYC, NY (1976 – 1985)
At one time New York City’s Mineshaft was the most notorious “members only” gay S&M/B&D sex club in history and today it’s memory is…
Will Kohler June 17, 2017
PRIDE Flashback – WATCH: Chicago Gay Pride Parade Video Footage Circa 1976
Life was so much simpler and fun before intersectionality we were a REAL community.
Will Kohler December 4, 2016
Sports Stud Sunday FLESHBACK- 1974: Shep Messing Professional Soccer Player Poses Nude for VIVA Magazine – NSWF
Shep Messing was the quintessential ’70s athlete. He played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and six in…
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3238
|
__label__cc
| 0.723446
| 0.276554
|
Sign up for our enewsletter and get all the latest news!
Dr. Rassel
Face & Neck
Face & Skincare Procedures
Botox & Juvederm
New Procedures
Vampire Face Lift
In time, gravity, sun exposure, and the stresses of daily life take their toll on our faces: deep creases appear beside the mouth, the jaw line slackens, and folds and fat deposits appear on the neck. Find Out More»
Our office has been offering extraordinary effective skin care programs that offer all skin types a healthier, more youthful complexion. Find Out More»
From Breast Augmentation to Fat Transfer to Liopsuction, your figure can be reshaped and enhanced by Dr. Ruth Rassel to help you achieve the new you! Find Out More»
Dr. William T. Chen
Since establishing his practice in 1985, Dr. Chen continues to be at the forefront of medical advances. He regularly keeps up with the latest procedures introduced not only within the United States but internationally as well. He is a Fellow of American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Dr. Ruth Rassel
Born in Iowa and raised in Michigan, Dr. Rassel was high school Valedictorian and graduated from Michigan State University with Honors. After Osteopathic Medical School and General Surgical Residency at Michigan, she did Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship at University of Chicago with former President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Angelo Cuzelina MD, DDS. Starting as Director of Surgery of “Delfi” General Surgery Program at North Bay Medical Center in 2008, Dr. Rassel is also now an Assistant Clinical Professor of Touro University, Department of General Surgery. She is excited to be an integral part and contributing to cosmetic surgery in Solano County.
Fairfield (map it)
2801 Waterman Blvd. Suite 200
academics (aacs)
abfprs
aafprs
HIPAA Policies & Procedures
Breach Policy
Browse Better
You can browse better! Click an icon to download the latest versions of Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
Get to know us a little better. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Copyright © 2012 Bay Medical Center & MedNet Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All photos used on the site, with the exception of the before and after pictures, are models.
Sacramento Website Design and Implementation by Uptown Studios
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3241
|
__label__wiki
| 0.600192
| 0.600192
|
Babbler endorses the Jeff Peckman Party candidates for Village Trustees
By Publisher Chris Olson
With one of the most hotly contested Bolingbrook Trustee elections since the 1990s, I decided to speak with the editorial writers and issue an endorsement. This is a decision were are taking very seriously.
There were some heated discussions, a lot of prayers, and a lot of counseling with our staff psychics. It helped that only three parties answered our questionnaires. Unfortunately, we had to disqualify The Roger Claar party because Mayor Roger Claar isn’t a member.
In the end, we decided to endorse The Jeff Peckman Party, formally known as The Art Bell Party. The party now names itself after Peckman, who tried to get Denver voters to approve a UFO Commission. He failed, but 27,486 people voted in favor of it.
Since the 1990s, the Peckman party has promised to fully audit Clow UFO base, and crack down on illegal space aliens in Bolingbrook. While others have called for the closing of Clow, they promise to work with Claar to keep the base open, but at the same time, promise to protect taxpayer dollars from covert government waste. These are goals we support.
Posted by Unknown at Sunday, March 27, 2011 Links to this post
Web Exclusive: Paranormal Affairs Division receives over 100 election complaints
The Paranormal Affairs Division of the Bolingbrook Police Department has received over 100 complaints related to the upcoming election.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.” Said Officer Carl, who asked that we not use his last name. “We usually get two complaints a month. We’ve received all of these complaints in the past week.”
While the division officially does not exist, let alone release details about their investigations, The Babbler uncovered two of the complaints.
The first complaint claims that the ghost of former mayor Robert Schanks is spying for The First Party of Bolingbrook. The complaints includes several blurry photos and a poor quality MP3 of possibly saying, “Vote for Pat!”
According to Officer Steve, “A short investigation revealed that Robert Schanks is still alive. We just have to make sure he doesn’t have the power of remote projection.”
The second complaint claims that Trustee Rick Morales has an army of monsters that are stealing his opponent’s campaign signs. Two eyewitnesses first claimed they had recordings of him issuing orders to the monsters. When the investigator mentioned that it is illegal to record a human without their consent, the eyewitnesses suddenly remembered that they called 911 while Morales issued the orders. The dispatcher, said the eyewitnesses, should have recorded Morales issuing the orders, not them.
In the report, a homeowner claims Morales knocked on his door. Morales exclaimed, “I’m a Bolingbrook Trustee. I need your Bob Bowen sign and your Joe Naponiello sign! It’s a village emergency.” The homeowner said he could have the signs. Morales, according to the homeowner, took the signs and ran away. He was then followed by what the homeowner described as a “running squid.”
Officer Steve explained, “It was a Minnesota Talking Land Squid. They’ve been stealing campaign signs, mostly those not belonging to the First Party of Bolingbrook.” Steve explained that either the squids are attracted to the paper used in the signs, or the candidates offended PZ Myers.
“Sometimes candidates will ask him to have his followers crash online polls on their behalf. Our sources say that when a candidate doesn’t pay in full, he’ll send his army of land squids to disrupt their campaign.”
Officer Steve says this case has been turned over the FBI, but expects it to be resolved soon.
Officer Carl is suspicious about the complaints.
“It’s like these two wanted to start so many investigations that we wouldn’t be able to finish before the election.”
Officer Bob says the department will do their best, adding that although they haven’t experienced any budget cuts, it will take some time to resolve.
When asked to comment, Bowen replied, “There are investigations and there are more investigations to come! There wouldn’t be smoke unless there is fire, and there is fire! The police don’t investigate unless they have a good reason to investigate! So you have a choice. You’re either for us or against us. If you’re against us, you’re with Roger. If you’re with Roger, you support the stealing of campaign signs. If you support the stealing of campaign signs, you support crime. If you support crime, that makes you evil!”
When asked to comment, Mayor Roger Claar replied, “I’m feeling much better now that I cleared the air with Rick. That’s Rick, not Rickey. Anyway, I explained to him that he is a trustee, not a garbage collector. The next time a resident asks him to throw something away, he should contact the Public Works Department instead.”
Claar added his own horserace assessment Bolingbrook Trustee election.
“There are five dead horses on the track. Bonnie is trying to perform CPR on three of them. On April 5th, the residents will cheer as my three horses cross the finish line, and I declare victory over the Internet!”
When reached for comment, Ken Cygan bored this reporter with his political platform.
The other candidates could not be reached for comment.
Posted by Unknown at Saturday, March 26, 2011 Links to this post
Kylie Sturgess accepts ‘award’ from anti-science feminist convention
Kylie Sturgess, who shares the same first name
with Kylie Minogue, visited Bolingbrook this
weekend. (Photo by Ron Whisky)
Australian skeptic Kylie Sturgess crashed the Feminists Emancipating Reality conference in Bolingbrook this weekend.
The conference organizers, whose purpose was to “showcase highlights of efforts to find alternatives to the racist, sexist and homophobic philosophy known as science,” wanted to start an annual award mocking women who “betray their gender to science!”
“She’s done more to spread the plague of science than any other female we could think of.” Said Donna L. Lawson, head faciliator of the FER conference. So we thought she’d be the perfect person to receive the first McCreight Award. Well it’s an ‘award’ just like the Razzies are an award.”
Named after Blag Hag blogger and Boobquake organizer Jennifer McCreight, The organizers hoped to make a statement by naming Sturgess as it’s first “honoree.” No one expected Sturgess to show up at the convention.
“We had five speakers from five different groups ready to condemn her and promote their causes.” Said Patricia K. Carlson, co-facilitator of outreach. “When I saw Kylie approaching, I knew our carefully balanced plans were about to go out the window. I wanted to criticize her so badly, but I needed approval from the steering committee first.!”
Sturgess, according to witnesses, approached the stage, while the audience looked on in stunned silence. While the organizers debated whether to turn off the mike, Sturgess addressed the crowd. She started off by saying that she didn’t appreciate the “nasty comments” directed towards her husband, and the false “condolences” she heard from audience members.”
“I came here because I thought I was being honored for promoting science education.” Said Sturgess. “Instead, I see that you’re trying to mock my over ten years of teaching science and critical thinking.”
Sturgess then launched into a thirty minute defense of science and how science education can empower women.
“Science is like a hammer.” Said Sturgess. “It can be used by a misogynist to post hateful signs, or it can be used to build a loving home. We shouldn’t deny women access to the hammer because misogynists have used hammers in the past. Instead we should give women hammers so they can be free to build their own structures.”
She then held up the well-endowed award and said, “You intended to give this award to me in the spirit of mockery and in the name of my rival, Jennifer McCreight. I will accept it with pride, and in the name of someone who promotes science education, even if we do have our differences.”
Sturgess announced that she was going to perform several science experiments in the hallway. “Anyone who wants to experience the empowering effects of science and open their minds to critical thinking is welcome to join me.”
After walking away from the microphone, one of the facilitators turned off the mike. After a “moderated” discussion, the organizers turned the mike back on thirty minutes later.
During the downtime, a few participants watched Sturgess’s simple science experiments.
“I never realized that heavy objects and light objects fall at the same rate.” Said a participant, who asked to be called Paula. “There has to be a metaphor for feminism in that. I’ll have to discuses it with my women’s studies professors. Kylie has really opened my mind.”
Another participant wasn’t impressed.
“Her text is too inflexible” Said Kathy, who refused to give out her last name. “I prefer texts that can be edited, like a word processor. In my text, homeopathy works. I tried to educate her, but she said the facts were clear. I hate so-called ‘fact’ texts.”
Earlier in the conference, the organizers recognized Luce Irigaray for her contribution to the study of physics. In her book, Parler n’est jamais neutre, Irigaray criticized the E=MC2 as a “sexed equation” because, “it privileges the speed of light over other speeds that are vitally necessary to us.”
When asked to comment, McCreight said that most feminists support science and doubted the existence of the conference. She also accused The Babbler of overhyping her disagreements with Sturgess.
“We had one little flame war, and you guys spend months blowing it out of proportion.” Said McCreight. “I’ve already moved on to other things. Like my solo speech at TAM 9, and my attempts to create a live Pokemon. I’m going to win the Nobel Prize for that!”
After demanding to know how this reporter got her Skype address, Sturgess denied visiting Bolingbrook over the weekend.
“As you can clearly see, I am in Australia. Your Clow airport might be international certified, but I seriously doubt that it is equipped to handle supersonic airplanes. That’s the only way I could be here now after attending this alleged conference. The truth is that I won’t be in the States until Dragon*Con.”
A cat then walked by her webcam.
“You know that’s not where cats are allowed.” Said Sturgess to the cat.
“Mistress Sturgess.” Came a voice off screen. “I wish to discuss my new terms.”
Sturgess stared off screen for a several seconds, then said, “I think I have a more pressing problem to deal with right now.”
Claar promises safety review of antimatter generators
Brook Report asks for UN Intervention against Claar
Corporations prepare bids to take over Bolingbrook
Web Exclusive! Anti-psychic kitty to attend TAM 9
The Babbler’s only skeptical columnist, Anti-psychic Kitty, will attend TAM 9 this July. He will also be live tweeting and live blogging the second largest gathering of skeptics in North America.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting my creators at The James Randi Educational Foundation. Especially James Randi! He’s like a father, a friend and a mad scientist!”
TAM 9, or The Amazing Meeting, will be held in Las Vegas’s South Point Hotel Casino and Spa. Speakers this year include, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye, Adam Savage, Illinois professor Pamela Gay, atheist squid master PZ Myers, and local skeptic Elyse Anders.
“Because of Elyse’s cat allergy, I will have to wear an environmental suit outside of my suite. That’s OK, because I don’t like cigarette smoke. Still, I’m hoping that the suit will be as handsome as I am!”
Last year, Kitty caused controversy as the first non-human to address TAM. Many were doubtful that he could communicate by walking over a keyboard. Some were outraged when Kitty denounced Karen Stollznow for showing pictures of cats that look like Hitler during one of her presentations.
“I’m hoping to talk to Karen and work things out. While the skeptical community is growing, we should try to sincerely work out our differences.”
Kitty also denied rumors of inappropriate activities at the Skepchick party.
“All I did was drink cold water, meow, and rub against my new friends, male and female. That’s pretty normal for a cat to do to humans. I don’t know if they’re going to have a party this year, but I will be at the Penn and Teller party. Totally sober of course.”
Kitty is not on the main program, but is rumored to be a guest rouge at one of The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe live taping.
“I think I can teach Dr. Steven Novella a thing or two about critical thinking!”
Because of Kitty’s power to kill anyone who uses psychic powers around him, Kitty will be a judge at the live Million Dollar Challenge.
“I’m just going to watch the applicant while they demonstrate their power. If they survive, then I’ll know they’re fake.” Said Kitty with a giggle.
JREF president DJ Grothe, says Kitty is always welcome at TAM. “It’s nice to know that even the most skeptical creature on Earth thinks TAM is a worthwhile way to spend four days in Las Vegas. Why give your money to the casino, when you can give it to us, and support our skeptical causes? Kitty knows that the registration fee only covers the convention. We still need more money to reach our ultimate goal of making the world skeptical of The Bolingbrook Babbler! Oh, did I think out loud?”
The JREF and The Babbler have joint custody of Kitty as part of a legal settlement in 2010. Kitty gets to visit the JREF once a year. He spends the rest of the year in Bolingbrook, away from psychics.
This year, Kitty may not be the only pet residing in The South Point. Dr. Gay’s dog may also be attending, according to some sources.”
“Don’t get me wrong.” Said Kitty, “I think dogs are OK, but do they really have to lick everything and everyone? I don’t mind if they lick themselves, and many of them should lick themselves more often. I can’t believe they need humans to clean them.”
Kitty does have one hope for the conference.
“I hope that skeptics will see that in the most skeptical place on Earth, there is one inescapable truth: IMSOCUTE!”
Posted by Unknown at Monday, March 14, 2011 Links to this post
We get letters: Campaign 2011 edition
Doug Fields here. As the Reader’s Editor, there is no more challenging time of year than election season. Many people think that just because they support a candidate, The Babbler must publish their opinion. It doesn’t work that way. Only the best letters will be considered, and the only an elite few will be published. If I didn’t publish your letter, then practice writing on the Internet. Once you’ve risen above smiley faces, text speak, and childish flaming, then I will consider you for our letter’s page.
This year, it seems like Mayor Roger Claar is actually spending his campaign fund on a local campaign. The First Party of Bolingbrook now has a campaign web page and a Facebook page. Meaning that they just now passed The Bolingbrook Report and entered the 2010s. This must also explain the uptick in e-mails supporting Claar. Here’s one that seemed to deviate from the standard script:
Out of all the Village Trustee candidates, there are only three with eight or more years experience as trustee. Did you know that they happen to be members of First Party for Bolingbrook?
When you are looking to hire someone, you want experience! They’re the only candidates with experience! With all the outside problems facing Bolingbrook, this is no time for on the job training! We need experience we can trust.
We know what we’re getting when we vote for Leroy Brown, Patricia Schanks, and Rick Morales. We can’t say that about the other candidates!
Juanita X. Moore
Bolingbrook, IL
I wonder what the argument was to elect Morales and Schanks to their first terms?
We received about 100 e-mails for the Will County Independent Party’s endorsed candidates. Ninety-five of them were from the same person. We know how to read Internet headers!
All the letters dealt with Bolingbrook’s debt. Like this one:
Did you know that Bolingbrook has a debt of $208,673,953? Did you know that one trustee candidate has a plan to cut the debt? She’s been blogging about the village for years! Let’s give her a chance to act! Vote Rhonda Reed Slaughter!
C. Kresswell
Then we got this letter:
Did you know that Bolingbrook has a debt of over $300 million dollars? Did you know that one trustee candidate has a plan to cut the debt? He hasn’t been blogging about the village for years! Let’s give him a chance to act! Vote Joe Napionello!
B. Alexander
Then this one:
Did you know that Bolingbrook has a debt of $464 million? Did you know that one trustee candidate has a plan to cut the debt? She’s been blogging about the village for years! Let’s give her a chance to act! Vote Bob Bowen!
Jason C. Washburn
It’s amazing how debt can grow in a matter of weeks.
Oh, if you're going to run as a reform party, it's best not to have a web page that lists the perks of elected office.
Finally, we have this letter:
I don’t like Mayor Roger Claar and the way he’s run Bolingbrook. Why did we let him build a golf course?
I also don’t like The Brook Report and their supporters. Bonnie cost the village about $27,000 in legal fees because of her lawsuit. Bob annoys me during Village Board meetings.
So I’m voting for Ken Cygan! That way I can express my displeasure towards Roger and The Brook Report!
Rachel Z. Ferguson
That’s as good a reason as any.
So readers, no matter who you vote for, make sure you make an informed choice on April 5.
Speaking of which, The Babbler will be making its first endorsement in a Village Trustee election since 2005. Who will get the nod? Find out in two weeks.
Mayor Claar denies planning to ban Lady Raider jokes
Psychic slam skeptic’s speech three weeks before it happens
Anti-psychic Kitty to be keynote speaker at TAM 9
State champion Lady Raiders to meet alien ambassadors
Aliens ambassadors will met the Lady Raiders’ basketball team to celebrate their third state championship, announced Mayor Roger Claar at a covert affairs meeting of the village trustees.
Claar explained to the board and gathered dignitaries that the meeting would once again be held at Bolingbrook High School. The ambassadors would be disguised as humans, and will not reveal their extraterrestrial origins to the team.
“These young women’s brains are still developing.” Said Claar. “A mind wipe could damage their development and hurt their college and WNBA potential.”
Claar then read aloud a report from the Department of Paranormal Affairs stating that Morgan Tuck’s 36 point performance was not enhanced by psychics, alien implants, ghosts, or any other supernatural means.
“She’s a very talented young woman who will shine as an example of the human race for thousands of worlds.”
Village Clerk Carol Penning added that championship game was seen by an estimated 1 trillion aliens via interstellar transmission.
Also at the meeting:
Claar rejects Cygan
Village Trustee candidate Kenneth R. Cygan addressed the board to unveil his plan to replace Clow Airport with a four strip malls. The entrance to the UFO base, according to his plan, would be covered up by a “park” in the middle of the strip malls. Cygan said unlike the Brook Report’s plan, his plan would generate both property tax, and sales tax revenues for the village.
Claar disagreed.
“Alien spacecraft are required by galactic law to turn on their landing lights before landing at a UFO base or prior to any rural landing. We can explain landing lights at an airport. You can’t explain away landing lights at a strip mall.”
When Cygan offered to replace the park with a helicopter pad, Claar shook his head.
Claar tells off Number Crunchers.
During a question and answer session, a reporter from Number Crunchers Clow asked if Claar considered selling Clow UFO Base to pay off the village’s debt.
“Yeah.” Replied Claar. “I also thought about selling the right to collect taxes to a company for about $250 million dollars. We’d get rid of our debt, but we wouldn’t have an income flow, and some company would be getting rich doing absolutely nothing!”
Claar explained that without the UFO base, Bolingbrook wouldn’t exist.
“The New World Order has made it very clear to me. If we lose the base, they will manufacture a disaster to clear out Bolingbrook. The sudden loss of economic activity from the removal of Clow UFO Base would be too great to explain away.”
Bowen fails to fool Claar
Trustee candidate Bob Bowen told the board he had a question. He spent the next five minutes verbally submitting FOIA requests for Claar’s thoughts on the Skepchick blog, gun control, Inception, mutant moles under Boughton, the “$400 million debt” and other subjects.
Claar interrupted Bowen to reply, “I don’t read it, none of your business, I don’t under stand it, We’ll be using mole-proof asphalt from Orange Crush, the debt is about $200 million, and you’re out of time.”
Bowen thanked Claar and walked away. He later returned wearing sunglasses. He said his name was Ken, and he wanted to address the board.
“I recognize you Bob. You only get to speak once. This isn’t Topix.”
Bowen left. He returned wearing sunglasses and an orange wig. He said his name was Mr. Washington, and he wanted to talk about the village’s “$1 billion deficit.”
Claar shook his head. “The rules are clear. It doesn’t matter how many personalities you have. A physical body can only address the board once! I’ll go even further. Yes, as a trustee candidate, you have the right to attend these covert meetings. That doesn’t mean you should!”
The Men in Blue then dragged Bowen away.
Congratulations to the Lady Raiders
Bolingbrook rejects “Demon Free Zone”
Lisle Trustee Ed Young erased from history!
God to smite Bolingbrook on 3/9/11
Babbler endorses the Jeff Peckman Party candidates...
Web Exclusive: Paranormal Affairs Division receive...
Kylie Sturgess accepts ‘award’ from anti-science f...
Web Exclusive! Anti-psychic kitty to attend TAM 9...
State champion Lady Raiders to meet alien ambassad...
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3245
|
__label__cc
| 0.556305
| 0.443695
|
Web Exclusive: CFI’s pet fellows defeat Operation American Spring
In a show of intelligence over firepower, the Center for Inquiry’s cat and dog fellows frighten over 10 million armed activists away from Washington DC.
“When I saw the millions of people running away, I didn’t know what to expect.” Said Bob, a resident of Alexandria, VA. “When I saw they were running away from four dogs and three cats, I was amazed. I knew dogs and cats were smart, but not that smart.”
The animals were in Alexandria for CFI’s Women in Secularism conference. The cat and dog fellows were part of a secret breeding project by the James Randi Educational Foundation to create animals that have human level intelligence and radiate anti-psychic energy. After the JREF abandoned the project, the three remaining cats and six dogs were adopted by CFI, and promoted to fellows. They were at the conference for an exclusive fund raising dinner for CFI. Cassie, a calico, was scheduled to present a speech at the dinner, with the assistance of a translating device.
While in the pet lounge before the dinner, the dogs heard, over what they call the “dognet” that several million humans, armed with guns, were marching in their direction. Reggie, a pit bull, said that these humans were coming to bully “her mistress,” CFI DC’s Executive Director Melody Hensley. Reggie vowed to fight to the death to protect his mistress and all the attendees at the conference.
Feline fellow Andy, who some say is part dog, was sitting in the canine section of the lounge as Reggie announced his attention. Andy, excited about what he has heard, raced back to the feline section, and told his other fellows, Anti-psychic Kitty and Cassie. Anti-psychic Kitty told Andy to be calm down and be more skeptical of the claim.
Said Anti-psychic Kitty, “someone needed to be the skeptic in the room. Who better than me?”
With the help of their human assistants, the cats searched the Internet to find out what could be happening. They soon found out that the marchers were part of Operation American Spring. The 10 million armed activists planned to rally in Washington DC to remove the President, Vice-president, and any politicians they considered to have violated their oath of office.
Knowing this, the cats had their handlers quickly arrange a meeting with their canine counterparts. While the meeting was tense at first, with the cats cowering in their carriers, the dogs did listen to what the cats had to say. Dougie, the dog’s Constitutional Law expert, said Operation American Spring was about to commit treason against the United States government. Cassie added that while WiS wasn’t their direct target, everyone would be in danger if fighting erupted in DC. Dougie also feared that some of the activists might threaten CFI members because the activists oppose the separation of church and state while CFI supports it.
“That won't take down my CFI pack!” Reggie growled. “I’ll bit as many as I can before they put me down!”
“No Reggie.” Cassie calmly countered. “Their pack is larger than your pack. You cannot fight them with teeth alone. You have to out think them, and I think I have a plan.”
Later, Reggie said, “Out thinking another pack instead of growling and fighting? What a concept! I guess that’s the reason cats are still around.”
Anti-psychic Kitty asked the handlers to get them a stage, bulletproof glass, and a PA system with a canine translation device. They had to assemble the stage at a point where they could stop the marchers before they passed by the convention.
“To most people, that would seem like an impossible task.” Said Morgan, who asked that we not use his last name. “But we have connections, and if we threaten to expose their atheism, they’ll get you what you want, when you want it.”
When the marchers arrived two blocks from the hotel, they saw Reggie standing on the stage with a microphone. The other dogs and cats where behind him.
“Go away! Washington DC is our territory! You can’t come here. Leave right now or my pit bull friends will kill all of you!”
At first, the crowd stood in stunned silence as they struggled to believe they were listening to a talking dog. Then a man pulled out his converted automatic rifle and started shooting at the fellows. The bullets deflected off the clear bulletproof cage without leaving a mark.
The man turned towards the activists.
“It’s a pit bull and it’s bulletproof! Our guns are worthless against it!”
Half the marchers jumped in the air in horror. Their impact upon landing could be felt by the convention attendees. Then all the activists fled in horror.
Justin, who asked that we not use his last name, was driving towards the convention when he was caught up in the chaos.
“I turned the corner, and there were millions of people in front of me, running like mad. Then this guy jumped into my car and pointed a gun at my head. He said that the government had just unleashed a horde of zombie pit bulls and he wanted me to take him home. All I wanted to do was to personally express my disagreement with feminism. Instead, I’m stuck in Georgia. I’m broke, my smart phone is dead, and I'm out of gas. (Expletive deleted) you Obama!”
The fellows then arrived at the fundraiser as planned, and did not mention the incident to the attendees.
Said Morgan, “it is scary when dogs and cats work together.”
When asked to comment, a female CFI representative said their normal public relations person was in hiding, and denied that CFI had foiled Operation American Spring.
“We’re just so happy here! CFI president Ron Lindsay welcomed us this year! That’s a major improvement over last year. Plus we have awesome speakers, and awesome attendees! That’s the real story here! I've got to go! Now's my chance to get my picture taken with Courtney!”
No one from Operation American Spring could be reached for comment.
Posted by Unknown at Saturday, May 17, 2014
Disembodied brains terrorize Bolingbrook
Atheist TV’s fall schedule revealed
Web Exclusive: CFI’s pet fellows defeat Operation ...
Clow UFO Base reopens!
Web Exclusive: Bolingbrook Satanists celebrate Sup...
Manchester Mumbler: No space aliens in the UK says...
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3246
|
__label__wiki
| 0.672285
| 0.672285
|
I programmi didattici
Metodo BTS in pillole
Diventa maestro BTS
Diventa BTS point
Diventa sponsor BTS
We use cookies to make our site easier and more intuitive, these small text files allow you to keep information about visitors' preferences, to improve the site's features and to simplify browsing by automating the procedures (eg Login, site language) and for the analysis of the use of the site.
Utilizzando il sito il visitatore acconsente espressamente all’uso dei cookies.
Session cookies are essential in order to distinguish between connected users, and are useful to avoid that a required feature can be provided to the wrong user, as well as for security purposes to prevent cyber attacks on the site. Session cookies do not contain personal data and last only for the current session, ie until the browser is closed. For them there is no need for consent.
The technical cookies used by the site are strictly necessary for the use of the site, in particular they are linked to an express request for functionality by the user, for which no consent is required. Technical Cookies have a maximum duration of 24 hours.
This site also acts as an intermediary for third-party cookies, used to provide additional services and functionality to visitors and to improve the use of the site, such as buttons for social media.
This privacy policy does not apply to services provided by third parties, and this site has no control over their cookies, entirely managed by third parties. The data transfer agreement takes place directly between the user / visitor and the third parties, for which the acquisition of consent for said cookies is, of course, borne by the third parties, while this site does not participate in any way in this transfer.
As a consequence, the information on the use of these cookies and their purposes, as well as on how to disable them, are provided directly by the third parties on the pages indicated below. In particular, this site may generate cookies of the following third parties:
Google (Google Analytics cookie): Google Analytics is a tool of analysis of Google that through the use of cookies (performance cookies), collects anonymous browsing data in order to examine the use of the site by users, compile reports on activity on the site and provide other information, including the number of visitors and pages visited.
Further information on Google Analytics cookies can be found at the following page:
The user can selectively disable the action of Google Analytics by installing the appropriate component provided by Google on his browser (opt out). To disable the collection of data by Google Analytics, please refer to the link below:
Google Fonts is a service of visualization of font styles managed by Google Inc. that allows this application to integrate such contents within its pages. Personal data collected: cookies and usage data.
Privacy Policy - https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en&gl=it
Google Maps widget (Google Inc.)
Google Maps is a map visualization service managed by Google Inc. that allows this application to integrate such contents within its pages.
Privacy Policy https://www.google.com/intl/en/streetview/understand/ -
Since the installation of cookies and other tracking systems operated by third parties through the services used within this site cannot be technically controlled by the owner, any specific reference to cookies and tracking systems installed by third parties is to be considered indicative.
To obtain complete information, consult the privacy policy of any third party services listed in this document.
COOKIE DISABILITY
Cookies are connected to the browser used and CAN BE DISABLED DIRECTLY FROM THE BROWSER, thus refusing / revoking consent to the use of cookies. Please note that disabling cookies may prevent the correct use of some features of the site.
Instructions for disabling cookies can be found on the following web pages:
http://support.mozilla.org/it/kb/Attivare%20e%20disattivare%20i%20cookie
http://windows.microsoft.com/it-IT/windows7/Block-enable-or-allow-cookies
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=it&answer=95647
http://help.opera.com/Windows/10.00/it/cookies.html
https://support.apple.com/it-it/HT201265
DATA PROCESSING HOLDER
The Data Controller is BTS INTERNATIONAL srl simplified with registered office via Bosco Marengo 15, 00166 Rome (RM), VAT number 12469391002, in the person of its Legal Representative, telephone number 328 7637655, PEC address btsinternationalsrl@legalmail.it.
For more information on the methods and purposes of data processing and on your rights, please read the privacy statement found on this page: Privacy information
AUTORIZZO AL TRATTAMENTO DEI DATI COME DA VOSTRA INFORMATIVA
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3249
|
__label__cc
| 0.539712
| 0.460288
|
Ben Brucato
Assistant Professor of Sociology, Rhode Island College
Categories Select Category Critical Race Theory Critical Technology Studies Surveillance and Policing Uncategorized
Archive Select Month April 2019 (1) September 2017 (1) September 2015 (2) December 2014 (5) November 2014 (1) June 2014 (1) February 2014 (2) January 2014 (7) October 2013 (2) May 2013 (1) March 2013 (2) February 2013 (1) December 2012 (3) October 2012 (1) August 2012 (1) June 2012 (1) April 2012 (2) March 2012 (1) December 2011 (1) November 2011 (4) October 2011 (9) September 2011 (3) August 2011 (1) April 2011 (1) January 2011 (1) December 2010 (1) May 2010 (1) February 2010 (1) December 2009 (1) November 2009 (1) October 2009 (2)
© Ben Brucato, 2011-2017
Challenging Police Union Leadership in the War on the Poor and People of Color
December 21, 2014 | Ben Brucato | Critical Race Theory, Surveillance and Policing | abolitionism, eric garner, nypd, pba, police, police abolition, police brutality, police union, police unions
Police Leadership in Manufacturing ‘War Zones’
Police increasingly describe the communities they occupy as war zones, their inhabitants as enemy combatants, and their jobs as wrought with danger. As a Pulaski County, Indiana Sheriff said:
The United States of America has become a war zone. There’s violence in the workplace, there’s violence in schools and there’s violence in the streets. You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because of the threats we have to counteract. If driving a military vehicle is going to protect officers, then that’s what I’m going to do.
A recent U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation of the Cleveland Police Department not only found a pattern of unchecked violence and brutality used by police against the city’s residents and visitors. They also discovered evidence of this attitude, widespread among U.S. police, expressing that police see the community they patrol as a war zone. In the DOJ report, they wrote:
we observed a large sign hanging in the vehicle bay of a district station identifying it as a “forward operating base,” a military term for a small, secured outpost used to support tactical operations in a war zone. This characterization reinforces the view held by some—both inside and outside the Division—that CDP is an occupying force.
Union leadership is crucial in developing the discourse that normalizes these attitudes. For instance, Detroit Police Officer Association told residents and visitors of Detroit to “enter at your own risk,” and described the “deplorable, dangerous and war like conditions” officers face on the job. This is, of course, despite declining crime rates and increasing officer safety. Becoming a cop increases the odds that the officer’s spouse will be killed by her husband more than it increases the odds the cop will be killed by anyone. Police are two to four times more likely to be aggressors in intimate partner violence. It might come as a surprise to some that police officers are about 27 times less likely to be killed than civilian are and about 10 times less likely to be assaulted than civilians are. Police are safer than you and I are, and they make things less safe for those around them. But we’re not likely to hear that kind of story this week.
Police Union Response to Officers Shot in New York
Instead, since two New York Police Department officers were shot by a civilian this week, police and their supporters have been quick to ignore that officers face less on-the-job risk than construction workers. More importantly, they have been just as quick to state that police are at war with us all. Speaking for the NYPD, the police union said it is a “wartime police department” that will “act accordingly.” Pat Lynch—an appropriate last name, all things considered—head of the New York Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) said, “If we won’t get support when we do our jobs . . . then we’re going to do it the way they want it.” Lynch says the rules that govern police are devised by “enemies“ with the intention to hurt the police. The formal statement from the PBA organization was more strongly worded:
The mayor’s hands are literally dripping with our blood because of his words actions and policies and we have, for the first time in a number of years, become a ‘wartime’ police department. We will act accordingly.
The New York PBA has made it clear that NYPD officers believe:
Police run the police department and the city—not the public or its elected representatives.
Police are a military force—not a service organization.
Police are at war—not defenders of civil society.
Police are stationed in enemy territory—not in their own communities.
Where does this leave residents of and visitors to New York? Of course, this expression adds nothing more than public acknowledgement to a normal, steady historic function of the U.S. police in general and the NYPD in particular. But when union leadership makes such a declaration to their police members and to the various publics they police, these are warnings of imminent and reckless violence. Furthermore, in the context of widespread protest throughout New York and the U.S., union leadership, NYPD officers, and their white citizen supporters are quick to causally link protesters to the deaths of these officers. Anyone critical of police since the emergence of these protests “has blood on their hands.” And the police are promising retaliation.
As an aside: Isn’t it peculiar that Mayor de Blasio—who never held anyone in a chokehold—is somehow the murderer that Officer Pantaleo (the New York cop who killed Eric Garner) is not?
Police Union Political Activity
The political activity of police unions functions to preserve the status quo functions of police. I have established elsewhere that chief among these is the enforcement of the color line. Of course, all unelected functionaries in all public bureaucracies tend to resist public oversight through activities of both managers and employees. This resistance is intended to maintain their autonomy and status quo functions. But this is especially the case for U.S. police. This is partly because police unions have unparalleled influence (relative to other unions in the U.S.) in directing policy, and have a consistent history of staunch resistance to oversight and a fanatical defence of the status quo. Police unions emerged in the 1960s and 1970s partly in response to criticisms by civil rights groups and Supreme Court rulings that expanded the formal political standing of Blacks. These organisations function as lobbies to both resist accountability legislation and shield implicated officers against investigations and criminal proceedings, as Human Rights Watch documented. In extraordinary cases when officers expose or interfere with official violence, administrators target them for discipline. Though unions otherwise advocate exclusively for rank-and-file officers, in such situations, they suddenly shift support to the management position. This is how the cross-class alliance works in the world of police. Police unions defend officers fired for on-the-job racist terror. For instance, in May 2014, surveillance footage showed Nassau County Police Officer Vincent LoGiudice beating a young Black man, James Carver, so badly that he received multiple facial fractures and had to have emergency surgery to repair one of his eyes. Rarely are officers criminally charged with on-the-job violence, but this case resulted in two felony assault charges against Officer LoGiudice. When he appeared in court, he was greeted by a cheering crowd of hundreds of almost exclusively white men and women, organised by the local police union. Rather than defending whistle-blowers who violate the well-known ‘blue wall of silence’ by reporting officer and manager misconduct, police unions facilitate coercion against exposure and defend abusive officers. In October 2010, Phoenix Police Officer Rich Chrisman shot and killed unarmed Latino resident, Daniel Rodriguez, in his home. Chrisman was later charged with murder and convicted of a lesser charge, mainly because his partner, Officer Sergio Vergillo, claimed the shooting was unnecessary. The union, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, immediately defended Chrisman and maintained support after his conviction. They also publicly assaulted the character of Vergillo, including releasing his employment personnel information to the press and accusing his wife of having a criminal history. What’s happening now in New York is part of ongoing political agitation by a fanatical organization, the PBA. As an organization, they are solely tasked with advancing the political position of police officers. This not only means negotiating for better pay and benefits, more autonomy, and less oversight, but it also means ensuring continued carte blanche in the police use of racist terror and extreme violence. Prior to the killing of two NYPD officers, unions were attacking Mayor de Blasio, both as part of their routine political work, and also in response to public protests after the murders of Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York (among others). Additionally, the union was active in organizing public protests of white citizens and cops to support police. This included printing t-shirts mocking the dying words of Eric Garner, who choked out the phrase “I can’t breathe” as Officer Pantaleo was strangling him. These shirts instead read “I can breathe.” These officers and their supporters mix their messages: Are police under constant threat, or are they invincible executioners?
The role of the white citizen is to certify the criminalization of people of color and to justify police violence against them.
Of course, NYPD officers and their union leadership are not alone in this political work. The role of the white citizen in policing the color line has always been to publicly assert their certification of racist terror; to initiate ‘service calls’ for police to purify racial ‘outsiders’ who ‘invade’ white spaces; to demand proximity of police and intensive surveillance within Black neighborhoods; and to supplement police violence with vigilante activity. This “I can breathe” protest by white citizens in solidarity with NYPD—especially at a time of public rebellion over racist police murder—articulates a consistent history that pervades white space and white identity. What it means to be a member of the white race is not only to be relatively immune to police violence, but also to vocalize support for racist police violence to go unchecked.
Similarly mocking this civilian murdered by police, a police officer in Indiana manufactured and sold shorts bearing the phrase “Breathe Easy—Don’t Break the Law.” Here, the message clearly expresses the belief that police have the right to kill civilians who they believe have broken a law. The shirt effectively says, “If you want to keep breathing, make sure no police officer believes you have broken the law—otherwise, he has every right to kill you.”
Shirt made by Indiana cop justifies police murder of those police believe have violated any law.
While the cop who made these shirts was ordered by the South Bend City Council to stop selling the shirts, some civilians had something else in mind: they vandalized his store where the shirts were sold. This ought to remind us of similar political work by police after the emergence of rebellion after Mike Brown was murdered by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. White citizens and police rallied together under the “I Am Darren Wilson” banner. Police across the country visibly showed their support for racist murder by wearing “I Am Darren Wilson” ribbons over their badges and other similar symbols of sympathy.
Portland, Oregon police stand with racist murderer from the Ferguson, Missouri police force.
Declaring identity with a white man who shot a Black teenager does more than build political support in the public certification of unaccountable police killings, but also works to reproduce white racial identity. White citizens and police by announcing their identity with Darren Wilson are recognizing the historic linkage between racist police violence and the white race—the two were co-constructed and they remain reproductive of one another. Anti-racist activity must fundamentally sever this historic alliance between those advantaged by their white skin and the police. The political work of police unions is consistent and powerful. It needs to be counteracted through organized resistance, thoughtful strategy, and effective tactics. To begin this work, those committed to stopping police violence must politically challenge police power. One crucial site of such contestation is to threaten the political power of police unions.
Abolish Police Unions
There are many reasons U.S. police are involved with fabricating the color line and many reasons for why this has such violent consequences. However, there is one site of political struggle where local organizers can effectively challenge police power: abolish police unions. Some considerations for activists:
Target unions with routine responses. Every time they speak or act, confront them directly by exposing how their actions promote police violence and white supremacy.
Leverage local politicians against police unions. Members of city councils, for instance, should be pulled off the fence on the issue of police union abolitionism: they are on the side of the union or the people—which is it?
City union contracts should never be renewed, and efforts should be made to cancel existing ones.
Collective bargaining by police unions should be otherwise effectively nullified.
In city council meetings, all existing rules should be applied to police and police union leadership. For instance, most city councils only allow residents of the city to address the council members. Most police and union leaders are not citizens of the cities they occupy and should therefore have no standing in these forums.
Activists should opportunistically exploit broader anti-union bias while demonstrating solidarity with real labor unions. Consider making this solidarity conditional by forcing other union leaders to act against police unions.
In cities where union leadership threatens slowdowns, refusal of service, and violence against residents—as is currently the case in New York—city officials should be pressed to immediately suspend or fire all police union members. Force union attrition by immediately and permanently threatening their jobs.
Press District Attorneys for criminal obstruction investigations to be opened against local police unions when they interfere with internal and criminal investigations after a use of force incident.
Press the F.B.I. and U.S. Department of Justice to open RICO (racketeering) investigations against police unions that have consistently obstructed criminal investigations against police officers.
Be determined to win. Undermining police unions, especially in a time like this, is a real political possibility. It should be treated as such, and with a recognition of how powerfully this kind of intervention would threaten police power.
Standing on the Shoulders of Unpaid Labor
It is fair to say that science today would not exist without unpaid labor. In the academy today, we are […]
Teaching in the Time of Adjunctification
I am now in my second year as a contingent, adjunct instructor. For those not familiar with this terminology, it […]
Police: The Strong Blue Thread
Facebook user, Anthony Welichko posted the picture above with the following message about “The Safe Harbor Initiative.” “To all law […]
What will we take away from the Ahmed Mohamed controversy?
On Monday, August 14, a 14-year-old ninth grade student, Ahmed Mohamed, was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to Irving […]
Police Leadership in Manufacturing ‘War Zones’ Police increasingly describe the communities they occupy as war zones, their inhabitants as enemy combatants, […]
The Reason Mike Brown Can’t Get Justice Has Nothing To Do With Cameras
Cops killed #EricGarner #OscarGrant #TaneshaAnderson #TamirRice #JohnCrawford #ErnestoDuenez #KellyThomas on camera. pic.twitter.com/4gCc65gcAj — Ben Brucato (@BrucatoBen) December 4, 2014 […]
A Short Script on On-Officer Wearable Cameras and Civilian Complaints
The scene is an interrogation room. A small room with brick walls, painted in light green-grey. A two-way mirror is […]
Cameras on Cops and Junk Science in Rialto
Those of us who don’t confront the potential wide diffusion of on-officer body-worn cameras with excitement and hopefulness have already […]
Police Violence Is Not A Problem Because Of Its Invisibility
For months, in response to the killing of Michael Brown, Ferguson and Saint Louis have been sites of ongoing […]
Civilians Less Violent, Cops More Violent, All More Visible
Police are safer than ever, civilians are less violent than ever, and violent force and imprisonment is more often to […]
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3251
|
__label__wiki
| 0.726856
| 0.726856
|
As a nonprofit organization, BioOne exists for the benefit of our community. As a leading publisher of scientific research, BioOne develops economic models and strategic partnerships that balance the needs of all stakeholders and increase the accessibility and integration of content with a global network of scholarly exchange.
Through the success of BioOne’s flagship product, BioOne Complete, BioOne’s community includes more than 150 publishing societies, museums, associations, and independent presses; 4,000 accessing libraries and research organizations; and millions of users worldwide.
BioOne Complete is BioOne’s database of over 200 high quality, subscribed and open-access titles focused in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. For subscribing libraries, BioOne Complete offers a cost-effective, curated collection of independently-published journals. 81% of subscribed titles have Impact Factors, and more than 40% of titles are available online exclusively through BioOne Complete. For its nonprofit publishing participants—societies, associations, museums, research institutions, and university presses—BioOne Complete offers a dynamic platform, cohort affiliation, and a significant annual revenue stream from aggregated sales. Since 2001, BioOne has returned over 40 million dollars to its nonprofit publishers, helping them remain financially sustainable and editorially independent.
Visit BioOne Complete
The BioOne Career Center represents a natural evolution for BioOne. Already the trusted source for curated content across the biosciences, the BioOne Career Center—launched September 2017—is poised to become the trusted destination for both jobseekers and employers in a wide array of scientific fields. The BioOne Career Center welcomes jobs from the academic, nonprofit, and private sector, including positions at research institutions, museums, associations, zoos, laboratories, and more. BioOne Complete publishers enjoy free paid job postings, and all employers can post internships, volunteer opportunities, and event advertisements at no cost. Jobseekers can create free accounts, set up job alerts, and post their CVs or resumes for registered employers to see. With the launch of the BioOne Career Center, BioOne is pleased to extend its community and further its mission by bringing together organizations and individuals across the sciences.
Visit the BioOne Career Center
The BioOne Ambassador Award, launched in 2018, recognizes early-career authors in BioOne Complete publications and inspires creative approaches to communicating specialized research to the general public.
Founded by BioOne and now published by the University of California Press, Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene is an open-access journal published on a public-good basis. Elementa’s fundamental role is to support an interdisciplinary community of practice to accelerate scientific solutions to the challenges presented by this era of human impact on Earth systems. Launched in 2013 in collaboration with Dartmouth College Library and other institutional affiliates, Elementa reports on fundamental advancements in research organized initially into six knowledge domains, embracing the concept that basic knowledge can foster sustainable solutions for society.
Visit Elementa
Initiatives & Resources
Assessing Open Archiving Mandates: A Risk Assessment Model for Society Publishers and Substitution Risk Assessment Model
BioOne-commissioned report, developed by Chain Bridge Group, to provide a practical perspective on open-access mandates and an analytic framework for assessing the potential effect of these mandates on subscription revenue. BioOne publishers are invited to work with CBG at no cost to apply this model to their publications. Please contact Lauren Kane for more information.
Model Publication Agreement and Model Publication Agreement Info Sheet
BioOne’s model publication agreement, developed in consultation with the library community and with the legal assistance of Morrison & Foerster, provides society publishers with a vetted, adaptable, agreement in which copyright remains with the author.
Developing World Programs
BioOne is a proud participant in Research4Life and TEEAL, leading philanthropic programs that provide nations in the developing world with access to scholarly content at no cost. Through these programs, BioOne makes its full-text journal aggregation, BioOne Complete, available free of charge to over 2,500 institutions. This benefits the entire scientific community, adds to the visibility and prestige of BioOne’s content, and provides students and researchers in these growing countries with access to critical and current research.
For more information on BioOne’s commitment to developing world programs, please contact us.
Publishers & Partners Meeting
From 2010-2015, BioOne held an annual Publishers & Partners Meeting. The meeting provided a free and open forum for discussion among journal publishers, librarians, and leading industry providers, and enjoyed a robust turnout each year. BioOne offered a limited number of travel stipends through its Howard Goldstein Travel Grant Program to help defray the cost of travel. In 2016, BioOne decided to suspend the Publishers & Partners Meeting temporarily in favor of attending more conferences around the world. Our sincere thanks to our generous meeting sponsors, Allen Press, Aries Systems, Atypon, Innodata, and PCG. You can find past presentations by here.
21 Dupont Circle NW
bioonepublishing.org
team@bioone.org
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3255
|
__label__cc
| 0.519503
| 0.480497
|
HTC Has Made $12 Million from HTC Vive in Less than 10 Mins
Although HTC were struggling to sell its smartphones, but it looks like its gamble on virtual reality may have been worth it.
HTC sold 15,000 HTC Vive units within the first 10 minutes once the the preorder opened on Monday. The $800 headset were long waited by tech and gaming lovers.
“Woah, more than 15k units in less than 10min” Shen Ye, a VR product specialist at the HTC wrote on his Twitter Account.
Related: How to Preorder The HTC Vive?
If we do some math, that’s mean HTC has made $12 million of those 15,000 headsets and of course, the company had sold even more after those ten minutes. That’s not really bad for an unproven technology that costs $800 and requires a $1,000 PC
HTC is taking a different approach than the Oculus VR(HTC Vive competitor that cost $600) in its pre-order campaign. Oculus VR has refused to share any numbers about how many people have laid down an early order for the anticipated device.
These early successes are showing that VR has a lot of interest. Many companies are investing in the VR industry, we’ve seen devices like Samsung’s Gear VR and the Google Cardboard ( the cheapest VR that costs $15). More is coming with Microsoft HoloLens. This market is on track for $861 million in spending this year.
HTC Vive is a virtual reality headset that connected to your computer. Unlike other VR devices, Vive has a number of extra sensors that can track your movement around a room. This amps up the feeling that you are present in another place, and it is the main selling point of the Vive compared to its competition.
See Also: 3 Good Gaming Laptops that Support HTC Vive
Previous articleCardboard, Cheapest VR Headset Available in Google’s store
Next article4 Entrepreneurial Lessons To Learn From Leonardo DiCaprio Winning
Tim is a senior writer at Business Glory based on New York City. His primary story interests include industry trends, new apps/products, the startup lifestyle and diversity in tech. He loves to write about how new technologies can help people and our planet.
Cardboard, Cheapest VR Headset Available in Google’s store
Apple Is Testifying About the FBI IPhone Battle
3 Good Gaming Laptops that Support HTC Vive
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3259
|
__label__cc
| 0.60864
| 0.39136
|
Top US Telecom Master Agents
Top US Information Technology Distributors
Top US Telecom Service Providers
Database Details
Channel Navigator Privacy Policy
At Fossa, LLC (“Fossa”) we are committed to ensuring our customers understand our privacy practices. We encourage you to read and understand this policy. Fossa reserves the right to amend this statement at any time. We encourage our users and visitors to review this Privacy Policy regularly for any such changes. Your continued use of this website after we have posted changes to the Privacy Policy constitutes your agreement to the amended terms of this Privacy Policy.
We collect information from you when you register on our site, place an order, subscribe to our newsletter or fill out a form.
When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, e-mail address, mailing address or phone number. You may, however, visit our site anonymously.
(Your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs.)
To improve our website
(We continually strive to improve our website offerings based on the information and feedback we receive from you.)
(Your information helps us to respond more effectively to your customer service requests and support needs.)
(Your information, whether public or private, will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason whatsoever, without your consent, other than for the express purpose of delivering the purchased product or service requested.)
(The email address you provide may be used to send you information as well as to respond to inquiries and other requests.)
To update account and contact information in the database
(The name, account, title, phone, mail and email addresses may be used to update the customer-accessible account and contact information in the database when relevant.)
We offer the use of a secure server. All supplied sensitive/credit information is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and then encrypted into our Payment gateway providers database to be accessed only by those authorized with special access rights, and who are required to keep the information confidential.
Yes. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfer to your computer’s hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow), which enable the sites’ or service providers’ systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information
We use cookies to understand and save your preferences for future visits.
If you prefer, you can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies via your browser settings. Like most websites, some of our services may not function properly if you turn your cookies off.. However, you still can place orders over the telephone.
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect our or others’ rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising or other uses. We do use names, titles, phone numbers, mail and email addresses to update our contacts in the customer-accessed database when relevant.
We are in compliance with the requirements of COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act). We do not collect any information from anyone younger than 13 years of age. Our website, products and services all are directed to people who are at least 13 years old or older.
Please also visit our Terms and Conditions section establishing the use, disclaimers and limitations of liability governing the use of our website at http://www.channel-navigator.com.
If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us using the information below:
Fossa, LLC
2848 W. Leland Ave.
http://www.channel-navigator.com
My Home | About | Solutions | Contact Us | Linkedin
Copyright © 2019 Fossa LLC | Terms of Use | Privacy
Compass eNewsletter Signup
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3263
|
__label__wiki
| 0.783085
| 0.783085
|
McKade Brady – USU’s silent leader
Written by Tim Olsen
McKade Brady, a senior safety for the Utah State University Aggies, chases down New Mexico State wide receiver Austin Franklin in a game at USU's Romney Stadium on Oct. 20, 2012.
<strong>LOGAN—</strong>Utah State safety McKade Brady has been one of the Aggies leaders throughout the season. The senior from Cove (Sky View HS) is a key cog in a defense that has propelled USU to new heights, and he himself has garnered national honors.
A passionate and vocal leader on the field, Brady has motivated his team in another way during the past few weeks – with silence.
That is because Brady – the Aggies’ third leading tackler – broke his jaw during USU’s monumental win over No. 19 Louisiana Tech back on November 17. Brady suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the Aggies game against the Bulldogs when he made a <a href=”http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:8645685″ target=”_blank”>touchdown saving tackle</a> on Louisiana Tech wide-receiver Quinton Patton. Somehow Patton’s cleat got inside Brady’s helmet during the tackle, breaking Brady’s mandibular condyle, which also ruptured his eardrum.
Despite the discomfort that injury surely caused, Brady returned to the game and continued making plays for the Aggies who eventually pulled off the upset. He estimates he played 10-15 plays with the injury simply taped up, before he was pulled from the game and forced to watch the overtime period.
“That’s a man right there. He fractured his jaw during the Louisiana Tech game … to come back and finish the game, that’s a man right there,” senior linebacker <a href=”http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/filimoeatu_bojay00.html” target=”_blank”>Bojay Filimoeatu</a> said. “Coming back for his last game, I give all props to him. He’s really a great player, and I look up to him as an individual.”
Following the game, Brady received stitches in the locker room for a cut that started on his lip and ran across his face.
Upon returning from Ruston, <a href=”http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brady_mckade00.html” target=”_blank”>Brady</a> underwent surgery to reattach his jaw, and his mouth was wired shut. He missed his Senior Day game as Utah State wrapped up the outright WAC Championship and the school’s first ever 10-win season with a 45-9 drubbing of Idaho.
<img style=”float: right; margin: 10px;” src=”http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/dotAsset/b67e6294-0d32-49e8-ae8c-af53e69f1dd5.jpg” alt=”” width=”350″ height=”263″ />Unsure if he would be able to return this season or not – especially since the Aggies are playing on the first day of bowl games – Brady has been able to return to practice and is prepared to start Saturday in his final collegiate game.
“The docs have done a great job instructing him on how to handle himself. It’s not easy with your jaw wired shut to maintain your weight. I don’t know how he’s done it, but he’s done it. It’s unbelievable,” USU head coach <a href=”http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/andersen_gary00.html” target=”_blank”>Gary Andersen</a> said. “He’s out there practicing, and I don’t know how he breathes at practice with his mouth shut, but I would have a nervous breakdown if I had to do that out there. The mindset right now is that he is the starting safety for the bowl game, which is awesome for that kid.”
One way Brady has been able to maintain his weight, is religiously drinking Muscle Milk and other various shakes as often as 12 times a day for the past few weeks. Despite his best efforts, he still dropped about eight pounds, but will have a couple of days to put some of that weight back on after his wires were removed Wednesday.
“It shows a lot that he’s going to put his body on the line for us. It’s a great thing. Whenever he first got hurt, I was a little bit worried and everybody was like this might be Kado’s last game and all that. In the back of my mind, I was always thinking that he might get another opportunity to play,” USU sophomore QB <a href=”http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/keeton_chuckie00.html” target=”_blank”>Chuckie Keeton</a> said. “Just knowing that he’ll be able to play now – it makes me feel good, just knowing that he’s going to get one more opportunity.”
In three years with the Aggies, Brady has amassed 190 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He was recently named to the 2012 All-WAC second team, and was the only student-athlete from Utah (and only seventh in Utah State history) to be named to the <a href=”http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120612aac.html” target=”_blank”>Capital One Academic All-America Division I first-team</a> as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
<em><strong>@TheRealTO</strong></em>
Posted in USUTagged Aggies, Bojay Filimoeatu, Gary Andersen, Mckade Brady, USU, Utah State University, Wac, Western Athletic Conference
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3266
|
__label__wiki
| 0.567477
| 0.567477
|
Trudeau signs off on fuel pipeline - again
21 Jun 19 - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given the green light for a second time to a $5.5 billion pipeline expansion that has attracted strong opposition from environmentalists and some indigenous groups.
Canada imposes carbon tax on four provinces
2 Apr 19 - Canada has imposed a landmark carbon tax on four provinces which had defied Ottawa’s push to combat climate change.
Climate strategy has Trudeau firmly on back foot
12 Oct 18 - When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swept into power in 2015, he pledged to make fighting climate change a top priority for his government.
National park under fire from oil and gas
29 Jun 18 - The world’s second-largest national park is under threat from a destructive combination of climate change, oil and gas development and hydroelectric projects.
The Great Canadian Paris-pipeline paradox
7 Jun 18 - The Canadian government’s decision to purchase Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline project shortly after ratifying the Paris Agreement on climate change creates an interesting paradox and a national challenge.
Canada eyes carbon price to cut emissions
4 May 18 - Canada says that setting a nationwide carbon price could help to cut emissions by 90 million tonnes while maintaining a strong economy.
Trudeau vows to push ahead with pipeline plans
19 Apr 18 - Justin Trudeau has said Canada’s government is prepared to use taxpayer dollars to push forward plans for a controversial pipeline expansion, despite protests and efforts by a provincial government to halt the project.
One of the dirtiest oil sources wants to go green
29 Mar 18 - One of the most aggressive campaigns to fight global warming is happening in a Canadian province. There’s just one problem: the same place is also home to some of the dirtiest oil in the world.
Ontario permits sell out at first auction
7 Mar 18 - Ontario has participated in its first auction of carbon allowances as part of the Western Climate Initiative, selling 23,743,316 current-vintage allowances at a price of $C18.44 ($NZ19.66).
Canada pledges $1 billion to protect nature
2 Mar 18 - The Canadian Government plans to invest $1.3 billion to preserve the country’s land, oceans and wildlife.
How Trudeau welcomed Trump and oil lobby pipeline help
12 Feb 18 - The Trudeau government treated Donald Trump’s election as “positive news” for Canada’s energy industry and welcomed the help of Canada’s main corporate oil group in lobbying the US administration,...
Angry scientists condemn Trudeau's climate research cut
25 Jan 18 - In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 250 Canadian scientists highlight their concern over the imminent end of a research programme to better understand climate change.
Canada RSS Feed
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3270
|
__label__wiki
| 0.682163
| 0.682163
|
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, THURSDAY, JULY 111, 2019: Here are the top news making headlines from the Caribbean, Latin America and their Diasporas for this Thursday morning July 11, 2019:
Guyanese roots UK MP, David Lammy, says Sir Nigel Kim Darroch’s resignation is a disgraceful example of pandering to bigoted foreign leaders.
Former Caribbean soccer official, Jack Warner, has been ordered to pay $79 million in damages from a civil lawsuit relating to the FIFA bribery scandal.
Many in the Caribbean diaspora in New York are expressing stunned disbelief at the passing Wednesday of tourism marketing expert, Jamaican Marie Walker.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have seized $372,000 in undeclared currency from inside a duffle bag on the beach near a vessel found in Bordeaux Bay, St. Thomas, USVI.
The Connecticut Supreme Court has overturned the murder conviction of Haitian immigrant Jean Jacques, who was convicted in the 2015 killing of Casey Chadwick.
American Airlines has apologized to Caribbean American Dr. Latisha Rowe who claims racism was a factor in being told to cover up on a recent Miami to Jamaica flight.
Caribbean roots Adelina Carvalhal was last night in the Top 6 out of 20 of the Group Stage of the annual Ms Health & Fitness competition.
Cayman-sponsored driver Josh Mason has won his first race of the year in his RE/MAX Bovell Team-sponsored F3 race car at the British F3 Race.
Latin American sports Lionel Messi and Canelo Alvarez stars have made the 2019 top Forbes list of highest-paid entertainers globally.
Just three players from the famed Haitian Gold Cup soccer squad choose to attend a reception in their honor at the Haitian National Palace this week.
And Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj, who faced heat from Jamaican fans when she seemingly compared the country to Saudi Arabia, has backed off by saying she loves “JA.”
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3291
|
__label__cc
| 0.541509
| 0.458491
|
Dundonald Development
About Dondonald Development
Adult Team
Soccercise
Football Tennis
A shared passion for ‘The Beautiful Game’ formed a tight friendship between best buds Robert Harriot and Oral Williams, whose love of football made them want to share it with the community. They set up Dundonald Development as a local initiative to bring a dedicated and qualified football coaching scheme to the Borough of Merton.
Armed with a team of professional FA affiliated coaches, we work closely with footballers of all ages and abilities, regardless of race, culture, gender or social status. Our motto is ‘Teaching Through Football’ because we want to pass on valuable skills both on and off the pitch. By combining knowledge, experience and passion, we mentor, motivate and deliver programmes that go way beyond football.
Alongside Real Dundonald, our multiple cup finalists’ men’s team, Dundonald Development’s two youth teams (under 14s and seniors), have also won many trophies and accolades. Both teams have received ‘Charter Standard’ status, a prestigious kitemark recognised by the FA governing bodies, and only awarded to well-run clubs that continually meet strict criteria.
Dundonald Development help young people build confidence and express themselves through fun and learning. As well as one-to-one coaching sessions, we deliver football themed Birthday parties for children between 4 – 16 years old. We also run a football camp every school holiday, which creates the perfect environment for kids to make friends and share their love for the nation’s beautiful game.
We pride ourselves in our ability to reach out to people, young and old alike. Our unique services branch out across a number of social settings within the London and Surrey areas, including schools, community centres and after school clubs. Regardless of venue size, we can help meet your requirements, so please email rharriott@hotmail.co.uk to make enquiries.
Where we Play… (Adults Only)
King George's Playing Field, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond, TW10 7RS
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3297
|
__label__wiki
| 0.697627
| 0.697627
|
Night of the Ninja (& Son)
Let’s face it - anyone who remembers the 80s remembers ninja movies. While I could never be described as a huge fan of all things 80s, I did grow up in the thick of it, and therefore had little choice but to immerse myself in the excessively shameless films from the studios of Cannon and Golan-Globus. You had to, really. Particularly if you're from a small town and your older brother had already rented all the horror movies for you.
Us westerners weren't too familiar with screen ninjas until Sean Connery was introduced to their wily ways as James Bond in You Only Live Twice - you might remember their rather poxy light blue ninja suits which were thankfully left well alone in favour of a meaner-looking black suit come the mid 80s. But that was after Franco Nero was given a white ninja suit (along with his ninja certificate) in Enter the Ninja (1981) - the movie which heralded tonight's main man, Sho Kosugi. After the success of Enter, Kosugi was in hot demand by movie opportunistic producers, making a ninja movie for almost every year throughout the 1980s.
He was one busy ninja.
Tonight's selection starts off with Revenge of the Ninja - considered by many to be the best ninja movie of the period, and kicked Sho's career-in-black off good and proper. Pray for Death came two years later and although it has a completely different set of characters, they may as well be the same.
Tonight's Zombie Club was brought to you by Zomblee, in association with 'Ninja Eyes' eyeliner.
Revenge of the Ninja (1983)
Shô gets revenge.
Where better a place to start tonight's 80s ninja action than Revenge of the Ninja? This one opens in Japan where most of Sho Kosugi's family get violently slaughtered by a ninja army ("a lot of dead people already and only nine minutes in!" - Rawshark). Sho is then convinced by Braden, his shifty-looking American pal to move to the US with his surviving son to open up a traditional Japanese art boutique with a logo that looks like an arse. Little does he know that Braden is not only using the merchandise to traffic heroin, but is also a ninja himself. An American Ninja. How wonderfully 1980s. A bit like white heroin. And token blondes ("Cathy is hot!" - Jim). And revenge.
When Braden is screwed over drug money by mafia boss Chifano, he threatens to use his Japanese connections, which means getting his ninja case out from below the bed, putting the suit on, then running about killing mafia members. Unfortunately Sho's young son is caught up in this, while Sho himself is asked to help in police investigations because, you know, it's hard to track down ninja killers on American streets. Even if it is in a 1980s ninja film.
There is so much to enjoy in this perfect example of the Golum / Globus Cannon ninja fare. All the ingredients of the time are in place - most of the actual fighting has dated laughably badly and most of what takes place is all so ridiculously implausible that you have to love it. Set in a US city that doesn't want to be identified, there seems to be almost no police, except when they attempt to investigate the grisly mafia murders, standing about, scratching their heads and saying stuff like, "Are you trying to tell me there are ninjas running around killing people in the 20th Century?"
That said, I'm glad the cops didn't bother to interrupt during the final reel of Revenge, because if you want to see some quintessentially 80s ninja action then look no further. Rival ninjas Sho and Braden are tooled up to the max when they have their final ninja scrap full of deception and trickery on the roof atop a city centre building. Sho scales the building with ninja claws ("I like the way he's integrating 20th Century climbing technology" - Jim) while his admiring and wholly expendable sidekick (who we all decided looked like Seb Coe) uses his karate skills to kick the shit out of mafia goons at the main entrance before using a more western approach (stairs and elevators) to get to the upper floors. Before he gets killed.
I think we all learned a lot about black-clad warriors tonight, e.g. they don't have only two toes, as their boots might suggest. But given the option, will they choose to use the elevator?
"What the fuck is this, Halloween? Get the fuck outta here."
You know what, I'm so glad Sho scaled that building with ninja claws. I was extremely disappointed when France Nero, at the end of Enter The Ninja, actually used the lift to get to the final confrontation. Sheesh, I think Sho was right in that film, Nero didn't have the right to be called ninja. God knows how he got that ninja licence.
Sho Kusogi, however, has every right to be officially known as a ninja. Despite being directed by the guy who made.... "…you're going to love this Jim - Breakdance 2: Electric Boogaloo and Delta Force 3" (thanks Zomblee), there's so much fun to be had with Revenge of the Ninja that it's extremely hard not to recommend this film wholeheartedly.
Sho is, of course, brilliant in an endearing chop-socky way, and his son Kane can wield a pair of nunchukas like the devil himself. Everyone else is a bit rubbish, but don’t let that worry you - Seb Coe is as wooden as a post but quite good at kung-fu (I bet he was in other Golum Globas stuff), Cathy is a bit crap although she does like fighting without her kung-fu outfit bottoms, which we liked (”Sexy time?” - Rawshark) and the Italian mobsters are rubbish (”I bet one of them is going to say ‘Mamma Mia!’” - Zomblee). But Granny’s alright, having a couple of standout scenes (“I think we’re going to see some Granny kung-fu now!” - Rawshark) and that Braden guy, despite being a bit lame as an actor, certainly knows his ninja art, and the inevitable final showdown between him and Sho is probably the best modern ninja film fight that I can think of right now, and I’m talking cool chop-socky kung-fu with lashings of ninja trickery, comedy smoke bombs and other surprises (”Where’d he get the flame thrower?” - Rawshark).
Additionally, Harold ‘Odd Job’ Sakata makes an appearance in a non-speaking role, which we all agreed was a good thing, and the blood shower ending got such a cheer, although admittedly with mixed emotions from Zomblee ”The could have done with that throughout the rest of the film, I was thinking, but it’s actually really cool that they saved it to the end.”.
And last but not least I should also quickly mention the rooftop ninja foot close-up, which was amazing.
”That’s the best close-up of a ninja foot I’ve ever seen.”
Yep, I love the ninja boot, or tabi boot as it’s officially known. It only has two toes see, and although it’s quite fun to imagine that ninjas are so cool they’ve evolved into two-toe humans throughout the course of their ninja training, the reality is that the split-toe design improves gripping and wall / rope climbing. And yes, I have just looked that up on wikipedia.
If you love ninjas, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t, then you’ll get a lot of enjoyment from this cult classic. This film has ninja written all over it, and in a special large red ninja font to boot. Opening with the now stereotypical shot of ”ninjas parting through reeds” (Zomblee), Sho soon gets to work on the wimpy ninja dudes (”two-hit ninjas” - Jim) who are attacking his family home, but is only quick enough to save the baby. Luckily, Sho’s mate Braden is on hand to offer our favourite ninja and his son a new chance in the US – just as long as Sho agrees to help out with his business of importing oriental figurines into the States. Which aren’t secretly filled with heroin of course. Oh no.
Six years later and Sho’s son has grown up into a mean little kid street fighter called Kane, and Sho is attracting the attentions of a blonde girl, Cathy, who likes to fight without any pants on. Add in some crap Italian gangsters, a friend of Sho’s called David Hatcher who actually is Lord Sebastian Coe, an Indian fighter who has ”tomahawks and shit” (Jim) and some random idiotic police, and the scene is set for Sho to don his ninja garb and exact his ‘Revenge’ before the end titles.
Ok, so it may not be quite as good today as it was back in the 80s when it was all fresh and new, but there are some terrific stunts (Sho jumping through a van’s front windscreen before being dragged along behind it for instance), lots of ninja action and all the cool ninja tricks that were on the market at the time, including smoke bombs and caltrops (thanks Jim for the technical information). And if you don’t know what they are, feel free to look them up on wikipedia yourself and become as ninja-nuts as us.
“Well, if you want to work out, you forgot your pants”.
Sam Firstenberg
Shô Kosugi
Keith Vitali
Virgil Frye
Arthur Roberts
Mario Gallo
Grace Oshita
Ashley Ferrare
John LaMotta
Mel Hampton
Oscar Rowland
Pray for Death (1985)
Obviously, the success of Revenge of the Ninja paved the way for a whole slew of Sho Kosugi films including this one which again features his real son in a minor (geddit?) role as a teeny tot ninja terror. It’s a very similar opening too, although this time the attacking ninjas are in blue suits and are even wimpier than the ones in the first film (”one-hit ninjas” - Jim). But then we got some red ninjas who looked like ”Panto versions of Darth Maul” (Jim) who were much tougher, and Jim was not so sure on how many hits they needed.
After the opening tussle, Sho and family, including son, leave their home ‘shadows’ of Japan to go and live in the glorious crime-filled paradise that is the US, where they soon get tangled up with Limehouse Willie (the brilliant James Booth) and his mob of Mafia men. They’re on the search for a missing necklace they believe is hidden somewhere in Sho’s building, so they promptly harass and kill granddad (”Jesus, they’ve burnt the old man!” – Jim), rape Sho’s wife and kidnap his kid. Now, that’s not very nice is it?
This of course makes Sho mad, just like the Incredible Hulk, so he’s dons his black ninja garb for the second time tonight and heads out for ‘REVENGE’. Cue Sho attacking a boat, invading a mansion and generally killing all sorts of mobsters with swords (”smelting sword montage! Rubbish song though” - Jim), arrows and those cool throwing star things, all the way to the ‘finale level’ where he faces off with Booth in a mannequin warehouse / saw mill.
Whilst Sho versus James Booth looks on paper to be a bit one-sided, you should realise that James Booth actually wrote the film’s script, so he could write on that paper whatever he wanted. Thankfully, this means we then have a pretty good end fight sequence that not only involves lots of punching and kicking, but also a buzzsaw, chainsaws and huge metal spikes. Oh yes! All hail Kosugi! Right, I’m off to order my ninja suit and two-toed boots…
“Don’t get cute with me you slanty-eyed son-of-a-bitch”.
"It must have been great being Sho Kosugi in the 80s!" commented Zomblee, as ninja movie number 2 kicks off. And it starts in pretty much the same way as the first, with the fully ninja suited, eye-liner wearing Kosugi dispatching loads of lesser ninjas (in pale blue, obviously very low down the ninja rankings). But is it? Hang on - a quick pan back reveals that it's actually on TV and it's Kosugi 's kids watching 'The Black Ninja' show. Is it a swizz?
Well no, obviously not. Of course Sho's a real ninja (like in the first movie) who's about to move to America (just like the first movie) with his son (like in the first movie) and his wife (like in the... oh hold on, she dies in the intro to the first movie but lasts two-thirds of the way through this one). But before he can go he has to see his long white bearded Dad, who gives him his sword ("I love it when they give swords!" - Zomblee) and some useful advice ("Don't reveal our sex?" - Rawshark, "No, sect!" - Zomblee) before it's USA here we come!
So they buy this house off a nice old man ("He can act better than anyone in all of tonight's movies." - Zomblee) that has a disused shop next door. But unbeknownst to them some goons... sorry, hoods ("They're hoods more than goons..." - Rawshark) have hidden some diamond loot under the floorboards of the shop. Or rather, that's what they told the boss. In fact they decided to double cross their boss and sell the loot while the boss mistakenly pursues first the old man, and then inevitably Kosugi himself.
Despite being ultimately slower than Revenge of the Ninja, and with much less fighting in it, there are enough seriously 80s ninja movie cliches to keep everybody happy. I even offered to help Rawshark, who's went first, help with the plot if he needed it, much to Zomblee's amusement "...coz Jim's always really good on the second movie.". Although when Zomblee's ladyfriend Sam turned up near the end, and I felt compelled to explain the plot in great detail to prove Zomblee wrong, she summed it up so much better. "So, it's about ninjas and diamonds?" Yes, it is I suppose.
And I'm still not sure whether that smelting montage was officially a montage after all, you know. We did argue about the pacing quite a bit. Doesn’t a montage have to represent a considerable amount of time for it to count, and show some serious progression with the subject action?
”Neckrace? I don’t anything about neckrace.”
I think that, through years of watching movies that feature some sort of musical-accompanied montage to show something happening over a period of time, we have formulated our own theory on what constitutes a 'montage'. With that in mind, I suggest that the sword smelting montage was not a montage at all, but a sword smelting sequence, and a very cheesy one at that, accompanied by the full version of the song 'Back to the Shadows' from the opening credits. Yuk. That's the 80s for you, right there - this is as cheesy as it gets. Almost unbearably so, in fact - even we were flinching from this unbearable cheesness of cheesing. And we've seen a lot of cheese in our time.
Pray for Death is the essence of 80s mediocrity manifested as a ninja movie. I’m not going to explain what that means in any depth – I just like the way it sounds, and I hope you agree. Suffice to say, this viewing was a very disappointing reprise of my first ninja movie experience. Sho's very dodgy spoken Engrish aside, his final assault on the hoods' pad doesn't give him an ample platform to show his stuff, and I think we were all agreed that the final scrap between him and James Booth (basically an old style gangster with handy fists) is both overlong and ridiculous. But hey, at least Sho gets to use that shuriken from the front of his special ninja helmet - it wasn't just there for decoration. That ninja helmet made quite an impression tonight, even on Rawshark - "It's the ear covers i'm particularly pleased with!"
Another thing I think we all agreed on tonight was the superiority of the acting on display in tonight's second movie - perhaps the only aspect of it to improve on Revenge. James Booth (who also wrote) plays his "dock rat" thug to perfection - he's every bit the 80s villain - cold, cruel, malicious and he excels at getting really angry. But it's not enough to save what is just another 80s ninja flick where we should be getting great ninja action instead of talking.
"You cannot escape the shadows, my son. You will always be a ninja."
Donna Kei Benz
Shane Kosugi
Matthew Faison
Michael Constantine
Alan Amiel
Fast-forwarding ourselves back into 2007, we decided it was best to change back into our civvies and leave our ninja suits at the door of Zombie Club. We took all our weapons with us though, because it's dangerous out in them there streets and also because, well, they're pretty cool.
And what of tonight's man of silent 80s revenge? Well, I'm please to tell you that we haven't seen the last of Mr Kosugi - he's lined up to make a big fat ninja comeback in the appropriately titled Return of the Ninja, announced for 2008. I'll bet his son Kane is in that, too.
See you again next time for more 1980s hokum with Jim's Campus Killer Night extravaganza where our special guest at Zombie Club will be none other than acting legend George Kennedy.
Ok, so that last bit isn't quite true.
An American Werewolf in London
With its fine blend of dark humour and shock horror, you will barely be able to avert your gaze from the screen; from the opening sequence on the desolate moors, to the thrilling finale in Piccadilly Circus.
Schmid’s film inhabits an emotional terrain that exists in a place a million miles away from the tired Hollywood model.
FrightFest Presents - May 28th 2005
Includes reviews of League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse, Sin City, R-Point, Shallow Ground, Amicus classic
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3300
|
__label__wiki
| 0.501538
| 0.501538
|
CloudEngage Launches Version 3.0 of Personalization Platform
CIS Controls Releases Internet of Things Companion Guide
NewsCred Announces $20M in Additional Financing to Enable Marketing Transformation
Enterprise Digital Rights Management Market Adoption Growing Among Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Tips for Creating ADA Compliant Content
EContent Live! Video: Jose Castillo, Drew Bedard, and Tom Mullen
Check out our most recent EContent Live Hangout, with Jose Castillo, Drew Bedard, and Tom Mullen. The guys talked about Facebook video ads, privacy, and what the emerging role of the "marketing technologist" means to companies.
Bacon, Coffee, & Content: Using Creative Commons
It used to be really hard to create good content. Twenty-five years ago if you wanted photos of your product it was a chore. As a kid I remember watching the process in my dad's advertising agency in Knoxville, TN. First you needed several thousands of dollars of professional camera equipment and lighting. Then you would gather all the products and shoot endless rolls of film, which you would then ship off to be developed and wait weeks for the actual shots. It was tedious at best and even then you would wind up editing things in a dark room. It would take me hours to resize clip art with a photostat machine that now takes seconds and requires a click and drag with my pointer. In 2013 if you are a major brand and you want a killer photo of your product, it takes one step: Search.
EContent Live! Video: Jose Castillo, Ron Miller, and Brad Batt
Did you miss our latest EContent Live Hangout? You can still join Jose Castillo, Ron Miller, and Brad Batt to discuss the ins-and-outs of content management, Kindle MatchBook, and privacy (or the lack thereof) on the web. Be sure to follow @econtentmag on Twitter, or EContent on Google+ to be kept up-to-date on upcoming EContent Live events.
Ah, to be Young: Youth and Online Privacy
In light of Edward Snowden's recent disclosure that the NSA is keeping tabs on our every electronic move, it's hard not to think about privacy (or the lack thereof). While I often try to ignore it, sometimes it feels like science fiction movies (starring Tom Cruise...of course) about the watchful eye of the government are slowly becoming reality. That's when I begin worrying about the fabric of society. Shouldn't we all be worried about our privacy (especially if Tom Cruise isn't going to fix this problem)? Not surprisingly though, some of us worry more than others.
MyPermissions Introduces Application Permissions Scanners
MyPermissions, a provider of security tools and services for scanning, monitoring, and controlling how connected applications access personal data online, has announced new versions of its internet data privacy applications on iOS, Android, and its Chrome web plugin, MyPermissions Cleaner. The redesigned scanning tools now offer 24/7 privacy protection with real-time mobile alerts, and the ability to select, approve or remove multiple applications with a single click.
Study Says Significant Volume Of High-Risk Consumer Data Collection Seen Across Content, Commerce And Marketer Websites
Third-party data collection across many leading websites continues at significant levels while data collection via social media/sharing widgets is growing rapidly according to the third-annual Cross Industry Study (CIS) of web data collection activity from Krux.
EMC Announces Solutions for On-Premise and Cloud Storage
EMC Corporation announced beta availability of EMC's Syncplicity cloud-based online file sharing service with the option for customers to use either EMC Isilon scale-out NAS or EMC Atmos object-based storage. Now customers can store files on-premise in addition to the cloud. Unlike competitive approaches that cobble together point-products from multiple vendors, this approach gives IT choice and control over where managed files reside, while users get a secure, easy-to-use solution for file sync and sharing across all of their computers and devices.
Changes to Instagram's Terms of Use Raise Concerns
If Instagram has you feeling like a professional photographer the news tweaks to its terms of service may have you concerned about your intellectual property. Starting January 16, 2013, the photosharing app will share data with Facebook. How will your data - and your photos - be used?
How Safe Is Your Personal Big Data?
You say you don't have any personal Big Data? Not worried about cloud storage? Think again. Private data, including passwords, are breached almost every month. WikiLeaks is the poster child for loss of massive amounts of classified information, all due to poor oversight of personal external drives. Most recently the case of Mat Honan, a Wired magazine journalist, comes to mind. Privacy breaches and lost data aren't always due to personal carelessness, although that is often a contributing factor.
Mobile App Developers Targeted Under CalOPPA
The State of California is once again taking up privacy issue on consumers' behalf, this time with mobile app developers. According to Information Week, app developers that fail to post easy-to-find privacy policies can be fined $2,500 per download.
How Digital Professionals Can Manage Online Reputation
Regardless of industry or niche, reputation is one of the most precious commodities that a working professional has. It can take months, even years to build up a strong, positive reputation; then, the whole thing can come crashing down, in an instant. This has never been truer than it is now, in the age of Google, Facebook, and Yelp.com: A bad review or a defamatory post can make its way onto the web and all but destroy a person's image.
Google Is Watching Me, and I’m Fine With It
I started making a lot of hiking plans earlier this spring. I'd adopted a dog in January and had been wandering in the woods almost every weekend since. Then a friend of mine emailed me and asked if I'd be interested in section-hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail-specifically the parts that run through Connecticut and Massachusetts. I'd visited a couple of the Connecticut sections last summer, so I was excited to hit some new spots, this time with the dog in tow.
Social Media and the Gender Gap: What Do You Share?
Some say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but when it comes to social media sites, both genders share an array of personal information, including relationship status, brand preferences, and political/religious affiliation. However, when it comes to divulging more sensitive details such as phone numbers, location, and email/physical addresses -- which could put their personal security at risk -- women are significantly more wary than men, according to the findings of the recently released "Social Media Habits and Privacy Concerns Survey."
Google: Internet Explorer Privacy Policy 'Impractical'
Google claims that Microsoft's privacy protection feature in Internet Explorer (IE) is impractical to comply with while still providing modern web functionality. Microsoft had accused Google of circumventing privacy protections in Internet Explorer.
Apple Will Implement Permissions Requests For Apps
After a developer discovered mobile social network Path had been uploading his contacts' data to its servers, Apple announced it will implement requirements for iOS apps that will seek explicit user approval before accessing address book data.
Unlike iOS Apps, Android Doesn't Share Info Without Permission, Google Says
In wake of Apple's admission that mobile iOS apps have had access to users' contact data without permission, Google announced it's impossible for apps on an Android phone to share personal data with a developer unless users acquiesce.
Google Introduces "One Size Fits All" Privacy Policy
Google is toggling its privacy policy and terms of service to introduce a new master document, stitching together the 70 policies that currently rule its many offerings. The new regulations will take effect on March 1. However, details about the new terms of service were not disclosed.
Occupy the Internet: Web Companies Protest SOPA and PIPA
The average American may not spend much time thinking about individual bills working their way through government machines. But popular websites are making sure the average web user knows exactly what SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (the Protect IP Act) are by hitting them where it hurts: in the Wikipedia.
Facebook Privacy: 10 Simple Tips to Security on the Social Network
Sharing your thoughts and activities on Facebook in and of of itself is not necessarily a problem. The problem comes when users forget that everyone in their social network is reading their posts. When you post something in frustration over your boss, co-worker, spouse, or friend, remember that the boss, co-worker, spouse, or friend-and all their networked friends (and all of their networked friends)-may also be reading your posts. It is possible to take part in Facebook and still maintain a modicum of privacy. To accomplish this, keep these 10 lessons in mind.
Lawsuit Against HTC and AccuWeather Claims GPS Overshare
Two Seattle residents have filed a class-action lawsuit against HTC and AccuWeather, Inc. The plaintiffs allege that the AccuWeather app on their HTC EVO phone has been transmitting precise and unencrypted GPS data at regular intervals as well as when they open the app to check the weather.
Report Says 75% of Websites are Leaking Your Information
Lately, it seems like nobody's information is safe on the web. From CitiGroup, Inc., to Google's Gmail, to Sony's Playstation Network, hackers have been running amuck on the web. Dastardly hackers aren't the only ones getting access to your information, however. Rarely discussed is the information that's being doled out by websites to third parties, on purpose. A recent study titled "Privacy Leakage vs. Protection measures: the growing disconnect," released from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, co-authored by Professor Craig Wills, shows that of 100 popular websites studied, nearly 75% are leaking personal and sometimes sensitive data about users.
Security and Identity: Balancing Privacy, Flexibility, and Ease of Use
In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that several popular Facebook applications had been transmitting users' personal identifying information to literally dozens of advertising and internet tracking companies. While Facebook maintains that there is "no evidence that any personal information was misused or even collected as a result of this issue," not all observers have been appeased.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3301
|
__label__wiki
| 0.530816
| 0.530816
|
Home › Articles › Connecticut Appellate Court Dismisses Appeal of Discovery Order Finding that the Order Did Not Constitute a Final Judgment
Connecticut Appellate Court Dismisses Appeal of Discovery Order Finding that the Order Did Not Constitute a Final Judgment
Posted on September 26, 2013 by Thomas M. Jones
In Radzick v. Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, No. 34952, 2013 Conn. App. LEXIS 454 (Conn. App. Ct. Sept. 17, 2013) the Connecticut Appellate Court dismissed defendant Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s (“CCMC”) appeal of a trial court discovery order. Francisco A. Sylvester, an employee of CCMC, treated Jonathan Radzick, a minor, for Chron’s disease. Sylvester prescribed Remicade as part of his treatment of Jonathan and Jonathan died from T-cell lymphoma. Paul Radzick, plaintiff and administrator of Jonathan Radzick’s estate, brought suit, alleging that Sylvester knew that Remicade’s manufacturer had circulated warnings about fatal T-cell lymphoma and that Sylvester failed to obtain parental permission to prescribe Remicade for Jonathan.
In discovery, plaintiff sought to determine what Sylvester knew about Remicade and when. Specifically, plaintiff wanted to search three computers Sylvester had access to during the time he treated Jonathan. The discovery dispute centered around electronically stored information (“ESI”) on those three computers. On July 19, 2012, the trial court granted plaintiff’s motion to compel and ordered plaintiff be permitted to image the hard drives of the three personal computers Sylvester had used, and that their contents be forensically examined. The court addressed defendant’s concern that the computers contained confidential patient information and private information from use by Sylvester’s family members by requiring that anyone involved with imaging or investigating the computers sign a protective order. The court also required that the forensic investigation of the computers be conducted by an independent forensic consultant who would be hired and supervised by a discovery master. Sylvester appealed.
The appellate court looked to the two prong test in State v. Curcio, 191 Conn. 27, 463 A.2d 566 (1983) to determine if the July 19, 2012 discovery order was an appealable final judgment. Under Curcio, in order to be appealable, the order must satisfy at least one of these two prongs: (1) the ruling must terminate “a separate and distinct proceeding,” or (2) the ruling must so conclude “the rights of the parties that further proceedings cannot affect them.”
The Court of Appeals rejected Sylvester’s argument that the July 19, 2012 order was akin to other discovery orders that met the first prong in which discovery orders directed at nonparties authorized public disclosure of confidential information. However, the July 19, 2012 order was directed at Sylvester, a party, and protected confidential information of nonparties that may be on his computers by appointing a discovery master and including an in camera review before any information was to be disseminated.
The appellate court held that the July 19, 2012 order also did not meet the second prong, reasoning that the rights of the defendants are not “irretrievably lost” because of the order. In fact, the rights of the defendants may never even be compromised because of the safeguards in the order. The court dismissed the appeal.
This case serves as a reminder of the potential importance ESI can play in the outcome of a case and of the importance of maintaining proper ESI retention and production protocols.
About Thomas M. Jones
Thomas M. Jones joined Cozen O’Connor in 1986. He is vice chair of the firm’s Global Insurance Department and serves as co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Electronic Discovery Practice Group. Tom has a national practice representing insurers in complex litigation, and is frequently retained as national coordinating counsel in high-profile insurance coverage disputes.
‹ How Will Proposed Changes to Federal e-Discover Rules Affect Your Practice?
Spoliation Instruction But No Terminating Sanctions in Coding Trade Secrets Case ›
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3302
|
__label__cc
| 0.675625
| 0.324375
|
Home / Uncategorized / Jeremy Lin and Mike D’Antoni Talk President Obama by Derrel “Jazz” Johnson
Jeremy Lin and Mike D’Antoni Talk President Obama by Derrel “Jazz” Johnson
Linsanity has taken over the world, becoming an international phenomenon, with many getting caught up in this Lincredible story. The President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama would be included. “The President is an avid sports fan and particularly avid basketball fan and we were speaking about Jeremy Lin on Marine One as we flew here to Andrews Air Force Base this morning,” President Obama’s press secretary Jay Carney told reporters en route to a campaign event in Milwaukee earlier this week.
He continued “It’s just a great story and the President was saying as much this morning. Obviously terrific for the New York Knicks but it’s the kind of sports story that transcends the sport itself. It’s a great story and yes, he’s very impressed and fully up to speed,” Carney said. “I know he’s watched Lin play already.”
When Jeremy Lin was asked about his thoughts on what his fellow Harvard alum had to say about him, he responded in candid shock. “Very honored and very humbled. I mean wow the President. Nothing better than that!”
New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni was asked about President Obama watching Lin as well. “That’s great. That’s a great story. He’s a basketball fan. He might even think he can take him,”, Coach D’Antoni responded, which inspired numerous laughs in the audience.
Linsanity has certainly taken over New York City, the United States, and the world. We now know that it has, even for a limited period of time, taken over the eyes of President Obama. The Linderrella story continues!
Barrack ObamaJeremy LinLinderrellaLinsanityMike D'AntoniNew York KnicksPOTUSPresident of the United States of America
← Previous Story Seton Hall Pirates Cruise Past St. John’s by Josh Steele
Next Story → Daily Debate: Landry Fields or J.R. Smith, Who Should Start?
Mike Woodson fills in after Doc Rivers “not feeling well”
Marc Gasol hasn’t ruled out Knicks but it shouldn’t matter
Marc Gasol on playing in All-Star Game against Pau, Rudy Gobert, Grizzlies winning 50
Sam's Sports Brief
When you’ve got the attention of Obama, you know your for real. I guess the president just caught Linsanity. Check out my latest post at http://sambrief.com/2012/02/18/linsanity-or-tebowtime/
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3308
|
__label__wiki
| 0.573851
| 0.573851
|
The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. Reeve
Previous: VIII. The Forger
Next: X. The Smuggler
IX. The Unofficial Spy
"Craig, do you see that fellow over by the desk, talking to the night clerk?" I asked Kennedy as we lounged into the lobby of the new Hotel Vanderveer one evening after reclaiming our hats from the plutocrat who had acquired the checking privilege. We had dined on the roof garden of the Vanderveer apropos of nothing at all except our desire to become acquainted with a new hotel.
"Yes," replied Kennedy, "what of him?"
"He's the house detective, McBride. Would you like to meet him? He's full of good stories, an interesting chap. I met him at a dinner given to the President not long ago and he told me a great yarn about how the secret service, the police, and the hotel combined to guard the President during the dinner. You know, a big hotel is the stamping ground for all sorts of cranks and crooks."
The house detective had turned and had caught my eye. Much to my surprise, he advanced to meet me.
"Say, - er - er - Jameson," he began, at last recalling my name, though he had seen me only once and then for only a short time. "You're on the Star, I believe?"
"Yes," I replied, wondering what he could want.
"Well - er - do you suppose you could do the house a little - er - favour?" he asked, hesitating and dropping his voice.
"What is it?" I queried, not feeling certain but that it was a veiled attempt to secure a little free advertising for the Vanderveer. "By the way, let me introduce you to my friend Kennedy, McBride."
"Craig Kennedy?" he whispered aside, turning quickly to me. I nodded.
"Mr. Kennedy," exclaimed the house man deferentially, "are you very busy just now?"
"Not especially so," replied Craig. "My friend Jameson was telling me that you knew some interesting yarns about hotel detective life. I should like to hear you tell some of them, if you are not yourself too - "
"Perhaps you'd rather see one instead?" interrupted the house detective, eagerly scanning Craig's face.
"Indeed, nothing could please me more. What is it - a 'con' man or a hotel 'beat'?"
McBride looked about to make sure that no one was listening. "Neither," he whispered. "It's either a suicide or a murder. Come upstairs with me. There isn't a man in the world I would rather have met at this very instant, Mr. Kennedy, than yourself."
We followed McBride into an elevator which he stopped at the fifteenth floor. With a nod to the young woman who was the floor clerk, the house detective led the way down the thickly carpeted hall, stopping at a room which, we could see through the transom, was lighted. He drew a bunch of keys from his pocket and inserted a pass key into the lock.
The door swung open into a sumptuously fitted sitting-room. I looked in, half fearfully, but, although all the lights were turned on, the room was empty. McBride crossed the room quickly, opened a door to a bedroom, and jerked his head back with a quick motion, signifying his desire for us to follow.
Stretched lifeless on the white linen of the immaculate bed lay the form of a woman, a beautiful woman she had been, too, though not with the freshness which makes American women so attractive. There was something artificial about her beauty, the artificiality which hinted at a hidden story of a woman with a past.
She was a foreigner, apparently of one of the Latin races, although at the moment in the horror of the tragedy before us I could not guess her nationality. It was enough for me that here lay this cold, stony, rigid beauty, robed in the latest creations of Paris, alone in an elegantly furnished room of an exclusive hotel where hundreds of gay guests were dining and chatting and laughing without a suspicion of the terrible secret only a few feet distant from them.
We stood awestruck for the moment.
"The coroner ought to be here any moment," remarked McBride and even the callousness of the regular detective was not sufficient to hide the real feelings of the man. His practical sense soon returned, however, and he continued, "Now, Jameson, don't you think you could use a little influence with the newspaper men to keep this thing off the front pages? Of course something has to be printed about it. But we don't want to hoodoo the hotel right at the start. We had a suicide the other day who left an apologetic note that was played up by some of the papers. Now comes this affair. The management are just as anxious to have the crime cleared up as any one - if it is a crime. But can't it be done with the soft pedal? We will stop at nothing in the way of expense - just so long as the name of the Vanderveer is kept in the background. Only, I'm afraid the coroner will try to rub it in and make the thing sensational."
"What was her name?" asked Kennedy. "At least, under what name was she registered?
"She was registered as Madame de Nevers. It is not quite a week now since she came here, came directly from the steamer Tripolitania. See, there are her trunks and things, all pasted over with foreign labels, not an American label among them. I haven't the slightest doubt that her name was fictitious, for as far as I can see all the ordinary marks of identification have been obliterated. It will take time to identify her at the best, and in the meantime, if a crime has been committed, the guilty person may escape. What I want now, right away, is action."
"Has nothing in her actions about the hotel offered any clue, no matter how slight?" asked Kennedy.
"Plenty of things," replied McBride quickly. "For one thing, she didn't speak very much English and her maid seemed to do all the talking for her, even to ordering her meals, which were always served here. I did notice Madame a few times about the hotel, though she spent most of her time in her rooms. She was attractive as the deuce, and the men all looked at her whenever she stirred out. She never even noticed them. But she was evidently expecting some one, for her maid had left word at the desk that if a Mr. Gonzales called, she was at home; if any one else, she was out. For the first day or two she kept herself closely confined, except that at the end of the second day she took a short spin through the park in a taxicab - closed, even in this hot weather. Where she went I cannot say, but when they returned the maid seemed rather agitated. At least she was a few minutes later when she came all the way downstairs to telephone from a booth, instead of using the room telephone. At various times the maid was sent out to execute certain errands, but always returned promptly. Madame de Nevers was a genuine woman of mystery, but as long as she was a quiet mystery, I thought it no business of ours to pry into the affairs of Madame."
"Did she have any visitors? Did this Mr. Gonzales call?" asked Kennedy at length.
"She had one visitor, a woman who called and asked if a Madame de Nevers was stopping at the hotel," answered McBride. "That was what the clerk was telling me when I happened to catch sight of you. He says that, obedient to the orders from the maid, he told the visitor that Madame was not at home."
"Who was this visitor, do you suppose?" asked Craig. "Did she leave any card or message? Is there any clue to her?"
The detective looked at him earnestly for a time as if he hesitated to retail what might be merely pure gossip.
"The clerk does not know this absolutely, but from his acquaintance with society news and the illustrated papers he is sure that he recognised her. He says that he feels positive that it was Miss Catharine Lovelace."
"The Southern heiress," exclaimed Kennedy. "Why, the papers say that she is engaged "
"Exactly," cut in McBride, "the heiress who is rumoured to be engaged to the Duc de Chateaurouge.
Kennedy and I exchanged, glances. "Yes," I added, recollecting a remark I had heard a few days before from our society reporter on the Star, "I believe it has been said that Chateaurouge is in this country, incognito."
"A pretty slender thread on which to hang an identification," McBride hastened to remark. "Newspaper photographs are not the best means of recognising anybody. Whatever there may be in it, the fact remains that Madame de Nevers, supposing that to be her real name, has been dead for at least a day or two. The first thing to be determined is whether this is a death from natural causes, a suicide, or a murder. After we have determined that we shall be in a position to run down this Lovelace clue."
Kennedy said nothing and I could not gather whether he placed greater or less value on the suspicion of the hotel clerk. He had been making a casual examination of the body on the bed, and finding nothing he looked intently about the room as if seeking some evidence of how the crime had been committed.
To me the thing seemed incomprehensible, that without an outcry being overheard by any of the guests a murder could have been done in a crowded hotel in which the rooms on every side had been occupied and people had been passing through the halls at all hours. Had it indeed been a suicide, in spite of McBride's evident conviction to the contrary?
A low exclamation from Kennedy attracted our attention. Caught in the filmy lace folds of the woman's dress he had found a few small and thin pieces of glass. He was regarding them with an interest that was oblivious to everything else. As he turned them over and over and tried to fit them together they seemed to form at least a part of what had once been a hollow globe of very thin glass, perhaps a quarter of an inch or so in diameter.
"How was the body discovered?" asked Craig at length, looking up at McBride quickly.
"Day before yesterday Madame's maid went to the cashier," repeated the detective slowly as if rehearsing the case as much for his own information as ours, "and said that Madame had asked her to say to him that she was going away for a few days and that under no circumstances was her room to be disturbed in her absence. The maid was commissioned to pay the bill, not only for the time they had been here, but also for the remainder of the week, when Madame would most likely return, if not earlier. The bill was made out and paid.
"Since then only the chambermaid has entered this suite. The key to that closet over in the corner was gone, and it might have hidden its secret until the end of the week or perhaps a day or two longer, if the chambermaid hadn't been a bit curious. She hunted till she found another key that fitted, and opened the closet door, apparently to see what Madame had been so particular to lock up in her absence. There lay the body of Madame, fully dressed, wedged into the narrow space and huddled up in a corner. The chambermaid screamed and the secret was out."
"And Madame de Nevers's maid? What has become of her?" asked Kennedy eagerly.
"She has disappeared," replied McBride. "From the moment when the bill was paid no one about the hotel has seen her."
"But you have a pretty good description of her, one that you could send out in order to find her if necessary?"
"Yes, I think I could give a pretty good description."
Kennedy's eye encountered the curious gaze of McBride. "This may prove to be a most unusual case," he remarked in answer to the implied inquiry of the detective. "I suppose you have heard of the 'endormeurs' of Paris?"
McBride shook his head in the negative.
"It is a French word signifying a person who puts another to sleep, the sleep makers," explained Kennedy. "They are the latest scientific school of criminals who use the most potent, quickest-acting stupefying drugs. Some of their exploits surpass anything hitherto even imagined by the European police. The American police have been officially warned of the existence of the endormeurs and full descriptions of their methods and photographs of their paraphernalia have been sent over here.
"There is nothing in their repertoire so crude as chloral or knock-out drops. All the derivatives of opium such as morphine, codeine, heroine, dionine, narceine, and narcotine, to say nothing of bromure d'etyle, bromoform, nitrite d'amyle, and amyline are known to be utilised by the endormeurs to put their victims to sleep, and the skill which they have acquired in the use of these powerful drugs establishes them as one of the most dangerous groups of criminals in existence. The men are all of superior intelligence and daring; the chief requisite of the women is extreme beauty as well as unscrupulousness.
"They will take a little thin glass ball of one of these liquids, for instance, hold it in a pocket handkerchief, crush it, shove it under the nose of their victim, and - whiff ! - the victim is unconscious. But ordinarily the endormeur does not kill. He is usually satisfied to stupefy, rob, and then leave his victim. There is something more to this case than a mere suicide or murder, McBride. Of course she may have committed suicide with the drugs of the endormeurs; then again she may merely have been rendered unconscious by those drugs and some other poison may have been administered. Depend on it, there is something more back of this affair than appears on the surface. Even as far as I have gone I do not hesitate to say that we have run across the work of one or perhaps a band of the most up-to-date and scientific criminals."
Kennedy had scarcely finished when McBride brought his right fist down with a resounding smack into the palm of his left hand.
" Say," he cried in great excitement, "here's another thing which may or may not have some connection with the case. The evening after Madame arrived, I happened to be walking through the café, where I saw a face that looked familiar to me. It was that of a dark-haired, olive-skinned man, a fascinating face, but a face to be afraid of. I remembered him, I thought, from my police experience, as a notorious crook who had not been seen in New York for years, a man who in the old days used to gamble with death in South American revolutions, a soldier of fortune.
"Well, I gave the waiter, Charley, the wink and he met me in the rear of the café, around a corner. You know we have a regular system in the hotel by which I can turn all the help into amateur sleuths. I told him to be very careful about the dark-faced man and the younger man who was with him, to be particular to wait on them well, and to pick up any scraps of conversation he could.
"Charley knows his business, and the barest perceptible sign from me makes him an obsequious waiter. Of course the dark man didn't notice it at the time, but if he had been more observant he would have seen that three times during his chat with his companion Charley had wiped off his table with lingering hand. Twice he had put fresh seltzer in his drink. Like a good waiter always working for a big tip he had hovered near, his face blank and his eyes unobservant. But that waiter was an important link in my chain of protection of the hotel against crooks. He was there to listen and to tip me off, which he did between orders.
"There wasn't much that he overheard, but what there was of it was so suspicious that I did not hesitate to conclude that the fellow was an undesirable guest. It was something about the Panama Canal, and a coaling station of a steamship and fruit concern on the shore of one of the Latin American countries. It was, he said, in reality to be the coaling station of a certain European power which he did not name but which the younger man seemed to understand. They talked of wharves and tracts of land, of sovereignty and blue prints, the Monroe Doctrine, value in case of war, and a lot of other things. Then they talked of money, and though Charley was most assiduous at the time all he overheard was something about 'ten thousand francs' and 'buying her off,' and finally a whispered confidence of which he caught the words, 'just a blind to get her over here, away from Paris.' Finally the dark man in an apparent burst of confidence said something about 'the other plans being the real thing after all,' and that the whole affair would bring him in fifty thousand francs, with which he could afford to be liberal. Charley could get no inkling about what that other thing was.
"But I felt sure that he had heard enough to warrant the belief that some kind of confidence game was being discussed. To tell the truth I didn't care much what it was, at the time. It might have been an attempt of the dark-visaged fellow to sell the Canal to a come-on. What I wanted was to have it known that the Vanderveer was not to be a resort of such gentry as this. But I'm afraid it was much more serious than I thought at the time.
"Well, the dark man finally excused himself and sauntered into the lobby and up to the desk, with me after him around the opposite way. He was looking over the day's arrivals on the register when I concluded that it was about time to do something. I was standing directly beside him lighting a cigar. I turned quickly on him and deliberately trod on the man's patent leather shoe. He faced me furiously at not getting any apology. 'Sacre,' he exclaimed, 'what the - ' But before he could finish I moved still closer and pinched his elbow. A dull red glow of suppressed anger spread over his face, but he cut his words short. He knew and I knew he knew. That is the sign in the continental hotels when they find a crook and quietly ask him to move on. The man turned on his heel and stalked out of the hotel. By and by the young man in the café, considerably annoyed at the sudden inattention of the waiter who acted as if he wasn't satisfied with his tip, strolled through the lobby and not seeing his dark-skinned friend, also disappeared. I wish to heaven I had had them shadowed. The young fellow wasn't a come-on at all. There was something afoot between these two, mark my words."
"But why do you connect that incident with this case of Madame de Nevers?" asked Kennedy, a little puzzled.
"Because the next day, and the day that Madame's maid disappeared, I happened to see a man bidding good-bye to a woman at the rear carriage entrance of the hotel. The woman was Madame's maid and the man was the dark man who had been seated in the café."
"You said a moment ago that you had a good description of the maid or could write one. Do you think you could locate her?"
The hotel detective thought a minute or two. "If she has gone to any of the other hotels in this city, I could," he answered slowly. "You know we have recently formed a sort of clearing house, we hotel detectives, and we are working together now very well, though secretly. It is barely possible that she has gone to another hotel. The very brazenness of that would be its safeguard, she might think."
"Then I can leave that part of it to you, McBride?" asked Kennedy thoughtfully as if laying out a programme of action in his mind. "You will set the hotel detectives on the trail as well as the police of the city, and of other cities, will make the inquiries at the steamships and railroads, and all that sort of thing? Try to find some trace of the two men whom you saw in the café at the same time. But for the present I should say spare no effort to locate that girl."
"Trust it to me," agreed McBride confidently. A heavy tap sounded at the door and McBride opened it. It was the coroner.
I shall not go into the lengthy investigation which the coroner conducted, questioning one servant and employee after another without eliciting any more real information than we had already obtained so concisely from the house man. The coroner was, of course, angry at the removal of the body from the closet to the bed because he wanted to view it in the position in which it had been found, but as that had been done by the servants before McBride could stop them, there was nothing to do about it but accept the facts.
"A very peculiar case," remarked the coroner at the conclusion of his examination, with the air of a man who could shed much light on it from his wide experience if he chose. "There is just one point that we shall have to clear up, however. What was the cause of the death of the deceased? There is no gas in the room. It couldn't have been illuminating gas, then. No, it must have been a poison of some kind. Then as to the motive," he added, trying to look confident but really shooting a tentative remark at Craig and the house detective, who said nothing. "It looks a good deal like that other suicide - at least a suicide which some one has endeavoured to conceal," he added, hastily recollecting the manner in which the body had been found and his criticisms of the removal from the closet.
"Didn't I tell you?" rejoined McBride dolefully after we had left the coroner downstairs a few minutes later. "I knew he would think the hotel was hiding something from him."
"We can't help what he thinks - yet," remarked Craig. "All we can do is to run down the clues which we have. I will leave the maid to be found by your organisation, McBride. Let me see, the theatres and roof gardens must be letting out by this time. I will see if I can get any information from Miss Lovelace. Find her address, Walter, and call a cab."
The Southern heiress, who had attracted more attention by her beauty than by her fortune which was only moderate as American fortunes go nowadays, lived in an apartment facing the park, with her mother, a woman whose social ambitions it was commonly known had no bounds and were often sadly imposed upon.
Fortunately we arrived at the apartment not very many minutes after the mother and daughter, and although it was late, Kennedy sent up his card with an urgent message to see them. They received us in a large drawing-room and were plainly annoyed by our visit, though that of course was susceptible of a natural interpretation.
"What is it that you wished to see me about?" began Mrs. Lovelace in a tone which was intended to close the interview almost before it was begun. Kennedy had not wished to see her about anything, but of course he did not even hint as much in his reply which was made to her but directed at Miss Lovelace.
"Could you tell me anything about a Madame de Nevers who was staying at the Vanderveer?" asked Craig, turning quickly to the daughter so as to catch the full effect of his question, and then waiting as if expecting the answer from her.
The young lady's face blanched slightly and she seemed to catch her breath for an instant, but she kept her composure admirably in spite of the evident shock of Craig's purposely abrupt question.
"I have heard of her," Miss Lovelace replied with forced calmness as he continued to look to her for an answer. "Why do you ask?"
"Because a woman who is supposed to be Madame de Nevers has committed suicide at the Vanderveer and it was thought that perhaps you could identify her."
By this time she had become perfect mistress of herself again, from which I argued that whatever knowledge she had of Madame was limited to the time before the tragedy.
"I, identify her? Why, I never saw her. I simply know that such a creature exists.
She said it defiantly and with an iciness which showed more plainly than in mere words that she scorned even an acquaintance with a demi-mondaine.
"Do you suppose the Duc de Chateaurouge would be able to identify her?" asked Kennedy mercilessly. "One moment, please," he added, anticipating the blank look of amazement on her face. "I have reason to believe that the duke is in this country incognito - is he not?"
Instead of speaking she merely raised her shoulders a fraction of an inch.
"Either in New York or in Washington," pursued Kennedy.
"Why do you ask me?" she said at length. "Isn't it enough that some of the newspapers have said so? If you see it in the newspapers, it's so - perhaps - isn't it?"
We were getting nowhere in this interview, at least so I thought. Kennedy cut it short, especially as he noted the evident restlessness of Mrs. Lovelace. However, he had gained his point. Whether or not the duke was in New York or Washington or Spitzbergen, he now felt sure that Miss Lovelace knew of, and perhaps something about, Madame de Nevers. In some way the dead woman had communicated with her and Miss Lovelace had been the woman whom the hotel clerk had seen at the Vanderveer. We withdrew as gracefully as our awkward position permitted.
As there was nothing else to be done at that late hour, Craig decided to sleep soundly over the case, his infallible method of taking a fresh start after he had run up a cul-de-sac.
Imagine our surprise in the morning at being waited on by the coroner himself, who in a few words explained that he was far from satisfied with the progress his own office was making with the case.
"You understand," he concluded after a lengthy statement of confession and avoidance, "we have no very good laboratory facilities of our own to carry out the necessary chemical, pathological, and bacteriological investigations in cases of homicide and suicide. We are often forced to resort to private laboratories, as you know in the past when I have had to appeal to you. Now, Professor Kennedy, if we might turn over that research part of the case to you, sir, I will engage to see that a reasonable bill for your professional services goes through the office of my friend the city comptroller promptly."
Craig snapped at the opportunity, though he did not allow the coroner to gain that impression.
"Very well," agreed that official, " I shall see that all the necessary organs for a thorough test as to the cause of the death of this woman are sent up to the Chemistry Building right away."
The coroner was as good as his word, and we had scarcely breakfasted and arrived at Craig's scientific workshop before that official appeared, accompanied by a man who carried in uncanny jars the necessary materials for an investigation following an autopsy.
Kennedy was now in his element. The case had taken an unexpected turn which made him a leading factor in its solution. Whatever suspicions he may have entertained unofficially the night before he could now openly and quickly verify.
He took a little piece of lung tissue and with sharp sterilised knife cut it up. Then he made it slightly alkaline with a little sodium carbonate, talking half to us and half to himself as he worked. The next step was to place the matter in a glass flask in a water bath where it was heated. From the flask a Bohemian glass tube led into a cool jar and on a part of the tube a flame was playing which heated it to redness for two or three inches.
Several minutes we waited in silence. Finally when the process had gone far enough, Kennedy took a piece of paper which had been treated with iodised starch, as he later explained. He plunged the paper into the cool jar. Slowly it turned a strong blue tint.
Craig said nothing, but it was evident that he was more than gratified by what had happened. He quickly reached for a bottle on the shelves before him, and I could see from the label on the brown glass that it was nitrate of silver. As he plunged a little in a test-tube into the jar a strong precipitate was gradually formed.
"It is the decided reaction for chloroform," he exclaimed simply in reply to our unspoken questions.
"Chloroform," repeated the coroner, rather doubtfully, and it was evident that he had expected a poison and had not anticipated any result whatever from an examination of the lungs instead of the stomach to which he had confined his own work so far. "Could chloroform be discovered in the lungs or viscera after so many days? There was one famous chloroform case for which a man is now serving a life term in Sing Sing which I have understood there was grave doubt in the minds of the experts. Mind, I am not trying to question the results of your work except as they might naturally be questioned in court. It seems to me that the volatility of chloroform might very possibly preclude its discovery after a short time. Then again, might not other substances be generated in a dead body which would give a reaction very much like chloroform? We must consider all these questions before we abandon the poison theory, sir. Remember, this is the summer time too, and chloroform would evaporate very much more rapidly now than in winter.
Kennedy smiled, but his confidence remained unshaken.
"I am in a position to meet all of your objections," he explained simply. "I think I could lay it down as a rule that by proper methods chloroform may be discovered in the viscera much longer after death than is commonly supposed - in summer from six days to three weeks, with a practical working range of say twelve days, while in winter it may be found even after several months - by the right method. Certainly this case comes within the average length of time. More than that, no substance is generated by the process of decomposition which will vitiate the test for chloroform which I have just made. Chloroform has an affinity for water and is also a preservative, and hence from all these facts I think it safe to conclude that sometimes traces of it may be found for two weeks after its administration, certainly for a few days."
"And Madame de Nevers? "queried the coroner, as if the turn of events was necessitating a complete reconstruction of his theory of the case.
"Was murdered," completed Kennedy in a tone that left nothing more to be said on the subject.
"But," persisted the coroner, "if she was murdered by the use of chloroform, how do you account for the fact that it was done without a struggle? There were no marks of violence and I, for one, do not believe that under ordinary circumstances any one will passively submit to such an administration without a hard fight."
From his pocket Kennedy drew a small pasteboard box filled with tiny globes, some bonbons and lozenges, a small hypodermic syringe, and a few cigars and cigarettes. He held it out in the palm of his hand so that we could see it.
"This," he remarked, "is the standard equipment of the endormeur. Whoever obtained admittance to Madame's rooms, either as a matter of course or secretly, must have engaged her in conversation, disarmed suspicion, and then suddenly she must have found a pocket handkerchief under her nose. The criminal crushed a globe of liquid in the handkerchief, the victim lost consciousness, the chloroform was administered without a struggle, all marks of identification were obliterated, the body was placed in the closet, and the maid - either as principal or accessory - took the most likely means of postponing discovery by paying the bill in advance at the office, and then disappeared."
Kennedy slipped the box back into his pocket. The coroner had, I think, been expecting Craig's verdict, although he was loath to abandon his own suicide theory and had held it to the last possible moment. At any rate, so far he had said little, apparently preferring to keep his own counsel as to his course of action and to set his own machinery in motion.
He drew a note from his pocket, however. "I suppose," he began tentatively, shaking the note as he glanced doubtfully from it to us, "that you have heard that among the callers on this unfortunate woman was a lady of high social position in this city?"
"I have heard a rumour to that effect," replied Kennedy as he busied himself cleaning up the apparatus he had just used. There was nothing in his manner even to hint at the fact that we had gone further and interviewed the young lady in question.
"Well," resumed the coroner, "in view of what you have just discovered I don't mind telling you that I believe it was more than a rumour. I have had a man watching the woman and this is a report I received just before I came up here."
We read the note which he now handed to us. It was just a hasty line: "Miss Lovelace left hurriedly for Washington this morning."
What was the meaning of it? Clearly, as we probed deeper into the case, its ramifications grew wider than anything we had yet expected. Why had Miss Lovelace gone to Washington, of all places, at this torrid season of the year?
The coroner had scarcely left us, more mystified than ever, when a telephone message came from McBride saying that he had some important news for us if we would meet him at the St. Cenis Hotel within an hour. He would say nothing about it over the wire.
As Kennedy hung up the receiver he quietly took a pistol from a drawer of his desk, broke it quickly, and looked thoughtfully at the cartridges in the cylinder. Then he snapped it shut and stuck it into his pocket.
"There's no telling what we may run up against before we get back to the laboratory," he remarked and we rode down to meet McBride.
The description which the house man had sent out to the other hotel detectives the night before had already produced a result. Within the past two days a man answering the description of the younger man whom McBride had seen in the café and a woman who might very possibly have been Madame's maid had come to the St. Cenis as M. and Mme. Duval. Their baggage was light, but they had been at pains to impress upon the hotel that they were persons of some position and that it was going direct from the railroad to the steamer, after their tour of America. They had, as a matter of fact, done nothing to excite suspicion until the general request for information had been received.
The house man of the St. Cenis welcomed us cordially upon McBride's introduction and agreed to take us up to the rooms of the strange couple if they were not in. As it happened it was the lunch hour and they were not in the room. Still, Kennedy dared not be too particular in his search of their effects, for he did not wish to arouse suspicion upon their return, at least not yet.
"It seems to me, Craig," I suggested after we had nosed about for a few minutes, finding nothing, "that this is pre-eminently a case in which to use the dictograph as you did in that Black Hand case."
He shook his head doubtfully, although I could see that the idea appealed to him. "The dictograph has been getting too much publicity lately," he said. "I'm afraid they would discover it, that is, if they are at all the clever people I think them. Besides, I would have to send up to the laboratory to get one and by the time the messenger returned they might be back from lunch. No, we've got to do something else, and do it quickly."
He was looking about the room in an apparently aimless manner. On the side wall hung a cheap etching of a woodland scene. Kennedy seemed engrossed in it while the rest of us fidgeted at the delay.
"Can you get me a couple of old telephone instruments?" he asked at length, turning to us and addressing the St. Cenis detective.
The detective nodded and disappeared down the hall. A few minutes later he deposited the instruments on a table. Where he got them I do not know, but I suspect he simply lifted them from vacant rooms.
"Now some Number 30 copper wire and a couple of dry cells," ordered Kennedy, falling to work immediately on the telephones. The detective despatched a bellboy down to the basement to get the wire from the house electrician.
Kennedy removed the transmitters of the telephones, and taking the carbon capsules from them placed the capsules on the table carefully. Then he lifted down the etching from the wall and laid it flat on its face before us. Quickly he removed the back of the picture.
Pressing the transmitter fronts with the carbon capsules against the paper and the glass on the picture he mounted them so that the paper and glass acted as a large diaphragm to collect all the sounds in the room.
"The size of this glass diaphragm," he explained as we gathered around in intense interest at what he was doing, "will produce a strikingly sensitive microphone action and the merest whisper will be reproduced with startling distinctness."
The boy brought the wire up and also the news that the couple in whose room we were had very nearly finished luncheon and might be expected back in a few minutes.
Kennedy took the tiny wires, and after connecting them hung up the picture again and ran them up alongside the picture wires leading from the huge transmitter up to the picture moulding. Along the top of the moulding and out through the transom it was easy enough to run the wires and so down the hall to a vacant room, where Craig attached them quickly to one of the old telephone receivers.
Then we sat down in this room to await developments from our hastily improvised picture frame microphone detective.
At last we could hear the elevator door close on our floor. A moment later it was evident from the expression of Kennedy's face that some one had entered the room which we had just left. He had finished not a moment too soon.
"It's a good thing that I didn't wait to put a dictograph there," he remarked to us. "I thought I wasn't reckoning without reason. The couple, whoever they are, are talking in undertones and looking about the room to see if anything has been disturbed in their absence."
Kennedy alone, of course, could follow over his end of the telephone what they said. The rest of us could do nothing but wait, but from notes which Craig jotted down as he listened to the conversation I shall reproduce it as if we had all heard it. There were some anxious moments until at last they had satisfied themselves that no one was listening and that no dictograph or other mechanical eavesdropper, such as they had heard of, was concealed in the furniture or back of it.
"Why are you so particular, Henri?" a woman's voice was saying.
"Louise, I've been thinking for a long time that we are surrounded by spies in these hotels. You remember I told you what happened at the Vanderveer the night you and Madame arrived? I'm sure that waiter overheard what Gonzales and I were talking about."
"Well, we are safe now anyhow. What was it that you would not tell me just now at luncheon?" asked the woman, whom Kennedy recognised as Madame de Nevers's maid.
"I have a cipher from Washington. Wait until I translate it."
There was a pause. "What does it say?" asked the woman impatiently.
"It says," repeated the man slowly, "that Miss Lovelace has gone to Washington. She insists on knowing whether the death of Marie was a suicide or not. Worse than that the Secret Service must have wind of some part of our scheme, for they are acting suspiciously. I must go down there or the whole affair may be exposed and fall through. Things could hardly be worse, especially this sudden move on her part."
"Who was that detective who forced his way to see her the night they discovered Marie's body?" asked the woman. "I hope that that wasn't the Secret Service also. Do you think they could have suspected anything?"
"I hardly think so," the man replied. "Beyond the death of Madame they suspect nothing here in New York, I am convinced. You are sure that all her letters were secured, that all clues to connect her with the business in hand were destroyed, and particularly that the package she was to deliver is safe?"
"The package? You mean the plans for the coaling station on the Pacific near the Canal? You see, Henri, I know."
"Ha, ha, - yes," replied the man. "Louise, shall I tell you a secret? Can you keep it?"
"You know I can, Henri."
"Well, Louise, the scheme is deeper than even you think. We are playing one country against another, America against - you know the government our friend Schmidt works for in Paris. Now, listen. Those plans of the coaling station are a fake - a fake. It is just a commercial venture. No nation would be foolish enough to attempt such a thing, yet. We know that they are a fake. But we are going to sell them through that friend of ours in the United States War Department. But that is only part of the coup, the part that will give us the money to turn the much larger coups we have in the future. You can understand why it has all to be done so secretly and how vexatious it is that as soon as one obstacle is overcome a dozen new ones appear. Louise, here is the big secret. By using those fake plans as a bait we are going to obtain something which when we all return to Paris we can convert into thousands of francs. There, I can say no more. But I have told you so much to impress upon you the extreme need of caution."
"And how much does Miss Lovelace know?"
"Very little - I hope. That is why I must go to Washington myself. She must know nothing of this coup nor of the real de Nevers, or the whole scheme may fall through. It would have fallen through before, Louise, if you had failed us and had let any of de Nevers's letters slip through to Miss Lovelace. She richly deserved her fate for that act of treachery. The affair would have been so simple, otherwise. Luck was with us until her insane jealousy led her to visit Miss Lovelace. It was fortunate the young lady was out when Madame called on her or all would have been lost. Ah, we owe you a great deal, Louise, and we shall not forget it, never. You will be very careful while I am gone?"
"Absolutely. When will you return to me, Henri?"
"To-morrow morning at the latest. This afternoon the false coaling station plans are to be turned over to our accomplice in the War Department and in exchange he is to give us something else - the secret of which I spoke. You see the trail leads up into high circles. It is very much more important than you suppose and discovery might lead to a dangerous international complication just now."
"Then you are to meet your friend in Washington to-night? When do you start, Henri? Don't let the time slip by. There must be no mistake this time as there was when we were working for Japan and almost had the blue prints of Corregidor at Manila only to lose them on the streets of Calcutta."
"Trust me. We are to meet about nine o'clock and therefore I leave on the limited at three-thirty, in about an hour. From the station I am going straight to the house on Z Street - let me see, the cipher says the number is 101 - and ask for a man named Gonzales. I shall use the name Montez. He is to appear, hand over the package - that thing I have told you about - then I am to return here by one of the midnight trains. At any cost we must allow nothing to happen which will reach the ears of Miss Lovelace. I'll see you early to-morrow morning, ma cherie, and remember, be ready, for the Aquitania sails at ten. The division of the money is to be made in Paris. Then we shall all go our separate ways."
Kennedy was telephoning frantically through the regular hotel service to find out how the trains ran for Washington. The only one that would get there before nine was the three-thirty; the next, leaving an hour later, did not arrive until nearly eleven. He had evidently had some idea of causing some delay that would result in our friend down the hall missing the limited, but abandoned it. Any such scheme would simply result in a message to the gang in Washington putting them on their guard and defeating his purpose.
"At all costs we must beat this fellow to it," exclaimed Craig, waiting to hear no more over his improvised dictograph. "Come, Walter, we must catch the limited for Washington immediately. McBride, I leave you and the regular house man to shadow this woman. Don't let her get out of your sight for a moment."
As we rode across the city to the new railroad terminus Craig hastily informed me of what he had overheard. We took up our post so that we could see the outgoing travellers, and a few minutes later Craig spotted our man from McBride's description, and succeeded in securing chairs in the same car in which he was to ride.
Taken altogether it was an uneventful journey. For five mortal hours we sat in the Pullman or toyed with food in the dining-car, never letting the man escape our sight, yet never letting him know that we were watching him. Nevertheless I could not help asking myself what good it did. Why did not Kennedy hire a special if the affair was so important as it appeared? How were we to get ahead of him in Washington better than in New York? I knew that some plan lurked behind the calm and inscrutable face of Kennedy as I tried to read and could not.
The train had come to a stop in the Union Station. Our man was walking rapidly up the platform in the direction of the cab stand. Suddenly Kennedy darted ahead and for a moment we were walking abreast of him.
"I beg your pardon," began Craig as we came to a turn in the shadow of the arc lights, "but have you a match?"
The man halted and fumbled for his match-box. Instantly Kennedy's pocket handkerchief was at his nose.
"Some of the medicine of your own gang of endormeurs," ground out Kennedy, crushing several of the little glass globes under his handkerchief to make doubly sure of their effect.
The man reeled and would have fallen if we had not caught him between us. Up the platform we led him in a daze.
"Here," shouted Craig to a cabman, "my friend is ill. Drive us around a bit. It will sober him up. Come on, Walter, jump in, the air will do us all good."
Those who were in Washington during that summer will remember the suppressed activity in the State, War, and Navy Departments on a certain very humid night. Nothing leaked out at the time as to the cause, but it was understood later that a crisis was narrowly averted at a very inopportune season, for the heads of the departments were all away, the President was at his summer home in the North, and even some of the under-secretaries were out of town. Hasty messages had been sizzling over the wires in cipher and code for hours.
I recall that as we rode a little out of our way past the Army Building, merely to see if there was any excitement, we found it a blaze of lights. Something was plainly afoot even at this usually dull period of the year. There was treachery of some kind and some trusted employee was involved, I felt instinctively. As for Craig he merely glanced at the insensible figure between us and remarked sententiously that to his knowledge there was only one nation that made a practice of carrying out its diplomatic and other coups in the hot weather, a remark which I understood to mean that our mission was more than commonly important.
The man had not recovered when we arrived within several blocks of our destination, nor did he show signs of recovery from his profound stupor. Kennedy stopped the cab in a side street, pressed a bill into the cabman's hand, and bade him wait until we returned.
We had turned the corner of Z Street and were approaching the house when a man walking in the opposite direction eyed us suspiciously, turned, and followed us a step or two.
"Kennedy!" he exclaimed.
If a fourteen-inch gun had exploded behind us I could not have been more startled. Here, in spite of all our haste and secrecy we were followed, watched, and beaten.
Craig wheeled about suddenly. Then he took the man by the arm. "Come," he said quickly, and we three dove into the shadow of an alley.
As we paused, Kennedy was the first to speak. "By Jove, Walter, it's Burke of the Secret Service," he exclaimed.
"Good," repeated the man with some satisfaction. "I see that you still have that memory for faces." He was evidently referring to our experiences together some months before with the portrait parle and identification in the counterfeiting case which Craig cleared up for him.
For a moment or two Burke and Kennedy spoke in whispers. Under the dim light from the street I could see Kennedy's face intent and working with excitement.
"No wonder the War Department is a blaze of lights," he exclaimed as we moved out of the shadow again, leaving the Secret Service man. "Burke, I had no idea when I took up this case that I should be doing my country a service also. We must succeed at any hazard. The moment you hear a pistol shot, Burke, we shall need you. Force the door if it is not already open. You were right as to the street but not the number. It is that house over there. Come on, Walter."
We mounted the low steps of the house and a negress answered the bell. "Is Mr. Gonzales in?" asked Kennedy.
The hallway into which we were admitted was dark but it opened into a sitting-room, where a dim light was burning behind the thick portieres. Without a word the negress ushered us into this room, which was otherwise empty.
"Tell him Mr. Montez is here," added Craig as we sat down.
The negress disappeared upstairs, and in a few minutes returned with the message that he would be down directly.
No sooner had the shuffle of her footsteps died away than Kennedy was on his feet, listening intently at the door. There was no sound. He took a chair and tiptoed out into the dark hall with it. Turning it upside down he placed it at the foot of the stairs with the four legs pointing obliquely up. Then he drew me into a corner with him.
How long we waited I cannot say. The next I knew was a muffled step on the landing above, then the tread on the stairs.
A crash and a deep volley of oaths in French followed as the man pitched headlong over the chair on the dark steps.
Kennedy whipped out his revolver and fired point-blank at the prostrate figure. I do not know what the ethics are of firing on a man when he is down, nor did I have time to stop to think.
Craig grasped my arm and pulled me toward the door. A sickening odour seemed to pervade the air. Upstairs there was shouting and banging of doors.
"Closer, Walter," he muttered, "closer to the door, and open it a little, or we shall both be suffocated. It was the Secret Service gun I shot off - the pistol that shoots stupefying gas from its vapour-filled cartridges and enables you to put a criminal out of commission without killing him. A pull of the trigger, the cap explodes, the gunpowder and the force of the explosion unite some capsicum and lycopodium, producing the blinding, suffocating vapour whose terrible effect you see. Here, you upstairs," he shouted, "advance an inch or so much as show your heads over the rail and I pump a shot at you, too. Walter, take the gun yourself. Fire at a move from them. I think the gases have cleared away enough now. I must get him before he recovers consciousness.
A tap at the door came, and without taking my eyes off the stairs I opened it. Burke slid in and gulped at the nauseous atmosphere.
"What's up?" he gasped. "I heard a shot. Where's Kennedy?"
I motioned in the darkness. Kennedy's electric bull's-eye flashed up at that instant and we saw him deftly slip a bright pair of manacles on the wrists of the man on the floor, who was breathing heavily, while blood flowed from a few slight cuts due to his fall.
Dexterously as a pickpocket Craig reached into the man's coat, pulled out a packet of papers, and gazed eagerly at one after another. From among them he unfolded one written in French to Madame Marie de Nevers some weeks before. I translate:
DEAR MARIE: Herr Schmidt informs me that his agent in the War Department at Washington, U.S.A., has secured some important information which will interest the Government for which Herr Schmidt is the agent - of course you know who that is.
It is necessary that you should carry the packet which will be handed to you (if you agree to my proposal) to New York by the steamer Tripolitania. Go to the Vandeveer Hotel and in a few days, as soon as a certain exchange can be made, either our friend in Washington or myself will call on you, using the name Gonzales. In return for the package which you carry he will hand you another. Lose no time in bringing the second package back to Paris.
I have arranged that you will receive ten thousand francs and your expenses for your services in this matter. Under no conditions betray your connection with Herr Schmidt. I was to have carried the packet to America myself and make the exchange but knowing your need of money I have secured the work for you. You had better take your maid, as it is much better to travel with distinction in this case. If, however, you accept this commission I shall consider you in honour bound to surrender your claim upon my name for which I agree to pay you fifty thousand francs upon my marriage with the American heiress of whom you know. Please let me know immediately through our mutual friend Henri Duval whether this proposal is satisfactory. Henri will tell you that fifty thousand is my ultimatum.
"The scoundrel," ground out Kennedy. "He lured his wife from Paris to New York, thinking the Paris police too acute for him, I suppose. Then by means of the treachery of the maid Louise and his friend Duval, a crook who would even descend to play the part of valet for him and fall in love with the maid, he has succeeded in removing the woman who stood between him and an American fortune."
"Marie," rambled Chateaurouge as he came blinking, sneezing, and choking out of his stupor, "Marie, you are clever, but not too clever for me. This blackmailing must stop. Miss Lovelace knows something, thanks to you, but she shall never know all - never - never. You - you - ugh! - Stop. Do you think you can hold me back now with those little white hands on my wrists? I wrench them loose - so - and - ugh! - What's this? Where am I?"
The man gazed dazedly at the manacles that held his wrists instead of the delicate hands he had been dreaming of as he lived over the terrible scene of his struggle with the woman who was his wife in the Vanderveer.
"Chateaurouge," almost hissed Kennedy in his righteous wrath, "fake nobleman, real swindler of five continents. Marie de Nevers alive stood in the way of your marriage to the heiress Miss Lovelace. Dead, she prevents it absolutely."
Craig continued to turn over the papers in his hand, as he spoke. At last he came to a smaller packet in oiled silk. As he broke the seal he glanced at it in surprise, then hurriedly exclaimed, "There, Burke. Take these to the War Department and tell them they can turn out their lights and stop their telegrams. This seems to be a copy of our government's plans for the fortification of the Panama Canal, heights of guns, location of searchlights, fire control stations, everything from painstaking search of official and confidential records. That is what this fellow obtained in exchange for his false blue prints of the supposed coaling station on the Pacific.
"I leave the Secret Service to find the leak in the War Department. What I am interested in is not the man who played spy for two nations and betrayed one of them. To me this adventurer who calls himself Chateaurouge is merely the murderer of Madame de Nevers."
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3309
|
__label__wiki
| 0.739885
| 0.739885
|
Cleopatra by Georg Ebers
Previous: Chapter VII.
Next: Chapter IX.
Volume 3.
Chapter VIII.
The Epicurus anchored before the Temple of Poseidon. The crew had been ordered to keep silence, though they knew nothing, except that a letter from Antony, commanding the erection of a wall, had been found on board the pirate. This might be regarded as a good omen, for people do not think of building unless they anticipate a time of peace.
The light rain had ceased, but the wind blew more strongly from the north, and the air had grown cool. A dense throng still covered the quay from the southern end of the Heptastadium to the promontory of Lochias. The strongest pressure was between the peninsula of the Choma and the Sebasteum; for this afforded a view of the sea, and the first tidings must reach the residence of the Regent, which was connected with the palace.
A hundred contradictory rumours had been in circulation that morning; and when, at the third hour in the afternoon, the Epicurus arrived, it was surrounded by a dense multitude eager to hear what news the ship had brought from without.
Other vessels shared the same fate, but none could give reliable tidings.
Two swift galleys from the royal fleet reported meeting a Samian trireme, which had given news of a great victory gained by Antony on the land and Cleopatra on the sea, and, as men are most ready to believe what they desire, throngs of exulting men and women moved to and fro along the shore, strengthening by their confidence many a timorous spirit. Prudent people, who had regarded the long delay of the first ships of the fleet with anxiety, had opened their ears to the tales of evil, and looked forward to the future with uneasiness. But they avoided giving expression to their fears, for the overseer of an establishment for gold embroidery, who had ventured to warn the people against premature rejoicing, had limped home badly beaten, and two other pessimists who had been flung in the sea had just been dragged out dripping wet.
Nor could the multitude be blamed for this confidence; for at the Serapeum, the theatre of Dionysus, the lofty pylons of the Sebasteum, the main door of the museum, in front of the entrance of the palace in the Bruchium, and before the fortress-like palaces in the Lochias, triumphal arches had been erected, adorned with gods of victory and trophies hastily constructed of plaster, inscriptions of congratulations and thanks to the deities, garlands of foliage and flowers. The wreathing of the Egyptian pylons and obelisks, the principal temple, and the favourite statues in the city had been commenced during the night. The last touches were now being given to the work.
Gorgias, like his friend Dion, had not closed his eyes since the night before; for he had had charge of all the decorations of the Bruchium, where one superb building adjoined another.
Sleep had also fled from the couches of the occupants of the Sebasteum, the royal palace where Iras lived during the absence of the Queen, and the practorium, facing its southern front, which contained the official residence of the Regent.
When Archibius was conducted to the Queen's waiting-woman, her appearance fairly startled him. She had been his guest in Kanopus only the day before yesterday, and how great was the alteration within this brief time! Her oval face seemed to have lengthened, the features to have grown sharper; and this woman of seven-and-twenty years, who had hitherto retained all the charms of youth, appeared suddenly to have aged a decade. There was a feverish excitement in her manner, as, holding out her hand to her uncle, in greeting, she exclaimed hastily, "You, too, bring no good tidings?"
"Nor any evil ones," he answered quietly. "But, child, I do not like your appearance--the dark circles under your keen eyes. You have had news which rouses your anxiety?"
"Worse than that," she answered in a low tone.
"Well?"
"Read!" gasped Iras, her lips and nostrils quivering as she handed Archibius a small tablet. With a gesture of haste very unusual in him, he snatched it from her hand and, as his eyes ran over the words traced upon it, every vestige of colour vanished from his cheeks and lips.
They were written by Cleopatra's own hand, and contained the following lines:
"The naval battle was lost--and by my fault. The land forces might still save us, but not under his command. He is with me, uninjured, but apparently exhausted; like a different being, bereft of courage, listless as if utterly crushed. I foresee the beginning of the end. As soon as this reaches you, arrange to have some unpretending litters ready for us every evening at sunset. Make the people believe that we have conquered until trustworthy intelligence arrives concerning the fate of Canidius and the army. When you kiss the children in my name, be very tender with them. Who knows how soon they may be orphaned? They already have an unhappy mother; may they be spared the memory of a cowardly one! Trust no one except those whom I left in authority, and Archibius, not even Caesarion or Antyllus. Provide for having every one whose aid may be valuable to me within reach when I come. I cannot close with the familiar 'Rejoice'--the 'Fresh Courage' placed on many a tombstone seems more appropriate. You who did not envy me in my happiness will help me to bear misfortune. Epicurus, who believes that the gods merely watch the destiny of men inactively from their blissful heights, is right. Were it otherwise, how could the love and loyalty which cleave to the hapless, defeated woman, be repaid with anguish of heart and tears? Yet continue to love her."
Archibius, pale and silent, let the tablet fall. It was long ere he gasped hoarsely: "I foresaw it; yet now that it is here--" His voice failed, and violent, tearless sobs shook his powerful frame.
Sinking on a couch he buried his face amid the cushions.
Iras gazed at the strong man and shook her head. She, too, loved the Queen; the news had brought tears to her eyes also; but even while she wept, a host of plans coping with this disaster had darted through her restless brain. A few minutes after the arrival of the message of misfortune she had consulted with the members of Cleopatra's council, and adopted measures for sustaining the people's belief in the naval victory.
What was she, the delicate, by no means courageous girl, compared to this man of iron strength who, she was well aware, had braved the greatest perils in the service of the Queen? Yet there he lay with his face hidden in the pillows as if utterly overwhelmed.
Did a woman's soul rebound more quickly after being crushed beneath the burdens of the heaviest suffering, or was hers of a special character, and her slender body the casket of a hero's nature?
She had reason to believe so when she recalled how the Regent and the Keeper of the Seal had received the terrible news. They had rushed frantically up and down the vast hall as if desperate; but Mardion the eunuch had little manhood, and Zeno was a characterless old author who had won the Queen's esteem, and the high office which he occupied solely by the vivid power of imagination, that enabled him constantly to devise new exhibitions, amusements, and entertainments, and present them with magical splendour.
But Archibius, the brave, circumspect counsellor and helper?
His shoulders again quivered as if they had received a blow, and Iras suddenly remembered what she had long known, but never fully realized--that yonder grey-haired man loved Cleopatra, loved her as she herself loved Dion; and she wondered whether she would have been strong enough to maintain her composure if she had learned that a cruel fate threatened to rob him of life, liberty, and honour.
Hour after hour she had vainly awaited the young Alexandrian, yet he had witnessed her anxiety the day before. Had she offended him? Was he detained by the spell of Didymus's granddaughter?
It seemed a great wrong that, amid the unspeakably terrible misfortune which had overtaken her mistress, she could not refrain from thinking continually of Dion. Even as his image filled her heart, Cleopatra's ruled her uncle's mind and soul, and she said to herself that it was not alone among women that love paid no heed to years, or whether the locks were brown or tinged with grey.
But Archibius now raised himself, left the couch, passed his hand across his brow, and in the deep, calm tones natural to his voice, began with a sorrowful smile: "A man stricken by an arrow leaves the fray to have his wound bandaged. The surgeon has now finished his task. I ought to have spared you this pitiable spectacle, child. But I am again ready for the battle. Cleopatra's account of Antony's condition renders a piece of news which we have just received somewhat more intelligible."
"We?" replied Iras. "Who was your companion?"
"Dion," answered Archibius; but when he was about to describe the incidents of the preceding night, she interrupted him with the question whether Barine had consented to leave the city. He assented with a curt "Yes," but Iras assumed the manner of having expected nothing different, and requested him to continue his story.
Archibius now related everything which they had experienced, and their discovery in the pirate ship. Dion was even now on the way to carry Antony's order to his friend Gorgias.
"Any slave might have attended to that matter equally well," Iras remarked in an irritated tone. "I should think he would have more reason to expect trustworthy tidings here. But that's the way with men!"
Here she hesitated but, meeting an inquiring glance from her uncle, she went on eagerly; "Nothing, I believe, binds them more firmly to one another than mutual pleasure. But that must now be over. They will seek other amusements, whether with Heliodora or Thais I care not. If the woman had only gone before! When she caught young Caesarion--"
"Stay, child," her uncle interrupted reprovingly. "I know how much she would rejoice if Antyllus had never brought the boy to her house."
"Now--because the poor deluded lad's infatuation alarms her."
"No, from his first visit. Immature boys do not suit the distinguished men whom she receives."
"If the door is always kept open, thieves will enter the house."
"She received only old acquaintances, and the friends whom they presented. Her house was closed to all others. So there was no trouble with thieves. But who in Alexandria could venture to refuse admittance to a son of the Queen?"
"There is a wide difference between quiet admittance and fanning a passion to madness. Wherever a fire is burning, there has certainly been a spark to kindle it. You men do not detect such women's work. A glance, a pressure of the hand, even the light touch of a garment, and the flame blazes, where such inflammable material lies ready."
"We lament the violence of the conflagration. You are not well disposed towards Barine."
"I care no more for her than this couch here cares for the statue of Mercury in the street!" exclaimed Iras, with repellent arrogance. "There could be no two things in the world more utterly alien than we. Between the woman whose door stands open, and me, there is nothing in common save our sex."
"And," replied Archibius reprovingly, "many a beautiful gift which the gods bestowed upon her as well as upon you. As for the open door, it was closed yesterday. The thieves of whom you spoke spoiled her pleasure in granting hospitality. Antyllus forced himself with noisy impetuosity into her house. This made her dread still more unprecedented conduct in the future. In a few hours she will be on the way to Irenia. I am glad for Caesarion's sake, and still more for his mother's, whom we have wronged by forgetting so long for another."
"To think that we should be forced to do so!" cried Iras excitedly--" now, at this hour, when every drop of blood, every thought of this poor brain should belong to the Queen! Yet it could not be avoided. Cleopatra is returning to us with a heart bleeding from a hundred wounds, and it is terrible to think that a new arrow must strike her as soon as she steps upon her native soil. You know how she loves the boy, who is the living image of the great man with whom she shared the highest joys of love. When she learns that he, the son of Caesar, has given his young heart to the cast-off wife of a street orator, a woman whose home attracted men as ripe dates lure birds, it will be--I know--like rubbing salt into her fresh wounds. Alas! and the one sorrow will not be all. Antony, her husband, also found the way to Barine. He sought her more than once. You cannot know it as I do; but Charmian will tell you how sensitive she has become since the flower of her youthful charms--you don't perceive it--is losing one leaf after another. Jealousy will torture her, and--I know her well--perhaps no one will ever render the siren a greater service than I did when I compelled her to leave the city."
The eyes of Archibius's clever niece had glittered with such hostile feeling as she spoke that he thought with just anxiety of his dead friend's daughter. What did not yet threaten Barine as serious danger Iras had the power to transform into grave peril.
Dion had begged him to maintain strict secrecy; but even had he been permitted to speak, he would not have done so now. From his knowledge of Iras's character she might be expected, if she learned that some one had come between her and the friend of her youth, to shrink from no means of spoiling her game. He remembered the noble Macedonian maiden whom the Queen had begun to favour, and who was hunted to death by Iras's hostile intrigues. Few were more clever, and--if she once loved--more loyal and devoted, more yielding, pliant, and in happy hours more bewitching, yet even in childhood she had preferred a winding path to a straight one. It seemed as if her shrewdness scorned to attain the end desired by the simple method lying close at hand. How willingly his mother and his younger sister Charmian had cared for the slaves and nursed them when they were ill; nay, Charmian had gained in her Nubian maid Aniukis a friend who would have gone to death for her sake! Cleopatra, too, when a child, had found sincere delight in taking a bouquet to his parents' sick old housekeeper and sitting by her bedside to shorten the time for her with merry talk. She had gone to her unasked, while Iras had often been punished because she had made the lives of numerous slaves in her parents' household still harder by unreasonable harshness. This trait in her character had roused her uncle's anxiety and, in after-years, her treatment of her inferiors had been such that he could not number her among the excellent of her sex. Therefore he was the more joyfully surprised by the loyal, unselfish love with which she devoted herself to the service of the Queen. Cleopatra had gratified Charmian's wish to have her niece for an assistant; and Iras, who had never been a loving daughter to her own faithful mother, had served her royal mistress with the utmost tenderness.
Archibius valued this loyalty highly, but he knew what awaited any one who became the object of her hatred, and the fear that it would involve Barine in urgent peril was added to his still greater anxiety for Cleopatra.
When about to depart, burdened by the sorrowful conviction that he was powerless against his niece's malevolent purpose, he was detained by the representation that every fresh piece of intelligence would first reach the Sebasteum and her. Some question might easily arise which his calm, prudent mind could decide far better than hers, whose troubled condition resembled a shallow pool disturbed by stones flung into the waves.
The apartments of his sister Charmian, which were connected with his by a corridor, were empty, and Iras begged him to remain there a short time. The anxiety and dread that oppressed her heart would kill her. To know that he was near would be the greatest comfort.
When Archibius hesitated because he deemed it his duty to urge Caesarion, over whom he possessed some influence, to give up his foolish wishes for his mother's sake, Iras assured him that he would not find the youth. He had gone hunting with Antyllus and some other friends. She had approved the plan, because it removed him from the city and Barine's dangerous house.
"As the Queen does not wish him to know the terrible news yet," she concluded, "his presence would only have caused us embarrassment. So stay, and when it grows dark go with us to the Lochias. I think it will please the sorrowing woman, when she lands, to see your familiar face, which will remind her of happier days. Do me the favour to stay." She held out both hands beseechingly as she spoke, and Archibius consented.
A repast was served, and he shared it with his niece; but Iras did not touch the carefully chosen viands, and Archibius barely tasted them. Then, without waiting for dessert, he rose to go to his sister's apartments. But Iras urged him to rest on the divan in the adjoining room, and he yielded. Yet, spite of the softness of the pillows and his great need of sleep, he could not find it; anxiety kept him awake, and through the curtain which divided the room in which Iras remained from the one he occupied he sometimes heard her light footsteps pacing restlessly to and fro, sometimes the coming and going of messengers in quest of news.
All his former life passed before his mind. Cleopatra had been his sun, and now black clouds were rising which would dim its light, perchance forever. He, the disciple of Epicurus, who had not followed the doctrines of other masters until later in life, held the same view of the gods as his first master. To him also they had seemed immortal beings sufficient unto themselves, dwelling free from anxiety in blissful peace, to whom mortals must look upward on account of their supreme grandeur, but who neither troubled themselves about the guidance of the world, which was fixed by eternal laws, nor the fate of individuals. Had he been convinced of the contrary, he would have sacrificed everything he possessed in order, by lavish offerings, to propitiate the immortals in behalf of her to whom he had devoted his life and every faculty of his being.
Like Iras, he, too, could find no rest upon his couch, and when she heard his step she called to him and asked why he did not recover the sleep which he had lost. No one knew the demands the next night might make upon him.
"You will find me awake," he answered quietly.
Then he went to the window which, above the pylons that rose before the main front of the Sebasteum, afforded a view of the Bruchium and the sea. The harbour was now swarming with vessels of every size, garlanded with flowers and adorned with gay flags and streamers. The report of the successful issue of the first naval battle was believed, and many desired to greet the victorious fleet and hail their sovereign as she entered the harbour.
Many people, equipages, and litters had also gathered on the shore, between the lofty pylons and the huge door of the Sebasteum. They were representatives of the aristocracy of the city; for the majority were attended by richly attired slaves. Many wore costly garlands, and numerous chariots and litters were adorned with gold or silver ornaments, gems, and glittering paste. The stir and movement in front of the palace were ceaseless, and Iras, who was now standing beside her uncle, waved her hand towards it, saying: "The wind of rumour! Yesterday only one or two came; to-day every one who belongs to the 'Inimitable Livers' flocks hither in person to get news. The victory was proclaimed in the market-place, at the theatre, the gymnasium, and the camp. Every one who wears garlands or weapons heard of a battle won. Yesterday, among all the thousands, there was scarcely a single doubter; but to-day-how does it happen? Even among those who as 'Inimitables' have shared all the pleasures, entertainments, and festivities of our noble pair, faith wavers; for if they were firmly convinced of the brilliant victory which was announced loudly enough, they would not come themselves to watch, to spy, to listen. Just look down! There is the litter of Diogenes--yonder that of Ammonius. The chariot beyond belongs to Melampous. The slaves in the red bombyx garments serve Hermias. They all belong to the society of--'Inimitables,' and shared our banquets. That very Apollonius who, for the last half hour, has been trying to question the palace servants, day before yesterday ordered fifty oxen to be slaughtered to Ares, Nike, and the great Isis, as the Queen's goddess, and when I met him in the temple he exclaimed that this was the greatest piece of extravagance he had ever committed; for even without the cattle Cleopatra and Antony would be sure of victory. But now the wind of rumour has swept away his beautiful confidence also. They are not permitted to see me. The doorkeepers say that I am in the country. The necessity of showing every one a face radiant with the joy of victory would kill me. There comes Apollonius. How his fat face beams! He believes in the victory, and after sunset none of yonder throng will appear here; he is already giving orders to his slaves. He will invite all his friends to a banquet, and won't spare his costly wines. Capital! At least no one from that company can disturb us. Dion is his cousin, and will be present also. We shall see what these pleasure-lovers will do when they are forced to confront, the terrible reality."
"I think," replied Archibius, "they will afford the world a remarkable spectacle; friends won in prosperity who remain constant in adversity."
"Do you?" asked Iras, with sparkling eyes. "If that proves true, how I would praise and value men--the majority of whom without their wealth would be poorer than beggars. But look at yonder figure in the white robe beside the left obelisk--is it not Dion? The crowd is bearing him away--I think it was he."
But she had been deceived; the man whom she fancied she had seen, because her heart so ardently yearned for him, was not near the Sebasteum, and his thoughts were still farther away.
At first he had intended to give the architect the letter which was addressed to him. He would be sure to find him at the triumphal arch which was being erected on the shore of the Bruchium. But on reaching the former place he learned that Gorgias had gone to remove the statues of Cleopatra and Antony from the house of Didymus, and erect them in front of the Theatre of Dionysus. The Regent, Mardion, had ordered it. Gorgias was already superintending the erection of the foundation.
The huge hewn stones which he required for this purpose had been taken from the Temple of Nemesis, which he was supervising. Whatever number of government slaves he needed were at his disposal, so Gorgias's foreman reported, proudly adding that before the sun went down, the architect would have shown the Alexandrians the marvel of removing the twin statues from one place to another in a single day, and yet establishing them as firmly as the Colossus which had been in Thebes a thousand years.
Dion found the piece of sculpture in front of Didymus's garden, ready for removal, but the slaves who had placed before the platform the rollers on which it was to be moved had already been kept waiting a long time by the architect.
This was his third visit to the old philosopher's house. First, he had been obliged to inform him and his family that their property was no longer in danger; then he had come to tell them at what hour he would remove the statues, which still attracted many curious spectators; and, finally, he had again appeared, to announce that they were to be taken away at once. His foreman or a slave could probably have done this, but Helena--Didymus's granddaughter, Barine's sister--drew him again and again to the old man's home. He would gladly have come still more frequently, for at every meeting he had discovered fresh charms in the beautiful, quiet, thoughtful maiden, who cared so tenderly for her aged grandparents. He believed that he loved her, and she seemed glad to welcome him. But this did not entitle him to seek her hand, though his large, empty house so greatly needed a mistress. His heart had glowed with love for too many. He wished first to test whether this new fancy would prove more lasting. If he succeeded in remaining faithful even a few days, he would, as it were, reward himself for it, and appear before Didymus as a suitor.
He excused his frequent visits to himself on the pretext of the necessity of becoming acquainted with his future wife, and Helena made the task easier for him. The usual reserve of her manner lessened more and more; nay, the great confidence with which he at first inspired her was increased by his active assistance. When he entered just now, she had even held out her hand to him, and inquired about the progress of his work.
He was overwhelmed with business, but so great was his pleasure in talking with her that he lingered longer than he would have deemed right under any other circumstances, and regarded it as an unpleasant interruption when Barine--for whom his heart had throbbed so warmly only yesterday--entered the tablinum.
The young beauty was by no means content with a brief greeting; but drew Helena entirely away from him. Never had he seen her embrace and kiss her sister so passionately as while hurriedly telling her that she had come to bid farewell to the loved ones in her grandparents' house.
Berenike had arrived with her, but went first to the old couple.
While Barine was telling Helena and Gorgias, also, why all this plan had been formed so hastily, Gorgias was silently comparing the two sisters. He found it natural that he had once believed that he loved Barine; but she would not have been a fitting mistress of his house. Life at her side would have been a chain of jealous emotions and anxieties, and her stimulating remarks and searching questions, which demanded absolute attention, would not have permitted him, after his return home, wearied by arduous toil, to find the rest for which he longed. His eye wandered from her to her sister, as if testing the space between two newly erected pillars; and Barine, who had noticed his strange manner, suddenly laughed merrily, and asked whether they might know what building was occupying his thoughts, while a good friend was telling him that the pleasant hours in her house were over.
Gorgias started, and the apology he stammered showed so plainly how inattentively he had listened, that Barine would have had good reason to feel offended. But one glance at her sister and another at him enabled her speedily to guess the truth. She was pleased; for she esteemed Gorgias, and had secretly feared that she might be forced to grieve him by a refusal, but he seemed as if created for her sister. Her arrival had probably interrupted them so, turning to Helena, she exclaimed: "I must see my mother and our grandparents. Meanwhile entertain our friend here. We know each other well. He is one of the few men who can be trusted. That is my honest opinion, Gorgias, and I say it to you also, Helena."
With these words she nodded to both, and Gorgias was again alone with the maiden whom he loved.
It was difficult to begin the conversation anew, and when, spite of many efforts, it would not flow freely, the shout of the overseer, which reached his ear through the opening of the roof, urging the men to work, was like a deliverance. Promising to return again soon, as eagerly as if he had been requested to do so, he took his leave and opened the door leading into the adjoining room. But on the threshold he started back, and Helena, who had followed him, did the same, for there stood his friend Dion, and Barine's beautiful head lay on his breast, while his hand rested as if in benediction on her fair hair. And--no, Gorgias was not mistaken-the slender frame of the lovely woman, whose exuberant vivacity had so often borne him and others away with it, trembled as if shaken by deep and painful emotion.
When Dion perceived his friend, and Barine raised her head, turning her face towards him, it was indeed wet with tears, but their source could not be sorrow; for her blue eyes were sparkling with a happy light.
Yet Gorgias found something in her features which he was unable to express in words--the reflection of the ardent gratitude that had taken possession of her soul and filled it absolutely. While seeking the architect, Dion had met Barine, who was on her way to her grandparents, and what he had dreaded the day before happened. The first glance from her eyes which met his forced the decisive question from his lips.
In brief, earnest words he confessed his love for her, and his desire to make her his own, as the pride and ornament of his house.
Then, in the intensity of her bliss, her eyes overflowed and, under the spell of a great miracle wrought in her behalf, she found no words to answer; but Dion had approached, clasped her right hand in both of his, and frankly acknowledged how, with the image of his strict mother before his eyes, he had wavered and hesitated until love had overmastered him. Now, full of the warmest confidence, he asked whether she would consent to rule as mistress of his home, the honour and ornament of his ancient name? He knew that her heart was his, but he must hear one thing more from her lips--
Here she had interrupted him with the cry, "This one thing--that your wife, in joy and in sorrow, will live for you and you alone? The whole world can vanish for her, now that you have raised her to your side and she is yours."
After this assurance, which sounded like an oath, Dion felt as if a heavy burden had fallen from his heart, and clasping her in his arms with passionate tenderness, he repeated, "In joy and in sorrow!"
Thus Gorgias and Helena had surprised them, and the architect felt for the first time that there is no distinction between our own happiness and that of those whom we love.
His friend Helena seemed to have the same feeling, when she saw what this day had given her sister; and the philosopher's house, so lately shadowed by anxiety, and many a fear, would soon ring with voices uttering joyous congratulations. The architect no longer felt that he had a place in this circle, which was now pervaded by a great common joy, and after Dion made a brief explanation, Gorgias's voice was soon heard outside loudly issuing orders to the workmen.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3310
|
__label__cc
| 0.509217
| 0.490783
|
The Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
Previous: The Horse Gullfaxi And The Sword Gunnfoder
Next: The Colony Of Cats
The Story Of The Sham Prince, Or The Ambitious Tailor
Once upon a time there lived a respectable young tailor called Labakan, who worked for a clever master in Alexandria. No one could call Labakan either stupid or lazy, for he could work extremely well and quickly--when he chose; but there was something not altogether right about him. Sometimes he would stitch away as fast as if he had a red-hot needle and a burning thread, and at other times he would sit lost in thought, and with such a queer look about him that his fellow-workmen used to say, 'Labakan has got on his aristocratic face today.'
On Fridays he would put on his fine robe which he had bought with the money he had managed to save up, and go to the mosque. As he came back, after prayers, if he met any friend who said 'Good-day,' or 'How are you, friend Labakan?' he would wave his hand graciously or nod in a condescending way; and if his master happened to say to him, as he sometimes did, 'Really, Labakan, you look like a prince,' he was delighted, and would answer, 'Have you noticed it too?' or 'Well, so I have long thought.'
Things went on like this for some time, and the master put up with Labakan's absurdities because he was, on the whole, a good fellow and a clever workman.
One day, the sultan's brother happened to be passing through Alexandria, and wanted to have one of his state robes altered, so he sent for the master tailor, who handed the robe over to Labakan as his best workman.
In the evening, when every one had left the workshop and gone home, a great longing drove Labakan back to the place where the royal robe hung. He stood a long time gazing at it, admiring the rich material and the splendid embroidery in it. At last he could hold out no longer. He felt he must try it on, and lo! and behold, it fitted as though it had been made for him.
'Am not I as good a prince as any other?' he asked himself, as he proudly paced up and down the room. 'Has not the master often said that I seemed born to be a prince?'
It seemed to him that he must be the son of some unknown monarch, and at last he determined to set out at once and travel in search of his proper rank.
He felt as if the splendid robe had been sent him by some kind fairy, and he took care not to neglect such a precious gift. He collected all his savings, and, concealed by the darkness of the night, he passed through the gates of Alexandria.
The new prince excited a good deal of curiosity where ever he went, for his splendid robe and majestic manner did not seem quite suitable to a person travelling on foot. If anyone asked questions, he only replied with an important air of mystery that he had his own reasons for not riding.
However, he soon found out that walking made him ridiculous, so at last he bought a quiet, steady old horse, which he managed to get cheap.
One day, as he was ambling along upon Murva (that was the horse's name), a horseman overtook him and asked leave to join him, so that they might both beguile the journey with pleasant talk. The newcomer was a bright, cheerful, good-looking young man, who soon plunged into conversation and asked many questions. He told Labakan that his own name was Omar, that he was a nephew of Elfi Bey, and was travelling in order to carry out a command given him by his uncle on his death bed. Labakan was not quite so open in his confidences, but hinted that he too was of noble birth and was travelling for pleasure.
The two young men took a fancy to each other and rode on together. On the second day of their journey Labakan questioned Omar as to the orders he had to carry out, and to his surprise heard this tale.
Elfi Bey, Pacha of Cairo, had brought up Omar from his earliest childhood, and the boy had never known his parents. On his deathbed Elfi Bey called Omar to him, and then told him that he was not his nephew, but the son of a great king, who, having been warned of coming dangers by his astrologers, had sent the young prince away and made a vow not to see him till his twenty-second birthday.
Elfi Bey did not tell Omar his father's name, but expressly desired him to be at a great pillar four days' journey east of Alexandria on the fourth day of the coming month, on which day he would be twenty-two years old. Here he would meet some men, to whom he was to hand a dagger which Elfi Bey gave him, and to say 'Here am I for whom you seek.'
If they answered: 'Praised be the Prophet who has preserved you,' he was to follow them, and they would take him to his father.
Labakan was greatly surprised and interested by this story, but after hearing it he could not help looking on Prince Omar with envious eyes, angry that his friend should have the position he himself longed so much for. He began to make comparisons between the prince and himself, and was obliged to confess that he was a fine-looking young man with very good manners and a pleasant expression.
At the same time, he felt sure that had he been in the prince's place any royal father might have been glad to own him.
These thoughts haunted him all day, and he dreamt them all night. He woke very early, and as he saw Omar sleeping quietly, with a happy smile on his face, a wish arose in his mind to take by force or by cunning the things which an unkind fate had denied him.
The dagger which was to act as a passport was sticking in Omar's girdle. Labakan drew it gently out, and hesitated for a moment whether or not to plunge it into the heart of the sleeping prince. However, he shrank from the idea of murder, so he contented himself with placing the dagger in his own belt, and, saddling Omar's swift horse for himself, was many miles away before the prince woke up to realise his losses.
For two days Labakan rode on steadily, fearing lest, after all, Omar might reach the meeting place before him. At the end of the second day he saw the great pillar at a distance. It stood on a little hill in the middle of a plain, and could be seen a very long way off. Labakan's heart beat fast at the sight. Though he had had some time in which to think over the part he meant to play his conscience made him rather uneasy. However, the thought that he must certainly have been born to be a king supported him, and he bravely rode on.
The neighbourhood was quite bare and desert, and it was a good thing that the new prince had brought food for some time with him, as two days were still wanting till the appointed time.
Towards the middle of the next day he saw a long procession of horses and camels coming towards him. It halted at the bottom of the hill, and some splendid tents were pitched. Everything looked like the escort of some great man. Labakan made a shrewd guess that all these people had come here on his account; but he checked his impatience, knowing that only on the fourth day could his wishes be fulfilled.
The first rays of the rising sun woke the happy tailor. As he began to saddle his horse and prepare to ride to the pillar, he could not help having some remorseful thoughts of the trick he had played and the blighted hopes of the real prince. But the die was cast, and his vanity whispered that he was as fine looking a young man as the proudest king might wish his son to be, and that, moreover, what had happened had happened.
With these thoughts he summoned up all his courage sprang on his horse, and in less than a quarter of an hour was at the foot of the hill. Here he dismounted, tied the horse to a bush, and, drawing out Prince Omar's dagger climbed up the hill.
At the foot of the pillar stood six men round a tall and stately person. His superb robe of cloth of gold was girt round him by a white cashmere shawl, and his white, richly jewelled turban showed that he was a man of wealth and high rank.
Labakan went straight up to him, and, bending low, handed him the dagger, saying: 'Here am I whom you seek.'
'Praised be the Prophet who has preserved you! replied the old man with tears of joy. 'Embrace me, my dear son Omar!'
The proud tailor was deeply moved by these solemn words, and with mingled shame and joy sank into the old king's arms.
But his happiness was not long unclouded. As he raised his head he saw a horseman who seemed trying to urge a tired or unwilling horse across the plain.
Only too soon Labakan recognised his own old horse, Murva, and the real Prince Omar, but having once told a lie he made up his mind not to own his deceit.
At last the horseman reached the foot of the hill. Here he flung himself from the saddle and hurried up to the pillar.
'Stop!' he cried, 'whoever you may be, and do not let a disgraceful impostor take you in. My name is Omar, and let no one attempt to rob me of it.'
This turn of affairs threw the standers-by into great surprise. The old king in particular seemed much moved as he looked from one face to the other. At last Labakan spoke with forced calmness, 'Most gracious lord and father, do not let yourself be deceived by this man. As far as I know, he is a half-crazy tailor's apprentice from Alexandria, called Labakan, who really deserves more pity than anger.'
These words infuriated the prince. Foaming with rage, he tried to press towards Labakan, but the attendants threw themselves upon him and held him fast, whilst the king said, 'Truly, my dear son, the poor fellow is quite mad. Let him be bound and placed on a dromedary. Perhaps we may be able to get some help for him.'
The prince's first rage was over, and with tears he cried to the king, 'My heart tells me that you are my father, and in my mother's name I entreat you to hear me.'
'Oh! heaven forbid!' was the reply. 'He is talking nonsense again. How can the poor man have got such notions into his head?'
With these words the king took Labakan's arm to support him down the hill. They both mounted richly caparisoned horses and rode across the plain at the head of their followers.
The unlucky prince was tied hand and foot, and fastened on a dromedary, a guard riding on either side and keeping a sharp look-out on him.
The old king was Sached, Sultan of the Wachabites. For many years he had had no children, but at length the son he had so long wished for was born. But the sooth-sayers and magicians whom he consulted as to the child's future all said that until he was twenty-two years old he stood in danger of being injured by an enemy. So, to make all safe, the sultan had confided the prince to his trusty friend Elfi Bey, and deprived himself of the happiness of seeing him for twenty-two years. All this the sultan told Labakan, and was much pleased by his appearance and dignified manner.
When they reached their own country they were received with every sign of joy, for the news of the prince's safe return had spread like wildfire, and every town and village was decorated, whilst the inhabitants thronged to greet them with cries of joy and thankfulness. All this filled Labakan's proud heart with rapture, whilst the unfortunate Omar followed in silent rage and despair.
At length they arrived in the capital, where the public rejoicings were grander and more brilliant than anywhere else. The queen awaited them in the great hall of the palace, surrounded by her entire court. It was getting dark, and hundreds of coloured hanging lamps were lit to turn night into day.
The brightest hung round the throne on which the queen sat, and which stood above four steps of pure gold inlaid with great amethysts. The four greatest nobles in the kingdom held a canopy of crimson silk over the queen, and the Sheik of Medina fanned her with a peacock-feather fan.
In this state she awaited her husband and her son. She, too, had not seen Omar since his birth, but so many dreams had shown her what he would look like that she felt she would know him among a thousand.
And now the sound of trumpets and drums and of shouts and cheers outside announced the long looked for moment. The doors flew open, and between rows of lowbending courtiers and servants the king approached the throne, leading his pretended son by the hand.
'Here,' said he, 'is he for whom you have been longing so many years.'
But the queen interrupted him, 'That is not my son!' she cried. 'That is not the face the Prophet has shown me in my dreams!'
Just as the king was about to reason with her, the door was thrown violently open, and Prince Omar rushed in, followed by his keepers, whom he had managed to get away from. He flung himself down before the throne, panting out, 'Here will I die; kill me at once, cruel father, for I cannot bear this shame any longer.'
Everyone pressed round the unhappy man, and the guards were about to seize him, when the queen, who at first was dumb with surprise, sprang up from her throne.
'Hold!' cried she. 'This and no other is the right one; this is the one whom my eyes have never yet seen, but whom my heart recognises.'
The guards had stepped back, but the king called to them in a furious voice to secure the madman.
'It is I who must judge,' he said in tones of command; 'and this matter cannot be decided by women's dreams, but by certain unmistakable signs. This one' (pointing to Labakan) 'is my son, for it was he who brought me the token from my friend Elfi--the dagger.'
'He stole it from me,' shrieked Omar; 'he betrayed my unsuspicious confidence.'
But the king would not listen to his son's voice, for he had always been accustomed to depend on his own judgment. He let the unhappy Omar be dragged from the hall, whilst he himself retired with Labakan to his own rooms, full of anger with the queen his wife, in spite of their many years of happy life together.
The queen, on her side, was plunged in grief, for she felt certain that an impostor had won her husband's heart and taken the place of her real son.
When the first shock was over she began to think how she could manage to convince the king of his mistake. Of course it would be a difficult matter, as the man who declared he was Omar had produced the dagger as a token, besides talking of all sorts of things which happened when he was a child. She called her oldest and wisest ladies about her and asked their advice, but none of them had any to give. At last one very clever old woman said: 'Did not the young man who brought the dagger call him whom your majesty believes to be your son Labakan, and say he was a crazy tailor? '
'Yes,' replied the queen; 'but what of that?'
'Might it not be,' said the old lady, 'that the impostor has called your real son by his own name? If this should be the case, I know of a capital way to find out the truth.'
And she whispered some words to the queen, who seemed much pleased, and went off at once to see the king.
Now the queen was a very wise woman, so she pretended to think she might have made a mistake, and only begged to be allowed to put a test to the two young men to prove which was the real prince.
The king, who was feeling much ashamed of the rage he had been in with his dear wife, consented at once, and she said: 'No doubt others would make them ride or shoot, or something of that sort, but every one learns these things. I wish to set them a task which requires sharp wits and clever hands, and I want them to try which of them can best make a kaftan and pair of trousers.'
The king laughed. 'No, no, that will never do. Do you suppose my son would compete with that crazy tailor as to which could make the best clothes? Oh, dear, no, that won't do at all.'
But the queen claimed his promise, and as he was a man of his word the king gave in at last. He went to his son and begged that he would humour his mother, who had set her heart on his making a kaftan.
The worthy Labakan laughed to himself. 'If that is all she wants,' thought he, 'her majesty will soon be pleased to own me.'
Two rooms were prepared, with pieces of material, scissors, needles and threads, and each young man was shut up in one of them.
The king felt rather curious as to what sort of garment his son would make, and the queen, too, was very anxious as to the result of her experiment.
On the third day they sent for the two young men and their work. Labakan came first and spread out his kaftan before the eyes of the astonished king. 'See, father,' he said; 'see, my honoured mother, if this is not a masterpiece of work. I'll bet the court tailor himself cannot do better.
The queen smiled and turned to Omar: 'And what have you done, my son?'
Impatiently he threw the stuff and scissors down on the floor. 'I have been taught how to manage a horse, to draw a sword, and to throw a lance some sixty paces, but I never learnt to sew, and such a thing would have been thought beneath the notice of the pupil of Elfi Bey, the ruler of Cairo.'
'Ah, true son of your father,' cried the queen; 'if only I might embrace you and call you son! Forgive me, my lord and husband,' she added, turning to the king, 'for trying to find out the truth in this way. Do you not see yourself now which is the prince and which the tailor? Certainly this kaftan is a very fine one, but I should like to know what master taught this young man how to make clothes.'
The king sat deep in thought, looking now at his wife and now at Labakan, who was doing his best to hide his vexation at his own stupidity. At last the king said: 'Even this trial does not satisfy me; but happily I know of a sure way to discover whether or not I have been deceived.'
He ordered his swiftest horse to be saddled, mounted, and rode off alone into a forest at some little distance. Here lived a kindly fairy called Adolzaide, who had often helped the kings of his race with her good advice, and to her he betook himself.
In the middle of the forest was a wide open space surrounded by great cedar trees, and this was supposed to be the fairy's favourite spot. When the king reached this place he dismounted, tied his horse to the tree, and standing in the middle of the open place said: 'If it is true that you have helped my ancestors in their time of need, do not despise their descendant, but give me counsel, for that of men has failed me.'
He had hardly finished speaking when one of the cedar trees opened, and a veiled figure all dressed in white stepped from it.
'I know your errand, King Sached,' she said; 'it is an honest one, and I will give you my help. Take these two little boxes and let the two men who claim to be your son choose between them. I know that the real prince will make no mistake.'
She then handed him two little boxes made of ivory set with gold and pearls. On the lid of each (which the king vainly tried to open) was an inscription in diamonds. On one stood the words 'Honour and Glory,' and on the other 'Wealth and Happiness.'
'It would be a hard choice,' thought the king as he rode home.
He lost no time in sending for the queen and for all his court, and when all were assembled he made a sign, and Labakan was led in. With a proud air he walked up to the throne, and kneeling down, asked:
'What does my lord and father command?'
The king replied: 'My son, doubts have been thrown on your claim to that name. One of these boxes contains the proofs of your birth. Choose for yourself. No doubt you will choose right.'
He then pointed to the ivory boxes, which were placed on two little tables near the throne.
Labakan rose and looked at the boxes. He thought for some minutes, and then said: 'My honoured father, what can be better than the happiness of being your son, and what nobler than the riches of your love. I choose the box with the words "Wealth and Happiness."'
'We shall see presently if you have chosen the right one. For the present take a seat there beside the Pacha of Medina,' replied the king.
Omar was next led in, looking sad and sorrowful. He threw himself down before the throne and asked what was the king's pleasure. The king pointed out the two boxes to him, and he rose and went to the tables. He carefully read the two mottoes and said: 'The last few days have shown me how uncertain is happiness and how easily riches vanish away. Should I lose a crown by it I make my choice of "Honour and Glory."'
He laid his hand on the box as he spoke, but the king signed to him to wait, and ordered Labakan to come to the other table and lay his hand on the box he had chosen.
Then the king rose from his throne, and in solemn silence all present rose too, whilst he said: 'Open the boxes, and may Allah show us the truth.'
The boxes were opened with the greatest ease. In the one Omar had chosen lay a little gold crown and sceptre on a velvet cushion. In Labakan's box was found--a large needle with some thread!
The king told the two young men to bring him their boxes. They did so. He took the crown in his hand, and as he held it, it grew bigger and bigger, till it was as large as a real crown. He placed it on the head of his son Omar, kissed him on the forehead, and placed him on his right hand. Then, turning to Labakan, he said: 'There is an old proverb, "The cobbler sticks to his last." It seems as though you were to stick to your needle. You have not deserved any mercy, but I cannot be harsh on this day. I give you your life, but I advise you to leave this country as fast as you can.'
Full of shame, the unlucky tailor could not answer. He flung himself down before Omar, and with tears in his eyes asked: 'Can you forgive me, prince?'
'Go in peace,' said Omar as he raised him.
'Oh, my true son!' cried the king as he clasped the prince in his arms, whilst all the pachas and emirs shouted, 'Long live Prince Omar!'
In the midst of all the noise and rejoicing Labakan slipped off with his little box under his arm. He went to the stables, saddled his old horse, Murva, and rode out of the gate towards Alexandria. Nothing but the ivory box with its diamond motto was left to show him that the last few weeks had not been a dream.
When he reached Alexandria he rode up to his old master's door. When he entered the shop, his master came forward to ask what was his pleasure, but as soon as he saw who it was he called his workmen, and they all fell on Labakan with blows and angry words, till at last he fell, half fainting, on a heap of old clothes.
The master then scolded him soundly about the stolen robe, but in vain Labakan told him he had come to pay for it and offered three times its price. They only fell to beating him again, and at last pushed him out of the house more dead than alive.
He could do nothing but remount his horse and ride to an inn. Here he found a quiet place in which to rest his bruised and battered limbs and to think over his many misfortunes. He fell asleep fully determined to give up trying to be great, but to lead the life of an honest workman.
Next morning he set to work to fulfil his good resolutions. He sold his little box to a jeweller for a good price, bought a house and opened a workshop. Then he hung up a sign with, 'Labakan, Tailor,' over his door, and sat down to mend his own torn clothes with the very needle which had been in the ivory box.
After a while he was called away, and when he went back to his work he found a wonderful thing had happened! The needle was sewing away all by itself and making the neatest little stitches, such as Labakan had never been able to make even at his best.
Certainly even the smallest gift of a kind fairy is of great value, and this one had yet another advantage, for the thread never came to an end, however much the needle sewed.
Labakan soon got plenty of customers. He used to cut out the clothes, make the first stitch with the magic needle, and then leave it to do the rest. Before long the whole town went to him, for his work was both so good and so cheap. The only puzzle was how he could do so much, working all alone, and also why he worked with closed doors.
And so the promise on the ivory box of 'Wealth and Happiness' came true for him, and when he heard of all the brave doings of Prince Omar, who was the pride and darling of his people and the terror of his enemies, the ex-prince thought to himself, 'After all, I am better off as a tailor, for "Honour and Glory" are apt to be very dangerous things.'
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3311
|
__label__cc
| 0.637235
| 0.362765
|
Our shopping cart requires Javascript. Enable Javascript in your browser, and refresh the page.
This catalog has no sub-catalogs.
Cajun Dance Favorites - Various Artists
This collection of traditional Cajun songs fits the dance bill, with plenty of waltzes and two-steps to keep the dancers happy. This is absolutely one of the best selections of authentic Cajun dance music available! Released in 1993, 16 tracks.
Cajun Saturday Night
Featuring over 1 hour of great classic Cajun music, this was the very first compilation of Cajun music on CD by Swallow Records!
C'est Fun (1991)
Jambalaya Cajun Band
The Jambalaya Cajun Band: Terry Huval, Reggie Matte, Bobby Dumatrait, Kenneth David & Tony Huval, perform traditional-style Cajun music.
Clifton Chenier - Zydeco Legend
Arguably the BEST collection of Zydeco King, Clifton Chenier's music out there! Few artists can claim to have single-handedly invented a musical genre but Clifton Chenier comes very close. Released in 1989, 18 tracks.
D.L. Menard - Happy Go Lucky
In an age where much of the entertainment industry seems to be so "processed and packaged," it is special to see a true cultural giant who is-what-he-is, D.L. Menard. Released in April 2010, 12 tracks.
Danny Collet - It Wasn't Supposed to Happen
Danny Collet is a vocalist and accordion player from southwest Louisiana who took up playing music at the age of seven, and has been making music ever since. Originally released in 2002 by Acadiana Records & re-issued by Maison de Soul Records in 2008. 12 tracks.
Dat’s Zydeco: The Best "Old-Skool" Zydeco
A collection of tunes of some of the best "Old Skool" Zydeco ever recorded...
Dewey Balfa & Friends - Fait a la main / Souvenirs
Dewey Balfa's last instrumental album titled Fait a la main, originally released on LP in 1986, and Souvenirs, which was originally released on LP in 1985, together on one great CD. Released in 2005, 24 tracks.
Dewey Balfa & the Balfa Brothers - Play Traditional Cajun Music, Volume 1 & 2
This is a complete collection of both the 1965 Swallow recordings release and the 1974 Swallow recordings release. Released in July 1990, 24 tracks.
Feet Off the Ground
Al Berard & Karen England
Al Berard & Karen England put together a great 'mostly' instrumental recording of traditional style Cajun fiddle tunes played by a couple of the finest modern day fiddlers.
Festivals Acadiens, Live 1981
This expanded two-CD reissue of the landmark live album features 21 previously unreleased performances from many since-departed masters of Cajun, Creole and zydeco music. The deluxe 20-page booklet includes extensive liner notes and historical photos from the 1981 Festival.
High Performance - Live from Breaux Bridge, Part One
The High Performance group consists of Kevin Dugas, Jamey Bearb, Steve Riley, Jason Bergeron, Richard Comeaux and Brazos Huval. Special guests include Nolan Dugas, Michael Dugas, Scott Ardoin, Vernon Bergeron and Paul "Bird" Delafose. Released in March 2009, 17 tracks.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3312
|
__label__wiki
| 0.99008
| 0.99008
|
James Purefoy Biography (1964-)
Full name, James Brian Mark Purefoy; born June 3, 1964, in Taunton, Somerset,England; married Holly Aird (an actress; divorced, May 2002); children: Joseph. Addresses: Agent: International Creative Management, 8942 WilshireBlvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211; Creative Artist Agency, 9830 Wilshire Blvd.,Beverly Hills, CA 90212.; Manager: Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, 9150 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.
Taunton, Somserset, United Kingdom
Victor, Angels, 1992
One Night Stand, 1993
Jedd Wainwright, Feast of July, Buena Vista, 1995
Joe, Jilting Joe, 1997
Brendan, Bedrooms and Hallways, ARP Selection, 1998
Daniel, Women Talking Dirty, 1999
Tom Bertram, Mansfield Park, Miramax, 1999
Carl Phipps, Maybe Baby, USA Films, 2000
Prisoner Richard Spader, The Lighthouse (also known as Dead ofNight), Unapix Entertainment, 2000
Hal, The Wedding Tackle, Rat Pack Films, 2000
Andrew Spender, Domani (also known as Tomorrow), Fine LineFeatures, 2001
Sir Thomas Colville and Edward, the Black Prince of Wales, A Knight'sTale, Columbia, 2001
Spence Parks, Resident Evil, Screen Gems, 2002
James, Photo Finish, S Films, 2003
Samantha's Child, 2003
George, George and the Dragon, 2004
Kenneth Donnelly, Goose!, Odeon Films, 2004
Craig Howard, Blessed, DEJ Productions, 2004
Rawdon Crawley, Vanity Fair, Focus Features, 2004
Graves, Poetic Unreason, 2004
Julian, Rides, BBC (England), 1993
Jimmy Turner, Tears Before Bedtime, BBC, 1995
Nick Stuart, The Tide of Life (also known as Catherine Cookson's "The Tide of Life"), 1996
Brian, Calling the Shots, PBS, 1993
Miles Hendon, The Prince and the Pauper, BBC (England), 1996
Ben, Have Your Cake and Eat It, 1997
Nicholas Jenkins, A Dance to the Music of Time, Channel 4 (England), 1997
Nathan, Metropolis, Granada (England), 2000
Marc Antony, Rome, HBO and BBC2, 2005
Oliver, The Cloning of Joanna May, Arts and Entertainment, 1992
Victor, Angels, Arts and Entertainment, 1992
Bye Bye Baby, Channel 4 (England), 1992
Lord Jack Spears, Sharpe's Sword, 1995
Mr. Lawrence, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, PBS, 1996
David Miles, Bright Hair, BBC (England), 1997
Joe, Jilting Joe, Romance Classics, 1997
Sanson Carrasco, Don Quixote, TNT, 2000
Donald Farfrae, The Mayor of Casterbridge, ITV and Arts and Entertainment, 2003
John, Blink, Channel 4 (England), 1998
Marc Antony, Rome, BBC and HBO, 2006
Alan Bridges, "Houseguests," Boon, ITV (England), 1991
James McCarthy, "The Boscombe Valley Mystery," The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, ITV and PBS, 1991
(Stage debut) Alan Strang, Equus, 1986
Morville, Four Nights in Knaresborough, Tricycle Theater, London,1999
Ned Loveless, The Relapse, National Theatre, London, 2001
Also appeared as Ferdinand, The Tempest, Royal Shakespeare Company; Edgar, King Lear, Royal Shakespeare Company; Malcolm, Macbeth, Royal Shakespeare Company; Laertes, Hamlet; Mirabell, Way of theWorld, Joseph Papp Theatre, New York City; in Women of Troy, RoyalNational Theatre; Death of a Salesman, West Yorkshire Playhouse; Hamlet, Bristol Old Vic; The Servant; The Way of the World; Macbeth; Les Enfants du Paradis, Royal Shakespeare Company; Henry V; Romeo and Juliet; Servant; The Man Who Came toDinner; The Constant Couple; and All God's Chillun Got Wings;
Horatio, Hamlet, BBC Radio Shakespeare, 1999
Interview, September, 2004, p. 182
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3313
|
__label__wiki
| 0.978541
| 0.978541
|
Gov. Kemp names first judge to state business court
Christal Jordan weighs in on who should play Prince Eric in 'The Little Mermaid'
Nine dead after fiery Hawaii plane crash
HONOLULU (AP) — Nine people died in a fiery crash of a small airplane used in a sky dive operation, officials in Hawaii said.
There were no survivors after the twin engine King Air plane crashed Friday night near Dillingham Airfield, on Oahu's North Shore, Hawaii Department of Transportation spokesman Tim Sakahara said.
"Upon arrival, we saw the plane fully engulfed in fire," Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves told reporters on the scene. "The first crews on scene extinguished the fire."
Neves said the crashed occurred near the perimeter fencing of the small airport. "They're quite a ways away from the runway," he said.
The plane was used in a sky dive operation, and Neves said some family members of those on board waited at the airport for the plane to return.
The debris field was relatively small, about 50 feet (15 meters) by 50 feet (15 meters), he said.
"In my 40 years as a firefighter here in Hawaii, this is the most tragic aircraft incident what we've had," he told reporters at the scene, about an hour's drive north of Honolulu.
Crews with Honolulu Emergency Services said it assisted with death pronouncements of the nine after receiving the call at 6:26 p.m. local time, agency spokeswoman Shayne Enright said.
Names, ages and genders of the deceased have not been released.
Neves said many details are still not known about the flight. But he says witnesses have said the plane was inbound to the airport when the crash occurred but that has not been confirmed.
Officials initially reported that six people had been on board.
More Facebook Instant Stories
Police: Alpharetta building evacuated after report of gunman
Police have evacuated a building in Alpharetta after reports of a possible person armed near the business.
Officials say they were called to the Fiserv building on 2900 Westside Parkway in reference to a possible armed person.
At this time, police say no shots have been fired and that this is not an active shooter situation.
By Beth Galvin, FOX Medical Team
We have all had senior moments. Neurologist Dr. Marshall Nash, who researches treatments for age-related memory loss through his company NeuroStudies in Decatur, Georgia, says it is not unusual to forget minor details, especially if we are distracted.
"Everyone has these points, where they forget things," Dr. Nash says. "(They) forget appointments, forget holidays, forget birthdays, and some of that is normal."
Dr. Nash says men tend to lose about 10 percent of their memory in their sixties and seventies, and women typically lose about 10 percent of theirs in their seventies and eighties. The best barometer of whether your memory is slipping, Nash says, is someone who knows you well.
Kroger giving metro Atlanta teachers free school supplies
It may be summer vacation, but metro-Atlanta teachers are already planning for the next school year. Atlanta's Krogers are offering educators a little bit of help to start school easier.
On Tuesday, Kroger's Atlanta Division is giving away free school supplies for any metro-Atlanta teachers who come to the Georgia International Convention Center.
The supplies, valued at more than $70,000, include copy and construction paper, markers, Scotch tape, disinfectant wipes, and more.
Good Day Atlanta viewer information July 16, 2019
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3315
|
__label__wiki
| 0.697087
| 0.697087
|
Campus Directory Campus Map Canvas Catalog Comment Form Events Calendar Email Henry Madden Library My Fresno State Tech Help Center
General Catalog [2019-2020]
Your browser does not support JavaScript! This javascript toggles additional navigation items.
Courses by Subject
Courses by Department
Course Numbering System
Degree Roadmaps
Multicultural/International
Upper Division Writing
Search Classes
Skip to main contentAcademic RegulationsSearch CatalogCatalog Archives
Anthropology, Minor
James J. Mullooly, Chair
Peters Business Building, Room 385
www.fresnostate.edu/anthropology/
Degrees and Programs Offered
BA in Anthropology, B.A.
MN in American Indian Studies, Minor
MN in Anthropology, Minor
MN in Asian American Studies, Minor
MN in Southeast Asian Studies, Minor
Anthropology is concerned with everything that is human, in all parts of the world, both present and past. It is unique among the social sciences in its scope. Most disciplines focus only on modern civilization or concentrate on single aspects of life, such as government or the economy. Anthropology is interested in all human societies and views life as a complexly integrated whole that is more than the sum of its parts. It is the human experience as a whole that anthropology seeks to understand.
The breadth of anthropology is reflected in its four subfields. Physical anthropology studies biological evolution and how heredity conditions the ways we conduct life. Cultural anthropology, by studying the enormous diversity of lifeways in contemporary cultures throughout the world, attempts to explain both differences and similarities in the way different peoples carry out the process of living. Archaeology explores the human past far beyond the range of written records, using specialized techniques to probe human prehistory. Linguistic anthropology investigates the nature of language and the critical role it has played in developing our unique intellectual capabilities and behavior. The central concept in anthropology is "culture," and it is this vital idea which binds the subfields into an integrated discipline.
Our program has three goals:
to provide students with a clear conception of human variability and its implications, enabling them to understand and deal with lifestyles other than those of "mainstream America;"
to provide students with the broad intellectual skills that are essential to the widest range of professional careers;and
to prepare students to use anthropological concepts in both applied and research careers.
Both the anthropology major and minor offer a varied but well-structured exposure to all four subfields of the discipline. The major consists of two parts. The core curriculum introduces both data and theory in a logical sequence of courses from basic to advanced and includes an introduction to anthropological fieldwork. The four degree tracks are intended to prepare students for specific careers in the following areas: education, cultural resources management, social services, or post-secondary teaching. The minor is a briefer but balanced survey of the discipline, designed to complement any major whose graduates need to understand and deal with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Special Resources and Facilities
The Anthropology Department provides student training in both archaeological and ethnographic studies. Advanced students may also pursue specialized training in our archaeological and ethnographic field schools, as well as our archaeology laboratory. We encourage internships as an important aspect of student development and help place advanced students as interns with a large variety of organizations.
Anthropology Minor Requirements
A. Core curriculum (9 units)
ANTH 2 (3 units)
ANTH 100 (3 units)
B. Elective curriculum (9 units)
Three upper-division courses (9 units)
Total (18 units)
See Advising Note 1 above.
Note: The Anthropology Minor also requires a 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division units in residence.
For faculty phone numbers and e-mail, see the campus directory.
For more on the faculty, see the faculty pages.
The faculty pages are updated by the department or program.
Accessibility Campus Directory Campus Map Canvas Comment Form Events Calendar Email Henry Madden Library My Fresno State Search Fresno State Tech Help Center
Catalog Office
5201 N. Maple Ave.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3322
|
__label__cc
| 0.618853
| 0.381147
|
Health topics Life-course approach Child and adolescent health Publications Inequalities in young people’s health. HBSC international report from the 2005/2006 survey
Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC)
About HBSC
HBSC international reports
HBSC 2016 study (2013/2014 survey) in the Russian Federation
Adolescent obesity and related behaviours (2002–2014)
Background briefs
HBSC data in the European Health Statistics App
Inequalities in young people’s health. HBSC international report from the 2005/2006 survey
English (PDF, 30.6 MB)
Edited by Candace Currie, Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Emmanuelle Godeau, Chris Roberts, Rebecca Smith, Dorothy Currie, Will Picket, Matthias Richter, Antony Morgan and Vivian Barnekow
2008, xiv + 210 pages
In developing countries CHF 28.00
Order no. 13400078
This international report is the fourth from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a WHO collaborative cross-national study, and the most comprehensive. It presents the key findings on patterns of health among young people aged 11, 13 and 15 years in 41 countries and regions across the WHO European Region and North America in 2005/2006. Its theme is health inequalities: quantifying the gender, age, geographic and socioeconomic dimensions of health differentials. Its aim is to highlight where these inequalities exist, to inform and influence policy and practice and to help improve health for all young people.
The report clearly shows that, while the health and well-being of many young people give cause for celebration, sizeable minorities are experiencing real and worrying problems related to overweight and obesity, self-esteem, life satisfaction, substance misuse and bullying. The report provides reliable data that health systems in Member States can use to support and encourage sectors such as education, social inclusion and housing, to achieve their primary goals and, in so doing, benefit young people’s health. Policy-makers and professionals in the participating countries should listen closely to the voices of their young people and ensure that these drive their efforts to put in place the circumstances – social, economic, health and educational – within which young people can thrive and prosper.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3330
|
__label__cc
| 0.645264
| 0.354736
|
“Tofa” – Chris Noelle. An Amazing Multitalented Artist | Inspirational Portfolio [59]
. Published on July 15, 2014 . 0
Under the moniker “Tofa” – Chris Noelle (*1974) works as multimedia-artist in Linz, Austria. Tofa is a freelancer in the fields of graphic-design, illustration, film, animation, photography, music and projection design.
His explicit skills have led to works for international clients like Sony, Diesel, Smart, T-Mobile, Lacoste, Red Bull and publications in magazines like Vogue, IdN, Die Gestalten Verlag, Page, Art, Streetwear Today and JPeople, shortfilms and animations for Wired UK, IdN and TV-Reports on ARTE TV, ARD and ZDF.
His style has its roots from a passionate mixture of architecture, urban art, animation and graphic-design. Tofa has the talent of simultaniously joggling between different skills and styles to keep the creative output as interesting and challenging as possible.
Besides his freelancing career, Tofa works as Art Director for the legendary technoclub Tresor since 2007, developing solutions for all multimedia related resorts: delivering graphic-design for campaigns since the beginning, developing the online appearance of tresorberlin.com up to being editor in chief for the club´s own magazine “Tresor.iginal”.
Since 2009 Chris Noelle has worked for Beuth University, teaching filmediting and multimediaproduction for architect master students.
Due to his expertice knowledge in visual projections he is in collaboration with software producer Arkaos since 2003. Tofa started visual projections with two VHS decks back in the 1990s´ and grew up with the visual software development over the following decade. Since 2002 he´s performing livevisuals and has collaborated with artists like Flying Steps, Theo Parrish, Flying Beggars, Swayzak, Jeff Mills, Juan Atkins, Octave One, Clueso, Miss Dynamite, Marky, Metalheadz, Cristian Vogel, Mike Huckaby, Scan 7 and many others. And he performed on festivals such as UrbanArtForms, Impact Eindhoven, sound:frame, Whisper China, Festival of Lights, just to mention a few.
But let’s go back in time and take a closer look on how everything started, as this story is quiet outstanding from others and reads itself more like a myth:
With the age of 17 Chris started his professional career as extreme-sports-pro in bike-trials, riding competitions, jumping on rocks and batteling for international trophies. On the peak of this sports-driven-period, he could look back on countless national titles, 5 years in the Top5 Worldranking and finishing all off with the double Team-World-Champion Title, plus a UCI-Bike-Trials Vice-World Champion Solo Title (1995) and a Guinness-Book record in 1996. This led to attractive sponsoring deals with companies like Chrysler and Scott, having an own fashion-line from his shoe-sponsor Vans. So this was the first crosslink to the graphic world of fashion-design, which appeared a couple of years later to be in main focus of his career.
Besides the sports-career, he started his apprenticeship at Jung von Matt in Hamburg in 1996 to deepen his skills in PR- and advertising-strategies and graphic-design. As this was way to boring for his personal creative approach, he decided to jump on the train of studying fashion-design (1998-2002) with a main focus on CAD illustration and graphic print-designs, before moving back to Berlin in 2002. Since then Tofa is working as freelancer on artistic projects and in collaboration with other artists and clients from different branches of the advertising world.
In 2003 Tofa bumped into the world of light-art photography – a longtime-exposure technique that´s using lightsources to virtually leave traces within a picture. With a scholarship in Tokyo in 2007 at Tokyo Wondersite Gallery, he jumped onto another level and today, Tofa is one of the world leading artists of this genre. To feature this individual, on www.lightwriting.de you can find a deeper insight of his photo-portfolio.
By the time he started working at Tresor in 2007, he became co-founder of The Core., a team of and lighting-designers and multimedia-experts who work globaly on stage-, interior- and lighting-designs. Tofa is deeply involved in ongoing creative solutions for this company: www.thecoreberlin.com
To resume the multidirectional skills of this artist isn’t that easy but this is what you get if you’re in search of someone with an allover-multimedia expertice: strategic online-development, interface design, streaming expertice, graphic illustration, cover-design, animation, music-clips, trailer-animations, audiovisual content production, film, photography, logo-design, corporate-and editorial-design.
Categories Inspirational Portfolio
Tags Austriainspirational portfolio
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3341
|
__label__wiki
| 0.909514
| 0.909514
|
Radio Research
Hollywood Dreams
The plot is tired. A struggling young actor, from Iowa, can't catch a break. Accidentally, she meets and falls in love, with a promising actor. Thereafter, her hopes and dreams fade to black. He and she believe they're connected and talented. As they try, with little luck, to balance romance and vivid, unrealistic dreams of stardom, career demands take over and the simple pleasures of life, such as love, companionship and support, dissipate. Too quickly, the audience realizes the lovers are only seduced by the Hollywood dream. The results are disastrous.
Hollywood Dreams, an old story told anew, is the most recent movie, by Henry Jaglom. This is not the 1994 comedy, by Rafe Portilo, starring Kelly Jaye. Jaglom wrote and directed a serious, if bizarre, movie, most reminiscent of "Rolland Drive," although not as superb, in any sense.
Whats new, this time around, is a plot close to the true story, of the star, Tanna Frederick, who's engaging, in this role. Frederick draws raves, for her outstanding portrayal, of Margie Chizek, an aspiring starlet from the American Midwest. Chizek is pathetic. Only a talented actor is able to make the portrayal sufficiently hideous to be believable. Credit Fredericks for her hard word and determination to pull of the role.
Frederick and Chizek share a similar story. Both are aspiring actors from Middle America. Frederick is far from the chaotic and often nave Margie. "Many people, at film festivals, were afraid to approach me, says Frederick. They thought I was playing myself.
"Thankfully, the next character I play is normal," says Frederick. "Shes complicated, but down-to-earth. I hope people will see I am not Margie. We are not the same person."
You might forgive those who have seen, Hollywood Dreams, for such a mistake. Frederick gives an uncanny performance. Margie Chizek is an ambitious and charming starlet, who can barely restrain her fragile emotional state. Hollywood Dreams is a compelling portrayal. Frederick evokes memories, of All about Eve, Dangerous and the painfully deluded Norma Desmond, in Sunset Boulevard.
Critics reflect on the earlier era, ascribing the screen presence, of Frederick, to that of a "young Bette Davis on crack." Frederick is easily and favourably compared to movie legends like Lucille Ball, Judy Garland and Fanny Brice. Frederick carries the film, well, opposite seasoned performers, such as Justin Kirk, David Proval, Eric Roberts, Sally Kirkland and Karen Black. Frederick (right, click on picture to enlarge.) allows Margie to revel in comic delight, while on the verge of tears. She dismisses the serious emotional roller coaster, which is Margie, with a wisecrack and a broad laugh.
Frederick makes "Hollywood Dreams a success. She has a limitless commitment to her broken character," said a New York Times critic. Her performance is as startling as it is touching." Besides the critical raves, Frederick also earned the Best Actress Award, at the Montana Independent Film Festival and the Chrysalis Award, at California's Wild Rivers Film Festival.
Frederick claims the comparisons and praise overwhelm her. "Bette Davis is my inspiration, right now," says Frederick. Like Margie, in Hollywood Dreams, says Fredericks, I'm a devoted cinephile. I don't feel I can possibly compare with her, Davis, but I admire the way she was always in the moment; the way that theatre and her life and her art were inseparable."
That self-awareness as an actor and celebrity was important in developing the Margie character. "Comedy is based on pain, says Frederick. Most great comic performers have great pain, and live in a huge amount of denial.
"There's an early tragedy, in the movie, says Fredericks, that translates into a masking, and there's a strange truthfulness to that. I wanted people to have sympathy for Margie, but be a little confused as to whether they loved her or hated her."
There was no such early misfortune for Tanna Frederick, a proud Iowan, who knew she wanted to be a performer, since childhood. "Iowa is an amazing place for theatre," she says. Maybe people don't have as much to do, in Iowa, so they spend a lot of time in self expression. I started doing local and children theatre in fourth grade, and was basically doing five shows a year for most of my life."
"Hollywood Dreams" is recommended only for the superb performance by Tanna Frederick.
"Hollywood Dreams" is 100 minutes, in length; shot in and around Los Angeles; produced and distributed by The Rainbow Film Company.
Streeter Click is editor of GrubStreet.ca.
More by Streeter Click:
Gabe Abelson
Andrew Lear
Remembering the Pioneers
Junos Boring, Always
Larry Lujack
Even more by Streeter Click
Warming Up to Costco
The PPE Game
The Full Eight Unks
Pushing Envelopes
Artsy Fartsy
What the USA Needs
You Have All You Need
Health is Wrong Here
Government Shutdown 2018
Radio Ratings
NHL Start 2016
NHL Playoffs 2014: 3
Reel Guys Reviews
Stand-up Comic
Why and Wherefore
Larger Numbers
Old Ways Fade Away
Showing Her Age
Little Memoires
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3345
|
__label__cc
| 0.651883
| 0.348117
|
To log in to our Digital Download Partner Site Follow the Link Below
Music of Louis Armstrong Arranged for Fingerstyle Guitar
Taught by: Ernie Hawkins Add to Wish List
Hard Copy $29.95 Item Number: GW1000
This DVD lesson could be titled The Music of Louis Armstrong for Fingerpicking Guitar or Gary Davis Meets Louis Armstrong. Born in 1896, the brilliant Piedmont guitarist Gary Davis came of age in the teens and the twenties. He was in his prime during the Jazz Age and his playing shows it. His guitar style and techniques came out of the twenties. It enabled him to play like a band. His thumb playing the rhythmic sections of the band while his index finger soloed over this. Rev. Davis only used his thumb and index fingers to pick. When asked why he replied with a smile: "That's all I need!" In Rev. Davis's playing you can hear the drive of Louis Armstrong as well as Louis's bugle call riffs.
Rev. Gary Davis's style is made to order to play Louis Armstong tunes on guitar. As Ernie learned most of what he knows and does on the guitar from Rev. Gary Davis, this is how he sees it and how he has approached arranging the tunes on this DVD lesson. Once you find the right key on the guitar these early jazz masterpieces seem to fall right into place. Putting CornetChop Suey into the key of C, for instance, enables you to play the patented 'Gary Davis Slow Drag G form C run' throughout as the statement of the initial melody.
This lesson is over 2 hours and forty minutes. The arrangements are for the intermediate to advanced players. They are multi-section compositions with lots of fingerpicking challenges. But all your hard work will be very worthwhile as these tunes are some of the greatest in the early jazz repertoire. Ernie teaches phrase by phrase and then uses the split-screen so you can carefully study what each hand is doing. A detailed tab/music booklet is included as a PDF file on the DVD.
Titles include: Potato Head Blues, Basin Street Blues, Cornet Chop Suey, Weather Bird and It's A Wonderful World.
163 minutes - Level 3/4 - Detailed tab/music PDF file on the DVD
Review: Louis Armstrong meets Rev. Gary Davis. Great instructional DVD on the music of Louis Armstrong, approached in the style of Rev. Gary Davis. Ernie's arrangements really capture the spirit of both Louis and Rev. Davis and are clearly presented in both the video and the accompanying booklet. I'd give it 10 stars if I could. This was perfect for my playing style and taught me a great deal about arranging in the Piedmont style. Thanks Ernie!- Josh Godfrey/Amazon Customer Review
Early Jazz for Fingerstyle Guitar
Jazz Classics for Fingerstyle Guitar Vol 1
Music of Bix Beiderbecke Arranged for Fingerstyle Guitar
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3346
|
__label__cc
| 0.52858
| 0.47142
|
OVAL CANVAS SERIES
MARRAKECH SERIES
TANZANIA SERIES
LONDON SKETCHBOOK
DISAPPEARING ACT
WHERE DO WE LIVE, AND HOW?
TAKING UP SPACE
Hōjōki
HEATHER CHONTOS
As a painter, Heather Chontos focuses her studio practice on the ambiguity and unique beauty of abstract expressionism, creating artwork that explores compositions of invisible light, like a secret language only spoken through her various mediums, color palettes, forms and marks. She focuses on gestures, connecting color and form through relentless movements and mark making, These forms are interpretations of her surrounding environment, delicate details, vulnerable landscapes and moments of light. Through these works she inspires an intimate dialogue with the viewer and her deep emotional connection to her impulsive mark making. She is driven by an intuition that guides each gesture, building the complex movement between the layers of her work,
Chontos does not use traditional applications of paint with brushes or other implements, rather she uses scraps of plastic , such as manipulated plastic such as hotel room key cards. These chosen painting tools have the perfect flexible edge that allows a direct impact on the materials at hand, allowing a great amount of saturation for the penetrative marks and fields of color. She is also able to draw long lengths of lines with these fine edges, allowing the most direct involvement of her hand. In her desire to demonstrates layer after layer, Chontos uses a variety of materials integrated into her pieces with use of extra canvas or paper stitched onto the surface or sections of paper incorporated with layerings of paint and glue appear suddenly in what appears to be a flat section the ground. These different materials allow for different levels of color and saturation of the medium.
The catalog from my first solo exhibition in London at The Stephen Lacey Gallery in Clerkenwell, was written by Richard Morphet. Richard joined the Tate Gallery in 1966 and retired in 1998. His first appointment was as Assistant Keeper of the Modern Collection, becoming Deputy Keeper of it in 1973, and subsequently Keeper from 1986 until 1998.
Here are some excerpts from his writing andas well as catalog images:
"All the works in this exhibition have a quality of spontaneity. The intuitive character of their process of creation is exposed and they also declare Heather Chontos’s love of materials. She applies paint with putty knives, old credit cards, and pieces of broken glass, to give greater immediacy than she finds possible with brushes. The paintings display a dialogue between thick and thin. Fields of colour sometimes have a texture of ripples, where scraping has started and stopped. "
"In all three groups Chontos nearly always gives prominence to a solid block or plane, against which more ‘fleeting’ marks acquire an enhanced sense of animation. In the paintings on paper these marks are sweeping painterly gestures, but in the canvases and the contrastingly colourful sheets they include free-floating smudges that read like the traces of transitory experiences. In these latter two groups, however, the most expressive foil to the large monochrome blocks is a vigorous yet slender line. Chontos’s line is cursive, yet it has a wiry tautness that recalls certain sculptures of the 1950’s. This analogy confirms the strong feeling of space evident in the canvases and the collages, and in these and in the paintings on paper a work’s literal dimensions tend to be belied by the sense of scale and openness with which Chontos imbues it."
"In their emphasis on the properties of materials, on the act of making and on the process of discovery these works are redolent of the studio, but this is not their only context. Chontos works also as a fashion illustrator and as an interiors stylist. These disciplines have heightened her feeling for the relationship between any mark or sign and the space that encloses it. This sense is acute in the drawings with collage but is evident, too, in her use of letter forms. Sometimes stark, sometimes almost camouflaged, letters appear in all Chontos’s paintings; indeed, she finds it difficult to complete a canvas without inscribing them. A letter form may allude to the theme or subject particular to the painting in which it appears. Alternatively, Chontos may simply be celebrating its shape and sound, but either way a letter is a trace of her state of mind at the time. Her obsessive practice of forming letters combines with the reiteration and the assertiveness of her line to suggest an analogy between her paintings and the pages of a journal."
"These pictures are indeed like a continuous narrative, an unplanned, inner chronicle of Chontos’s life. It is a life centered on the city; perhaps significantly, green and blue barely appear in her work. She lives and works in London, but on one level her paintings are a record of concentrated visits to the two cities of greatest importance to her, New York and Barcelona. They are a response to things seen, to stories heard and to her feelings both about a city and when in it. One might expect the resulting paintings to be celebrations, but for Chontos they are acts of mourning. They encapsulate her sense of loss at being again removed from where she wishes to be. There is an interplay between the dark and raw and the gentle and tender; emotion is registered at the same time as visual recollection of a place."
the paintings are a fierce release. But they are also about the moment of their making, and this occurs amid the demands of work in several disciplines, as well as those of motherhood and family life. Thus we do not require poetic license to see in these pictures images at once of security and of precarious brinks, of relaxation but also of a ceaseless activity that is the tempo at once of the city and of this artist.
Chontos is prepared to include anything from her life in these pictures, with results that are unpredictable and at times uncomfortable. At the same time they show a generous openness and an avowal of self that are characteristically American. For English viewers they will sometimes recall St. Ives – associated art of the 1950’s, though that affinity is less conscious than with the sign-inscribing, place-evoking and self declaratory paintings of the Catalan Tapies or of Twombly. These artists, too, were already established in the 1950’s, but when Chontos adopts certain pictorial idioms of their generation she does so with the inflection of her own much younger age group.
The liveliness of these works derives in part from their integration of opposed ideas. Deep space is fused with insistent flatness. Suggestions of dark chasms or decayed walls, even of wounds, evoke a hard urban milieu impervious to the individual, and grounds are harshly divided into contrasting tones, yet all this coexists with the softer hues of lipstick or powder and with images of connection. In painting after painting, the tendency of Chontos’s line to be out in the world, wandering and exploring, is balanced by her instinct to form it into an enclosure. The movement of this line creates a kind of dance in space and time. Nevertheless, the effect of these works is not one of play, but rather of being alive in the city today, in all its vitality and its complexity. "
Richard Morphet 2001
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3348
|
__label__wiki
| 0.857777
| 0.857777
|
What is terrorism?
National Terrorism Advisory System
About the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Firm gets U.S. nod for quick passenger data checks
by aless
“A company owned by international airlines said on Wednesday it had won approval from the United States for a system providing passenger details to U.S. border authorities almost instantaneously.
The Geneva-based SITA information technology firm said the system allows airline check-in desks to get the go-ahead within 2 seconds from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service (CBP) to issue a boarding card.” (Reuters)
OSINT News
Beyond Wipro: Meet the ‘Gift Cardsharks’ Behind the Massive Campaign Targeting Victims with Commercially Available Tools
China says will freeze out US companies that sell arms to Taiwan
Threatlist: 68% of Overwhelmed IT Managers Can’t Keep Up with Cyberattacks
Organizations expect to boost their cybersecurity investments by 34%
Healthcare Organizations, Like Many Other Organizations, Are Too Confident in Cybersecurity
Copyright © 2013 Homeland Security Resources LLC
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3354
|
__label__wiki
| 0.634926
| 0.634926
|
CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
Fibreoptic bronchoscopy without sedation: Is transcricoid injection better than the "spray as you go" technique?
Alka Chandra, Jayant N Banavaliker, Manoj Kumar Agarwal
Department of Anaesthesiology, Rajan Babu Institute of Pulmonary Medicine and TB, New Delhi, India
Alka Chandra
802, South Delhi Apartment, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi
Aim: The aim of the study was to compare transcricoid injection with "spray as you go" technique for diagnostic fibreoptic bronchoscopy, to perform the procedure without sedation and to record any complication or side effects. Methods: Sixty patients belonging to the age group 20-70 years, undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy over a period of 6 months, were randomly selected and divided into two groups alternatively to receive 3 ml of 4% lignocaine by a single transcricoid puncture (group I) or 2 ml of 4% lignocaine instilled through the bronchoscope on to the vocal cords and further 1 ml of 2% lignocaine into each main bronchus (group II). Additional dose of lignocaine as required was given in both the groups. All patients were given intramuscular atropine 0.6 mg, 20 min before the procedure. Nebulisation with 3 ml of 4% lignocaine was given to all patients. The time from nasal insertion of the bronchoscope to reach the carina was recorded, and the total dose of lignocaine required in both the groups was calculated and compared. The cough episodes during the procedure, systolic blood pressure, and pulse rate were compared before the procedure and 5 min after the procedure in both the groups. A 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess discomfort 30 min after the procedure. Results: The time to reach carina was more in group II (P<0.02), and cough episodes were also more in group II (P<0.05) than in group I. The vitals before the procedure were comparable in both the groups, but 5 min after the procedure the vitals were more stable in group I than in group II, and the total dose of lignocaine required in group II was more than in group I (P<0.001). However, the VAS score was comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: Transcricoid puncture for diagnostic bronchoscopies without sedation was associated with no complication and discomfort and required lesser dose of local anaesthetic with more stable vitals and good conditions for bronchoscopists.
Keywords: Fibreoptic bronchoscopy, spray as you go anaesthesia, transcricoid injection
Chandra A, Banavaliker JN, Agarwal MK. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy without sedation: Is transcricoid injection better than the "spray as you go" technique?. Indian J Anaesth 2011;55:483-7
Chandra A, Banavaliker JN, Agarwal MK. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy without sedation: Is transcricoid injection better than the "spray as you go" technique?. Indian J Anaesth [serial online] 2011 [cited 2019 Jul 16];55:483-7. Available from: http://www.ijaweb.org/text.asp?2011/55/5/483/89877
At the end of past millennium, flexible bronchoscopy was regarded as one of the most frequently performed procedures by the physicians of multiple disciplines to inspect the airway. [1] In our institute, the fibreoptic bronchoscopies are performed by either the pulmonologists or the anaesthetist. At many places, fibreoptic bronchoscopies are still performed after topical anaesthesia only, without any sedation. This simplified approach is safe and results in decreased expenditures. [2]
In a retrospective study done by Colt et al., intravenous sedation was reported in 50% of the procedures; however, this technique requires the use of adequate anaesthetic resources and is associated with a low but real morbidity and mortality. The intravenous sedation limits dynamic analysis of the airways such as vocal cords, presence of local or diffuse malacia or effects of voluntary cough. Therefore, a risk-benefit approach comparing the same procedure performed under sedation and under local anaesthesia alone is indicated. [3] There are several techniques for anaesthetising the vocal cords and tracheobronchial tree, each with its own potential advantages and disadvantages. The fibreoptic bronchoscopies in our institute are performed under local anaesthesia alone without sedation. Topical lignocaine applied by the "spray as you go" technique with direct instillation of 4% solutions is used by a few bronchoscopists, while the others use transcricoid route for local anaesthesia of the vocal cords and tracheobronchial mucosa. We have compared a transcricoid injection of local anaesthesia with the "spray as you go" technique without sedation in patients posted for elective fibreoptic bronchoscopies requiring only bronchoalveolar aspirate for diagnosis and not biopsies of any kind.
The practice of flexible bronchoscopy is not standardised. Current guidelines are concerned primarily with safety aspects of the procedure. It is a very safe technique which can be performed with or without conscious sedation. [4]
After obtaining institutional ethical committee approval, 60 patients in the age group 20-70 years of either sex, undergoing elective fibreoptic bronchoscopies for diagnostic bronchoalveolar aspirate, were included in this study. The patients of the specified age group coming to the bronchoscopy suit, requiring only diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage over a period of 6 months, were selected and alternatively divided into two groups of 30 each. Group I patients were given a single transcricoid injection of lignocaine, while in group II patients lignocaine was used as spray as the bronchoscopist entered inside, after the lignocaine sensitivity test was done in all the patients.
We studied patients presenting for routine diagnostic fibreoptic bronchoscopy requiring bronchoalveolar lavage. If any contraindication for transcricoid injection was present, like any local pathology, then these patients were included in the other group. After taking an informed written consent and lignocaine sensitivity test was done, the patients were alternatively assigned to different groups. All the patients were given injection atropine 0.6 mg intramuscularly, 20 min prior to the procedure. Venous patency was secured in all the patients. Nebulisation with 3 ml of 4% lignocaine was done in all the patients for 15 min before starting the procedure. The blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) were recorded before the procedure in both the groups. The patency of the nostril was checked, and in the more patent nostril, 2 ml of 2% lignocaine gel was applied in all the patients. Group I patients received transcricoid injection of 3 ml of 4% lignocaine solution given as a bolus through a 21-G hypodermic needle in the sitting position after confirming its position by aspirating air under aseptic conditions. In group II patients, 2 ml of 4% lignocaine was instilled on to the vocal cords under direct vision after insertion of the bronchoscope. A further 1 ml of 2% lignocaine solution was instilled into each main bronchus. Further boluses of lignocaine were instilled through the bronchoscope if local anaesthesia was thought to be inadequate in both the groups. The assistant as well as the bronchoscopist could not be blinded to the local anaesthetic techniques. A single endobronchial procedure was selected and the bronchoscopist was also not changed to allow a fair comparison of the two techniques studied. The bronchoscope used was model BF-TE2(E), 5.8 mm of Olympus. The pulse rate and systolic blood pressure were recorded before the procedure and 5 min after the bronchoscopy. The time from the nasal insertion of bronchoscope to reach the carina was recorded in both the groups. The cough episodes during the procedure were recorded by an assistant. A bout of coughing was considered as a single episode of cough. The total dose of lignocaine used in both the groups was also noted. Record of any complication like bleeding from the transcricoid site was made, as well as any other complication if detected was observed and noted. Thirty min after the procedure, an assistant who was unaware of the patients' group was asked to assess any discomfort to the patients, using a 10-cm Visual analogue scale (VAS). The VAS score of 0 was considered as no discomfort, 1 as mild, 2 as moderate discomfort and 3 or more as severe discomfort. The data were analysed using Chi-square test and the P values were calculated. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Sixty patients were studied as two groups of 30 each. Group I was transcricoid group and group II patients received "spray as you go" technique.
The age of patients in group I (51.66±14.08 years) was comparable with that in group II patients (48.26±13.32, P=NS). The sex ratio in the two groups was also comparable. As shown in [Table 1], mean basal values of systolic blood pressure in both the groups were comparable before starting the procedure. In group II, the systolic blood pressure increased significantly from the baseline when measured 5 min after the procedure (P<0.02). Similarly, as shown in [Table 2], the pulse rate was comparable in both the groups before starting the procedure (P=NS), but it increased significantly in group II when measured 5 min after the procedure. The total dose of lignocaine used in group II (372.66±24.90 mg) was significantly higher than that used in group I (314±9.32 mg, P<0.001) as shown in [Figure 1]. The number of coughs in group I (4±0.98) was significantly lesser than in group II (4.9±1.24, P<0.05), as shown in [Figure 2]. The mean time to reach the carina was significantly shorter in group I (57.33±12.98 sec) compared to group II (79.33±22.35 sec, P<0.02).
Table 1: Systolic blood pressure before and 5 min after the procedure
Table 2: Pulse rate before and 5 min after the procedure
Figure 1: Dose of lignocaine used plotted against the no. of patients
Figure 2: Cough episodes plotted against the no. of patients
As shown in [Table 3], the values of VAS score were comparable after 30 min of the procedure in both the groups. There were no cases of haematoma or subcutaneous emphysema when the neck was examined after the procedure in the transcricoid group.
Table 3: VAS score 30 min after the procedure
Lignocaine is the most commonly used local anaesthetic agent for fibreoptic bronchoscopy and has a wide margin of safety. It has been suggested that the total dose should be limited to 300-400 mg [5] as absorption of lignocaine from the respiratory mucosa is known to be rapid. [6] Lignocaine toxicity is directly correlated with its concentration in the blood. The risk of more serious side effects increases when blood concentrations exceed 5 mg/l, with seizures and hallucinations occurring at concentrations of 8-12 mg/l and cardiorespiratory arrest at 20-25 mg/l. [7] The peak blood concentration of lignocaine is generally reached 20-40 min after application. The peak concentration is influenced by dose per unit weight administered and not by the factors considered likely to influence mucosal absorption from the bronchial tree, such as sputum production, airflow obstruction or cigarette smoking. A major proportion of the total dose of lignocaine is required to anaesthetise the nose, pharynx and larynx, with only a small proportion needed for the bronchial tree. [8] Although most clinical studies have reported non-toxic blood lignocaine concentration associated with bronchoscopy, [9] several have reported concentration in the toxic range (>5 mg/l). [8],[10]
The control of coughing is of paramount importance for the quality of a bronchoscopy as this facilitates ease of viewing the bronchial tree and obtaining good biopsy samples. [11] Activation of the cough centre in the brain stem causes the respiratory muscles to induce cough, the bronchial smooth muscle to cause bronchoconstriction and subsequently the airway submucosal glands to secrete mucus. [12] Various local anaesthetic techniques can be used to anaesthetise the respiratory mucosa for fibreoptic bronchoscopy. The better local anaesthetic technique would require a lower dose of local anaesthetic. It would be safe and not unpleasant for the patient and would at the same time provide acceptable conditions for the bronchoscopist. [13] In our institute, we get a large number of patients of suspected tuberculosis and malignancy. These patients are malnourished and have deranged liver function tests as well as the pulmonary function tests, hence doing fibreoptic bronchoscopy under local anaesthesia only without sedation is a routine. The present study was designed to compare the techniques of applying topical anaesthesia to the respiratory mucosa for elective diagnostic fibreoptic bronchoscopy. The bronchoscopist was not changed, to allow a fair comparison of the two techniques studied.
Although the current British Thoracic Society guidelines provide a consensus statement on the current evidence base without specific guidance on drugs or techniques and without defining methods of sedation, the guidelines recommend offering sedation to all, except where there are contraindications. However, the issues of sedation are controversial. If a centre has experience of performing unsedated diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy, it is reported that patient co-operation is not improved with sedation. [14] Maltias et al. performed a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 100 patients in a centre that normally performs unsedated bronchoscopy, and could not demonstrate improved patient tolerance, comfort and co-operation with lorazepam. [15] Poi et al. tried to identify the common fears of patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy and also determine whether any factors might contribute to reducing these fears. It was found that doctors were more likely to explain the indication for bronchoscopy than how it would be performed. They concluded that provision of detailed information about sensations that are likely to be experienced in bronchoscopy could be used to allay some of the common fears. [16] Improved preparation of patients with lower education, inferior health status and asthma may lead to decreased pain during fibreoptic bronchoscopy. [17] Although sedation is associated with major complications, sedative drugs are often given immediately before fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the belief that patient's comfort is improved. Uncontrolled studies have shown that fibreoptic bronchoscopy is well tolerated without sedation. Opiates and benzodiazepines are frequently used for sedation during fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Hatton et al. compared two such regimens with placebo and concluded that routine sedation has little part to play in patients undergoing a single diagnostic procedure. Sedation is more suited for intubation than for diagnostic procedures. [18]
The present study compared two techniques of anaesthetising the respiratory mucosa for diagnostic bronchoscopy without sedation. The transcricoid method was more effective than the "spray as you go technique". A similar result was obtained by Webb et al., [19] in their study where alfentanil was used for sedation. No complication was associated with transcricoid injection and minor bleeding associated with the technique did not interfere with the bronchoscopy. They recommended transcricoid technique as a safe method of inducing effective local anaesthesia that is well tolerated by the patient. In our study, we nebulised all the patients with 3 ml of 4% lignocaine for 15 min before the procedure. The systolic blood pressure and pulse rate were compared between the two groups before the procedure and 5 min after the procedure. The systolic blood pressure and the pulse rate were comparable in both the groups before the procedure, but the systolic blood pressure increased significantly in group II after the procedure (P<0.02). Similarly, the pulse rate also increased significantly after the procedure in group II (P<0.001). The VAS score was similar in both the groups, 30 min after the procedure (P=NS). The incidence of side effects was negligible in both the groups. The dose of lignocaine used in group II (372.66±24.90 mg) was significantly higher than that used in group I (314±9.32 mg, P<0.001). The number of coughs in group I (4±0.98) was also significantly lower than in group II (4.9±1.24, P<0.05). The time to reach the carina was also significantly lesser in group I (57.33±12.98 sec) compared to group II (79.33±22.35 sec, P<0.02) as the transcricoid injection given probably brought about excellent relaxation of the vocal cords, making the introduction of the bronchoscope smooth.
Diagnostic fibreoptic bronchoscopy without sedation with transcricoid injection of lignocaine can be recommended as a safe method of anaesthetising the respiratory mucosa, which is well tolerated by the patients with negligible side effects and provides acceptable conditions for the bronchoscopist as compared to the "spray as you go" technique.
1. Wang KPm Mehta AC, Turner F Jr. Flexible bronchoscopy 2 nd ed. New Jersey: Blackwell Publications: 2004. p. 4.
2. Graham DR, Hay JG, Clague J, Nisar M, Earis JE. Comparison of three different methods used to achieve local anesthesia for fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Chest 1992;102:704-7.
3. Colt HG, Morris JF. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy without premedication: A retrospective study. Chest 1990;18:1327-30.
4. Smyth CM, Stead RJ. Survey of flexible fibreooptic bronchoscopy in the United Kingdom. Eur Respir J 2002;19:458-63.
5. Korttila K, Tarkkanen J. Comparison of diazepam and midazolam for sedation during local anaesthesia for bronchoscopy. Br J Anaesth 1985;57:581-6.
6. Perry LB. Topical anesthesia for bronchoscopy. Chest 1978;73:691-3.
7. Difazio CA. Local anesthetics: Action, metabolism and toxicology. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1981;14:515-9.
8. Efthimiou J, Higenbottam T, Holt D, Cochrane GM. Plasma concentrations of lignocaine during fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Thorax 1982;37:68-71.
9. Ameer B, Burlingame MB, Herman EM. Systemic absorption of topical lidocaine in elderly and young adults undergoing bronchoscopy. Pharmacotherapy 1989;9:74-81.
10. Patterson JR, Blaschke TF, Kellogg HK, Meffin PJ. Lidocaine blood concentration during fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Am Rev Respir Dis 1975;112:53-7.
11. Grieg JH, Cooper SM, Kasimbazi HJ, Monie RD, Fennerty AG, Watson B. Sedation for fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Respir Med 1995;89:53-6.
12. Irwin RS, Widdi CJ. Cough. In: Murray J, Nodel J, editors. Textbook of respiratory medicine. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1994. p. 529-44.
13. Fry WA. Techniques of topical anesthesia for bronchoscopy. Chest 1978;73:694-6.
14. Mitchell D. British Thoracic Society guidelines on diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy. Thorax 2001;56:11-21.
15. Maltias F, Laberge F, Laviolette M. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lorazepam as premedication for bronchoscopy. Chest 1996;109:1195-8.
16. Poi PJ, Chuah DY, Srinivas P, Liam CK. Common fears of patients undergoing bronchoscopy. Eur Respir J 1998;11:1147-9.
17. Lechtzin N, Rubin HR, Jenckes M, White P, Zhoo LM, Thompson DA, et al. Predictors of pain patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy. Am J Respir Crit care Med 2000;162:440-5.
18. Hatton HQ, Allen MB, Vathenen AS, Meltor E, Cooke NJ. Does sedation help in fibeoptic bronchoscopy? BMJ 1994;309:1206-7.
19. Webb AR, Fernando SS, Dalton HR, Arrowsmith JE, Woodhead MA, Cummin AR. Local anaesthesia for fibreoptic bronchoscopy: Transcricoid injection or the "spray as you go" technique? Thorax 1990;45:474-7.
1 Evaluation of the efficacy of transcricoid lignocaine as adjunctive local anaesthesia for fiberoptic bronchoscopy
S. Hamad,M. Al-Alawi,N. Devaney,A. Subramaniam,S. Lane
Irish Journal of Medical Science. 2014;
2 Does "patient-reported discomfort" from bronchoscopy differ over time?
Pink, K.L. and Woolley, J. and Ionescu, A.A.
Journal of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. 2012; 19(4): 288-293
Chandra A
Banavaliker JN
Agarwal MK
Fibreoptic bronchoscopy
spray as you go anaesthesia
transcricoid injection
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3356
|
__label__wiki
| 0.78326
| 0.78326
|
film -> Fantastic Folly
Director Josh Trank
Producer Avi Arad, Matthew Vaughn, Stan Lee, Simon Kinberg, Bill Bannerman, Gregory Goodman
Writers Jeremy Slater
Cast Miles Teller
Reg. E. Cathey
Fantastic Folly
20th Century Fox’s doomed blockbuster upshot
August 10, 2015 by Levi DeYounge
The box office results are in and the people have spoken—nobody likes the newest film incarnation of Marvel Comics’ primary irradiated domestic unit, the Fantastic Four. A superhero blockbuster opening in second place and well-under the estimated box office to scathing, unremarkable, and often hilarious reviews screams flop in the most fantastic fashion. The third motion picture in 21 years with the title Fantastic Four had far more momentum going for it than had the previous two, until it way didn’t.
After the monumental success in 2014 with X-Men: Days of Future Past, 20th Century Fox realized that there was no time like the present if they wanted to build a cinematic universe with super heroes. That; and the major film studio understood how little time they had left to manufacture another movie featuring the Fantastic Four until the film property rights reverted back to Marvel—where the gifted group would undoubtedly join their ever-expanding MCU and make that much more money for another studio. There can be no doubt that this film had spiteful intentions from the beginning because the finished product certainly couldn’t even please general audiences (let alone fans) to prove that only the studio benefitted from producing the latest disappointing movie called Fantastic Four.
Despite the vindictive intentions that began production, Fantastic Four had a second problem facing it before shooting began. After hiring a cast and director, the studio optimistically announced intentions to include the Fantastic Four in a movie with their other Marvel Comics film property, the X-Men, for a shared universe. The largest issue here is that the X-Men franchise is now in the 1980s, unlike the present-based Fantastic Four. These characters aren’t even in the same century. Surely, producer/ writer/ godfather Simon Kinberg wouldn’t dare recycle the time-travel motif to join forces in what surely would have turned into a remake of Days of Future Past. However, Fantastic Four performed so poorly this weekend that we may thankfully never see this issue come to a head. What 1980s problems would force the X-Men to team up with present-day Fantastic Four? That’s contrivance even for comic books. Many fans saw this coming a mile away. Too bad the studio didn’t, because it’d be far worse to know 20th Century Fox is willing to dump over $100,000,000.00 into a project without regard to narrative. Oh, wait…
Fresh off the success of the low-budget, super-power-themed Chronicle, 20th Century Fox hired the director Josh Trank to helm a super hero origin on a grander scale. It made sense on paper: Trank presented a concise, dynamite superhero origin story in Chronicle and made stars of his cast despite a low budget. However, malicious rumors about his behavior on- and off-set during the production brushed through the tabloids to upset fans. Did the studio submit a preemptive strike against him through a press leak? After production, more fuel fell in the fire when Trank “left” production in the early stages of the Star Wars anthology spin-off for which he was set to direct (now rumored specifically as the Han Solo origin).
When the studio ordered reshoots in January of this year, further doubt surfaced among those following the earlier production woes. Trank had long left the project, so somebody had to direct these scenes/ shots. Of course, 20th Century Fox spun every concern as “rumor” and assured ticket-buyers that a well-deserved, quality Fantastic Four movie was on its way to theaters until the director tweeted a lamentable statement (which he later removed) on the evening of Thursday, August 6th, after a flurry of negative reviews and poor advance-screening sales: “A year ago I had a fantastic version of this. And it would’ve recieved (sic) great reviews. You’ll probably never see it. That’s reality though.”
This again confirmed industry concerns that Fox booted Trank from their circle of trust over creative differences regarding Fantastic Four because he certainly doesn’t own that final cut or director’s credit. I imagine he feels like a man who was hired to shoot some cool scenes only to turn it over to six-year-old editor on a sugar high. Whatever cut Trank had in mind, anybody who saw Fantastic Four will attest it was probably better than the madness they paid to watch. Either way, the finished product looks like a conspiracy against the filmmaker. Only one action sequence takes place in the entire film, as opposed to an original three action sequences in the director’s first script.
The most crushing blow to emerge from this backfired exercise in animus now comes from new rumors about cancelling the already-green lit sequel. Fox had such high hopes for Fantastic Four that a second adventure was planned early in production of the current film for a June 2017 release. What’s more ironic is that the budget for this untitled sequel will probably go toward a different hero’s sequel. Following strong critical and fan reactions to the recent Deadpool trailer, a sequel looks likely if Fox’s history of trigger-happy green-lighting is any indication. Should the R-rated mercenary with powers show a strong financial return, he may get a blockbuster budget for a sequel as the studio desperately needs franchise properties to compete with Warner Bros., Universal Studios, Marvel Studios, etc. However, this idea makes too much sense for the studio to follow through with it.
So where do these familial superheroes go from here? Or do they go anywhere? 20th Century Fox reset the clock for the Fantastic Four film property another decade before the movie rights go back to Marvel. However, it’s possible that Marvel may make a bid now or in the weeks to come while they can still buy it for a relatively affordable amount or draw up an agreement akin to their Sony/ Spider-Man deal. One thing is for sure, the studio’s stance is that they are “committed” to these characters. I can’t say I believe them after sitting through Fantastic Four now and ten years ago. At least the 1994 film made no mistake about what kind of film it was—a chance to keep the film rights another decade. And so the vicious cycle continues. Can’t say I’d want to make a movie with 20th Century Fox after this recent debacle.
Keywords: fantastic four 2015, box office flop, 20th century fox, josh trank, fantastic four, marvel, super heroes
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3357
|
__label__wiki
| 0.774778
| 0.774778
|
Private Screening of If Beale Street Could Talk
With all the buzz that Barry Jenkins' new film If Beale Street Could Talk has been getting, Style Observer (SO) couldn't wait to go watch it for ourselves. Luckily, Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte was in London and was able to see the film. At a private screening for select cinephiles no less!
If Beale Street Could Talk is the film adaptation of James Baldwin's novel of the same name in which the main character Tish Rivers (played by KiKi Layne) works tirelessly to prove the innocence of her finacé, who has been accused of a crime, before their first child is born. Regina Bell plays Tish's mother Sharon Rivers and delivers a powerhouse performance that left the audience emotionally spent and in awe of her talent.
The screening was attended by the film's director Barry Jenkins and actress Regina King. Jenkins, whose film Moonlight won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay in 2017, has been nominated for another this year in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for If Beale Street Could Talk. King won a Golden Globe last month for her supporting role in this film has also been nominated in the same category for this year's Oscars. Best of luck!
After the screening Jenkins and King allowed the audience to participate in a Q&A session and, of course, posed for a few pics.
Vows - A Love to Last Forever
My Kingston – JOSHUA MEEKS AKA TESSELLATED
Gardening – Summer Tips For Your Orchids
Spotted!!! July 14
ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS
Travels with Jacqueline Bishop
Ackee for Charity
J'Max Hair Highlights Beauty
Stories With Metal
Barita's Changing The Game
Between Heat and the Meat
Regency Pairings: A Five-Course Wine & Food Dining Experience
Fresh off the Grill — 7 Tips to ensure you grill safely this summer
10 Great Bottles of Liquid Sunshine
Lunch & Libations at Oak Kitchen
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3360
|
__label__wiki
| 0.907109
| 0.907109
|
Myspace to get into the news business
by Shatia Pearl
MySpace entered into the news business April 12th with a feature that lets its users determine what items other members see.
According to the Associated Press, “MySpace News brings to a much larger audience that user-recommendation capability already available through Digg and Time Warner Inc.’s Netscape.”
“It also marks the site’s further inroads into becoming an Internet portal akin to Yahoo Inc. and others.”
Digg and Netscape rely on user submissions. “MySpace will be able to scan thousands of Web Journals and news sites and group results by categories such as sports and politics.
MySpace will go further than Google Inc.’s news of offering by letting users vote on items, helping to determine what makes the front or section pages.
MySpace will pull and display headlines from outside new sites.
Dan Strauss, whose group helped develop the news service said, “MySpace, like Google, would let publishers exclude their items from the site.”
Diamond Summers, a sophomore at JCU said, “I am a MySpace user and I find it to be a great site.”
Myspace is one of the most visited sites on the Internet.
The controversial social net-working site has almost 200 million profiles.
Myspace began in 2003 and was recently sold to News Corp.
Subscribe to articles by Shatia Pearl
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3361
|
__label__cc
| 0.720408
| 0.279592
|
Sir John Major KG CH
Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997
SPEECHES BY DATE
SPEECHES BY SUBJECT
1991 Prime Minister (1990-1997)
PMQT Written Answers – 12 November 1991
November 12, 1991 admin 1991
Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 12th November 1991.
PRIME MINISTER:
Overseas Visits
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost to the Exchequer of his visits abroad in 1990.
The Prime Minister : The cost of my visits abroad as Prime Minister in 1990 was £93,830.
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister how many days he has spent abroad since assuming office.
The Prime Minister : I have spent 41 days abroad on official duties.
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 12 November.
The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received from Gibraltar concerning the closure of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.
The Prime Minister : I have received many representations concerning BCCI.
Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister when he last met representatives of the Indonesian Government ; and what was the purpose of that meeting.
The Prime Minister : I met Dr. Habibie, the Indonesian Minister for Research and Technology on 19 June. We discussed a number of issues including commercial co-operation, particularly in the aerospace sector.
Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has had regarding the Indonesian occupation of East Timor; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : We receive frequent representations on the subject of East Timor. We support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to promote a settlement acceptable to all parties.
No. 10 Downing Street
Mr. Gould : To ask the Prime Minister (1) what recent assessment he has made of the current standards of horticulture in the gardens of 10 Downing Street;
(2) what consideration he has given to the security implications of the proposed contracting out of the management of the Downing Street gardens.
The Prime Minister : The security implications of a contractor maintaining gardens in Downing Street are considered in the same way as they are when other contractors’ staff undertake work in Downing Street or its gardens. The standards of gardening in 10 Downing Street are high. Those standards will be maintained or improved when the work is bought in from the private sector.
← PMQT – 12 November 1991
Mr Major’s Commons Statement on the NATO Summit in Rome – 12 November 1991 →
Sir John Major’s Interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme – 10 July 2019
Sir John Major’s Interview on BBC’s HARDTalk – 5 July 2019
Sir John Major’s Speech on 25th Anniversary of Camelot – 4 July 2019
Sir John Major’s Letter to The Times on Michael Heseltine – 22 May 2019
Sir John Major’s Speech to the John Smith Centre for Public Service – 19 February 2019
Copyright © 2019 Sir John Major KG CH. All rights reserved.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3364
|
__label__cc
| 0.746717
| 0.253283
|
Discipline Your Body
Strength. Flexibility. Reflexes. Coordination.
Discipline Your Mind
Concentration. Awareness. Confidence.
Leadership. Responsibility. Self Defense.
How do you define success? Pay it forward 🤩
Read more about this post.
View more posts.
Sign up now for your free introductory lesson
and receive a free gift courtesy of Karate American.
Like us on Facebook for our latest
specials, promotions & flash sales.
AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA DC WV WI WY
We will contact you within 24 hours to schedule your intro lesson
Current Age:
Select 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
Enter confirmation code:
Don't get left behind. Stay updated on the
schedules so you can move up the ranks.
Read what some of our customers have to
say about the programs at Karate American!
© 2019 Karate American 3640 Mall Drive Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 715.832.6488
Website design and hosting by First Net Impressions, LLC Site Map
[x] Close Video
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3368
|
__label__cc
| 0.630298
| 0.369702
|
Dal Lake: IT’S ABOUT OUR IDENTITY, ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT
SHAFAT RESHI
Publish Date: Sep 2 2018 10:46PM
Updated Date: Sep 2 2018 10:46PM
istory of Srinagar has started with the history of Dal.
Dal Lake is the mother of all the water bodies in Srinagar and 2nd largest lake in Kashmir next to Asia’s largest fresh water lake Wular.
The Dal, a unique gift of Almighty, is the known water body of Srinagar where life originated and flourished only because of its environment which provides necessary conditions for its sustenance.
It is the warm monomictic Dal which gives Kashmir its identity in general and to Srinagar in particular. Dal has been our identity right from ancient times till date and we were also known as the citizens of the lake city or Dal city or city of Dal lake.
Dal lake is spread over more than eighteen square kilometers of water area from the Sulaiman hills to Zaberwan to Dachigam hills to Tailbal area to Hazratbal to Kralyar in old city. There was hardly any area or place in whole of Srinagar and its country sides which was not connected to this magnificent water body by water channels either natural or man-made.
Jewel in the crown of Kashmir, besides our identity, is our heritage too. History of Srinagar has started with the history of Dal. It is not only the source of potable water supply to more than half of the population of Srinagar but contributes to our economy too.
The prominent factor of our economy is tourism, which is not only associated with this water body but mostly dependent on its health alone. If we look little back to 1846, the total economy of then government of Maharajas of Kashmir was mostly dependent on water bodies of Kashmir and this lake constitutes more than fifty per cent share of it.
All major economic activities of the then government of Kashmir started around water bodies of Kashmir where the Dal was the main contributor. NAWAI KISHTEE (Tax on boats) MAHAL SINGHARA (Tax on chest nuts) MIR BAHRI (Tax on vegetables and Dal produce like fish and birds) clearly indicate the importance and richness of this water body and its contribution towards economic development of the state of Kashmir.
Kashmir being the most beautiful Himalayan valley has natural magnificent lakes, rivers, wetlands, canals, streams, nallas and kols and city of Srinagar was more famous for its water bodies, their produce and water transport. Economic activities saw a big shift from just taxing to tourism. Srinagar became the center of attraction for locals, domestic, national and international visitors mainly because of this fabulous water body which is mostly protected by hills and mountains. Dal is a fresh water lake fed by hundreds of natural springs within its own body as well as from its catchment areas and water streams from Dachigam via tailbalnalla. It is the center of all economical activities in Srinagar mostly in the areas of Tourism, Travel, Art, Handicrafts, Cottage industries, Hotel and Gust house business, luxury transport, Adventure activities, Agriculture expansion, floriculture bloom and sports which even today form major part of our economy.
The tour travel, transport, art, craft industries and hotel industry are directly dependent on tourism and this tourism itself is totally dependent on the health of this water body.
Besides the economic aspect, more important aspect of Dal is our environment. Our existence depends on our environment and our environment depends on the Dal lake and other water bodies of this city of Srinagar. Dal, the main factor of our ecology, is in trouble due to greed of the inhabitants, caretakers and policy makers besides law enforcement.
Our flood woes which is heavily on our head now is because of our disrespect to these water bodies including Dal and its out flow channels. Closure of nalla mar which was the main outlet of Dal and major component of flood protection system of Srinagar city given by our great king Budshah, choking of Brarinumbal at Babadem has renderdNowpora canal useless, hence giving rise to environmental fallout. Polluting various channels of Dal and reducing the capacity of our reservoirs has exposed our city’s habitable areas to floods.
Dal, which was the main component of our protection during excess water flow in Jhelum due to undue precipitations etc, has been rendered useless by encroachment of the water body and polluting its streams and canals. Now the only link available from Dal to River Jhelum isChontiKol which too is in bad shape besides other circulation links like KuteKol and SunerKol, which were put in use for transportation and water supply during normal times as well as during floods. These water transport canals, once the main tourist attractions, are in unhealthy state of affairs so much so that just few hours of perspiration forces us to vacate our households to higher altitudes to escape the impending floods.
Dal is virtually near the point of extinction or point of no return. Today Dal Lake is like a huge septic tank where inflow of raw sewage (night soil) and untreated sewerage, waste water from over one lakh fifty thousand households, hotels, houseboats and surface drainage water is the order of the day, and we one and all are mute spectators to this disaster.
We cannot live this way of life in this modern time of science and technology. We have to ponder immensely for our existence and for that we need to put all heads together sincerely, honestly and dedicatedly to achieve better environmental conditions and sound ecosystem for maintaining our identity; for existence in a healthy manner. Srinagar’s sustainable development depends on its water bodies especially the DAL, ANCHAR, KHUSHAL SAR, BARINUMBAL AND GILL SAR besides river Jhelum, river Doodh Ganga and its links.
Achievement of smart city status will be a distant dream until we achieve better management of our water bodies in a healthy environment.
Ten Steps to think about:
All the organizations, both public and private, need to join hands under one umbrella for better conservation of Dal lake.
Human resource matters most if put to proper use at proper place and at proper time.
Proper anti encroachment drives are needed with proper participation of local youth and veterans.
Environmental and sanitation workshop programs are the need of the hour where one and all are required to be educated in proper utilization of waste in scientific and traditional methods of disposal.
All the schools in and around the Dal Lake need to be given the duty of being the watch dogs and caretakers of Dal and the authority required for it. One of the daily school periods should be designated to work on the conservation of the Dal and this can be given the merit at par with social service in their annual report cards. Schools from around the district should also take a part in this. Lake Authority must sponsor one school on daily basis to visit, understand, clean, and do recreation in and around the Dal.
Role of public participation in conservation of Dal is so far lacking and the public needs to be involved. Participation of general public is a must.
Methods of scientific disposal of Dal waste such as different weeds and aquatic waste need to be incorporated in conservation of lake.
Total ban on polythene and plastic in and around the lake can save Dal lake by 30 per cent.
Utilization of Dal weeds for agricultural use needs to be given a serious thought and universities can play a positive role in this field.
University of Kashmir and SKUAST need to open a cell in their respective universities where they will guide the departments responsible for conservation of the Dal. Veterans can also join there in for their valuable knowhow and past experience which can be discussed, analyzed and put to proper use.
This is not the time to excavate and explore as to where did all the money go so far and who was responsible but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER can be one formula to start afresh with honesty, dedication and hard work to take care of this socio-economical environmental identity existence issue in hand for better tomorrow and maintaining the composite culture in our society.
(Author is a town planner and can be reached at shafatahmedreshi@yahoo.com)
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3369
|
__label__cc
| 0.709784
| 0.290216
|
Venus Chatting With Regina!
Posted by Stephanie on November 26, 2015
Hello Everyone! It’s Thanksgiving and my friend Regina scooped me up from my home and brought me to join her for her Thanksgiving. You know what this means right, Soju and Turkey! Oh, and also some Kdrama! First off, we originally planned to watch T.O.P’s new drama, but after one episode were sadly disappointed (why T.O.P, why??) and so we moved over to the new (and probable big hit) Oh My Venus. So we’re sitting here, filled with turkey and pie and ready to chat some drama!
Stephanie: What up Regina! Are you excited to see Mr Cheekbones in a new drama?
Regina: Yes I am hoping to see So Ji Sub work it like 2NE1’s song that we are listening to right now on Pandora Shuffle.
Stephanie: Figures within the first few seconds of having him on the screen they would not only have him shirtless working out but also stick him in a tub. Show knows how to give the ladies what they want. Why wait?
Regina: I will say that knowing he is around my age while glistening in the tub made the ¾ bottle of Soju I drank all the much better. Back to normal! I love SJS and I find him to be quite an amazing actor after The Master’s Sun and Company Man!
Stephanie: I thought he did a really good job in Ghost too. While he seems to have a bit of the Master’s Sun attitude lingering, is it me or does he seem like he’s got a bit of a nice guy air on him?
Regina: First off Shin Min Ah’s character is really snippy and “I think I am the shizzal”, so to see SJS as a sweetheart from the beginning, when he was snipping the ab belt(aka corset) from her on the airplane I was like, OMG. After all I wear vintage attire which def, makes me a fan of the Ab Belt.. I love you So Ji Sub now I have a different word for my undergarments.
Stephanie: I wonder if the Ab Belt is a real thing? Have Spanx not made it to Korea yet?
Regina: Actually you can buy the waist cincher thing here in the states! Back to the episode though–We blew right through the first two episodes and we are ready for the next two right, Stephanie?
Stephanie: Actually, that was a bit of a surprise, I really had big issues with the premise of the drama–or the casting of Shin Min Ah in the role as chubby person–and as it stands I still really don’t like her character, but everything else around it is just so fun and adorable, I can’t help but be hooked. Or at least interested in continuing.
Regina: What I was really surprised about is that Henry speaks English! Thank you Stephanie for the he’s from Canada info–and how cute and funny this young man is? His combining the English and Korean accent is the cutest ever.
Stephanie: It’s interesting how much English they are putting into his character–but I do really like him a lot. That bit when he was like “Why haven’t you picked up my texts?” and she looked and there were 8–”Ma’am”, “Ma’am”, “Ma’am”’s. Remind you of someone else, Regina? Perhaps my Facebook Messages?
Heeeey
He was too cute.
Regina: You know I was briefly saying how much I love the violin right? So of course he is the cutest ever. Now going back to Shin Min Ah, her character is kinda bitchy and she seems unhappy. Of course they are trying to refer to the fact that she is maybe a Size 8 in a Size 0 to 2 Korean World. There was a scene on the plane where it took two diesel guys to pick up maybe a 140 pound woman in American standards. I could have picked her up with no problem>>>
Stephanie: UGHHHHHH I fudging hated that and was one of the things I was worried about with this drama. Come on, they were both big, brawny men, who are champion fighters–you can not tell me he doesn’t lift that on a daily basis in the gym. And for both of them to be grunting while picking her up? Fuck that. It’s also funny the jabs they keep taking at “American curvy women.”
Regina: Me being a Curvy American Woman I feel that if my tall Caucasian Curvy ass went to Korea those oppas would chase me plenty, Just saying So Ji Sub!! Just Saying!! Another really difficult thing I had to get past was the portraying of Curvy women as sloppy women. I know and anyone who knows me can say that I am always well dressed…FFFF those bitches!!!
Stephanie: LAUGH. I remember when you asked me why she always looked so disheveled–and I was all–uuuhhhh don’t you know all ladies of a certain size are frumpy and don’t care? I guess you can tell that I am also a tall curvy lady so I come at this show with a certain bias–a bias I didn’t think I could get past enough to watch the show. But you know what? They did a good job with her fat suit.
Regina: You know what Stephanie, I feel that only a person who is curvy can be slightly opinionated or bias towards this show at first. But man when you move onto the lovely leading man and the Prince Charming Syndrome, this is where it starts to really starts to develop. By the way I am moving on to my next bottle of Soju!!
Stephanie: You go, girl. It is interesting that they didn’t try to make her the stereotypical cheery
chubby. (Like they did with the secretary.) I wonder if it’s because she didn’t grow up that way? That instead she came from a place of Queen Bee? She still thinks that way and treats others accordingly? I mean, look at what she did to her poor boyfriend.
Regina: She is a nasty almost like mean girl. Like Regina George. My pores are too big! Whatever.. No but really she is totally snotty and really has a superiority complex. And she treats her hottie boyfriend like a flippin’ doormat. Which is really not right. We are up to a scene where it looks like maybe it is a breakup or maybe not. And she doesn’t let the hottie get a word in at all. They are in a 15 year relationship and she is speaking to him a an idiot…
Stephanie: SERIOUSLY!! That’s why I have such a hard time accepting this part of the plot. I think it’s pretty clear that whatever she saw or think she saw, the things he said, or was going to say before she bitchily cut him off, wasn’t what she thought he was doing. I HATE dramas where their plots can be solved if only they would talk to each other. Luckily, this drama seems to be having bits and baubles flying around to keep me interested.
Regina: Bits and baubles? No everyone, Stephanie is not making jewelry right now.. LOL.. I love Stephanie. Where I am getting interested is the new hottie that is the boxer or MMA who I haven’t seen in anything. He is super pretty. With a slight angle in the corner of the eye that I melt over. The Lee Jun Ki eye–but not as pretty. We googled him right, Steph? But I do not remember his name–only that he was 32–which is awesome for the over 30 crowd. I am looking forward to see where his character is fitting into this drama…
Stephanie: I do love a good drama where all the leads don’t make me feel like a Pedo-noona. I think So Ji Sub is actually older than I am! Yes, new guy is pretty good, and it looks like the biggest thing he did was the lead in Noble, My Love which everyone is really liking this year. So is he the Korean Snake MMA fighter? Where does So Ji Sub’s character fit into all this? Makes me wonder what sort of conglomerate his family is. How did he get into he personal training? And he is also a doctor? Makes me feel like a slacker in comparison.
Regina: And the knee brace in the beginning of episode 1? While he was doing pull-up ab exercises he removed a knee brace. So far the Grandmother, who by the way is the Grandmother in all the shows, sends So Ji Sub to America for surgery!! And I think to hide the not perfect Grandson in the closet sort of sketchiness. Why do they always put the slightly, not perfect in the hiding in all the dramas! Myself, having a disability always frowns upon this!! Boo!! Fighting SJS!! God I spilt my booze slightly!!
Stephanie: I’d like everyone to take note that Regina is the only one actually drinking here… Heh. I wouldn’t blame Grandma too much–I’m thinking they sent him away so he could get the surgery, like the best of the best doctors was in another country? I think we’ve all seen that trope before. But there is definitely something hinky going on in that family, where, in that same flashback, the Grandmother asked him if he was going to visit his mom and he said no–maybe after his surgery. (Yeah, right.) And then when he returned to Korea (I’m thinking he had been banished away later on in life for some other reason) his father not only wasn’t welcoming at all, but wouldn’t even look him in the eye.
Regina: The Soju left a stain on my desk. It ate through it wtf… The clothes SJS is wearing in this drama looks super cute on him. They have him in very casual attire. Most of the other shows that I saw him in, he is always fancy, shiny and stunning. I dig the jeans and sweatpants look on him.. Although I am noticing the little hand gesture thing that I adore– When he was in The Master’s Sun doing the wavy thing..
Stephanie: Surprisingly, I preferred the workout gear on him too–possibly because that meant at any moment there was shirtless possibility. Do you think he will let her think that Henry is the trainer? Or is he too good of a guy for that?
Regina: I think that SJS is going to tell SMA that Henry is not the trainer. Who would believe this little young puppy is a trainer right? I mean would you.. Well maybe. I wouldn’t or couldn’t work-out in front of hot fuckin’ trainers like them. My ass flapping in the wind. We move on to Episode 2 a bit. I really loved the Cinderella shoe scene! Remember Stephanie?
Stephanie: Going back to Henry for just a moment–who believes this young puppy in is the trainer? Uhh…she does. Ms. Smarty Pants Hotshot Lawyer thinks puppy, who doesn’t even look like the guy in the picture, is the trainer. I loved that scene at the doors–when he rescued her–again. For some reason I like that he is always there when she needs help. And he just does it because he is a good guy. I’m crossing my fingers that his character will continue to be just as cool, just as layered as he is right now.
Regina: But I really feel like Henry (the young puppy) and So Ji Sub are going to have a thing for SMA. Or there will be a SJS and Korean Legolas love triangle. Because we all know that this story is going to have a crazy love triangle. But sometimes I would love to see the young puppy and the two older gentlemen in a game of push and pull.
Stephanie: Yeah….I think young puppy is going to remain eager young puppy and the love triangle will be between So Ji Sub and our pointy eared elf. Which I’m kind of torn on considering that at the moment I just feel really bad for her boyfriend. For the way she treats him and the fact I don’t think he actually wanted to break up with her. So this is going to end either horribly for him (although with him trying to get all the secret info on his new boss, he might not be as innocent as we think) or she is going to be with So Ji Sub for a while before breaking his heart, going back to the elf out of duty, only to ultimately break his heart and going back to So Ji Sub. Yeah, I feel really fudging bad for her now.
Regina: I think some kind of inappropriate curvy thing is going to come up with SMA and she is going to take it the wrong way. Kinda of like when the Pointy Eared Elf was trying to talk to her normally about a situation that did not pertain to her weight and she jumped right on the defensive bandwagon… Now where do the newly skinny other bi-ach fit into this? She has weird hair, almost Star Trek, like and then talks like garbage right back to SMA. Go figure!!!
Stephanie: The misunderstanding that broke up their friendship was a dumb one too–ugh this show. I think I might just be watching it for the boys–and not in a ‘they are so pretty’ way, but in a ‘they are more interesting’ way–that’s okay, right? Look, I understand her touchiness about her weight, but that doesn’t give her the right to treat people like she does. So I guess the question is, Regina, will you keep watching after this?
Regina: Yes, as soon as we finish up here let’s take a look at the two new ones if the Dramafever app isn’t on vacation on Thanksgiving and feels like it wants to work on Google Chrome!!!
One shout out HELLO BITCHES love you CL!!!
Stephanie: All-righty then. Onto the next episodes!
Company ManGhostMy LoveNobleShin Min AhSo Ji SubThe Master’s Sun
Reply humbledaisy1 November 27, 2015 at 12:49 am
Nice! Take a birthday shot for me.
Reply Aimee November 27, 2015 at 3:03 am
I think we were watching different shows. However, I will agree that Henry is AMAZING (but I have loved him for some time, so I’m biased) and I don’t think Woo-Sik was thrilled about the break up, but let us not forget, he gave her the ring back. He wanted to break up. Perhaps because she’s a workaholic trying to support her family, but he did do it. Sidenote, he moved on VERY quickly for someone reluctant to break up.
Reply LizC November 27, 2015 at 4:33 pm
I’ll be curious what you think about episodes 3 and 4. (It almost seems like the PD and writer read and responded to some of your comments. Maybe by time travel?)
Also, the first episodes of the TOP web drama didn’t grab me either, but the later episodes are cute, and the ending was good. I’m intrigued with how web dramas have a really different storytelling flow. It takes awhile to get used to, and I find I have to watch more closely, but I feel like they kind of fit my ever-decreasing attention span.
Musical Monday: The Hello Bitches! Edition
Attack of the Reruns!
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3370
|
__label__cc
| 0.721897
| 0.278103
|
Channel 4 give a lesson in how not to smear UKIP
Did anyone watch the Channel 4 mockumentary tonight? In case you missed it don't worry because it was appallingly bad.
Satire involves mockery, but there was nothing to laugh about in this po-faced account of the horrors that awaits the UK if Nigel's gang take power in May. The script was banal and the ending obvious. Pulling holes in the story is a waste of time as there were too many to list, but the one where a newsreader announces that sixty-eight percent of the population support the new government's drive to kick out illegal immigrants sticks in my mind because minutes later we are treated to riots in the street. Trust me, if such a big percentage supported our Nige then the couple of hundred remaining Trots in Britain would be back at daddy's Surrey pile shitting their loads.
What made such a good idea so bad? It seems as if the grandsons of the late Sir Bufton Tufton converted to New Labour in the 1990s and their children are now making TV programmes of which this is a fine example of the genre. These wealthy children of the Metropolitan elite have convinced themselves that UKIP means the end of civilisation as we know it, probably because it is unique in being a mainstream party that is not run by them or their friends.
Dear God, UKIP really is a party that is made up of small town cardigan wearers who seem to have been asleep since the League of Empire Loyalists folded in the 1960s. They are ripe for mockery and deserve to have to piss taken out of them on so many levels.
This just isn't one of them.
Posted by Ken Bell at 10:55 pm
Tony Burrett 17 February 2015 at 05:51
Saw the last five minutes of this farce and realised that it was just a pile of PC shit! Just as well I didn't sacrifice Broadchurch. I must say Trots dressed in ski-masks and black make me want to reach for the base-ball bat!
The day Jim Murphy met The Pope.
Natalie Bennett and her brain fart interview
Why we cannot afford the luxury of voting Green
CitizenFour is a worthy Oscar winner and wakeup ca...
Press go into self-righteous mode over Manchester ...
Social work industry objects again to people's pol...
Foul-mouthed Sarah Haseler: Labour's secret weapon...
Nigel Farage's weird claims about Scotland
Tory list of no-hope seats is leaked
Nailing the first Labour lie of the general electi...
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3372
|
__label__cc
| 0.733858
| 0.266142
|
Statistics and Computing, 17(4):395-416, December 2007 (article)
In recent years, spectral clustering has become one of the most popular modern clustering algorithms. It is simple to implement, can be solved efficiently by standard linear algebra software, and very often outperforms traditional clustering algorithms such as the k-means algorithm. On the first glance spectral clustering appears slightly mysterious, and it is not obvious to see why it works at all and what it really does. The goal of this tutorial is to give some intuition on those questions. We describe different graph Laplacians and their basic properties, present the most common spectral clustering algorithms, and derive those algorithms from scratch by several different approaches. Advantages and disadvantages of the different spectral clustering algorithms are discussed.
ei von Luxburg, U. A Tutorial on Spectral Clustering Statistics and Computing, 17(4):395-416, December 2007 (article)
A Tutorial on Kernel Methods for Categorization
Jäkel, F., Schölkopf, B., Wichmann, F.
Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 51(6):343-358, December 2007 (article)
The abilities to learn and to categorize are fundamental for cognitive systems, be it animals or machines, and therefore have attracted attention from engineers and psychologists alike. Modern machine learning methods and psychological models of categorization are remarkably similar, partly because these two fields share a common history in artificial neural networks and reinforcement learning. However, machine learning is now an independent and mature field that has moved beyond psychologically or neurally inspired algorithms towards providing foundations for a theory of learning that is rooted in statistics and functional analysis. Much of this research is potentially interesting for psychological theories of learning and categorization but also hardly accessible for psychologists. Here, we provide a tutorial introduction to a popular class of machine learning tools, called kernel methods. These methods are closely related to perceptrons, radial-basis-function neural networks and exemplar theories of catego rization. Recent theoretical advances in machine learning are closely tied to the idea that the similarity of patterns can be encapsulated in a positive definite kernel. Such a positive definite kernel can define a reproducing kernel Hilbert space which allows one to use powerful tools from functional analysis for the analysis of learning algorithms. We give basic explanations of some key conceptsthe so-called kernel trick, the representer theorem and regularizationwhich may open up the possibility that insights from machine learning can feed back into psychology.
ei Jäkel, F., Schölkopf, B., Wichmann, F. A Tutorial on Kernel Methods for Categorization Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 51(6):343-358, December 2007 (article)
Accurate Splice site Prediction Using Support Vector Machines
Sonnenburg, S., Schweikert, G., Philips, P., Behr, J., Rätsch, G.
BMC Bioinformatics, 8(Supplement 10):1-16, December 2007 (article)
Background: For splice site recognition, one has to solve two classification problems: discriminating true from decoy splice sites for both acceptor and donor sites. Gene finding systems typically rely on Markov Chains to solve these tasks. Results: In this work we consider Support Vector Machines for splice site recognition. We employ the so-called weighted degree kernel which turns out well suited for this task, as we will illustrate in several experiments where we compare its prediction accuracy with that of recently proposed systems. We apply our method to the genome-wide recognition of splice sites in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, Danio rerio, and Homo sapiens. Our performance estimates indicate that splice sites can be recognized very accurately in these genomes and that our method outperforms many other methods including Markov Chains, GeneSplicer and SpliceMachine. We provide genome-wide predictions of splice sites and a stand-alone prediction tool ready to be used for incorporation in a gene finder. Availability: Data, splits, additional information on the model selection, the whole genome predictions, as well as the stand-alone prediction tool are available for download at http:// www.fml.mpg.de/raetsch/projects/splice.
ei Sonnenburg, S., Schweikert, G., Philips, P., Behr, J., Rätsch, G. Accurate Splice site Prediction Using Support Vector Machines BMC Bioinformatics, 8(Supplement 10):1-16, December 2007 (article)
Experimental design for efficient identification of gene regulatory networks using sparse Bayesian models
Steinke, F., Seeger, M., Tsuda, K.
BMC Systems Biology, 1(51):1-15, November 2007 (article)
ei Steinke, F., Seeger, M., Tsuda, K. Experimental design for efficient identification of gene regulatory networks using sparse Bayesian models BMC Systems Biology, 1(51):1-15, November 2007 (article)
A unifying framework for robot control with redundant DOFs
Peters, J., Mistry, M., Udwadia, F., Nakanishi, J., Schaal, S.
Autonomous Robots, 24(1):1-12, October 2007 (article)
Recently, Udwadia (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 2003:17831800, 2003) suggested to derive tracking controllers for mechanical systems with redundant degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) using a generalization of Gauss principle of least constraint. This method allows reformulating control problems as a special class of optimal controllers. In this paper, we take this line of reasoning one step further and demonstrate that several well-known and also novel nonlinear robot control laws can be derived from this generic methodology. We show experimental verifications on a Sarcos Master Arm robot for some of the derived controllers. The suggested approach offers a promising unification and simplification of nonlinear control law design for robots obeying rigid body dynamics equations, both with or without external constraints, with over-actuation or underactuation, as well as open-chain and closed-chain kinematics.
ei Peters, J., Mistry, M., Udwadia, F., Nakanishi, J., Schaal, S. A unifying framework for robot control with redundant DOFs Autonomous Robots, 24(1):1-12, October 2007 (article)
The Need for Open Source Software in Machine Learning
Sonnenburg, S., Braun, M., Ong, C., Bengio, S., Bottou, L., Holmes, G., LeCun, Y., Müller, K., Pereira, F., Rasmussen, C., Rätsch, G., Schölkopf, B., Smola, A., Vincent, P., Weston, J., Williamson, R.
Journal of Machine Learning Research, 8, pages: 2443-2466, October 2007 (article)
Open source tools have recently reached a level of maturity which makes them suitable for building large-scale real-world systems. At the same time, the field of machine learning has developed a large body of powerful learning algorithms for diverse applications. However, the true potential of these methods is not realized, since existing implementations are not openly shared, resulting in software with low usability, and weak interoperability. We argue that this situation can be significantly improved by increasing incentives for researchers to publish their software under an open source model. Additionally, we outline the problems authors are faced with when trying to publish algorithmic implementations of machine learning methods. We believe that a resource of peer reviewed software accompanied by short articles would be highly valuable to both the machine learning and the general scientific community.
ei Sonnenburg, S., Braun, M., Ong, C., Bengio, S., Bottou, L., Holmes, G., LeCun, Y., Müller, K., Pereira, F., Rasmussen, C., Rätsch, G., Schölkopf, B., Smola, A., Vincent, P., Weston, J., Williamson, R. The Need for Open Source Software in Machine Learning Journal of Machine Learning Research, 8, pages: 2443-2466, October 2007 (article)
Some observations on the masking effects of Mach bands
Curnow, T., Cowie, DA., Henning, GB., Hill, NJ.
Journal of the Optical Society of America A, 24(10):3233-3241, October 2007 (article)
There are 8 cycle / deg ripples or oscillations in performance as a function of location near Mach bands in experiments measuring Mach bands masking effects on random polarity signal bars. The oscillations with increments are 180 degrees out of phase with those for decrements. The oscillations, much larger than the measurement error, appear to relate to the weighting function of the spatial-frequency-tuned channel detecting the broad- band signals. The ripples disappear with step maskers and become much smaller at durations below 25 ms, implying either that the site of masking has changed or that the weighting function and hence spatial-frequency tuning is slow to develop.
ei Curnow, T., Cowie, DA., Henning, GB., Hill, NJ. Some observations on the masking effects of Mach bands Journal of the Optical Society of America A, 24(10):3233-3241, October 2007 (article)
Mining complex genotypic features for predicting HIV-1 drug resistance
Saigo, H., Uno, T., Tsuda, K.
Bioinformatics, 23(18):2455-2462, September 2007 (article)
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) evolves in human body, and its exposure to a drug often causes mutations that enhance the resistance against the drug. To design an effective pharmacotherapy for an individual patient, it is important to accurately predict the drug resistance based on genotype data. Notably, the resistance is not just the simple sum of the effects of all mutations. Structural biological studies suggest that the association of mutations is crucial: Even if mutations A or B alone do not affect the resistance, a significant change might happen when the two mutations occur together. Linear regression methods cannot take the associations into account, while decision tree methods can reveal only limited associations. Kernel methods and neural networks implicitly use all possible associations for prediction, but cannot select salient associations explicitly. Our method, itemset boosting, performs linear regression in the complete space of power sets of mutations. It implements a forward feature selection procedure where, in each iteration, one mutation combination is found by an efficient branch-and-bound search. This method uses all possible combinations, and salient associations are explicitly shown. In experiments, our method worked particularly well for predicting the resistance of nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Furthermore, it successfully recovered many mutation associations known in biological literature.
ei Saigo, H., Uno, T., Tsuda, K. Mining complex genotypic features for predicting HIV-1 drug resistance Bioinformatics, 23(18):2455-2462, September 2007 (article)
Learning with Transformation Invariant Kernels
Walder, C., Chapelle, O.
(165), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, September 2007 (techreport)
Abstract. This paper considers kernels invariant to translation, rotation and dilation. We show that no non-trivial positive definite (p.d.) kernels exist which are radial and dilation invariant, only conditionally positive definite (c.p.d.) ones. Accordingly, we discuss the c.p.d. case and provide some novel analysis, including an elementary derivation of a c.p.d. representer theorem. On the practical side, we give a support vector machine (s.v.m.) algorithm for arbitrary c.p.d. kernels. For the thin-plate kernel this leads to a classifier with only one parameter (the amount of regularisation), which we demonstrate to be as effective as an s.v.m. with the Gaussian kernel, even though the Gaussian involves a second parameter (the length scale).
ei Walder, C., Chapelle, O. Learning with Transformation Invariant Kernels (165), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, September 2007 (techreport)
Scalable Semidefinite Programming using Convex Perturbations
Kulis, B., Sra, S., Jegelka, S.
(TR-07-47), University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA, September 2007 (techreport)
Several important machine learning problems can be modeled and solved via semidefinite programs. Often, researchers invoke off-the-shelf software for the associated optimization, which can be inappropriate for many applications due to computational and storage requirements. In this paper, we introduce the use of convex perturbations for semidefinite programs (SDPs). Using a particular perturbation function, we arrive at an algorithm for SDPs that has several advantages over existing techniques: a) it is simple, requiring only a few lines of MATLAB, b) it is a first-order method which makes it scalable, c) it can easily exploit the structure of a particular SDP to gain efficiency (e.g., when the constraint matrices are low-rank). We demonstrate on several machine learning applications that the proposed algorithm is effective in finding fast approximations to large-scale SDPs.
ei Kulis, B., Sra, S., Jegelka, S. Scalable Semidefinite Programming using Convex Perturbations (TR-07-47), University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA, September 2007 (techreport)
Real-Time Fetal Heart Monitoring in Biomagnetic Measurements Using Adaptive Real-Time ICA
Waldert, S., Bensch, M., Bogdan, M., Rosenstiel, W., Schölkopf, B., Lowery, C., Eswaran, H., Preissl, H.
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 54(10):1867-1874, September 2007 (article)
Electrophysiological signals of the developing fetal brain and heart can be investigated by fetal magnetoencephalography (fMEG). During such investigations, the fetal heart activity and that of the mother should be monitored continuously to provide an important indication of current well-being. Due to physical constraints of an fMEG system, it is not possible to use clinically established heart monitors for this purpose. Considering this constraint, we developed a real-time heart monitoring system for biomagnetic measurements and showed its reliability and applicability in research and for clinical examinations. The developed system consists of real-time access to fMEG data, an algorithm based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA), and a graphical user interface (GUI). The algorithm extracts the current fetal and maternal heart signal from a noisy and artifact-contaminated data stream in real-time and is able to adapt automatically to continuously varying environmental parameters. This algorithm has been na med Adaptive Real-time ICA (ARICA) and is applicable to real-time artifact removal as well as to related blind signal separation problems.
ei Waldert, S., Bensch, M., Bogdan, M., Rosenstiel, W., Schölkopf, B., Lowery, C., Eswaran, H., Preissl, H. Real-Time Fetal Heart Monitoring in Biomagnetic Measurements Using Adaptive Real-Time ICA IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 54(10):1867-1874, September 2007 (article)
Book Review: Computational Intelligence: Principles, Techniques and Applications by Amit Konar
The Computer Journal, 50(6):758-758, September 2007 (article)
ei Peters, J. Book Review: Computational Intelligence: Principles, Techniques and Applications by Amit Konar The Computer Journal, 50(6):758-758, September 2007 (article)
Sparse Multiscale Gaussian Process Regression
Walder, C., Kim, K., Schölkopf, B.
(162), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, August 2007 (techreport)
Most existing sparse Gaussian process (g.p.) models seek computational advantages by basing their computations on a set of m basis functions that are the covariance function of the g.p. with one of its two inputs fixed. We generalise this for the case of Gaussian covariance function, by basing our computations on m Gaussian basis functions with arbitrary diagonal covariance matrices (or length scales). For a fixed number of basis functions and any given criteria, this additional flexibility permits approximations no worse and typically better than was previously possible. Although we focus on g.p. regression, the central idea is applicable to all kernel based algorithms, such as the support vector machine. We perform gradient based optimisation of the marginal likelihood, which costs O(m2n) time where n is the number of data points, and compare the method to various other sparse g.p. methods. Our approach outperforms the other methods, particularly for the case of very few basis functions, i.e. a very high sparsity ratio.
ei Walder, C., Kim, K., Schölkopf, B. Sparse Multiscale Gaussian Process Regression (162), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, August 2007 (techreport)
Efficient Subwindow Search for Object Localization
Blaschko, M., Hofmann, T., Lampert, C.
Recent years have seen huge advances in object recognition from images. Recognition rates beyond 95% are the rule rather than the exception on many datasets. However, most state-of-the-art methods can only decide if an object is present or not. They are not able to provide information on the object location or extent within in the image. We report on a simple yet powerful scheme that extends many existing recognition methods to also perform localization of object bounding boxes. This is achieved by maximizing the classification score over all possible subrectangles in the image. Despite the impression that this would be computationally intractable, we show that in many situations efficient algorithms exist which solve a generalized maximum subrectangle problem. We show how our method is applicable to a variety object detection frameworks and demonstrate its performance by applying it to the popular bag of visual words model, achieving competitive results on the PASCAL VOC 2006 dataset.
ei Blaschko, M., Hofmann, T., Lampert, C. Efficient Subwindow Search for Object Localization (164), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, August 2007 (techreport)
Feature Selection for Trouble Shooting in Complex Assembly Lines
Pfingsten, T., Herrmann, D., Schnitzler, T., Feustel, A., Schölkopf, B.
IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 4(3):465-469, July 2007 (article)
The final properties of sophisticated products can be affected by many unapparent dependencies within the manufacturing process, and the products integrity can often only be checked in a final measurement. Troubleshooting can therefore be very tedious if not impossible in large assembly lines. In this paper we show that Feature Selection is an efficient tool for serial-grouped lines to reveal causes for irregularities in product attributes. We compare the performance of several methods for Feature Selection on real-world problems in mass-production of semiconductor devices. Note to Practitioners We present a data based procedure to localize flaws in large production lines: using the results of final quality inspections and information about which machines processed which batches, we are able to identify machines which cause low yield.
ei Pfingsten, T., Herrmann, D., Schnitzler, T., Feustel, A., Schölkopf, B. Feature Selection for Trouble Shooting in Complex Assembly Lines IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 4(3):465-469, July 2007 (article)
Gene selection via the BAHSIC family of algorithms
Song, L., Bedo, J., Borgwardt, K., Gretton, A., Smola, A.
Bioinformatics, 23(13: ISMB/ECCB 2007 Conference Proceedings):i490-i498, July 2007 (article)
Motivation: Identifying significant genes among thousands of sequences on a microarray is a central challenge for cancer research in bioinformatics. The ultimate goal is to detect the genes that are involved in disease outbreak and progression. A multitude of methods have been proposed for this task of feature selection, yet the selected gene lists differ greatly between different methods. To accomplish biologically meaningful gene selection from microarray data, we have to understand the theoretical connections and the differences between these methods. In this article, we define a kernel-based framework for feature selection based on the Hilbert–Schmidt independence criterion and backward elimination, called BAHSIC. We show that several well-known feature selectors are instances of BAHSIC, thereby clarifying their relationship. Furthermore, by choosing a different kernel, BAHSIC allows us to easily define novel feature selection algorithms. As a further advantage, feature selection via BAHSIC works directly on multiclass problems. Results: In a broad experimental evaluation, the members of the BAHSIC family reach high levels of accuracy and robustness when compared to other feature selection techniques. Experiments show that features selected with a linear kernel provide the best classification performance in general, but if strong non-linearities are present in the data then non-linear kernels can be more suitable.
ei Song, L., Bedo, J., Borgwardt, K., Gretton, A., Smola, A. Gene selection via the BAHSIC family of algorithms Bioinformatics, 23(13: ISMB/ECCB 2007 Conference Proceedings):i490-i498, July 2007 (article)
Phenotyping of Chondrocytes In Vivo and In Vitro Using cDNA Array Technology
Zien, A., Gebhard, P., Fundel, K., Aigner, T.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 460, pages: 226-233, July 2007 (article)
The cDNA array technology is a powerful tool to analyze a high number of genes in parallel. We investigated whether large-scale gene expression analysis allows clustering and identification of cellular phenotypes of chondrocytes in different in vivo and in vitro conditions. In 100% of cases, clustering analysis distinguished between in vivo and in vitro samples, suggesting fundamental differences in chondrocytes in situ and in vitro regardless of the culture conditions or disease status. It also allowed us to differentiate between healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage. The clustering also revealed the relative importance of the investigated culturing conditions (stimulation agent, stimulation time, bead/monolayer). We augmented the cluster analysis with a statistical search for genes showing differential expression. The identified genes provided hints to the molecular basis of the differences between the sample classes. Our approach shows the power of modern bioinformatic algorithms for understanding and class ifying chondrocytic phenotypes in vivo and in vitro. Although it does not generate new experimental data per se, it provides valuable information regarding the biology of chondrocytes and may provide tools for diagnosing and staging the osteoarthritic disease process.
ei Zien, A., Gebhard, P., Fundel, K., Aigner, T. Phenotyping of Chondrocytes In Vivo and In Vitro Using cDNA Array Technology Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 460, pages: 226-233, July 2007 (article)
Common Sequence Polymorphisms Shaping Genetic Diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana
Clark, R., Schweikert, G., Toomajian, C., Ossowski, S., Zeller, G., Shinn, P., Warthmann, N., Hu, T., Fu, G., Hinds, D., Chen, H., Frazer, K., Huson, D., Schölkopf, B., Nordborg, M., Rätsch, G., Ecker, J., Weigel, D.
Science, 317(5836):338-342, July 2007 (article)
The genomes of individuals from the same species vary in sequence as a result of different evolutionary processes. To examine the patterns of, and the forces shaping, sequence variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, we performed high-density array resequencing of 20 diverse strains (accessions). More than 1 million nonredundant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified at moderate false discovery rates (FDRs), and ~4% of the genome was identified as being highly dissimilar or deleted relative to the reference genome sequence. Patterns of polymorphism are highly nonrandom among gene families, with genes mediating interaction with the biotic environment having exceptional polymorphism levels. At the chromosomal scale, regional variation in polymorphism was readily apparent. A scan for recent selective sweeps revealed several candidate regions, including a notable example in which almost all variation was removed in a 500-kilobase window. Analyzing the polymorphisms we describe in larger sets of accessions will enable a detailed understanding of forces shaping population-wide sequence variation in A. thaliana.
ei Clark, R., Schweikert, G., Toomajian, C., Ossowski, S., Zeller, G., Shinn, P., Warthmann, N., Hu, T., Fu, G., Hinds, D., Chen, H., Frazer, K., Huson, D., Schölkopf, B., Nordborg, M., Rätsch, G., Ecker, J., Weigel, D. Common Sequence Polymorphisms Shaping Genetic Diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana Science, 317(5836):338-342, July 2007 (article)
Graph Laplacians and their Convergence on Random Neighborhood Graphs
Journal of Machine Learning Research, 8, pages: 1325-1370, June 2007 (article)
Given a sample from a probability measure with support on a submanifold in Euclidean space one can construct a neighborhood graph which can be seen as an approximation of the submanifold. The graph Laplacian of such a graph is used in several machine learning methods like semi-supervised learning, dimensionality reduction and clustering. In this paper we determine the pointwise limit of three different graph Laplacians used in the literature as the sample size increases and the neighborhood size approaches zero. We show that for a uniform measure on the submanifold all graph Laplacians have the same limit up to constants. However in the case of a non-uniform measure on the submanifold only the so called random walk graph Laplacian converges to the weighted Laplace-Beltrami operator.
ei Hein, M., Audibert, J., von Luxburg, U. Graph Laplacians and their Convergence on Random Neighborhood Graphs Journal of Machine Learning Research, 8, pages: 1325-1370, June 2007 (article)
Bayesian Reconstruction of the Density of States
Physical Review Letters, 98(20, 200601):1-4, May 2007 (article)
A Bayesian framework is developed to reconstruct the density of states from multiple canonical simulations. The framework encompasses the histogram reweighting method of Ferrenberg and Swendsen. The new approach applies to nonparametric as well as parametric models and does not require simulation data to be discretized. It offers a means to assess the precision of the reconstructed density of states and of derived thermodynamic quantities.
ei Habeck, M. Bayesian Reconstruction of the Density of States Physical Review Letters, 98(20, 200601):1-4, May 2007 (article)
PALMA: mRNA to Genome Alignments using Large Margin Algorithms
Schulze, U., Hepp, B., Ong, C., Rätsch, G.
Bioinformatics, 23(15):1892-1900, May 2007 (article)
Motivation: Despite many years of research on how to properly align sequences in the presence of sequencing errors, alternative splicing and micro-exons, the correct alignment of mRNA sequences to genomic DNA is still a challenging task. Results: We present a novel approach based on large margin learning that combines accurate plice site predictions with common sequence alignment techniques. By solving a convex optimization problem, our algorithm called PALMA tunes the parameters of the model such that true alignments score higher than other alignments. We study the accuracy of alignments of mRNAs containing artificially generated micro-exons to genomic DNA. In a carefully designed experiment, we show that our algorithm accurately identifies the intron boundaries as well as boundaries of the optimal local alignment. It outperforms all other methods: for 5702 artificially shortened EST sequences from C. elegans and human it correctly identifies the intron boundaries in all except two cases. The best other method is a recently proposed method called exalin which misaligns 37 of the sequences. Our method also demonstrates robustness to mutations, insertions and deletions, retaining accuracy even at high noise levels. Availability: Datasets for training, evaluation and testing, additional results and a stand-alone alignment tool implemented in C++ and python are available at http://www.fml.mpg.de/raetsch/projects/palma.
ei Schulze, U., Hepp, B., Ong, C., Rätsch, G. PALMA: mRNA to Genome Alignments using Large Margin Algorithms Bioinformatics, 23(15):1892-1900, May 2007 (article)
Cluster Identification in Nearest-Neighbor Graphs
Maier, M., Hein, M., von Luxburg, U.
(163), Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, May 2007 (techreport)
Assume we are given a sample of points from some underlying distribution which contains several distinct clusters. Our goal is to construct a neighborhood graph on the sample points such that clusters are ``identified‘‘: that is, the subgraph induced by points from the same cluster is connected, while subgraphs corresponding to different clusters are not connected to each other. We derive bounds on the probability that cluster identification is successful, and use them to predict ``optimal‘‘ values of k for the mutual and symmetric k-nearest-neighbor graphs. We point out different properties of the mutual and symmetric nearest-neighbor graphs related to the cluster identification problem.
ei Maier, M., Hein, M., von Luxburg, U. Cluster Identification in Nearest-Neighbor Graphs (163), Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, May 2007 (techreport)
Texture and object motion in slant discrimination: Failure of reliability-based weighting of cues may be evidence for strong fusion
Rosas, P., Wichmann, F., Wagemans, J.
Journal of Vision, 7(6:3):1-21, April 2007 (article)
ei Rosas, P., Wichmann, F., Wagemans, J. Texture and object motion in slant discrimination: Failure of reliability-based weighting of cues may be evidence for strong fusion Journal of Vision, 7(6:3):1-21, April 2007 (article)
Training a Support Vector Machine in the Primal
Neural Computation, 19(5):1155-1178, March 2007 (article)
Most literature on Support Vector Machines (SVMs) concentrate on the dual optimization problem. In this paper, we would like to point out that the primal problem can also be solved efficiently, both for linear and non-linear SVMs, and that there is no reason for ignoring this possibilty. On the contrary, from the primal point of view new families of algorithms for large scale SVM training can be investigated.
ei Chapelle, O. Training a Support Vector Machine in the Primal Neural Computation, 19(5):1155-1178, March 2007 (article)
Dirichlet Mixtures of Bayesian Linear Gaussian State-Space Models: a Variational Approach
Chiappa, S., Barber, D.
(161), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, March 2007 (techreport)
We describe two related models to cluster multidimensional time-series under the assumption of an underlying linear Gaussian dynamical process. In the first model, times-series are assigned to the same cluster when they show global similarity in their dynamics, while in the second model times-series are assigned to the same cluster when they show simultaneous similarity. Both models are based on Dirichlet Mixtures of Bayesian Linear Gaussian State-Space Models in order to (semi) automatically determine an appropriate number of components in the mixture, and to additionally bias the components to a parsimonious parameterization. The resulting models are formally intractable and to deal with this we describe a deterministic approximation based on a novel implementation of Variational Bayes.
ei Chiappa, S., Barber, D. Dirichlet Mixtures of Bayesian Linear Gaussian State-Space Models: a Variational Approach (161), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, March 2007 (techreport)
Improving the Caenorhabditis elegans Genome Annotation Using Machine Learning
Rätsch, G., Sonnenburg, S., Srinivasan, J., Witte, H., Müller, K., Sommer, R., Schölkopf, B.
PLoS Computational Biology, 3(2, e20):0313-0322, February 2007 (article)
ei Rätsch, G., Sonnenburg, S., Srinivasan, J., Witte, H., Müller, K., Sommer, R., Schölkopf, B. Improving the Caenorhabditis elegans Genome Annotation Using Machine Learning PLoS Computational Biology, 3(2, e20):0313-0322, February 2007 (article)
Automatic 3D Face Reconstruction from Single Images or Video
Breuer, P., Kim, K., Kienzle, W., Blanz, V., Schölkopf, B.
(160), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, February 2007 (techreport)
This paper presents a fully automated algorithm for reconstructing a textured 3D model of a face from a single photograph or a raw video stream. The algorithm is based on a combination of Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and a Morphable Model of 3D faces. After SVM face detection, individual facial features are detected using a novel regression-and classification-based approach, and probabilistically plausible configurations of features are selected to produce a list of candidates for several facial feature positions. In the next step, the configurations of feature points are evaluated using a novel criterion that is based on a Morphable Model and a combination of linear projections. Finally, the feature points initialize a model-fitting procedure of the Morphable Model. The result is a high-resolution 3D surface model.
ei Breuer, P., Kim, K., Kienzle, W., Blanz, V., Schölkopf, B. Automatic 3D Face Reconstruction from Single Images or Video (160), Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, February 2007 (techreport)
Quantum broadcasting problem in classical low-power signal processing
Janzing, D., Steudel, B.
Physical Review A, 75(2):11, February 2007 (article)
ei Janzing, D., Steudel, B. Quantum broadcasting problem in classical low-power signal processing Physical Review A, 75(2):11, February 2007 (article)
Statistical Consistency of Kernel Canonical Correlation Analysis
Fukumizu, K., Bach, F., Gretton, A.
Journal of Machine Learning Research, 8, pages: 361-383, February 2007 (article)
While kernel canonical correlation analysis (CCA) has been applied in many contexts, the convergence of finite sample estimates of the associated functions to their population counterparts has not yet been established. This paper gives a mathematical proof of the statistical convergence of kernel CCA, providing a theoretical justification for the method. The proof uses covariance operators defined on reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces, and analyzes the convergence of their empirical estimates of finite rank to their population counterparts, which can have infinite rank. The result also gives a sufficient condition for convergence on the regularization coefficient involved in kernel CCA: this should decrease as n^{-1/3}, where n is the number of data.
ei Fukumizu, K., Bach, F., Gretton, A. Statistical Consistency of Kernel Canonical Correlation Analysis Journal of Machine Learning Research, 8, pages: 361-383, February 2007 (article)
Some observations on the pedestal effect
Henning, G., Wichmann, F.
Journal of Vision, 7(1:3):1-15, January 2007 (article)
The pedestal or dipper effect is the large improvement in the detectability of a sinusoidal grating observed when it is added to a masking or pedestal grating of the same spatial frequency, orientation, and phase. We measured the pedestal effect in both broadband and notched noiseVnoise from which a 1.5-octave band centered on the signal frequency had been removed. Although the pedestal effect persists in broadband noise, it almost disappears in the notched noise. Furthermore, the pedestal effect is substantial when either high- or low-pass masking noise is used. We conclude that the pedestal effect in the absence of notched noise results principally from the use of information derived from channels with peak sensitivities at spatial frequencies different from that of the signal and the pedestal. We speculate that the spatial-frequency components of the notched noise above and below the spatial frequency of the signal and the pedestal prevent off-frequency looking, that is, prevent the use of information about changes in contrast carried in channels tuned to spatial frequencies that are very much different from that of the signal and the pedestal. Thus, the pedestal or dipper effect measured without notched noise appears not to be a characteristic of individual spatial-frequency-tuned channels.
ei Henning, G., Wichmann, F. Some observations on the pedestal effect Journal of Vision, 7(1:3):1-15, January 2007 (article)
Cue Combination and the Effect of Horizontal Disparity and Perspective on Stereoacuity
Zalevski, AM., Henning, GB., Hill, NJ.
Spatial Vision, 20(1):107-138, January 2007 (article)
Relative depth judgments of vertical lines based on horizontal disparity deteriorate enormously when the lines form part of closed configurations (Westheimer, 1979). In studies showing this effect, perspective was not manipulated and thus produced inconsistency between horizontal disparity and perspective. We show that stereoacuity improves dramatically when perspective and horizontal disparity are made consistent. Observers appear to use unhelpful perspective cues in judging the relative depth of the vertical sides of rectangles in a way not incompatible with a form of cue weighting. However, 95% confidence intervals for the weights derived for cues usually exceed the a-priori [0-1] range.
ei Zalevski, AM., Henning, GB., Hill, NJ. Cue Combination and the Effect of Horizontal Disparity and Perspective on Stereoacuity Spatial Vision, 20(1):107-138, January 2007 (article)
Frequency-domain displacement sensing with a fiber ring-resonator containing a variable gap
Vollmer, F., Fischer, P.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL, 134(2):410-413, 2007 (article)
Ring-resonators are in general not amenable to strain-free (non-contact) displacement measurements. We show that this limitation may be overcome if the ring-resonator, here a fiber-loop, is designed to contain a gap, such that the light traverses a free-space part between two aligned waveguide ends. Displacements are determined with nanometer sensitivity by measuring the associated changes in the resonance frequencies. Miniaturization should increase the sensitivity of the ring-resonator interferometer. Ring geometries that contain an optical circulator can be used to profile reflective samples. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
pf Vollmer, F., Fischer, P. Frequency-domain displacement sensing with a fiber ring-resonator containing a variable gap SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL, 134(2):410-413, 2007 (article)
Relative Entropy Policy Search
CLMC Technical Report: TR-CLMC-2007-2, Computational Learning and Motor Control Lab, Los Angeles, CA, 2007, clmc (techreport)
This technical report describes a cute idea of how to create new policy search approaches. It directly relates to the Natural Actor-Critic methods but allows the derivation of one shot solutions. Future work may include the application to interesting problems.
am ei Peters, J. Relative Entropy Policy Search CLMC Technical Report: TR-CLMC-2007-2, Computational Learning and Motor Control Lab, Los Angeles, CA, 2007, clmc (techreport)
Observation of the Faraday effect via beam deflection in a longitudinal magnetic field
Ghosh, A., Hill, W., Fischer, P.
PHYSICAL REVIEW A, 76(5), 2007 (article)
We show that magnetic-field-induced circular differential deflection of light can be observed in reflection or refraction at a single interface. The difference in the reflection or refraction angles between the two circular polarization components is a function of the magnetic-field strength and the Verdet constant, and permits the observation of the Faraday effect not via polarization rotation in transmission, but via changes in the propagation direction. Deflection measurements do not suffer from n-pi ambiguities and are shown to be another means to map magnetic fields with high axial resolution, or to determine the sign and magnitude of magnetic-field pulses in a single measurement.
pf Ghosh, A., Hill, W., Fischer, P. Observation of the Faraday effect via beam deflection in a longitudinal magnetic field PHYSICAL REVIEW A, 76(5), 2007 (article)
Comment on “negative refraction at optical frequencies in nonmagnetic two-component molecular media” - Reply
Chen, Y., Fischer, P., Wise, F. W.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 98(5), 2007 (article)
pf Chen, Y., Fischer, P., Wise, F. W. Comment on “negative refraction at optical frequencies in nonmagnetic two-component molecular media” - Reply PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 98(5), 2007 (article)
Circular differential double diffraction in chiral media
Ghosh, A., Fazal, F. M., Fischer, P.
OPTICS LETTERS, 32(13):1836-1838, 2007 (article)
In an optically active liquid the diffraction angle depends on the circular polarization state of the incident light beam. We report the observation of circular differential diffraction in an isotropic chiral medium, and we demonstrate that double diffraction is an alternate means to determine the handedness (enantiomeric excess) of a solution. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.
pf Ghosh, A., Fazal, F. M., Fischer, P. Circular differential double diffraction in chiral media OPTICS LETTERS, 32(13):1836-1838, 2007 (article)
The new robotics - towards human-centered machines
Schaal, S.
HFSP Journal Frontiers of Interdisciplinary Research in the Life Sciences, 1(2):115-126, 2007, clmc (article)
Research in robotics has moved away from its primary focus on industrial applications. The New Robotics is a vision that has been developed in past years by our own university and many other national and international research instiutions and addresses how increasingly more human-like robots can live among us and take over tasks where our current society has shortcomings. Elder care, physical therapy, child education, search and rescue, and general assistance in daily life situations are some of the examples that will benefit from the New Robotics in the near future. With these goals in mind, research for the New Robotics has to embrace a broad interdisciplinary approach, ranging from traditional mathematical issues of robotics to novel issues in psychology, neuroscience, and ethics. This paper outlines some of the important research problems that will need to be resolved to make the New Robotics a reality.
am Schaal, S. The new robotics - towards human-centered machines HFSP Journal Frontiers of Interdisciplinary Research in the Life Sciences, 1(2):115-126, 2007, clmc (article)
Bacterial flagella-based propulsion and on/off motion control of microscale objects
Behkam, B., Sitti, M.
Applied Physics Letters, 90(2):023902, AIP, 2007 (article)
pi Behkam, B., Sitti, M. Bacterial flagella-based propulsion and on/off motion control of microscale objects Applied Physics Letters, 90(2):023902, AIP, 2007 (article)
Friction of partially embedded vertically aligned carbon nanofibers inside elastomers
Aksak, B., Sitti, M., Cassell, A., Li, J., Meyyappan, M., Callen, P.
pi Aksak, B., Sitti, M., Cassell, A., Li, J., Meyyappan, M., Callen, P. Friction of partially embedded vertically aligned carbon nanofibers inside elastomers Applied Physics Letters, 91(6):061906, AIP, 2007 (article)
Enhanced friction of elastomer microfiber adhesives with spatulate tips
Kim, S., Aksak, B., Sitti, M.
pi Kim, S., Aksak, B., Sitti, M. Enhanced friction of elastomer microfiber adhesives with spatulate tips Applied Physics Letters, 91(22):221913, AIP, 2007 (article)
Hydrogen storage in metal-organic frameworks
Hirscher, M., Panella, B.
{Scripta Materialia}, 56, pages: 809-812, 2007 (article)
mms Hirscher, M., Panella, B. Hydrogen storage in metal-organic frameworks {Scripta Materialia}, 56, pages: 809-812, 2007 (article)
Substrate-induced current anisotropy in YBa2Cu3O7-δthin films
Djupmyr, M., Albrecht, J.
{Physica C}, 460-462, pages: 1190-1191, 2007 (article)
mms Djupmyr, M., Albrecht, J. Substrate-induced current anisotropy in YBa2Cu3O7-δthin films {Physica C}, 460-462, pages: 1190-1191, 2007 (article)
A micellar approach to magnetic ultrahigh-density data-storage media: extending the limits of current colloidal methods
Ethirajan, A., Wiedwald, U., Boyen, H.-G., Kern, B., Han, L., Klimmer, A., Weigl, F., Kästle, G., Ziemann, P., Fauth, K., Cai, J., Behm, J., Romanyuk, A., Oelhafen, P., Walther, P., Biskupek, J., Kaiser, U.
{Advanced Materials}, 19, pages: 406-410, 2007 (article)
mms Ethirajan, A., Wiedwald, U., Boyen, H.-G., Kern, B., Han, L., Klimmer, A., Weigl, F., Kästle, G., Ziemann, P., Fauth, K., Cai, J., Behm, J., Romanyuk, A., Oelhafen, P., Walther, P., Biskupek, J., Kaiser, U. A micellar approach to magnetic ultrahigh-density data-storage media: extending the limits of current colloidal methods {Advanced Materials}, 19, pages: 406-410, 2007 (article)
Size dependence in the magnetization reversal of Fe/Gd multilayers on self-assembled arrays of nanospheres
Amaladass, E., Ludescher, B., Schütz, G., Tyliszczak, T., Eimüller, T.
{Applied Physics Letters}, 91, 2007 (article)
mms Amaladass, E., Ludescher, B., Schütz, G., Tyliszczak, T., Eimüller, T. Size dependence in the magnetization reversal of Fe/Gd multilayers on self-assembled arrays of nanospheres {Applied Physics Letters}, 91, 2007 (article)
Ma\ssgeschneiderte Wasserstoffspeicher
{Nachrichten aus der Gdch-Energieinitiative}, (Sonderheft April 2007):12-13, 2007 (article)
mms Hirscher, M., Panella, B. Ma\ssgeschneiderte Wasserstoffspeicher {Nachrichten aus der Gdch-Energieinitiative}, (Sonderheft April 2007):12-13, 2007 (article)
Reconstruction of historical alloys for pipe organs brings true Baroque music back to life.
Baretzky, B., Friesel, M., Straumal, B.
{MRS Bulletin}, 32, pages: 249-255, 2007 (article)
mms Baretzky, B., Friesel, M., Straumal, B. Reconstruction of historical alloys for pipe organs brings true Baroque music back to life. {MRS Bulletin}, 32, pages: 249-255, 2007 (article)
Analysis of results from X-ray magnetic reflectometry for magnetic multilayer systems
Fähnle, M., Steiauf, D., Martosiswoyo, L., Goering, E., Brück, S., Schütz, G.
{Physical Review B}, 75, 2007 (article)
mms Fähnle, M., Steiauf, D., Martosiswoyo, L., Goering, E., Brück, S., Schütz, G. Analysis of results from X-ray magnetic reflectometry for magnetic multilayer systems {Physical Review B}, 75, 2007 (article)
Heisenberg Hamiltonian description of multiple-sublattice itinerant-electron systems: general considerations and applications to NiMnSb and MnAs
Sandratskii, L. M., Singer, R., Şaşioğlu, E.
mms Sandratskii, L. M., Singer, R., Şaşioğlu, E. Heisenberg Hamiltonian description of multiple-sublattice itinerant-electron systems: general considerations and applications to NiMnSb and MnAs {Physical Review B}, 76, 2007 (article)
Dramatic role of critical current anisotropy on flux avalanches in MgB2 films
Albrecht, J., Matveev, A. T., Strempfer, J., Habermeier, H.-U., Shantsev, D. V., Galperin, Y. M., Johansen, T. H.
{Physical Review Letters}, 98, 2007 (article)
mms Albrecht, J., Matveev, A. T., Strempfer, J., Habermeier, H.-U., Shantsev, D. V., Galperin, Y. M., Johansen, T. H. Dramatic role of critical current anisotropy on flux avalanches in MgB2 films {Physical Review Letters}, 98, 2007 (article)
Transport properties of LCMO/YBCO hybrid structures
Soltan, S., Albrecht, J., Habermeier, H.-U.
{Materials Science and Engineering B}, 144, pages: 15-18, 2007 (article)
mms Soltan, S., Albrecht, J., Habermeier, H.-U. Transport properties of LCMO/YBCO hybrid structures {Materials Science and Engineering B}, 144, pages: 15-18, 2007 (article)
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3378
|
__label__wiki
| 0.507856
| 0.507856
|
2018 Summer Lecture Series
For the second year, the Island Institute hosted a free six-week lecture series every Wednesday from July 11-August 15 that focused on the Maine coast. Authors, artists, community members, and other experts discussed life along Maine's waterfront and offered their perspectives, reflections, and insights on everything from art and aquaculture to modern-day challenges and connections.
Our 2018 Summer Lecture Series featured:
July 11 – Leith MacDonald: Island Inspiration, Monhegan's Art Colony 1895-2000
July 18 – Susie Arnold, Ph.D.: Confronting Rising Seas on Island and Coastal Communities
July 25 – Phil Crossman: Island Politics
August 1 – Barbara Ernst Prey: Island Insights and Inspiration
August 8 – Tom Groening: The Evolving Working Waterfront
August 15 – Nancy Harmon Jenkins: Farming the Sea: Aquaculture in Maine’s Future
July 11 – Island Inspiration, Monhegan's Art Colony 1895-2000
Leith MacDonald, Artist and Curator
Artist and curator Leith MacDonald talked about his recent research for a catalogue of Monhegan art. Using rarely seen paintings from a private collection, MacDonald explored a variety of connections between the artists and their subjects on Maine's premier art colony.
July 18 – Confronting Rising Seas on Island and Coastal Communities
Susie Arnold, Ph.D., Marine Scientist, Island Institute
Sea level rise is a persistent and long-term problem. The predicted impacts on homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, including working waterfronts, could structurally change the communities and economies along our coast. These changes may happen over a long period of time, or they may happen abruptly if we are hit with a large storm. This lecture will discuss the basics of sea level rise, including projections for future water levels, and how the Island Institute is working to build the capacity of Maine’s island and coastal communities to help them adapt in the face of these changes.
July 25 – Island Politics
Phil Crossman, Vinalhaven Selectman and Business Owner
Being faithful to your political convictions is not always easy on an island. Where are you going to go after you've humiliated your opponent?
Vinalhaven resident, business owner, town selectman, and author Phil Crossman will take a personal, humorous look at the intricacies of life on an island and island politics, and offer his dry take on how being faithful to your political convictions is not always easy on an island.
A regular columnist for The Working Waterfront, published by the Island Institute, Phil has also had published work in The Maine Times, Down East, and Yankee magazines. He is also the published author of two books: Observations: A Maine Island, and Away Happens. Crossman is a humorist in the Mark Twain mold: wry, satiric, and keenly aware of the shortcomings of human beings, but with a leavening of self-deprecation and underlying sympathy. Though rooted in a regional consciousness (coastal Maine), his humor succeeds in making the local universal.
August 1 – Island Insights and Inspiration
Barbara Ernst Prey, Artist
One of our country’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, Barbara Ernst Prey will give a talk on island insights and inspiration highlighting her four decades of island painting. New York-based but a longtime summer coastal resident, Barbara has a deep connection to the islands of Maine – her family was among the first settlers of Vinalhaven and North Haven, as well as the Midcoast and other Maine islands, and it is these islands and the structures that she is drawn to.
August 8 – The Evolving Working Waterfront
Tom Groening, Editor, The Working Waterfront
Just what do we mean when we talk about Maine’s working waterfront? Is it just piers, docks, and moorings, or is there more that makes our coast "work"? Tom Groening, editor of the Island Institute’s The Working Waterfront newspaper, will speak about the battle to retain fishing access to the rapidly developing waterfront that began in the 1980s, as well as what assets remain and what challenges loom for the Maine coast, including quality of life, traffic, affordable housing, and an aging population.
August 15 – Farming the Sea: Aquaculture in Maine’s Future
Nancy Harmon Jenkins, Author and Food Authority
Why talk about the future of aquaculture since it’s been around Maine at least since the 1970s? Nowadays, mussel and oyster farms are thriving enterprises, and new efforts at sea farming come online every year – from seaweed to goldfish to yellowtail, a prime eating fish. Some of these have failed, and some continue to thrive; there are currently at least 24 species of seafood and sea vegetables being raised on nearly 200 Maine farms.
The kingpin of aquaculture remains Atlantic salmon. Recent proposals for land-based salmon, raised in enclosed tanks in both Belfast and Bucksport, promise even more economic significance for Maine fish-farming. While touching on other aspects of aquaculture, Nancy will focus on salmon – because it’s truly the elephant in the room – and will take a look at what these new developments will entail, especially for consumers. She will also look at more traditional salmon farming Downeast and try to dispel some of the more unfortunate mythology with which it has been tainted, reassuring people that yes, Maine-raised salmon represents a tasty, healthful, locally-sourced choice that we can all get behind.
A Climate of Change Report
A Threatened Bay
An Extra Set of Hands
A Fishery for the Future
Growing Minds
Strong Support from Broad Diversity of Mainers for Climate Action Bill
Island Institute awards more than $50,000 in scholarships to island students
Archipelago opens summer gallery show
Rocking the granite business
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3379
|
__label__wiki
| 0.600937
| 0.600937
|
new factory in Ukraine - number 10 in LTP GROUP
It is a great pleasure to inform that LTP has expanded with a new factory in western Ukraine in Lviv. The facility opened in December 2017. LTP Group, consisting of the two divisions LTP Garment and LTP Contract Furniture, now have ten fully owned factories.
Eugenija with drawing of LTP new factory in Ukraine, which opened in December 2017
Fifteen new brands joined LTP Garment in 2017
"Our garment production has been located in Lithuania, Belarus, and Vietnam until now. But within the last 3-5 years, we have increased our garment turnover significantly, and with a lack of sewing girls in Europe, we have future-proofed our production capacity with the new factory in Lviv,” says Alex Ingildsen, CCO LTP Group
Today, LTP is probably the largest manufacturer of functional garment in Europe, and in front with the latest production technologies, e.g., ultrasonic, taping/bonding, laser cutting. LTP has a very attractive set-up managed by our development centers in Lithuania and Vietnam. In 2017 fifteen new premium brands joined LTP Garment, e.g., Filippa K and Evans Cycles. and with the new factory in Ukraine, we are ready to grow further.
Why Ukraine?
LTP Group is Danish-owned, but with the operational management located in Lithuania, where most of our management is located - this includes the decision on how to find more production capacity in Europe.
Eugenija Januliene has been the director for LTP Garment factories in Europe since 2008, and we have asked her why Ukraine was chosen. "In Ukraine, there is a long tradition for sewing, and with a population of 44 million people, it is still possible to find good sewing girls. It isn’t easy, but we have succeeded!
Please feel free to contact CCO Alex Ingildsen - ali@l-t-p.com, if you are interested in more information about our new facility.
Our factory is located in the western part of Ukraine. It is a very nice area, with a nice population, a friendly atmosphere, and very well-functioning infrastructure. Many other foreign capital companies are located here, and EU and Ukraine have an association agreement providing the possibility of cumulation, and duty-free access for products originating in EU and Ukraine. And soon, if everything goes as planned, Ukraine will be part of the PAN-EUR-Mediterranean Convention (PEM Convention) giving products from Ukraine even better access to the European market,” Eugenija Januliene says.
And Eugenija has high ambitions for the expansion in Ukraine. “The factory in Ukraine will have certificates on the highest level, as in all our factories, including bluesign®. Working methods, focus on the environment and working conditions will be the same high standards as our other factories," she says.
About LTP
LTP is a Danish-owned garment manufacturer for 60+ premium brands within active sportswear, outdoor, athleisure and sustainable fashion. LTP was established in 1991 and is probably the biggest functional garment manufacturer in Europe with bluesign® setups in Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Vietnam.
LTP consists of two divisions; LTP Garment and LTP Contract Furniture producing in ten fully-owned factories
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3380
|
__label__cc
| 0.736497
| 0.263503
|
Billboards for the 21st Century Point Us to the Route Ahead (Ad Age)
By Jonathan Salem Baskin
You are driving down the interstate, looking for the nearest outlet of your favorite fast-food restaurant. The billboards tell you things you didn't ask to know, until finally one says there's an app that will find what you're looking for. You pull over, download it on the spot, and two exits later sit down to that perfect meal. This app, called RoadNinja, was launched late last week by the Lamar Advertising Co. You can check it out on iTunes. Its arrival suggests that CMOs still figuring their 2012 new-media budgets better include some for outdoor media.
Think about it. We talk so much about how to make online technology relevant locally and in real-time (witness Walmart's announcement last week that it will use Facebook to send local promos to its millions of "friends"). But we're surrounded by media tools that already do both, from billboards and newspaper ads, to radio and TV. They've just been used, owing to the limitations of technology, to target mass segments of the population, based on highly imperfect data.
There's nothing inherently wrong with "old" media other than that we choose to put garbage into it. Consumers didn't start waking up hating print ads, per se, but rather learned to hate stupid ads, or hate the fact that marketers presumed it was OK to interrupt them with info they didn't care about. In response, we dug ourselves ever-deeper holes –- and still do –- by creating entertaining content to win their tolerance in exchange for not asking them to buy anything.
Lamar is taking a different approach. It is infusing its billboards with immediate utility, which makes them newly relevant. Not to mention creating a new new-media channel on the app, through which it can also deliver ads. That gas station at the upcoming exit can run a promo that the driver will see as he is finding the address of the restaurant he needs.
This isn't branding by engagement or conversation or osmosis. It's not entertainment, just a smart rethink of the good ol' purposes of marketing. It sells stuff. But unlike the old-fashioned marketing that could only give the consumer information that he might decide to use some day, Lamar combines new and old media to get the viewer to act immediately to fulfill a need he has in the moment.
What truly makes media new is not simply the opportunity to display content in new ways and new locations; it's about finding new ways for all forms of media to work together. The RoadNinja model suggests a few guidelines for your integration plans:
Skip the "more info" URLs. I'm blown away by how many products and services still list a web site, as if anybody cared. Lamar's billboards use the available real estate to give consumers an immediately relevant and useful call to action. Your ads and products labels should do so, too. Things like apps and the mobile experience of web content mean that everyone's a direct marketer now.
Think next media, not new media. The billboards smartly recognize that what matters is what happens next, not just now. So think less about the glorious immersion of your digital media creations and more about how every media placement links to another one. Every radio spot should have a phone number (or SMS address, better yet) with content directed to motivate dialing. Every magazine ad should reference another one, or a TV spot, or whatever. You get the idea.
Consumption is the ultimate metric. Don Schultz, the godfather of integrated marketing communications, says that what matters is how consumers actually experience a variety of media, often simultaneously, rather than the clicks or eyeballs registered by any of the constituent parts. Recognizing this consumption synergy is reality, not an option, and Lamar uses it to accomplish a strategic goal. Your metrics should measure not just engagement, but what the combination of media consumed produces.
The RoadNinja campaign's initial run will be from Oct. 11 through the end of the year, utilizing over 1,000 billboards across 200 markets nationwide. You can tell I'm excited about what Lamar's doing. I think you should be, too.
The original article appeared on Ad Age's website.
Lamar’s Free iPhone App for Travelers Takes Outdoor Media Interactive RoadNinja™ Now Available to Download on iTunes Store
Outdoor advertising meets mobile technology with RoadNinja™, a new interstate travel app for the iPhone from Lamar Advertising Company.
Lamar Advertising Expands Transit Advertising Coverage in the Bay Area San Mateo County Transit District Awards Five-Year Advertising Contract to Lamar Advertising Company
Baton Rouge-based Lamar Advertising Company will begin handling all advertisements placed on SamTSarans public transit and transportation programs in the San Mateo County area.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3383
|
__label__wiki
| 0.54377
| 0.54377
|
Art Song, Performance
Tell me the truth about love
Beattie Powers Place (map)
A cabaret with songs by Weill, Bolcom, Satie, Kern, Britten and Gershwin
Performance, Art Song, Chamber Music
Bito Conservatory (map)
Rami Sarieddine, piano
Alexander Bonus, harpsichord
Cathryn Gaylord, bassoon
Kelly Herrmann, flute
I am excited to present my final recital as a member of the Graduate Vocal Arts program at Bard College. The last two years have been an incredible journey and have inspired the theme of my recital, Awakenings. There are many ways we can experience an awakening that can affect our perspective on how we view ourselves and the world around us. Each musical selection reflects a different kind of awakening I have personally experience duing my time in Hudson Valley. I hope you will join me for the evening.
Programmed works by Kaija Saariaho, Mark Carlson, George Crumb, David Garner, William Bolcom, Einojuhani Rautavaara, George Gershwin, Nicolas Bernier, Schubert, Schumann, Strauss and Brahms.
This recital will be LIVE STREAMED! Tune in on my Media page or on the Bard Vocal Arts Channel (click link). Follow along as you listen with the Program Notes & Translations.
Reception to Follow.
Greg Drilling, Oboe
Lizabeth will be performing with Greg Drilling, oboe, on his degree recital, selections from Johann Sebastian Bach 's (1685-1750):Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten, BWV 202 (Wedding Cantata)
I. Aria: "Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten"
VI. Recitative: "Und dieses ist das Glücke"
VII. Aria: "Sich üben im Lieben"
VIII. Recitative: "So sei das Band der keuschen Liebe"
IX. Gavotte: "Sehet in Zufriedenheit
Performance, Art Song
In Recital: Lifebridge Sanctuary
Lifebridge Sanctuary (map)
Lizabeth and pianist, Rami Sarieddine, will be performing with her colleagues from the Bard College Conservatory Graduate Vocal Arts Program at the Lifebridge Sanctuary in Rosendale, New York.
Each singer will perform selected songs and cycles from their upcoming full-length recital programs this spring.
Opera, Performance
Higglety Pigglety Pop! and Die Zauberflöte
Fisher Center for the Performing Arts (map)
Lizabeth will be performing in the Bard College Conservatory Graduate Vocal Arts Program of Oliver Knussen's Higglety Pigglety Pop! (based on the book by Maurice Sendak) as the "Voice of the Baby's Mother" and as the First Lady in W. A. Mozart's Die Zauberflöte.
Check out the Fisher Center Website for tickets.
Chamber Music, Performance
Osvaldo Golijov's "Tenebrae"
The Laszlo Z. Bito '60 Conservatory Building (map)
Lizabeth is appearing on clarinetist, Caitlin Beare's autumn recital performing Osvaldo Golijov's Tenebrae for soprano, clarinet, and string quartet.
Notes from the composer:
"I wrote Tenebrae as a consequence of witnessing two contrasting realities in a short period of time in September 2000. I was in Israel at the start of the new wave of violence that is still continuing today, and a week later I took my son to the new planetarium in New York, where we could see the Earth as a beautiful blue dot in space. I wanted to write a piece that could be listened to from different perspectives. That is, if one chooses to listen to it "from afar", the music would probably offer a "beautiful" surface but, from a metaphorically closer distance, one could hear that, beneath that surface, the music is full of pain. I lifted some of the haunting melismas from Couperin's Troisieme Leçon de Tenebrae, using them as sources for loops, and wrote new interludes between them, always within a pulsating, vibrating, aerial texture. The compositional challenge was to write music that would sound as an orbiting spaceship that never touches ground. After finishing the composition, I realized that Tenebrae could be heard as the slow, quiet reading of an illuminated medieval manuscript in which the appearances of the voice singing the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet (from Yod to Nun, as in Couperin) signal the beginning of new chapters, leading to the ending section, built around a single, repeated word: Jerusalem."
Read more from the Composer on his website
Thu, Jul 23, 2015 10:30 AM 10:30 Fri, Jul 24, 2015 4:30 PM 16:30
The László Z. Bitó '60 Conservatory Building (map)
Lizabeth will be singing the role of "Corinthian Woman" during Bard College Conservatory of Music's Conductor's Institute. This workshop will allow student conductors the opportunity to conduct the opera Medea by Maestro Harold Farberman with singers from Bard College Conservatory's Vocal Arts Program and a full, professional orchestra.
Art Song, Chamber Music, Performance
First Songs [Two] Concert
Longy School of Music (map)
The Second of Two First Songs Concert Programs featuring Dawn Upshaw, the Bard College Vocal Arts Program, and the Bard College Piano Fellows performing new works and East Coast premieres by living American Composers.
Lizabeth will perform Andrew Norman's Lullaby (2008, text by W.H. Auden) with her collaborator, Rami Sarieddine in addition to Conrad Winslow's Love (After Rochefoucauld) with her colleagues.
Performance, Chamber Music, Art Song
First Songs [Two] Concert Preview
Bard College Conservatory Performing Space (map)
Lizabeth will perform Andrew Norman's Lullaby (2008- text by W. H. Auden) with her collaborator, Rami Sarieddine in addition to Conrad Winslow's Love (After Rochefoucauld) with her colleagues.
Art Song, Performance, Chamber Music
First Songs [One] Concert
Morgan Library (map)
The First Songs Concert program featuring Dawn Upshaw, the Bard College Vocal Arts Program, and the Bard College Piano Fellow performing new works, and East Coast Premieres by American composers.
Lizabeth will be performing Conrad Winslow's Love (After Rochefoucauld) with her colleagues.
First Songs [One] Preview Concert
The First of Two song programs featuring Dawn Upshaw, the Bard College Vocal Arts Program and the Bard College Piano Fellows performing new works, and East Coast Premieres by American living composers.
Performance, Opera, Chamber Music
Bard College Conservatory Bito Performance Space (map)
Corinthian Woman in Harold Farberman's Chamber Opera Medea
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3393
|
__label__cc
| 0.728545
| 0.271455
|
Digital Platforms: Threats and Opps for Brand Experience
Kevin Gentle - Director and Lead Strategist
Scan to share on WeChat
How can brands leverage digital platforms for differentiated brand experiences?
Tmall, Facebook, Amazon, WeChat, Airbnb… time and time again these names come up in discussions about brands’ digital futures. For many brands, one of the main questions they seek to answer has to do with their fit into the eco-systems that these platforms create: in other words, their brand relevance to new digital behaviors.
This question while important often hides the key point of brand differentiation: how do brands maintain their uniqueness and create differentiating experiences in an age of platform domination? How does a single brand exist and stand out in a world where Tmall, WeChat and the like monopolize attention and commoditize brands?
In this article, we will seek to answer these questions, providing both theoretical clarity to the conundrum of digital platforms and laying out some practical principles for action.
The Strength of Platforms and Aggregation Theory
While definitions vary, platform businesses are generally characterized as having the 2 following basic characteristics:
1. Enable connections and exchange between different actors: platforms exist as an interface for exchange. Tmall provides the tools and infrastructure to connect merchants with consumers. Facebook enables connections between publishers and audiences. Airbnb connects owners of un-used real estate to travelers.
2. Benefit from network effects: the strength of platform business models is linked to the fact that they benefit from network effects. Simply put: the number of participants on the platform increases its value for users, thereby triggering a virtuous circle that powers exponential growth. To take a simple example: the more merchants use WeChat pay, the more users will adopt it, which in turn will encourage more merchants to join, and so forth.
Over the past 10 years, platforms have gained strength through a phenomenon known as aggregation theory. Broadly put, aggregation theory refers to the epicenter of the value chain moving away from supply and distribution and towards user experience and aggregation.
In the traditional value chain, suppliers and distributors interact either through direct ownership (e.g. apparel stores) or close collaboration (e.g. FMCG). Multiple distributors compete with one another while suppliers maintain a high degree of control over the brand experience.
In the digital age value chain, the aggregator owns the consumer relationship. The aggregator commoditizes the suppliers, and bargaining power switches to the aggregator because of its ownership of the consumer experience and attention.
As shown by the visuals above, the new paradigm sees aggregator platforms leverage their ownership of the customer experience, and their near-monopoly on consumer attention, to commoditize suppliers. This new reality profoundly impacts the way brands operate and deliver value.
The Consequences of Platforms on Brand Experiences
Platforms are a near-perfect symbol of the conundrums brought about by digital transformation in that they present both tremendous opportunities and worrying challenges.
On the one hand, platforms have greatly facilitated access. Tmall, WeChat, Amazon and the likes make it incredibly easy for brands to reach consumers on a broad scale and in a cost-effective way. An e-commerce platform like Tmall offers what is essentially a turnkey solution to reaching over 800 million online shoppers, something that would have previously required either a costly physical retail network or heavy investment in an independent e-commerce website. By facilitating access, platforms also make it a lot easier for new entrants to scale and disrupt previously ossified markets.
The flipside though is the commoditization of brand experiences and loss of control over the customer relationship. Loyalty is to the platform more than to the brand, and brands’ offerings become standardized within the platform environment. It is a well-documented phenomenon that Amazon search terms are moving away from brand-related keywords to generic product related keywords. Consumers look for “batteries” more than for “Duracell” or for “black top” more than for “Zara”. In addition, platforms’ ownership of consumer attention makes it increasingly complicated for brands to bring consumers outside of the platform eco-system and towards a branded digital environment, where the brand is in full control of the user experience and resulting user data.
So what options do brands have to navigate these treacherous waters and come out ahead?
4 Principles for Action
1. Develop your platform strategy: the reaction of many brands in the face of the rising power of platforms is one of fear and mistrust. This reaction, while understandable, is misguided – and in the end, unproductive. For better or worse platforms represent a fundamental shift in the economic order and a new division of labor between product/service providers and distribution players. Rather than falling into denial, brands must develop a clear strategy across 2 fronts:
Leveraging the potential of existing platforms: when Burberry first set up shop on Tmall the move was met with skepticism and a healthy dose of mockery. Since the opening of their storefront, though, the brand has proved that a good platform play boosts reach (in this case reach to lower tier cities where Burberry does not have a retail presence) without completely disregarding the brand experience.
Client Story: Similarly, MADJOR is currently working with a large European insurance group on the development of a new service targeted at Chinese families with small children, based entirely on WeChat. Instead of clinging to the traditional consumer relationship model, our client decided to address the question head-on and look at platforms with an open mind, finding ways to establish new revenue streams through platforms.
Creating your own platforms: some brands have the opportunity to move to the most favorable position in the value chain: that of platform owner. By leveraging existing assets or relationships they create new venues for value exchange. General Electrics is a good example: by setting up the Predix open platform to empower innovation, it positions itself as the go-to standard in the industrial IOT space.
2. Differentiate your brand: for decades many brands have built their success on distribution footprint or media buying power more than on real brand differentiation and relevancy. By commoditizing brands and democratizing consumer access, platforms have leveled the playing field. In an age of infinite supply and instant access, consumer behavior within aggregator platforms is becoming increasingly brand agnostic.
To stand out in this environment, brand differentiation and relevance are more important than ever. We are moving towards a future where a select group of brands will be looked for by name while others will become either an isolated element in a feed or a single result in a generic search term. To make sure that they fall into the first category brands need to double down on clarifying their value proposition, building differentiated products and supporting them with a brand message that stands out and resonates.
3. Optimize your brand experience for platforms: while platforms certainly drive brand commoditization, we reject the notion that it is outright impossible to create strong brands through platforms and differentiate in a platform environment. Brands like 三只松鼠 [Sān zhī sōngshǔ], or “Three Squirrels” (a Chinese retailer selling nuts and other healthy snacks through Tmall and other e-commerce platforms), prove that platforms don’t mean the end of brands but rather the rise of new types of brands created from the ground up with the new digital paradigm in mind.
Client Story: MADJOR recently worked with a large PCG brand to optimize their brand identity for new digital touch points. The brand experience was still designed with traditional 30 second TVCs, supermarket POS activations and print ads in mind. Meanwhile the brand was not being expressed properly on social media and e-commerce platforms because of a lack of adequate assets and internal processes for online brand identity management. Just like this client, many brands still do not optimize their brand experience for digital platforms, treating them as tactical channels for commerce or content distribution instead of placing them firmly at the center of their brand experience.
Client Story: Similarly, MADJOR is collaborating with a fine foods retailer to create a WeChat-optimized purchasing experience that uses the social graph to deliver a unique social shopping experience that would be impossible outside of the WeChat eco-system. In this case, our logic was to think platform-first instead of trying to port online the brand’s traditional retail model.
4. Provide value through signature digital experiences: many clients of ours lament that the dominance of platforms and their monopoly on consumer attention makes it impossible for brands to bring customers into their own digital eco system and provide fully customized, branded digital experiences. It is indeed an indisputable truth that as platforms like WeChat increase their share of online time, bringing consumers outside of these familiar interfaces is becoming increasingly complicated. However here too there is no fatality. Customers are still hungry for unique digital experiences and willing to embrace them provided there is real value beyond the platform walls.
Nike for instance uses its unique Nike ID service to provide value beyond what existing platforms offer and create a differentiated digital brand experience against its competitors.
Client Story: MADJOR recently collaborated with a top high-end cosmetics brand to help them re-think their e-commerce eco-system and identity features such as product engraving or skincare regimen recommendation tools that could be offered on their branded e-commerce site to differentiate against 3rd party platforms.
How Does Your Brand View Digital Platforms?
Platforms are a deceptively simple business model. They represent one of the most important trends at play in the digital landscape and one of the key drivers of digital brand transformation. Facing this trend means acting on 2 fronts: adapting to the new reality while avoiding being swallowed whole by the brand commoditization phenomenon. A complex balancing act for sure but one on which the success of many brands will depend.
|
cc/2019-30/en_middle_0012.json.gz/line3399
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.