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__label__wiki	0.808239	0.808239	PARTICIPANT LOG IN About Fundraising Sponsors In 1985 my sister Robin and I lost our mom at only 47 years old to a very aggressive form of Alheimer's disease. This disease leaves family feeling helpless, but this is our opportunity to do something about it thirty years later! By participating in this event, I've committed to raising awareness and funds to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association®. Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk and we must come together to change the course of this disease. Please support my efforts by making a donation. All funds raised benefit the Alzheimer's Association and its work to enhance care and support programs and advance research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Thank you for joining the fight against Alzheimer’s disease! Prefer to donate offline? Get the mail-in donation form. Massage Envy Kit earned! I've raised $1,250 and earned my RTR shorts! I have made a donation to this event THANKS TO MY DONORS! Bud Henaughan, father of Peggy our Sister-in-Law Elizabeth Godbey I miss my Mom: Doris Maples Jane Ko Jeffery and Shakeila James Kim Furno Lisa Cyr Massage Envy Tinley Park IL- Lori Johnson Mr. Brian Todd Mrs. Sandra H THOMASON Ms. Lisa Aiesi Nataliya Kisseleva Pelham Refresh Proceeds Shannon Reilly Todd and Carrie Prochaska My Team: Massage Envy $1350 RAISED $1500 GOAL DONATETO SUPPORT ME Mail-in donation form 4124 Clemson Blvd., Suite L About Fundraising Sponsors Donate About Alzheimer's alz.org FAQ Contact Us Register Log In Find a Participant To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line3
__label__cc	0.576758	0.423242	Things to Do Miami: Best of the Best Reggae Festival at Bayfront Park May 26 – Miami New Times May 16, 2019 by newtheme Much of Miami is a patchwork of vibrant Caribbean communities. Over the years, the number of immigrants from the islands has continued to grow. You might not hear a Jamaican sound system in your neighborhood, but know there is one blasting beats onto the streets someplace not far from your front door. And this Memorial Day weekend, downtown Miami will burst with Caribbean vibes and sounds at the 13th-annual Best of the Best Concert. Founded by Buju Banton’s manager Joseph “Joey Budafuco” Louis and New York City’s Hot 97 DJ Jabba, the festival will take place at its original home of Bayfront Park this year after it was moved inside due to bad weather last year. They’re expecting an enthusiastic crowd to descend upon the city for this massive event. Budafuco says there isn’t much of a reggae scene in South Florida, so they’re the main attraction for reggae-heads. “You’ll come across a reggae event possibly once a month or once every quarter of the year,” he surmises. The Brooklyn-born promoter moved to Miami for college and found success in events when he launched a South Beach reggae party in 1996 with partner RIP Daddy Saw. Known as Rockers Island, the event went down at South Beach’s iconic hot spot Amnesia, now known as Story Nightclub. Before launching Best of the Best with Jabba, Budafuco also hosted another party, Madhouse, on Virginia Key. “What we have done as a festival in the past 12 years is to position South Florida as a destination for reggae fans all over the world to participate in a stellar Caribbean festival,” he explains. “The locals’ support gets energized when the participation of our huge international audience arrives to South Florida.” Jahmiel entertains the masses at Best of the Best 2018. He’ll return to perform at this year’s edition. David I. Muir Photography The direction Budafuco and Jabba take when planning the concert is dictated by an island nearby. “Choices we make for Best of the Best Concert primarily come from what’s going on in the music industry in Jamaica.” And this year, they’re adding something for nostalgic Gen-Xers. “We started a new segment incorporating the ’90s era with legends such as Shabba Ranks and the ‘Don Dada’ Super Cat, plus many more great ’90s artists,” Budafuco says. “For 2020, we plan to integrate more Afro beats, dancehall, and soca into our lineup. We want to make the experience more than just reggae.” Get ready for an extended lineup that includes not only Shabba and Super Cat but also Alkaline, Jahmiel, Stylo G, Bushman, Vanessa Bling, and many others, because, as Jabba says on the fest’s website: “We got to keep reggae music alive.” Best of the Best Concert. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets cost $50 to $399 via bestofthebestconcert.com. Children under 12 get in free with an adult. Liz Tracy has written for publications such as the New York Times, the Atlantic, Refinery29, W, Glamour, and, of course, Miami New Times. She was New Times Broward-Palm Beach‘s music editor for three years. Now she plays one mean monster with her 2-year-old son and obsessively watches British mysteries. Crane Lake to celebrate spirit of the voyageurs – Mesabi Daily News Photos: Hall of Fame Open: Day 2 photos – newportri.com Bling Glamour May 16, 2019 by newtheme A24 to Screen Movies Like ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Moonlight’ on Billboards for Free Across America – Collider.com Matteo Guidicelli’s sister gets engaged – ABS-CBN News Hilary Duff Details Her Storybook Engagement: ‘It Was So Sweet’ – Entertainment Tonight Mark Ronson turned down for Kendrick Lamar collaboration – IOL The Bentley Flying Spur is a rocketship limo with four doors and loads of bling – The Sun Fortnite might get 14 Days of Summer event and challenges soon – Dot Esports	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line5
__label__wiki	0.703769	0.703769	Showing posts with label EWS. Show all posts HINDI MEDIUM, a movie that takes a dig at education system - Nursery Admissions Delhi-NCR The film shows the plight of parents struggling to get a nursery seat for their child. If you are a parent living in Delhi who has fought a battle of nursery admission or is a parent who would do that in near future, the film Hindi Medium is your story. Having covered the nursery admissions in the last one decade as a journalist and now a parent myself, I can say that getting a nursery seat is a herculean task in Delhi. The film shows the real-life experiences of parents and the problems thousands of them face every year, with a dash of humour. Illustration: Ashish Asthana The film, starring Irrfan Khan and Pakistani actress Saba Qamar, shows the plight of parents who aspire to send their daughter to an English medium school. Probably the first film made to highlight the flaws of education system, it points out at the need to reform the education system. It shows that education, which is supposed to be a not-for-profit activity and right of every child, has emerged as a big business opportunity. While the film will release on May 19, a screening was organized on May 13 for deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, who handles the education portfolio, and the department of education. The government-run schools across India are in bad shape. Shortage of classrooms, insufficient teachers and low learning levels are some of the problems they have faced over the years. They have been left to decay for a long time. It is because of the poor standards of such schools that parents have shifted to private schools. More children and less number of good quality private schools; the nursery admission blues has become an annual problem since the private schools got autonomy. And it has become challenging for parents to score a seat for their child in the city. The film is about a couple who dream to give the best education to their daughter and the problems they face. Irrfan Khan portrays the role of a father with a daunting task in hand. A businessman from Chandni Chowk in central Delhi, he wants his daughter to get admission in areputed school in Delhi. He is ready to do anything. From changing house and moving to a posh neighbourhood in south Delhi to come within the 3 km radius of the school, to bribing the school principal and asking an MLA for help, he leaves no stone unturned. The couple also hire a consultant for this. But still do not manage to get admission. Meanwhile, his worker’s son gets admission in a reputed school under the quota reserved for economically weaker section (EWS). When all other means fail, he decides to take the EWS route. The film highlights the pressure build up on children to speak in English and how education is creating a divide within the society. It also points out at the increasing ambition of parents from EWS to send their children in English medium schools. The RTE Act mandates reserving 25 percent seats for such children, but corruption and scams act as roadblocks. Manish Sisodia said that the film has shown the reality and that is why the government of Delhi is working hard to solve the problem. He said there is a need to focus on the quality of government school education and the government must develop a strong alternative to private schools. “Improving the system is a complex issue, but the work has already been started.” He added that the stigma attached to the government school will take time to go. “Private schools have become really powerful. They do whatever they wish to. And whenever we pass any regulation, they pressurize and corrupt the system. I don’t think by bringing more strict rules and regulation we can really solve this problem. The solution lies in fixing the problem with government schools. We are working to bring the government schools at par with the private schools by improving their quality. If people are confident about government schools, then only this problem can be solved.” Sisodia said that government schools have been left to decay for around 25 years and thus, cannot be improved overnight. “For the last two years we have been improving the quality of government schools. The confidence of people is increasing now. And it will take some time to change the perception of government schools.” The education minister also said that the government is working to bring strict rules and regulations to ensure there is enough transparency in the system. “There are laws which favor private schools. Atishi Marlena, advisor to Manish Sisodia, also attended the screening. She said that the film is excellent portrayal of the education crisis in Delhi. “We know the problem when it comes to nursery admission. We know many scams happen in the EWS admission in the private schools. There is a demand and supply problem. There are very few high quality schools. And I think eventually the answer is to improve government schools.” Marlena also said that the government is working to make the process of nursery admission in private schools more transparent, and also improving the quality of government schools is the way ahead. Source : www.governancenow.com Read More » \| Posted in: Atishi Marlena, Delhi Government, EWS, Hindi Medium, Manish Sisodia, nursery admission 2017-18, Nursery Admissions 2016-2017 Delhi Government, RTE Delhi govt raises upper age limit for EWS nursery admissions - Nursery Admission Delhi The Delhi government raised the upper age limit for admission to entry-level classes under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disadvantaged Group (DG) category, by an year. The Delhi government on Wednesday raised the upper age limit for admission to entry-level classes under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disadvantaged Group (DG) category, by an year. The government had in 2015 fixed upper age limit for admissions to pre-school (nursery), pre-primary (KG) and class I as 4 years, 5 years and 6 years, respectively. However, now the Directorate of Education (DoE) has raised it to 5 years, 6 years and 7 years, respectively and directed the schools to apply the new age limit for the admissions to 2017-18 academic session as well. "The age for granting admission to the students at entry level classes for the academic year 2017- 18 under EWS/DG category already selected through draw of lots is raised up to one year," a communication sent to schools by DoE read. "All the private schools are hereby directed to comply with the order accordingly and grant the admission to all such student selected under EWS/DG through computerised draw of lots in the school allotted to them by May 15," it added. As the Delhi High Court had in 2016 ordered a stay on the earlier age limit, the government had not announced any upper age limit for the admissions under the two categories for this academic session. "Since no upper age was fixed for the admission in entry level classes under the two categories, the children older than the minimum age for admission were also selected among these 31,269 children," the DoE communication said. Delhi High Court had last week ordered the government to raise the upper age limit as an interim measure and proceed with the admissions. A total of 1,13,991 students applied for the admission in the entry-level classes and 31,269 students got selected through computerised lots of draw. source: zeenews.india.com Read More » \| Posted in: Delhi Government, EWS, EWS/DG Category, Nursery Admission 400+ seats vacant but locked due to indecisive Delhi Govt!? HT Delhi : Around 400 nursery seats will remain vacant this year as the Delhi government has decided NOT to hold a second round of lottery for admission in the economically weaker section/disadvantaged (EWS/DG) category for private schools. In a circular issued by the Directorate of Education (DOE), the government said that 384 seats have remained vacant as there were no applications in these school or the applicants were allotted a school of higher preference. This year, the DOE had received 1,13,991 online applications for the 31,653 EWS/DG category seats. Through the computerized draw of lots, a total of 31,269 candidates were allotted schools as per their preferences. In an affidavit filed by the government at the Delhi High Court, the government has stated that out of the 28,135 seats in 1,159 schools more than 19,000 seats have been filled. (source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/nursery-admissions-400-ews-seats-vacant-in-private-schools-but-no-second-draw-of-lots/story-VU1MfPmQ3CL3952AVGwNeP.html) Read More » \| Posted in: Admissions Mafia, Admissions Nexus, DOE, DOE Circular, EWS, EWS/DG Category, Nursery Admissions 2017-18 Schedule Points, Nursery Admissions Delhi 2017-18, Seats, unaided private schools List of selected EWS students released - Nursery Admissions Delhi 2017-18 Nursery Admissions Delhi 2017-18 (EWS/DG Category) Delhi Government has issued the list of selected EWS candidates for the nursery admissions. The selection list is on the official website. Read More » \| Posted in: EWS, EWS/DG Category, Nursery Admissions Delhi 2017-18, Selection list Revised nursery admission schedule for EWS/DG category seats in Private Unaided Recognized Schools of Delhi- Nursery Admissions 2017-18 Revised admission schedule at Entry Level Classes(Preschool/Nursery, Pre-primary/KG & Class-I) for EWS/DG. Category seats in Private Unaided Recognized Schools of Delhi for the session 2017-18. Admission Schedule:- . Last date of submission of application forms in schools 14/02/2017 (Tuesday) The date of displaying the first list of selected candidates including waiting list 07/03/2017 (Tuesday)). The date of displaying the second list of candidates (if any) including waiting list 17/03/2017 (Friday) Closure of admission process. 31/03/2017 (Fridav) For more details Read the Circular at DOE site Read More » \| Posted in: EWS, EWS/DG Category, Nursery Admissions Delhi 2017-18, unaided private schools 50 per cent extra seats opened up after abolition of management quota: Arvind Kejriwal Scrapping of management quota for nursery admissions in private schools has thrown open 50 per cent extra seats for common man, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said, even as he asserted that the government had no intention of “interfering” into the daily affairs of the schools. The chief minister also said that the Delhi government will “think” about online admissions on 75 per cent open seats in the next year. “The Delhi government has made school admissions totally transparent. Scrapping management quota, which were used to oblige recommendations of politicians, government functionaries and powerful people, has opened nearly 50 per cent extra seats for common man,” Kejriwal said at an interaction with parents seeking admission for their wards. The government has “cut its own hands” in doing so as the school admission process will now take place in a transparent manner without any recommendations, he said. “We are not going to benefit from it and the government and the chief minister have rather cut our hands otherwise our volunteers would bring recommendations and we would be doling out seats for admissions,” he said. Replying to complaints and suggestions of parents seeking admission for their children, Kejriwal said the management quota and 62 criteria for admissions were scrapped as they were not “reasonable, fair and transparent”. “We believed in schools and allowed them to upload their admission criteria by December 31. But some of the schools betrayed our faith and reserved upto 75 per cent seats through these criteria and various quota like alumni and sibling quota.” The chief minister said that the admissions on 25 per cent seats under EWS quota were also riddled with irregularities and the government has now made this process online. “They will have no better government than this one if they want to do good things but they will also not found any worse government if they indulge in irregularities,” he warned. “Now, the schools will not have their say in it. Those who will not follow guidelines and rules will be decrecognised,” Kejriwal said, adding that his government had no intention of “interfering” in their day to day affairs. “We will think about online admissions on 75 per cent open seats in the next year,” he said in reply to a suggestion by one of the parents. The government has decided to focus on education and health in 2016 and is working on it, the Chief Minister said adding that policies should be framed in consultation with public, he said. Attending the event, Deputy CM and Education minister Manish Sisodia said, “There was tremendous pressure from different quarters including the private schools to maintain the management quota. But we will not bow down to pressure,” he said. The government has only “ordinary” powers to regulate schools and it needs to have more powers to issue directions and take action against them. “We have included this power in Delhi Education Act by amending it and sent for approval of Centre so that so that Delhi government and private schools in Delhi could work in a better way,” he said. Alleging that several schools had turned themselves into “teaching shops” through management quota, Sisodia said that the government was determined to stop them. “Management quotas were used as a window through which money was taken and recommendations by ministers, bureaucrats and police officials were met,” he said. The schools are creating “confusion” over admission criteria and ending of management quota, but the parents need not to worry as the government was with them, Sisodia said. “The schools are doing this wilfully to scare the parents. But they do not need to worry as the government is with them to ensure transparency in admission,” he said. The Deputy Chief Minister, while criticising the private schools over management quota and admission criteria related irregularities, also acknowledged their role in “maintaining quality of education” at a time when government schools failed to do so. “They have been told that if they face legal problems in the way of doing good things we will change it.” He further clarified that the government has accepted the demand of private schools for seats for children of teachers and members of management committees. Asserting that improvement in education required efforts on all its aspects, Sisodia said that the government will focus on training and quality of education at government schools. Read More » \| Posted in: AAP, arvind kejriwal, Delhi Government, delhi schools, EWS, management quota, Manish Sisodia, Nursery Admissions 2016-2017 Woman Arrested in Delhi Nursery Admission Racket Tuesday, July 14, 2015 0 Police have arrested the daughter of the alleged kingpin of a scam related to nursery schools in Delhi, who was caught posing as the mother of a child and forged documents to secure an admission at Springdales School in Dhaula Kuan. The arrest brings the police one step closer to unravelling a racket that has brought several top city schools under the scanner. The arrested woman, a law student, is the daughter of Gurdeep Singh, who is the alleged mastermind behind the scam and is missing, Police said. The police have brought in charges of forgery and impersonation against the woman, who is also believed to have been involved in more such admissions. The scam surfaced last month after the head of one the groups Mukesh Sharma and three others Anil Kumar, Sudama Singh and Dharam Singh were arrested. Police have since then busted two more groups and arrested in total nine people, leading them to believe that an organized syndicate is involved in the racket. Several school officials, parents, students, touts, principals are being probed for complicity. The Police say there have been hundreds of such admissions in the last two years, where students are passed off as coming from economically weaker sections, and the number may go up substantially. The accused charged anything between 1 lakh and 5 lakh per admission depending on the school and the income of the parents. Notices have been served to more than a dozen schools wherein police has sought the list of students admitted under the EWS quota and the documents furnished by them. Well-known institutions like DPS Mathura Road, Rohini and several other DPS schools are being probed along with Bal Bharati Public School Pitampura, GD Goenka School, Modern School, Ryan International. Source: http://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/police-close-in-on-delhi-nursery-school-admissions-scam-kingpin-780016 Read More » \| Posted in: bal bharti public school, DPS, EWS, GD Goenka Public School, Modern School, news, Nursery admission racket, Ryan International School	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line8
__label__cc	0.65041	0.34959	String Quartet No. 1 New York Premiere Review Jack Quartet by Beowulf Sheehan “Contemporary classical composition is going in so many different directions, that the surprise of JACK Quartet’s Friday night concert at 92Y was the uniformity of the musical language. What was no surprise at all was JACK’s exceptional playing. The quartet is so fine and so well prepared that they never sound less than masterful. There remains something uncanny about hearing music that is supposed to be challenging to the musicians played with such precision and musicality that it gives the illusion of ease; that skill produces performances that are what the composers envisioned rather than misleading simulacrums. JACK played three new or recent string quartets by Andreia Pinto Correia (who was in attendance), Sabrina Schroeder, and Zosha di Castri. These all led up to a modern masterpiece that seemed a progenitor of all the preceding music, Ligeti’s String Quartet No. 2. Each movement was dedicated to one of the musicians—violinists Christopher Otto and Austin Wulliman, violist John Pickford Richards, and cellist Jay Campbell—although none was favored with showy solo moments. There were bits of extended technique sprinkled in but as a whole this was a statement of modernist language, with a diminished-key lyricism and compressed clusters of notes that went beyond dissonance. The restless sound was a descendant of post-WWI expressionism. Near 100 years to the day after that war ended, the main of the classical tradition survives in this sound, ones that make tonality plastic and subject it to extremes of compression and expansion. The result in this piece was music that dazzled the mind and punched its way into the heart.” The New York Classical Review , George Grella	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line16
__label__cc	0.524157	0.475843	Endnotes + Buy ‘An Optimist’s Tour…’ “Sharp and fascinating” – The Wall Street Journal “…stellar reviews all over the place, and it is certainly one of the most interesting science books I’ve read for a long time … contentious subjects tackled in an approachable way.” – New Statesman “a rollicking roller-coaster ride around the cutting edge of science with dozens of laugh-out-loud moments. His access to some of the planet’s brainiest scientists might suggest that he himself has a professional reputation of some stature. But having cornered them in the labs, Stevenson is far from star-struck” – The Scotsman “Out there on the edge of research, Stevenson puts the trends of tomorrow’s world into perspective with a quizzical, fast-paced, quick-witted tour of the scientific horizon.” – The Times “insightful… entertaining… Stevenson’s restrained and rational enthusiasm makes for optimistic reading” – The Australian “Stevenson turns out to be an energetic tour guide to the cutting edge of science – like inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil, but without that doomed feeling that can come from hearing Kurzweil’s predictions.” – Washington Post “[A] grand tour of charismatic technologies and their prophets … Stevenson bags an impressive list of interviewees” – Financial Times “Essential…illuminating and refreshingly hopeful…an auspicious yet grounded vision” – The Atlantic “Stevenson describes our future’s possibilities with a journalist’s eye for detail, a teacher’s knack for translating complexities, and a comic’s wry commentary” – Christian Science Monitor “an ability to express even the most complex scientific problems in terms easily understood by a layperson. His discussion of global warming is a model of cogency” – Sydney Morning Herald “The Future is here and all around us. It’s just, as William Gibson puts it, not evenly distributed as yet. And why not? This is the book’s killer punch: we have 21st century tech, but our familiar world – from schooling, to work, to our ideas of retirement – hasn’t changed since the industrial revolution. The future cannot happen until we change our minds to meet it” 4 stars. – Henry Gee, Senior editor at Nature, in BBC Focus magazine “infectiously enthusiastic…Despite the book’s title Stevenson is not a relentlessly wide-eyed optimist. He is alive to the self-puffing of the scientists and engineers he meets, and has a nice eye for the absurd… plenty of material for pub speculation” – Sunday Times “Stevenson’s journey is a measured effort to take stock of the reasons for hope, and to keep faith with the enlightenment project. You don’t have to find all the people he meets persuasive, or go along with all his judgments of their projects. But he makes a good case for believing that we can have a future worth making an effort to reach.” – The Guardian “Insightful, humorous and creatively researched, this is a rollicking read and expansive in its open-your-eyes take on the world. Resource crises, climate change, terrorism, the advancement of machine technology, it’s all here – complete with references to Burroughs, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Proust and Einstein. In questioning progress, Stevenson employs science, ethics and philosophy and never fails to be inspirational.” – Mind Food Magazine, Australia “Humour often cuts something down – it slights or disparages. But while Mark Stevenson finds plenty to chuckle over he never succumbs to cynicism about what might be in store… a refreshing reminder that the future will always belong to the optimists” – New Scientist Chris Anderson, Curator TED.com “Blind optimism is the last thing the world needs – a recipe for disappointment. But what about optimism based on careful reasoning? Or digging below the surface for the ideas and the trends that really do add up to something promising? That’s what’s on offer here. Stevenson wears no blindfold. His tools are curiosity, open-mindedness, clarity and reason. That makes his journey intriguing… and ultimately exhilarating.” Michael Brooks – Author of ’13 Things That Don’t Make Sense’ and ‘Free Radicals’ “Uplifting and liberating. Mark Stevenson is the perfect tour guide: optimistic without being naive, fun but not silly, entertaining but enlightening. By the end I was utterly convinced that, given the opportunity to flourish, human ingenuity can disperse the clouds that hang over us today. This is a book to gladden the gloomiest heart.” Henry Pollack, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and author of ‘A World Without Ice’ “Mark Stevenson is a futurist endowed with abundant optimism. Where some fear that robotics and artificial intelligence will dehumanize the world, he sees an enhancement of freedom; where some see nanotechnology as an army of submicron Lilliputians taking over, he sees an invisible array of artisans performing miracles in tight spaces. It’s invigorating to be led to the far side by someone who sees the bright side!” Peter Miller, Author of ‘The Smart Swarm’ “This is a brilliant book, and Mark Stevenson is the perfect guide to a dizzying future that is already here. Genetic innovation. Social robots. Nano factories. The ideas come so quickly, with such great humor—it’s like the smartest dinner party you’ve ever attended.” Matt Ridley, author of ‘Genome’ “insightful and fresh, but also very well written … the best writing about genes I’ve seen in ages.” Blogs / book sites “Stevenson does a great job of delivering all the facts with a sense of wonder and true curiosity. Mix that with a dose of humor and actual understanding of what is being presented to him and you have a very coherent and entertaining journey through the world of future technology. For anyone interested in what the future holds, I highly recommend this book.” Cory Doctorow @ Boing boing “Mark Stevenson’s An Optimist’s Tour of the Future is a hilarious and inspiring romp through some of the most promising directions in technology. Stevenson, a former standup comedian, writes with enormous warmth and humor, and he fast-talks his way into the presence of some hard-to-reach scientists and theorists who really represent the cutting edge of their fields [and] does an admirable job of presenting these findings in a lay-friendly way without eliding too much important detail.” Part trendhunting, part rigorous research, part cultural anthropology, An Optimist’s Tour of the Future may just be our generation’s version of Bill Brysons’s iconic A Short History of Nearly Everything — a bold and entertaining blueprint for a future that’s ours to shape and ours to live. Bookbag “Putting the ‘popular’ back in ‘popular science’ this is an absolute winner: entertaining, educational, jaw dropping.Never before have I been so captivated by a piece of non-fiction. There are various good-enough books out there, but this is something else. Covering everything from robots to the environment, space exploration to eternal life, the book tracks Stevenson as he treks around the globe, meeting people on the cutting edge of science, and turning their babble into clear descriptions, ideas and explanations Joe Bloggs can understand.” Guardian Children’s Books “…fantastic… funny, smart… Even though it’s a non-fiction book it reminded me slightly of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” Forces of Geek “Stevenson is uniquely suited to the task of making his tour of the future not only extremely informative but accessible and entertaining.” ‘You do too much’ – (Naked Scientist) Kat Arney’s blog An Optimist’s Tour is a rollercoaster headf**k of a book that leaves you shaking your head and muttering “wow!” You get a real feel for what it’s like to meet these people and get caught up by their energy and ideas. Clever analogies and metaphors, coupled with his easy-going, conversational writing style, make complicated scientific principles pop off the page into graspable reality. …an absolutely cracking read, providing plenty of food for thought and discussion, and I highly recommend it.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line17
__label__wiki	0.589554	0.589554	Exhibition featuring new stainless steel sculptures and drawings by Not Vital on view at Sperone Westwater Installation view. NEW YORK, NY.- Sperone Westwater announces a Not Vital exhibition featuring new stainless steel sculptures, HEADS, and a series of related drawings. Vital developed this striking sculptural series in his studio in the art district of Caochangdi, Beijing. These seven HEADS, all of a monochromatic palette, ranging from 4.5 to 6.2 feet in height, are pared down to simple contours. Only two of the works, HEAD Self-Portrait (2013) and HEAD Everton (2014), depict specific sitters. The flawlessly smooth, metallic finish, created using cutting-edge technology, establishes an austere and commanding presence. Seemingly both human and machine-like, the sculptures occupy an uneasy middle ground, on occasion ambiguous and disconcerting. These sculptures suggest Vitals fascination with the fast-paced, highly productive, and raw nature of industrial China today. The abstracted and simplified shapes, however, also recall the earliest forms of sculptural representation, such as the iconic carved Moai statues of Easter Island and the ancient sculptural forms of Asian religious art. The 18 drawings of Everton are Vitals most recent work. Executed in early 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, these drawings, measuring 17 x 14 inches, are repeated depictions of the same sitter, Everton. All of the drawings are rendered in either oilstick on paper or oilstick and tape on paper. This series becomes a meditation on the same subject, the human face. Although dark and often rendered with rapid strokes, Vitals depictions possess a quiet and potent strength despite the absence of facial details. Not Vital (b. 1948, Sent, Engadin, Switzerland) studied in Paris and Rome before moving to New York in 1974. Vital currently divides his time between Brazil, Chile, China, Niger and Switzerland. The artists work was featured in Plateau of Humanity at the 49th Venice Biennale, Italy (2001). Vital's major exhibitions have taken place at the Kunsthalle Bielefeld, Germany (2005); The Arts Club of Chicago, Illinois, (2006); KÖR Kunsthalle Wien public space Karlsplatz, Vienna, Austria (2009-2010); Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, China (2011); the Cabinet dArts Graphiques, Musées dArt et dHistoire, Geneva, Switzerland (2014); and the Museo darte di Mendrisio, Mendrisio, Switzerland (2014-2015). In 2013, 700 Snowballs, an installation of 700 individual glass balls, was on view on the Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy. In autumn 2014, Vitals Tongue will be featured in the Busan Biennale 2014, South Korea. Vital had his first solo show at Sperone Westwater in 1995, and EVERTON will be his seventh solo show at the gallery. Manuscript detailing early history of Aztec nation makes a celebrated return to Mexico Skinner sets United States record with $24.7 million sale of a Qing Dynasty vase Lord of the Flies 60th anniversary marks handover of Golding archive to University of Exeter Wangechi Mutu transforms galleries with magnetic artworks and installations World auction record for a Sale of Oceanic Art: Triumphant homage to the eye of Murray Frum Egypt recovers stolen fragments of Cheops pyramid thought to have been stolen by Germans Getty Foundation announces major initiative to conserve 20th century architecture Comprehensive solo exhibition of new photographs by Robert Polidori on view at Galerie Karsten Greve 'Straight from Spain: Photography by Isabel Muñoz and Juan Manuel Castro Prieto' on view at Ruiz-Healy Art Major solo show by Cerith Wyn Evans opens at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery Exhibition of Thomas Demand's 'Dailies' opens at Sprüth Magers in Berlin Iconic painting of Mao Zedong leads 'Art of Asia from the Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter Collection Sale' Stephen Shore's first ever retrospective exhibition opens at Fundacion Mapfre Diverse selection of visually stimulating images at Swann Galleries' poster auction The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, appoints Dr. Aimée E. Froom as Curator of Islamic Art 1792 Silver-Center Cent tops $700,000 to lead Heritage's $28+ million September Long Beach Auctions Sotheby's September 2014 Asian Art Week Sales total $55 million Pearls bask in the limelight at Bonhams Fine Jewellery Sale Rare 15th century imperial Ming jar is creating excitement for Bonhams sale 'Fractured Narratives: A strategy to engage' opens at Cornell Fine Arts Museum Group exhibition curated by Glenn OBrien opens at Blain/Southern in Berlin Parcours des Mondes, the international art fair dedicated to tribal arts has successful 13th edition	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line22
__label__cc	0.640054	0.359946	Tag: nicholas sarwark The Libertarian Party Can’t Even Balance Its Own Budget Ryan Lau \| @RyanLau71R Since its inception in 1971, the Libertarian Party has pointed out serious flaws in the American political landscape. From criticizing endless war to condemning wasteful budget spending, the LP has certainly taken note of legitimate issues. But would the party of Chair Nick Sarwark come remotely close to solving them, if elected into office? On the topic of war, it’s hard to say; supposedly antiwar candidates frequently back down on their promises. Barack Obama is an excellent example of this, for his policies led to the creation of several new wars and countless drone attacks against civilians. But he is no indication of the Libertarian Party, so it is unfair to say whether they would keep their antiwar promises. On fiscal issues, though, disturbing evidence seriously calls their ability to manage money into question. Continue reading “The Libertarian Party Can’t Even Balance Its Own Budget” → Filed under: America, Bill Weld, bill weld libertarian, Budget, deficit, Freedom, Gary Johnson, gary johnson 2016, is bill weld a libertarian, is gary johnson a libertarian, johnson 2016, libertarian, libertarian party budget, libertarian party budget deficit, Libertarian Party Chair, libertarian party debt, Libertarians, LP, lp budget, LP Chair, nicholas sarwark, Nick Sarwark, ron paul, sarwark lp, USA, who is lp chair Essays, News, Opinion July 9, 2018 September 2, 2018 Come And Take It: Inside The 2018 Libertarian National Convention By Spencer Kellogg \| @TheNewTreasury The flies are out. Buzzing, congealing, strangulating. Everyone wants to meet somebody. The Hyatt booms out of the rusted concrete as pink haired women chatter in front of no-smoking signs. Up the escalator on the third floor is where everything is happening. Eagerly discussing property laws, the failure of public education and a change in party infrastructure, it’s almost the last call for a hundred or so tired travelers. In the morning, there will be more. Welcome to the 2018 Libertarian National Convention. – Tim Moen: Leader of The Libertarian Party of Canada I grab an Uber across town to the hole in the wall hostel I’ve rented for the night. The driver is an old school Louisianian named Gary. He speaks in that slow, cajun drawl that is so completely and undoubtedly bayou. I roll down the window and take a long cigarette drag that accustoms long drives like the 15 hour one I bombed out of Richmond earlier in the day. In the warm, sticky summer air, he asks what I’m doing here. “A libertarian thing.” “Libertarian huh?” “Yeah, I hate war and I hate sitting people in prison for drugs.” “Yeah, me too. It’s just pot. Everybody smokes pot” Libertarians are always around the corner whether they know it or not. India House is an old mansion with a distinctly French feel and there are a smattering of millennials hanging out front drinking wine at 3AM. At the counter, two desperate men try to book a spare room but the internet is down. They give me a key and walk me through the maze of a hostel. There are “black lives matter” signs and “science is real” posters plastered all over the ugly neon and poorly stenciled walls. As we walk through the kitchen co-op a few older dudes with dreadlocks down to their feet whisper ‘Namaste.’ On the back patio, there are tables filled with sexy, hip youngsters speaking in foreign languages. I wish I wasn’t so tired because I just want to party. I get to my room and there is a dead roach on the floor. The toilet seat is broken and there’s no shower curtain. Just as I had hoped. Unsuitably perfect. My New Orleans. – India House Hostel, New Orleans The next day, I stumble over to the Hyatt and find my press pass. I see many familiar faces and run into a few of my favorite people from the New Mexico delegation. Everyone is tired but eager to get the ‘party’ started. James Weeks and the Libertarian Socialist Caucus are handing out “Make Rothbard Left Again” pins and down the hallway, Caryn Ann Harlos is donning her infamous lady liberty hat as she passes out ‘Harlos for Secretary’ pamphlets. At the elevator, I see Blair Dunn. A towering figure with a soft smile, Dunn is running for Attorney General of New Mexico. After engineering his father’s upset win for New Mexico Land Commissioner a few years ago, hopes are high that Dunn could manufacture another big showing this fall in the land of enchantment. The first major event of the weekend is Bill Weld, speaking in Elite Hall. At 1PM, the room is packed for the much-anticipated speech from the former Governor. I am sitting at a table full of smartly dressed libertarians when Mr. Weld is ushered to an empty table next to mine. Everyone from the table stands up and almost topples over each other at the chance to sit next to the statesman. I feel empathetic for Mr. Weld. What an uncomfortable position to be in. He smiles and takes time to shake each one of their hands. Is this politics? – Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld All of the big wigs are here. Chair Nicholas Sarwark, New York Governor Candidate Larry Sharpe, and noted Economist Jeffery Tucker. I ask a legislative chairman from Pennsylvania if he’s heard about the Libertarian Mises Caucus Event that is congregating a few blocks away from the elegant ballroom. “I’m a 45-year-old man. I have 0 fucks to give.” At nearly $200 dollars a plate, the room is filled with a smattering of big money donors and semi-important figures from within the movement. I get a front row seat and grab a Corona. Mr. Sarwark takes the stage. The lighting is harsh. In front of a dark purple backdrop, two lights glare downward on the LNC Chair and it feels like the stage for some strange gangster film with coarse, cutting shadows rippling across the Pheonix Mayor candidate’s face. He grins and announces an apology to the membership – they have so many attendees this year that they have run out of paper to process them. He quickly moves onto the man of the afternoon with a quote from the tall Massachusetts man himself: “I think coercive taxation is theft and government has a duty to keep it at a minimum.” A smattering of polite agreement rallies around. Weld is a mature and exacting speaker. It’s easy to see why he has driven to the top of the party within a couple quick years. In this room, he dominates the tone with his long, statuesque figure and years of governing experience. In a party full of bold ideas, Weld represents one of the first men to cross their paths that has real, applicable experience in the field of governance and it’s apparent that the room is pleased. A large contingency of the membership believe that it will be this demeanor, pragmatic and statesmanlike, that will help legitimize and propel the Libertarian movement forward. When asked what he can bring to the 2020 ticket, Weld simply states: “publicity.” He can’t hide his contempt for President Trump and suggests the Libertarian Party has as good of a chance to win in 2020 as Trump did before the 2016 election. I am particularly impressed by Weld’s extensive knowledge of marijuana policy. He rightly suggests that the drug war has been a major burden on race relations in this country, pointing out that “if you are black, you are four times as likely to get arrested for marijuana possession that if you are white.” Weld then launches into a wonderful defense of CBD oil and its medicinal properties. Citing a lack of research on cannabinoids in the United States, Weld suggested there is still much to be learned about the plant’s properties (and he’s right). I leave the prags to it and walk into the sweltering heat of midday New Orleans. – SmartCash Cryptocurrency A mile away at the Take Human Action Bash, the energy feels completely different. Gone is the drab, empty ballroom in the basement of the Hyatt. Gone are the over-eager brownnosers begging to be noticed or make their mark on party leadership. Sponsered by the Libertarian Mises Caucus, the room at the Intercontinental hotel is smaller and intimate. It is lit warmly and the CEO of SmartCash is speaking in front of a screen that features the emblems of the cryptocurrencies PIVX, Zencash, Smartcash & Komodo. Attendees are asking questions about the future of blockchain technology and the room is filled with bright, young, casually dressed people. In one world, it feels ‘chill.’ The Libertarian Party is at a bit of a crossroads right now between young and old, pragmatic and radical. Although Gary Johnson/Bill Weld garnered the highest presidential vote total in the history of the LP, many within the party membership felt the two former governors presented a watered down version of libertarian ideology. The contingency at the Intercontinental has come to this year’s convention with one goal in mind – to replace the leadership structure and plot a new course for the modern LP. Many of the speakers and presentations at this event live on the outskirts of the party structure but are seen as some of the most ideologically important members of the movement as a whole. This is the dichotomy that will play itself out on the convention floor over the course of the July 4th weekend in New Orleans. The future of the Libertarian Party lays in the balance. – Larry Sharpe: Candidate For Governor of New York New York Governor candidate Larry Sharpe enters through the side and everyone is on the edge of their seat. Where Weld felt prepared and orderly, Sharpe is off-the-cuff and easy going. His self-deprecating humor, outside the box thinking and sharp fit, are a stark contrast to the hollow, banal mood of the Hyatt ballroom. For the first time this weekend, I get the sense that there is a living, breathing element to the Libertarian Party. Beyond the bylaws and manic desperation to network, The Take Human Action Bash has a comfortable sense of ‘home.’ His speech ends to a standing ovation and there is a real, palpable feeling in the room that we could have just watched the 2020 Presidential nominee for the Libertarian Party. Scott Horton, the editorial director of AntiWar.com takes the stage next. He is effaceable and kind in his opening remarks. The clutch in his truck had blown out in Lafayette, LA last night but the caucus group rallied to make sure he made the event in time – His speech centers on Ron Paul and the movement he helped mobilize in 2008. “He served the Republicans the most bitter pill they could swallow. ‘we started it – not them.’ He created a huge libertarian movement in America.” He is cutting and exact in his condemnation of the politicians who have yet to pay for their interventionalist missteps throughout the world. This sort of demanding, loud, heated rhetoric is exactly what the LPMC believes is missing from the Libertarian Party and after Horton’s huge reception from the audience, I can see why. – Scott Horton: Editor AntiWar.com Tom Woods is next and the room is packed. Woods is arguably the most divisive figure alive in the modern Libertarian movement. To his supporters, he is the ideological lynchpin that sets the standard for Libertarian pedagogy. For many in this room, his podcast “The Tom Woods Show” has been an inspirational guideline that provides a historical roadmap to the libertarian movement dating back to the beginning of our country. To his detractors, Woods is a firebrand with a murky past and he received a cold shoulder from the LP leadership who have attacked him in the past for what they perceive to be Woods more conservative philosophies. His speech sets the precedent for what many are considering to be the most chaotic convention in recent history. Much of Woods words are an ideological call to arms that champions the Ron Paul movement of 2008 that brought libertarianism to the public zeitgeist: “At that moment, something was happening. Every day you could wake up, go to youtube, go to Ron Paul and see the heads he made explode while you were asleep. There is a major slice of the libertarian party that is urging the nomination of a former Massachusetts governor who thinks we need the FED to maximize employment. We need a central planning agency at the heart of government. The FED is the lifeblood of the empire. There has to be some major voice in society willing to call a spade a spade on this. If he’s not going to do that, that’s not helpful. This person also favored perhaps the stupidest war in the history of America – the Iraq War. Why can’t we just say that the bare minimum of the party is anti-fed and anti-war?” – Tom Woods: The Tom Woods Show Later in the night, back at the Hyatt, I see Mr. Woods pass through the crowd hoping to remain unnoticed. It’s impossible. People yell out and plead with him to read their email or latest essay. Though Woods and Weld couldn’t be further apart in fervor and message, here they share the same forced upon shameless idolization and I can’t help but feel sorry for both of them equally. What a strange world we live in. The opening reception is a snoozefest. Naomi Brockwell is speaking and I would usually be all ears but at this stage in the night, the setting is all wrong and I just want to get some food. I catch a cab with some delegates and head to a 105-year-old restaurant on Bourbon Street. We eat seafood and filet mignon while discussing the big event scheduled for tomorrow: the chair debate. No one seems very excited about the prospect of Mr. Sarwark retaining the position but there’s a general consensus that someone else will need to win the room over. Joshua Smith, the major challenger from the State of Washington, is on the tip of all our tongues. How will he perform on the big stage tomorrow night? We eat pecan pie and banana bread before stepping into that never-ending sticky hell that lives on every street corner. Back at my AirBnB, I’m wired. I chat up a couple of women on Tinder who seem eager to come and show me what New Orleans is all about but it’s raining with that strained downpour that you only find near the gulf coast and my body is aching from the seafood and booze. I get naked and smoke a joint on my patio. The lightning is close. I close my eyes and am adrift in seconds. Restless nights. Memories of the desert and sand. Memories of that home far away in the coraźon of San Miguel. Xena meets me outside the apartment at 7:30 AM. In a nondescript minivan, she has the looks and charm of a librarian. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Uber it’s that every single driver is a person with a story. We talk about Katrina, we talk about the heat, but mostly we just talk about voodoo and lost love. “If you want to put a real curse on someone who has done you wrong, you need a black pillar candle, some Florida water, a piece of hair, and a $100 dollar bill. Tie them all together and think of nine ways that you’d wish pain upon them. In the 90’s Aaron Neville taught me how to do it.” Adam Kokesh: Candidate For President of The United States She drops me off in front of the Hyatt and I idly chat with her because she is a real person and love is just like that. I’m just in time to catch Adam Kokesh leading a group of veterans down Loyola with camera crews and a large contingency of young delegates in tow. Of all the more than 1,000 delegates on hand, Kokesh and his crew of merry pranksters are amongst some of the strongest minds and will. Up the escalator and into the main conference room for the bylaws committee. There is a cordial disorganization amongst the room that finds some delegations fully represented and engaged while others are lingering in the mezzanine, drinking early morning cocktails and watching the World Cup. Russia upset Spain and the cheers flow throughout the small group of disenchanted libertarians who would rather watch nationalist sport than deal with another minute of dull, plodding linguistic exercises. Former Gary Johnson and John McAfee staffer Christopher Thrasher approaches our delegation table and tries to whip up enough votes to get on the stage at tonight’s debate. At 33, Thrasher looks as young as he is but his experience in the party and his sharp attire convince a few people around me to back him for a spot on the stage. There is a sense in the room that it would be nice to have some more voices and ideas on the stage. I lend Thrasher my personal ballot and off he goes to hustle Colorado for a few more votes. – Christopher Thrasher Staffers I run into an old friend wearing beach shorts and a polo. The stark difference between the suit wearing seriousness of certain members and the laid back, ‘this is my vacation’ attitude of others is striking and uniquely libertarian. He spots my “People Before Politics” Gary Johnson pin from when he first ran for Governor of New Mexico. “Hey, I’ve got something for you.” We leave the great hall and head for the elevators. I board the great big clear glass elevator and he hits 27 – the top floor. I’m scared of heights. I have flown, quite a bit, but I don’t anymore. This is my weakness. Up and up and up and up goes the elevator and New Orleans stretches into the vast swamps of the distance outside the perfectly temperate hotel. I am going to be sick. I close my eyes and hold the rail. I will never lead anyone with this sort of miserable sickness. We get to the very top floor and head for his room. – View Of New Orleans From 27th Floor Inside, I am greeted with the sweet smell of cannabis and a gorgeous view of the maddened city that has yet to sleep since I arrived. I haven’t been smoking pot much lately. Where I used to find a kind balance of ego destruction and creative expression, now I only find a stripped anxiety that makes me question all of the decisions of this short but long, long life we each call our own. I get stoned and stretch my body out a bit. Another four hours of tedious party business lay ahead. My mentor from Chicago had told me these are the most important hours at the convention but my mind has been made lazy on a simple cocktail, marijuana and the food that lays half a mile from the comfy convention center. I’m embarrassed in a way. It’s the pot. It makes me nervous. Do I really know anybody here? Who are these people? Who am I? How did I get here? By the time I get back to the convention room, everyone else has left for lunch. Thank god. A man is handing out fliers in front of our empty delegation table and we jump into one of those easy conversations about UFO’s that feel so magnificently honest and libertarian. We chat about Indiana basketball and the religious experience that was a Bob Knight team. He was never a fan until he saw it live. Where he could see the riddled faces of torment and anguish and could hear the cheers of a thousand Indians bellow around the corporate-less arena. In that way, we’re really talking about the Libertarian Party. How do make your everyday casual, non-member independent into a libertarian? I pledge him my vote and stand for the first time in an hour. The walls are caving in. The floor ripples with the afterglow of a lost earthquake. I must get out of here. – Joe Buchman: LNC At-Large Candidate I keep my head down and sneak out the elevator to the ground floor. I’m back on that sticky, nowhere street looking for the closest market. A few blocks up, I duck into a neighborhood spot and pick up a package of gum, deodorant, and clear eyes. I see another Libertarian delegate and think it’s best I take my credentials off. In the bathroom, there are more dead bugs and my sunglasses are filled with the residue of the storm yet to come. I clean up a bit and eat some walnuts. Finally, the high dissipates and I, for the first time this weekend, feel the weight of my tired body. In Elite Hall, Adam Kokesh is moderating a breakout panel entitled ‘Black Community Outreach’ where former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney is scheduled to speak. Maj Toure, founder of Black Guns Matter, and Houston’s Latonya Whittingon, a leader in the Reform for Marijuana Laws are also on the bill. This is arguably the single most interesting panel discussion of the weekend if for nothing more than the fact that the speakers are black. Although the platform of the LP would find staunch support in the disenfranchised black communities of America, The Libertarian Party has an overwhelming majority of white men as its base membership and has been poor at reaching out to those areas. – Cynthia McKinney: Former Congresswoman McKinney is a joy to watch. Fighting through a cold that rasps her voice, McKinney’s words are measured and strong. As a former congresswoman, McKinney possesses all of the elegant confidence you would expect from someone that has met the swamp of DC head on. She speaks about truth and justice and peace. The crowd is sitting on the edge of their seats and every time I turn around there are another 20 libertarians who have floated into the outshoot panel. You can feel the awkwardness in the room but you can also sense an eager interest in finding paths for our struggles to come together. A former Green Party presidential candidate, McKinney points out that this is her first Libertarian event. In front of a membership that is anti-war, pro-pot and pro-peace, McKinney seems right at home in the Libertarian Party. Maj Toure is exacting in his frankness regarding the disenfranchisement of black gun owners. When asked about how The Libertarian Party can reach out to the black community, Toure cuts through the thin ice of the room and points to the overhanging elephant in the room – the party needs to be younger and hipper. He’s right. For a movement so crystallized by liberty, there is a current of banality running throughout the entire convention. If I was a young black person at this convention, I might miss the entire point. The messaging is just that poor. – Maj Toure: Founder of Black Guns Matter By the end of the hour-long session, there isn’t an open chair in the room. Latonya Whittingon speaks of her experience being arrested for smoking a joint. She is kind, warm and situated, quite obviously, in a world totally unknown to her and the audience. The philosophical goals are the same but we have never met face to face on terms that were sufficient enough to witness that same look of defeated anguish in each other’s spine. In this room is the change we must see in the Libertarian Party but is rarely mentioned throughout the 3-day parliamentary slogfest. We are hurried out of the room. Time is ticking and with events stacked one after the other the panel is ushered away from the excited and nervous introductions that are taking place after the Q&A. Later, I will hear a young delegate remark about the missed opportunities throughout the long, meandering weekend. In the Black Outreach Panel, there were 100+ attendees ready to run through a brick wall together but we didn’t even have the time to reach out and communicate our ideological goals, let alone build coalitions to strategize fundraising and winning elections. There are over 1,000 libertarians here and most of us will walk away as disorganized as when we got here. The convention breaks for food before the Chair debate. It is all up for grabs tonight. In my own delegation (and throughout much of the floor) it is apparent that the majority of seated delegates are open to voting for new leadership but are waiting to hear what leading Chair contender Joshua Smith has to say on the stage. Smith, a relative newcomer to the party, has been doing his part by visiting State Conventions throughout the country in the leadup to this weekend and his easy-going, warm personality is at striking odds with the stoic, impersonal attitude of many in party leadership. – Chair Debate It’s 7:00 PM and the four candidates for chair are on stage. Matt “the commie” Keuhnel, Christopher Thrasher, Joshua Smith and current Chairman Nicholas Sarwark occupy the four podiums but the lens is directly on Smith and Sarwark. Keuhnel is booed and hissed at by the ‘free thinking’ libertarian membership due to some of his ideas which seem at utter odds with the party’s ideas of personal liberty and property rights. At one point he suggests that “Rent is Theft” and the body loses their collective mind. I clap hysterically in spite. For a group of people so obsessed with the idea of liberty and individuality, there is a collectivist entropy that washes over a marathon event like this. I don’t think many are even listening to ‘the commie,’ they are just happy to throw vegetables at something by this stage. – Matt Kuehnel: Libertarian Socialist Chair Candidate Christopher Thrasher, a slick dressed portly man of only 33, has managed his way onto the stage tonight after whipping up enough debate tokens in the hours leading up to the event. If there is one thing that impressed me about the convention it was the ease with which anyone that possesses a modicum of organization and will can access nominations and the debates. Thrasher reads like an over experienced pragmatist who has been in and out of several state delegations in the past decade. He champions his work on both the McAfee and Johnson campaigns of 2016 and from what I can tell, he has some support in the well dressed old guard. He tries to distance himself from the other candidates by touting his ability to organize and fundraise. It all gets lost in the muck and the minutes he is gifted on stage only take away from the real battle between Smith and Sarwark. The long awaited “battle” ends up being a dud. For all the dissenting energy that Smith capitalized on in the year leading up to this weekend, on the debate stage he pales in the deep glow of the big event. Sarwark lords and looms over him and the entire membership like a monument gazing down on its subjects. Smith speaks with the verve and conviction of someone with something to say but says nothing. Gone is the win-or-lose at any cost energy that was so patently present at the InterContinental the night before. Here, in front of the flashing lights, there is not the ideas or showmanship needed to rally the beleaguered crowd of dislocated freedom activists. He attacks Sarwark but for all the wrong reasons and never lands one clear blow to the Chairman that many believe has watered down the libertarian philosophy while ostracizing key members throughout the national membership. In the lobby afterward, the faces say it all: Sarwark will carry the vote easily tomorrow. The old guard is ecstatic. I hear members mocking the Mises Caucus and proudly wearing “Stick With Nick” stickers on their pressed suits. I can hear the drinks being poured and glasses clinking with the satisfaction of paralysis. What had happened in there? Where did it all go wrong? What I had seen across town the night before was brazenly empty here. How could those two representations be so far apart? And how can The Libertarian Party expect to win anything when the leading faction of power is either waving dildos around because it’s “radical” or straining to stand due to age? For a party so keen on representing a new voice in American politics, the debate was anthemic of everything that the two-party system has come to represent – staid, manufactured, rudderless, consenting, formulaic, idealess, powerless, collectivist. “My Guy” vs. “Your Guy” nonsense. – Audacious Caucus Flier Laying in bed after the debate, I watch ‘Get Me Roger Stone,’ and reflect on the missed opportunity of the Chair debate. Roger Stone would’ve never run Smith. He would’ve found someone who didn’t just talk about messaging, but actually had one in his back pocket. What was Smith’s message? “I’m not with him?” I spoke with delegates from all across this country and it’s apparent that the LP have serious issues with elevating to the next level. Many agree that Sarwark has done a fine job in leading the party to a new level of professionalism and respect but there is an eery suspicion that his reign has plateaued. One delegate drew it out for me on a piece of paper. When Sarwark took over there was a spike upwards in membership and general belief but now that line has flattened off. What will the next two years look like? The Vice-Chair debate is much more lively and expansive in its ideological width. Although a number of delegates have left to drink or eat in the waning hours of Saturday night, some of the most interesting topics are addressed including messaging and blockchain. Alex Merced, the favorite of many younger delegates keen on change, is speaking a mile a minute and I worry he’s losing the delegation with every jumbled word. Joe Hauptmann is particularly strong on the night and I get the sense that he might have bagged the whole thing with his laconic but piercing style. – Vice Chair Debate There is less insipidness here too. Everyone is friendly enough and the only attacks come for current Vice Chair Arvin Vohra who has angered many in the membership with his over the top social media presence. During his time in charge, Vohra has challenged age-of-consent laws, suggested veterans are murderers and joked about shooting up school boards. Of all the candidates on the stage, it’s apparent why he won the thing in the first place. He wears a suit well and he exudes confidence behind every timely placed passage. Looking around the room after the debate, it seems like it is anyone’s race. I escape downstairs to the smoker’s lounge around the corner. I am greeted with that beautiful smell of cannabis and go looking. After the long day or bylaws and debates, I could use a toke. I find some young delegates from Kentucky who are passing around a joint and they happily share it. “Let’s get out of here.” They take the words right out of my mouth. We catch a Lyft to Frenchman Street and try to let loose a bit. There is a band in every bar and the eager sense that we should see each one. I buy a round of drinks and we chain smoke in that fashion that lends itself to blackened lungs. Inside a dank, hole in the wall, there is a funk band playing. We set aside all discussions and differences and dance in the warmth of another endless night. – Bourbon Street, New Orleans There is a real, apparent difference that is living inside this convention. The morning is filled with platform debate regarding the wording of sex work in the LP constitution and everyone must have a say. I have to get out of here. I can feel the fangs of that mundane ideological life I was desperate to leave. I meet a Massachusetts delegate at the smoker’s corner and he passes me a huge joint. I came with the intention of staying sober but in the heat of this long, dull nothing it’s hard to keep clean. The delegate is pissed. Wearing a “Don’t Tread On Me” shirt, this is his first convention and he just can’t understand the plodding, toothache feeling that has swarmed the convention center. “I got treated better when I was in the Republican Party.” These are the type of people the Libertarian Party lose every 4 years. I wonder if the leadership even knows they exist. I imagine if they do, they are happy to see them go. – Darry Perry: 2016 Presidential Candidate Darryl Perry is pissed too. Finally, the anarchist presidential candidate has had enough. On the floor, he steps up to the microphone demanding quicker on the ‘money and financial market’ vote. Perry, a radical who must have a say on every single issue, isn’t missing his chance to have his voice heard. Arguments and arguments. Policy and procedure. I am beginning to forget why I became a libertarian. “The squirrels are chasing nuts… the nuts are winning.” Relief shoots through the room as lunch is called. I scurry down to Elite Hall to hear Jim Cantrell speak on space and technology. Cantrell is new to the party but he fits like an old glove. An entrepreneur and mechanical engineer, Cantrell discusses the future of space travel and the potent weapons we all possess in our pants pocket – cell phones. “You wonder why we have so many guns in this country? Because we know the British are coming back and we’re going to kick their ass again!” The room breaks into laughter and applause as Cantrell flicks through images of space travel and the planet Mars. He continues: “Our most famous citizen ever will be the first human not born on the earth and it won’t be a government employee.” Later he points to the DOD and NASA as the expansive government agencies that will be the new frontier of our never-ending military-industrial complex. With Trump calling for a “Space Force” as the sixth branch of our Army, Cantrell is dead on. – Jim Cantrell: Vector Space Systems It’s after lunch and the delegates are fidgeting. Will we ever get to vote? Every curmudgeon in the room needs to exert their minimal power by delaying the time of the closing remarks. We vote to amend the closing remarks from 10 minutes to 5 minutes. Everyone agrees. But then, somebody wants to reduce it further to only 3 minutes. There are considerable groans in the crowd. Someone on the other side of the room is yelling into the microphone: “This is the most important part of the convention and I am ashamed that we are talking about cutting the time on closing remarks.” Delegates around me roll their eyes. One Wisconsin delegate whirls around in his seat and groans “I think we all picked our candidate last night at the debates.” Darryl Perry rises again. “We have already spent 25 minutes debating this!” It is a circus of never-ending rebuttals. If there were any anarchists in this room, they have clawed their eyes out and become statists out of spite. This out of control, power steam engine has been made particularly insufferable this year due to the growth of the party and thus convention. A 17-year-old delegate, one of the youngest at the convention, is doodling on his paper. He mutters to himself, “this thing has run off the rails.” I wonder if he’ll join the Republicans or Democrats when he gets home. On top of the labored system of Robert Rules that enables every microscopic detail to be debated into oblivion by rule book carrying pencil pushers, the voting mechanism for the convention is as old as the membership itself. Everything is done by hand ballot and the hours that transpire while the votes are being counted are filled with drivel that has most in the room searching for the exits. A young delegate from Colorado doesn’t understand why the system hasn’t been updated to meet the technical standards of the 21st century. “I went to YAL (Young Americans for Liberty) Conference and all the votes were done by phone.” I get the sense that the membership actually prefers this outdated methodology. There is a bizarre sense of procedural fetishism inside the convention that is obvious to anyone paying attention. The votes are in for Chair. Sarwark takes it easy on the first ballot. Smith comes in a distant second and everyone is trying to find the 13 people who voted for the “commie” Matt Keuhnel. I figured there would be more dissent but the delegation seems proud to vote Sarwark in for a 3rd term and after what I’ve seen, I too understand the happy-go-lucky feel on the floor. Sarwark is still the man for the job and the more I watch the proceedings the more I feel like he’s been given a bad rap. He runs a watertight meeting and although he appears at ideological ends with the younger, more radical contingency of the delegation, he has, again and again, offered them the chance to ‘come and take it’ – if they are ready. I get the sense that they weren’t ready this time. Maybe in 2020. Nicholas Sarwark: Chair of The Libertarian Party The Vice-Chair votes come later. There is no majority and it will head to a second ballot. Merced is in the lead with Goldstein and Hauptmann splitting the remaining important block of votes. Vohra is in a distant 4th, his reign being robustly overturned by the angered membership. He announces he will run for LNC at large. 71 Republic CEO manages to garner 11 votes on the first ballot and is cut along with Steve Sheetz for not meeting the voting threshold for the next round. The second vote doesn’t reach a majority either and we are on to the 3rd round of balloting. Finally, Merced narrowly captures 50% of the vote and is crowned the new Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party. His kind demeanor, youthful spark, and sharply dressed outfit are all a welcome signal to the part of the membership that was hoping to see some actual change in the makeup of party leadership The last big race of the weekend is for LNC at large. These five people will each hold a vote on the national committee and are just as powerful as the chair and vice chair when debating and voting on party business. Too many people elect to run. We listen to nominating speeches from more than 40 candidates and halfway through it all it’s hard to differentiate from one speaker to the next. While much of the strategic organization for the Mises Caucus had focused primarily on the Chair and Vice Chair positions, it is here that they could do the most damage. Sadly, the preparation is not there. Almost 20 Mises Caucus members run for LNC at large and I see no one instructing the disorganized caucus delegates on who exactly to vote for. I pick all of them but it feels trivial. This is where the pragmatic caucus, with their money and entrenched allieship sweep the floor to maintain a stranglehold on the power structure going forward. 4 of the 5 seats go to the pragmatists. Smith, now running for at large, skirts into the final 5 and will be the only full-time member of the Mises caucus to be voted onto the LNC. While this isn’t the win they were hoping for, across the internet, Mises caucus members celebrate the victory as proof that their efforts have not fallen on deaf ears. The reality, however, is that most of what was in place before the convention has been maintained and the pragmatic caucus has claimed the weekend as their victory. Division politics seem like an oddity for a third party, but even here it is obvious that there is always a measure of ‘us vs. them’ no matter how small the scale. None of the insider politickings address the real reason so many libertarians flocked to New Orleans for the weekend. We aren’t winning. Like a five-year-old treading water or a headless snake with no bite, there is a general malaise that dogs the party and movement. We are not having breakthrough moments where our candidates actually win. Outside of these convention walls, there are still marked questions regarding the philosophy and strategies to take us over the hump. I get the sense that the old guard has lost so many times throughout the years that they believe we will never see a major LP candidate win anything anytime soon. As such, many seem pleased to simply sustain where we are at under the current leadership’s reign. Happy enough are they to see their ‘taxation is theft’ buddies at a new hotel in a new city every two years. Resigned are they to believe the mountain is just too big to climb. I am home in Virginia. A Coroña in one hand and a cigarette in the other, I’m trying to make sense of it all. Miles Davis “Files of Kilimanjaro” is rounding the record player and our pitbull Lady is nestled into my side. What was the result of all of this? Friends, for a start. I met so many incredible, beautiful, shining people from all walks of life. Gun nuts, tax nuts, bitcoin nuts, sex nuts, loveable nuts. I couldn’t imagine representing any other political party. What is a Libertarian? More than any single collective idea, Libertarians are good natured and honest people on the path to truth in a world that has been built on lies. They are the witnesses to injustices that are perpetrated every day in the name of the all-powerful state. Police killings, endless wars, money stripped of its value, and the constitution treated like a piece of toilet paper. These are the things that Libertarians stand against. James Weeks: Libertarian Socialist Caucus In the days after the convention, I watch as the reviews come forward. Across social media, there is an air of accomplishment from all sides and stripes within the LP. The pragmatists have heard the yearning voice of the next generation and the Mises Caucus pick up a couple major new members to the Libertarian Party. Both Tom Woods & comedian Dave Smith join the LP to raucous applause from the membership. Jeffrey Tucker, a noted Bitcoin economist, also throws his hat into the ring and there feels some real momentum for the great forces of ideology and boots on the ground coming together. It’s on to Austin in 2020 where the convention will nominate its choice for President to run against Donald Trump and whatever dead-man-walking the ‘resist’ Democrats trot out. I am most pleased to see the coming together mentality that spawned over the weekend in New Orleans. What was meant to be the most heated and contentious convention in recent memory had ended as one that felt like a strange sort of communion. I fall into bed and sleep for what feels like a hundred years. I dream of the country we are supposed to be. One of love, peace, and justice for all and I believe, for a moment, we are the people to lead the way. Filed under: 2018 Libertarian Convention, Adam Kokesh, Alex Merced, Bill Weld, Black Guns Matter, Cynthia McKinney, Gary Johnson, joshua smith, Larry Sharpe, libertarian, libertarian national convention, libertarian party, Libertarian Party Mises Caucus, libertarianism, Maj Toure, new orleans, New Orleans Convention, nicholas sarwark, party politics, ron paul, Scott Horton, The Libertarian Party, third party, Third Party Politics, Tim Moen, Tom Woods News, Opinion July 5, 2018 March 27, 2019 Tom Woods Joins The Libertarian Party By Mason Mohon \| @mohonofficial The 2018 Libertarian Party National Convention wrapped up over the weekend in New Orleans. After a weekend of discussion, debate, and parliamentary action, Nick Sarwark remained chairman and Alex Merced was elected to the position of Vice Chair. Continue reading “Tom Woods Joins The Libertarian Party” → Filed under: America, Freedom, libertarian, libertarian party, libertarianism, LP, nicholas sarwark, Nick Sarwark, Tom Woods, tom woods libertarian, Tom Woods libertarian party, tom woods lp, Tom Woods Nick Sarwark, USA Opinion April 9, 2018 April 9, 2018 #FinallyFreeAmerica – Interview with Adam Kokesh By John Keller \| United States Adam Kokesh is a libertarian political activist, known for his show Adam vs. The Man. He announced his desire to run for President of the United States in 2020 on July 18th, 2013 and officially filed the paperwork on January 16th, 2018. Adam Kokesh is working to #FinallyFreeAmerica. Keller: You are a veteran of the war in Iraq and a former marine. What was the moment that you decided you were changing from a marine into a political activist? Kokesh: Some things are just decided for you! When I got out of the Marines, I moved to DC to study at GWU. While I was there, I came across the website for Iraq Veterans Against the War and I realized that I had to have my name on that list and joined right away. I really fell over backwards into full-time activism because I of the welcoming nature of the organization and the movement behind it. When I realized that the story of my experience in Iraq could be used to save lives, I had no choice. Keller: You wrote a book titled ‘FREEDOM!’. To you what is the message of freedom all about? Why is Libertarianism better than conservatism or liberalism? Kokesh: Freedom is what you have when no one is forcing their will on you. That is to say that freedom is a state of harmonious coexistence. Freedom is peace. Freedom is love and respect and appreciation for people. A Libertarian is someone who opposes the initiation of force. Why would you settle for anything less? Conservativism and liberalism are just different flavors of statism. Statism is the incorrect belief that it is ok, positive, or ethical for people to force themselves on others. It’s really that simple! Keller: Trump has taken credit for the booming ‘success’ of the stock market. Is he right to take this credit? Kokesh: That’s hard to call and I don’t really care. The stock market is a highly manipulated racket. I’m sure some things he does manipulates it up, some things down. Either way, buy Bitcoin. Invest in innovation. Buy real property that can’t be manipulated by government like the stock market. Keller: There has been a growing movement, often credited in its growing traction to Ron Paul, to ‘End the Fed’. What does this slogan mean to you? Kokesh: Ron Paul definitely deserves credit for bringing the crimes of the Federal Reserve System to the attention of the American people and his supporters deserve credit for sloganizing his message into, “End the Fed” at his rallies that I attended going back to his 2008 campaign. The slogan has come to mean something much bigger now. To me, it means end the federal government entirely! Keller: The #LetRonSpeak Scandal quickly went viral. What was your stance on this issue? Kokesh: The people with the Libertarian Party who decided to decline to give Dr Paul an opportunity to speak at the 2018 convention, National Chair Nick Sarwark and Convention Chair Daniel Hayes, definitely do not represent the base of the party and I hope they are never in positions to make such an embarrassing mistake ever again. Keller: Arvin Vohra has been stirring up quite a storm online with comments about rape and school shootings and many speculate his actions are harming the Libertarian Party. Where do you stand on this controversy? Should Vice Chairman Vohra step down? Kokesh: It’s not so much the controversy about “inflammatory” that concerns me so much as his statements advocating for violations of the nonaggression principle. Those clearly go against what the party stands for. He should and will be replaced at the upcoming national convention. Keller: Recently you were arrested in Texas, mere hours after official filing candidacy for President of the United States. What was this experience like? What charges did the police have against you? Kokesh: I’ve been arrested over three dozen times relating to my activism, mostly in civil disobedience. This one was unplanned. I can’t say it was scary, but it was disturbing because, as you can see from the video, the officer who pulled me over was determined to arrest me even though I had not committed a crime. He broke multiple laws and violated police procedure in order to come up with an excuse to arrest me after unlawfully ordering me to stop recording. When he entered my vehicle, the first thing he did was turn off the other camera I had rolling. I was jailed for ten days and have still yet to be presented with any official papers regarding my charges or the police report despite my repeated requests. Welcome to the United Police States of America! Fortunately, with self-driving vehicles on the horizon, most of the excuses that police use to harass people will go away. Keller: Your campaign is on the philosophy of voluntaryism, with a peaceful and prosperous people without the threat of government. When this idea is depicted it is often, almost exclusively, depicted as chaotic anarchism. What makes your vision different from the media portrayed voluntaryism? Kokesh: I have no idea what you are talking about. I have NEVER heard anyone say that a voluntary society would be chaotic. It is contrary to the very definition. A voluntary society is one in which all human interactions are free of force, fraud, and coercion. As for my campaign, it is based on the practical policy of localization, the idea that political power should be localized as opposed to centralized. Voluntaryism is the philosophy that leads me to that practical policy. Keller: Within the Libertarian Party there is a philosophical divide between minarchists and voluntaryists. As a voluntaryist, what do you have to say to the question of minarchism? In essence, how is anarchy preferable to minarchism? Kokesh: There is no such divide. When you join the party, you take a pledge that says, “ I certify that I oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals. ” That is voluntaryism in pledge form. The people who take that pledge and mean it sometimes identify as minarchists, but they always want whatever the government does to be voluntary. So I’m a minarchist myself in that sense because I’m a voluntaryist. You can have as much government as you want, as long as it’s voluntary! The divide in the party is between people who believe in the Party’s Statement of Principles and take their pledge seriously, and infiltrators like Bob Barr, Gary Johnson, and Bill Weld, who pretend to not understand the pledge they took in order to misrepresent the party. Sadly, many Libertarians are fooled into supporting them, with the obvious disastrous results and negative consequences we saw in the last three election cycles, but the effectiveness of their infiltration would not have been possible without the support of hundreds who infiltrated the delegations of the last three nominating conventions. A big part of my campaign is to encourage people who believe in the principles of the party to be delegates so that isn’t possible again. Frankly, it’s embarrassing that they were able to take so many vacant delegate slots. If I have anything to say about it, they will all be filled with real Libertarians, not infiltrators. So far, our success this year is undeniable. We are halfway through state convention season, and only about a dozen (out of over 1,000) delegate slots are empty. Keller: You campaign on the peaceful dissolution of the national government. What will that look like in office, how will you accomplish such a goal? What role will Congress play? Kokesh: On day one, I will sign my one and only executive order declaring the federal government bankrupt and of no authority. I will resign to become “Custodian of the Federal Government” to oversee the process as a bankruptcy agent. The executive order will be as detailed as possible in laying that process out in a clear, legally binding way. Congress will have no authority, but may have some minor role to play in the apportionment of certain agencies and resources. Every federal agency will be either liquidated, localized to the state level, or spun off as a private institution. Keller: You campaign on dissolving the national government, but often states can be more tyrannical than the national government. As president, what actions would you take against such injustices, if any? Kokesh: I would have no such authority and will make no promises that I cannot keep. However, the premise of your question needs to be put into perspective. Yes, States can occasionally be more tyrannical than the federal government, but if you added up all the injustices committed by state governments and compared them to the injustices of the federal government, it would be like comparing a schoolyard bully to the mafia! And to be fair, you would first have to subtract all the State injustices made possible by the federal government. More importantly, when people see the benefits of localization, (which they will immediately, because on day one, federal laws will not be enforced) there will be a race among the States to dissolve down to the County level. Then a global race to localize. Eventually, government will be so local that it will be … voluntary. Keller: Recently, you announced and have been working to implement “Operation Big Easy Book Bomb”. What is this operation and why was it enacted? Kokesh: We are putting a copy of my book, FREEDOM! in every residential mailbox in New Orleans. 205,000 copies. We want to deliver the message of FREEDOM! directly to the people. Once we show that it can be done there, we will do it in every city in America. Keller: As of late, the Democratic Party faces a small identity crisis and the Republican Party is losing faith in Donald Trump. What makes you the best candidate for 2020 and what should attract disillusioned voters? Kokesh: I’m not the best candidate for President. In fact, asking who is the best candidate for President is like asking who would you most want to kick your ass? If your answer is, “NOBODY!” vote for me, because I will resign. I don’t need to attract disillusioned voters. The government is doing a fine job driving them away. We just have to show them that there is an alternative to government: freedom. Keller: If people are interested in getting involved with joining your campaign, what steps can they take to do so? Kokesh: Check out KokeshForPresident.com, click on volunteer, and fill out the form. But more importantly, don’t wait for direction and don’t ask permission to spread the message of freedom! Have fun waking people up and do something that you enjoy. Talk to your friends and family about why you care about freedom. Keller: Do you have an final remarks to the readers, to supporters, and potential voters? Kokesh: I’m the last President you’ll never need and I approve this message. I would like to thank Adam Kokesh for his time. Be sure to visit KokeshForPresident.com and be sure to read his book “FREEDOM!”, which you can find here and follow his Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all updates. Featured Image Source Filed under: Adam Kokesh, Administration, Age of consent laws Arvin Vohra, American, army, Arvin Vohra, breaking, Breaking News, Civil Liberties, common sense, competition, drug, drug decriminalization, drug rights, drug war, Drugs, election, elections, free market, free speech, free trade, Freedom, freedom of speech, future, individual freedom, internet, Interview, Kokesh, Kokesh 2020, libertarian, Libertarian interview, libertarian national convention, libertarian party, libertarian responsibility, Libertarian Vice Chair, libertarianism, Libertarians, liberty, military, New Mexico Libertarian, News, nicholas sarwark, Nick Sarwark, noninterventionism, people, Sarwark, Texas, United States, USA, veteran, Veterans, Violence, Vohra, war on drugs News, Opinion February 4, 2018 March 1, 2018 Sarwark Vs. Smith, To Debate Or Not To Debate? By Ryan Lau \| United States In a new development Sunday, tensions are rising between candidates for the Chairmanship of the Libertarian Party. This July, incumbent Nicholas Sarwark will attempt to defend his seat against Think Liberty founder Joshua Smith. The election will take place at the Libertarian National Convention in New Orleans. Before the election, Smith hopes that he may be able to debate Sarwark on a number of policy differences. 71 Republic may sponsor this debate. So far, the only slated meeting of the two candidates will take place at a forum in Long Beach, California. Additionally, a debate at the Nebraska Libertarian Party State Convention was planned, but then canceled. However, it is still possible that a debate between the two may not occur. Despite Smith’s firm advocacy for one to occur, Sarwark has yet to confirm his availability. In the following video obtained from an anonymous source, Smith asked Sarwark to increase the number of debates beyond one. Sarwark replied calmly, stating that “I’ll have to see about scheduling”. Without a doubt, the ultimate victor of this race may have a huge impact on the future direction of the party. In the above video, Sarwark and 2020 Presidential Candidate Adam Kokesh agreed on the importance of the party’s future. After Kokesh stated he has “a lot of interest in the future of the party”, Sarwark agreed, remarking “that’s good, we all do”. However, it is possible that voters may not be able to see a debate between the two candidates prior to their critical election if the two cannot reach an agreement on a time and place for such a debate to occur. What are your opinions on the subject? Please add your comments below. Filed under: 2018 libertarians, convention, joshua for chair, joshua for LNC, joshua smith, joshua smith for Chair, joshua smith for LNC, libertarian, Libertarian Mises Caucus, libertarian party, Libertarian Party Mises Caucus, Libertarians, LNC, LP, LP Chair, mises caucus, new orleans, nicholas sarwark, Nick Sarwark	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line25
__label__cc	0.678289	0.321711	Kim Kardashian: Why We Must Love Her BY TAMAR KEVONIAN “I am Armenian, so of course I am obsessed with laser hair removal! Arms, bikini, legs, underarms…my entire body is hairless.” This is the latest quote from Kim Kardashian who will grace the cover of the September 2010 issue of Allure magazine. Just in case you just emerged from the jungles of Borneo, Kim Kardashian is the oldest daughter of attorney Robert Kardashian who famously assembled OJ Simpson’s criminal defense team. She was known as Paris Hilton’s sidekick and emerged from Paris’ shadows only when, a few years ago, a sex tape of her with Ray J, an R&B singer, exploded onto the media circuit. Now, she is the star, along with her sisters Khloe and Kourtney, of “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” a popular reality television program. She is famous for dating African-American men, her feature in Playboy magazine and her full-bodied Armenian “booty” of which she is very proud. Recently, Kourtney, during an interviewed on “Chelsea Lately” with Kim to promote their upcoming season, revealed that her and her mother, Kris Jenner, had gone on a mission to find Kim an Armenian man. To do this, they made a pilgrimage to Glendale. “She thinks that Glendale is Armenia,” Kourtney says. “‘We’re in the land of your people,” she quotes Kris, to which she responds, “Mom, this is Glendale,” meaning that they were in a city in the United States. The studio audience laughs heartily at the anecdote. Today, amongst the masses, they are the best known Armenians in the United States. Love them or hate them, everyone has an opinion about the Kardashians, as evidenced by the many “likes” and several comments my recent Facebook (the popular social networking site) posting received when I reproduced the quote from Allure magazine. “Too funny!!! Love it!” wrote Mary. “BTW [by the way], she forgets the Italian side from her Mom’s side. As I remember, her grandmother Helen was a blond, blue-eyed lady. She didn’t look too hairy to me.” “Dear Tamar at first my jaw dropped when reading your post, I thought it was your statement. Now that I know it was Kim’s it’s not as shocking,” commented Mark. “Oh God… is there anything redeeming about that woman being Armenian?” said Mel. She is perceived as a woman with an off kilter moral compass who is beautiful but without much of a thinking mind. Still many agree with Mel in that they see Kim’s claiming of her ethnicity as reflecting negatively on the Armenian race as a whole. And yet, in the popularity contest of mass media, she has taken the mantle away from Cher, our last generation’s Armenian celebrity who also incited strong emotions during her heyday. Cher’s relationship with her Armenian roots was tumultuous and she preferred to claim her Cherokee heritage rather her Armenian one. Still, she claimed it long enough to visit Armenia in the months following the earthquake in 1988 but has never really publicly proclaimed it since nor has she followed up on her altruistic impulse. In contrast, the Kardashian sisters proudly flaunt their Armenian origins while mostly ignoring their Italian half – the first mass market celebrity to do so – the list of names of those who don’t is far too long to mention here. The sisters are hailed as “resident Armenians” during television appearances, have culled the cultural treasure trove for inspiration for their jewelry line and proudly flaunt the clichéd characteristics of being Armenian. It is a well know fact that Armenians in general, both men and women, have an overabundance of body hair. It is also a well known secret that those afflicted with this symptom, both men and women, freely partake of the service of their local waxing lady – as evidenced by the public display of perfectly groomed symmetrical eyebrows. It is also a well know fact that many Armenians live in Glendale and, although we hate to admit it, where our mothers try to find the perfect Armenian mate for us. As a result of their efforts, perfectly matched Armenian couples engage in sexual intercourse and eventual produce children – thus proving that we are not a result of immaculate conception as those very same mothers had us believing during our younger years. The success of the show, its offshoots, the financial rewards and the garnering of continuous media attention attests to Kim’s intellectual savvy, at the very least she was smart enough to hire a very good advisor. So what exactly is it that we hate about Kim Kardashian? Is it that she is beautiful, has made the most of her famous curves in a way so many others have failed, has sex and is sexual without repercussion, is wealthy or that she is popular? Are we simply jealous and wish we could be her? Or is it the cultural phenomenon of not helping a fellow Armenian – in extension, pulling them down when they rise above the fray – a trend Hrair from last week’s entry “The Concerned Citizen,” has expressed concern about. Armenians in the U.S. would gain much by embracing Kim Kardashian. The advantages start with greater awareness of Armenians in general because, as the saying goes, there’s “no such thing as bad publicity,” meaning that, regardless of their opinion, people are still giving their time and attention to a topic. Another is discussing taboo subjects such as body hair and voluptuous body parts, that many in the community spend so much effort shamefully covering up. Finally, it is showing pride in the heritage by simply claiming they are Armenian without excuses, apology or explanation. Tamar Kevonian Comments are welcomed and encouraged. Though you are fully responsible for the content you post, comments that include profanity, personal attacks or other inappropriate material will not be permitted. Asbarez reserves the right to block users who violate any of our posting standards and policies. Pingback: Kim Kardashian: Why We Must Love Her – Asbarez Armenian News » Kim Kardashian Superstar Hratch Tchaghatzbanian - August 24, 2010 said: The saying “there is no such thing as bad publicity” is not accurately applied in this article, which is nothing more than a failed attempt and taking an “open-minded” position on a damaging phenomenon. True, there is no such thing as bad publicity for Kim Kardashian, as she is cashing her check everytime her name is mentioned anywhere. But it IS bad publicity for Armenian women who pride themselves on being culturally conscious, well educated and ethical. Kim Kardashian has reduced the role of women in society as being those who look to profit from their sexual appeal (and there is another word for that). Alex - August 27, 2010 said: Agreed completely. There is no sense of history anymore. People forget she had sex on camera for the world to see and knowingly sold it for profit and fame. That is the ONLY reason for her celebrity. Now we’re glorifying her and saying that we, Armenians, must love her? for what? what a waste of an article and a degradation to Asbarez’ prupose. Anoymous - January 16, 2012 said: “Kim Kardashian has reduced the role of women in society as being those who look to profit from their sexual appeal.” Really? So when men look to profit from lying, being self-centered politicians or irresponsible financiers, or creating the Playboy magazine and then go on and change women the age of their granddaughters one after the other, they’re glorifying the role of men in society and are constantly hailed in the media, but when a woman profits from her sexual appeal, she’s “reducing” the role of women in society? Talk about hypocrisy and double standards. This article was very well-written, and especially the last and fourth-from-last paragraph hit the spot. Well done. josey - August 24, 2010 said: really? why must we keep discussing this person? in one article, she’s “proud of my Armenian VOR”. in another, “I am Armenian, so of course I am obsessed with laser hair removal! Arms, bikini, legs, underarms…my entire body is hairless.” couple that with the fact that she was dumb enough to make a sex-tape with a celebrity (both of which are likely profiting greatly from) and you’ve got a recipe for a person with no morals, no principal. she’s BANKING on the fact that she’s half Armenian and you people are eating it up. what a joke. the only thing Armenian about her is her last name. let this abomination disappear into the fog already. Sammy - August 25, 2010 said: According to Tamar we should keep discussing this person because she is a “fellow Armenian” and we want to bring her down because we are “jealous” of her. This is how pitiful some Armenians with lousy opinions have become. God help us. Angie Hartounian - August 24, 2010 said: Well said.. Wish we had more Kims!! She was invited to the celebrity dinner with President Obama this year. When interviewed about it and what she would like to work on with the President, she said the official recognition of the Armenian Gebocide! Now, regardless of how successful that mission might be, she got the word out.. How many Armenians do we have that get invited to dine with the President?! Let us embrace Kim, and her sisters.. and support them instead of putting them down for reasons I have yet to understand. Cindy Malakian - August 24, 2010 said: I didn’t see that show you mentioned with Chelsea Handler where they go to Glendale to find an Armenian guy, but thats highly offensive and racist. I live in NYC and my family came over in 1915. We never have been to Glendale. What I notice about the Kardashians are they play up Armenian steterotypes to the full and exploit them. The thing is their only 50% Armenian. Kim always says she has a big butt, body because shes Armenian and now hairy but if you notice they never talk about their Armenian heritage or culture to the public, the Armenian Genocide. I noticed on April 24th, Kim makes a statement on her blog saying “Its Armenian Genocide Day” with no explanation of what that is, not even any links,,, she has never discussed it,, It is my personal people that her and her sisters/family cant stand Armenians and are just using it as a marketing tool to sell themselves as different, exotic. If you notice on their show you never see anyone from their Armenian side of the family, always the mom’s side even at Kholes wedding. They promised to visit Armenia but went to Africa instead. As far as Armenians being hairy, I disagree, all of the women on my Moms side have no hair. Besides the hairest people tend to be hispanics, have you heard Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria say they need laser because of their hispanic heritage? The answer is no.. Because not all hispanics are hairy and they would be playing up the “stereotype” Dita Von Teese is half Armenian as well but she doesn’t need to name drop her ethnicity to make $$$.Shes a hell of alot better looking than any Kartrashian. Forgot as well, supermodel Yvette Nelson- half Armenian- Cyrinda Foxe- Model and Icon of the 70s, 100% Armenian Mia Tyler- Model- 50% Armenian All these women did not exploit their ethnicity for attention or fame, If you are going to you better educate the public about things that are most important in Armenian history and culture like the Armenian Genocide, our history, etc,, Not just say “I have a big butt, boobs, and im hairy cause im an Armenian” Shes a PHONEY! Oshin Babakhani - August 24, 2010 said: josey, You are so wrong. She is proud to be Armenian and that is obvious cause if she wasn’t there would be no mention of it EVER…but what do we see?..She always claims being Armenian before anything else, hence, she of it (that goes for her and sis’ and brother). Her being obsessed with laser hair removal cause she is Armenian is an obvious joke…Speaking of which, i have to admit, she IS a boring person…humor is not her thing… Also.. just cause she made a sex tape and it got leaked doesn’t she has no moral or principals. Get real. The Armenians all over LA and wherever (even ARMENIA) that do what they do to make their money illegally have the least of morals and principal off all.. Don’t speak of her cause she is making a living the legit way. …ohhh and she aint banking cause is Armenian.. Being Armenian has nothing to do with it.. She is just a smart business person making the right moves…Might be the face that the one big mistake was her chance to move up quicker, but the fact is when you see a opportunity you take advantage of it… We should be happy that she is bringing the Armenian name up as much as she is… cause if you haven’t seen the map lately, we a spec on it… Emil - August 24, 2010 said: Hi Tamar, Cher is still bigger thank Kim. And she did say she was proud Armenian in a recent interview – see http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-04-10-cher-is-proud-to-be-armenian or http://www.reporter.am/pdfs/C0216.pdf for a more detailed story by Paul Chaderjian. But looking forward to Kim’s trip to Armenia. teda - August 25, 2010 said: In my opinion, Kim is not armenian, not italian, she is a typical american girl in showbiz. At least, she doesn’t pretend to be anybody else. About the hair removal – she must be obsessed with it not only being armenian, but first of all being a woman. And i want to remind her about Caesar – well known roman general and emperor who used to remove the hair of his entire body and this happened 2000 years ago. manooshag - August 25, 2010 said: Hye Kim, we welcome your participation, your voice, as you join to further our Armenian cause before the world… Many thanks. Manooshag monica - August 25, 2010 said: Kim is actually the second eldest daughter of Robert Kardashian. Kourtney is older. Deran - August 25, 2010 said: Bull’s eye, Tamar hit the target dead on. Maybe because we have suffered or have been hated. Armenians love! We love all Armenians, those in the RA, those in the Diaspora, those that can speak the mother tongue, those that can’t, those that are Armenian by marriage or maybe just by acquaintance, those that are just friendly to us and even those that ‘tried to commit suicide by standing near an Armenia’ (similar to a Woody Allen movie). The point is to love all Armenianess, the good, the bad and the ugly, all. It helps our spirit and all our causes. The act of Nobleness cannot be conquered. Completely agreed. Though it would be nicer to try and make the ugly a bit more beautiful while still loving those who out of choice or not have become that way 😉 And learn Armenian, of course. Ararat - August 25, 2010 said: Hratch, I could not have said it any better myself ! First of all, she’s a half breed and a result of a dysfunctional American and NOT an Armenian family. She can call herself Armenian all she wants but is one really an Armenian just because his/her last name ends in an “ian”? You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig. Calling her Armenian therefore equating herself with so many of our Armenian sisters who are ethically conscious, educationally brilliant, and culturally very mature who spent half their lifetime to achieve is a disrespect to all Armenian women. Secondly, In addition to being a well-known attorney, I heard her father was a strict disciplinarian unlike her non-Armenian mother. Actually, a sorry excuse for a mother, who instead of instilling morality and discipline in her daughters, is in competition with them and thinks she is a teenager with no worries in the world. Lastly, I have a strong feeling that if her mother was also an Armenian just like her father was she would be a doctor, a surgeon or an attorney and not someone who makes a living selling her body. erica - September 9, 2010 said: I agree with you Ararat. Armen G. - August 26, 2010 said: The good: She’s definitely the most famous Armenian in the United States. I think even if you are from the jungles of Borneo, you still know who Kim K. is. Just go to Glendale for a couple of hours and every Armenian girl you see looks like a mini Kim. The hair, the clothes, THE HAIR!!!!! I read somewhere that she has the most popular hair style in the United States. The bad: The most famous Armenian in the United States is a porno star!! Don’t be shocked, but she’s not as dumb as she may look. She has a good head for business and knows how to cash in on controversy. After all, her mentor is Paris Hilton. Yet, just like her mentor, she’s has no real talent and she’s not even famous for her last name. Well, not really. Can’t really compare Hilton to Kardashian!! Again, she’s famous for making an amature porno flick!! The Question: Do we distance ourselves from her, or embrace the attention she brings to Armenians? Are Armenians that starved for attention that even a porn star will do? Yes we are. So until we find a squeeky clean, talented Armenian who can become a household name In America, we have to settle for a porno star!!!!! Martin Yernazian - August 26, 2010 said: This is the stupidest point of view I have ever heard. Why I don’t like her, because she is a dumb, shallow and uncultured product of today’s society! EMBRACE HER???? are you out of your mind??? Is this the only thing we are proud on promoting? seriously are you INSANE or are you as DUMB as KIM Kardashian? And BTW…. ARMENIANS don’t live only in GLENDALE! We are everywhere! (Myself from Argentina) BRazil, MExico, Colombia ( for crying out load they have have a city named Armenia) Spain, France, etc. MY Advice to the MORONS that Support this freak of neo-capitalist-nature is: READ, Get educated, become people of culture, be bold, risk it all… get out of the typical stereotype and be YOU. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. SUPPORT REAL ARTISTS, THIS IS A JOKE ARTICLE! PS: For the record I’m proud of the things that make me an Armenian, and goes beyond MY HAIR, MY NOSE, ETC but to remove to something else… erases who I’M. What I do is I adapted to my cultures and I bring it forward to the world. PS 2: To envy something you must want to be that. There is nothing that the world of the Paparazzos and the empty people of the likes of the Kardashians and the Hilton’s can contribute to my persona and to the world more than a brain fart. Again I think this is the most stupid article I’ve read in your newspaper. I think you need to get out more, specially from Los Angeles. Ani - August 26, 2010 said: Embrace Kim? Why??? There is nothing Armenian about an immoral person like that. Just because her father was an Armenian and she has an IAN at the end of her last name does not make her an Armenian!!!! Ani - April 11, 2012 said: Ani, lol reality check: yes it does!!!. And don’t judge Kim, or people in general because you are immoral as well, we just don’t know. EVERYONE helped make Kim Kardashian famous and now everyone is jealous. hahhahaha and FYI, Kim and her entire family (especially her mother) are clever, business savvy, and smart for taking advantage of the stupid gossip crazed general public. You can call her all the names you want, but at the end of the day, she still gets the last laugh. Hen - August 27, 2010 said: Don’t be chicken, why did you reject my last comment? Norin Radd - August 27, 2010 said: And stop filtering comments from nay sayers, if you’re going to shove this topic into the community’s face, then be ready to post responses from ALL sides, not just those that suit your needs. Don’t touch on controversial topics if you’re not ready to have a full, open, honest discussion Ms. Kevonian, it speaks badly of your journalistic integrity, remember that. If you can’t do this, I suggest you find a new line of work. I made five comments only one of which got published. I’m surprised they let your last comment post. I said something similar with harsher language but no profanity and still got ignored. This “moderator” of Asbarez whoever they are is obviously is engaged in hiding the truth of our culture and what we deem acceptable and what we deem repulsive. Clearly this article has shown that there are a few Armenians here who will gladly embrace repulsiveness in order to get attention. In the meantime, I hope all of you Armenians who cater to a morally bankrupt so-called “fellow Armenian”, one day find your daughter or sister in the same category as old Kim. There are literally dozens of other far more deserving Armenian-Americans that could have been highlighted and showcased as potential role models. Physicians, lawyers, Dentists, Architects, Engineers, the list goes on. Why not speak about Armenian-American men or women that actually participated in various causes both Armenian and non Armenian, or Armenian women that saw combat in the Arstakh war of independence? Or how about the multitude of Armenian-American physicians that date back to the early days of the 20th century such as Dr. Varazdat Kazanjian, the first Professor of Plastic Surgery at Harvard University School of Medicine to modern civic Armenian-American physicians and other professionals in the local communities. All of you misguided “fans” of Ms. Kardashian, if you’re content with your sister, mother, or wife being “just like Kim” then by all means keep brown nosing your support. But if you can’t put your money where your mouths are in person rather than an anonymous Asbarez post, then shut your mouths and accept the fact that Kim Kardashian is a disgrace to our culture, our community, and her own half Armenian heritage, nothing more. Stop all the “politically correct” chatter while pretending to be “open minded”, if your own sister, wife, or daughter was beginning to emulate this low life, you would not be making declarations about how “great she is”. Sammy - September 1, 2010 said: I propose Tamar start dating Africans, if she isn’t doing it already. Then slip out a “video” “accidentally”, Perhaps she can “hit it big” like Kim, and we will all be so jealous of her. The promotion of half-breed Armos in porn flicks with Africans. I never thought I’d see that day sponsored by an “ARF Newspaper”. Nat - September 2, 2010 said: You have some very literal-minded readers (getting upset about light joking about Glendale? Wow, that’s a thin — even if hairy — skin). Anyway, I liked this article for its macro-suggestion of embracing a wide range of illustrations of what it means to be Armenian. As these comments show, many people are wedded to a very narrow idea of who is Armenian and who is a sellout/half-breed/you name it. None of these Kardashian girls are interesting to me, and I think their choices are asinine. But I wholly support the notion that we should enjoy and embrace their very public explorations of Armenain identity, and the opening those may reveal about what it means to be Armenian now. Cesar - September 6, 2010 said: I saw that same episode, and my family runs Dolcevita Laser Center, here in Glendale. When we saw that episode, we were beside ourselves thinking if only she could have come to our laser clinic. Oh well, her going to one laser clinic is really good for all laser clinics. Good on you Kim!! LIBERALSAREFULLOFCRAP - September 7, 2010 said: Monte Melconian is an Armenian American role model and hero not the Kim Kardashian. Kardashians are American buisness women peroid, this is all about attention money and fame . . There are many succesful Armenians in America and in the world who are real role models for our youth, but the most important role models for Armenian youth should be our mothers and fathers. From that point of view the Kardashians as a family are a disgusting (espically Khole who has no morals ethics or values) they are a poor reflection of what Armenians are like to those who have never met an Armenian person. Reality Tv is rotting the brains of this nation the Kardashians are just cashing in on it while they can they would be fools not too. There are Armenians out in the world who have brains who read went to college or have educated themseleves enough to know what is really going on in the real world. We do not need a writter for Asbarez to tell us to embrace Kim Kardashian as if she was the patron saint of Armenians. What do you expect from girls whose father probably never dated Armenian. After all he married Kris and she is not of Armenian descent. They are spoiled brats and I wish they would stop talking about how hairy Armenian women are. Im 100% armenian and not hairy. My mother and grandmother was not either. Jasmine - October 26, 2010 said: They’re not half Italian. They’re half scottish/dutch, half armenian. They have tiny amounts of italian and native american blood. But Armenian is more ‘exotic’ so of course they’re going to claim that half. Ani - January 5, 2011 said: Well known fact, tamar? Maybe u and ur surrounding are hairy but don;t talk for all Armenians, your propaganda is no different than any Georgian, Turkish or Azeri. Neither me or anyone in my surroundings is hairy. Ani V - April 12, 2012 said: I agree, I am Armenian 100% and am NOT hairy, never was!! No one in my beautiful family is hairy either and that includes the men (dad and brother) as well. harry - April 9, 2011 said: The supporters of this article should be ashamed because you are no different then the enemy itself. Your primitive ideology about your ancestral heritage and culture cause great damage to the Armenian community. It is a form of Cultural Genocide that decimates our ancestral roots and beliefs . Shame on all of you who support that kind of behavior. olga pillai - June 8, 2011 said: I like Armenians. They are courageous. Adventurous. I forgot his name but there was an excellent Armenian writer I used to admire and love. He was very wellknown He was very well-known A.Galstian - June 17, 2013 said: 😀 what’s the use of someone’s(whoever’s) pride to be an armenian for armenian community?????????? John - November 15, 2013 said: My father was Armenian but he did not marry one. He told me once he first saw my fair skin mother who he described as having the perfect figure, he was in love. He explained to me that he not only loved her green eyes, light brown hair, and her shape, but also noticed learned the fact that she was humble and kind and did not hate people from different ethnic groups like his family did. He told me that his sisters who claimed to be Christians, were very jealous of her. ArmIkna - March 22, 2014 said: This is sad. I am a feminist. I am Armenian. I do not believe in slut-shaming or bringing down fellow women, yet every time this woman is in the news, I cringe because she represents EVERYTHING wrong with society. She represents greed and narcissism. She represents the lowest form of selling out. Period. Every young girl who looks up to Kim is another young girl who wastes time on subjects like waxing and anal penetration (yes the Kardashian girls’ favorite subject) instead of reading about women who really matter. Our young girls already have to fight the media’s war on women’s bodies. Why perpetuate that by idolizing a woman who was put on the map SOLELY for her body and NOTHING else? Let’s celebrate Armenian women of substance, shall we? Silva Gaboudikian Nancy Krikorian Micheline Aharonian Marcom Shushanik Kurghinian Siranush Andriasian Sona Tatoyan Diana Der Hovanessian Arsinée Khanjian Nancy Agabian To name a few… All beautiful, inside AND out. Karine - October 9, 2014 said: It is SO refreshing to read an intellectually stimulating pro-Kardashian post by someone who has clearly given it a great deal of thought. I get where you’re coming from, and I love your article. But I’m still so, so, so disappointed she is one of Armenia’s biggest brands. Pingback: Kardashians in Armenia: One Year Later Leave a Reply to Sammy Cancel reply LATESTMOST POPULAR	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line27
__label__cc	0.605803	0.394197	1Sam 8-12 Israel Demands a King 1When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel.2The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba.3Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice.4Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,5and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.”6But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the Lord,7and the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.8Just as they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you.9Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”10So Samuel reported all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king.11He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots;12and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.13He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his courtiers.15He will take one-tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and his courtiers.16He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work.17He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves.18And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”Israel's Request for a King Granted 19But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us,20so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.”21When Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord.22The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and set a king over them.” Samuel then said to the people of Israel, “Each of you return home.”Chapter 9Saul Chosen to Be King 1There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Becorath son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth.2He had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he; he stood head and shoulders above everyone else.3Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, had strayed. So Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the boys with you; go and look for the donkeys.”4He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of Benjamin, but they did not find them.5When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to the boy who was with him, “Let us turn back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and worry about us.”6But he said to him, “There is a man of God in this town; he is a man held in honor. Whatever he says always comes true. Let us go there now; perhaps he will tell us about the journey on which we have set out.”7Then Saul replied to the boy, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What have we?”8The boy answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a quarter shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God, to tell us our way.”9(Formerly in Israel, anyone who went to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer”; for the one who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)10Saul said to the boy, “Good; come, let us go.” So they went to the town where the man of God was.11As they went up the hill to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”12They answered, “Yes, there he is just ahead of you. Hurry; he has come just now to the town, because the people have a sacrifice today at the shrine.13As soon as you enter the town, you will find him, before he goes up to the shrine to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those eat who are invited. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.”14So they went up to the town. As they were entering the town, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the shrine.15Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel:16“Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be ruler over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have seen the suffering of my people, because their outcry has come to me.”17When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you. He it is who shall rule over my people.”18Then Saul approached Samuel inside the gate, and said, “Tell me, please, where is the house of the seer?”19Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer; go up before me to the shrine, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind.20As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, give no further thought to them, for they have been found. And on whom is all Israel's desire fixed, if not on you and on all your ancestral house?”21Saul answered, “I am only a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel, and my family is the humblest of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”22Then Samuel took Saul and his servant-boy and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, of whom there were about thirty.23And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, the one I asked you to put aside.”24The cook took up the thigh and what went with it and set them before Saul. Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat; for it is set before you at the appointed time, so that you might eat with the guests.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.25When they came down from the shrine into the town, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep.26Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul upon the roof, “Get up, so that I may send you on your way.” Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.Samuel Anoints Saul 27As they were going down to the outskirts of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the boy to go on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”Chapter 101Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he said, “The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around. Now this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you ruler over his heritage:2When you depart from me today you will meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has stopped worrying about them and is worrying about you, saying: What shall I do about my son?’3Then you shall go on from there further and come to the oak of Tabor; three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.4They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from them.5After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, at the place where the Philistine garrison is; there, as you come to the town, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the shrine with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre playing in front of them; they will be in a prophetic frenzy.6Then the spirit of the Lord will possess you, and you will be in a prophetic frenzy along with them and be turned into a different person.7Now when these signs meet you, do whatever you see fit to do, for God is with you.8And you shall go down to Gilgal ahead of me; then I will come down to you to present burnt offerings and offer sacrifices of well-being. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.”Saul Prophesies 9As he turned away to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart; and all these signs were fulfilled that day.10When they were going from there to Gibeah, a band of prophets met him; and the spirit of God possessed him, and he fell into a prophetic frenzy along with them.11When all who knew him before saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”12A man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”13When his prophetic frenzy had ended, he went home.14Saul's uncle said to him and to the boy, “Where did you go?” And he replied, “To seek the donkeys; and when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”15Saul's uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”16Saul said to his uncle, “He told us that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingship, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.Saul Proclaimed King 17Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah18and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’19But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said, ‘No! but set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.”20Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.21He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the family of the Matrites was taken by lot. Finally he brought the family of the Matrites near man by man, and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found.22So they inquired again of the Lord, “Did the man come here?” and the Lord said, “See, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”23Then they ran and brought him from there. When he took his stand among the people, he was head and shoulders taller than any of them.24Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one whom the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”25Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship; and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people back to their homes.26Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went warriors whose hearts God had touched.27But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” They despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace. Now Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had been grievously oppressing the Gadites and the Reubenites. He would gouge out the right eye of each of them and would not grant Israel a deliverer. No one was left of the Israelites across the Jordan whose right eye Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had not gouged out. But there were seven thousand men who had escaped from the Ammonites and had entered Jabesh-gilead.Chapter 11Saul Defeats the Ammonites 1About a month later, Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”2But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, namely that I gouge out everyone's right eye, and thus put disgrace upon all Israel.”3The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days' respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.”4When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the hearing of the people; and all the people wept aloud.5Now Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen; and Saul said, “What is the matter with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the message from the inhabitants of Jabesh.6And the spirit of God came upon Saul in power when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.7He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one.8When he mustered them at Bezek, those from Israel were three hundred thousand, and those from Judah seventy thousand.9They said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance.’ ” When the messengers came and told the inhabitants of Jabesh, they rejoiced.10So the inhabitants of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.”11The next day Saul put the people in three companies. At the morning watch they came into the camp and cut down the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.12The people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Give them to us so that we may put them to death.”13But Saul said, “No one shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has brought deliverance to Israel.”14Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.”15So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed offerings of well-being before the Lord, and there Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.Chapter 12Samuel's Farewell Address 1Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to you in all that you have said to me, and have set a king over you.2See, it is the king who leads you now; I am old and gray, but my sons are with you. I have led you from my youth until this day.3Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.”4They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from the hand of anyone.”5He said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.”6Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of the land of Egypt.7Now therefore take your stand, so that I may enter into judgment with you before the Lord, and I will declare to you all the saving deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your ancestors.8When Jacob went into Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your ancestors cried to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your ancestors out of Egypt, and settled them in this place.9But they forgot the Lord their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of King Jabin of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.10Then they cried to the Lord, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served the Baals and the Astartes; but now rescue us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.’11And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak, and Jephthah, and Samson, and rescued you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.12But when you saw that King Nahash of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ though the Lord your God was your king.13See, here is the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; see, the Lord has set a king over you.14If you will fear the Lord and serve him and heed his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well;15but if you will not heed the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.16Now therefore take your stand and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.17Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that the wickedness that you have done in the sight of the Lord is great in demanding a king for yourselves.”18So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.19All the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants, so that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of demanding a king for ourselves.”20And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart;21and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless.22For the Lord will not cast away his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.23Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.24Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you.25But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line55
__label__cc	0.553325	0.446675	What We've Been Reading: Radical Collaboration Edition At Charities Review Council, we're still reeling from the innovative, collaborative and disruptive stories we heard at Annual Forum 2015-Philanthropy 2.0: Radical Collaboration. See what we've been reading since to keep our collaborative spirits fueled. Solving Complex Social Problems Through Collaboration, by Cameron Conaway This article explores the philanthropic consulting group Geneva Global, an organization that facilitates ‘dumbbell collaboration.’ Traditional collaborative relationships between nonprofits and foundations can be tricky, but Ava Lala, a director at Geneva Global, explains their solution. The group acts as “the handle in the middle that connects the two [weights],” nonprofits and donors, by pairing funders with compatible nonprofits as well as helping to manage donor funds. This directly relates to how Charities Review Council does its work, focusing on the relationship between the donor and nonprofit in order to achieve our mission! What are some non-traditional, maybe even “radical,” ways that you could collaborate with others to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues? Open Source Brainstorm Labs at the Council (Beginning January 2016) anyone? Cuddle Parties, and Other Tips for Cross-Sector Collaborations, by Nonprofit with Balls While collaboration between nonprofits is extremely important, we must not forget about the cooperative relationship needed between nonprofits and other sectors. As Le puts it, “Our communities can't afford for business, government, and nonprofits to be so siloed from one another.” This article emphasizes that all hands on deck are essential as we combat societal issues, expressing that “the challenges [are increasing] exponentially [as] resources... remain the same or [are] decreasing.” The article gives some serious tips for accomplishing collaboration, like networking and joining an organization outside of your sector, and some not so serious, but fun tips, like hosting a cross-sector cuddle party or karaoke night to help promote collaboration (we’re in!). Collective Impact: The Missing Link by Neera Nundy & Ann Paisley Chandler Implementing collective impact and promoting structured collaboration to solve societal issues is a concept that is positively accepted by most, but an approach that can be difficult to achieve. This article addresses the issue, stating “to make such a structured collaboration not just possible, but also highly probable, we need an environment in which stakeholders can perform their individual roles optimally while also collaborating with each other effectively.” In order to accomplish this collaboration, the author argues that we must build awareness for the issue, build the capacity of stakeholders to help them perform at scale, and nurture a culture where collective impact can flourish. Why is a collective impact important to you and the causes that you believe in? What have you been reading lately? Let us know if you come across an article or resource that is informative or inspirational. We'd love to hear from you. Meet Katy Putzker: Our New Nonprofit Services Intern! Charities Review Council is excited to welcome, Katy Putzker, as our new Nonprofit Services Intern! Katy is currently a junior at the University of Minnesota where she studies Nonprofit Management and Marketing (talk about a perfect fit!). Originally from Montana, Katy moved to the Twin Cities for school, but is no stranger to the state of Minnesota. Katy has family in the area and to her Minnesota is a "home away from home." Katy is passionate about mental health and ending the stigma that surrounds it, especially on college campuses. Having experienced her own journey with mental health concerns after losing her dad unexpectedly a year and a half ago, Katy acts as an advocate for others. Katy is excited to be introduced to the nonprofit sector through Charities Review Council and cannot wait to learn more! To better get to know our new Council team member, we sat down with Katy to ask her the tough questions: If you could be any superhero who would you be and why? And perhaps more seriously, what's your favorite Accountability Standard®? See what Katy had to say here: 1. What is your favorite Accountability Standard®? My favorite Accountability Standard® is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Standard. I think it's really important for nonprofits to be representative and inclusive of the population they serve so as to keep in mind the interests and concerns of that population. This standard allows nonprofits to be directly connected to the communities they serve, to maintain public trust, support organizational sustainability, and foster effectiveness. 2. How have you seen nonprofits have an effect on our community? Nonprofits have the ability to benefit communities in a way that for-profit organizations cannot. Nonprofits create community and provide support for important causes. Nonprofits lead the way, creating awareness and education on issues that would not likely be discussed otherwise. I have personally seen the benefit that nonprofits provide while volunteering for various organizations. 3. When you're not strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations by interning at Charities Review Council, what do you like to do for fun? I am currently taking an ice-skating course at the UofM, so that is always something I enjoy doing in my free time. I love being around friends whenever possible, even if we're doing absolutely nothing. I also have a slight Netflix addiction. I can watch Gilmore Girls over and over without getting sick of it – such a classic and real show! 4. If you could be a superhero, who would you be? And why? Not necessarily a superhero, but a superhero in my book, Frozone's wife for the response she gives in the Disney Movie The Incredibles. When Frozone asks “Where is my super suit? This is the greater good we are talking about!” She replies “I am your wife, I am the greatest good you are ever gonna get!” So really, who’s the true hero here? To watch the clip, click here. 5. What are you most excited about as you begin your journey with Charities Review Council? To learn more about the nonprofit sector and to help nonprofits go through the Accountability Wizard® review process. I am eager to learn and experience all that I can while working with Charities Review Council! Katy will be working with us on nonprofit reviews, as well as nonprofit communications and outreach. Join us in welcoming Katy to the Council by reaching out to her on Twitter or LinkedIn. What We've Been Reading: Radical Collaboration Edi... Meet Katy Putzker: Our New Nonprofit Services Inte...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line59
__label__wiki	0.734633	0.734633	Artist of the Week: Arturas Braziunas, A Woman Walks into an Artist’s Studio… By UGallery.com April 28, 2016 A woman walks into an artist’s studio and asks for a portrait. “You know I try painting people,” the artist says, “they just always end up as sheep.” (Line break for laughter) This was a real (granted, slightly adapted for a pseudo-punchline) exchange between a woman and our Artist of The Week, Arturas Braziunas. Between his anthropomorphized barn animals, his unifying yellow haze, and tongue-in-cheek titles, Braziunas, has claimed his own comedy corner of the art world – a space which he dubs “Romantic Surrealism Representative” art. “I create not only an image on the canvas but also a small story. Very often the story is ironic or humoristic,” he says The titles of these Braziunas stories are often catchy and ironic. Take (with a recommended grain of salt), The Bodyguard. The painting features a scarecrow, fashioned out of two wooden planks, standing vigilantly on guard in a tattered, yellow robe. Or, look at I’m Too Late, a portrait of a young romantic as a hapless sheep. The combination of apologetic eyes and dried up rose captures the hilarious irony familiar to any lovesick human. On I’m Too Late the artist says, “the ending of the story depends of the viewer. Captions, to me, are very important; they are like a key, which I give to the viewer. It’s like the first impulse.” So you decide, is it too late? I’m Too Late Braziunas, a Lithuanian artist, classifies himself as a part of a generation that experienced a national cathartic release of creative energy after years of rigid government occupation and censorship. “My worldview was formed in the fracture, at a time when the regime changed. I remember that period…the time of idealism, faith in something good and bright” he says. He attributes the naiveté, romanticism, and bright cleanliness of his paintings to this shifting political state. He describes his aim as an artist: “I transform reality, creating a unique and artistic world that interacts animals, nature and things.” See more of Arturas Braziunas’s art on UGallery April 28, 2016 /UGallery.com Arturas Braziunas artist, UGallery artist	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line63
__label__wiki	0.692508	0.692508	UFC on Fox 28‘s Mike Perry: 'Water is Wet. Fire Burns. And I’m Going to Beat Max Griffin.' Matt Quiggins UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson Needs to Move to Bantamweight Vince Carey Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson Preview and Predictions Sal DeRose UFC 192 Results: Cormier Edges Gustafsson to Retain Light Heavyweight Title Events, Results, Spotlight UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 Weigh-in Video and Results M-1 Challenge 99 Battle of Narts Results: Doskalchuk Defends, Farias Submits Vyazigin Events, Results, Videos CXF 10: Fall Brawl Fight Night Photo Gallery Rear-Naked Choke Radio: A Deeper Look at UFC 189 and Invicta FC 13 Author Mike Pendleton Mike Pendleton Mike Pendleton is brand new to the MMA world, as fell in love with MMA after UFC 189. Mike graduated from the Illinois Media School in Chicago and is currently the host of "On The Mic" every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. CT. Mike has previously written for Bleacher Report, FanSided and Full Scale Sports. PFL 2 Results: Brooks, Foster and Harrison Score Impressive Wins On Thursday, June 21, the Professional Fighters League continued its 2018 regular season from the Windy City, touching down at the Chicago Theater. In the night's main card action, UFC and Bellator veteran W... UFC 225: A Spotlight for Izzy Martinez In the Midwest, particularly the state of Illinois, Izzy Martinez and Izzy Style Wrestling is a household name. Martinez’s accolades in the high school wrestling game are second to none, and he does an incredib... When Will Amanda Nunes Get the Recognition She Deserves? Miesha Tate was not only a great fighter. She also grabbed plenty of fame during her MMA career because of her battles with Ronda Rousey. When Holly Holm head-kicked Rousey, she became the first woman ever ... Bellator 198 Results: Emelianenko Crushes Mir in Under a Minute, Advances in Tournament On Saturday, April 28, Bellator MMA returned to the Chicago area for its 198th event which took place from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. In the night's main event, two of the sport's most decorated he... Dillon Danis Lives Up to Hype, Submits Kyle Walker in Bellator MMA Debut Bellator MMA has the perfect problem on its hands following Bellator 198. When Dillon Danis announced his intentions to compete in MMA, everyone expected to see his world-class jiu-jitsu skills on display and h... Bellator 198’s Frank Mir: Returning to Normal When Frank Mir steps into the Bellator MMA cage on Saturday, it'll be his first fight since 2016. Mir will not only be returning to the fight game but he'll be making his debut under the Bellator MMA banner. He... Bellator 198: Fedor vs. Mir Weigh-in Video and Results On Saturday, April 28, Bellator MMA returns to the Chicago area for its 198th event which takes place from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. In the night's main event, two of the sport's most decorated he... Showing True Appreciation for Justin Gaethje Who is Justin Gaethje and what has the MMA world done to deserve such an incredibly tough fighter? If you're still wondering who one of the top-ranked lightweight fighters is, you simply don't appreciate the... The Failure in Promoting the UFC’s Female Champions “THUG ROSE! THUG ROSE! THUG ROSE!” That's what we heard UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, serving as part of the broadcast booth at UFC 217, screaming when Rose Namajunas defeated Joanna Jędrzej... Curtis Blaydes Deserves a Title-Eliminator Bout When the UFC Visits Chicago If you're not a fan of Curtis Blaydes, you don't truly appreciate all forms of mixed martial arts. There are plenty who wanted to see the rising Blaydes keep his fight against Mark Hunt standing at UFC 221, and...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line69
__label__cc	0.621232	0.378768	Amazon Holdouts: Not ‘Prime’ Customers The Wall Street Journal: “Seventeen percent of U.S. primary household shoppers … say they never shop on Amazon … While the percentage has steadily declined over the past five years, roughly 22 million American households didn’t use the retailer this year. Those Amazon holdouts tend to be older than U.S. shoppers overall, with an average age of 57 versus 49, respectively … and they tend to earn less—$45,700 in annual income, compared with $62,800 among all shoppers. They are less likely to have or live with children.” “For some it was their income or living situation, for others it was simply their preference or convictions … Lack of access to web-enabled devices, or living in places where it is difficult to receive packages, are key reasons people avoid e-commerce … Seanna Tucker, a 26-year-old content strategist in St. Louis, said she had never been a big Amazon shopper, but decided to avoid it on principle a couple of years ago after a dispute between Amazon and publishers over book pricing.” “In recent years, both Amazon and its competitors, like Wal-Mart Stores Inc., have worked to bring more shoppers online and boost sales with membership programs, like Amazon Prime, which provides perks like video streaming and free, fast shipping for an annual fee of $99 … Meg Hoehn, a mother of two and teacher in Minneapolis, said she and her husband used to have a student membership to Amazon Prime but decided against renewing it, in part to become more financially responsible.” She explains: “We bought a ton of stuff on there … It was too convenient and too easy. We spend less money because we don’t have Prime anymore.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 30, 2016 Format AsideCategories Consumer Behavior, Ecommerce, Omnichannel, Prices, Retail, ShoppingLeave a comment on Amazon Holdouts: Not ‘Prime’ Customers Amazon vs. Fraud: Not Responsible for Fake Goods Slate: “How much responsibility do companies like Amazon, which are not only retailers but marketplaces for other sellers, have to ensure that the goods on their platforms are the real thing? The answer: Not as much as you probably think.” “When it comes to its marketplace, the courts usually consider Amazon a facilitator, a platform for consumers to connect with merchants, not unlike how Uber views itself as a platform connecting riders with drivers. Amazon’s legal responsibilities include removing fraudulent listings when they are brought to their attention. As a result, chasing down frauds became a time-consuming and all-but-Sisyphean task for many legitimate sellers and copyright and trademark holders. Proving the fraud was on them, not Amazon.” “Bringing further insult to legitimate manufacturers: Many fake items are poorly made and fall apart quickly. They cost less because they’re made more cheaply. And because many buyers don’t realize they’ve been the victims of a counterfeiting scam, they blame the company and sometimes post bad reviews online. Fraudsters don’t only cost the copyright-holder sales of the product; they also harm future sales by eroding trust in brands.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 30, 2016 Format AsideCategories UncategorizedLeave a comment on Amazon vs. Fraud: Not Responsible for Fake Goods Beltway Plaza: The Future of Malls? The Washington Post: “At Beltway Plaza, Spanish rings out from every aisle and the food court is populated by not Taco Bells, but various immigrant cuisines … Mostly, Beltway Plaza has found a niche as a large — and faintly 1980s — urban souk, hawking the necessities, and the oddities, of immigrant life … In a retail landscape that is increasingly bleak, could this be this the future of malls? … It’s the quintessential American mall, once flush with people, now scraping along as national retailers shudder.” “Local real estate magnate Sidney J. Brown opened Beltway Plaza as an open-air discount mall in 1963 in Greenbelt, one of only three garden-filled towns in America developed for low-income families in the late 1930s under the New Deal … Greenbelt, envisioned as city filled with smartly manicured greenscape, eventually came to look more like a thicket of concrete and strip malls. But the mall, with its awfully affordable S. Klein Department store, a two-screen movie theater and a pizza parlor, was a hit.” “At Jo-Ann Fabric, the sewing aisle, a beacon of immigrant industriousness, was humming … We trek to Import Cottage, where you can purchase brazen replica Louis Vuitton suitcases, large laundry bags emblazoned with ‘Charm of Africa’ and untarnished Indian costume jewelry … A stroll across the mall’s dated white-tiled corridors takes you past a cookie place that is not Mrs. Fields and a restaurant that is not Panda Express but Jodeem African Cuisine, offering the Nigerian specialties ogbono soup and fufu. There’s an El Taco Rico, about as large as a broom closet and just as dark.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 29, 2016 Format AsideCategories Brand Experience, Consumer Behavior, Consumer Insights, Retail, ShoppingLeave a comment on Beltway Plaza: The Future of Malls? Times Square: Crossroads of Experiential Retail? The Wall Street Journal: “Times Square’s flashy retail scene is known for its hordes of tourists drawn to Broadway shows, mass-market shopping options and kitsch. But asking rents have been coming down this year as more shopping moves online. That has prompted landlords to seek out more ‘experiential retail,’ such as food and entertainment venues, and more interactive elements in stores.” “At 20 Times Square, a hotel and retail project at Seventh Avenue and West 47th Street developed by Witkoff and its partners, customers will be greeted by a 40,000-square-foot interactive football exhibit and theater from a venture comprising the National Football League, the NFL Players Association and Cirque du Soleil. Kushner, meanwhile, has signed leases at its retail condominium at a former New York Times building on West 43rd Street to bring an 11,970-square-foot food hall curated by chef Todd English; a 60,000-square-foot interactive exhibit from National Geographic called ENCOUNTER: Ocean Odyssey; and a 49,000-square-foot miniature world called Gulliver’s Gate.” “Operators of these experiential businesses tend to generate more sales than conventional retailers do … Landlords are seeking a specific mix of tenants to cultivate their properties as destinations not just for tourists. Growing numbers of office workers and residents populating areas near Times Square are seeking out food, cosmetics and affordable fashion.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 29, 2016 Format AsideCategories Brand Experience, Ecommerce, Entertainment, Retail, ShoppingLeave a comment on Times Square: Crossroads of Experiential Retail? Nestlé & The Scientific ‘Garden of Eden’ Quartz: “This is where Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, the outgoing chairman of the world’s large food company, has staked his flag, casting Nestlé—with its $88.8 billion in annual revenue—not as the purveyor of natural foods or conveniently-available snacks, but as the vessel to deliver a new, scientifically engineered Garden of Eden … Brabeck-Letmathe has forged into new territory, carving out a ‘nutrition, health, and wellness’ industry.” “In Brabeck-Latmathe’s future, people will undergo health testing during varying stages of life to learn more about the genetic material of the microbes—the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses—living inside their bodies. Each time, the tests would analyze genetics, caloric levels, predisposed illnesses, and more. Such information would allow Nestlé to create products that essentially act as medicine to alleviate known health issues … Nestlé isn’t looking to enter the prescription drug business, but through these partnerships and acquisitions it plans to apply its new scientific knowledge to food products—something that could one day include a frozen pizza that’s healthy and prevents Alzheimer’s disease.” “As the company incorporates its know-how into hardware, it will further develop its food products, sweeping out more sugars, salts and preservatives, replacing them with micronutrients and potentially with phytonutrients—plant-derived compounds hypothesized to be responsible for much of the disease prevention provided by plants. In theory, if a watch or implant tells you that you need more magnesium in your diet, consumers will be able to go to the grocery store and find products—made by Nestlé—to deliver that nutrient.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 28, 2016 Format AsideCategories Brand Experience, Brand Promises, Design, Food & Beverage, Innovation, New Products, Retail, TechnologyLeave a comment on Nestlé & The Scientific ‘Garden of Eden’ Food Trends: Buddha Bowls & Ugly Fruit The New York Times: “Each December, lists of culinary forecasts pour forth from public relations companies trying to elevate their profiles, food companies looking to sell more food and professional associations hoping to guide chefs as they try to translate the zeitgeist into menu items. Social media wonks have jumped into the pool, too, eager to show off their powerful search analytics.” “Meals in a bowl are … driven by … yoga, Gwyneth Paltrow, the gluten-free movement, a new appetite for Asian street food and the demand for grab-and-go convenience … It doesn’t hurt that food in bowls can be visually attractive, perfect for an Instagram feed. At Pinterest, which is used by 150 million people a month, Buddha bowls filled with simple vegan or vegetarian ingredients are among the top items that users post. The name evokes the mindfulness with which a monk holds a bowl of food.” “Lynn Dornblaser, the director of innovation and insight for Mintel, has been trend-spotting for 30 years … The most important development on her list, she said, is the idea that healthful food and drinks are not luxuries … pointing to the growing sales of imperfect fruits and vegetables, often marketed as ‘ugly produce.’ She comments: “People who earn less than $50,000 a year are not buying gourmet olive oil or having Blue Apron delivered. But they’ve got a need for quality products just like everyone else does.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 28, 2016 Format AsideCategories Consumer Behavior, Consumer Insights, Food & Beverage, Food Service, Grocery Stores, New Products, Retail, Shopping, StorytellingLeave a comment on Food Trends: Buddha Bowls & Ugly Fruit GNC Addresses Its Prices Crisis The Wall Street Journal: “In October, the acting chief executive of GNC Holdings Inc. made a confession: The big vitamin retailer had ‘a badly broken business model.’ Its prices were too confusing and constantly undercut by online competitors. Sales were plunging. Behind the scenes, executives had decided the only way to fix things was to start over. So on Wednesday, GNC will close its 4,400 U.S. stores to overhaul its pricing system, which featured as many as four different prices on some labels.” “When the stores reopen the next day, labels for GNC’s protein powders, herbal remedies and nutritional supplements will feature just one price. There will still be discounts, but about half of the company’s products will start at lower prices than before, while a quarter of the prices will be higher … While heavy promotions, especially during the holiday period, have become a sophisticated calculus, the nature of setting retail prices has become more complex. Online stores can set algorithms to change prices by the hour and nearly every shopper is armed with a smartphone, making the market transparent.” “At GNC, executives gathered input from outside consultants, ran tests in 10 markets and had to get the support of outside vendors as well as its franchise owners. The company eliminated gaps between web and store prices, moved to end a discount-card program and determined new prices by comparing products it carried against similar ones at competitors.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 28, 2016 Format AsideCategories Brand Experience, Brand Promises, Ecommerce, Prices, Retail, ShoppingLeave a comment on GNC Addresses Its Prices Crisis Late & Great: Jens Risom The New York Times: “Jens Risom, the Danish furniture maestro who helped bring midcentury modern design to the United States through his work with Knoll Studio, died on Dec. 9 at his home in New Canaan, Conn. He was 100. Defined by sharp Scandinavian lines and fused with the rustic aura of Shakerism and American arts and crafts, the armless, affordable chair that became Mr. Risom’s signature in 1942 was one of the first mass-produced modernist furniture pieces introduced in the United States and not Europe.” “Materials were hard to come by during the war, so Mr. Risom designed a chair with simple wooden legs and for upholstery used nothing other than surplus parachute straps. The surprise was that Mr. Risom’s creation — one of 15 pieces he designed for Knoll’s debut collection, and perhaps too humble to ever be described as a masterpiece — was almost comfortable enough to sleep in.” “What resonates about it is that it’s not fancy,” said Wendy Goodman of New York magazine. “To Ms. Goodman … there was a certain logic to the way Mr. Risom went to the United States and helped remind people there about the beauty of its unfussy design history.” She observes: “Maybe it takes someone coming here to do that, because he romanticized the freedom and the openness of America, and that’s what’s so wonderful about his furniture.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 27, 2016 Format AsideCategories Art, Brand Experience, Design, Innovation, ObituariesLeave a comment on Late & Great: Jens Risom McDonalds & The Founder’s Mentality The Wall Street Journal: “A study out earlier this year from Bain & Company … shows that over the past 15 years founder-led companies delivered shareholder returns that are three times higher than those of other S&P 500 companies. Such performance can sometimes continue long after a founder leaves … Great founders imbue their companies with three measurable traits that make up what we dubbed “the founder’s mentality.” “The first is insurgency: The founding team declares war on its industry on behalf of underserved customers.” McDonalds founder Ray Kroc, in The Founder, “a new film starring Michael Keaton … announces in the film that the McDonald brothers’ fast-service approach is akin to revolution … The second trait is an obsession with how customers are treated—an attention to detail that borders on compulsive. In his autobiography, Kroc discusses not only burger patties, but even how high they could be stacked and the amount of wax on the paper slips between them.” “Third, these companies are steeped in an owner’s mind-set … Kroc was able to create an army of mini-founders by perfecting the franchise model … Bain’s research found that the best companies—the top 20% of performers, founder-led or not—exhibit the three traits … four or five times as often as the bottom performers. The bad news: Only about 7% of companies, founder-led or not, manage to maintain these traits as they grow to scale. Yet those that do create more than 50% of the net value in the stock market in any given year.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 27, 2016 Format AsideCategories Brand Experience, Brand Promises, Customer Service, Food Service, Innovation, Organization & CultureLeave a comment on McDonalds & The Founder’s Mentality Logophobia: When The Croc Bites Back The Wall Street Journal: “A branding backlash has some people working hard to remove logos and names from their clothes and accessories. Blogs and online discussion forums offer tips on scratching off the Ray-Ban logo from lenses, peeling away the Ralph Lauren emblem from new pairs of leather shoes and using a felt-tip marker to hide the Under Armour symbol on sports gear … For embroidered logos, some brand-phobics use a seam ripper—a small tool for unpicking stitches—but the method is time consuming. Each thread has to be pulled out carefully to keep the underlying fabric pristine.” “Research shows that mid-tier brands often have the loudest logos because their buyers want to signal wealth. Seasoned luxury shoppers may prefer more subtle branding … Discerning shoppers who can identify a Brooks Brothers shirt from the six-pleat shirring at the cuffs or an Alden loafer from its distinctive stitching are ‘part of your tribe,’ said Jerrod Swanton, age 37, of Springfield, Ohio.” “Jeff Taxdahl, owner of Thread Logic, a custom logo embroidery company … has a warning for logo tamperers. ‘Unless you’re fairly skilled at it, you would destroy the shirt … and once you get the threads out, the outline of the image may still exist due to the needle holes’ … That is a risk some shoppers are willing to take. “I don’t want to be seen in their stores, let alone wear the moose” says Ian Connel, Abercrombie & Fitch shopper. “He turned the shirt inside out and painstakingly removed each thread. ‘It has a few small holes,’ he said, ‘but it’s still better than having the logo’.” Author Tim MannersPosted on December 26, 2016 Format AsideCategories Advertising, Art, FashionLeave a comment on Logophobia: When The Croc Bites Back	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line72
__label__cc	0.704955	0.295045	How to get ps3 controller to work on ps4 How to get ps3 controller to work on ps4. How to Sync a PS4 Controller 2019-02-13 Tuesday, February 12, 2019 10:53:01 PM Irvin How to Connect a PS4 Controller to a PS3 System: 5 Steps A controller adapter not only allows you to use your favourite controller on any console but also saves you bunch of money on buying new controllers. Then click the Close button. If you have any questions, please leave your comment. Your DualShock 4 will now be registered to work on Steam, but that's just the beginning of the fun. . If it is not yet on our computer, the program will prompt us to download it. You just have to be in big picture mode and enable it in the settings. How To Connect The PS3 And PS4 Controller On PC It's a great companion for surviving that run or wading through the trove of cool indies you may have picked up during the. If you are able to see an image of the area the camera is pointing at on the screen, then your PlayStation Eye is working properly. Originally posted by :Launch bigpicture mode on steam. Not a gamebreaking problem by any means but kind of annoying. On the other hand, if we have the Xbox we do not need the above application for the Xbox controllers. For more information about how to install the program, you can see the on Cronusmax website. Check out our guide to the of the season. Moreover, in December 2016 Valve Corporation announced the native support of DualShock 4 controller on the. Read on to find out how to do that. When playing under Uplay during close and open beta, I just had to plug in the controller and launch the game it will work fine. If your post contains spoilers, please give it the appropriate flair. Can I use my PS3 remote control on my PS4 A joypad controller offers great flexibility when we play platform, sport, racing, and fighting games. Originally posted by :Launch bigpicture mode on steam. You can find different brand controller adapters on line. In the ScpToolkit Monitor shortcut, we have the ability to monitor both the wired connection of the controllers…. You can also pair the PlayStation Move motion controllers with your PlayStation Camera in certain games. But no matter what, the DualShock 4 is one of the best controllers this generation without a doubt. If you have encountered any problems during the installation, leave a comment below. Easy to Use PS3 Controller on PS4 Some antivirus tools like Norton may report a false positive when you try to install the software. You'll also need to install DualShock 4 drivers and select a DualShock 4 controller instead of a DualShock 3. To get your DualShock 4 set up on Steam, launch the Steam client and click the controller icon at the top right to enter Big Picture Mode, which is Steam's console-like, controller-friendly interface. The process is identical to the installation of the DualShock controllers. You can also create game-specific control schemes by simply launching a game, pressing the PlayStation button and selecting Controller Settings. That should re-pair the controller from scratch. Once the installation finishes, the main installer of the application will appear. It looks like it should be fine but very quickly your now clearly sensitive muscles just can't cope with unwieldy plastic of yore. ScpToolkit will scan our system to find the prerequisite software. Works for my ps3 controller. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Add the ps4 controller to the steam controller ineterface. How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a Computer The DualShock 3 controller was never compatible to work on Windows with official drivers from Sony. Your game process will still run smoothly. Not only should it work after this but you can customize every single controll on it via the steam controller interface. Make sure the room isn't too bright and that there is no light behind the player. If you have any problems when you using the gamepad, please email to contact us first,we will solve the problem at once. Should we already own a PlayStation console, we can use its DualShock controller on Windows. Compatible controllers for PlayStation Now You can purchase it on Amazon. This pops it into Bluetooth pairing mode. It has full vibration feedback. I feel dumb for not having tried that already. Want the DualShock 4's touchpad to behave like a mouse? I also see when before starting For Honor, the controller configurations. How to use my PS3 controller on PS4? Not only should it work after this but you can customize every single controll on it via the steam controller interface. Windows should automatically install the drivers but we need to do more than that to get it to work. In most cases, this process will entail clicking Install after reading through the terms of use. Nefarius has marked the as the latest stable, but we will install the. They will keep updating the software.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line76
__label__cc	0.705149	0.294851	The Universe Loves a Happy Ending "Using his own journey of discovery as a backdrop, the author guides us through a complex weave of quantum mechanics, zero-point energy, near-death experiences, compassion, forgiveness, the Maya calendar and ancient wisdom from China and Hawaii. Gradually, we emerge into the light of the coherent theory of energetic healing that is ECOintention." Hans Andeweg, MSc, is a Dutch biologist who has worked as a researcher in the field of bioorganic agriculture, gardening and forestry, and as a teacher and international organizational consultant. He has studied nature, quantum science, and spiritual wisdom traditions for over 20 years. In 2001 he cofounded Center for ECOintention with Rijk Bols. It offers a four-year vocational training course for those who want to become ECOintention Practitioners. The Center also works on eco-balancing and energy vitalization in over one hundred projects each year. Andeweg lives in Germany. Read the Hans' blog here: Everything is Energy, Everything is One, Everything is Possible OVERVIEW of the book The Universe Loves a Happy Ending is a new work from Hans Andeweg, the author of In Resonance with Nature. The earlier book became the basis of an instrument-based eco-healing method; this book describes a revolutionary paradigm for energetic healing called ECOintention, a technology-free way of healing life- and ecosystems from a distance. Using his own journey of discovery as a backdrop, the author guides us through a complex weave of quantum mechanics, zero-point energy, near-death experiences, compassion, forgiveness, the Maya calendar and ancient wisdom from China and Hawaii. Gradually, we emerge into the light of the coherent theory of energetic healing that is ECOintention. The first principle behind this work is that everything is energy and that everything is connected to everything else. But what does that mean for us personally — in our daily life, in our connections with our fellow humans and our work, and in our relationship with the earth as a whole? The Universe Loves a Happy Ending answers these questions. It shows how the emerging connections between (quantum) science and universal spiritual laws give us new tools for working with life energy and consciousness as well as for influencing events. The Universe Loves a Happy Ending summarizes the practical applications of this work in ten Principles of Energetic Guardianship. For those of us who act as custodians or guardians of life, whether we are managers or leaders, community activists or private individuals, regardless of whether we operate on a small or a large scale, these principles show us how to energetically charge, support and guide the life systems and ecosystems that are in our care. Accessibly written and with numerous color illustrations, The Universe Loves a Happy Ending is an important book for anyone who acknowledges the importance of caring for the planet, the environment and life at every level. Click here for more information & Buy the book on Amazon! ERVIN LASZLO: The Self-Actualizing Cosmos Available on Innertraditions. The Akasha Revolution in Science and Human Consciousness by Ervin Laszlo An exploration of the current revolution in scientific thought and the newest scientific findings in support of the Akashic field • Explains how the new Akasha paradigm recognizes the interconnection of all things in space and time through the quantum resonance of the Akashic field • Reveals the cosmos to be a self-actualizing, self-organizing whole, bringing forth life and consciousness in countless universes • Explores the latest discoveries in the sciences of life, mind, and cosmos Read more: ERVIN LASZLO: The Self-Actualizing Cosmos ERVIN LASZLO: Macroshift: Navigating the Transformation to a Sustainable World by Ervin Laszlo (Author, Preface) , Kay Mikel (Editor) , Arthur C. Clarke (Foreword) A “macroshift” is a transformation of practically all aspects of life, from individual lifestyles to the global economy. Expert Ervin Laszlo argues that the macroshift now upon the planet is unprecedented in scope, and, reverberating as it does at every level, warrants serious attention. This book describes the dynamics of today’s macroshift, cautioning that the values and behaviors associated with it have the power to either break through or break down world order. Readers learn about the essential dangers and opportunities they face and how they can begin to make informed, responsible choices. ERVIN LASZLO: WorldShift 2012 WorldShift 2012 Making Green Business, New Politics, and Higher Consciousness Work Together By (author) Ervin Laszlo Foreword by Deepak Chopra Foreword by Mikhail Gorbachev A handbook for conscious change that could transform the current world crisis into planetary renewal • Outlines the problems that make today’s world prone to breakdown and suggests actions we must adopt in politics, business, and everyday life Read more: ERVIN LASZLO: WorldShift 2012 You Can Change the World: The Global Citizen’s Handbook for Living on Planet Earth You Can Change the World: The Global Citizen’s Handbook for Living on Planet Earth should be required reading for anyone who cares about the future of the planet. Written by renowned scientist, futurist and Club of Budapest founder Ervin Laszlo, You Can Change the World answers two pertinent questions-first, what is at the root of all the conflict and crisis in today’s world? And second, what can actually be done to move toward a world where we can live in peace, without marginalizing and killing each other and destroying the environment?A handbook that urges readers to become global citizens who aspire to live responsibly on this precious but highly exploited and crisis-prone planet, You Can Change the World provides a simple and basic message: in today’s world it is neither wealth nor power, nor the control of territory and technology that make the crucial difference. How we think and act shapes our present and decides our future. ERVIN LASZLO-IVAN VITANYI: European Culture and World Development	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line79
__label__wiki	0.544198	0.544198	Featured artists of INSTRUMENTALS FOR YOUR VOCALS My name is Suzette, I don't find it important where I was born, who my parents are or were....''though, they are sweet.'' I like taking responsibility for who I am. Like the song.... I remember, and that has given me a choice.... I do my best to live life in a simple an loving way... starting to perform, play my guitar better, learning how to sing, and write beautiful songs about life/love... I love being inspired and to inspire others to believe in who they are and that everything is possible. Giving yourself time... and lots of love. Suzette. The song, to which Burkhard added some instrumentals to, is a direct inspiration from the movie 'I remember you'', that is why it has the same title. The movie is about men and women. The woman is lost in her work/ in her head and she has lost her self in this way. The man is at a point in his life where he finds success. They meet in a special way.... On the brinck of life and death. They need each other. After this important moment they start to meet, and they remember each other, and because of this, they slowly remember who they are themselves. I have chosen my words in this song in a way that we can understand this process of remembering who we are. I believe that life is great, pure love..... but it depends on what you would like to believe. Please listen here About our collaboration We, Burkhard Mahler and I, have never personally met each other. I did find it a bit scary to just send my songs to someone I don't personally know..... But it simply felt right to do. My instinct was right. We communicated through email and telephone. I sent him my song, it wasn't a really good recording... I used a simple Bose recording machine; and he listened to it, liked it, and created background music to it.... This is the end result for now.... Who knows what happens. I am very pleased with Burkhards' patience ant optimism, but also with his will to continue and finish a project. Thank you Burkhard! PRESS 1 New album from Burkhard Mahler unites world of jazz, rock, and electronica Boundaries, both stylistic and physical, are busted down on the latest album from Burkhard Mahler. A collaboration with saxophonist/guitarist/pianist Peter Schickling, Best of Fusion unites the worlds of jazz, rock & roll, and electronica for a dazzlingly inventive and futuristic hybrid. Furthermore, like the Roger Waters-commandeered Pink Floyd, Mahler and Schickling seem to have lost their anchor to Earth at times, leaping into extraterrestrial regions that only visionary musicians can reach. The otherworldly adventures that Mahler and Schickling embark upon are perhaps best exemplified by "The Sax Lounge 2." An icy, disembodied female voice asks, "Do you love me, too?" as Schickling's sax breathes in and out of a synthetic cauldron. It's quite a trip and recalls the consciousness-expanding abilities of the most transcendent psychedelic music. "The Sax Lounge 2" is light years ahead of most contemporary jazz; Mahler is clearly seeking to break new ground here while remaining accessible to casual listeners. Mahler's utilization of his rock inspirations is not as straightforward as other artists who blend the genre with jazz. For example, "The Other Side" is about as otherworldly as music gets with its interstellar guitars and David Bowie-ish vocals. "The Other Side" is one of the key songs on the record in that it openly expresses Mahler's fascination with the unknown. On a less experimental note, shimmering melodies illuminate the dark beauty of "Nightpiano". It is here where Mahler and Schickling strike the most indelible moment of Best of Fusion as its union of subtly executed piano jazz and futuristic electronic rhythms achieves a heavenly marriage. Best of Fusion doesn't sound like anything else in a clone-drenched jazz market, and it deserves the widest applause. Robert Sutton jazzcorner.com The Artist I recently checked out the latest CD from German composer/songwriter Burkhard Mahler entitled Chaos and Harmony released in 2011. The band: The compositions of Mahler are pretty solid across the board. I would say he possess above average writing skills. Timing seems to be spot on within each sonic movement. Mahler clearly has solid melodic instincts via these compositions that match the cult Ambient style of music perfectly. The music melodic, dark, unpredictable, interesting, thought provoking and highly entertaining are just some of the words I would use to describe his music. Musical textures reminiscent of Moby and Prodigy. Anything ambient yet dark thought provoking and deep. If you like those kinds of artists you will no doubt get a kick out of this CD. The songs Above average songs. Very simple yet effective, conservative, highly original and passionate. Chaos and Harmony strikes the prefect balance between Ambient Theatrics and Passionate Orchestration. Mahler is clearly just letting it all hang out as a songwriters and as a result this is what comes out of the other side. My favorite song on the CD is "Ferrari". The vibe: Great vibe. Perfect for late night college parties, coffeehouses, or even magazine shops. The production delivers a lot of musical variety. Honorable mentions go out to amazing production virtuoso of Mahler. I give him high marks for not being afraid to let it all hang out musically. Mahler is not trying to be some catchy Ambient composer striving for mass appeal - he's just being himself. The CD refuses to try to hard - that's what makes it so amazing The good Very likeable, marketable record - amazing songs, dark, highly original. Possesses a very unique signature sound. The bad: Some of the songs run their course and them some. Many pieces drag on for 5+minutes. I literally fund myself hitting the "next" button on my media device. CD is also guilty of being a tad repetitive. The ugly: Their comes a point in time where the song needs to just end already. The verdict Chaos and Harmony by Burkhard Mahler is a rock solid release. The songwriting is clearly above average. The production gets it's point across well. Again the most amazing thing about this CD is the composition genius of Burkhard Mahler. He's clearly a new premier talent from Germany. Fans of all things ambient will love this CD no doubt. Markus Druery Indieshark Music Critic Burkhard Mahler, Chaos and Harmony December 5, 2011 by Skope Most would agree most popular artists out there have something truly special to give to their fans. This goes above the typical attributes like raw talent, amazing songs, nice voice, or even a very marketable look, sound and image. There's something truly infectious at the core of these artists that simply makes us feel good when we listen to them. Whatever "it" is - they all seem to have "it". Today I spun to the latest CD from Germany's own Burkhard Mahler entitled "Chaos and Harmony" released in 2011. Venturing to his website and reading his bio I get the impression he is one ambient composer that is extremely passionate about the songwriting craft - with an extensive catalogue of music available. From start to finish this CD from Mahler presents a type of evil genius flair and mystique. Almost like a modern day Moby or Prodigy or even Beck. It has an Ambient or even Alternative Rock quality to it but should not to be underestimated or easily pinned down. It dabbles in what I would call psychedelic ambient jazz with a techno or Electronica flair. Trust me when I say this artist goes a bit deeper than the next independent artist out there. Any fans of the above artists or musical styles will enjoy this latest release from Mahler. I get the impression Mahler is just rolling with what he knows as a composer within each one of these pieces. In other words he hits the mark remarkably well by just being himself. Favorite track is (Aint' Playin) and (Goin' On). Within each one of these songs Mahler finds his soul and delivers his best musical mojo. He is clearly from another planet and is a force to be reckoned with. The overall vibe of the production is very unpredictable, very original and highly entertaining. Burkhard Mahler is a fascinating artist. Like I said most famous artists out there have "it" I'm not so sure what it but Burkhard Mahler clearly has whatever "it" may be. Michael Morrison - Skope Edited by Cyrus Rhodes	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line81
__label__cc	0.602722	0.397278	http://croct.com Reach Your Maximum Potential With Intent Data Customer Experience & Real-time Personalization Get Hyperlocal With Geolocation Targeting As more consumers are turning to mobile, geomarketing is becoming increasingly essential for marketers. Columnist Andy Lombard explains why it should be a key part of your marketing strategy. On average, we gaze at our smartphones around 220 times a day and pick up our devices a whopping 1,500 times a week. With some 2.1 billion smartphones now in use, it’s only natural that marketers would try to appeal to mobile-attentive consumers with personalized geolocation targetingand content localization. Marketers initially used geolocation targeting primarily by asking consumers to “check in” at locations in exchange for special offers. In due time, entire businesses — think Uber and Tinder — sprang up around this technology, but there were a few stumbling blocks. Nordstrom customers were famously creeped out in 2013 upon learning that its in-store Wi-Fi geolocation tracking service was analyzing their whereabouts for insights. And the city of London had to order UK startup Renew to stop tracking its citizens with high-tech trash cans. From these and other examples, marketers have learned to always announce their presence, keep it simple, and provide an easy opt-out option. All Eyes On Geotargeting In spite of these hiccups, consumers are increasingly comfortable existing within the Internet of Things, and marketers are conscientious about being less invasive and more helpful and transparent. The payoff, according to the Local Search Association, is that geotargeting doubles the performance of email campaigns and paid search, as evidenced by the click-through rate for geotargeted mobile display ads compared with the industry benchmark. Many brands are now tweaking their national marketing campaigns on a store-by-store basis, localizing email blasts and regularly pushing out notifications about in-store promotions though multichannel and geolocation marketing. McDonald’s (disclosure: client), for example, is able to endear itself to its Chicago area customers by creating online and offline promotional offers related to the Chicago Bears. And in Phoenix, McDonald’s combines national English and Spanish advertising with local geolocation to direct consumers to its closest restaurant. Starbucks has utilized geofencing, which is where you can set a virtual boundary around a specific location, like a store. Once they cross that set geofence, people with the Starbucks app receive a location-based notification highlighting a coupon or offer and reminding them there’s a Starbucks nearby. This kind of personalization inspires more engagement and brand loyalty and provides the ability for any business to make national campaigns hyperlocal. What’s Ahead For Geolocation As for where the geolocation market is headed, it’s growing ever more innovative and effective, thanks in part to the willingness of consumers. More than 50 percent of us now say we are willing to cough up our location information in exchange for coupons or loyalty points. And as more people adopt smartphones, the value of geolocation targeting will only improve. Nearlytwo-thirds of Americans currently own a smartphone, per the Pew Research Center, and more than three-quarters of smartphone users access local content with their phones, as compared with 14 percent of non-smartphone users. Certain industries, such as health care, are already very active in this space. However, geolocation technology has not reached its potential for widescale use — yet. Each day, though, new players are trying their hand at geomarketing — finding surprising uses (Salatsurfing, the newly popular French app, lets Muslims find a place to pray) and employing novel tactics. For example, Ford dealerships are testing a marketing program that would send key info about a car directly to a consumer as they approach each model. More and more national consumer packaged goods companies and retailers are feeling the pressure to implement marketing technology that targets consumers on a hyperlocal level, which is the next best thing to reaching them in-store, wallet in hand. After all, where a person is can be a pretty good indication of where they want to be and what they want to do. The organizations that meet them there by embracing the latest geolocation technology will have a huge advantage over their competitors. Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2015 by Andy Lombard at Marketing Land. Permalink: http://blog.croct.com/post/geolocation/201507/43/ Lane 15th July, 2015 Lane 7th July, 2015 Copyright © Croct. 2019 • All rights reserved. Proudly published with WordPress.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line97
__label__cc	0.739694	0.260306	Talks Art, Photorealism, SoHo & His Upcoming Auto-biography About Lou Meisel Gallery Bernardo Torrens, "Lourdes XIV" 2015 Visit Meisel Gallery Posts Related To Andre Emmerich Anthony Brunelli Audrey Flack Bertrand Meniel Boris Lovet-Lorski Brian Booth Craig Charles Bell Ed Haugevick Elaine de Kooning Eminent Publications H.W. Janson Hans Van De Bovenkamp Harry Moak Jerome Kirk Joan Lemongello Joel Perlman Kenneth Snelson Louis K. Meisel Max Hutchinson Nathan Wasserberger New Realism Njideka Akunyili Crosby Norman Lassiter Oded Halahmy Peter Lemongello Ralph Goings Raphaella Spence Richard Estes Rick Segal Steven Linn Stuart M. Speiser Susan Pear Meisel Tenafly, New Jersey The Cedar Tavern Theodoros Stamos Tom Blackwell Louis and Susan Meisel in front of their SoHo gallery #8 — How to COLLECT! In 1973, I opened the Louis K. Meisel Gallery in SoHo—a newly developing industrial district that was to become THE center of the contemporary art world during the mid to late 20th century. Around this time, dealers began to see an entirely new category of visitors. SoHo’s openness, “friendliness” and general sense of accessibility began to draw in neophytes, the young, and those newly interested in art who were hopefully collectors-to-be, the same people who were generally discouraged and reticent about entering the traditional galleries on 57th Street and Madison Avenue. Meisel Gallery on Madison Avenue & E79th, featuring Susan Meisel’s paintings While I was part of the Madison Avenue mass of galleries for 5 years before opening in SoHo, I was not really part of the intimidating aspect. I was on the street, in a very good location at 79th and Madison in the southwest corner, BUT at 200 square feet, I probably had the smallest gallery of them all. No one seemed deterred in entering! Even many who were wealthy and sophisticated Upper East Siders would discuss their feelings about the main establishment galleries. I remember Giancarlo, married to a Ford, telling me he wanted a Vasarely. I told him to go to Denise Rene. He demurred saying he felt uncomfortable going to her sixth-floor gallery space. I told him to come back in a few hours after lunch. I called that gallery, where along with 80 others, I had developed relationships through my own collecting, publishing and personal interactions. I asked them to send up three 36×36 paintings. I sold one for them to Giancarlo later that day. When I left Madison Avenue for the “new world”, I left anything and everything that might in anyway discourage interactions with someone who had a serious interest in learning, knowing about and maybe collecting contemporary art of the later 20th century. Gone were the Cardin suits and ties, Gucci, Pucci and anything which might have “impressed” visitors. I went back to my cowboy boots from my days in Texas. My wardrobe was simplified to jeans, denim blue work shirts and pure relaxed comfort. That continues to this day except for the boots—just loafers now. The RESULT—artists, dealers, collectors and any visitors feel comfortable and are free to ask for me, to meet and discuss art, SoHo and anything else. My office was, and IS, up front and I have spent over 40 years just talking to people all day, and from time to time selling some art. OK, all that said, now for the main part of this blog: My primary interest is teaching and explaining to a very few, what it means to be a collector as opposed to just accumulating or decorating. “Investing” was not even a discussion when I started. I have been a collector all my life and have well over 100 collections… almost NONE coinciding with what others seem to focus on. That subject will be for another blog, but it HAS worked for me and for the MANY people that I worked with over these decades. Instead, I’d like to share a couple of general stories about getting started as a collector. In the early 1970s, a couple in their early 30’s came into the gallery one day and admired a work that was on view at that time. They unabashedly told me they had decided on an annual budget of $10,000 to collect art. 95% of galleries or dealers hearing that would have found a way and a work in their inventory, to make a sale and get that $10,000. I actually spent much of the afternoon showing and talking to them about art and how I felt they should begin this hopefully very pleasant and fun avocation. I told them that they should divide whatever budget they had in mind into five parts. In their case, five $2,000 acquisitions over their first year. I told them I would give them a list of about a dozen or so galleries that I thought would be showing art that might attract them including mine. That they should visit those and others for the next two months during which they would see at least two shows in each. I explained that they could then narrow down the galleries, the type of art they liked, and the artists they preferred. From there, they could select three to five artists and works they might like in the selected price range. (In 1974, there were many works to choose from in this budget in SoHo.) After revisiting some of those, and discussing amongst themselves… or even with me, they should make a decision and their first acquisition. Then, repeat the process every two to three months so that at years end they would have four or five artworks and the beginnings of a collection. They would have learned a great deal and would really FEEL like “collectors”. If the couple had spent their whole budget on that first day, it would have ended their pursuit of art and enjoyment for at least a year since they knew they couldn’t get anything else. Consequently, their interest in collecting probably would have waned. Of course, I could have grabbed that couple’s ten grand; instead, I made a $1,500 and an $1,800 sale that first year, and HAVE made good friends with them. By the way, the current value of those first two acquisitions are presently well into six figures… and they still own them. Here is the second story I’d like to share about learning to collect: Another mid-thirties couple came into the gallery one day and said they would like to get a painting by Richard Estes (the leading Photorealist cityscape painter). They had $300,000 for this acquisition. They did not know much about Photorealism and the 30 or so painters in the genre, but they had “heard” that Estes was the most important. I agreed that he was the most historically important, BUT if it was the subject matter, and very high-quality skills and craftsmanship that drew them to this imagery that there was a lot to know about this movement. I explained that their budget would get them one of several very small and minor works by an admittedly great painter, BUT from the point of view of enjoying and being proud of owning and living with great Photorealism they could actually have VERY major works by the THREE of the leading 21st century cityscape painters. Three six and seven foot masterworks for the price of a 14×20 inch Estes. They LOOKED, SAW and agreed, and began with those three. Now they have 20 works, and ultimately did feel comfortable and more confident in going much higher to even add a significant Estes. In the end, they have a much more developed collection, as well as the Estes they always desired. I must note that as we got to the early and mid-eighties, the art market underwent a cultural shift. Unfortunately, many more recent SoHo galleries with their newly minted “Gallerists” reverted to arrogance, pretention, snobbery and being downright rude as a matter of what they perceived art dealing to be. False “waiting lists”, invitations to special “private” openings, and discussions about status, prestige and investment polluted the purity and fun of true collecting. This trend remains pervasive currently. A herd mentality has driven those listed as “Top 100 Collectors” into all having the exact same collections; each contains the same 100 or so “most important” artists, and almost everyone on these lists is collecting only contemporary art and foregoing works by the Old Masters. Nonetheless, I still manage to find, guide, develop and enjoy a few new COLLECTORS a year. Find more posts related to: Author: Lou Meisel Curating the Stuart M. Speiser Collection Flipping Blog © 2019 Louis K. Meisel meiselgallery.com greatamericanpinup.com meisel-music.com beechtreecollection.com sculpturefield.com 141 Prince Street,	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line99
__label__wiki	0.540287	0.540287	Scombroid (Histamine) Poisoning Home/Scombroid (Histamine) Poisoning SCOMBROID food poisoning is a food-borne illness that results from eating spoiled fish. While it is quite often miss-diagnosed, because symptoms resemble an allergic reaction, it is most commonly reported with species such as mackerel, bluefish, mahi-mahi, bonito, sardines, anchovies, and tuna. The issue is really inadequate refrigeration after the fish has been caught. The reason that Tuna is sometimes implicated is that Tuna are not a cold blooded fish- they generate heat by constantly swimming and once a tuna is caught it must be chilled immediately. We will come back to this further on in our discussion but first, for those that like to know the science… Highly Migratory fish, like our Northern Pacific Canadian Albacore Tuna, swim constantly. As a direct result their muscles are constantly being rebuilt from the amino acids that circulate in the blood in the form of the amino acid histadine. Upon the death of the fish bacterial decomposition rapidly converts this histadine to histamine, which is a toxin to mammals and may result in an illness referred to as SCOMBROID poisoning if consumed. Histamine (or scombroid) poisoning is one of the most significant cause of illness associated with seafood, although frequently mis-diagnosed as “Salmonella spp. infection”. Histamine is formed in spoiling fish by certain bacteria that are able to de-carboxylate the amino acid, histidine. Although some are present in the normal microbial flora of live fish, most of them seem to be derived from post-catching contamination on fishing vessels, at the processing plant or in the distribution system (Lehane and Olley, 2000). The fish are non-toxic when caught, but increase in histamine content as bacterial numbers increase. However, foods containing unusually high levels of histamine may not appear to be outwardly spoiled and cooking does not destroy the histamine (Lehane, 2000). Improper storage of the fishes, usually at temperatures above 20°C, appears to be the most important predisposing factor. The organisms most commonly involved are Proteus spp., Clostridium spp., Escherichia spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Morganella morganii, followed by V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus (Russell and Maretic, 1986; Kim et al., 2001). The optimum temperature for supporting growth of prolific histamine formers was found 25°C, but at 15°C a significant level of histamine was still produced in fish muscle (Kim et al., 2001). Histamine formation in fish can be prevented by the rapid cooling of fish after catching and adequate refrigeration during handling and storage (Gingerich et al., 1999; Kim et al., 2001). Scombroid poisoning is geographically diverse and many species have been implicated Foods with histamine concentrations exceeding 50 mg per 100 g of food are generally considered to be hazardous (Taylor et al., 1989). Symptoms of scombroid poisoning include, vomiting, dizziness, rapid pulse, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, swelling, and others. Antihistamines can bring about immediate relief of symptoms with the patient generally recovering within 24 hours. The Situation in British Columbia – Canada Scombroid poisoning is not an issue in Canadian fisheries due to the prevalence of cold water and air temperatures, and our rigorous system of handling, regulation and inspection. Under our own CHMSF PLATIMUM QUALITY ASSUARANCE PROGRAM the protocol for handling (100% of all of our fish) is quite specific: Our Canadian Fishing fleet uses only troll fishery using barbless hooks. Each fish is caught individually alive (this is unlike many tropical fisheries where tuna are caught on a longline and could theoretically be dead in the warm tropical waters for sometime before being landed). Once chilled the tuna is individually blast frozen, onboard, at temperatures down to -28 C., or colder, and held at that temperature until processed. As well, primarily to retain quality by reducing migration of Oils in the fish, but also for safety reasons, our Canadian Albacore Tuna are typically processed into loins while still frozen. This means that tuna from the time it is caught to the time it reaches the restaurant or store, or cannery remains frozen throughout. Under government regulation, once the fish is received by the Store, or Restaurant- ALBACORE TUNA, once again, remains frozen until final preparation. Even so Canadian Seafood HACCP Regulations require: All Fish must be Refrigerated to 4oC (40oF) or cooler at all times. All fish that have a temperature of > 4oC (40oF) should be rejected- Review delivery vehicle temperature logs. Any fish that has been thawed should be used within 48 hours at refrigerated temperatures. In Canada between 1975-1981 there were a total of 6 cases of Scombroid Poisoning in the period of those cases one was caused by Cheddar Cheese and the other 5 by fish including AHI TUNA and SMOKED MACKERAL, and MAHI MAHI. In 2007 one case of Scombroid Poisoning from AHI TUNA was attributed to temperature abuse before cooking in a restaurant environment. Occasionally, in some non-Canadian ethnic markets a small volume of customers do prefer, and, therefore, purchase fresh albacore tuna from local fishermen. As mentioned above, however, this is not the case in Canada where 100% of commercial tuna is BLAST FROZEN onboard the vessel. In Canada due to our CHMSF PLATIMUN QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM, strict adherence to provincial and federal HACCP Regulations – In the history of the CANADIAN ALBACORE TUNA fishery there has never been a case of Scombroid (Histamine) Poisoning reported and attributed to Albacore Tuna. For Further Information Contact the BC Centre for Disease Control: 1-604-707-2400 and ask for the current Seafood Specialist. By Lorne Clayton\|2015-09-11T20:23:45+00:00August 4th, 2015\|Health\|Comments Off on Scombroid (Histamine) Poisoning SELENIUM and MERCURY Fishing For Answers August 4th, 2015\|Comments Off on SELENIUM and MERCURY Fishing For Answers Radioactive Contamination in Seafood- Specifically Northern Pacific Canadian Albacore Tuna August 4th, 2015\|Comments Off on Radioactive Contamination in Seafood- Specifically Northern Pacific Canadian Albacore Tuna Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Canadian Albacore Tuna July 24th, 2015\|Comments Off on Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Canadian Albacore Tuna The Facts about Mercury	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line107
__label__wiki	0.921083	0.921083	Vigil for Veterans https://www.facebook.com/groups/150134285064687/ Veterans/Military News-Discussion » Equitas - constitutional challenge NVC » Veterans Deserve Special Constitutional Rights Like Aboriginals, Lawyer Argues Author Topic: Veterans Deserve Special Constitutional Rights Like Aboriginals, Lawyer Argues (Read 2326 times) CP \| By Tamsyn Burgmann, The Canadian Press Posted: 12/04/2014 5:25 pm EST Updated: 12/04/2014 8:59 pm EST http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/04/veterans-constitutional-rights-lawyer_n_6272210.html VANCOUVER - Veterans deserve special treatment under the constitution in the same way aboriginals are guaranteed unique rights, a lawyer for six soldiers injured in Afghanistan has told British Columbia's top court. The federal government is obligated to make good on nearly century-old promises to care for the only citizens it orders into possible death while fighting to make "our country possible," Don Sorochan told a trio of judges as he disputed that aboriginals are the only extraordinary case. "The politicians acknowledge this. They stand by the cenotaphs," Sorochan said Thursday in the B.C. Court of Appeal. "And yet we have an argument raised here ... that veterans are only entitled to whatever benefits the Parliament of the day may deem to be necessary." Sorochan was responding to an attempt by the federal government to block the certification of a class-action lawsuit for injured soldiers who apply for disability benefits after April 2006, an application already approved by a B.C. Supreme Court judge. The current and former Canadian Forces members are challenging changes to the compensation regime under the New Veterans Charter, brought into force by an all-party vote in Parliament. The individual plaintiffs represent "hundreds, if not thousands" of other potential claimants upset with their treatment by the federal government, Sorochan said. None of the claims have been tested in court. The veterans contend the new scheme is inadequate for supporting their families and substantially reduced from what is granted to other generations of injured soldiers. The predominant change involves doling out lump-sum payments in lieu of disability pensions. One former soldier lost both legs above the knees in a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan. Retired major Mark Campbell says not getting a medical pension means he will get about $35,000 less a year. Lawyers for the Attorney General of Canada have argued the government's duty to give special protections to one citizen category only applies as a legal principle in the aboriginal context. They maintain that issues raised by the veterans should be addressed by Parliament and not in court. Veterans Affairs has been under fire in recent weeks, and Minister Julian Fantino was pressed by members of the Opposition in Question Period on Thursday. The government is "profoundly proud and honoured" for veterans' services, he replied, before stating he would not comment during the court process. "Except to say that this matter deals with something that both parties agreed to under the previous government," Fantino said, adding "it was the Liberal government that initiated much of what today is in debate." Sorochan told court that passage of the controversial legislation in 2006 was "a Kumbaya moment," according to a federal minister involved at the time. He said the minister told him all parties thought they were benefiting veterans, having been reassured by bureaucrats who dealt with the fine details. Instead, the resulting changes obliterated decades of renewed promises, carried forward from one government to the next starting before the First World War, he said, adding that "social contract" helped build Canada's democracy. "You come forward and fight for your country and save it â€” and give your life if necessary â€” and what's the other side? If you die, we'll look after your family. And if you're wounded, like Major Campbell here, and lose your limbs, we'll look after you." Justice Harvey Groberman urged the lawyer to stay focused several times during bouts of impassioned "rhetoric." "We understand the nature of the Armed Forces, the sacrifices that each of the individuals in this room and the entire class have made, the expectations that they have," Groberman said. "And we understand the position the government is taking. But you're going to have to adopt an analytical approach." Richard Blackwolf, CEO of the Canadian Aboriginal Veterans and Serving Members Association, also supports the class action. "The government is here basically to say they want Parliament to be supreme," Blackwolf said. "But on the other hand ... not all laws that are passed in Parliament are just laws." Follow @TamsynBurgmann on Twitter	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line108
__label__cc	0.672322	0.327678	CAP Talk \| Operations \| Emergency Services & Operations \| Topic: Civil Air Patrol & Coast Guard Auxiliary - Joint Ops? Author Topic: Civil Air Patrol & Coast Guard Auxiliary - Joint Ops? (Read 9409 times) Civil Air Patrol & Coast Guard Auxiliary - Joint Ops? I was wondering if there has ever been any joint operations and/or exercises between the Civil Air Patrol and the CG Aux.? I'm sure this may have been discussed before, but the potential for shared resources and learning from one another is very attractive. Of course this only applies to those of us in the Great Lakes region's and along the coastline, but there's a lot of miles to cover there. I only know of one person on here that is both and I'd love to hear from him on this subject. Of course with everyone else's thoughts as well. RiverAux Too Much Free Time Award Re: Civil Air Patrol & Coast Guard Auxiliary - Joint Ops? There is a MOU between CAP and the CG Aux that focuses on using aircrew members of one group in the other's aircraft. I remember seeing somewhere that there was a recent local exercise between a CAP aircrew and a CG Aux boatcrew. Although a member of both organizations I personally am not aware of any joint operations between them locally. There was some talk recently in regards to a CAP SAREX, but the concept was never fully developed. I have heard that national communications has addressed getting maritime distress frequencies programed in CAP radios, which would ease operations in the future. I have worked with the full on coast guard during a mission. But that is as far as that one goes. I would love to see some more joint ops though, especially during training. C/1st Lt Chris Jacobs Columbia Comp. Squadron We've made some half-hearted attempts to work with local CG/AUX guys but there has been little interest on either side. We have a few members who are dual-members, and they regale us with stories of low-level flying above watercraft in their personal aircraft. ((yawn)) My personal experience has been that they have just as active a cadre of GOB's and ROMEO's as we do, and their ability to wear the CG uniform, regardless of weight, is a LIABILITY for them (IMHO), not an advantage. Anyone who has seen the couple of GOB's up at NSGL who look about 9-months pregnant in service dress would agree. All that aside, we don't share enough missions to operate together. Our over-water capability is limited, and their land-SAR capability is zero. They help check the intake cribs on Lake Michigan, and we turn off ELTs. Since we are tasked with EPIRB searches as well, we regularly play in “their” sandbox. "Real" shore-line SAR work is done, for the most part, by the CPD & CFD, heck, we don't even have a local Guard station in Chicago - the Helo is in Waukegan, and the main station is in Milwaukee (at least last I cared to check). There has been a lot of press lately about them requesting a free-fire zone out in the lake for automatic weapons practice. I'd like to crack off a chunk of that in a joint op! DNall There were two BIG joint excercises here about 8 years ago or so. CG was in the lead & they ran CG Aux boats out of their shop, we got tasked coastal grids off a maritime chart & ran ground team all over. I've been on a lot of real world runs w/ CG, but I don't ever remember even seeing CGAux. Frankly, I can't think of a lot of good joint scenarios. About the best I can come up with is a search for a missing boater (played by a water-rescue dummy) over an inland lake or river with CG Aux boats on the water and CAP airplanes in the air. CG Aux aircrews do receive some SAR training and it could be possible to utilize them in CAP air search exercises though communications would be an issue. Hi Y'all, Arizona Wing and the CG Aux had joint "precautionary missions" along the Colorado River from Havasu to the Boulder Dam for a number of years for Memorial Day and Labor day (when there are thousands of boaters on the river). By all accounts it was quite successful - the USCG Aux did the water stuff (of course) while the CAP aircraft were able to do overhead recon and reporting - a number of distressed boats were dealt with, and apparently the Aux folks found the ability of the CAP to quickly go to a reported trouble location and report what was seen quite valuable (it takes a looong time to go 10 miles in a boat) - which allowed them to respond only to the "real" stuff. CAP also had liaison comms with local and state law enforcement, plus the Game & Fish departments from both AZ and NV. Unfortunately, the AF decided not to fund this mission in recent years, so CAP is no longer a "player". 73 DE Hartley Major Carrales I have always wanted to see a true "Joint CAP/USCGAux" activity. In South Texas, especially the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley, the proximity to the Gulf (this applies to all other coastal areas as well ) might make a CAP search into an Auxie Seach very quickly. If we don't work together before that happens, how can we expect to work together when that happens. This, however, begins at the upper echelons with Wing MOUs, I assume. The Squadron level shoudl support that by incorporating certain training. I don;t see why CAP pilots and Auxie pilots can't have "Aviation Institutes" where common things like safety and other schools can be taught for the benefit of both programs. Basically, all our collected wisdom and all their collected wisdom for some real sharing. Then, if we ever have to work with out local Auxie units...we will already know them. I do not look at the USCGAux as our "rivals" or "enemies" as some do...I consider them to be brother and sister volunteers and aviators. "We have been given the power to change CAP, let's keep the momentum going!" Major Joe Ely "Sparky" Carrales, CAP Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron SWR-TX-454 There isn't really even any need for MOUs, though it wouldn't hurt, with the probable exception of radio frequency use. No need for that either. I did say above how we'd already done this extensively here in Texas right? CAP is authorized liaison traffic on certain CG freqs (don't ask me I'm not a radio guy), and so is CG Aux. It's not possible for you to be on a search involving CAP * CGAux w/o it also involving CG. In our case CG was the lead agency, we ran air/grd ops according to their taskings & we did some joint work w/ our grd to their air & vice versa to a cutter. CG Aux was part of those couple excercises, but like us they were tasked off by CG & did their own thing. I'm sure they also did some joint familiarization coordination type stuff w/ CG, but not with us. The CG ran mission base our of Air Group Houston (across the street from the CAP Sq there) and there was a CAP liaison there, but no CG Aux staff that I was aware of the couple times I ducked in & back out again. Maj C, if you really want to run something like that I bet we can get it together all up & down the Texas Coast. It's really just a matter of our two groups running a distributed excercise jointly with a CG excercise. I know the guy still on the CGAux side that ran the CAP operation back in the day & has the CG contacts, also know a fomer cadet who's enlisted at Air Gp Houston now. You wanna give it a role, I can see what LtCol Cima thinks about the idea. I bet if we tie in her efforts toward CERT & maybe a Galveston County Hurricane Excercise... yeah I think we have all the pieces to make it go. I don't know if we could swing any ohter states into the drill, but that would make it pretty interesting too. I would expect some resistance from the CG Aux air operations guys. They get a lot of money to fly patrols along the coastline and any operations between CAP and the surface boats could be seen as a threat to their existence. However, most CG Aux Air work is done along the coasts and I think there is more potential for joint operations inland along the big rivers and lakes. Well, there really is no need for CGAux air if CAP is doing its job. Most of the people involved with that side seem to be former CAP members, at least that's the impression around here. We shed people to the Tx State Air Guard also. I don't care what they think or frankly what happens to them either. If they can step up to take a piece of the pie then so be it, if not then CAP should be there strong & ready to go. It's survival of the fittest. None of that matters for this excercise or the real world. We have a good working relationship w/ CG. We can easily runa distributed coastal SaREx w/ disaster overtones. We can then go to CG with that plan & ask them to come in as a joint op using their IC staff in the lead. Then as an afterthought we can ask if they'd like CGAux to play also. Then we can go about scenerio-izing, and there would be focus on joint-ops. That means CG helo coordinates w/ CAP GT, CGAux plane coords w/ CAP GT, CAP plane coords w/ CG & CG Aux boats. I think we can probably even run an HLS scenerio where we can put a photo bird over a ship & give CG boarding party photos enroute. The CG is pretty smart. They just came out of a different Katrina experience than we had, & they know situations can easily overwhelm their local resources before extra help can get there. When that's the case, it's nice to know how to work with the bigger team. Even if it isn't the biggr search, I think we can all recognize how easy it is for a couple planes to go down for maint or a couple CGAux pilots to be out of town & end up short handed. I don't know that they're equiped to capable of doing a signal search, I don't know what capability they have to do a visual search or what else they might be able to pull off, I don't know if they are competent professionals or yahoos in planes, so I can't call them in to backup a CAP op... yeah I'm pretty sure it's an easy sell, at least to the CG, & they'll just tell CGAux what's going to happen & tell them to shut the hell up if they want to complain about it. After you get thru the op I think you'll get people educated about each other & more willing to work together, which is the point, besides of course practicing the skills. Probably get some state agencies involved too, but this'll get out of my paygrade before too long. Well, there really is no need for CGAux air if CAP is doing its job. Well, I've advocated on the CG Aux board that CG Aux Air should be merged into CAP. There is no sense maintaining two separate national volunteer aviation organizations. But to be fair, especially along the coast the private airplanes they are using are more appropriate than CAP aircraft for extended overwater use. The point would not be for one to replace the other, but rather to be able work jointly when the time comes. We have two air corps, basically, CAP and USCGAux. In time of emergency we need to have in place the ability to work together in an effective way. I am by no means an advocate of doing the USCGAux Aviation missions, and them ours. But rather to have a mechinism in place to improve both sides, use resources effectively in a SAR situation and basically come to better know each other. Quote from: RiverAux on December 03, 2006, 09:38:06 PM Well Cessnas have an excellent glide ratio, but if you're talking about twins then NHQ agrees with you, which is why they're currently being funded to buy a few which will alos be equipped w/ ARCHER specifically for overwater HLS. I'd question though how many twins CGAux has avail in coastal area, and of course I don't believe they have any of the photo capabilities that we're continuing to improve. There's no possibility of a merger, but one or the other might die & be absoarbed by the other, or at least the inland CGAux air might be killed in favor of CAP. The main argument for combining CG Aux Air into CAP is the substantial equipment, capability, and training of CAP crews to handle almost all the Aux Air missions other than those requiring flying over the ocean. I happen to know one Aux Air unit that flies patrols past 3 CAP airplane locations that could do the same mission. That one aircrew is pretty much sitting out by itself isolated from other CG Aux aviationa assets and has none of the benefits of working in a aviation-focused organization like CAP. Now, that is probably the case with almost all the inland units. And, even along the coast it would make more sense for the CG to work with CAP directly as there is so often overlap on EPIRB missions in that zone. We figured out on a CG Aux board that the average CG Aux airplane only flies about 50 hours a year. CAP expects our planes to get at least 200 and could absorb the CG missions without much trouble. As to how many twins, I'm not sure, but there are 269 private aircraft that are part of AuxAir right now. 103 are retractable gear. There may be a way to figure out how many twin engines they have, but I'm not that good with their data retrieval system. I'd guess 30 off those numbers. CAP still has some retractable gear 182s I believe, tho we've been trying to get away from that to standardize for safety sake. If you're not talking about twins that can do long endurance over water with the backup engine, then I can't see an equipment advantage, but as you've argued to me in the past, we are free to use private or even rental planes when the mission calls for it or CAP planes aren't avail. We've been flying HLS with member owned twins on 1AF taskings for a while now. Nat is buying a couple twins to start, and I'd expect that number to continue up down the road. I can't say how many they might be able to get but I could see one in each coastal Gp or so, maybe 20 total, Im not sure. I've also mentioned in the past the potential to pick up some missions from Army fixed wing aviation with some of those twins, perhaps some more direct AF support also, who knows, but you can fly the wings off the things. CAP used to fly sunsetter patrols in places like Florida & such that were specifically to look for troubled boaters & direct CG to them. That's pretty much what I think of CGAux Air doing, and of course I doubt very much they are equiped to actually look for EPIRBs like we are. mawr Alabama Wing still continues to work with the Coast Guard and local LE by conducting Sundowner patrols along the Gulf Coast of Alabama. We even go after a few of the EPIRB's that are on the Intercoastal Waterway at the request of the CG. Rick Hasha, Lt Col CAP Unit: FL-424 Quote from: mawr on December 04, 2006, 12:50:18 AM Hello Chief....a few? How about a bunch! Greetings all from the Gulf Coast of Alabama. The Baldwin County Squadron has been flying Sundown Patrol along the 30 mile coastline for the past 15 years. In February or March I will write a letter to the City Councils of the two municipalities along the coast and request funding for the upcoming season's flights. When the Committee of the Whole meets, I will show up and answer questions regarding the previous season's flights. A vote is called and a check is cut. The chief of police sends an email to the NOC making a request that we fly the coastal patrol, I open WMIRS and fill out the request for a series of missions and the number is assigned. Last year we flew 65 sorties from May until September. Each flight departs an hour or so prior to sundown. We contact the Emergency Operations Center on the FM and maintain contact with all of the Fire/Rescue Squads during the flights. We patrol the public swimming areas for swimmers in distress, look for sharks in the water near swimmers, respond to boaters in distress in the bays and rivers, and give traffic reports when requested by the police departments. The flights are a great public relations for the cities. During the flights we often chat with CG helos. When a missing boater call is dispatched in a bay or backwater, we coordinate directly with the CG air units regarding the direction of search tracks and altitudes. Several times a year we work joint operations with the State Trooper helos working low, we're in the middle altitudes and the CG fast movers are on top of us. Everyone reports their turn-arounds and we maintain an offset using lat/long. It works well for us. If the Marine Police have a mission working, they contact AFRCC and we are dispatched per channels....but you know that we are already standing by for an engine start when the call comes to us. If you are going to be in the SAR business, you have to get out there and let the folks know who you are and how to make it happen. Semper vi...ya'll Stephen Pearce, Capt/CAP That's great. So you're flying for local cities/EOC. Cause the mission I recall in Florida I thought were for CG, but I may be mistaken about that. It's great that you're building into the joint operating enviro thru that tasking. I'm a firm believer that there should be no SaREx ever that involves just CAP. There's no reason for it at all. A lot of local responders would be happy to practice on the same day & trade some radio traffic at least, EOCs especially.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line109
__label__cc	0.703539	0.296461	academic dissertations -- south carolina (23) medical college of south carolina (1952-1969);medical university of south carolina;medical university of south carolina. college of dental medicine;dental students;dental school -- united states;education, dental -- united states;oral histories;interviews; (8) medical university of south carolina;medical university of south carolina. office of the president;medical university of south carolina. office of the provost;medical university of south carolina. vice president for academic affairs;hospital workers' strik (5) minutes and proceedings (4) hurricane hugo, 1989;medical university of south carolina;medical university of south carolina. medical university hospital;medical university of south carolina. children's hospital;hurricane hugo, 1989 -- personal narratives;disaster response and recovery (3) computer simulation (2) diagnosis, computer-assisted (2) medical society of south carolina (4) rogers, rhonda s. (2) sisco, david l. (2) worthington, w. curtis, (ward curtis), 1925- (2) golod, william h. (2) inman, lindsey ray (2) kerr, lisa (2) renk, geoffrey edmund (2) bangerter, j. keith (1) atkinson, w. eugene (1) All fields: describes Peter B. Rock, oral history interview, 6 July 2009 Rock, Peter B. Hurricane Hugo, 1989;Medical University of South Carolina;Medical University of South Carolina. Medical University Hospital;Medical University of South Carolina. Children's Hospital;Hurricane Hugo, 1989--Personal narratives;Disaster response and... Walter W. Fingar, D.D.S., oral history interview, November 22, 2011 Fingar, Walter Medical College of South Carolina (1952-1969);Medical University of South Carolina;Medical University of South Carolina. College of Dental Medicine;Dental students;Dental school--United States;Education, Dental--United States;Oral... Hal S. Currey, oral history interview, 14 July 2009 Currey, Hal S. Hurricane Hugo, 1989;Medical University of South Carolina;Medical University of South Carolina. Medical University Hospital;Medical University of South Carolina. Institute of Psychiatry;Medical University of South Carolina. Department of Psychiatry... Layton McCurdy, MD, oral history interview, May 7, 2009 McCurdy, Layton, 1935- William H. Golod, PhD, oral history interview, May 12, 2009 Golod, William H. Development and pretesting of a weight management behavior questionnaire for overweight and obese African American females Sutton, Suzanne Myers Academic Dissertations;Academic Dissertations--South Carolina;Overweight--prevention & control;Obesity--prevention & control;African Americans--psychology;Surveys and Questionnaires--utilization Cardiac arrest associated with endotracheal suctioning following surgery for congenital heart disease Fisk, Anna C. Academic Dissertations;Academic Dissertations--South Carolina;Heart Diseases--congenital;Heart Arrest;Suction--adverse effects;Risk Adjustment;Pediatrics Mixed methods review and comparative analysis of technology-oriented suicide prevention interventions for adolescents and adolescent gatekeepers Kreuze, Elizabeth Academic Dissertations;Academic Dissertations--South Carolina;Gatekeeping;Suicide--prevention & control;Adolescent;Suicide--statistics & numerical data W. Curtis Worthington, Jr., M.D., oral history interview, 18 June 2009 Worthington, W. Curtis, (Ward Curtis), 1925- Hurricane Hugo, 1989;Medical University of South Carolina;Medical University of South Carolina. Medical University Hospital;Hurricane Hugo, 1989--Personal narratives;Worthington, W. Curtis, (Ward Curtis), 1925-;Edwards, James B., 1927-2014;Del... George F. "Tony" von Kolnitz, IV, oral history interview, 14 August 2009 Kolnitz, George F. "Tony" von Hurricane Hugo, 1989;Medical University of South Carolina;Medical University of South Carolina. Medical University Hospital;Hurricane Hugo, 1989--Personal narratives;Disaster response and recovery;Kolnitz, George F. "Tony" von;Currey, Hal S.;Oral... Sherry Gillespie Miller, R.N., M.S.N., oral history interview, 17 July 2009 Miller, Sherry Gillespie Hurricane Hugo, 1989;Medical University of South Carolina;Medical University of South Carolina. Medical University Hospital;Medical University of South Carolina. Medical University Hospital. Department of Nursing;Medical University of South... M. David McDaniel, oral history interview, 1 July 2009 McDaniel, M. David Relationship between academic and professional dishonesty in online RN-BSN students Smith, Christy Miller Academic Dissertations--South Carolina;Education, Nursing Charles W. Hanna, D.M.D., oral history interview, January 26, 2012 Hanna, Charles David Ivey, D.M.D., oral history interview, January 26, 2012 Ivey, David Charles J. King, D.M.D., oral history interview, November 28, 2011 King, Charles Cathy Moss Owens, D.D.S., oral history interview, November 21, 2011 Owens, Cathy Moss Medical College of South Carolina (1952-1969);Medical University of South Carolina;Medical University of South Carolina. College of Dental Medicine;Dental students;Dental school--United States;Education, Dental--United States;Owens, Cathy... Gail W. Stuart, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., oral history interview, 27 July 2009 Stuart, Gail Wiscarz, 1949- H. Biemann Othersen, Jr., M.D., oral history interview, 24 June 2009 Othersen, H. Biemann, Jr.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line110
__label__wiki	0.601393	0.601393	The Economist Intelligence Unit has one of the largest and most experienced country analysis teams in the world EIU in the Media The Economist Intelligence Unit has one of the largest and most experienced country and industry analysis teams in the world. Our 100 full-time country experts and economists, based in offices around the world, have a thorough grounding in economics, politics, risk and industry. Most have lived and worked in the region they cover; many are fluent in local languages; and three out of four have advanced degrees. To ensure that this expertise remains fresh and up to date, each country analyst focuses on two or three countries, and visits them regularly. Our experts are supported by a huge network of contributors based in virtually every country of the world. Currently numbering 650, our contributors report on recent economic and political events, comment on the business environment and legislative changes, and give their views on political, economic and social trends. France leads new food index, followed by Japan, with good performance for nutrition, food waste and agricultural sustainability. India and Ethiopia face severe nutritional challenges,… in Latest Press Releases Informal networks vital source of support to 78% of start-ups. Over half of entrepreneurs belong to business-networking groups on global platforms such as Facebook and… According to a new survey, uncertainty about economic growth is by far the top concern of treasurers worldwide Low or even negative interest rates are… Latest Broadcast Interviews Simon Baptist on China's Slowing Economy Simon Baptist discusses 'How will China change the world ?' at the EIU China Forum 2014 Simon Baptist on issues of economic diversification in the Middle East Danielle Haralambous on UK inflation hitting record low Aengus Collins on the UK Election 2015 Latest Free Reports Global Liveability Ranking 2015 China emerging city rankings 2015 Long-term macroeconomic forecast: Key trends to 2050 Dupont food security index 2015 The NHS: How does it compare? Private Sector Development in the Caribbean: A Regional Overview A new EIU report assesses the unique promises, risks and applications of ten emerging technologies for the giving s… https://t.co/fcLqddpdz4 Chile's government is aiming to breathe new life into the country's public-private partnership model with an ambiti… https://t.co/iqy8lSgBnd A new EIU report highlights ways that smart investment in emerging technologies can help address the challenges fac… https://t.co/cR4VT4Im2y Our new report on technology in the giving sector highlights ways that smart investment in emerging technologies ca… https://t.co/rPx15JZ9us FOLLOW The Economist Intelligence Unit ON_TWITTER Governments prioritise local challenges over global goals, says new report New EIU report shows that governments today favour boosting economic opportunity and innovation over environmental stewardship Improving the environment ranks as a top-three social or economic goal for policy makers in only three high-income countries Better education is a top-three priority in only lower-income countries Collaboration between government and other groups ranks highest as a lever to meet social or economic goals A report published today (September 19th) by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) based on a survey of 360 policy makers in eight countries show that local concerns such as improving employment, education or health are higher priorities for governments than cross-border challenges as curbing climate change or income inequality. Though this local focus is understandable, it threatens to undo and reverse progress in areas that require cross-border collaboration such as environmental sustainability and sewing peace in unstable regions, the report states. Evolving development goals in an evolving world, sponsored by Microsoft, assesses how governments rank their needs and aspirations today, the levers they value to meet these goals, and how their priorities are likely to shift in the future. In recent years, cross-border goals such as boosting environmental protection and addressing income inequality rose in prominence among policymakers, as a foundation for a more peaceful and prosperous future. But these goals seem to have slipped in select countries across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, behind more immediate concerns such improving economic opportunity, innovation, healthcare and education. In a survey for the report, policymakers in all countries rank expanding economic opportunity, improving infrastructure or increasing industrial innovation as a top three development goal. But protecting the environment and natural resources ranks only fifth, globally and efforts to reduce inequality rank eighth (last) globally. (Please see the chart below.) Carolyn Whelan, the report’s editor, said: “The relatively low emphasis on tackling inequality is surprising, given talk of inequality stoking Britain’s EU exit and an overheated US presidential campaign. However, the broad agreement among policy makers that collaboration between sectors will be critical to meet this and other pressing social and economic goals offers hope.” Despite a retreat from trans-border issues, collaboration is a bright spot, with nearly 90% of respondents describing collaboration and partnerships as either “very” or “somewhat important” to meet their country’s top development goals. Evolving development goals in an evolving world can be read here Mathew Hanratty Carolyn Whelan The report is based on a February 2016 survey of 360 policymakers evenly dispersed across Canada, Denmark, India, Kenya, Poland, Singapore, the UK and the US on eight social and economic priorities. These goals loosely align with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Respondents represent a variety of functions and serve in mid- to senior-level positions, with 73% civil servants. They are employed by government agencies or organisations that focus on areas ranging from trade and transportation to agriculture and education, with the largest group (42%) working for federal or national, 33% local (including county and municipal) and 24% for state or provincial bodies. About The Economist Intelligence Unit The Economist Intelligence Unit is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. The Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information can be found at http://www.eiu.com/ or http://www.twitter.com/theeiu. Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is one of the world's leading platform and productivity companies for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. EIU Store \| EIU.com \| Risk Model \| Worldwide Cost of Living \| The Economist Online \| Conferences \| Corporate Network \| Syndication An Economist Group business © 2011 The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited. All rights reserved. About us \| Privacy \| Terms of access \| Contact us \| Help	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line128
__label__cc	0.53445	0.46555	MAY Bratteborg, thirty kilometres south from Jönköping. 18 - 21 May 09:00 - 16:00 BST Elmia Wood is the world's leading trade fair for the forestry and recur every four years. The 18-21 May 2021 it finally time again. The fair is completely built in the forest and you can see and test forest machines and tools in their natural environment. To visit Elmia Wood is an effective way to gain valuable knowledge, get an overview of the market and see new trends. Agriculture, fishingBusiness enterpriseEnvironment, EnergyForest ManagementTransport Notify me of new comments Sending comment... The comment was saved Prior to publication, it must be approved by Elmia AB. Related / News World premieres met a large audience in the forest The world’s largest forestry fair was bigger than ever this year both in terms of area and number of exhibitors. Many visitors were drawn to Elmia Wood to see new forestry products and services and to learn about new high-tech solutions and expertise in the forest south of Jönköping, Sweden. Brazil seeks innovations and international partnerships at Elmia Wood Press releases • Mar 30, 2017 12:15 BST Forestry is one of the most important industries in Brazil and trees there have a very high growth rate. But a changing climate including drought can lead to the reduced growth of such species as cultivated eucalyptus and pine. Press Invitation to Elmia Wood 7-10 June: Welcome to the whole world’s forestry fair! Elmia Wood has been the world’s leading forestry fair for many years. Decision makers from around the world come here to experience the latest technology in use. This time the fair will be bigger and broader than ever. We want to provide the best conditions for you as a journalist and wishes you warm welcome to accredit for Elmia Wood 2017. Please note the deadline date for accommodation service. New section at Elmia Wood: The time is right for using drones in forestry At this year’s Elmia Wood on 7 to 10 June the unmanned aerial vehicles will have their own separate section called the Drone Zone. The fair is collaborating with UAS Forum Sweden, which arranges Sweden’s leading conference in the field, and which is assembling experts and suppliers for the fair. Three new sections at the world's biggest forestry fair Four months before Elmia Wood opens, the organisers confirm it will be the world’s biggest forestry fair ever. “By January we’d already sold more stand space than at the previous Elmia Wood in 2013,” says Exhibition Manager Jakob Hirsmark. Three new sections at the biggest Elmia Wood ever Premiere for MAN’s logging trucks at Elmia Wood’s new exhibition area Press releases • Dec 22, 2016 13:03 GMT The German truck manufacturer MAN sees Europe’s forestry sector as an increasingly important market. That’s why the company is exhibiting at the world-leading forestry fair Elmia Wood 2017 in the new Load & Transport area, which brings together everything to do with logistics en route from the forest to the industrial consumers. Who’s the world’s best forwarder operator? Press releases • May 16, 2017 13:00 BST For anyone who wants to experience steel nerves, quick decisions and powerful machines, one hot tip is the stand of the Swedish Association of Forestry Contractors at Elmia Wood. “During the fair we’re holding the Swedish School Forwarder Championships, the Swedish Forwarder Championships and the Forwarder World Cup. There’s going to be a lot of action!” promises Karl-Magnus Hembjer. New forestry machines in Elmia Classics Elmia Classics, the e-museum for old forestry machines and associated products, has been updated with new machines. The museum has now gained both older and newer machines made in both the Nordic region and further afield. Related / Images & Videos The Drone Zone at Elmia W... Drones are not a futuristic vision but are mature technology ready to be used in the forest industry. At this year’s Elmia Wood on 7 to ...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line129
__label__wiki	0.660168	0.660168	H.R. 1096 vs. H.R. 1644 This week, the House will vote on H.R. 1644, introduced by Rep. Mike Doyle, which would reinstate the net neutrality protections of the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order as of January 19, 2017. H.R. 1096, a competing measure introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, purports to restore the Open Internet Order’s rules against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, as well as the transparency rule. Both bills have been touted as means to restore comprehensive net neutrality protections for all Americans. Filtering Out the Bots: What Americans Actually Told the FCC about Net Neutrality Repeal In the leadup to the FCC's historic vote in December 2017 to repeal all net neutrality protections, 22 million comments were filed to the agency. But unfortunately, millions of those comments were fake. Some of the fake comment were part of sophisticated campaigns that filed fake comments using the names of real people - including journalists, Senators and dead people. Read full blog post about this publication. Brief of Professors of Communications Law as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioners Reconciling Copyright with Cumulative Creativity: The Third Paradigm Giancarlo Frosio Reconciling Copyright with Cumulative Creativity: The Third Paradigm examines the long history of creativity, from cave art to digital remix, in order to demonstrate a consistent disparity between the traditional cumulative mechanics of creativity and modern copyright policies. After public outcry, lawmakers revive California’s gutted net neutrality bill CALmatters "“Generally speaking, the bill is great. They are right that it’s the strongest protection in the country … with the three provisions back,” said Ryan Singel, media and strategy fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Internet and Society." AT&T Trickery Helps Kill California’s Looming Net Neutrality Law "“There was no discussion of the amendments,” notes net neutrality activist and journalist Ryan Singel, fellow at Stanford Law School's Center for Internet and Society. “Holding a vote before testimony is incredibly aggressive. That guts the bill and the way it was done was a slap in the face of the democratic process. It's exactly how Pai handled the 2017 net neutrality repeal.”" What AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner means for the future of the internet "In a phone conversation Thursday, Stanford Law School Center for Internet and Society fellow Ryan Singel further explained the problem. "While zero rating often sounds nice on its face, zero rating comes with a lot of problems. [It] gives ISPs incentives to keep data caps low and keep the price of unlimited plans high." The death of America's net neutrality and how it affects you "Everyone will feel they need to be in the fast lane, but the ones who can afford it are the big media companies, says Ryan Singel. "If a video doesn't load quickly, you give it about 3 seconds and you bounce, but also what if someone live streaming a protest can't get the video to load." The big concerns are, if it becomes more expensive to be online then the people who are hurt the most are marginalized and disenfranchised voices. What the Loss of Net Neutrality Means for Democracy and Innovation (Past Event) In 2017, the FCC voted to abolish net neutrality protections, which ensure that we, not the companies we pay to get online, get to choose what we do online. This event will explore what we lost, why it matters, and what’s happening with efforts to restore those protections in the courts, the states and Washington, D.C. The Antitrust Paradigm: Restoring a Competitive Economy - Lunch Time Talk with Jonathan Baker (Past Event) RSVP is required for this free event. CIS Career Lunch Series: Innovative Product Counseling at Google (Past Event) FCBA Northern California Chapter CLE: California Net Neutrality Policy (Past Event) Davis Wright Tremaine LLP - Suite 800 Join the FCBA's Northern California Chapter for an engaging discussion with key government, academic, and industry speakers to discuss the past, present, and future of net neutrality policy in California. Network Neutrality: A Perspective from the Frontline in the Battle for Free Speech in the Digital Era Morgan Weiland delivers Convocation at Carleton College entitled "Network Neutrality: A Perspective from the Frontline in the Battle for Free Speech in the Digital Era" on April 22, 2016. Techdirt Podcast Episode 65: Net Neutrality, Zero Rating & The Games Internet Providers Play The battle for net neutrality seemed like it was over — but the regulations left a loophole open. Unsurprisingly, ISPs quickly started exploiting it, offering "zero rating" services to do an end-run around true net neutrality. Last week's guest Marvin Ammori joins us again this week, to discussthe true and imperfect state of net neutrality, and the many games internet providers play. Marietje Schaake - Hearsay Culture Show #246 - KZSU-FM CIS Affiliate Scholar David Levine interviews Member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake on democracy and technology in Europe. Valarie Kaur at the 2015 Parliament of the World’s Religions Valarie Kaur, founder of Groundswell, gave this moving address on Revolutionary Love at the world's largest interfaith gathering – the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions. Don't miss the message our world needs to hear – "Forgiveness is not forgetting, forgiveness is freedom from hate."	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line132
__label__wiki	0.642933	0.642933	Five Days To Change What a mess. The original idea back in 2007 that ESPN was going to come in and set the world on fire with the final seventeen Sprint Cup Series races of the season has long since been buried. The overnight TV ratings for Martinsville were down from last year. The television package on the Cup side may be at an all-time low. It's easy to blame that on Jimmie Johnson, NFL football or Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, that is the reality of the TV landscape at this time of year. It's no surprise to anyone. If something is not working in a sports competition, change is coming. Quarterbacks are replaced, crew chiefs are switched, pitchers are pulled. We all know the drill. The single biggest problem this season in ESPN's Sprint Cup Series telecasts has been the complete lack of change. You know it. I know it. NASCAR knows it. ESPN knows it. There they are, the same guys saying the same things in the TV booth. Meanwhile, the Director shows the same in-car cameras and tight shots until we are all screaming for mercy and totally confused. The Jerry Punch monotone tells us the car numbers, names and hometowns of the twelve Chasers as if we have just landed from Mars. Tim Brewer points at the very same pieces of the very same car and tells us yet again what a tire, shock or brake is supposed to do. The pit reporters ask the same simple questions to the same tired crew chiefs over-and-over again. How do you feel? How does that make you feel? How does that really make you feel? Every once and a while, a burst of energy is provided by the three frustrated men trapped in the Infield Pit Studio. They tell us once again that the race is not over, anything can happen. That the Chase is not over, anything can happen. They tell us to get pumped up for this restart right now! Then, in an instant, it is back to the monotone, the confusion and the NASCAR on ESPN cycle begins again. Full-screen pictures show random green flag pitstops while the race continues out of sight. Announcers jump from pit to pit without any point of reference, pitstop timing or knowledge of team strategy. TV stays on pit road and lets the field cycle through while the race is raging but never shown. A big accident brings silence from the play-by-play announcer and stammering attempts to fill-in from the analysts. Car numbers and names fill the air with absolutely no indication of what happened, where it happened or why it happened. Where NASCAR on ESPN is concerned, replays tell the tale. Caution flag pitstops bring a half-hearted attempt at showing the top three drivers in a split-screen mode. Ultimately, the Director leaves to focus on Jimmie Johnson and the race off pit road comes down to where the #48 car fits into the line-up. In a three or four hour television presentation there is no storytelling. Even with outstanding HD pictures, veteran fans may never see their driver once during the entire telecast. He may not be in the Chase, he may not be in the lead or he may not be named Johnson. Cars zooming up through the pack are never identified. New teams suddenly pop-up in the top ten without ever having been mentioned. Issues on pit stops are never reported, unless they involve the #48 team. Then, multiple replays with timing breakdowns are shown overtop of live racing to see exactly which nut on which wheel fell on the ground and who was to blame. Talladega is ESPN's last hope to salvage anything from this season. The natural excitement of the racing is provided without charge by the field. The spectacular pictures are provided by the track. The energy is provided by one of the best crowds anywhere in professional sports. ESPN need to bring only one thing. That is change. Just like the non-Chase teams have already started to make major changes with an eye toward next season, ESPN must do the same. The boring, disjointed and non-fan friendly TV coverage must change. New faces, new production approaches and effective management behind-the-scenes are the only things that will right this tailspin. Make no mistake, this is a disaster. ESPN's college football has been going strong. SportsCenter with Hannah Storm has reinvigorated the ESPN mornings. Monday Night Football has finally hit on a good combination. NASCAR Now has been a top-notch studio show all season long. Even the Indy 500 was fun to watch. The NASCAR races stick out like a sore thumb. ESPN has five days to get together and decide how to change things at Talladega. There is no other choice. If this race falls apart like Martinsville, the TV viewers are not coming back. There are simply too many other sports TV options. Just as the new pitcher has to get the out, the new crew chief has to get the win and the new quarterback has to score a touchdown, the ESPN team has to bring back NASCAR's alienated fans to win this game. The NASCAR Countdown show hits ABC on Sunday at noon ET. The green flag falls at 1:19PM. It should be interesting. Your comments on this topic are welcome. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line134
__label__cc	0.689898	0.310102	Thursday TV/Media Notes Great racing from Bristol yesterday with the Mods and the Camping World Trucks. Nice to see a good crowd on hand for a Wednesday show. Here are some TV and media notes heading into the racing weekend: Regan Smith crew member Kenyatta Houston will again be the over the wall crew guy wearing the live camera. Last time Houston was in this role, ESPN's Marty Reid was perhaps a little off-base with a comment. Good move by ESPN to make things right and get Houston some TV time. On Wednesday, SPEED made it official: Voda, host of NCWTS Setup, SPEED’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pre-race show, will anchor the energetic Friday night program for eight of the remaining 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends. Her duties in the Truck Series remain priority, so John Roberts, host of NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot, will fill in on Trackside for the weekends when the Truck and Cup Series are not companion events to each other. Voda moved into that role when Steve Byrnes came off the road and joined Race Hub as the fulltime host. This also opened the door for Rick Allen and Mike Joy. Those two will be handling the practice and qualifying sessions for the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series on SPEED. Allen is first with the shows from BMS this Friday. I'm not a big fan of the NASCAR Smarts show on SPEED, but this weekend Kyle Petty and Rutledge Wood take on the team of Larry and Brandon McReynolds from the SPEED Stage at BMS. The show airs on Saturday at 4PM ET. Lots of interest has been spurred by a group that is set to invest millions in building a road course in the Austin, TX area. F-1 has already indicated that the series would come to the US and race at that facility when completed. The head honcho, Tavo Hellmund, is going to be Dave Despain's guest on Wind Tunnel Sunday night at 9PM ET. Just a friendly reminder that the Saturday night Sprint Cup Series race from BMS is on ABC, not ESPN. Ray Evernham is also going to be joining the usual group in the Infield Studio. That makes 12 on-air announcers for ESPN this weekend. The new NASCAR race schedules for 2011 are out, we will be updating shortly what changes that means for the TV networks in venues and times. Next season will certainly have a different look in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. We will update this post with more info, please check back during the day. In the meantime, please feel free to leave us a comment on the topics above. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for stopping by.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line135
__label__wiki	0.895307	0.895307	Woah! Prince’s Boots Are On Sale For Over $75,000 At Auction September 29, 2017 by Shyafika Arina Prince’s yellow high-heeled boots, which he wore during his Sign o’ the Times tour in 1987, have sold at an auction for over $75,000. More than 200 items belonging to the late musical icon – who passed away at the age of 57 from an accidental fentanyl overdose in April 2016 – were auctioned off by RR Auction house this week, including a pair of yellow custom-made boots worn by the star during his 1987 ‘Sign o’ the Times’ tour, which sold for a whopping $75,147. Included with boots is a letter of authenticity from the owner of Recordmecca and a former Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Records, Jeff Gold, who worked alongside the flamboyant star during the 90s, particularly on the records, ‘Diamonds & Pearls,’ ‘Love Symbol,’ and ‘The Hits/The B-Sides.’ The note reads: “This letter is to authenticate a pair of custom made yellow fabric high heel shoes owned and worn onstage and during photo shoots by Prince. Numerous photographs show Prince wearing identical shoes on stage, and these shoes exhibit wear consistent with Prince’s exuberant stage performances …These shoes were acquired via a former Paisley Park employee. “Prince wore these boots during the ‘Sign o’ the Times’ tour in 1987, a 34-show concert series that toured exclusively in Europe. In addition to giving the diminutive performer extra height while on stage, these highly stylish boots are in keeping with Prince’s trademark flair and innovative gender-fluid style – a brilliant, museum-quality pair of stage-worn boots from the legendary entertainer. (sic)” Also in the auction was Prince’s 1980 Rick James Tour all-access backstage pass which sold for $60,366, as well as an advance pressing of ‘Camille’, Prince’s unreleased 1986 album, which fetched an impressive $58,786. Handwritten changes to the screenplay for ‘Purple Rain’ were expected to fetch $12,000 when the auction was announced, but the highest bidder eventually forked out $51,322 for the exclusive item. The Prince auction from RR Auction began on September 14 and concluded on September 27. *Sourced by BangShowbiz Tags: #cleo, $75, 000, auction, boots, cleo malaysia, late, prince, purple rain, RR auction, Sign o' the Times, tour, yellow Nike Celebrates The 30th Anniversary Of Air Max With Nike Air VaporMax! Camila Cabello’s Life Motto Is To Keep Eating A Handwritten Letter By John Lennon Is Going Up For Sale At $35,000 Angelina’s ‘Hard’ Split From Brad Pitt Want A Year Supply Of FREE Ice Cream? You Need To Read This NOW To Find Out How! Emma Stone To Be The New Face Of Louis Vuitton But For A HEFTY Price @Play, Fashion, Trending Beauty, Trending @Play, CLEOBuzz, CLEOChats, Trending	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line146
__label__wiki	0.52869	0.52869	The Gallery is Hosting a Silent Auction Saturday, November 17 to Sunday, December 9, 2018 15 local businesses have generously donated items and gift cards for a variety of goods and services that will help you prepare for the upcoming Holiday Season. A huge Thank You goes to the following businesses for their contributions and donations to the Silent Auction: Artemesia Cheese Beaver Valley Ski Club Chatsworth Honey Chicory Common Natural Food & Cafe Danielle Dennie, RMT Eckhardt's Floral Treasures Great Books & Cafe Kowabunga Kidz Sai Holistic Wellness Centre The Colour Jar The Garafraxa Cafe Trixies Saloon Welbeck Sawmill Report of the Possible Futures Community Consultation The 2017-2018 Board of Directors engaged with a consultant, the community and members to clarify our mission and inform our strategic plans and actions. The intention of the consultation was to capture the range of ideas the community has for The Durham Art Gallery, without yet trying to decide the best way forward. These ideas and their potential impacts are set out in broadly themed categories to facilitate the next steps in planning. This report is the direct outcome of the Community Consultations held throughout the Spring/Summer of 2018 and will inform the new Board of Directors on an action plan. Film Screening of Portrait of Resistance: The Art and Activism of Carole Condé and Karl Beveridge On Thursday, October 11th at 6:30pm the Gallery will be showing the film Portrait of Resistance: The Art and Activism of Carole Condé and Karl Beveridge (2011; 72 min). Created by Roz Owen and Jim Miller, the intimate documentary pays tribute to the artists' multifaceted body of work and provide insight into the nature of their collaborations. Both the artists and film makers will be present for a Q&A. $10 admission Film Screening of Johannesburg Thursday, October 18 at 6:30pm the Gallery will be screening Johannesburg as part of Art21, Season 9 of Art in the Twenty-First Century! Since the dramatic fall of apartheid in 1994, Johannesburg has emerged as the artistic capital of sub-Saharan Africa. This episode tells the story of four South African artists from a range of ethnic backgrounds, identities, and generations working across photography, painting, sculpture, and performance. Collectively, the artists in this hour use their work to empower marginalized communities, re-examine history, and pursue their visions for South Africa's future. Admission is by donation. For more information on Art21 visit their website. Bookbinding for ages 9 and up - $60 -- 2 weeks Saturday, November 24 and Saturday, December 1 -- 9:30am-11:30am Using a simple style of binding, a hardboard book will be created and can be filled with sketches or writing. The book will have laced pages and the cover will use decorative Japanese or textured paper for an aesthetic effect. A treasure for personal use or as a gift for a special person. Inscape Painting for Adults - $120 -- 6 weeks Monday, October 22 -- Monday, November 26 -- 1pm-3pm A unique technique of learning watercolour painting developed by Anna Gruda. Develop your skills and visual perception while having a healing colour experience. Anna has worked with children, adults and seniors with this method of exploring the qualities of colour and their gestures. The results show an inner landscape of figures, symbols and mental projections. NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) FOR 2018 When: Thursday, September 13, 7-9:30pm Where: The Durham Art Gallery You must have an up-to-date Membership to vote at the AGM. Please contact the Gallery at 519-369-3692 if you have questions about your Membership status. Please find below the documents necessary to prepare for the AGM. Please contact the Gallery if you wish hard copies of any of the documents below. 2018 Revised By-laws and Summary DAG By-laws as per...2010 DAG 2017 Audit/Financial Report DAG2017 AGM Minutes AGM 2018 Nomination Form The Creator's Club Every Wednesday, July 4 - August 22, 2018 $10 per class Join us at the Gallery every Wednesday between 9:30am-12:30pm for The Creators Club, fun-filled arts & crafts activities for children aged 6 to 12, starting July 4 to August 22, 2018. Registration is $10 per class, contact the Gallery to register. Summer Arts Fun with Anna Gruda The Gallery is running some exciting all-day and weeklong Summer Art Fun programming for kids with local artist and teacher, Anna Gruda. Classes include Printmaking for Kids, Slime Fest, Sketch and Hike, and Mechanical Mashup. For more information or to register, contact Lindsey Glazier at lglazier@durhamart.on.ca Live Classical Music at the Gallery On Friday, July 20th Orchestra North and The Durham Art Gallery present a wonderful evening of live music at the Gallery featuring The Orchestra North Brass Quintet and the Janus String Quartet. Janus Quartet is a quartet of young, Mexican musicians with a vision of bringing Mexican chamber music to the highest levels. They will be presenting, Música de las Américas - a program of music that showcases the varied musical flavours of the Americas. Durham Arts Fest The Durham Business Improvement Area, in conjunction with The Durham Art Gallery is planning a summer event to promote our local businesses as well as local artists. The date is earmarked for the weekend of July 13 and 14, 2018, from 10am-5pm. Participating businesses will host an Artist and their artworks in their storefront business for the two days, and the Artist will be present, promoting and selling their artworks during business hours. The Fest will culminate in a Street Party & Dance on Saturday evening from 5pm -10pm and feature live music by local dance band, Higher FunKtion. For more information, please call 519-369-3692. Artist Application (PDF) Tracing Black Experience, Present and Past Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 2pm A conversation between an artist and an accidental archivist York University professor, Naomi Norquay, joins artist, Charmaine Lurch in a dialogue that connects Lurch's themes and stories around Black subjectivity with Norquay's research about the absent presence of Black pioneers on the Old Durham Road in Grey County. Inspired by Charmaine Lurch's exhibition currently on display, Norquay explores how the land both hides and reveals evidence of a 'disappeared' Black pioneer settlement, suggesting both its literal and metaphoric "absent presence." Slides of Norquay's research will be juxtaposed with Lurch's exhibit, and the artist and accidental archivist will invite the audience into a discussion of the power of both art and history to reorient us to new perspectives. The following day, Sunday, April 29 at 2pm, Naomi Norquay will lead a road tour, stopping at 4 key locations that mark Black pioneer presence in the former Glenelg and Artemesia townships: Darkies Corners, Durham Road A in Priceville, Edward Patterson's homestead and the Old Durham Road Pioneer Cemetery. The tour starts in Durham at the Gallery, 251 George Street East; suggested donation: $10 Image credits: photo of wild apple trees was provided by Naomi Norquay; bee image (from Charmaine Lurch's show) What’s Art Got to Do With It A conversation between Norman White, Laura Kikauka, Sandor Ajzenstat, Anna Gruda, Geoffrey Shea, and everyone in attendance. A conversation about art doesn’t usually involve algorithms, sensors, motors, circuit boards—unless this tête-à-tête is among artists who taught or were taught in physical computing at the Ontario College of Art and Design more than three decades ago. There students such as Kikauka, Ajzenstat and Gruda had plenty of opportunities to probe and scrutinize the possibilities that digital technology presents to artists. "Mechanics for Real-Time Sculpture" and "Digital Electronics" were some of the emerging subjects White was teaching at O.C.A.D as early as 1978 with an emphasis to critique rather than to promote technology and its relation to culture. "We never asked ourselves if it’s art what we are doing," says White. Marshall McLuhan would have responded, "Art is anything you can get away with." Image from left to right: Norman White, Laura Kikauka, Carl Hamfelt; 1985 From New York to the Middle East Slide presentation by Norman T. White Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 7pm Admission: $5 In the spring of 1964, with a copy of "Europe on Five Dollars a Day" in his rucksack, Norman T. White boarded a Yugoslav freighter bound for Algeria, the first of more than twenty countries he would visit over the next year and a half. The sights and sounds he encountered on the road from Tangiers to Calcutta opened his eyes to artistic ways of thinking that challenged the then-pervasive doctrines of Abstract Expressionism, and helped him define his own creative modus operandi. The slides White will be showing, along with stories of his travels, document that evolution. Image credit: Norman T. White Them Fckin' Robots Video Screening Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 7pm Directed by Dutch filmmakers Ine Poppe and Sam Nemeth, the documentary celebrates the extraordinary life and career of one of the world’s leading electronic artists: Norman T. White. This affectionate portrait follows his work from the 70s through the first decade of the new millennium, and includes archival footage of White and his family from the 40s to the 60s. The film also speaks to the role of media art in the mainstream art world. White will be present to discuss the film and his work after the screening. Tethered Together Pageant Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 1:00pm Durham's Interference Ensemble Sauntering Band will be performing in the Holstein Christmas Parade and live-streaming to Facebook and the Gallery in a cyber-folk mashup. If you're not in Holstein, come to the Gallery and hear singer Heather Saumer perform a libretto over the live event! Each musician is pulling a float in the non-motorized parade, carrying a sculpted passenger. https://www.facebook.com/InterferenceEnsemble/ The livestream will be at: https://www.facebook.com/AkimboArt * The Interference Ensemble Sauntering Band includes: William Bossi, Grace Bridgman, Dave Dunn, Jim Grant, Basha Mayo, Steve Morel, Chris Palmer, Jenny Parsons, Robin Rich, Heather Saumer and Doug Tielli. The Ensemble is led by Tony Massett and Geoffrey Shea and is supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Akimbo Art Promotion and the Durham Art Gallery. Patrick McKenna and the Art of Comedy Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 7:30 Admission: $20 - doors open at 7pm Join us for an evening with Patrick McKenna who will take us on a journey with hilarious side trips that follow his career from The Second City, to The Red Green Show, to Traders, to the big screen and beyond. Irreverent, insightful and infectious, Patrick McKenna's conversational performance will be sure to delight. Art Bus to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Bus fare: $40 Free admission for Durham Art Gallery Members! Please have your valid membership card and an I.D. ready upon entering the Gallery. General admission is $15 for adults and $12 for seniors, payable at McMichael. Book your seat on our Art Bus for a trip to the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg. The bus fare is due by September 5. Durham: Pick-up at 8:30am and return at 6:00pm at the Durham Arena, 451 Saddler Street West Flesherton: Pick-up at 9:00am and return at 5:30pm at the Flesherton & District Arena, Hwy 10 Experience stunning exhibitions such as Leaps and Bounds featuring Lawren S. Harris, Passion Over Reason featuring Tom Thomson and Joyce Wieland, and Cutting Ice featuring Canadian Inuk Artist Annie Pootoogook and also including works by Shuvinai Ashoona, Itee Pootoogook, Jutai Toonoo, Ohotaq Mikkigak and Siassie Kenneally. Stroll the grounds surrounding the gallery which include a sculpture garden and the Tom Thomson shack. Please visit the McMichael’s website for details. (Images: Lawren S. Harris: Pic Island 1923, oil on canvas, detail; bottom: interior of Tom Thomson Shack) Workshop with Xiaojing Yan Fee (including materials): $25 for Gallery members / $30 for non-members Space is limited to 8 spots SOLD OUT On the last day of Xiaojing Yan’s exhibition Floating, the artist will share her expertise with artists and artisans interested in her creative know-how. This workshop is inspired by Yan’s stunning three-dimensional forms made of tissue paper and natural reed. Participants will create a sculptural piece using techniques similar to Chinese lantern making. If available, please bring a hot glue gun, scissors and an X-acto knife. The artist will provide different colour tissue paper and natural reed. If you want to bring your own paper, thin ones such as tissue paper used for wrapping gifts work best. To register, please contact Steven Morel at 519-369-3692, or send an email to smorel@durhamart.on.ca. The registration fee is due by September 8. The Creators Club July 5 to August 23, 2017 Every Wednesday from 9:30am to 12:30pm For children age 6 to 12 $10 per session Sign up your child(ren) for a morning of fun-filled arts and crafts activities provided by our amazing summer arts coordinator, Emma Allen. Call Emma at 519-369-3692 for further information and registration. Workshop with Natalie Hussey Monday, May 15, 2017, 11am to 3pm (one hour lunch break) Fees: $42/DAG members; $50/non-members. All materials and tools will be provided for $40. Payment is due by Friday, May 12. Natalie Hussey, our featured artist in the East Gallery will introduce participants to the unique mixed media technique she uses to create gorgeous works of art. Participants will craft a multi-dimensional surface by hand-carving wet plaster on board, and then bring the surface and imagery to life by applying layers of colourful acrylic glaze. Space is limited to six participants. To reserve your spot, sign up now or contact Steven Morel at 519-369-3692 or smorel@durhamart.on.ca. Image credit: Natalie Hussey: Dig Deep (2015); acrylic on hand-carved plaster. Bus Trip to AGO Adult: $55 / Senior (65+): $50 (includes bus and admission to AGO) Durham Art Gallery Members receive a $5 discount The Durham Art Gallery is hitting the road again! This time we're heading to the AGO for the only North American stop of Georgia O’Keeffe, the much anticipated retrospective of this pioneering American painter (1887-1986). A great opportunity, not to be missed! Departure from Durham @ 9:30am – Return @ 9:00pm Durham Arena 451 Saddler Street West Flesherton Pick-up and Drop-off (10am; 8:30pm) Flesherton & District Arena, Hwy 10. “Georgia O’Keeffe features more than 80 works of art capturing the essence of her deeply personal connection to the landscape, architecture and nature that inspired her iconic style. A major retrospective of the art and legacy of this profoundly influential artist, the exhibition examines O’Keeffe’s relationships with renowned photographers of the time including Ansel Adams, Paul Strand and Alfred Stieglitz. Stunning views of New Mexico by Adams, as well as nudes and portraits of O’Keeffe by Stieglitz, are additional highlights of this breathtaking artistic journey.” (from AGO’s website.) The exhibition was organized by Tate Modern in collaboration with the AGO and the Kunstforum Wien, Austria. (Image: Georgia O’Keeffe, Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1, 1932. Oil on canvas, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2014.35. Photograph by Edward C. Robison III. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum / Bildrecht, Wien, 2016) Adult: $55 / Senior: $50 (includes bus and admission to AGO) The Gallery invites you on a journey to the Art Gallery of Ontario to see Mystical Landscapes: Masterpieces from Monet, Van Gogh and more. Organized in partnership with the renowned Musée d'Orsay in Paris, this outstanding exhibition breaks new art historical ground, exploring the mystical experiences of 37 artists from 14 countries, including Emily Carr, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian, Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, Georgia O'Keeffe and James McNeill Whistler. Tuesday, December 6, 2016 Departure @ 8:30am – Return @ 7:00pm Durham Community Centre (Arena) 451 Saddler Street West, Durham. Flesherton Pick-up and Drop-off (9am; 6:30pm) Flesherton & District Arena, Hwy 10. Please contact us at 519-369-3692 for further information. (Images: top: Starry Night Over the Rhone at Arles (1888) by Vincent Van Gogh, Musee d’Orsay, Paris; bottom: Vision after the Sermon (1888) by Paul Gaugin, National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh) ART 21: LOS ANGELES Thursday, November 10 @ 7pm The Durham Art Gallery and ART21 travel to “the land of milk and honey” - Los Angeles - to search out modern artists working in the shadow of the vast Hollywood entertainment industry. Diana Thater, Liz Larner, Tala Madani and Edgar Arceneaux are this episode's featured artists, working “under the radar” that affords them the space and time to imagine. And imagine they do: video installations grappling with threats to the natural world; abstract sculptural forms that evoke tectonic geologic shifts; sharply satirical paintings that evoke clashes of culture: men and women, the rational and the absurd; and installations and multimedia events that investigate historical patterns. Perhaps “the land of milk and honey” should be updated to “the land of reality and illusion”. Thursday, November 10 – 7pm @ the Gallery Info for images: (top to bottom) Edgar Arceneaux. A Time To Break Silence, 2013. Single-channel HD video with color and sound; 1 hour and 4 minutes. © Edgar Arceneaux. Courtesy of the artist and Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects. Liz Larner. ii (inflexion), 2013-15. Ceramic, epoxy, and pigment; 18 1/4 x 33 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. © Liz Larner. Courtesy of Regen Projects, Los Angeles and The Modern Institute/Toby Webster Ltd, Glasgow. Diana Thater. knots + surfaces, 2001. Installation view: Diana Thater: The Sympathetic Imagination, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, November 22, 2015-February 21, 2016, © Diana Thater, photo © Fredrik Nilsen. Courtesy of David Zwirner, New York/London. Tala Madani. Finding Zebra, 2008. Oil on linen; 15.7 x 19.7 in. © Tala Madani. Courtesy the artist and Pilar Corrias, London. ART 21: FOCUS ON CHICAGO Thursday, October 27 @ 7pm The Durham Art Gallery and ART21 invite you to visit the boisterous city of Chicago, a city rooted in industry and towering architecture, where artists are disrupting urban experience through experimentation. See the experimental sights and artistic works of Nick Cave, Chris Ware, Barbara Kasten and Theaster Gates: “Soundsuits” – surreally majestic objects blending fashion and sculpture; video projections evoking the experience of modernist architecture; sculptures made from clay, tar and renovated materials; and complex graphic novels from a master of the comic art form. The American mid-west has never been more challenging or inspiring. (images: top - Chris Ware. Building Stories — Daughter, 2007. Ink, pencil, and white gouache on board with offset ink color; original drawing 40 x 30 in. © Chris Ware. Courtesy of the artist. bottom - Theaster Gates. Raising Goliath, 2012. 1967 Ford fire truck, magazines, tar bucket, mop, steel, and wire; dimensions variable. Installation view: My Labor Is My Protest, White Cube, London. © Theaster Gates. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy of the artist and White Cube, London.) ART 21: FOCUS ON MEXICO CITY The Durham Art Gallery and ART21, Art in the 21st Century, visit Mexico City! Mexico City artists exit their homes and studios to use the growing megalopolis as their canvas. The artists present everyday materials as artworks, mine recognizable images for the poetic potential, and take their art to the streets. This ART21 episode follows artists Damian Ortega, Pedro Reyes, Minerva Cuevas and Natalia Almada as they engage with urgent social problems, politically charged events and personal family tragedies through art that ranges from food carts to films to paintings and spectacular sculptures. “Viva arte moderno!” For more information: www.art21.org. ART 21: FOCUS ON VANCOUVER ART21 is a series of in-depth videos that introduce audiences to a diverse range of established and emerging artists working today, and to the art they are producing. Through profiles and interviews, the four-part series reveals the inspiration, vision and techniques behind the creative works of some of today’s most accomplished contemporary artists. Season 8 introduces 16 artists who are grouped according to the cities where they live and work, revealing unique and powerful relationships – artistic and otherwise – to place. Our first viewing for Season 8 of Art 21 focuses on Vancouver, Canada. From humble objects and utopian aspirations to fantastical, photographic images and whimsical sculptures, ART 21 travels to Vancouver to explore and enter the work of four artists who live and work in this cosmopolitan city on the Pacific. Through the work and interviews of artists Liz Magor, Stan Douglas, Brian Jungen and Jeff Wall, we get an intense and intimate portrait of four, modern artists who navigate the city and integrate it in their work. THE AQUA LAUTA EVENT Sunday, September 11 @ 4pm On the closing day of our current Water exhibit we are moving Christopher McLeod’s interactive Aqua Lauta sculpture to the banks of the Saugeen River (the backyard of the mill across from the Gallery) to draw and clean fresh water from the river. People will have the opportunity to climb aboard McLeod’s fascinating artwork and use their biking muscles to fill up their drinking bottles with purified river water. Christopher McLeod will be present. FILM NIGHT ABOUT WATER Wednesday, September 7 @ 7:30pm; doors open at 7pm The Garafraxa Café, 131 Garafraxa Street South, Durham Admission by donation; Liz Zetlin will be present In conjunction with our current shows the Gallery is presenting two award-winning films about water. Made in 2013, Liz Zetlin’s short film Keepers of the Water is a lyrical docu-poem about women and water, narrated by Anishinabe poet and storyteller Lenore Keeshig. Through stories, music and song, Zetlin takes us back to the basics of why water is so important and must be cared for by everyone. Co-directed by Jennifer Baichwal and Edward Burtynsky, the 90-minute documentary Watermark (2013) weaves together narratives of water’s role in nature and culture, touching on every aspect of our relationship to water: how we are drawn to it, what we learn from it, how we use it and the consequences of that use. The film is an immersive version of Burtynsky’s stunning photographs: “thrilling, terrifying and enraging all at once.” Simon Houpt, Globe & Mail VISUAL POETRY WORKSHOPS Tuesday, August 9 to Thursday, August 11, 2016 9am to 1pm; ages 10 to 14 3-day package: $90 for members; $95 for non-members Individual workshop: $35/members; $40/non-members A material fee of $10 applies to both the printmaking and encaustic workshops. Please register now! Space is limited to 6 participants. 519-369-3692; info@durhamart.on.ca Words, images, and art forms intertwine in a series of workshops held at the Durham Art Gallery. Each of these half-day workshops will focus on a different medium and will be taught by a different instructor: Gail Pletsch, photography (Aug. 11); Tim Dyck, printmaking (Aug. 10); and Kim Kool, encaustic mixed media (Aug. 9). Designed for students ages 10 to 14, participants will create visual art works that incorporate words and text using a variety of techniques. We will celebrate the students’ accomplishments in a two-month-long fall exhibition at the Gallery. Subsidy for low-income parents may be available through Grey National Child Benefit (NCB) Reinvestment Program. For further information, please contact the NCB Coordinator at the YMCA in Owen Sound at 519-376-0484, ext. 227, or email ncb@ymcaowensound.on.ca Special thanks to Canadian Heritage, the J.P. Bickell Foundation and Community Foundation Grey Bruce. WORDS IN MOTION Video Production Workshop Thursday, August 4 to Saturday, August 6, 2016 10am to 5pm; Ages 14 to 18 Fee: $145 for members; $150 for non-members Over the course of three days, participants will learn both the artistic and technical skills used in video production. The instructor is OCAD University professor and media artist, Geoffrey Shea. Beginning with the basics in shooting and editing, the workshop will advance to storyboarding, individual or group concepts, and further developing directorial and camera work skills. Participants will also learn new tips for technical editing in post-production. Post-production will take place at Launch Pad in Hanover. The best works will be featured in one of our fall exhibitions. No prior experience is required, only a passionate interest in moving images. Some cameras will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own camera or camera phone. Orchestra North Chamber Ensemble Sunday, July 10 at 2pm Join us for an afternoon of enchanting classical music performed by Orchestra North’s youthful Chamber Ensemble. Rebecca MacLeod (violin), Meagan Turner (violin), Chantal Lemire (viola) and Sebastian Ostertag (cello) will seduce your ears and caress your mind and heart with renditions of Antonin Leopold Dvořák’s American Quartet, Ana Sokolović’s Ves and more. Proceeds from this event support Orchestra North, Grey-Bruce’s newest music education and performance program, as well as the Durham Art Gallery’s exhibitions and outreach activities. Tickets can be purchased online through PayPal, or during your next visit to the Gallery. For reservations, please call 519-369-3692. Sewing with Paper Workshop with Liz Eakins Saturday, June 18, 10am-1pm Members: $45 Non-Members: $50 Materials fee: $10 One of two exciting workshops with Liz Eakins, an artist who is currently featured in the Gallery exhibition: Layering. Learn the secrets of sewing with paper. Liz will teach you some of the techniques she has developed in her art practice. Lino-Block Printmaking Monday, June 20: 10am-1pm and 2-4pm Design, carve, and print your very own limited edition print using linoleum, carving tools, Japanese paper, and water based ink. Camp Home Project Documentary by Karen Andres Thursday, April 28 at 7pm – the Garafraxa Café, Durham In classical cinema verité style, Karen Andres’ film documents life on Eigensinn Farm, the home of Michael and Nobuyo Stadtländer. The film provides great insights into how food, art and social awareness are connected. Celebrity Chef Michael Stadtlander will introduce the documentary and take part in a Q&A following the film presentation. Tickets are available at the Gallery, Chicory Common and the Garafraxa Café. The Life of Robert Markle Documentary by Daniel Zuckerbrot Tuesday, May 10 at 7pm – the Garafraxa Café, Durham Admission by donation A fascinating biography and snapshot of Canadian cultural history, the film provides intimate glimpses into Robert Markle’s life and career as a brilliant and complex artist, as well as a teacher, writer and musician. Robert Markle (1936–1990), a Mohawk from southern Ontaro, emerged in the 1960s as a prominent member of the buzzing Toronto art scene of that era. Together with his wife, muse, and model, Marlene Markle, he moved to a small farm near Holstein in 1970. Residents in our area likely have seen Markle's public art, including a 1986 wall mural still on display in Mount Forest. The Gallery mounted a retrospective of Markle’s work in 2002. Marlene Markle will read from a couple of Robert’s writings at this event, and will answer questions following the screening of the film. Restoring Black History Sunday, February 21 at 2pm (Snow date: Sunday, February 28 at 2pm) During Black History Month you will have an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the African American settlers in Grey and Simcoe Counties. Janie Cooper-Wilson, accomplished historian, author, artist, and former historical director of the Emancipation Festival, will talk about her latest project on the restoration of the Oro African Church. A fantastic storyteller, Cooper-Wilson will weave in accounts about the families that formed that community while giving us a glimpse into her own narrative as a descendent of the Oro African-Canadian pioneers. Naomi Norquay, President of the Old Durham Road Pioneer Cemetery Committee, professor of education at York University, and co-editor of Northern Terminus, the African Canadian History Journal, will facilitate the conversation. Come join this event that honours the legacy of black Canadians. Reserve your seat today! Lynn Hershman Leeson ! W.A.R – Women Art Revolution (A Secret History) Documentary (2010), 1h 23m Tuesday, March 8 at 7pm. Admission by donation The Garafraxa Cafe, 131 Garafraxa Street S, Durham Reservations appreciated. What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than to re-visit the pioneering artists who shaped the beliefs and values of the Feminist Art Movement in the 1970s. Directed by Lynn Hershman Leeson, !Women Art Revolution chronicles the major developments of the women’s movement and feminist art from the 1970s through 2008, by interweaving intimate interviews, provocative art and archival footage. From Judy Chicago to Suzy Lake to Yoko Ono, we’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the first feminist art education programs, the advent of alternative art spaces, and landmark exhibitions that called attention to the groundbreaking work of women artists. Music in the Afternoon The Jim Kinnear Jazz Trio Sunday, March 13 at 2pm at the Gallery The versatile Jim Kinnear Jazz Trio delights with a wide variety of musical styles including Jazz, Latin, Broadway, Pop, and American Standards. Renowned musicians Jim Kinnear (piano and keyboards), Dave Watson (trumpet and vocals), and Ralph Johnson (acoustic bass) promise an entertaining afternoon at the Gallery! Call us to reserve your tickets. Watercolour Getaway in Creemore Saturday & Sunday, April 2 to 3, 2016 Treat yourself to an exciting spring weekend of art and relaxation! Paint in vibrant watercolours with Martha Bull at Mill Street Art Studio in the charming village of Creemore. Working with painters of all levels, Martha promises to “deepen your ability and desire to paint”. Enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants and then unwind at Patricia Cleary’s 4-star country retreat, the Mountain Ash Farm Inn & Spa. The full workshop schedule is Saturday, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm; Sunday, 10am-1pm. Getaway Packages Single Occupancy, Workshop: Members: $255pp; Non-Members: $270pp Double Occupancy, Workshop for Two: Members: $205pp; Non-members: $220pp Double Occupancy, Workshop for One: Members: $275; Non-Members: $290 Workshop Saturday Only, no overnight: Members: $100; Non-Members: $115 Materials available for a $10 fee. Spa packages are extra and can be arranged. A $25 deposit is required by February 29 to hold your spot. Full payment is due by March 19. To reserve, please call the Gallery at 519-369-3692, or email Debbie Ebanks at debanks@durhamart.on.ca. For more information on your destination, please visit: www.mytimewatercolour.com www.mountainashfarm.com	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line148
__label__wiki	0.505468	0.505468	Column #1044 100,000 Mentor Couples in 10,000 Churches The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) made an extraordinary announcement this week that they will seek to train 100,000 married couples as marriage coaches in 10,000 churches over the next five years. ''This is the best news I have heard this year for the marriage-strengthening movement,'' commented Diane Sollee, founder and director of the Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couple Education. ''Research shows that the people who can best teach the skills of how to have a good marriage are those who have solid marriages, serving as mentor couples. People get married in churches, so this work is best done in congregations, where there is trust. It is natural to recruit couples who are part of that community.'' Most marriage preparation today is done by pastors or professional counselors, such as AACC members. Sollee, a former Associate Director of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, thinks that is a mistake: ''We don't need to turn marriage into a mental health issue. Marriage is not a disease. It is a language that must be learned. Mentor couples do a better job of teaching because they are not outsiders with a white coat syndrome. For example, a stepfamily couple who has walked the walk, can be more helpful to a couple entering a stepfamily than some professional who may never have been in a stepfamily and may not even be married.'' AACC President Tim Clinton said his group's 45,000 members were moved by recent George Barna polling data showing that ''divorce in the church is at a par with the society at large. The divorce rate is still at an epidemic proportion. About 40 to 50 percent of people who are getting married this year, will end up getting divorced, and if separations are also counted it is 66 to 67 percent.'' Therefore AACC is calling not just the church ''but the nation to some type of effort to curb, to reduce the divorce rate. We are demonstrating our commitment by providing resources to help strengthen marriages. We have produced ''Marriage Works,'' 30 one-hour videos by some of the finest people in marriage coaching and marriage mentoring. We have enrolled 5,000 already, with more than 100 from a single church.'' Most marriages fail due to selfishness. What they need to see modeled for them is selflessness. No one can do a better job teaching selfless love than a couple who has learned that lesson often painfully. Consider Kevin and Julie Steuber of Overland Park, Kansas. Both had one failed marriage before marrying each other 15 years ago. Four years later, Julie filed for divorce. Police showed up to escort him out of the house. Why? ''Kevin was very controlling. When I got a job and brought home a paycheck, he said, `It has to be spent on what I say it goes to.' No matter how many times I explained how I felt, he did not understand. We differed on the way we should raise children, in our communication styles and did not agree on anything.'' Kevin thought he was the ''perfect husband,'' a Christian who was a good provider, working at two jobs, who never chased other women. But he now ruefully acknowledges that ''I never listened to Julie, to hear what she needed. I couldn't understand why she got so emotional.'' They paid $100 an hour for eight visits to a counselor who agreed that Kevin was doing all he could in the marriage. He told Julie, ''You better shape up and listen to your husband.'' Pretty hopeless, right? Not at all, because Kevin was taken in by a friend, Dale Hedrick, who, with his wife, showed him videotapes by Gary Smalley, ''Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships'' which explain in an often humorous way, how radically men and women differ. Dale also went to Julie and showed her the same videos. ''They softened my heart,'' she recalls. ''I learned why he does not understand my feelings. I agreed to allow him to come back to the house. ''He then listed everything we had ever argued about, and said, `When I said this, I really hurt you.' He was right, dead on. Once you break through the communications barrier, how each sex works, we could work things out.'' Today they lead a ''Marriage Assist Team'' of marriage mentors at Christ Lutheran Church who came alongside a dozen conflicted couples, all of whom saved their marriages. The key, says Kevin, is ''God's plan for marriage. If you think of God first, your spouse second, and yourself last your priorities are straight. Selfishness is a huge problem.'' He knows from experience and can teach it. Copyright 2001 Michael J. McManus.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line161
__label__cc	0.647466	0.352534	Results 1 - 10 of 34 for Everything in this catalogue Refined by: material type: Journals Watts News. The house journal of S. & J. Watts and Company Limited. S. WATTS, AND (J.) AND CO. Manchester, 1958-. Watts European handbook. [London] : Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2009 The Tudor: a magazine of local interest. Vol. 1. no. 1-5. July-Nov. 1904. Enfield, 1904. The Medical & Surgical Register: consisting chiefly of cases in the New-York Hospital. By John Watts, Jun., M.D., Valentine Mott, M.D., and Alexander H Stevens, M.D. [vol. 1. pt. 1.] New-York, 1818. The Literary Souvenir, or Cabinet of Poetry and Romance. Edited by A. A. Watts. 1825-34. L.P. London, 1825-34. The Cabinet of Modern Art, and Literary Souvenir. Edited by A. A. Watts. Second and third series. L.P. London, 1836, 37. Check library holdings and other locations The Literary Souvenir, and Cabinet of Modern Art. Edited by A. A. Watts. New series. L.P. The “Christian Herald” Bible Study Course. Being twenty-four lessons ... reproduced from the “Christian Herald” ... By Newman Watts. London : Christian Herald Co, [1933] Charles Watts' Christmas annual. Charles Watts, 1836-1906. London, 1877-. Watts pocket handbook. London : Watts and Partners, [1983]- [Coventry] : RICS Books Foote, G. W. (George William), 1850-1915 (5) WATTS, Charles, Secretary of the National Secular Society. (5) Hilger and Watts Ltd (3) WATTS, Alaric Alexander. (3) PHILLIMORE, William Phillimore Watts. (3) HOLYOAKE, Austin. (3) National Secular Society. (3) Besant, Annie Wood, 1847-1933. (3) Bradlaugh, Charles, 1833-1891. (3) WHEELER, Joseph Mazzini. (3) Chemical Society (Great Britain) (2) WATTS, John, M.D. (2) WATTS, Henry, F.C.S. (2) Ronalds, Edmund, 1819-1889. (2) Watts, J. (John) (2) Thilly, Frank, 1865-1934. (1) Watts, Isaac, 1674-1748 (1) Schurman, Jacob Gould, 1854-1942. (1) BLACKER, Beaver Henry. (1) Watts, George Frederick, 1817-1904 (1) Nottinghamshire (England) (1) Watts Gallery (1) 1920To1949 (2) Thoroton Society (1) The Society (1) printed for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green (1) Paul Elder & Co (1) Christian Herald Co (1) Watts and Partners (1) Baillière (1) Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (1) [Cornell University Press, etc.] (1) Elgin, illustrations (1) RICS Books (1) Periodical publications.- London (12) Periodical publications.- New York (2) Handbooks, manuals, etc (2) Ephemerides.Named Ephemerides (2) Juvenile literature Periodicals (1) Abstracts Periodicals (1) Periodical publications.- Hyde Park, New York (1) Periodical publications.- Enfield (1) Foote, G. W. (George William), 1850-1915 WATTS, Charles, Secretary of the National Secular Society. Hilger and Watts Ltd WATTS, Alaric Alexander. PHILLIMORE, William Phillimore Watts.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line166
__label__wiki	0.51839	0.51839	Ars Nova — Transi (Made in Japan MJC-1006, 1994, CD) by Peter Thelen, 1995-03-01: This latest offering from this Japanese power keyboard trio is a bold step forward from their 1992 debut Fear and Anxiety. For starters this one is a full length disc; more to the point, though, is the shedding of some of their symphonic prettiness in favor of a sound every bit as powerful, yet more sinister — at times even menacing. This, in addition to an overall more confident compositional approach makes this one of the best new 'symphonic' releases of the year. Once again, keyboardist Keiko Kumagai has penned all of the album's six tracks and drives the music hard with Hammond B-2/Leslie and a full arsenal of synthesizers and devices. Her compositions embrace an angular symphonic approach with complimentary abstractions and some neo-classical underpinnings all set to a hard-driving rock pace, tethered to earth by the powerful bass of Kyoko Kanazawa and new drummer Akiko Takahashi. Akiko also adds violin on a couple of the tracks. To say their music was not influenced by ELP would be untrue, yet being all instrumental with nary a trace of pop or commercialism anywhere to be found, Ars Nova have advanced themselves further into the realm of the truly innovative and exploratory. To be sure, if there is any weakness in this music, it would have to be in it's overall stylistic lack of variety — it is definitely intense and single-minded, yet I have trouble faulting it for that simply because it is so powerful and energized. This is music that takes a few plays to get to know well, but patience will reward. Overall, Kumagai and Co. have produced an outstanding second effort that I'm sure most will enjoy. by Rob Walker, 1995-03-01: Transi is the second release from this Japanese trio, fronted by talented keyboardist Keiko Kumagai. Writing all the music and commanding an arsenal of analog and digital keys, she leads the group through 40 minutes of dark, intense, and dynamic prog. The music is full of abrupt metrical shifts and changes in feel, never dwelling on one theme for very long. In that sense it is probably most reminiscent of Covenant, though Ars Nova uses dynamics and intensity changes much better. Though there are some digital synths and samplers used, the overall sound is exclusively analog, and Kumagai uses the variety of timbres at her disposal to come up with some creative orchestrations. This, combined with the complexity and mood of the music may also bring to mind the more intense moments of Änglagård, albeit with a much stronger keyboard presence. Bassist Kyoko Kanazawa and drummer/violinist Akiko Takahashi are both solid players, and complement and support Kumagai's impressive keyboard skills well. The only major drawback to this music is that for all its complexity and thoughtful timbral orchestration, there is little in the way of thematic development or unifying musical ideas within a piece. For this reason the longer tracks come off as a bit meandering and aimless, though certainly not boring. All in all this is a very good CD, better than much of the prog released in the 90s, though a step or two below the best of the new Japanese progressive bands. by Dan Casey, 1995-03-01: This, the second album from the Japanese keyboard-led trio Ars Nova, comes as perhaps the biggest surprise of the year. It would be all too easy to rest that statement on the fact that this is a trio of all female musicians but to do so would only reinforce the strong stereotypes of women in the prog field. The real surprise is how far they have grown between albums, and how wickedly complex and intense keyboardist Keiko Kumagai's writing is. Backing bandswomen Kyoko Kanazawa (Rickenbacker bass) and Akiko Takahashi (drums) work under the keyboards in a very ELP-ish manner, but with plenty of modern fire and flair that ELP has left far behind. The six all-instrumental tracks are stylistically very consistent, with plenty of themes and interwoven ideas, all spurned forth from both digital and analog keys. The whole album, in fact, sounds very 70s but has the glossiness of a 90s production. Keyboard enthusiasts shouldn't miss this rich palette: pipe organ, Hammond XB-2, Solina, Moog and Oberheim-type leads. Comparisons to Dave Gryder's Covenant are plausible, but this has a solid band feel and relentlessness to drive it home with surprising power. If you crave guitar, you won't find any here but Transi holds together very well without it, solely because of the ever-changing keyboard timbres. A very solid effort, highly recommended (despite the hilariously cheesy packaging). by Mike McLatchey, 1995-03-01: If this trio of all female musicians were a pop group, I doubt if anyone would think twice, but in the testosterone driven underground of Prog, the idea is practically a novelty (at least for symphonic rock oriented groups). Therefore, Ars Nova, at least on their first album seemed to gain quite a reputation at least for the photos of the ladies. Transi is their second release and the ELP/Italian (Trip/Le Orme/Alluminogeni) styled trio have a new drummer (doubling on violin) to back up Keiko Kumagai's project. One thing is for sure — she's a brilliant keyboard player, armed with a massive menagerie of digital and sampled analog keys. Her favorite sound seems to be the Hammond XB2 which routed through a Leslie makes for a real crunchy near Atomic Rooster type sound. This is an absolutely brilliant album for this style; Kumagai's heavily classical influenced style gives her an arsenal of themes and chops that change as often as her sounds and makes what could be a typically dull album into what may be one of the year's very best — especially for a format that ELP dominated for many years. So do everyone a favor, try to forget that this trio is female (difficult to do with the alluring photography inside the booklet), especially since Ars Nova is head and tails above most of the symphonic anesthesia these days, and try to concentrate that this is probably the best Japanese symphonic album in many years. Highly recommended to fans of dramatic instrumental rock — just save yourself the headache and don't try to figure it out. Filed under: New releases , Issue 6 , 1994 releases Related artist(s): Ars Nova, Akiko Takahashi (Cosmo Space) Iona - The Book of Kells – Imagine the best elements of Enya/Clannad blended with the folk-rock presence of Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny, make it a bit more progressive and powerful, and top it off with a Christian... (1994) » Read more Cartoon - Sortie – The end of the 70s and first years of the 80s were a defining time in the history of progressive rock. The dinosaurs that had dominated throughout the first half of the 70s were rapidly becoming a... (1994) » Read more Tipographica - Tipographica – While Japan has always had its share of inventive new musics, the recent surge in this area has put the country on the map like never before. With Happy Family, Il Berlione, Ruins, Zypressen,... (1994) » Read more Ritual - Ritual – There's been a lot of commotion about this since its release. When I started seeing it listed on peoples' top picks of '95, I figured I better get a copy and find out what the fuss is all about. Seems... (1996) » Read more Divided Sky - Spectral – Divided Sky is a Philadelphia based four piece progressive act that relies on heavy riffs that don’t quite fit into technical metal categorization. Phased guitar effects on “Grasp”... (2003) » Read more Get "Synchron" with Camera	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line167
__label__cc	0.574762	0.425238	Digital cut and paste from India I Love my India. Stories for a City Avinash Veeraraghavan. Tara Publishing/Dewi Lewis Publishing, £16.99 ‘In a realm of Calvino-esque echoes, the “invisible cities” begin to unravel their presence, at times stripping away their clothes, at times dressing up until the entire space is filled with accessories of powerful and resounding language,’ observes the Italian designer Andrea Anastasio in his introduction to I Love my India by the Bangalore-based artist Avinash Veeraraghavan. The short introduction promises ‘neither a fixed meaning nor a given interpretation of visual signs, but rather a whispering of unending possibilities’, which, one could argue, is postmodern-speak for ‘sweet nothings’. The book fits neatly within the genre of the visual essay: digital cut and paste from the streets of Bangalore and other Indian cities divided into three loosely themed sections – although Anastasio is keen that we do not perceive this structuring as the ‘closing of intent’. Opening with a chapter entitled ‘Billboard City’, it presents series of compositions that play upon symbiotic relationships: the real and the imaginary, the producer and the consumer, the fluid and the fixed. Veeraraghavan uses familiar design strategies – surrealist montage and a suggestion of Dieter Roth – yet I would guess the sources of inspiration are more likely to be Designers Republic, Fuel and David Carson. He finds his most articulate response in the second section entitled ‘Weak Architecture’, which welds together a range of intentional, accidental and temporary surfaces of urban tissue. This collection – of food kiosks, sheds and temples, of rubble, temporary awnings, concrete tower blocks and bamboo scaffolding – toys with culturally derived notions of space. One of the strongest compositions features waste ground reconsidered as a Christo-esque corrugated mall. In another spread, an illustration of layers of skin culled from an educational chart is cleverly juxtaposed with a photograph of the gable end of a building bearing the trace of the previous, now demolished adjoining building. Veeraraghavan reminds us that the architectural membrane, although dead on the surface, contains lives and memories within a network of nerves and cells. By comparison the final chapter ‘Remote City’, which blends Bollywood, news footage, sci-fi and cartoons, holds fewer surprises. Banks of stills from cable TV, followed by a photograph of torn fly-posters confirm that we have seen all this (many times) before. A series of pages are perforated horizontally across the middle, inviting the viewer to ‘make your own generic advertisement’ – yet this seems unnecessary and suggests the designer is trying too hard. Such interference in this chapter also serves to compromise the more rewarding work, such as the collage featuring a folk painting of the revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad, who appears to gun down a Bollywood star. In another composition icons of film and TV are placed opposite an illustration culled from a school first aid chart demonstrating the treatment for a person saved from drowning. In both of these collages the meaning is neither ‘fixed’ nor is it ‘unending’, but rather finds itself, quite seductively, somewhere in-between. I Love my India celebrates and re-affirms our enduring love of ‘the street’. Yet it is uneven, at times witty and incisive but all too easily drawn into the predictable and derivative. The biggest disappointment, however, is with the clumsy typographic treatment which, given the nature of these particular ‘invisible cities’, has to be considered a missed opportunity. Steve Rigley, designer, educator, Glasgow First published in Eye no. 53 vol. 14, 2004 Eye is the world’s most beautiful and collectable graphic design journal, published quarterly for professional designers, students and anyone interested in critical, informed writing about graphic design and visual culture. It is available from all good design bookshops and online at the Eye shop, where you can buy subscriptions, back issues and single copies of the latest issue. You can also browse visual samples of recent issues at Eye before You Buy. Popular Review Articles An old-fashioned alien invasion A New Visual Language for South Africa Elusive characters	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line168
__label__wiki	0.645366	0.645366	Home / News / UF Graduate School’s Gregory Orloff Wins 2017 Superior Accomplishment Award UF Graduate School’s Gregory Orloff Wins 2017 Superior Accomplishment Award Release Date: February 23 2017 Gregory Orloff with UF Graduate School Dean Henry Frierson (right) and Senior Associate Dean Paul Duncan (left) UF Graduate School Office Manager Gregory Orloff received a 2017 Superior Accomplishment Award, a yearly University of Florida prize for faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond in service that enhances efficiency, economy and quality of life on campus. Mr. Orloff’s award recognizes his singlehanded management of over 1,000 conditional and special admission cases a year; his recent streamlining of the Missing International Credentials Hold petition process with quicker turnaround time and fewer meetings; his leadership in reviving the Graduate School’s response to the UF Campaign for Charities, with a 108% increase in donations and 117% surge in donors over the past two years; and his aid in easing office relocations during the Graduate School’s ongoing renovation and major transitions in its Data Management and Student Records units. These accomplishments, among others in the course of doing his job, have earned him a reputation across campus as the Graduate School’s “go to” person. Mr. Orloff began full-time employment at the University of Florida in its School of Architecture in 1988, and has worked at its Graduate School since 2002. Gregory Orloff with UF Graduate School Dean Henry Frierson (right) and Assistant Dean Rhonda Moraca (left)	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line180
__label__cc	0.663633	0.336367	Academic Writers for Dissertation Topics on Media Sometimes the most prudent decision in the process of dissertation writing is to seek assistance from academic writing experts. If you have a complicated dissertation assignment, you can contact our professional writers’ team from Great-Dissertation.com. In particular, when seeking help from us, you will get access to the most interesting ideas for dissertation media topics. Writing a dissertation is a challenging task, especially when it comes to choosing a topic and conducting a thorough research on it. When a student fails at some of the initial steps of carrying out research and exploring the topic in detail, the dissertation will most probably be doomed for failure. As such, one of the core steps in writing dissertations is to identify the area you would like to conduct research in and find suitable credible sources for further exploration. Afterwards, you need to come up with a strong and clear research question for the paper. Topics for media dissertations need to be appealing to the target audience. Actually, you need to choose a fairly new topic but at the same time ensure that you can find sufficient outside sources for the research. Your faculty will really appreciate it if you could find an innovative topic and contribute to the media research with your own investigations in the sphere. Still, when providing any new aspects or concepts, you need to back up your suggestions with solid evidence. In this article below, you will find a brief list of media dissertation topics suggested by renowned London professors. Hopefully, the topics provided below will help you take a fresh look into some of the aspects that were not researched by you before. The topics encompass a wide variety of spheres, namely journalism, music, mass communication, censorship, freedom of thought and expression, social network, and government monitoring among others. Journalism and Privacy - Media Dissertation Topics Journalism refers to the art of masterfully reporting events and keeping distance while having to deal with privacy issues. The core question in journalism sphere is what to report and how (to what extent). Privacy in journalism has become a controversial and debatable issue, as it is important to identify the boundaries where journalists should stop. Our experts in dissertation writing will help you choose the most appealing topics that will interest your audience. Delivering news about celebrities and other prominent people. The issue of privacy: are celebrities victims of the media or do they use media for their own benefit? Princess Diana car accident: why paparazzi have not been banned yet? Does the UK journalism adhere to privacy policies and laws when reporting about celebrities’ lives? Is it possible that prominent people restrict the right to confidentiality? Is the breach of privacy used for the benefit of gaining readership and popularity among the public? What is the connection between readership and private lives of celebrities? Journalism and Freedom of Expression - Media Dissertation Topics Journalism and the freedom of expression are interrelated things as it is hardly possible for the former to survive without the latter. Our expert writers have devised a list of topics related to freedom of expression within the realm of journalism. Some of the most interesting ones are the following: Investigate the link between responsible reporting of events and journalism. Are posts in social networking sites regarded a kind of journalism? Why is there restriction of freedom of expression in regards to reporting news on political upheavals? Should the UK journalism draw experience from German and Canadian journalism policies? How can you evaluate the watchdog policy that maintains freedom of expression at the background? How to draw boundaries between freedom of expression and infringing privacy rights of individuals? Can data protection policy be applied to tabloids? Media, the Artist and Censorship Topics of Dissertations Media is a means of expression. As such, censorship is necessary to realize the relevance and credibility of information. Further, an artist is considered a carrier of expression of information. Therefore, we have provided a list of topics that address the artist’s standpoint in dealing with censorship. The role of state control in media access on the gender basis. Draw from Iran’s experience and perspective. Can restricted access to the Internet serve as a proper example of ugly censorship? Are the artist’s rights of expression restricted when censorship rules are applied? On the basis of what criteria can one decide whether the artist’s works comply with censorship principles and rules? How should the monitoring process be performed when it comes to evaluating the artist’s work in accordance to censorship principles? Media across Cultures Dissertation Topics The importance of media in cross-cultural communication has recently become a burning issue. It holds specific importance especially within the realm of increasing cultural exchange and the globalization process. The topics worth discussion are the following: The role of Big Brother in culture amalgamation. Do media face injustice under the authority of the UK cultural police? How knowledge of various cultures and cross-cultural interactions make media topic interesting? Is subversive censorship a tool to impact the rating of certain channels? How news coverage and reporting on global sports events (e.g. Olympics) aid in enriching intercultural experience? Culture, Music, the Artist and Intellectual Property Media plays a crucial role in music and artists’ promotion. It also helps in gaining more in-depth understanding of intellectual property and artist’s rights. Among topics worth discussion are the following: Is music privacy resultant from the initial violation of property rights? Musicians’ role in promoting cross-cultural exchange and music across different cultures. Can intellectual property rights guarantee originality of artists’ work? In what way does culture influence music promotion across boundaries? How does the process of music promotion during music festivals and concerts help spread the art of music across boundaries? Is it a prerogative of a country to felicitate its maestros? Communication in the Digital age - Dissertation in Media for Scholars Media is the communication carrier and with the help of exploring topics on media in communication age one can investigate various aspects of media. Some of the interesting topics regarding media communication are the following: How can social media communication narrow the gap between mass communication and personal communication? How can media communication be used to make bring cultural awareness across boundaries? Which mode of communication is more effective: offline or digital? How to critically evaluate the economics of communication channels when it opts for broadcasting something globally important? How to ensure effective budget communication to guarantee better media reach? The role of media guide. Address Great-Dissertation.com for Help in Media Dissertation Topics At Great-Dissertation.com, we provide premium-quality academic writing help in dissertation media writing. We hire only the most professional and experienced writers to our writers’ team. With their hard work and dedication, they ensure that you get a top-notch dissertation. Contact us anytime 24/7 and order the essay at the most convenient time for you.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line182
__label__wiki	0.601336	0.601336	Every comic you've read in 2019 By The Master, January 1 in General Discussion Donomark Rose Quartz was trash. PROTECT PEARL! Location:Nashville, TN The Pervert: by Michelle Perez and Remy Boydell A story told through illustrations of anthropomorphic animals of a trans woman sex worker and the trials and tribulations of her life. Very bleak and depressing, but well told graphic novel. The Flash Annual #2 (2019): This was a great issue, combining both the return of classic Bart and the fallout from what happened to Wally in Heroes in Crisis. Teen Titans Annual #1 (2019): Red Hood vs. Damian Wayne. Needless. But the second story with the Titans fighting a new villain in the mall had a Wolfman/Perez feel that I dug. Art was better too. Heroes in Crisis #5: This continues to be the worst event DC's done in a long while, and the worst comic I've read since America Chavez's book last year. Every single character, from Batman to Batgirl to Harley Quinn to Booster Gold to Lois Lane - fan favorites, all of them - is irritating as fuck. The artwork on the women is bad as well. Ms. Marvel #35 (2019): S'okay. I love how all ages friendly this book is, but this particular story was filler to be. Harmless nonetheless. Amazing Spider-Man #815: Decent issue, but Chris Bachalo's artwork...I'm not a fan. It's distractingly unclear to read and his graffiti style lacks the grace of a Damion Scott to make it appealing despite its own obfuscation. Also, can we dispense with the whole Peter Parker is still in his mid-twenties bit? The guy is at least 30-31 years old by now. Marvel has to get beyond this age hang-up they have with him. Captain America #711: The plot's nothing we haven't seen with Cap before, but Coates' writing is really coming into its own with this book and character. This is why I was excited for him to take over the series. Good stuff. Batgirl #31 (2019): Babs really got her ass kicked in this one. Action Comics #1007: Arguably the best book DC's putting out right now. Single Issues: 26 Trade Paperbacks: 3 Young Justice #2 (2019): Methinks this series is a bit overwritten. These characters don't have to be involved in a big plot, they just have to bounce off each other. But Bendis and Gleason get the tone right, and I like seeing what's come the closest to a "classic" version of Cassandra Sandsmark after...after the original YJ series to be honest. I kinda thought that character was damn near ruined after OYL, and she was definitely ruined in the new 52. Man and Superman: What was originally going to be a 4-part series is now a super-length story by Marv Wolfman and Claudio Castellini (the single most underrated comic book artist ever). It's yet another iteration of Superman's origin of a sort, focused more on Clark's moving to Metropolis and him confronting his fears about how he'll come into being as Superman. It's well written and superbly illustrated. Word to the wise: Castellini draws the apex of the ideal human physical form. If gigantic muscles upon muscles and women always wearing shorts shirts with long legs is a turn-off, you'll really hate his art. As far as Superman stories go, Wolfman balances Clark's hesitance with his willingness to act well. It's Smallville-esque without being noticeable or distracting. This is also probably the greatest introduction to Lois Lane ever done. A lot of Superman fans online are calling this an instant classic, and I dunno if I'd rate it that high, but it's a very good Supes story nonetheless. The Immortal Hulk #13: Another great issue. Killmonger #4: This was the best issue so far with great art, but I'm a touch muddy on how this has anything to do with Wakanda screwing him over. Batman Beyond #28 (2019): The threat of Joker killing another Robin is overplayed and confused with the meta-narrative of its impact in comics. Claudio Castellini's covers were the lone reason I purchased Fantastic Four Unlimited circa 1994 / 1995. His covers will metal as fuck, and I dare anyone to say otherwise. To this day, when I think of Doctor Doom, his is the one that comes to mind. Hey Dudes. Location:New Richmond, WI I own that issue with Thor and Ben on it. Metal as fuck, indeed. Hunt for Wolverine Mystery in Madripoor #2: this was really good. Infinity Countdown Darkhawk #3: I'm out. Nowheresville John Carpenter's Tales of Science Fiction The Standoff #1: horrible. Marvel Two-In-One #7: so fucking good. Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer #1: hard case picking this up was a grand idea. Great stuff. Multiple Man #1: fuck...I've missed this character. Old Man Hawkeye #6: still great. Old man Logan #42: Kraven vs Wolverine in the Savage Land. Great. Pestilence a Story of Satan #2: still cool. Red Sonja #17: good. Sentry #1: Jeff Lemire is the perfect guy to write this. Comics: 41 Trades: 2 Omnibus: 1 Legends of the DC Universe #6: A flashback tale depicting the first time Robin (Dick Grayson) met Superman. Kevin Nowlan's artwork here kills. Great little story. Ms. Marvel #38 (2019): G. Willow Wilson's last consecutive issue. Her run's been kind of drying up anyway, so it was okay but nothing spectacular. Amazing Spider-Man #816: Good issue, solid writing, but I hated the art. Legends of the DC Universe #7-#9: A flashback tale depicting the first meeting between Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen. Written by Denny O'Neil, whose cheesy, over-the-top but still really earnest 70s run I love, this is a decent story was good artwork from the team of Greg Land and Dick Girodano. I don't too much buy Ollie's transformation by the end of this, as this is meant to be very early in his career. But I dug it alright. Wonder Twins #1: I dug this. The artwork by Stephen Byrne was slick and stylish, and the writing was the right touch of goofy. Zan and Jayna are modernized and updated, but not too much. They're a combination of their Superfriends versions and the interpretations from Smallville. But I liked how lighthearted the book was. Detective Comics #998: I've been digging the story but this issue was merely okay. Superman #8 (2019): S'alright Shadow Roads #1: this was not a great first issue The Realm #7: not the best issue of this series, but still solid. The Silencer #6: this is good, but I hope there's a focus shift soon. The Terrifics #5: pretty solid. Thor #2: yeah, I'm out. Not a great start. Venneh Glad we're all on the same murderous page. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku v3: Continues to be a funny and sappy as hell romance manga focusing on (three now!) nerdy couples. This is finally past what the anime has adapted so far, so it’s all new material, and I continue to like the two volumes in one approach to translation. 10 Dance v1: An old school boy’s love manga - slow burn, rivals turned dance partners turned ???, polar opposites, the whole nine yards. I’ll definitely read more when it comes out. Trades/Tankobon: 3 Single Issues: 5 Die 3: o hai fantasy masterclass and deconstruction, I am here for this. Still skeptical that Hans can keep up on a monthly schedule, but the art continues to be amazing. Unnatural 7: Mirka Andolfo does supernatural furry comics, it pretty Vindication 1: I know Image really prides itself on not having editors but uh maybe they should. Just saying. Yiiiiiiikes. Criminal 2: Brubaker and Phillips do a very thinly veiled take on Steve Ditko But A Dirtbag, and apparently the issues aren’t all going to be the same story chronologically, which should be interesting. Blackbird 5: I haven’t picked this up in a few issues, but they make it easy to follow, and it’s so neat to watch Jen Bartel leveling up art wise. East of West 41: Combination flashback and setup issue for what’s to come. I’m interested to see what’s to come. Seven to Eternity 13: Well, it looks like Remender is attempting to wrap this up? Maybe? I mean, it’s been so sporadically released I wouldn’t be surprised. But damn dat Opena tho. Monstress 20: SANA TAKEDA PRETTY, also some stuff going on in the background plot wise that I’m still trying to figure out. Single Issues: 13 Gideon Falls vol 1 The Black Barn: fucking outstanding. I'm glad I waited to read this in trade rather than continue monthly. I'm pissed I haven't give myself enough time to read it until now. This is the best horror book on the market right now. Vampirella Roses for the Dead #1: good but not great. I'm so behind on comics that my standards just upped themselves pretty heavily. X-Men Blue #30: still good. Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite and Dallas: Reread in light of the Netflix adaptation. Still good, fun shit with wonderful art. Nightwing #57 (2019): Decent. I kind of question Barbara's state of mind considering how she and Dick were right before he lost his memory but whatever. Batman #65 (2019): Meh. I like Gulliem March tho. Wonder Woman #105-#114 (1987): In my descent into madness over John Byrne that I posted about on Twitter, I read for the first time Cassandra Sandsmark's first appearances. This is 1996, so Tim Drake, Conner Kent Superboy and Impulse have already been around for a bit. In her early appearances, Cassie's the spunky daughter of a museum curator who Wonder Woman keeps hanging out with. She's energetic, excitable, frequently disobedient and all about following Wonder Woman on adventures. In short: she's a typical kid character in a story, practically Scrappy Doo. That being said I really like her and these spat of issues. Byrne is a great artist, and the status quo of Diana hanging out with her friend Helena and her 14 year old daughter is really fun to read. Plus, Diana isn't nearly as dismissive of giving Cassie powers as other heroes might be. She's still likely to side with Cassie's mom, but when she's not around Diana sees no problem putting the shoes of Hermes on Cassie and flying around Gateway City. It's really cool, and different from the other 90s sidekicks origins. Unity vol 1 To Kill a King: Intense. Can't believe I waited so long to read this. Astonishing X-Men #13: this was great Batman #66 (2019): Whatever. King's done these types of issues before. Green Arrow #50 (2019): Poor Ollie Doomsday Clock #9: This is still betrayal in that it has the DC Heroes fight Dr. Manhattan on Mars, but things are happening and the artwork is great so I'm very entertained. Young Justice #3 (2019): Bendis Speak Aplenty! Wow with Conner's past and present...good stuff. Amazing Spider-Man 16.HU: Odd issue numbering...good stuff with the Black Cat. X-Men Masterworks vol 1: Jesus...this is the drizzling shits. It collects the first 10 issues of X-men by Stan and Jack. There is no through-line. It doesn't know what it is. It is a strike force? Is it a teen superhero book? Maybe. Is it a school? No. Not really. The only issues that have even an inkling of enjoyment are the Vanisher and Unus the Untouchable appearances. Those are pretty solid and remain some of the best, most unique X-villains. It will be a while before I check out volume 2. Batman #50: fuck this was awful. I'm a mediocre issue away from dropping. 14 hours ago, Dread said: Batman #50: fuck this was awful. I'm a mediocre issue away from dropping. Get ready for a lot of those. 27 minutes ago, Donomark said: Maybe I'll just cut my losses. I'm clearly behind on comics anyway. Might as well streamline. Richard Dragon, King-Fu Fighter #1, #5-#18: Read this as the start of a Lady Shiva reading project. Every issue is written by Bronze Age Denny O'Neil, which is a mood. O'Neil's a very anti-racist writer but he's locked by the styles and sensibilities of the time (1976-1977), so some unfortunate tropes pop up. For instance, Ben Turner (Bronze Tiger) is introduced as an easy-going, wise, skilled martial artist. Once the series gets going however, he's pushed to the role of sidekick (he helped train Richard) and near the end is reduced to angry black man status over the death of his fiancee. His whole portrayal was disappointing to witness. But Lady Shiva is fucking awesome throughout. She's rendered oddly, with a very oval face and skin-tone that you hope isn't technically yellow, but her character is a great starting point for the beast that she becomes down the line. She's always tagging along with Richard and Ben for the danger, having a thirst for violence and tempering her skills. She's utterly indomitable and night unbeatable, only losing fights through villains' trickery or James Bond bad-guy traps. She has a stupid looking costume but wields a sword, with which she kills more than one person throughout the 18 issue series. The Lady Shiva that's eventually characterized in the modern comics is Neutral Evil. Depending on the writer, she's either a wandering killer or a flat-out bad guy. This initial Shiva is Neutral Good, every bit as dangerous and violent, but working with the heroes. Really makes you wonder when the transition starts to happen from good to bad... Gonna read her appearances in The Question next. Gonna read her appearances in The Question next Did someone shine the Preston-signal over here? But seriously, ten years on and Shiva is such a force of nature in Question. She serves Vic's story more than her own, but you get such a feel for her. She's the best, she knows it and she's desperate for a challenge. She's definitely neutral good character, and she fits the dirty world of Hub City, while clearly being above it. The Question #1-#2, Annual #1, Green Arrow Annual #1 (1988), Detective Comics Annual #1 (1988), Detective Comics #427: 4 hours ago, Preston said: This is some of the best Denny O'Neil comics I've read. It has a terrific late-eighties modern style without ever falling into stupid parody. It's by far the best Denys Cowan artwork I've seen. And Shiva's characterization, reappearing after a decade from the Richard Dragon books, is arguably her best stories of all time. She's fantastic, and the close-up shots Cowan gives her in the Annual are gorgeous. Going to the Question for a bit, I love how O'Neil basically kills off the Ditko Question in the very first issue. It's an interesting move, and certainly is a marker of the philosophical and political differences between the two creators. O'Neil's Question basically calls the Ditko Question as in the crime-fighting game for his own ego. I'm positive Ditko would disagree, but it makes for engaging reading. But the crossover between Batman, Green Arrow and Question was cool in how Shiva interacted with the three of them. In the 'Tec annual, we see her meeting Bruce for the first time and not being much of a match for him. That's the encounter referenced in Death in the Family, when she meets him again, and has progressed a helluva a lot to being his martial arts equal. Death in the Family is comparably the most antagonistic Shiva is in her appearances by that point, especially with it being the first time someone else besides O'Neil writes her. She's not villainous exactly, but she had no problem being hired to train terrorists. It matches her appearance in Question #1, and is consistent with her personal code of going where the action is. But when DitF is read out of context from her appearances beforehand, she appears to be more of a villain. But she's really not, just a fighter with a serious boner for a challenge. Jim Aparo makes her looks like a tiger licking its chops when she sees Batman. I'm also buying the retcon of her being Cassandra's mother less and less in reading these old issues. I'll have to re-read that when I come to it, but it makes more sense that she'd not have had any kids at that time in her life. (Additionally, Cass would've been just a bit younger than Jason at the time, anyway...) Captain America #1: Coates has an uphill battle here. I feel like the whole "jump into the future" plot this is following up was a whole lot of inconsequential nothing. While there's not a lot going on here, I feel like they are laying some good groundwork here. Art is not my favourite, but as long as the story gets going, I'll check it out. Captain Canuck Invasion: insert jerk off motion gif here Batman: The Grim Knight #1: This was an entertaining read. It's not all that original as a concept, but the very straightforward, simplistic story of Batman vs. Gordon made it compelling. I'm interested more in the Grim Knight than The Batman Who Laughs. Wonder Twins #2: Not as fun as the first issue, but in no way bad. Red Hood: Outlaw #32: Lobdell keeps on going back and forth with Bruce and Jason's relationship, and it's getting old. I also don't see Jason "outsmarting" Bruce in the way that he did at all believable. Not that it makes Jason too smart, it makes Batman too stupid. Superman #9 (2019): Good stuff. Really liking Bendis' writing of the Crime Syndicate. Amazing Spider-Man #818: Awesome, action packed issue. This reads like the Spider-Man I got into as a kid, post-Clone Sage/Pre-Reboot. Great stuff. Deadly Class vol 7: really fucking great. Mage: The Hero Denied Book Three vol 5: this is the newer series, the one before the end. It's solid. I really like the updated world and what everyone from before is like, if indeed they're still alive. The Umbrella Academy Apocalypse Suite vol 1 & Dallas vol 2: These are good. They don't hold up from first reading, but each volume has its moments. Of the two, Dallas is probably stronger. The Magnificent Ms. Marvel #1: I was a little skeptical going into this issue, but it ended up being really engrossing. Nice drama and a great cliffhanger. Bravo Saladin Ahmed. Detective Comics #359, #363, #369, #371, Batman #197: The first several appearances of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. Reading these for a presentation next month (same for the Shiva reading project) I've read #359 and read plenty about her subsequent appearances, but I'm checking these Silver Age gems out now. Honestly I'm surprised how well Babs comes off in these early issues. Unlike Yvvone Craig, she regularly socks it to the bad guys, often outfighting them and beating them senseless without Batman and Robin's help. Her detective skills are keen, and I wasn't aware that her photographic memory was a part of her character from the very start. She's also, at first, despite the writers' best intentions, not a sexistly rendered character. Her first encounter with Catwoman is, where Selina has a mad-on for her over jealousy over Batman, but Babs has no intention of chasing Batman around except to fight crime. 'Tec #371 is the nadir though, where her femininity is explicitly and repeatedly illustrated as vanity, and an inborn detriment to her crime fighting skills. She's regularly tussled over her appearance, screams out loud, worries over mud catching onto her costume and in general is a hateful shell of her previous story's self. The ending, where she shows off some leg to distract the bad guys is marginally better in how it demonstrates her trademark ingenuity, but overall it's like someone in editorial read her first few stories and went "She's getting out of hand, we have to remind the readers that she's still only a woman." It's Godawful. The letters pages are interesting, with women writers happy that Babs is consistently being shown as strong and that Batgirl isn't dued down by Batman for doing "man's work". What's really surprising is the few times readers lament the campy tone of the books. This is the late 60s, but even then readers yearn for the moody, darker, detective Batman over anything like the 60s show.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line183
__label__wiki	0.653816	0.653816	Posted by franz at 07:16 No comments: Links to this post Franz J. T. Lee: The Gaddafi Paradigm: Our dim chance of survival against World Fascism The Gaddafi Paradigm: Our dim chance of survival against World Fascism By Franz J. T. Lee For global workers movements to become radical is firmly and decisively, with clear emancipatory principles, to grasp any historical problem at its roots. For example, it is to tackle the current global fascism at its very radix, that is, at its transgenetic roots, and to eradicate it together with all the economic, political, social, military and alienating conditions which have brought it about. Because capitalism exists, it is tangible, man made and planetary. Hence, organized workers creative power, that is, its 'superation' (transcendence) could annihilate it globally, not only in Libya or Venezuela, but everywhere. Independent of different appearance forms, the very existence of past varieties of national fascism, or 'national socialism' ... in individual States like Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece and elsewhere ... and of present global fascism, which is being spearheaded nationally and internationally by the 'Empire', by the USA, its allies and military wing, NATO, is the scientific verification that a dramatic class struggle is raging on a planetary level. In the past two centuries, as a dialectical rule, violent, repressive regimes, including fascism, were preceded by huge workers class struggles which were suppressed brutally. Although these proletarian battles failed, they did change the correlation of the contending class forces; the uprisings of the workers, supported by some middle class sectors, scared the hell out of the bourgeoisie, everywhere its political reaction was the launching of fascist terrorism by State order. The question is: why did scores of promising global proletarian revolts and revolutions fail or stagnate and were eventually nipped in the bud by capitalist, imperialist fascism? The answer is very simple: Most of them were heroic, do merit our honor and solidarity, but they were not radical enough, were not radically anti-capitalist, in a few words, they were not modern Marxist emancipatory movements. They did not (perhaps could not) transcend the closed capitalist world order. Surely, much has been said and criticized with reference to this tragic state of affairs which has now become a gigantic global problem of possible human existence on planet Earth. Currently Venezuela and Libya, soon Syria and Pakistan, will have to try to get out of this fascist maelstrom, whirlpool of international fascist terror. As a brief commentary, we will just highlight some of the errors committed by the Libyan leadership vis-a-vis world fascism in Africa. However, much is also valid for other 'failed societies' which form 'the axis of evil' and which merit 'full spectrum dominance' and 'military humanism'. At the moment, it is the unfortunate turn of Palestine, Libya and Bahrain, but other countries like Syria, Zimbabwe or Pakistan will soon follow. South Africa, whose some 50 million inhabitants have experienced decades of fascism, of apartheid, is now a trustworthy ally ally of United States imperialism in Africa. However, it should learn from the Libyan catastrophe. Now, concerning global fascism, what did Colonel Gaddafi and his government under-estimate? President Muammar Gaddafi of Libya is learning the hard way to understand what is capitalism, socialism, globalization, fascism and emancipation. * One should not betray one's revolutionary daydreams of youth by declaring them as 'juvenile sins'. Currently Colonel Gaddafi is the longest-governing leader in the Arab and African worlds; he rules Libya since the age of 27, when he and his comrades got rid of the repressive King Idris I in a bloodless coup. One thing is clear now: Gaddafi lives and dies an important lesson: the Gaddafi Paradidm: no matter what may be the case, as an emancipator, one always has to give his very life in defense of his people, of his comrades-in-arms. In the sixties of the 20th century, on the waves of the African anti-colonial revolutions, Gaddafi launched his Green Revolution. This occurred during the epoch of African national liberation, of the development from African nationalism, to Pan-Africanism, to African Socialism. * In spite of the heroic efforts of Kwame Nkrumah, the then president of Ghana, in the praxical, theoretical and military fields, the above three forces got stuck in ideological lip service, in so-called anti-imperialism, which was severed from true anti-capitalism, as dialectical negation, as scientific, philosophic socialism, as emancipatory Marxism. The Organization of African Unity lost the idea that unity must be based on principles and degenerated into the current toothless African Union. * Like in the rest of Africa, in all her revolutions, also in Libya anti-imperialism, in realityy, pro-capitalism was and still is devouring the social emancipatory fruits of bloody class struggles. In fact, cum grano salis, today all African States, except the five, including Libya, which refused to accept the Africom of NATO, are on the track of globalization, of the Second Conquest, the final Scramble for Africa, of global fascism. * Among the grievous errors of the government of Libya are the following: if you are swimming on an ocean of oil and fresh water, you must know that no matter how you try to escape in the end the Orwellian bloody NATO army boots will come for you: hence prepare yourself with the coming gigantic class struggle; President Gaddafi, alone never ever you have the slightest chance of victory if you collaborate with corporate imperialism. Also, Colonel, in principle, we cannot sign Hitler - Stalin Pacts of 1939, secret ´gentlemen agreements' with your powerful class enemy, we should not run across Europe to hunt for fair weather friendships, to organize 'peace talks' and senseless 'dialogues'. Those 'friends' are just waiting for the right moment to nail you and your family on the cross of 'terrorism', of drug-dealing, trafficking of human organs and massacring your people. The capitalist world order only allow change from within, it is a jail, a closed system. Within we could carry out rainbow revolutions, white, red and green ones. Revolution, the invincible arm of the power elites, is the guarantee that anti-capitalism can never realize itself, we have to come up with better ideas than ideology or revolution. * Comrade Ghaddafi, to err is human, thus, in the name of the invaluable contributions that you have made for the sake of African emancipation, please remember that one does not kill the poisonous African black mamba serpent with its own venom, there are very effective ways to accomplish such a democratic mission. Also, if you are not one second, one millimeter ahead of your class enemies, then your chance of survival is infinitesimal. Summing up, we live in the age of global fascism. All over, we could see, could sense and experience its mortal pangs and fangs. Big Brother states: You are free to criticize me, but never try to do it. Freedom is Slavery. Peace is War. Lies are Truths. All over Friend-Enemy relations, anti-Marxism, anti-Communism. Scape-Goats, workers fiendish regimes, lawlessness, elimination of habeas corpus, the rule of law, etc. pave the highway towards the total, totalitarian, authoritarian Corporeal and Mental Holocaust, to Barbarism. Capitalism has a Janus-head; under 'normal' peaceful conditions, with relative economic stability, a low level of workers' struggles, in times of boom and bonanza, it is called Democracy. On the other hand, in times of severe economic crises, great depression, political upheaval, social unrest and violent class struggle, capitalism becomes savage, shows its true fascist snarl, its war mongrel face. Its functions are the destruction of the labor movement, of workers trade unions, of the 'left organizations, of Marxists. Furthermore, as a mass movement fascism controls the workers ideologically , conditioning them with aggressive political propaganda, slogans, racism and 'friend-enemy' and 'scape-goat' relations. It also introduces the 'Fuehrer' principle, the messianic great leader, the idea of a 'chosen people', a belief in a Herrenvolk, a master race and other machinations of mass psychology.The main functions of fascism are the defense and preservation of the bourgeois, capitalist, economic relations, of private property of the means of production. It is a huge campaign to save the dominant global system at all costs. Fascism tries to save the imperialist system from total collapse. Only when we know the above could we begin to eradicate fascism for ever, but time and space are running out -- our dim chances of survival are diminishing at the speed of scalar waves. On the Danger of a Killer Earthquake in the Japanese ArchipelagThe Nuclear Disaster That Could Destroy Japan ... and the World By HIROSE TAKASHI Translated by Doug Lummis The nuclear power plants in Japan are ageing rapidly; like cyborgs, they are barely kept in operation by a continuous replacement of parts. And now that Japan has entered a period of earthquake activity and a major accident could happen at any time, the people live in constant state of anxiety. Seismologists and geologists agree that, after some fifty years of seismic inactivity, with the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake), the country has entered a period of seismic activity. In 2004, the Chuetsu Earthquake hit Niigata Prefecture, doing damage to the village of Yamakoshi. Three years later, in 2007, the Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake severely damaged the nuclear reactors at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa. In 2008, there was an earthquake in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, causing a whole mountain to disappear completely. Then in 2009 the Hamaoka nuclear plant was put in a state of emergency by the Suruga Bay Earthquake. And now, in 2011, we have the 3/11 earthquake offshore from the northeast coast. But the period of seismic activity is expected to continue for decades. From the perspective of seismology, a space of 10 or 15 years is but a moment in time. Because the Pacific Plate, the largest of the plates that envelop the earth, is in motion, I had predicted that there would be major earthquakes all over the world. And as I had feared, after the Suruga Bay Earthquake of August 2009 came as a triple shock, it was followed in September and October by earthquakes off Samoa, Sumatra, and Vanuatu, of magnitudes between 7.6 and 8.2. That means three to eleven times the force of the Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake. All of these quakes occurred around the Pacific Plate as the center, and each was located at the boundary of either that plate or a plate under its influence. Then in the following year, 2010, in January there came the Haiti Earthquake, at the boundary of the Caribbean Plate, pushed by the Pacific and Coco Plates, then in February the huge 8.8 magnitude earthquake offshore from Chile. I was praying that this world scale series of earthquakes would come to an end, but the movement of the Pacific Plate shows no sign of stopping, and led in 2011 to the 3/11 Earthquake in northeastern Japan and the subsequent meltdown at the Fukushima There are large seismic faults, capable of producing earthquakes at the 7 or 8 magnitude level, near each of Japan’s nuclear plants, including the reprocessing plant at Rokkasho. It is hard to believe that there is any nuclear plant that would not be damaged by a magnitude 8 earthquake. A representative case is the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant itself, where it has become clear that the fault under the sea nearby also extends inland. The Rokkasho plant, where the nuclear waste (death ash) from all the nuclear plants in Japan is collected, is located on land under which the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate meet. That is, the plate that is the greatest danger to the Rokkasho plant, is now in motion deep beneath Japan. The Rokkasho plant was originally built with the very low earthquake resistance factor of 375 gals. (Translator’s note: The gal, or galileo, is a unit used to measure peak ground acceleration during earthquakes. Unlike the scales measuring an earthquake’s general intensity, it measures actual ground motion in particular locations.) Today its resistance factor has been raised to only 450 gals, despite the fact that recently in Japan earthquakes registering over 2000 gals have been occurring one after another. Worse, the Shimokita Peninsula is an extremely fragile geologic formation that was at the bottom of the sea as recently as the sea rise of the Jomon period (the Flandrian Transgression) 5000 years ago; if an earthquake occurred there it could be completely destroyed. The Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant is where expended nuclear fuel from all of Japan’s nuclear power plants is collected, and then reprocessed so as to separate out the plutonium, the uranium, and the remaining highly radioactive liquid waste. In short, it is the most dangerous factory in the world. At the Rokkasho plant, 240 cubic meters of radioactive liquid waste are now stored. A failure to take care of this properly could lead to a nuclear catastrophe surpassing the meltdown of a reactor. This liquid waste continuously generates heat, and must be constantly cooled. But if an earthquake were to damage the cooling pipes or cut off the electricity, the liquid would begin to boil. According to an analysis prepared by the German nuclear industry, an explosion of this facility could expose persons within a 100 kilometer radius from the plant to radiation 10 to 100 times the lethal level, which presumably means instant death. On April 7, just one month after the 3/11 earthquake in northeastern Japan, there was a large aftershock. At the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant the electricity was shut off. The pool containing nuclear fuel and the radioactive liquid waste were (barely) cooled down by the emergency generators, meaning that Japan was brought to the brink of destruction. But the Japanese media, as usual, paid this almost no notice. The Hamaoka Nuclear Plant is located at Shizuoka City, on Suruga Bay. Despite predictions of a magnitude 8 earthquake on Suruga Bay, it has continued in operation. If you look at the illustration showing the configuration of the plates beneath the Pacific Ocean, you will see that there is a point at which the Philippine Sea Plate, the huge Pacific Plate, the North American Plate, and the Eurasian Plate all meet; directly over that point is the Japanese Archipelago. And the very center of the area where these four plates press together is Shizuoka. Large scale earthquakes in the eastern and southern seas have occurred regularly at intervals of between 100 and 250 years. Today in 2011, 157 years have passed since the Great Ansei Earthquake of 1854, so we are in a period when the next big one could come at any time. And the predicted center of this expected major earthquake is – though this is hard to believe – exactly under the location of the Hamaoka Nuclear Plant. And sonar readings at the site indicate that from thirty years back the Eurasian plate has been bending, which means that it is in a condition where it can be expected eventually to spring back. Hirose Takashi has written a whole shelf full of books, mostly on the nuclear power industry and the military-industrial complex. Probably his best known book is Nuclear Power Plants for Tokyo in which he took the logic of the nuke promoters to its logical conclusion: if you are so sure that they're safe, why not build them in the center of the city, instead of hundreds of miles away where you lose hhome alf the electricity in the wires? Douglas Lummis is a political scientist living in Okinawa and the author of Radical Democracy. Lummis can be reached at ideaspeddler@gmail.com http://www.counterpunch.org/takashi04252011.html The African 'Star Wars'* - It is the Pentagon's Africom versus China's web of investments - the ultimate prize: Africa's natural resources. By: Pepe Escobar The African 'Star Wars'* - It is the Pentagon's Africom versus China's web of investments - the ultimate prize: Africa's natural resources. By: Pepe Escobar As Africa increasingly turns to China for economic investment and guidance, Africom seeks to reverse China's geostrategic foothold on Africa >From energy wars to water wars, the 21st century will be determined by a fierce battle for the world's remaining natural resources. The chessboard is global. The stakes are tremendous. Most battles will be invisible. All will be crucial. In resource-rich Africa, a complex subplot of the New Great Game in Eurasia is already in effect. It's all about three major intertwined developments: 1) The coming of age of the African Union (AU) in the early 2000s. 2) China's investment offencive in Africa throughout the 2000s. 3) The onset of the Pentagon's African Command (Africom) in 2007. Beijing clearly sees that the Anglo-French-American bombing of Libya – apart from its myriad geopolitical implications – has risked billions of dollars in Chinese investments, not to mention forcing the (smooth) evacuation of more than 35,000 Chinese working across the country. And crucially, depending on the outcome – as in renegotiated energy contracts by a pliable, pro-Western government – it may also seriously jeopardise Chinese oil imports (3 per cent of total Chinese imports in 2010). No wonder the China Military, a People's Liberation Army (PLA) newspaper, as well as sectors in academia, are now openly arguing that China needs to drop Deng Xiaoping's "low-profile" policy and bet on a sprawling armed forces to defend its strategic interests worldwide (these assets already total over $1.2 trillion). Now compare it with a close examination of Africom's strategy, which reveals as the proverbial hidden agenda the energy angle and a determined push to isolate China from northern Africa. One report titled "China's New Security Strategy in Africa" actually betrays the Pentagon's fear of the PLA eventually sending troops to Africa to protect Chinese interests. It won't happen in Libya. It's not about to happen in Sudan. But further on down the road, all bets are off. Meddle is our middle name The Pentagon has in fact been meddling in Africa's affairs for more than half a century. According to a 2010 US Congressional Research Service study, this happened no less than 46 times before the current Libya civil war. Among other exploits, the Pentagon invested in a botched large-scale invasion of Somalia and backed the infamous, genocide-related Rwanda regime. The Bill Clinton administration raised hell in Liberia, Gabon, Congo and Sierra Leone, bombed Sudan, and sent "advisers" to Ethiopia to back dodgy clients grabbing a piece of Somalia (by the way, Somalia has been at war for 20 years). The September 2002 National Security Strategy (NSS), conceived by the Bush administration, is explicit; Africa is a "strategic priority in fighting terrorism". Yet, the never-say-die "war on terror" is a sideshow in the Pentagon's vast militarisation agenda, which favours client regimes, setting up military bases, and training of mercenaries – "cooperative partnerships" in Pentagon newspeak. Africom has some sort of military "partnership" – bilateral agreements – with most of Africa's 53 countries, not to mention fuzzy multilateral schemes such as West African Standby Force and Africa Partnership Station. American warships have dropped by virtually every African nation except for those bordering the Mediterranean. The exceptions: Ivory Coast, Sudan, Eritrea and Libya. Ivory Coast is now in the bag. So is South Sudan. Libya may be next. The only ones left to be incorporated to Africom will be Eritrea and Zimbabwe. Africom's reputation has not been exactly sterling – as the Tunisian and Egyptian chapters of the great 2011 Arab Revolt caught it totally by surprise. These "partners", after all, were essential for surveillance of the southern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Libya for its part presented juicy possibilities: an easily demonised dictator; a pliable post-Gaddafi puppet regime; a crucial military base for Africom; loads of excellent cheap oil; and the possibility of throwing China out of Libya. Under the Obama administration, Africom thus started its first African war. In the words of its commander, General Carter Ham, "we completed a complex, short-notice, operational mission in Libya and… transferred that mission to NATO." And that leads us to the next step. Africom will share all its African "assets" with NATO. Africom and NATO are in fact one – the Pentagon is a many-headed hydra after all. Beijing for its part sees right through it; the Mediterranean as a NATO lake (neocolonialism is back especially, via France and Britain); Africa militarised by Africom; and Chinese interests at high risk. The lure of ChinAfrica One of the last crucial stages of globalisation - what we may call "ChinAfrica" – established itself almost in silence and invisibility, at least for Western eyes. In the past decade, Africa became China's new Far West. The epic tale of masses of Chinese workers and entrepreneurs discovering big empty virgin spaces, and wild mixed emotions from exoticism to rejection, racism to outright adventure, grips anyone's imagination. Individual Chinese have pierced the collective unconscious of Africa, they have made Africans dream – while China the great power proved it could conjure miracles far away from its shores. For Africa, this "opposites attract" syndrome was a great boost after the 1960s decolonisation – and the horrid mess that followed it. China repaved roads and railroads, built dams in Congo, Sudan and Ethiopia, equipped the whole of Africa with fibre optics, opened hospitals and orphanages, and – just before Tahrir Square – was about to aid Egypt to relaunch its civilian nuclear programme. The white man in Africa has been, most of the time, arrogant and condescending. The Chinese, humble, courageous, efficient and discreet. China will soon become Africa's largest trading partner – ahead of France and the UK – and its top source of foreign investment. It's telling that the best the West could come up with to counteract this geopolitical earthquake was to go the militarised way. The external Chinese model of trade, aid and investment – not to mention the internal Chinese model of large-scale, state-led investments in infrastructure – made Africa forget about the West while boosting the strategic importance of Africa in the global economy. Why would an African government rely on the ideology-based "adjustments" of IMF and the World Bank when China attaches no political conditions and respects sovereignty – for Beijing, the most important principle of international law? On top of it, China carries no colonial historical baggage in Africa. Essentially, large swathes of Africa have rejected the West's trademark shock therapy, and embraced China. Western elites, predictably, were not amused. Beijing now clearly sees that in the wider context of the New Great Game in Eurasia, the Pentagon has now positioned itself to conduct a remixed Cold War with China all across Africa – using every trick in the book from obscure "partnerships" to engineered chaos. The leadership in Beijing is silently observing the waters. For the moment, the Little Helmsman Deng's "crossing the river while feeling the stones" holds. The Pentagon better wise up. The best Beijing may offer is to help Africa to fulfil its destiny. In the eyes of Africans themselves, that certainly beats any Tomahawk. Pepe Escobar is the roving correspondent for Asia Times (www.atimes.com). His latest book is Obama Does Globalistan (Nimble Books, 2009). He may be reached at pepeasia@yahoo.com The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/04/2011422131911465794.html http://english-juttaschmitt.blogspot.com http://juttaschmitt.blogspot.com As radioactive fallout skyrockets, NaturalNews advises readers to consider precautionary doses of iodine, bentonite clay and zeolites (NaturalNews) Based on the accumulation of information from multiple sources, it is now clear that the true scope of the Fukushima disaster has been greatly downplayed by both the Japanese and U.S. governments. NaturalNews is now urging its readers to begin taking regular, safe doses of three things: Natural iodine sources (seaweed or otherwise), bentonite clay (for internal use) and zeolites (any brand). Naturally, be sure to check with a qualified nutritionist or natural medicine practitioner when taking supplements. Those on thyroid medications, in particular, should seek professional advice before consuming supplementary iodine from any source. Bentonite clay is, of course, completely safe for internal use (yes, you can eat it) when used as directed. It is a cleansing substance that can bind with various radioactive isotopes and carry them out of your body. Zeolites are also extremely good at attracting both heavy metals and some radioactive isotopes which are also carried out of your body. Radiation emissions are far higher than official reports The reason for this action notice is due to the increasing realization that radiation emissions from Fukushima are far higher than what we are being told. Although I have analyzed reports from multiple sources on this, perhaps the best citizen blogger explaining this right now is found at http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/04/... This blogger is Japanese, and he reads the local Japanese news sources to get a lot of information about Fukushima before the translators screw it up (or distort it). His latest post reveals that Fukushima is releasing 154 terabequerels of radiation per day. This is an order of magnitude higher than what the official Japanese sources were saying just a few weeks ago. Another great blogger on Fukushima is Lucas Whitefield Hixson, who published an analysis of the photos that seems to indicate Reactor No. 3 already suffered a massive core containment breach from the very first explosion: http://lucaswhitefieldhixson.com/hi... If true, this would mean that TEPCO has been lying to us from day one about the true extend of the reactor core containment vessel breach. Why world governments won't tell you the truth I have good reason to believe we may very well be witnessing an event that has already vastly exceeded the Chernobyl disaster in its total release of radiation into the environment. Yet the admission of that fact is so politically unviable that no government dare admit utter the words. Instead, it is much more politically expedient to simply imagine there is no radiation (it's invisible, after all), and hope no one notices the huge increases in cancer rates in the coming years. Such is the cowardice is modern-day political leaders. To avoid causing a panic, they would rather people keep eating radioactive fish and drinking radioactive milk. Somewhere in Washington, a group of nuclear experts must be sitting around a table with the President, asking, "So when are we going to tell them about all this?" The answer is, of course, "Never." After all, any increase in cancer can always be blamed on sunbathing, or tanning salons, or whatever convenient target the medical community is currently trying to discredit. (Heck, they could probably find a way to say that vitamin D causes cancer!) This Fukushima fallout could even be a whole new profit center for the cancer industry which has long been in the business of irradiation women's breasts with mammography machines anyway. Cancer industry corporations must be drooling over the profit prospects that will emerge from the global radiation exposure under way right now. Most people will take no precautions The upshot of all this is that the masses may be suffering from very risky doses of radioactive fallout right now, with no precautions whatsoever being taken to protect themselves. After all, President Obama stood in front of his podium and told the American people there was nothing to worry about. He said no one needed to prepare, and this was followed up with yet more official urgings to avoiding taking potassium iodide. (http://www.naturalnews.com/031735_O...) The game is apparently on. What game is that? The game of culling the human population by eliminating from the human gene pool those individuals who are too brain dead to think for themselves. Cancer + infertility, after all, is a fairly effective way to remove someone's genetic code from the future of the population, and what better than a massive, global radiation dump to sort out the brainwashed masses from those who actually take their genetic future seriously? That's one theory behind all this, at least. Some say it's only a theory and nothing more. But when you look at what's really happening today with the mass intentional contamination and destruction of our planet -- the spread of GMOs, the fluoride poisoning of the water supply, the pesticide-induced honey bee population collapse, and so on -- you can't help but wonder if someone really is trying to kill off a very large segment of the human population. Fukushima either deliberately or coincidentally seems to play right into that agenda. Or maybe that's all just paranoid conspiracy thinking, and the real explanation behind all this is just global government incompetence combined with pathological national leaders who have no compassion whatsoever for the lives and health of their own citizens. Either explanation is sufficiently bizarre enough to make intelligent people at least start asking questions... and hopefully to start taking some precautions against radiation fallout (hence the iodine, clay and zeolites). Bentonite clay, after all, doesn't cost much. Losing the genetic integrity of your sperm production, on the other hand, is a real show-stopper. Then again, maybe all of this is just a bunch of hooey. If you believe the "scientific" community, the government figures are always accurate. There's no cover-up. The situation is completely under control. The radiation levels are miniscule. There was no meltdown. Go on about your business and stop worrying. Just eat your imported fish, go get your CT scans at the hospital and take your antidepressants. Buy your slave-labor brand-name sports gear at the local mall, and be sure to slather yourself in perfumes, petroleum-based skin lotions and sunscreen (to protect yourself from cancer, of course). And then, a few years down the road, if you find your DNA has mutated beyond your ability to reproduce in the future, don't worry: You can always trade a year's salary for some hormone injections at the local infertility clinic, right? Infertility clinics, by the way, are really great at increasing the survival rate of fetuses with birth defects which would otherwise normally be aborted by the mother's own body (http://www.naturalnews.com/020905_i...). How Fukushima could create a real Spider Man! So even if the next generation of children in America are born mostly to irradiated, genetically-mutated parents, thanks to the "miracle" of modern infertility science we can probably manage to keep a fair number of them alive long enough for them to become the new generation of post-Fukushima X-Men with special mutant powers that can save our world from evil villains. Fukushima might also irradiate some spiders that could bite a few geeky teenage boys and magically transform them into acrobatic "spider men" who magically attain advanced hand-to-hand combat skills without ever having practiced them. What could be bad about that? In fact, the entire Marvel universe of comic book characters might yet materialize out of the smoke and (radioactive) dust of Fukushima. So, you see, Fukushima is actually the solution to all our problems, not the source of any And if you think none of this could really happen because I'm quoting characters from comic books, just remember this: The Japanese government is reading you lines from a fairy tale and hoping you buy into it just the same. Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032179_Fukushima_zeolites.html#ixzz1Kb3laRUJ http://www.naturalnews.com/032179_Fukushima_zeolites.html Anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott talks about the Fukushima nuclear (Video) Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott talks about the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe Hola Alba, estimada amiga, gracias por intentar una respuesta en Aporrea. No importa que no te la hayan publicado. Lamentablemente, en algún momento hasta personas tan ciegas y dogmáticas como Brito van a tener que aterrizar en la realidad. Las pocas informaciones no censuradas que nos llegan sobre Japón son verdaderamente horribles. Si manejas un poquito de inglés, vaya a nuestro blog: http://franzjtlee.blogspot.com y lea la última entrada (la que aparece arriba en la página y vea también el video. Ahí habla una veterana activista contra la energía nuclear, Helen Caldicott, y nos da una idea de la espantosa magnitud de lo que pasa en Fukushima y sus nefastas consequencias para la vida en todo el planeta. Un abrazo y saludos cordiales, Franz J. T. Lee y Jutta Schmitt (Video) Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott talks about the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe and what we can expect. It ain’t pretty. http://www.franzlee.org.ve/pandemonium01573.html http://www.prisonplanet.com/helen-caldicott-talks-about-the-horror-of-fukushima.html Helen Caldicott The single most articulate and passionate advocate of citizen action to remedy the nuclear and environmental crises, Dr Helen Caldicott, has devoted the last 38 years to an international campaign to educate the public about the medical hazards of the nuclear age and the necessary changes in human behavior to stop environmental destruction. Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1938, Dr Caldicott received her medical degree from the University of Adelaide Medical School in 1961. She founded the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at the Adelaide Children's Hospital in 1975 and subsequently was an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and on the staff of the Children's Hospital Medical Center , Boston, Mass., until 1980 when she resigned to work full time on the prevention of nuclear war. In 1971, Dr Caldicott played a major role in Australia's opposition to French atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific; in 1975 she worked with the Australian trade unions to educate their members about the medical dangers of the nuclear fuel cycle, with particular reference to uranium mining. While living in the United States from 1977 to 1986, she co-founded the Physicians for Social Responsibility , an organization of 23,000 doctors committed to educating their colleagues about the dangers of nuclear power, nuclear weapons and nuclear war. On trips abroad she helped start similar medical organizations in many other countries. The international umbrella group (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War ) won the Nobel Peace Prize 1985. She also founded the Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND) in the US in 1980. Returning to Australia in 1987, Dr Caldicott ran for Federal Parliament as an independent. Defeating Charles Blunt, leader of the National Party, through preferential voting she ultimately lost the election by 600 votes out of 70,000 cast. She moved back to the United States in 1995, lecturing at the New School for Social Research on the Media, Global Politics and the Environment, hosting a weekly radio talk show on WBAI (Pacifica) , and becoming the Founding President of the STAR (Standing for Truth About Radiation) Foundation . Dr Caldicott has received many prizes and awards for her work, including the Lannan Foundation's 2003 Prize for Cultural Freedom and 21 honorary doctoral degrees, and she was personally nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Linus Pauling - himself a Nobel Laureate. The Smithsonian Institute has named Dr Caldicott as one of the most influential women of the 20th Century. She has written for numerous publications and has authored seven books , Nuclear Madness , Missile Envy, If You Love This Planet: A Plan to Heal the Earth* (1992, W.W. Norton ) and A Desperate Passion: An Autobiography (1996, W.W. Norton ; published as A Passionate Life in Australia by Random House ), The New Nuclear Danger: George Bush’s Military Industrial Complex (2001, The New Press in the US, UK and UK; Scribe Publishing in Australia and New Zealand; Lemniscaat Publishers in The Netherlands; and Hugendubel Verlag in Germany), Nuclear Power is Not the Answer (2006, The New Press in the US, UK and UK; Melbourne University Press in Australia) and War In Heaven (March 2007). Dr. Caldicott’s most recent book is the revised and updated If You Love This Planet (March 2009). She also has been the subject of several films, including Eight Minutes to Midnight, nominated for an Academy Award in 1981, If You Love This Planet, which won the Academy Award for best documentary in 1982, and Helen’s War: portrait of a dissident, recipient of the Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Direction (Documentary) 2004, and the Sydney Film Festival Award for Best Documentary in 2004. Dr Caldicott currently divides her time between Australia and the US where she lectures widely. She founded the US-based Nuclear Policy Research Institute (NPRI), which evolved into Beyond Nuclear , of which Dr Caldicott is Founding President. Beyond Nuclear aims to educate and activate the public about the connections between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the need to abandon both to safeguard our future. Dr Caldicott can be heard discussing urgent planetary survival issues on her weekly radio show If You Love This Planet , and is the Founder and Spokesperson for People for a Nuclear-Free Australia , established to represent the millions of Australians who uphold the strong belief that there should be no uranium mining, nuclear power plants or foreign nuclear waste in Dr Caldicott is also a member of the International Scientific Advisory Board advising José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain. Source: http://www.helencaldicott.com/about.htm Helen Caldicott Talks About the Horror of Fukushima (http://www.prisonplanet.com/helen-caldicott-talks-about-the-horror-of-fukushima.html) Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott talks about the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe and what we can expect. It ain’t pretty. Japan leader urges no panic in nuclear crisis * New homes for Japan's quake survivors Play Video Earthquakes Video:New homes for Japan's quake survivors Reuters * Japan marks the one-month anniversary of quake Play Video Earthquakes Video:Japan marks the one-month anniversary of quake AFP * Business as usual despite new Fukushima earthquake Play Video Earthquakes Video:Business as usual despite new Fukushima earthquake AFP – Tue Apr 12, 6:17 am ET TOKYO – Japan's prime minister is urging the public not to panic after the government boosted the severity level of the crisis at a tsunami-damaged nuclear plant to the highest rating — on par with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Prime Minister Naoto Kan urged people in a televised address to focus on recovering from the country's disasters. Kan said: "Right now, the situation of the nuclear reactors at the Fukushima plant has been stabilizing step by step. The amount of radiation leaks is on the decline," he said. "But we are not at the stage yet where we can let our guards down." Japanese regulators said they raised the rating from 5 to 7 — the highest level on an international scale — after new assessments of radiation leaks from the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_earthquake_kan;_ylt=AuN64yd1WPCbcG_L26L8SK.s0NUE;_	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line187
__label__cc	0.554319	0.445681	Palestinian refugees in Gaza protest cuts to food rations · February 25, 2014 Front Door of Hussam Elaisawy in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp Palestinian refugees continue to protest outside the United Nations aid agency in Gaza, saying that cuts to a food ration program are unfair. According to advocates for the refugees, the program is on track to cut food aid for tens of thousands of families. FSRN’s Rami Almeghari has more. http://objects-us-east-1.dream.io/fsrn-archive/uploads/2014/02/022514AlmeghariGaza.mp3 47-year-old Hussam Alisawy and his 8-member family live in this small, 500 square foot house. Alisawy suffers a heart condition and has been jobless for the past ten years. In addition to a $350 monthly allowance provided by local authorities, he depends on food rations from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees — or UNRWA — to feed his family. He says that beginning in April, his food ration will be cut off. His family will be deprived of the food assistance they currently get four times a year of about 900 pounds of wheat, five gallons of cooking oil, 40 pounds of sugar, 13 pounds of powdered milk and some canned beef. “I want to know why they cut off the food ration! Why would they cut off this assistance to me and my family. Have we become rich, so they have the right to cut my food ration off?” UNRWA contends that the decision to cut off food rations for tens of thousands of refugee households is meant to help the most needy families in the territory. The Palestine Liberation Organization’s People’s Committee for Refugees contends that the cuts are just more in a long series of reductions of UNRWA services over the past three decades. Adnan Abu Hasna is a spokesperson for UNRWA in Gaza. “What UNRWA is doing is trying to double the help for the needy people, to find the real poor people.” Only those who prove to have no income whatsoever will continue to receive the food rations. UNRWA is the primary humanitarian aid provider for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Their services include health care , education, sanitation and food. According to Abu Hasna, UNRWA currently spends $80 million a year on food distributions for more than 1 million refugees in Gaza alone. “This is the main problem, the siege and the blockade on Gaza. Before 2000 and before the siege was imposed, we were begging the people to come to receive the food rations and they used to decline, before they were working in Israel and the private sector was flourishing. This is the problem”. According to the Popular Committee for Breaking the Israeli Siege of Gaza, more than 80 percent of Gaza’s local industries are now shut down, because of the Israeli closure and embargo on exports in place since 2007. UNRWA’s Abu Hasna says anyone currently under notice that they are scheduled to be cut from the program can file an appeal. Rami Almeghari, FSRN, GAZA. Click on thumbnail to launch slide show Family of Hussam Aleisawy including his wife Um Mo’ammar and his grandchildren. Hussam Aleisawy sitting idle at his two-room house in the Nusierat Refugee camp Refugees taking part in a sit-in tent outside the UNRWA local office in the Nusierat Refugee Camp in central Gaza Strip; the poster in this picture reads “What is next with the UNRWA copiracy to reduce services.” Refugees protesting in a sit-in tent outside the UNRWA local office in the Nuseirat Refugee camp in central Gaza Strip (Photo Credit: Shadi Alqarra) Tags: food rationsGazaPalestinian refugeesUNRWA Turkey resumes sending aid to Gaza following landmark reconciliation with Israel Obama calls for U.S. to take in at least 10,000 refugees as hundreds of thousands arrive in the EU UN to probe war crimes in Gaza; FSRN’s Rami Almeghari shares his experience as his family is displaced Next story Mumia Abu-Jamal: The Latest Outrage Previous story History from the Archives: Cartel kingpin arrests, power vacuums, and violence	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line188
__label__wiki	0.658038	0.658038	Watch See No Evil: The Moors Murders Full Series Streaming Free Download See No Evil: The Moors Murders 720p 6,647 Kb/s HD - See No Evil: The Moors Murders HD 4,184 Kb/s See No Evil: The Moors Murders Full Full HD 7,993 Kb/s 5.5/10 by 10 users : See No Evil: The Moors Murders : Drama : 90 min : The dramatisation of one of the most notorious killing sprees in British history. : Maxine Peake (Myra Hindley), Sean Harris (Ian Brady), Joanne Froggatt (Maureen Smith), Matthew McNulty (Dave Smith), George Costigan (DCI Joe Mounsey), Steve Evets (Jack Smith), Charlotte Emmerson (WDC Pat Clayton), John Henshaw (DCS Arthur Benfield), James Quinn (Supt. Bob Talbot), Gordon Brown (DS Jock Carr), Susan Twist (Nellie Hindley), Kelli Hollis (Ann West), Stephen MacKenna (DCS Prescott), Steven Hillman (DI Engels), Lisa Millett (Winnie Johnson), Marie Critchley (Joan Reade), Malcolm Scates (DC Mike Masheder), Connor McIntyre (DCS Dougie Nimmo), Margaret Jackman (Granny Maybury), John Graham Davies (Godfrey Heilpern QC), Russell Dixon (Justice Fenton Atkinson) May 14, 2006 Season 1 2 Episodes	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line189
__label__wiki	0.7189	0.7189	Transphobia: Miss Jamaica Universe Pageant rep says no to transgender entrant in Canada beauty contest prepared by Davina Henry of the Star News, The original headline read: Jamaicans against sex change contestant - Won't support Miss Universe Canada entrant who was a man Several Jamaicans, including the organisers of the Miss Jamaica Universe are displeased with the possibility of a transgender contestant being allowed back into the Miss Universe Canada competition. a recent press conference with her attorney A transgender contestant, who entered the contest and was disqualified, may now be allowed back into the competition. According to BBC News, the Miss Universe Organisation might reverse its earlier decision and allow Jenna Talackova, 23, who was born a male to compete. Although the Donald Trump-run competition specifies that entrants must be "naturally born" females, Talackova may be afforded the opportunity to re-enter the competition "provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions," the organisation said. After being disqualified, Talackova had announced that she would hold a press conference in Los Angeles with lawyer Gloria Allred. It was after making this announcement that the Miss Universe organisers began considering allowing her back into the contest. This is not the first pageant that Talackova has entered. She competed in the 2010 Tiffany Miss International Queen Competition for transgendered and transsexual women in Pattaya, Thailand. Talackova has said that she realised she was a woman at age four, began hormone therapy at age 14 and changed her sex at age 19. But Tessa-Marie Leon, public relations director of the Miss Jamaica Universe Pageant, is not in agreement with the possibility of Talackova entering the competition. "We have to agree with the international organisers requirements, it says that you have to be born a female. Having changed your organs to become a female should automatically disqualify you," she said. When pressed as to what would happen if the transgendered competitor was allowed back into the competition, Leon stated that this would "be a revolution that will question the other requirements." too far Several Jamaicans who were yesterday asked to comment on the possible move to allow transgender persons to enter beauty pageants were against it. "Me don't even want to hear dat, what you are saying is really low and I think these men especially are taking this sex change thing too far. The organisers should make up their minds if the competition is a sex change competition or what," James Richards, from Kingston told THE STAR yesterday. "They should really charge that man, he represents a lie. It is a female competition. He is a shame to the human race, me nuh believe inna dem ting, dem fi charge him," Orlando Grant from Harbour View said. Also, Kishanie Whyte, who works as a media manager in the Corporate Area reasoned, "really really, my take is no, this person should not be allowed in this pageant. This pageant is for females. She further said, "What kind of rubbish is that, what is this world coming to, that is nonsense, I have nothing more to say." Jamaica has always had entrants in the Miss Universe competition, with the most successful being Yendi Phillipps who placed second in 2010. The contestants for this year's competition were recently unveiled and the competition is slated to take place in a few months. Would you consider this response from the local Miss Universe representative a transphobic one? A perfect opportunity has presented itself again to look at transgenderism and ethics in one go but given how the issue is being reported we may miss this golden period to use it of better understanding. Originally when this story broke I had issues about the ethical position of Jenna as the rules for the competition stated entrants had to be born female and rules are rules in my book despite the exclusionary position it presents, she also according to reports lied on her application that she was born female. But now that the organizers have bowed and allowed her to re-enter or remain due to some public pressure she has been thrusted into the limelight as a transgender activist now, now she handles herself even if she loses the race she will be remembered for breaking the ice, speaking the truth is also of the utmost importance, advocacy in any form requires a strong ethical base to be effective. Will this change other similarly typed competition around the world especially states like Venezuela, Thailand and others where transexualism and transgenderism are part of their cultures and the cisgender battle with some transgender activists may heat up long after this furor has died as concepts of beauty are rigorously applied to transexuals as they are not readily accepted as such when compared to cis women. These circumstances are to be closely watched. In speaking to local transgender personalities they seem pleased with the inclusion on Jenna in the Canadian contest as it represents inclusion on transgender persons. Finally I am a bit perturbed at the use of the word "transgender(ed)" How can someone by a past tense of themselves when in being transgender is there existence as a human being? Common mistakes made by not so enlightened journalists or tabloid writers and even LGBT activists make the error as well. also see a post on sister blog GLBTQ JA on Wordpress: What needs to be done to help Transsexuals In Jamaica Labels: Cisgender, Entertainment Stuff, Ethics, Star News, Transgender Information, Transphobia, What is The Star implying? Transphobia: Miss Jamaica Universe Pageant rep say... In The Life: Becoming Me .... a look at transgende...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line198
__label__cc	0.683897	0.316103	eBook Publishers: Are eBook Copyright Pages Missing Information? Well the ebook community is buzzing. Amazon has provided REAL page numbering. The critics have been answered. Now the fun begins. What is the source of my ebook? Is my ebook the same edition as my paper version? Where am I at here? Of course, there is one thing that we must have in place if we are going to coordinate a paper version with an ebook. We must know the source of the ebook and that information appears to be missing in action. It sounds like an easy problem to solve. I just purchased an ebook on-line and the hardcover edition was right next to my ebook selection. No problem. But ask me that question in three years when I still have that same ebook on my e-reader and the hardcover book has a new edition. There is no reference to which hardcover edition my ebook matches. None. I decided to put my analytical hat on and do a study. I wanted to see whether the source document of my ebook is identified somewhere. My assumption was if we are going to identify where the ebook originated, it should appear on the copyright page. So I started my study. I picked 30 ebooks and analyzed their copyright pages. Somebody must have missed the memo about what information is required and what format it should be presented in because we had a variety of formats and information, to say the least. Although 30 ebooks is not a very big sample, only one of them came close to what is needed to ID the source. Amazon has seen the need to add the source information in their on-line product description to help. They have added a line: Page Number Source ISBN. But my ebooks didn’t have a clue to the original source. Next I used a great post by Joel Friedlander, an expert in this area, called ‘Self-Publishing Basics: The Copyright Page’ as my starting point. (Other blogs on copyright pages are listed at the end of this post.) I started the study on the premise that the eBook copyright page should not be the same as the source book. It shouldn’t be just a copy. All the eBook copyright pages that I studied had most of the basics. They had the copyright notice, publisher and publishing information, disclaimers, edition data, Library of Congress information and the ISBN. Although this is not required, some gave credit to the basic book formatting and design people. Things like cover photograph, cover image/art, interior design and edited by information. The ebooks did have some direct information about the ebook like one had ‘First Kindle Edition’. Another said ‘Epub edition © with a date and eISBN 978- number’. I don’t know if the ‘e’ is official but its meaning is obvious. One even had ‘Mobipocket reader format’ mentioned. Only one of the ebooks had any information at all about the source. (“Simon & Schuster hardcover edition June 2010”) But here is where the train leaves the tracks. With the missing source information, there was no indication where the book’s content originated from or how we got to the digital format. Adding more information to the ebook copyright page goes along with the same concept we use for an accurate bibliography, footnotes and appendix. The real need is in the Education area. They need to communicate information in the e-textbook to each other in an accurate manner. If they are going to cite information from an ebook, the reader needs to be able to go back to the source and verify the citation. And Professors and students need to make sure they are both on the same page, so to speak. They need to be able to match the hardcover textbook to the e-textbook. We are missing the boat with the copyright page. It’s like seeing Original Source: Undisclosed on the copyright page. That just doesn’t work. The ebook is a different product than the paper version. We need more information. 1. We need the ISBN number and the hardcover edition on the copyright page like Amazon is providing on their ebook Product Production page. Of course, they are including this to help sync the page numbers with the hard copy but it should have been required in an ebook by publishers before Amazon added the feature. 2. We need different copyright pages for each version of an ebook. We need a unique copyright page for the Kindle, Nook and Sony etc. Smashwords has its own copyright page format which is the same with each version (epub, mobi, txt, etc.) they sell. I don’t know whether that is good enough in the long run. 3. I would like to see a reference on the copyright page about the ebook conversion process used. Is this an ebook only version? Is the source document from the original book’s source file or was it a scanned /OCR version to a digital file. This will give the reader some idea of the accuracy of the conversion. 4. I would like to see who rendered the ebook but I am probably pushing it although Garry Graves gave me credit for rendering his book, “Bloody Omaha”. Original Source: How to Create Copyright Pages Right – by Jim Satire Hardcover Edition June 2010 (ISBN: 978-9-9999-9999-8) Kindle Edition – 1.4.1 – Build 11/7/2010 Original Process: Direct from Digital Source File Created by: Amazon DTP Conversion Services by: HBSystems Publications Rendered by: James Moushon Nook Version Nook Edition – 1.5.1 – Build 11/23/2010 Created by: BN Pubit Traditional publishers and self-publishers are responsible for this additional information. Sometimes publishers get caught up in trying to get the ebook out the door at the lowest cost rather than doing their own due-diligence. It can’t be just a copy of the hardcover. It all starts with the definition of the sources of the ebook. Right now it appears that this is missing information. What do you think about adding this information? Is it important to know? Do the publishers have the responsibility to provide this information to the reader? View my website: HBSystems Publications Or EMAIL at: jrm@hbspub.com A list of some good reference material on copyright pages from Joel Friedlander. 6 Copyright Page Disclaimers to Copy and Paste, and Giving Credit by Joel Friedlander on January 16, 2010 Copyright Page Samples You Can Copy and Paste Into Your Book Self-Publishing Basics: A 5-Minute Guide to Copyright by Joel Friedlander on October 8, 2009 Self-Publisher’s Quick & Easy Guides—Copyright by Joel Friedlander eBook Publishers: Are eBook Copyright Pages Missin... Amazon Has Some REAL Good News and They Have Some ... What Makes the Top Selling eBook Authors Tick?	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line200
__label__wiki	0.611976	0.611976	East West Quintet, Anthem (self-released) Cd Reviews: September 10, 2015 By Eric Saeger news@hippopress.com This Brooklyn outfit is a mollycoddled NPR darling, having appeared on basically any show on which the network could possibly spotlight them. It’s not obvious why that’s the case, but then again they did start off as a hard-bop thing in the tradition of Cannonball Adderley’s five-piece, and toward that, the bright but muted production still remains. But as the years have passed, so has their desire to get lumped in with any genre that sounds like it’s got cobwebs, not just rootsy bop but jazz-rock or jazz-hop or anything of that sort. They want to be known as a slamming band, period, and it’s true that they’re not afraid of cranking it up (“Action Figure” is a loud-quiet-loud anomaly that fluctuates between 1960s-cigarette-smoker-club jazz and Deep Purple in full-on rockout mode), but that stuff comes second to Dylan Heaney’s noodlings on the sax, whose results vary widely in quality (nice chill on “Draft,” not so much on the dubstep-tech-accompanied “Experiment No. 3,” which came off to me as a tad flat in spots, unless I missed some chromatic segue). The takeaway here is that more and more, traditional jazz is entering the melting pot, the only curious thing about that being the fact it’s taken so long. B	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line206
__label__cc	0.531968	0.468032	香港律師會 \| Sweet & Maxwell \| Westlaw Asia \| 聯絡我們法律業務中國習慣法人權個人資料私隱入境內部刑事法刑事罪判刑土地法專業導論打擊洗錢投資法民事訴訟程序法庭及司法制度海事法監管及合規破產破產與重組稅務法競爭法藐視法庭行政及憲法解決糾紛貿易法遺囑, 信託及遺囑認證野生生物法銀行及金融離岸法律司法權離岸編者的話會長的話律師會秘書處資訊紀律裁決理事會議題給《香港律師》的信封面專題律師會新聞業界透視會員動向更新案件法律史測驗法學院新聞執業管理實踐技能本月會刊逾期刊物 LME Walks Fine Line Between Beasts of Aluminium and Regulation The London Metal Exchange ("LME") has just announced proposals for a new layer of regulatory oversight in the form of "accountability levels". At first glance they look like position limits. But they don't actually limit the size of positions held. And specifically they won't prohibit the sort of massive position that has just created another bout of turbulence in LME aluminium spreads. The timing of the LME's consultation exercise the week after JPMorgan was identified by sources as the beast of the aluminium market has unsurprisingly led many to link the two developments. Particularly since the previous "mystery" dominant long has just left the stage having apparently reduced its position to a size that no longer appears in the LME's positioning reports. However, this latest tweaking of LME compliance rules is all about an even bigger beast than the Wall Street heavyweight. It is Brussels that looms ever larger in the LME's thinking about how to preserve its unique trading structure, including the sort of mega positions taken by JPMorgan, in the face of a barrage of EU regulation. Aluminium Beast JPMorgan's periodic squeezing of the front part of the LME aluminium curve has caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the market. Many are profoundly unhappy that the exchange has tolerated a strategy that has resulted in anomalous technical tightness in a market characterised by massive inventory overhang. And yet, as everyone concedes, the bank has not infringed any LME rules, which are predicated on not proscribing the sort of million-tonne-plus positions associated with JPMorgan's recent trading activity. The exchange is, after all, a wholesale market populated by some of the world's biggest producers, users and financiers of metal. Limiting the size of positions players can trade doesn't remove their need to take such positions and there is a justifiable wariness of losing exchange business to the twilight world of over-the-counter ("OTC") trading. What the LME already does is prevent a dominant long from abusing its position by limiting how much money it can make from lending metal to cash-date shorts. What it also does already is query a long as to why it is doing what it is doing. Given the repeated nature of JPMorgan's raids on the aluminium spreads, it's a fair inference that there have been plenty of conversations between exchange and bank. The LME already has the powers to force the reduction of a big position, if it deems it necessary. Indeed, the exchange can do almost anything it sees fit if it means maintaining an orderly market. The "Special Committee", a typically understated title for what is an all-powerful body, "may take such steps as in their absolute discretion they deem necessary to contain or rectify" any "undesirable situation or undesirable or improper trading practice which in their opinion has affected or is likely to affect the market." (LME Rule Book, Part 3, Regulation 15 (Emergencies)) Quite evidently, if the LME hasn't taken such action against JPMorgan, it is because it accepts the company's rationale for its trading behaviour. Accountability Levels All of which begs the question as to what more can be achieved with the new "accountability levels". Simply put, these place an obligation on position holders of a certain size to explain what they are up to, formalising the current practice of one-to-one conversations that may take place around a dominant position. By shifting the onus of information gathering to the customer of the exchange, the LME is aiming for "a more transparent reporting regime" for large positions. The proposed reporting thresholds say much about the size of positions associated with any specific LME contract. So no surprise to see aluminium has the highest threshold of 15,000 lots or 375,000 tonnes. More surprising is that zinc has the second highest threshold of 8,000 lots, or 200,000 tonnes, while copper, a more active contract, has a threshold of just 5,000 lots, or 100,000 tonnes. But that tells you something about who is likely to be holding the biggest positions in any one market. Aluminium and zinc are dominated by stocks financiers. Copper is not for the simple reason that there is not a lot of copper to finance, or at least not outside of China. The thresholds will apply both to any single prompt date and to the full LME curve. They are likely to have been back-tested to generate the most useful amount of information from a compliance perspective, but the LME "reserves the right to amend these levels". The Beast of Compliance Although the timing of this latest exchange move appears extraordinarily coincidental given the media exposure of JPMorgan, it is almost certainly aimed in a different direction. A raft of European regulation is on its way, albeit around one year late in the case of the MIFID II, or to give it its full name, the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, New and Expanded Version. But coming it is and core to Brussels's view of commodity markets is a belief in position limits, both for exchange trading and for physical market exposure. That poses a clear and soon-to-be-present danger for a market such as the London Metal Exchange with its tolerance of large positions. The new "accountability levels" look to be part of a strategy of preparing the ground for some sort of compromise deal with Brussels. Such a deal was explicitly discussed at the LME's regulation seminar last October which brought together representatives of the Commission, the Bank of England and British regulator the Financial Conduct Authority. In other words, all the interested parties in negotiating some sort of partial carve-out for the LME from MIFID II. At stake is whether the LME can remain the wholesale market for global metals trading. As the LME itself expressed it in a white paper on "European regulatory change", if the approaching regulation is not "tailored" to reflect a market such as the LME, "it could risk irreparable damage to the wider industry, leading to a reduction in market participants, a trading shift to non-EU venues and reduced liquidity." So rather than addressing JPMorgan's bullying of the aluminium spreads, these "accountability levels" may best be seen as a way to persuade Brussels that JPMorgan should be allowed to take the sort of mega position associated with that behaviour. And if that seems unnatural and wrong, consider whether you'd rather watch them do it in the open marketplace of exchange trading under continuous regulatory scrutiny or feel the unexpected and invisible consequences of them doing it in the OTC shadows. Jurisdictions: The Reuters News unit of Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international news agency and leading provider of real-time, high-impact, multimedia news and information services. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. 首次公開招股保薦人的責任及證監會最近的紀律處分出版法律著作的新模式﹕《香港家事法概覧 – 達克斯伯里計算表》受遺贈人未及時接受遺贈的法律後果私隱政策協議編輯方針香港律師團隊使用條款及免責聲明	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line207
__label__cc	0.642528	0.357472	Dynamics and efficiency FINE -TUNED ATHLETICISM. The BMW M6 Gran Coupé design. Extravagance in every line. The BMW M6 Gran Coupé combines craftsmanship, technology and motor racing elements to create something breathtaking. And it's a combination that is equally striking visually: Powerfully contoured, the elongated body suggests a unique driving experience, even when stationary. Details inside and out give the vehicle exceptional character, with the interior setting exceptional standards, particularly when combined with exquisite optional materials from the BMW Individual Collection. From every angle, the BMW M6 Gran Coupé is unique. The front air inlets hint at the car's sporty personality, supplying plenty of fresh air to the powerful engine. This engine sits behind the behind the iconic M kidney grille with chrome-plated double slats. The distinctive crease line begins directly behind the M gill air inlets. It runs across powerfully flared wheel arches to the muscular rear section, which provides the frame for the characteristic M twin tailpipes. Like the roof, the diffuser is made of lightweight carbon. The Pure Metal Silver paint finish further enhances the appearance of the BMW M6 Gran Coupé: This exceptional BMW Individual option catches the eye, giving the vehicle a liquid metal-like appearance. IMMEDIATE IMPACT. The film on the design of the BMW M6 Gran Coupé. Watch flim Please install and activate Flash. You need the Adobe Flash Player in order to use some of the features of the BMW UK website. Please make sure that Flash is installed and activated. If you have not yet installed Flash, you can download it free of charge from the Adobe website. Download Flash for free When you open any of the four doors, the door sill finisher sports the distinctive M logo. And as you sit down in one of the five perfectly contoured seats, the main feeling is of exclusivity, as every detail you see exudes expert craftsmanship. As an optional extra, passengers can be surrounded with the very finest materials from the BMW Individual Collection: The optional fine-grain leather 'Merino' Platinum trim indulges the senses with an exceptionally soft touch. This commitment to quality is consistent throughout the interior, for example in the BMW Individual interior trims in Piano Finish Black as well as the headlining in Alcantara anthracite. But one seat in the BMW M6 Gran Coupé is always the most popular: the driver's. With perfect ergonomics, the traditionally driver-orientated cockpit is the perfect place to be for both lengthy trips and fast laps. And to enable the driver to keep an eye on everything, the optional full-colour Head-up Display projects all key details directly onto the windscreen. Carbon roof. As part of BMW's intelligent lightweight construction, the roof - made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) - helps to reduce the car's mass, and lowers its centre of gravity. The reduced shifting in the wheel load results in increased agility and dynamics when driving through curves, and optimised tyre use when accelerating and braking. The carbon roof's striking contours emphasise the M design's dynamic lines. The visible CFRP fibre structure displays the complex multilayer construction of the roof-shell, which, like the windscreen, is attached to the body with special adhesive technology. M EXTERIOR MIRRORS. The aerodynamically optimised M exterior mirrors have been icons of the sporty, dynamic design of the M line for decades. Attached to the body by a double-bridge designed base, they underscore the beautiful aesthetics of the car and convey a sense of precision engineering, lending additional character, dynamics and aerodynamic details to the sides. Wheels. An expression of power: Available exclusively for the BMW M6 Gran Coupé, the 20-inch M light alloy wheels double-spoke style 433 M round off the character of this sports car. The contrast between burnished and Orbit Grey surfaces make the mixed tyres distinctively eye-catching. For an even sportier appearance, 20-inch M light alloy wheels double-spoke style 343 M are available as an optional extra. These come in Black and bi-colour look and give the BMW M6 Gran Coupé even greater charisma on the road. BMW INDIVIDUAL. The expression of personality. Express your taste and personality with BMW Individual features for the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé. BMW Individual for the exterior Power and elegance.Few words are required to describe the BMW M6 Gran Coupé with the BMW Individual paint finish in Pure Metal Silver. The unique quality of this particular finish is that it gives the impression of flowing metal. This, in turn, underscores the vehicle’s aesthetics and athleticism while also conveying pure luxury. Alongside Pure Metal Silver, there are thirteen further BMW Individual paint finishes to choose from. Tanzanite Blue metallic, for example, with its intense dark blue and fascinating interplay of turquoise under direct light, has its own charismatic appeal. Then there’s the silken matt surface of Frozen Grey metallic, a finish that combines strong presence with elegant subtlety. Clearly, the range of BMW Individual paint finishes has extremely broad appeal, from unmistakably sporty to inimitably exclusive. BMW Individual for the interior Exclusivity redefined, individuality reinterpreted – the BMW Individual equipped interior of the BMW M6 Gran Coupé. A combination our designers recommend is the velvety soft full fine-grain Merino leather in striking Platinum, the Alcantara headlining and, with its timeless beauty, the interior trim in Piano Finish Black. The overall result is an invitingly light ambience that increases the sense of interior space and, needless to say, mirrors the exceptional quality of the paint finish. But that’s not all: in addition to Platinum, there are five further BMW Individual Merino leathers to choose from, each with their own unique nuances and qualities. Cohiba Brown is one notable example. This has colouring reminiscent of hand-rolled cigars while having its own equally evocative aroma. The ensemble can be rounded off with a choice of two other BMW Individual fine-wood interior trims.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line208
__label__cc	0.74675	0.25325	SomaSimple Pain Consensus Lately Luke Rickards DO, a moderator at SomaSimple, initiated this consensus. Several people contributed their thoughts and eventually agreed on the following, reproduced here in its entirety: "Behind the scenes at SomaSimple the moderators study continuously, deal with the issues inherent to our task and decide together how we can advance our mission of sharing relevant and rational information about therapy theory and practice. Recently Luke Rickards listed ten things he felt we now know about the nature of painful sensation. It has since been modified and referenced and you’ll see the document below. We have had an intricate and prolonged conversation about each point, and now invite your questions and commentary. The following list has been compiled in an effort to present you with succinct points derived from contemporary pain related research so that you may better understand the view points of the moderators and many of the regular posters at SomaSimple. The list is subject to change as our understanding improves. As with all statements born of scientific reasoning these are provisional, but we feel at least a few will stand the test of time. For those interested in gaining a more detailed understanding of the generalized items on the list, we recommend reading the material referenced in the bibliography. The Moderators" Nothing Simple - Ten Steps to Understanding Manual and Movement Therapies for Pain 1. Pain is a category of complex experiences, not a single sensation produced by a single stimulus. 2. Nociception (warning signals from body tissues) is neither necessary nor sufficient to produce pain. In other words, pain can occur in the absence of tissue damage. 3. A pain experience may be induced or amplified by both actual and potential threats. 4. A pain experience may involve a composite of sensory, motor, autonomic, endocrine, immune, cognitive, affective and behavioural components. Context and meaning are paramount in determining the eventual output response. 5. The brain maps peripheral and central neural processing into each of these components at multiple levels. Therapeutic input at a single level may be sufficient to resolve a threat response. 6. Therapies that are most likely to be successful in treating non-pathological pain are those that address unhelpful cognitions and fear concerning the meaning of pain, introduce movement in a non-threatening internal and external context, and/or convince the brain that the threat has been resolved. 7. Manual and movement therapies may affect peripheral and central neural processes at various stages: - transduction of nociception at peripheral sensory receptors - transmission of nociception in the peripheral nervous system - transmission of nociception in the central nervous system - processing and modulation in the brain 8. The corrective physiological mechanisms responsible for resolution are inherent. In non-pathological pain states a therapist need only provide an appropriate environment for their expression. 9. There is little correlation between tissue length, form or symmetry and the prevalence of pain. Manually applied forces will almost never directly result in clinically relevant and lasting change in tissue length, form or symmetry. The effects of manual therapy are more plausibly regarded as the result of reflexive neurophysiological responses. 10. Neuromuscular reconditioning is best initiated after near or full resolution of the pain experience. Conditioning for the purpose of fitness and function or to prompt exercise-induced analgesia can be performed concurrently but threat and nocebo should be considered. Conditioning should be conducted in the knowledge that there is no substantial evidence that posture, muscular weakness or weight are risk factors for neuromusculoskeletal pain. Pain: The Science of Suffering - Patrick Wall The Challenge of Pain - Patrick Wall, Ronald Melzack Explain Pain - David Butler, Lorimer Moseley The Sensitive Nervous System - David Butler Phantoms in the Brain - V. S. Ramachandran Topical Issues in Pain Vol's 1-5 - Louis Giffiord (ed) The Feeling of What Happens - Antonio Damasio Clinical Neurodynamics - Michael Shacklock Eyal Lederman - The Science and Practice of Manual Therapy Research articles: Melzack R. Pain and the neuromatrix in the brain. J Dental Ed. 2001;65:1378-82. Craig AD. Pain mechanisms: Labeled lines versus convergence in central processing. Ann Rev Neurosci. 2003;26:130. Craig AD. How do you feel? Interoception: the sense of the physiological condition of the body. Nature Rev Neurosci. 2002;3:655-66. Henderson LA, Gandevia SC, Macefield VG. Somatotopic organization of the processing of muscle and cutaneous pain in the left and right insula cortex: A single-trial fMRI study. Pain. 2007;128:20-30. Olausson H, Lamarre Y, Backlund H, Morin C, Wallin BG, Starck G, Ekholm S, Strigo I, Worsley K, Vallbo AB, Bushnell MC. Unmyelinated tactile afferents signal touch and project to insular cortex. Nature Neurosci. 2002;5:900–904. Moseley GL. A pain neuromatrix approach to patients with chronic pain. Manual Ther. 2003;8:130-40. Moseley GL. Unravelling the barriers to reconceptualisation of the problem in chronic pain: The actual and perceived ability of patients and health professionals to understand the neurophysiology. J Pain. 2003;4:184-89. Moseley GL, Arntz A. The context of a noxious stimulus affects the pain it evokes. Pain. 2007;133(1-3):64-71. Moseley, GL, Nicholas, MK and Hodges, PW. A randomized controlled trial of intensive neurophysiology education in chronic low back pain. Clin J Pain. 2004;20:324-30. Crombez G, Vlaeyen JWS, Heuts PH et al. Pain-related fear is more disabling than pain itself. Evidence on the role of pain-related fear in chronic back pain disability. Pain. 1999;80:329-40. Zusman M. Forebrain-mediated sensitization of central pain pathways: 'non-specific' pain and a new image for manual therapy. Manual Ther. 2002;7:80-88. Dorko B. The analgesia of movement: Ideomotor activity and manual care. J Osteopathic Med. 2003;6:93-95. Threlkeld AJ. The effects of manual therapy on connective tissue. Phys Ther. 1992;72:893-902. Lederman E. The myth of core stability. Retrieved at: http://www.ppaonline.co.uk/ Posted by Diane Jacobs at 2:10 PM 1 comment: Labels: pain, persistent pain The Fish With Arm Bones Tiktaalik rosae is the name Neil Shubin's team gave a fossil they found in the Canadian Arctic a couple years ago. Shubin's book, Your Inner Fish, describes the dig and the excitement that surrounded the discovery of what Shubin calls a "fishapod". The book is a great read - full of evolutionary and embryologic connections. You'll learn where spines and skeletons come from, what genes we share with our insect and worm relations, why hernias and knee injuries have come to plague the human species. You'll learn all about how gill arches turned into inner ear bones and throat cartilages, how head bones form, why the development of a mobile neck (present in Tiktaalik) was a revolution in evolution (it freed the upper limbs to do one thing while the head did another). I was hoping for a fuller examination of the evolution of the nervous system, but alas, such an examination was beyond the scope of this book apparently. There are a few tidbits on brainstem function and central pattern generators, and why the phrenic and vagus nerves emerge so soon and dangle dangerously outside the spinal column before reaching their destinations. It is hard to put this book down if you have any sort of interest in the human body, whether it is a third-person or first-person interest. It will leave the reader feeling an integrated part of all nature through time. I recommend reading it together with Into the Cool (much of which is available free online in the link provided) and dazzle gradually, both of which are co-written by Dorion Sagan. For more about the evolution of the nervous system itself, Up From Dragons is a fairly good read, yet another Dorion Sagan co-write. (How can you tell I'm a big Dorion Sagan fan?) Labels: embryology, evolution, Inner Fish Hippocampus, theta waves and movement VII Vanderwolf wanted to sort out what would happen with direct brain stimulation as opposed to merely observing slow wave in conjunction with spontaneous behaviors. Vanderwolf (p. 33) is careful to point out that: "..the fact hippocampal rhythmical slow waves occur in close correlation with certain patterns of movement does not necessarily mean that hippocampal activity has a role in causing the movement. It is well recognized that correlation does not prove causation." He goes on to say, "It is apparent that some motor patterns, including the various forms of locomotion, head movements, spontaneous changes in posture, and manipulating objects with the forelimbs, are invariably accompanied by hippocampal rhythmical slow wave activity, while other motor patterns, including alert immobility, licking, biting, chewing, face-washing, and such gross motor patterns as the startle response and the writhing-stretching movements of giving birth, are generally accompanied by an irregular pattern of hippocampal activity. These hippocampo-behavior relations occur during both spontaneous behavior and the behavior elicited by hypothalamic stimulation. The two different classes of behavior cannot be distinguished on the basis of extent of muscular activity, degree of arousal, stress, or excitement and have no particular relation to the often stressed polarity of learning and instinct. How should all of this be interpreted and what should these classes of behavior be called?" To me this is the crux of the matter, and why I'm busy reading this book. To continue: "Animal behaviorists, following a proposal by Wallace Craig in 1918, often distinguish appetitive from consummatory behavior. Walking toward food is an appetitive behavior; eating the food, a consummatory behavior. Prior to Craig's suggestion, Charles Sherrington (1906) had suggested a distinction betwen precurrent reactions (similar to Craig's appetitive behavior) and consummatory reactions, stressing the dependence of the first type on distance receptors (vision, audition, olfaction) and of the second type on contact receptors (touch, taste). However, John Hughlings Jackson, an English neurologist writing well before either Sherrington or Craig, had suggested a continuum in the basis of motor control ranging from most voluntary to most automatic or reflexive... Consequently, I began to refer to behaviors consistently accompanied by hippocampal rhythmical slow wave as "voluntary" and behaviors not consistently accompanied by this wave form as "automatic." However, the attempt to apply Jacksonian terminology to hippocampal-behavioral relations was not welcomed." Instead he categorized behaviors into Type I and Type II. Type I (slow wave hippocampal activity always present): walking, running, swimming, rearing, jumping, digging, manipulating objects with forelimbs, isolated movements of head or of one limb, shifts of posture. Related terms: voluntary, appetitive, instrumental, purposive, operant, or "theta" behavior. Type II (irregular wave activity): alert immobility in any posture, licking, chewing, chattering teeth, sneezing, startle response, vocalization, shivering, tremor, face-washing, scratching fur, pelvic thrusting, ejaculation, defecation, urination, piloerection. Related terms: autonomic, reflexive, consummatory, respondent, "non-theta" behavior. So, after all this investigating of this interesting material I don't think I'm any closer to knowing where ideomotor movement might fit, but at least I know more about hippocampal wave associated movement than I used to. Labels: hippocampus, theta rhythm Hippocampus, theta waves and movement VI Throughout the 70's a lot of research was done that tried to show a relation between hippocampal activity and memory. Vanderwolf says, "Much of this we simply ignored, hoping that such research would die out as more and more people became aware of the relation between hippocampal activity and motor activity." A paper was published in Science suggesting that hippocampal slow waves were transmitted to the neocortex during the formation of a memory trace. Vanderwolf writes: "We knew that the neocortex generates large amplitude rhythmical 7-9 Hz waves of its own" independent of the hippocampus, which "unlike the hippocampal waves, are driven by inputs from the thalamus and occur spontaneously at times during waking immobility...by repeating the experiments and collecting additional data Peter and I were able to show that the results reported in the Science paper were due to a)failure to distinguish two very different waveforms which happen to overlap in frequency, b) failure to take account of the relation between cerebral activity and motor activity." They published their results in 1982. Similarly, Vanderwolf and a colleague deconstructed a paper which proposed a link between hippocampal waves and sniffing behavior, and published their own findings in 1992. They noted that furthermore, hippocampal wave activity was not associated with alert immobility, mating behavior, giving birth, or fighting. Rather, it was found during walking or running, or during the carrying of pups - any time locomotion occurred. Hippocampus, theta waves and movement V In 1957 a paper appeared (Scoville and Milner) "claiming that hoppocampal lesions produced amnesia." In a paper two years later, Vanderwolf says: "Grastyan and his colleagues reported that hippocampal rhythmical slow waves were characteristic of the early stages of learning when the cats displayed prominent orientating reactions (the what-is-it reactions of Pavlov) but that both the orienting responses and the associated rhythmical slow waves disappeared when the learned behavior had become well established...it seemed to me that a different interpretation was more probable. Early in training, extensive exploratory movements such as walking, rearing, and head movement are likely to occur but later when the learned behavior is well-established, unnecessary motor activity tends to disappear." It seemed researchers were trying to link hippocampus with learning and memory. Vanderwolf didn't buy this. He had already noted the sorts of movements that were associated with hippocampal slow wave formation, and reasoned that "if one were to compare the electromyographic activity of somatic muscles during spontaneous behavior before and after training, extensive changes would, no doubt, be observed but this would not mean that muscles are directly involved in learning and memory. Similarly, training-induced changes in hippocampal activity may be a consequence of a role played by the hippocampus in control of motor activity." Vanderwolf devised a way to test his hunch, providing data that showed hippocampal slow wave present during continuous running or walking. If the animal stopped moving the hippocampal rhythmical waves were always interrupted. Long-continued practice didn't necessarily result in disappearance or even any change at all in the rhythmical slow waves of the hippocampus. His data re-confirmed that hippocampal slow wave activity was present during "varying untrained spontaneous motor acts". More about this to follow. Hippocampus, theta waves and movement IV In part III I brought some of the info from Vanderwolf's book to do with movement, types of movement, and their association with hippocampal wave function. On p. 16 he says: ".. in 1962 (we) had shown that rhythmical waves could occur in the thalamus and hippocampus slightly in advance of overt motor activity. ...I had no accurate means of determining the precise instant of movement onset and.. spontaneous movements do not have an abrupt onset. Spontaneous walking, for example, is usually preceded by small head movements and adjustments in posture (intention movements). What was need was an abrupt transition from complete immobility to vigorous gross movement of the type that is consistently accompanied by hippocampal waves." To solve this problem he designed a box with a metal floor into which a rat could be placed and a small shock delivered to its feet, part of a training process teaching them to jump out of the box; i.e., shock was not part of the experimental design, just the jump-from-inside-the-box training. "..a trained rat could be placed gently on the floor, standing on its hind legs. After a delay of several seconds during which the rat stood motionless, the hind legs would extend suddenly, propelling the rat to the top of the box. A movement-sensing device mounted on the box recorded the onset of this jump with an accuracy of a few milliseconds." Vanderwolf found that rhythmical waves of 6-7 Hz could occur several seconds prior to the jump. Beginning about a second before the jump the frequency increased to 8-12 Hz, peaking at jump initiation, continuing until the rat landed on the "safe" shelf. "The data from this experiment suggested that the hippocampus might have some role in both planning and the performance of a motor pattern. It also suggested a problem which subsequently became a major focus of my research. If the rhythmical waves of the hippocampus are related to motor activity, how is it possible that these waves can be present during relatively long intervals (several seconds) when a rat is absolutely motionless?" Meanwhile, in a nearby lab the hippocampus of New Zealand white rabbits showed rhythmical activity being elicited with visual and auditory input only, no visible motor activity, something not noted in rats. REM sleep presented another exception to the idea that hippocampal rhythmical activity was associated with movement, and was noted by Vanderwolf in the late 60's. "The onset of REM sleep in a rat is always associated with an utter collapse of any pre-existing muscle tone. Thus, if a rat falls asleep in a crouched sitting posture, as they sometimes do, the onset of REM sleep is associated with the body slumping down limply on the floor. Despite this, bursts of muscular twitches occur periodically in the limbs, trunk, and especially in the vibrissae. Rhythmical slow waves occurred in the hippocampus throughout an episode of REM sleep, with higher frequency waves occurring during the muscular twitches than during the inter-twitch intervals. An interpretation of this curious phenomenon was suggested by research originating with Otto Pompeiano of the University of Pisa.It appears that brain motor systems generally are in a state of high activity during REM sleep but that overt expression of this activity is blocked by a powerful inhibition of spinal motor neurons and of reflex afferents to those neurons. Consequently, instead of running, jumping, etc. the animal lies limply on the floor, twitching slightly. The hippocampal record then is related to motor activity during REM sleep as well as during waking." At this point Vanderwolf teamed with Bob Sainsbury and two students, Brian Bland and Ian Whishaw, to continue the work at U. of Western Ont. Next: hippocampal slow waves, learning and instinctive behavior. Labels: hippocampus, movement, theta rhythm I read on Mindblog this morning about an essay by a Danish science writer named Tor Nørretranders, called Permanent Reincarnation. It's one of the loveliest things I've ever read at Edge. So lovely that I'm going to replicate vast swathes of it here. "My body is not like a typical material object, a stable thing. It is more like a flame, a river or an eddie. Matter is flowing through it all the time. The constituents are being replaced over and over again. A chair or a table is stable because the atoms stay where they are. The stability of a river stems from the constant flow of water through it." That sounds very Tao-like.. talk of rivers, never standing in the same river twice, etc.. Nørretranders goes on: "98 percent of the atoms in the body are replaced every year. 98 percent! Water molecules stays in your body for two weeks (and for an even shorter time in a hot climate), the atoms in your bones stays there for a few months. Some atoms stay for years. But almost not one single atom stay with you in your body from cradle to grave. What is constant in you is not material. An average person takes in 1.5 ton of matter every year as food, drinks and oxygen. All this matter has to learn to be you. Every year. New atoms will have to learn to remember your childhood. These numbers has been known for half a century or more, mostly from studies of radioactive isotopes. Physicist Richard Feynman said in 1955: "Last week's potatoes! They now can remember what was going on in your mind a year ago." But why is this simple insight not on the all-time Top 10 list of important discoveries? Perhaps because it tastes a little like spiritualism and idealism? Only the ghosts are for real? Wandering souls? But digital media now makes it possible to think of all this in a simple way. The music I danced to as a teenager has been moved from vinyl-LPs to magnetic audio tapes to CDs to Pods and whatnot. The physical representation can change and is not important — as long as it is there. The music can jump from medium to medium, but it is lost if it does not have a representation. This physics of information was sorted out by Rolf Landauer in the 1960'ies. Likewise, out memories can move from potato-atoms to burger-atoms to banana-atoms. But the moment they are on their own, they are lost. We reincarnate ourselves all the time. We constantly give our personality new flesh. I keep my mental life alive by making it jump from atom to atom. A constant flow. Never the same atoms, always the same river. No flow, no river. No flow, no me. This is what I call permanent reincarnation: Software replacing its hardware all the time. Atoms replacing atoms all the time. Life. This is very different from religious reincarnation with souls jumping from body to body (and souls sitting out there waiting for a body to take home in). There has to be material continuity for permanent reincarnation to be possible. The software is what is preserved, but it cannot live on its own. It has to jump from molecule to molecule, always in carnation. I have changed my mind about the stability of my body: It keeps changing all the time. Or I could not stay the same." This is a lovely meditation on being a speck of conscious awareness in a physicality, even if that "I" is just an illusion arising from that very physicality whose business seems to be to recycle material. Who says atheists can't enjoy the occasional spiritual perspective on existence once in awhile? It's heartening, calming, comforting, beautiful. It gives one a sense of being part of the whole, not a separated aberration. I like the idea that life is a river that I am permanently part of.. Sometimes it may feel necessary to focus, like if I were white water rafting in a hailstorm, but most of the time it feels like I'm on my back in an inner tube, just floating along and watching the banks pass by on a warm sunny day. Not so bad. Parts will all end up somewhere just as they do now anyway, endlessly recycled. Here is his bilingual blog. Thank you Tor. Labels: Tor Nørretranders Hippocampus, theta waves and movement III A description of the following rat behaviors and accompanying rhythms appears next. Sleep to waking: 1. Sleep: neocortex waves went from low voltage fast activity to large amplitude, irregular slow waves. 2. Startle out of sleep with a noise: rat "would leap to its feet, startled, its head up, eyes wide open, then stand motionless." Large slow waves of the neocortex were replaced by low voltage higher frequency record (neocortical activation) but no rhythmical waves from hippocampus, instead a pattern of irregular waves with low amplitude. From this Vanderwolf concluded that "the rhythmical hippocampal waves had nothing to do with arousal or alerting; they were specifically related to a class of movements that did not include the startle response." During movement: 3. In the waking rat: sensory stimuli generally elicited hippocampal rhythmical slow activity only if they also elicited a certain type of motor activity. ".. a great variety of visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory stimuli elicited both hippocampal rhythmical slow activity and a behavioral response that included head movements, stepping and locomotion." 4. Rats hung vertically by their front paws: No hippocampal activity was recorded while they just hung there, front paws clutched over the top of a vertical board. "Rhythmical waves always appeared, however, when a rat pulled itself up, climbing to the top of the board." Vanderwolf concluded that rhythmical hippocampal waves accompany certain phasic movements not static muscular exertion. Furthermore, maintenance of an immobile standing posture on two legs or four, was not associated with rhythmical slow hippocampal activity. 5. Grooming: Rat sits up on hind legs and uses front paws to rub its mouth, face, eyes and whiskers, followed by nibbling of own flanks, hind legs, abdomen. Movements are vigorous, but generally not accompanied by rhythmical hippocampal waves. By contrast, while resting, even just a small movement of one forepaw was regularly accompanied by rhythmical hippocampal waves. Conclusion: two qualitatively distinct classes of behavior: one accompanied by waves and one not. 6. Grooming: occasional bursts of clear rhythmical waves lasting a second or two at most, occurred during long grooming sessions. They were accompanied by changes in posture, transitions from the rat paying attention to/grooming one area of the body, to paying attention to/grooming another area. Conclusion: rat grooming behavior consists of two kinds of movement, 1) stereotyped licking, biting fur, rubbing of forepaws over face, without hippocampal slow wave; 2) changes in posture, accompanied by rhythmical slow activity in the hippocampus. 7. Grooming behavior, plus startle: Two possible reactions: rat becomes immobile (freezing behavior) without hippocampal slow wave accompaniment, however, if head movements or locomotion were chosen by the rat, rhythmical waves would appear. Eating and drinking: 8. Approach to food, snatching it, running off with it: continuous rhythmical waves were recorded. 9. During chewing and handling of food with forepaws: Rhythmical hippocampal activity was present at the onset of eating a large food pellet, but as the pellet got smaller so did the hippocampal activity. 10. Sniffing behavior: vigorous sniffs with small head movements - no associated slow rhythmical wave from hippocampus associated. 11. Approach to/retreat from water dish was accompanied by rhythmical hippocampal waves but not the act of drinking itself. Exploratory: 12. Rhythmical hippocampal waves were found to have no specific relation to exploratory behavior in general sense. On the other hand, changing posture of head while eating or changing posture while grooming are well-practiced and are accompanied by slow wave activity. Next, Vanderwolf looked deeper at premotor activity. Hippocampus, theta waves and movement II The first problem Vanderwolf tackled was to get a clear reading, using rats. Finally he placed one electrode "near the surface of the alveus or in the stratum oriens and a second electrode in the vicinity of the hippocampal fissure." These are small bits of hippocampal gross anatomy. He then got wave potentials that occurred in opposite phase and that were easy to distinguish from neocortical waves. "When, at last, adequate slow wave signals from the hippocampus were recorded, their relation to behavior became very obvious. Gross movements such as walking, struggling to escape from my hand, or rearing up on the hind legs were invariably accompanied by rhythmical potentials potentials of about 8-9 Hz but a more irregular pattern punctuated at irregular intervals by large spike-like potentials (sharp waves), occurred whenever the rat stood still. However, it also became apparent that a number of smaller movements such as turning the head, changing posture while resting, or moving a forepaw in isolation, were also reliably accompanied by rhythmical waves but both the amplitude and frequency (6-7 Hz) of these waves was less than it was during walking or struggling." This information was obtained on rats, but humans and rats share mammalian brain structures. Walking sounds like a good thing to do for the hippocampus - make big waves so the 10,000 new baby neurons that form in there every day get some big wave stimulation. Hippocampus, theta waves and movement I've been reading another book about this topic, An Odyssey Through the Brain, Behavior and the Mind, by C.H. Vanderwolf, found by following a trail from the Buzsáki book I was absorbed in all fall, Rhythms of the Brain. I will bring a summary of info here, direct from this book, about which behaviors with which Vanderwolf found theta rhythm associated and those he didn't. But first, an introduction: Vanderwolf was born and raised in rural Alberta which provided him much opportunity to observe animals in nature, on his way to becoming one of the world's foremost theta rhythm researchers. This book is the story of his research, partly autobiographical but mostly about what he discovered, and includes a defense of his anti-"mentalist" stance in research on behavior. In the 1964 he began his own research on rhythmical hippocampal activity. He says (p.3): "The program of research that I had in mind was based on certain philosophical presuppositions. Most investigators in the brain-behaviour field, both in 1964 and at present, assume that the ultimate problem for neuroscience is to provide an explanation of the human mind. More specifically, this is usually taken to mean discovering the neural basis of consciousness and its subprocesses such as perception, attention, memory, cognition, emotion, motivation, etc. I was very suspicious of this entire enterprise and gradually came to believe that the traditional categories of the mind did not provide a valid natural subdivision of different brain functions." He wanted to approach research from nature's own direction (p. 4): "During my career as a student, I had taken several laboratory courses in mammalian physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry and had been much attracted by the idea that a living animal can be regarded as an enormously complex machine whose operations are all potentially explicable in physical and chemical terms. Most of the brain, it seemed to me, was dedicated to the control of motor activity (behavior). If the entire forebrain and midbrain are surgically removed from an animal (leaving an island of the hypothalamus to permit operation of the pituitary gland), respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and excretory functions proceed almost normally but spontaneous behaviour is abolished. Such a decerebrate animal can no longer walk about, feed itself, groom itself, seek shelter, avoid enemies, find a mate, or care for its young. Therefore, it must be that what the intact brain does is generate all of these (and more) varied behavioural performances. To say that a decerebrate animal has no behaviour because it is unconscious seemed to me to be no explanation at all but merely a restatement of the problem in more obscure terms." Labels: hippocampus, theta rythm, Vanderwolf Not so SAD anymore After going into detail about SAD, and now being comfortably back from it, in retrospect I see that it was a good thing to go consciously through that whole process in wide-awake observant detail; in retrospect it looks like it was just a simple mental molt, something that needn't have too big a deal made over it in the future. In me, like in many other kinds of mammals, it seems to be a light dependent or seasonal molt. All sorts of animals - insects and birds and reptiles and even monkeys and apes molt: why should we humans not have the pleasure? Just because we no longer have a fluffy pelt? It's something that can be ignored but why would we want to do that if we are trying to learn to live in harmony with our own deep rhythms? Like many other things we humans have sublimated or evolved new strategies for, our molting is now experienced mainly at a symbolic level, I suppose. It may feel intense at the time, and confusing, but like any other sort of molt, SAD leaves the human organism renewed with a shiny fresh mental coat, fewer mental parasites attached, more room to breathe, more comfortable emotionally. There will always be a sense of vulnerability associated, and some raw emotional processing to do, but really, it's necessary once in awhile, and it sure feels good once it's over with. Labels: SAD Scholarpedia online neuroscience encyclopedia I've added a new link to the menu on the right, to Scholarpedia's Encylopedia of Computational Neuroscience. (I learned about this through a blogpost by Mo, at Neurophilosophy, a blog I check every day. Thank you Mo.) I look forward to more articles going up over there, but for now, this one on grid cells by Edvard Moser pertains to much of the reading/blogging I've been doing since September. I feel that at least part of my job as a human primate social groomer is to read and understand and strive to make more sense of what I do in light of all this lovely information. Here are a few more that Mo has already preselected: 1. Mirror neurons by Giacomo Rizzolatti 2. Synesthesia by V.S. Ramachandran 3. Neural correlates of consciousness by Chris Koch Here are a few more I checked out: 1. Synfire chains Definition: "a feed-forward network of neurons with many layers (or pools). Each neuron in one pool feeds many excitatory connections to neurons in the next pool, and each neuron in the receiving pool is excited by many neurons in the previous pool. When activity in such a cascade of pools is arranged like a volley of spikes propagating synchronously from pool to pool it is called a synfire chain." 2. LTD, or long-term depression Definition: "Long-term depression (LTD) is a weakening of a synapse after a short series of presynaptic action potentials or asynchronous presynaptic and postsynaptic activity. LTD is distinguished in homosynaptic LTD, heterosynaptic LTD and associative LTD." (I think this is more along the lines of synaptic inhibition. I'm sure there must have been a good reason to change the name to depression, although I can't imagine what it might have been.) 3. Brain Seems like it would be something one could slide past, yet it's definitely worth a read. "Function: The intimate relation of the brain to the sense organs points to the brain’s essential role as an information handling device. Meaningful events to which the animal reacts are but rarely signaled by a single sense organ. More commonly it is a combination of information from different sensory modalities that gives away the aggressor, or the prey, or the sexual partner, or the dangerous cliff etc. Thus the brain is there to make concepts out of sensations, at a higher level of abstraction. It is not only the different senses that contribute to the formation of concepts. Equally important, the monitoring of motor behavior, both in its planning and in its execution, provides crucial information necessary for the correct interpretation of any situation signaled by the senses. All of this requires a brain." 4. Intrinsic plasticity Definition: "the persistent modification of a neuron’s intrinsic electrical properties by neuronal or synaptic activity. It is mediated by changes in the expression level or biophysical properties of ion channels in the membrane, and can affect such diverse processes as synaptic integration, subthreshold signal propagation, spike generation, spike backpropagation, and meta-plasticity. The function of intrinsic plasticity in behaving animals is uncertain but there is experimental evidence for several distinct roles: as part of the memory engram itself, as a regulator of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory, and as a component of homeostatic regulation. It is important to note that intrinsic plasticity is distinct from synaptic plasticity" 5. High-conductance state 6. Various systems models: Ermentrout-Kopell Canonical Model (aka theta model); XPPAUT; FitzHugh-Nagumo Model; Morris-Lecar Model; Rall model; 7. Cortical memory 8. Synergetics Definition: "Synergetics deals with material or immaterial systems, composed of, in general, many individual parts (Haken 2004, see also Springer series in Synergetics, about 80 volumes). It focuses its attention on the spontaneous, i.e. self-organized emergence of new qualities which may be structures, processes or functions." 9. Various networks: Hopfield Network; Kohonen network; 10. Neuron 11. Reward, reward signals 12. Stomatogastric ganglion (of crustaceans, sort of a mini-brain) 13. Thalamus Excerpt: "A consideration of the complexity of thalamic cell and circuit properties puts a lie to the old notion that thalamus represents a simple, machine-like relay of information to cortex. We can now be certain of two major concepts to replace this. The first is that the thalamus represents a last bottleneck of information flow, providing a convenient substrate to influence that flow. This is achieved by the many modulatory pathways that innervate relay cells to influence relay function in numerous ways. One detailed above is the burst/tonic transition in the firing mode of relay cells, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. We need much more information about the many ways thalamic circuitry controls information flow to cortex. The second point is that the role of thalamus is not limited to getting information to cortex in the first place, which is the role of first order relays, but also continues to function in the higher order cortico-thalamo-cortical pathways, thereby providing an essential, ongoing function for cortical processing. This dramatically alters long-standing views of cortical processing, and we need to know much more about the different roles of cortico-thalamo-cortical versus direct corticocortical pathways in cortical functioning." 14. Binding by Synchrony Excerpt: "One of the coordinating mechanisms appears to be the synchronization of neuronal activity by phase locking of self-generated network oscillations." 15. Fast Oscillations 16. Blindsight 17. Up and down states There are about 500 more articles coming along or already written. They are listed alphabetically by author (first names, only up to "L" for some strange reason) here.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line218
__label__wiki	0.576974	0.576974	You could make it up This is a cross post from Paul Canning In today’s collective strop by the newspapers about regulation there’s one theme, a supposed threat to investigative reporting. One story being pointed at as potentially being threatened by ‘government control of the press’ is the ‘scandal’ of hundreds of ‘avoidable deaths’ at Stafford hospital. What’s funny about the press using this example to make their argument is that their Stafford reporting has, universally, from the BBC all the way to the Daily Star, been terrible, shockingly terrible. The number of ‘avoidable deaths’ – the figure commonly reported is 1200 – is completely made-up. Any reporter doing their, you know, job could figure it out. Blogger Steve Walker explains at length how ‘1200 deaths’ was pulled out of someone’s ass thin air and how its basis is undermined by just a cursory understanding of statistics. Here’s a key passage: As I explained in my post on the real story of Mid Staffs, Prof Jarman’s HSMR (hospital standardised mortality ratio) system rates English hospitals according to where they sit according to the average death rate for the nation. A hospital hitting exactly the average rate would receive a ‘score’ of 100. A hospital doing better than average would have an HSMR below 100, and one doing worse would be over 100. So far, so clear – I hope. But here’s the key fact: every year, the system is ‘rebased‘ – the averages are re-measured and ’100′ is re-calibrated to the new average. This leads to 3 key problems: Because of how averages work, unless by some miracle every single hospital in the country got exactly the same score, you will always have some hospitals above 100 and some below. This does not mean the ‘extra’ deaths in those hospitals were avoidable – it just means that somebody has to be above the line because it’s an average. Because the ’100-line’ moves every year, a hospital can maintain exactly the same standard in one year as it achieved in the previous year – and yet can score below 100 one year and above 100 the next. The performance of the hospital did not get worse. The line just moved. It’s not only wrong but ridiculous to extrapolate ‘extra’ or ‘avoidable’ deaths from a position above or below a line that moves every year. Leading on from number 2 – and it’s impossible to overstate this – there is no ‘standard’ rate of deaths from a particular illness. No expert clinicians are sitting down together and saying ‘Yes, we agree that out of every 100 patients with an intracranial bleed, this many are going to die’. No. All that happens is that the average for the previous year becomes the re-calibrated ‘expected death’ figure for the following year. This means that HSMRs are measuring the success/failure in achieving/beating/failing to bear a target that moves every year – and has no basis in clinical expertise. It’s just a number. In his testimony to the Francis inquiry, Prof Jarman claimed that he had to present the figures this way because the English are ‘simple-minded‘ – but in doing so he has committed a fundamental error of logic worthy of a simpleton. These fundamental logical errors mean that even if everything else was perfect, HSMR scores over 100 cannot be used to calculate avoidable deaths. Walker explains how behind the media’s scary headlines lies ‘rubbish in, rubbish out’. The data wasn’t being properly recorded at the hospital and the woman brought in to fix that, who he has met, wasn’t allowed to give evidence or speak to the media. That women’s work on correcting the errors produced the exact opposite outcome to the screaming headlines: When Ms Kirkbright arrived at Mid Staffs, she carried out a re-coding exercise on past deaths. This re-coding corrected the absent Z51.5 code and used the case notes to add in the co-morbidities (what is known in the jargon as ‘depth of coding’) that was missing. This brought down Mid Staffs’ HSMR to 88 – well below the national average death rate. HSMRs are a statistical device. If you want to be sure whether deaths were avoidable or not, you need to look in detail at the case notes for each patient. The doctor in charge of the Independent Case Note Review (INCR) was asked by the inquiry how many ‘excess’ deaths he had discovered among all of the cases for which families asked for a review. His answer was telling – but has been almost completely ignored: Perhaps one such death. And further, Walker reports evidence that hospitals are gaming this bonkers system because of funding pressures – to increase their incomes. Plus Walker gives examples of how reporting on supposed bad treatment of patients at the hospital could simply not be true. The man behind the headlines, Professor Sir Brian Jarman, has a clear conflict of interest. He is financed by a company which sells services that allow NHS Trusts to use and monitor HSMRs. That has not been reported. What is also not being reported is that the entire system is based on the most ridiculous way of recording and therefore supposedly monitoring morbidity rates. HSMRs are based on ‘first diagnosis’. If a patient arrives unconscious and the ambulance driver reports ‘He fainted’, fainting would be the first diagnosis. If that patient is then discovered to have had a serious stroke and dies, that death will be recorded against ‘fainting’ – a condition with a very low death-rate – resulting in an inflated HSMR. There is no recording of post mortum results. The system is utterly broken. You couldn’t make it up! It’s plain once you read Walker, or the handful of other bloggers, or this lonesome letter to The Guardian, or Computer Weekly, all similarly demolishing the media’s reporting, that the headlines about ‘1200 avoidable deaths’ aren’t wrong because the media are all idiots, they are the result of an agenda. A stealth-privatisation, anti-National Health Service agenda. Says Walker: The threat is serious, because a lot of people will believe what’s being said and written just because it’s in the media and has apparent statistical/scientific support. Very few will look beyond the soundbites to see whether they stand up to scrutiny. So please, if you’ve read this article and agree with its premise, spread the word. We need good information out there to counteract the absolute tripe that’s being force-fed to the British public. Happy to oblige By Cross-Post Preacher Who Calls for Israel to be “Relocated to Germany” Speaking at Manchester University This Evening The Info Wars Subversion Project	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line220
__label__cc	0.528083	0.471917	Stateside, The Left, UK Politics Wingnuts over America The new ‘British Invasion’ of America has less to do with Paul McCartney lunchboxes and novelty Ringo wigs, and everything to do with the absorption via some mysterious globalised ‘woke’ ideological osmosis of Corbynite politics. So let’s play some Corbynite Bingo. (1) Economically illiterate and innumerate anti-capitalist pie-in-the-sky policies that leave even party veterans scratching their heads. Yup, the mad mathematics behind the Democrat’s own Sarah Palin, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s scuttling of the Amazon deal and the so-called “Green New Deal” certainly fit the bill. (2) The ever-strident antisemitism, followed up by the claim that the criticism is made in “bad faith”. Ah, here it is, in The Guardian: While Pelosi was keen to stand next to Omar in a photo touting the diversity of the Democratic party, she has proven rather less keen to stand up for her colleague in the face of bad-faith attacks. Let’s recap this fiasco, shall we? A recent comment from Omar about the pro-Israel lobby immediately sparked accusations that she was being antisemitic. This is the second time Omar has faced such accusations Yes, we’ve heard all that before this side of the pond. Check! (3) The denunciation of a popular and successful leader, and dismissing their supporters as “Blairites” and “Red Tories”? Let’s check the score card… Oh, here it is. In Politico, in the preface to an interview with Ilhan Omar, they say: [T[his 2018 class has demonstrated at warp speed its capacity for manipulating the trajectory of the post-Barack Obama Democratic Party, its presidential hopefuls succumbing to the gravitational pull of the freshmen agitators within weeks of their taking office. Any alarm bells yet? Well wait for it. Here’s Omar: As she saw it, the party ostensibly committed to progressive values had become complicit in perpetuating the status quo. Omar says the “hope and change” offered by Barack Obama was a mirage. Recalling the “caging of kids” at the U.S.-Mexico border and the “droning of countries around the world” on Obama’s watch, she argues that the Democratic president operated within the same fundamentally broken framework as his Republican successor. “We can’t be only upset with Trump. … His policies are bad, but many of the people who came before him also had really bad policies. They just were more polished than he was,” Omar says. “And that’s not what we should be looking for anymore. We don’t want anybody to get away with murder because they are polished. We want to recognize the actual policies that are behind the pretty face and the smile.” There we go. Check! and BINGO! Now some say that there is nothing to worry about, that US politics has a very different dynamic to UK politics. This was true, but I don’t think it is necessarily still the case. For one thing, social media has driven, if not a globalisation of political concerns, certainly a coordinating ideological consensus across western countries. And it is omnidirectional: we’ve seen tens of thousands marching against President Trump in London, we’ve had “Black Lives Matter” protests in London, even though the phenomenon of UK police shootings is practically non existent. We’re now in each other’s heads, we trans-Atlantic cousins. Internet-driven polarisation is only making matters worse and the phenomenon more acute. Culturally, the Millennial issues of “Social Justice”, Intersectionality, policing speech, and so on are playing out across YouTube and Western university campuses and harmonising political obsessions. There is no reason to believe that this won’t affect mainstream electoral politics in due course as more and more of the ‘woke ‘n’ wired’ generation come of voting age. By Libby T On the threat of far-right extremism in the US Reinstate Bahia Amawi Democrats play Corbynite Bingo!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line221
__label__wiki	0.727989	0.727989	Eulogy for a Monster: Arafat This is a very brief extract from a lengthy, well researched article from Front Page (US), 23-Sep-2005, by David Meir-Levi... Yasir Arafat is the founding father of Palestinian nationalism. He is also the godfather of 20th century terrorism. The nationalist movement that he created ab ovo remains unique in history as the only one throughout the entire world whose defining paradigm is terrorism, and whose raison d’etre is the destruction of a sovereign state and the decimation of its Jewish population. Even after its leader’s death, still loyal to his legacy, the Palestinian Authority remains focused on the destruction of Israel rather than on a healthy nationalism and the building of an economically viable, Palestinian state. Arafat not only legitimized, but actually romanticized the murder of innocent civilians, turning terrorism into a populist revolutionary tool. He put airplane hijacking on the political map. He legitimized terrorism, beginning with the moment that he was welcomed to the UN General Assembly on November 13, 1974, kaffiyah on his head and side-arm at his waist, and got a standing ovation from the delegates present. When the Nobel committee awarded him its Peace Prize in 1995, he fulfilled the Orwellian fantasy of reality turned upside down, and truth turned inside out. Evil had become good, wrong had become right, and a mass murderer drenched in the blood of thousands had become a national hero to millions ...Arafat was a protégé of the Communist bloc and succeeded in making his cause a cause of the international left that survived the collapse of the Communist system. The alliance between radical Islam and the secular left that ripened during the post-9/11 war on terror was forged in the battles that Arafat waged. Arafat resuscitated Jew-hatred and made it the official policy of the UN when the Arab bloc leveraged the passage of a UN resolution equating Zionism with racism in 1975. By relentlessly portraying Israel as evil, Arafat revived the heinous stereotype of the malignant Jew to international respectability, eclipsing the effects of the horror of Nazism and proving correct Josef Goebbels’ lesson to Hitler that if you repeat the same lie often enough, people will believe it. ... Conclusion: There Are No Leaders without Followers For forty years Arafat was the symbol of Palestinian nationalism, and for forty years he wreaked havoc in the Middle East, most destructively against the people he claimed to serve, and at no time more destructively than when he ruled the West Bank as its tyrannical authority. Other societies suffering under despotic rulers have rejected and removed their oppressors. Why were millions of Palestinians, in Israel and the territories and abroad, willing to support and follow him? Why did those millions on the receiving end of his terrorist autocracy still cheer him, vote for him, run ululating into the streets to greet his motorcade, and sacrifice themselves and their children for what he defined as their cause? Why did they allow him to poison the minds of their children with ethnic hatred and the desire for martyrdom? Why did sixty-percent of Palestinians support suicide bombing against civilians – a barbaric tactic hitherto unknown -- and perpetrate daily carnage on innocent civilians? Why did they allow him to embezzle billions earmarked to alleviate their poverty and build their economic future, and why did they let him spend it on his terrorist minions? Why did they let him squander every opportunity to create their state by answering peace offers with anti-civilian terror? The Palestinian people never did for themselves what the Ukrainians did when their election process was subverted by Russia, or what the Iraqis and Afghanis did when the United States gave them the opportunity. Or what the Lebanese did when they had the chance. There are two possible answers: The first is that Arafat’s reign of terror over his own people – assassinating dissenters and potential rivals to his rule – was more thorough than that of any dictator since Stalin. The Palestinian people did not resist because they were terrorized into submission. But the problem with this answer is that Arafat had only, at best, a quasi-governmental authority over the West Bank. There were legal and political councils, lawyers unions, and a police force that could have stood up to him. The second is terrible to suggest and deeply troubling, but also inescapable. The Palestinian people followed Arafat even as he led them to perdition and condemned them to a life of hopeless grinding poverty, because they wanted what he promised to deliver: the destruction of Israel and the creation of an Arab state from the Jordan to the Sea. They wanted Israel’s destruction more than they wanted their own state. They shared their leader’s vision, and therefore invited the fate that has befallen them. Click here for the full, lengthy article complete with detailed history September Bibliography 6-part TV series on Auschwitz Arab countries to discuss stopping terror funding Five-year intifada: 1,061 Israelis killed in 26,15... Anti-War, My Foot Nazifying Israel returns to haunt the Labor Party UN Report Refutes Palestinian Claims IDF Kills 4 Gaza Terrorists after Sderot Bombarded...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line223
__label__wiki	0.963287	0.963287	What to watch this weekend Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery (left) and Rafinha. Marseille's Florian Thauvin Lopetegui File Chelsea's Danny Drinkwater (left) vies for the ball with Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles during their English League Cup semi-final, first leg, match at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, on Wednesday, January 10, 2018. Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo (AP): The Italian and Spanish leagues get underway this weekend, a week after the English and French leagues started. In Germany, there are cup matches. What to watch in the leading football competitions in Europe this weekend: Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make his Juventus debut in the northeastern Italian city of Verona following his Serie A record EU112 million move from Real Madrid. An influx of fans is expected to descend on a city with a population of around 257,000. Anti-terrorism units are being deployed as part of heavy safety measures in place around Verona's Stadio Bentegodi. Ronaldo scored in both pre-season friendlies he played and the five-time world player of the year is now ready to start Juve's pursuit of a record-extending eighth successive Serie A title. Napoli, which finished second last season, have a new coach. today's trip to Lazio will be Carlo Ancelotti's first match back in Italian football after a nine-year absence. Tottenham should have been hosting Fulham in their first game at the rebuilt White Hart Lane. But the new 62,000-seat stadium is not ready and might not be until November so the north London club is picking up today where they left off last season by playing home games at Wembley. Tottenham, which finished in the top three for three seasons, opened with a victory on an opening weekend lacking any significant surprises. Last season's top five all started with wins. Defending champion Manchester City next hosts Huddersfield tomorrow when Manchester United play at Brighton, Liverpool go to Crystal Palace on Monday night and Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. Arsenal, who lost to City last weekend, are vying along with Chelsea to return to the top four UEFA Champions League places. Real Madrid open their bid to dethrone Barcelona as champions in their first league game of the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow. After losing the UEFA Super Cup to Atletico Madrid in Estonia on Wednesday, new Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui will be hoping for a more positive start at home. Lopetegui was fired from Spain's national team just days before the FIFA World Cup after accepting the Madrid job. Barcelona begin their title defence against Alaves today. The Catalan club lost Andres Iniesta and Paulinho in the off season, but added Arturo Vidal, Arthur and Malcom. Philippe Coutinho will likely have greater responsibility as the team's playmaker in midfield. Atletico open at Valencia on Monday. Valencia should be considered a title contender along with Villarreal, which host Real Sociedad today. Newcomer Huesca will make their first-division debut at Eibar tomorrow, Valladolid made their return to the top flight with a goalless draw at Girona yesterday. Rayo Vallecano, the other promoted club, host Sevilla tomorrow. Lyon opened the second round of games with a 1-0 loss at Reims yesterday. Like the rest of last season's top four, Lyon made a winning start to the new season last weekend with the skillful Memphis Depay making the difference against Amiens. Marseille have a chance of being more competitive and improving on a fourth-place finish, with attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet looking sharp and fully fit, and prolific winger Florian Thauvin in scoring form. Marseille opened with a 4-0 home win against Toulouse. But it remains to be seen whether they can maintain a sustained title challenge, especially given how easily Paris Saint-Germain won the league last year. The defending champions seek a second straight win when they travel to Guingamp. Monaco, with veteran striker Radamel Falcao, host Lille today. After collecting the German Super Cup with a victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in his first game in charge of Bayern Munich, Niko Kovac's next assignment before the Bundesliga title defence starts is a trip to fourth-tier side Drochtersen/Assel. With no professional players, Drochtersen qualified for the German Cup for only the second time in their 41-year history by winning the Lower Saxony Cup. The team has added temporary seats to expand its stadium capacity in northern Germany from 3,000 to 7,500 for today's visit of the record 18-time cup winners. Defender Meickel Klee, a bricklayer, could be coming up against Champions League winner Franck Ribery. "I've been a fan of Bayern for 23 years," Klee said. "It's like winning the lottery." Other Sports Stories Cavs waive JR Smith Arsenal beat Rapids 3-0 in friendly Arsenal beat Rapids 3-0 in friendly Time for us to look in the mirror- Nevers Under-23 journey to the Olympics starts today Cavalier eye Gothia Cup qualifying spot Morrison signed one year deal with Sheffield Legends of T20 – Brought to you by (logo) Andre Russell Girls face world cup exit Girls face world cup exit Girls face world cup exit	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line225
__label__wiki	0.543052	0.543052	Scotland's green salad justices & ancient juniors... Few folk embark on a judicial career in this country out of a raving thirst for publicity, but this is just silly. This week, the UK Supreme Court has turned out its old guard, appointing three new Justices. In America, the installation of a single judge is now invariably met with a press ruckus, pompous senators sounding off ad nauseum in televised hearings, while the nominee practices judicious evasion and studied non-answers to the politicians' usually none-too-forensic political cross-examination on the hot-button jurisprudential controversies of the day. On this side of the Atlantic, the idea of subjecting your Lord President Would-Bes, judges and Justices to such treatment hasn't gained much purchase. Everything is rather stuffier, enveloped in cosy, impenetrable officialdom. As a consequence, I'm sure a vanishingly small percentage of the UK population could distinguish any of the Justices from Adam (or in one instance, from Eve). Adam Wagner styled the three appointments an "attack of the clones". All three new justices are men of a certain age. Baroness Hale remains the Court's first and only female justice to serve. The story stirred barely a whisper in the Scottish press, despite the heightened visibility the Court has enjoyed in Scottish politics in the last year or two, adjudicating politically controversial constitutional cases. By convention, two seats on the Court are filled by Scots lawyers. Court of Session judge, Lord Hodge (above, right), will fill the seat vacated by Lord Hope, who has achieved sufficient antiquity that he's obliged to retire, aged 75. All that despite, employment as a judge in this country's apex court seems an excellent way to preserve one's anonymity. The gendered angle on the story was the subject of commentary elsewhere. As I argued back in January of last year, of the Lord Presidency snaffled by Lord Gill, it's important to think about our overwhelmingly male-dominated higher courts with our historical periwigs on, and examine how this narrow pool of candidates came to be. To my eye, one of the most worrying features of contemporary recruitment to the Scottish bar, which seems likely to dominate high judicial offices in this country for the foreseeable future, is the continuing dominance of men among their intrants and devils. As I noted in the piece, of the 12 advocates called to the Bar in 2011, three were women. Of the 10 in 2010, only four. To bring it right up to date, of the 13 called in 2012, three are women. It is also worth emphasising, the age profile of the new-sprung advocate seems to have evolved since the 1970s and 80s. No longer the preserve of bright young men, (MA Oxon, LLB Edinburgh), a quick glance through the newer Faculty roll reveals many grizzled faces with at least a decade or more of work as a solicitor behind them. You might find the odd cherubic phizog, but many of these juniors aren't so junior, and probably won't be in post long enough to make it to the Supreme Courts. A comparison with the two Scots lawyers who'll now sit on the UK Supreme Court is an instructive one. On admission to the Faculty, the second Scottish judge on the Court, Lord Reed, was about 27 years old, Hodge was 30. In judicial terms, both of the Scottish justices are now in the green salad days of their youth, Lord Reed 56, and Hodge 59 years of age. That's a half-decade younger than their most youthful English or Northern Irish colleague. Barring ill-health or disaster, both men potentially have more than a decade and a half of judgin' in London before them. If Reed and Hodge prove as zesty as Lord Hope, the no vacancies sign will hang outside Middlesex Guildhall for a substantial period of time and they can expect to be colleagues on the Court until the late 2020s. Unless, of course, we win the referendum in 2014, in which case the brace of Justices will have to seek gainful employment elsewhere... Labels: America , Baroness Hale , Court of Session , Faculty of Advocates , High Court of Justiciary , Lord Gill , Lord Hodge , Lord Hope , Lord Reed , UK Supreme Court , US Supreme Court A' the Burdz. A drear Sunday out here, under a louring slate-grey Oxfordshire sky, with crumbs of indecisive snow, toppling down. Perfect weather to lend your lugs to episode fifteen of the For A' That podcast. As usual, Michael Greenwell and I were joined by a new guest plucked the universe of Scots natterers. In the imposing burgundy-leather armchair this week, Kate Higgins of A Burdz Eye View. We took potshots at a range of targets, this week. Has the Scottish Government cocked up by flogging shooting rights in Raasay to an absentee landlord, instead of the local crofting community? The Burd certainly thinks so, arguing that it is "everything that [she] thought an SNP government wouldn't allow to happen". Both Kate and Michael are leery about huntin', shootin' and fishin'. Me? I earned my first honest quid from helping pheasants towards their feathery demise in a hail of shotgun pellets, and feel a bit less squeamish about it. Ought we to be worried about the gaps of knowledge and perception, separating rural Scotland and the country's city states? Is there a risk that, made cautious by the referendum, the SNP's apparent enthusiasm for land reform will come out underdone? Kate has her anxieties. Taking aim at plumper fowl (or ought that to be, a fouler plump?), we also had a chat about the economic and political impact, if any, of the UK's downgraded credit status, from the dizzy heights of AAA to the leaner foothills of AAa1. Is George Osborne's goose cooked? In others matters strategic and tactical, back in Scotland, were pro-indy students at the University wise this week to hold a mock independence referendum? Was it a useful way of generating debate on campus, or an unforced error whose main achievement was a raft of bad publicity for the Yes campaign. Lastly, if you were detected breaching the law of the land, would you prefer your case to be heard by a jury of lay fellow citizens, or a bewigged professional? I put Michael and Kate in the dock. The usual conventions apply. You can listen to the show using the player right here on the blog, or download it to your portable gramophones for later listening here and on itunes here. Labels: Con-Dem Government , Crofting , For A' That Podcast , George Osborne , Kate Higgins , Land reform , Raasay , Shooting rights , SNP , University of Glasgow , YesScotland ♫ We're the Jury! Dread our fury! (Vol 2) ♫ In my day job, I'm interested in studying law empirically. One of the classic claims made by scholars adopting this sort of socio-legal approach is that often as not, the law on the books represents a poor guide for how the law actually works in practice. This discrepancy takes many different forms. The section of an enactment which legislators thought would apply only exceptionally, occasionally becomes the rule in practice. Environmental regulations are applied in the field - often literally - by officers enjoying substantial discretion over how infractions will be treated, and those encounters often produce a rather different regulatory regime in reality, than the neatly ordered official version admits. The Housing Act places positive obligations on local authorities to house the homeless. In practice, the bureaucratic units making these decisions depart from and elaborate the legal standards for assessing these duties in a range of interesting (and sometimes concerning) ways. So too with our criminal justice system. Oscar Pistorius' murder trial in South Africa, and yesterday's queer conclusion to the Vicky Pryce trial in England, has stirred up the issue of trial by jury again. Defenders of the idea often tend towards grandiloquence. "The lamp that shows that freedom lives", a "cornerstone of our judicial system", or an "inalienable civil liberty" to be defended to the last ditch. It is one thing to argue that trial by jury in particularly serious cases represents an important safeguard, worth preserving. It is quite another to imply, as some commentators often seem at risk of implying, that anything but trial by jury would be a judicial scandal, a betrayal of the grand old history of British jurisprudence, undermining the justice system as is. Why? Because trials by jury already represents a negligible, fading segment of our criminal justice system's work. The institution may be the most visible manifestation of criminal justice, and dominate legal dramas, but trial by judges alone is far, far more common. And guilty pleas even more so. To flesh this out a bit, the Crown Office has helpfully thrown together its case-processing data for the last five years, 2007 - 2012. They use the now-outmoded term of "District Courts", so I've used it too, but these now refer to Justice of the Peace Courts, whose Justices are generally not legally qualified and usually determine cases in threes. In these figures the Crown Office has aggregated the figures for legally-qualified Stipendiary Magistrates who sit alone (which only operate in Glasgow) along with those for summary sheriff cases, without juries. The statistics distinguish between pleas ("cases which were disposed of at court without any evidence being led") and those which were tried ("cases where some or all of the evidence was led"). On the basis of these figures, we can identify precisely how many juries were actually empanelled in the last half-decade in Scotland. Let's take the most recent year for which we have data, 2011 - 2012. As you can see, of the 8,070 cases where any evidence was lead in court, only 16% involved juries, either in the Sheriff or High Courts, 84% without. Most cases were tried by sheriffs sitting alone, with the remaining almost-quarter soaked up by the District Courts. No juries here either. Nor was 2011/12 an outlier year. Across the half decade, just 16% of all proceedings which have reached trial and not been pleaded out from the outset involved juries in Scotland. Focussing on trials, however, also tends to give you a distorted impression about how criminal justice in this country actually works. The picture wouldn't be complete without factoring the phenomenon of pleas, which suspend the necessity of going to trial, witnesses being examined and cross-examined, and either judicial or jury deliberations on verdict. The sheer scale of pleas in Scottish criminal justice, which has this in common with many other jurisdictions, including England and the United States, is best depicted by contrasting the number of cases which go to trial and those which are pled out without any evidence being lead, and without a whisper of jury involvement. Whatever your views on its virtues and virtues, the institution's advantages and disadvantages, the idea that trial by jury represents a practical "cornerstone" of our judicial system is fantastical. Most folk facing trial in Scotland will meet the grim phizog of a sheriff, or JP. Most people who are convicted, fined, given community payback orders, or thrown in the slammer won't see hide nor hair of fifteen of their peers. In the overwhelming majority of criminal cases, guilt or innocence is not at issue. I don't have the English and Welsh figures to hand, but I'd wager that the rates of jury trial there aren't substantially higher than in Scotland. None of which is to contend, of course, that cases currently dealt with by juries - murder, charges of rape, serious assaults - ought to be taken from them. It does suggest, however, that drawing sharp distinctions between the South African system of trial by judge alone and ours is - in practice - rather silly. If the system of trial by jury is the "lamp that shows that freedom lives", it affords pretty dim illumination about how criminal justice in this country works most of the time. Labels: Crown Office , District Court , High Court of Justiciary , Oscar Pistorius , Procurator Fiscal Service , Sheriff Court , Socio-legal studies , South Africa , Stats , Trial by Jury , Vicky Pryce History as tragedy and farce... There was something historical in the air in this week's For A' That podcast. For the fourteenth episode of the show, Michael and I were joined by Craig Gallagher, who through the wonders of technology, was beamed all the way from Boston, Massachusetts into our palatial recording studio. Craig, formerly of this parish, is now a doctoral student in history at Boston College. On this week's show, does history matter all that much in the independence debate? Are Scots folk with lively historical consciousnesses, or are we alternatively, by dint of our educations, often left essentially clueless about about Scottish history beyond a few selective set-pieces? On a more contemporary note, why did the reference this week to Scotland being "extinguished" in international law in 1707 get several nationalists so hopping mad? Also on a contemporary theme, this week's Ipsos-MORI independence poll was chock full of interesting data for the political obsessive to gnaw through. We picked up just a couple of morsels. Is 2013 "Year of the Sturgeon", with Nicola's rising prominence in the Yes campaign and popularity in the country? The big splash from the Ipsos poll was the 58% of 18 - 24 year olds which supported independence. Even if one thinks this finding may be a bit overstated, we also had a blether about why Scotland's callow youth vote might diverge from the constitutional sensibilities of our more grizzled, more independence-skeptical compatriots. In usual style, you can lend the show your lugs right here, or download it for a more convenient hour via iTunes, or from Spreaker. If you've enjoyed the podcasts and would like to make a wee contribution towards our hosting costs, and keep the show on its feet up to 2014, you can bung in a quid or via this link. All contributions, very gratefully received. Labels: Act of Union , Boston , Craig Gallagher , For A' That Podcast , History , Independence , Indyref , Ipsos MORI , Nicola Sturgeon , Polls , Scottish history ♫ Love & marriage go together like a horse & carriage ♫ And we're back! After an unexpected weekend off last Sunday, the For A' That podcast gallops back into the fray today. For episode thirteen of the show, Michael and I were joined by Edinburgh-based Labour activist and twitterist, Duncan Hothersall. We also hoped to beam in Craig Gallagher from Boston, but unfortunately, Nemo found him and he's presently hiding in a snowdrift. Hopefully he'll be back with us in another show, to mull over how historical sensibilities are informing the independence debate. After a brief canapé de cheval, we settled down to a main course of equal marriage, after last week's Westminster debate at stage two on the English and Welsh Bill. On today's show, is the idea of a "vote of conscience" a sleekit bit of political management, or suspect humbug? Have the SNP government missed a political trick by dragging their heels on passing the Scottish legislation, improbably outpaced by Westminster, the dawdling foal cantering up behind the old nag House of Commons? Back in Holyrood, is Ruth Davidson at risk of cutting an isolated figure among the Scottish Tories, if, as seems likely, the majority of her MSP colleagues vote agin the same-sex marriage legislation? More generally, might Gordon Wilson be right? Will this reform have an adverse impact on the SNP's independence campaign? Finally, a wee word on finances. Inspired by Wings Over Scotland's astonishing success last week crowd-funding his blogging, with his total donations now sitting well over £11,000 - a much more modest solicitation. If you've enjoyed our archive of Scottish independence podcasts, and would like to contribute towards keeping them going right up to 2014, all donations to help with our limited but not insignificant hosting costs would be very gratefully received. If you fancied chipping in a £1 or two to support the project, you can do so here or via the "donate" button in my sidebar. You can listen to the latest episode here, or download it to your favoured device via iTunes or Spreaker. Labels: David Cameron , Duncan Hothersall , For A' That Podcast , Gay marriage , Gordon Wilson , Horse , Labour , Philosophy , Ruth Davidson , SNP , Tories , Westminster Scrooge McDuck votes No... Yesterday, we took a look at Angus Reid's most recent poll findings on independence, which showed that just under a third of folk support the proposition, and just under half oppose it, with 20% of people still undecided. Broken down by gender, by age and by social grading, the numbers tell a now familiar story. Substantially lower support for independence among women than men (a 13% gap) and much higher levels of opposition to the idea from the middle classes and the oldest cohort of Scots (opposition to independence is 15% higher amongst those aged 55+ than those between 18 and 24 years of age, and 16% higher amongst ABC1 voters than C2DE voters). The pollster put another couple of questions to its respondents, the second of which was: "Thinking of your own financial position, do you think independence will leave you better off, make no difference, or leave you worse off?" Part of the mood music of the campaign thus far has been the assumption that the whole controversy will be determined, in the last instance, by voters' apprehensions, financial and economic. You'll remember the survey which asked folk if they'd be for or against independence if i) they'd be no better or worse off ii) if they would be £500 worse off and iii) £500 better off. It turns out that Scots say they'd follow the money. Now, £500 may seem a paltry, even disloyal sum to justify succession, and a crabbit (even contemptible) reason to decide to become an independent state, but beggars can't be choosers. For my part, I'm a bit skeptical that folk really think and vote in this way - but the findings at least gesture towards the "thinness" of pro-Union sensibilities and the extent to which perceptions of the economic impact of independence on the average punter is going to play a substantial part in this campaign. Something any pro-independence sort has to be hearted by. So what did Angus Reid discover? Across all 1,003 respondents, the leading impression, but well shy of a majority, was that independence would pick their pockets. In some respects, it's surprising that only 38% of folk think they'd be worse off with independence, given the bushfire rhetoric that we've been hearing of late from Alistair Darling, which has tended to run "Of course I believe that Scotland could go it alone, but [insert financial disaster narrative]". For the moment, however, 41% think that the wallets won't be sapped of their hard-earned lucre or might even plump up, given independent governance. For YesScotland, still seriously to begin making the case for independence, these are encouraging signs. A post-apocalyptic image of a new Scotch peasantry, scratching out an attenuated life on thin gruel and lumpy mashed neeps without butter, seems not to have gained as much purchase as one might think. This is, in all probability, a register of the extent to which the campaigns have not really impinged on many people's consciousness, rather than evidence that a dismal pro-Union rhetoric of fire, brimstone and your evaporated doubloons won't work, but the poll at least suggests that the thrawn messages emanating from Better Together remain far from universal in their impact. As ever, it is interesting to dip beneath the topline and tease out some of the differences. Let's start with gender. As we saw yesterday, the same poll recorded big differences between men and women's attitudes towards independence. What are their financial calculations? Let's take a look at their answers disaggregated by age groups. General attitudes to independence tend to show a tapering rate of opposition to independence, increasing as respondent groups get more ancient. Again, we see a similar pattern in their answers about their financial situation, with diminishing uncertainty, and increasingly negative attitudes towards independence's impact on the crustiest cohort's swag bag. And finally, by social grade, determined by the occupation of the "head of household", roughly dividing respondents into middle class (ABC1) and working class (C2DE) respondents. Yesterday we saw that while support for independence did not diverge widely between ABC1 and C2DE voters in this poll (separated by 6%), the far more substantial difference was in levels of determined opposition to independence, with opposition running 16% higher amongst ABC1 voters than C2DEs. Interestingly, we can see this difference more or less mirrored in their answers to the financial question, with 15% more ABC1 voters apprehending that they would be worse off with independence, than without it. Scrooge McDuck votes no. The message of all of this? Obviously, it is a complex thing, and a range of variables nudge the vote this way and that. There are folk, for example, who might accept that independence would have financial benefits for the country, but who would stick with the Union, out of a British Nationalist sensibility, or what have you. Equally, there are people who might be uncertain about the financial impact of independence, but who remain nevertheless inflexible and committed backers of independence. There do seem to be some important correlations here, however. The bourgeoisie present the most obvious challenge. How to begin to chip away at the large, largely negative assessment of independence's financial impact on them? It is worth bearing in mind that some 55% of the UK population would now be assessed as ABC1 voters. This skepticism, and the scale of the negative financial assessment amongst ABC1 voters, must be a big challenge for Yes Scotland. With women voters, the picture seems more promising. While a large wadge of women think independence will have a negative image of them and theirs, there's a substantial body of uncertainty, which at least roughly connotes persuadability. On one interpretation, at the moment female voters are like the jury who take the burden of proof seriously, and reject the case adduced by the prosecution as insufficient to convict. That's not to say that they're dead certain that the villain in the dock is innocent of all charges, and couldn't be persuaded by different, more substantial argument from the procurator fiscal, to condemn the accused man. They've just not heard it yet. To harp on an old string, finding ways to speak to and convince women to back independence is going to be absolutely vital if YesScotland is to get anywhere in this referendum campaign. The weekend's Angus Reid poll contains motes of light on that score. It isn't all in vain. Yet. Labels: ABC1 , Age , Alistair Darling , Angus Reid , BetterTogether , C2DE , Finances , gender , Independence , Indyref , Polls , women , YesScotland Angus Reid, February: Yes 32%, No 47%. "Should Scotland be an independent country?" A transparently biased question, do you think, sure to deliver a smashing pro-independence majority? Pollster Angus Reid put the claim to the question in a 1,003 person poll, conducted on the Mail on Sunday's shilling over the end of January and beginning of February. The first published poll using the new formulation agreed by the Electoral Commission, Angus Reid has tweaked its approach slightly. The last referendum poll they conducted in January put support at Yes 32%, No 50%, but did not include a breakdown by social grade. It also disaggregated responses according to six age brackets, from 18 to the over 65s. This weekend's poll is a wee bit different, with disaggregation by age truncated to three rougher groups (18 - 34, 35 - 54, 55+). On the plus side, on this iteration, the pollster did include social grades (a detailed description of what these denote, here). So what did they find? The overall totals with the new question were: And broken down by gender... Our old friend the gender gap, still very much in evidence here, with 13% point gap between support for independence between men and women, with a much larger percentage of female voters still undecided (12% higher than men). Compared with January's findings, the male limb of the poll held pretty steady (indecision +1%). Indecision amongst female respondents is up (+7% on January's findings) with both support for and opposition to indepedence down (-1% and -6% respectively). A curious poll in terms of age, this. January's finer-grained poll showed the familiar taper in support for independence, and mounting opposition as folk get older. While opposition to independence is at its highest in the oldest cohort of February's rougher, trisected poll, support for independence amongst those over 35 is six points above that of the most youthful third of respondents, approaching a full third of whom declare themselves undecided. Lastly, Angus Reid also disaggregated by NRS social grades, which are based entirely on categorising the professional occupation of the head of the household. In rough and ready terms, ABC1s are envisaged as the middle classes, from "higher managerial, administrative or professional" employees, through "intermediate managerial, administrative or professional jobs, to "supervisory or clerical, junior managerial, administrative or professional" workers. C2DEs, by contrast, encompass "skilled, semi- and unskilled manual workers" and "those at the lowest levels of subsistence". Past polls have consistently shown that opposition to independence is at its highest amongst better off respondents, and support at its lowest, the attitudes of poorer Scots its mirror image. Although levels of support for independence in this weekend's poll do not differ terrifically substantially between middle class and working class respondents (6%), a far more substantial gap separates opposition to independence from Angus Reid's ABC1 and C2DE voters (16%), with indecision amongst C2DE voters mostly mopping up the difference. Angus Reid posed another couple of questions in this poll, perhaps the most interesting of which being: For digestibility, I'll be breaking down respondents answers to that one, and how it plays along gendered, age and social lines, in another post later on today. Polish off your abacuses, and stay tuned. Those full tables. Labels: ABC1 , Age , Angus Reid , C2DE , gender , Indyref , Mail on Sunday , Polls , women When to campaign is to choose... "Now that the Tories are back we need a government in Scotland that will fight for what really matters." The immortal opening lines of Labour's 2011 Holyrood manifesto, the logic behind this gambit always seemed a little confused. Labour, correctly, identified that the election of Conservative Government in the UK in 2010 had the natives riled, but how to rile them up against the SNP minority government in Holyrood in particular? How to transform the resource of Tory rule into a rod to smack Salmond about with? A parallel challenge and opportunity now seems to present itself to the Yes campaign. While Labour hoped to use anti-Toryism as a way of defeating the SNP, the SNP hope to make use of the same resource to deliver Scottish independence. Accordingly, the case for independence now emanating from the SNP and indeed, from the Yes campaign, has been strikingly left-inflected in its political rhetoric, and explicitly anti-Tory in its critique of the Better Together campaign, and Labour's participation in it. But is this a terrifically good idea? Will independence be won on the basis of the campaign that lost the Labour Party the general election in 1983, and the Holyrood election in 2011 in such style? A few salient facts. Although BBC Scotland put out a programme entitled Why Don't Scots Vote Tory? shortly after the 2010 election, and the party can only count one MP north of the border, the narrative about Scotland's essential (and historically, relatively recent) anti-Tory politics is generally overstated. In the last general election, a polarised contest if ever there was one, David Cameron's Party attracted some 412,855 votes in Scottish constituencies, just 78,531 behind the SNP's showing that year. More recently, in the Holyrood election of 2011, there is plenty of evidence in the breakdown of regional votes in constituencies that the SNP has been able able to pick up substantial support from what we might think of as anti-Labour voters. In 2011, the Tories saw 15 MSPs elected, three in respect of the constituencies in the south of Scotland. If you look into the results, you find something curious. John Scott beat his Nationalist opponent in Ayr by 1,113 votes, but the SNP romped home in the constituency's regional votes, with the SNP, coming 5,838 votes ahead of the Tories. A similar story is told by the figures from Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, and Galloway and West Dumfries. In both constituencies, the Tory candidate defeated a Nationalist opponent (by 5,334 and 862 votes respectively) but the SNP won comfortably on the list, ratcheting up 964 and a more decisive 3,421 more votes than the Tories apiece. Is it wise for pro-independence campaigners, by dint of their rhetoric, to write off half a million voters from the get go, many of whom are likely at some point in Holyrood's life, to have supported the SNP? On balance, probably. We know that in order to win the referendum, we have to marshal a majority, even a bare majority, for the proposition. To govern is, classically, to choose, and so is to campaign. We needn't win the entire country, just 50.1%. The hard-headed question, is not how to persuade everyone, but how to cobble together and sustain a winning coalition across the nation. To make some arguments is inevitable to sacrifice others. To win some pockets of support is to risk losing others. So what does the evidence suggest? Why might it be a canny strategy to try to exploit anti-Tory feeling, and to attempt to connect it up with self-determination? In July of last year, the pollster YouGov investigated Scots voters' Westminster voting intentions and attitudes towards independence. As you might expect, the significant development between 2010 and 2012 was the collapse in the Liberal Democrat vote, from just shy of 19% in 2012 to just 7% in the YouGov poll, with the SNP enjoying an upward bounce, and the Tories and Labour parties more or less holding steady at their 2010 positions. Those were the headline Westminster voting intentions. How did these correlate with constitutional attitudes? In total, YouGov found a majority against independence, with 30% supportive, 54% opposed, and 16% undecided. As you can see, although levels of opposition to independence were high amongst Labour voters (70%) and Liberal Democrats (75%), the Conservative voters' opposition topped the chart, with a full 90% of them opposed to Scotland becoming independent. These figures do not tell the full story, however. They represent only the percentages of respondents sampled, rather than their prevalence in the wider Scottish electorate. There are, for example, far more Westminister Labour voters than any of the other groups. So what, if anything, about the national picture can we say on the basis of these findings? For the sake of mischief, let's take the 2012 YouGov findings and the popular vote each party attracted in 2010, and combine them. Let's assume that the levels of support, opposition and indecision for each political party is the % YouGov identifies and that the electorate who turned out in 2010 turns out for the referendum in 2014. To make that a bit more concrete, the Tories received 412,855 votes nationally in 2010. Combined with the YouGov rates of opposition and support for independence, that'd tot up to 371,570 Tory votes agin independence, 28,900 in support, and 12,386 undecided. There are problems with doing so which are worth bearing in mind. To sketch a couple, voting behaviour in constituencies are far more amenable to strategic calculation, and tactical voting, than an up-or-down referendum vote and we can't take account of that by generalising from election figures. Secondly, YouGov do not include those who intend to vote for "others" in its breakdown, so we're missing between 2.5 - 5% of voters here. In a close campaign, we can't afford to leave such folk out of our calculations, but the limits of the data here necessitates doing so. Thirdly, the Liberal Democrat collapse after the 2010 election has significantly altered Westminster voting intentions, and the likelihood that the party will receive just under 19% in the next election seems remote. That said, it seems less likely that the constitutional attitudes of formerly Liberal Democratic voters has evolved substantially in the same period. For our purposes, however, these numbers need only really be indicative: what serious opportunities are there to persuade Scotland's Tory voters to back independence, and how many are there there to persuade? How many might we expect an explicitly anti-Conservative independence campaign to lose us from the get-go? The brief answer is, sod all. On YouGov's figures, the 16% of undecided voters might look something like this in terms of their voting intentions for Westminster. In the same vein, if the electorate of 2010 turned out, and supported independence at the level of YouGov's sample then the (unsuccessful) 30% of the Yes electorate would look something like this: And lastly, the triumphant No coalition might resemble something along these lines. Brown envelope stuff, but it gestures towards the fact that a) the substantial majority of undecided voters support the SNP and Labour at Westminster and b) while the 20% separating Labour (70%) and Tory opposition to independence (90%) doesn't seem a lot, when you tot up what those numbers mean in terms of the electorate out there to be persuaded, there seems little to be lost from holding back on the anti-Tory rhetoric. That is not, of course, to say that the rhetoric will be devilishly effective, but that's a matter for another blog. Just over 400,000 voters may support the Tories in Scotland, but on the evidence, only a tiny sliver of them are undecided, with the vast majority intractably opposed. They are the Conservative and Unionist party, after all. As we saw from their leadership elections in 2011, even the idea of more devolution still seems to stick in their craws like a butterless cream-cracker, and get the old birds wheezing. More interesting, in some respects, is the scale of the Labour electorate which this fag-packet calculation suggests might turn out for independence. Just as we tend to underestimate the levels of support still attracted by the Tory party in Scotland, the YouGov stats might suggest that something in the region of 207,000 Labour voters, in a bad poll, would vote Yes, however poorly represented this sensibility may be in the party's parliamentary rank and file. Make no mistake. If voting intentions look like this in the autumn of 2014, YesScotland would get crushed. In the gambit to reach 51%, however, undecided, unpersuaded Labour and SNP voters look far riper prospects for the prospecting independence supporter, trying slowly to build up that stray 21%. Labels: Alex Salmond , Indyref , Labour , Lib Dems , Polls , SNP , Tories , YesScotland , YouGov ... it's comin' yet For A' That. A bit of a change of plan this weekend. Due to a constellation of personal circumstances, Michael and I weren't able congregate in our plush recording studio this week to record our now traditional Sunday podcast (there are twelve back episodes in the archive, which also includes Michael's Scottish independence podcasts, which are more like interviews than a back and forth blether). If you've not yet lent them your lugs, I commend them to you. We've had some really interesting folk on thus far, talking about everything from Scottish politics' curious Scandomania (much exhibited in today's Borgenfest over at the Scotland on Sunday to Scottish Labour's political future, and guests like Al Jazeera's Osama Saaed and Alex Massie and Robin McAlpine. Looking into the future, we think that it might be a grand plot to make the episodes more thematic, assembling guests who we don't usually hear from through our public media, whose thoughts and insights might be of more general interest. Last year we had a more culturally inflected episode, a whole knot of issues which I know we're going to come back to before long. So, over to you. What are the blazing, important topics you feel the current debate on independence is neglecting, that ought to be covered? Do let us know. All inspiration, gratefully received. Hopefully we'll be back, broadcasting full throated, by next weekend. Labels: Borgen , For A' That Podcast , Gone Peat Worryin' Scotland's green salad justices & ancient juniors.... ♫ Love & marriage go together like a horse & carri...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line228
__label__wiki	0.545045	0.545045	您当前的位置是：电子期刊浏览 --> 卷期浏览 Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research(75) Susceptibility of Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema diaprepesi (Rhabditida: Steinern... 期刊论文 CHILEAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ISSN:0718-5839,0718-5820 Volume:74 Issue:1 Page:123-126 Caccia MG; Del Valle E; Doucet ME; Lax P; 来源数据库：[Directory of Open Access Journals, Web of Science, Science Citation Index Expanded, SciTech Premium Collection] 被引频次：7 文摘信息获取全文问图书馆员 Spodoptera frugiperda Smith and Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar) are important agricultural pests of several crops. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the susceptibility of larvae of both insects to an isolate of Steinernema diaprepesi Nguyen & Duncan under laboratory conditions, as well as the capacity of the nematode to multiply on these lepidoterans. Larvae (n = 15) were exposed to 0 (control), 50, and 100 infective juveniles (Us) per Petri dish. Mortality was evaluated every 24 h during 6 d, and emerging Hs were counted. Mortality of S. frugiperda was 93% and 100% with 50 and 100 Us dosage, and 87% and 93% in H. gelotopoeon, respectively. The production of Hs was significantly different between doses (P <= 0.05) for S. frugiperda (11 329 with 50 IJs vs. 27 155 with 100 Hs) but not for H. gelotopoeon (19 830 vs. 26 361, respectively). This is the first study evaluating the susceptibility of these lepidopterans to S. diaprepesi. These results encourage the possibility of using this nematode for biological control of both pests. Effect of slaughter weight on the carcass value of young crossbred ('Polish Holstein Friesian' x 'Limousin') steers and bulls 期刊论文 CHILEAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ISSN:0718-5839,0718-5820 Volume:74 Issue:1 Page:59-66 Nogalski Z; Wielgosz-Groth Z; Purwin C; Sobczuk-Szul M; Mochol M; ... 来源数据库：[Directory of Open Access Journals, Web of Science, Science Citation Index Expanded, SciTech Premium Collection] 被引频次：19 Apart from others factors, carcass quality is determined by the animal's age and body weight (BW) at the end of the fattening period. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum finishing weight of young crossbred 'Polish Holstein Friesian' (PHF) x 'Limousin' (LIM) steers and bulls, based on their slaughter value. The experimental materials comprised 60 animals, including 30 bulls and 30 steers, fed farm-made feeds. At 2 or 3 wk of age, one half of calves were castrated. Bloodless castration was carried out using a rubber elastrator. Calves were reared under a conventional system, and were fattened semi-intensively. Daily gains ranged from 800 to 950 g. Calves were fattened to 450, 500, 550, or 600 kg BW. Carcass value was estimated after slaughter. Fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography in fat extracted from samples of muscle longissimus dorsi (MLD). Bulls, compared with steers, were characterized by a higher slaughter value, including a higher carcass dressing percentage by 1.07-2.60%, higher carcass conformation, and lower carcass fatness. In steers, an increase in live BW was accompanied by a considerable increase in fat content (higher than bulls), as confirmed by a significant (p <= 0.01) interaction. The intramuscular fat of bulls was characterized by higher concentrations of fatty acids delivering health benefits, and a more desirable polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA) ratio. Fat from bulls contained higher levels of PUFAs by 2.34 g 100 g(-1) on average. Semi-intensive fattening of PHF x LIM bulls to slaughter weight of 600 kg BW is recommended due to an increase in carcass value. Steers should be fattened to slaughter weight of 500-550 kg BW to prevent excessive fat deposition. Use of AMMI and other stability statistics in the simultaneous selection of rice genotypes for yield and stability under direct-seeded conditions 期刊论文 CHILEAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ISSN:0718-5839,0718-5820 Volume:74 Issue:1 Page:3-9 Bose LK; Jambhulkar NN; Pande K; Singh ON; Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. India is one of the largest rice-producing countries. Although more than 900 rice varieties have been released in India, many of them are no longer cultivated within a few years of release due to inconsistent performance in diverse environments; only a few varieties with stable performance continue to be under cultivation after 15 to 20 yr of their release. Development and adaptability of rice cultivars in a wide range of target environments are the eventual goals of plant breeders. An attempt has been made to estimate the level of genotype-environment interaction (GET) and eliminate as much as possible the unexplainable and extraneous variability contained in the data. Therefore, several statistical techniques have been used to describe GET and measure genotype stability. Field experiments were conducted with 12 genotypes under direct-seeded conditions (irrigated and rainfed) for three consecutive years (2009 to 2012) in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The GEI was analyzed using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI). Results of AMMI analysis indicated that the first three AMMI (AMMI1 to AMMI3) were highly significant (P < 0.05). The partitioning of TSS (total sum of squares) exhibited that the genotype effect was a predominant source of variation followed by GEI and environment, which suggests the possible existence of different environment groups. The AMMI stability value discriminated genotypes 11 and 12 as stable genotypes based on the yield stability index (YSI) and sustainability index (SI). Transcriptional analysis of cell wall and cuticle related genes during fruit development of two sweet cherry cultivars with contrasting levels of cracking tolerance 期刊论文 Balbontin C; Ayala H; Rubilar J; Cote J; Figueroa CR; Rain-induced cracking before harvest is the major cause of crop loss in sweet cherry (Prunus avium [ L.] L.) In order to better understand the relationship between cherry fruit cracking and gene expression, the transcriptional patterns of six genes related to cell wall modification and cuticular wax biosynthesis were analyzed during fruit setting (FS), fruit color change (FC) and fruit ripening (FR), employing two contrasting cultivars: the cracking resistant 'Kordia' and the cracking susceptible 'Bing'. The transcription levels of AP2/EREBP-type transcription factor (PaWINB), wax synthase (WS), beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (PaKCS6), and beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) showed higher levels in 'Kordia' than in 'Bing' during the FS stage, while similar values were observed in both cultivars at FR stage. In contrast to that pattern, transcription levels of expansin (PaEXP1) were higher at FR stage in 'Kordia' than in 'Bing'. Transcript profile of lipid transport protein gene (PaLTPG1) decreased during fruit development, with higher levels in 'Bing' than in 'Kordia' at FC and FR stages suggesting no relation with cracking tolerance. The expression profiles of PaWINB, WS, PaKCS6, and beta-Gal suggest that they are genes involved in conferring cracking tolerance, likely due to their function in cuticle deposition during early stages of fruit development. In addition, a greater expression level of expansin gene would allow for a faster growth rate in 'Kordia' at FR stage. Isolation and selection of fluorescent pseudomonads based on multiple plant growth promotion traits and siderotyping 期刊论文 Subramanian J; Satyan K; Fluorescent pseudomonads, acclaimed plant associated bacterial group, are well-known plant growth promoting-biocontrol agents in rhizosphere arena. In this study, 144 fluorescent pseudomonad isolates from rhizosphere soil samples were screened with King's medium B supplemented with 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) chelator and comprehensively profiled for plant growth promotion viz., production of indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, motility, phosphate solubilization, root growth promotion, and biofilm forming ability, along with two known control strains of pseudomonads. Iron and IAA regulated secondary metabolite siderophore production were investigated quantitatively. All isolates were positive for ammonia production and motility; 46% isolates were positive for hydrogen cyanide, 44% shown positivity for phosphate solubilization, and 40% isolates for siderophore production. Siderotyping showed production of hydroxamate type of siderophores which are known to be more efficient biocontrol agents. All isolates stimulated root growth to varying extent and had potentiality to form biofilms, a critical constituent for survival on different environments. Forty-two isolates of pseudomonads showed antagonistic behavior against the deleterious fungal pathogen Fusarium arysporum (MTCC1755). Based on the above observations and statistical analysis, 11 isolates were shortlisted for further scrutiny. The study of biogeographic correlation and secondary metabolite profiling in association with plant growth promotion focalizes significant assessment on the behavior and antagonistic action, which probably brings out a competent biocontrol agent in a sustainable eco-friendly dimension. Propolis or cashew and castor oils effects on composition of Longissimus muscle of crossbred bulls finished in feedlot 期刊论文 Valero MV; Torrecilhas JA; Zawadzki F; Bonafe EG; Madrona GS; ... The natural additive products (propolis or essential oils), in replacing antibiotics, could be used as an alternative for feed strategies to improve animal production. This work was performed to evaluate the effect of natural additives as propolis or essential oils on meat quality of crossbred (Aberdeen Angus vs. Nellore) bulls. Thirty bulls were kept in feedlot (individual pen) for 55 d and randomly assigned to one of three diets (n = 10): control (CON), propolis (PRO), or essential oils (OIL). CON diet consists of corn silage (45% DM) and concentrate (cracked corn, soybean meal, glycerin, limestone, and mineral salt, 55% DM). The PRO group received same CON diet plus 3 g animal(-1) d(-1) of propolis premix added to the concentrate. The OIL group received same CON diet and 3 g animal(-1) d(-1) of a premix (cashew Anacardium occidentale L. and castor Ricinus communis L. oils) added to the concentrate. Fat thickness (5.0 mm), pH (5.9), Longissimus muscle area 58.0 cm(2), marbling, texture, color (L* = 36.6, a* = 17.3, and b* = 5.9), lipid oxidation (0.08 malonaldehyde kg(-1) meat), and Warner-Bratzler shear force (3.3 kg) were unaffected by the diet. PRO and OIL diets had no effect neither on moisture (73.7%), ashes (1.1%), protein (23.8%), and lipids (1.7%), fatty acid composition or polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA, 0.13), and n-6/n-3 ratio (6.9) on Longissimus muscle. Addition of natural additives as propolis extract or cashew and castor oils in the diet of bulls when they are finished in a feedlot did not change meat qualities. Evaluation of water use and yield responses of drip-irrigated sugar beet with different irrigation techniques 期刊论文 Sahin U; Ors S; Kiziloglu FM; Kuslu Y; Effective water use should be investigated in terms of sustainable production strategy in arid and semi-arid regions. A 2 yr field study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of full root-zone wetting (H) and partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation techniques with 4 (I1) and 8-d (I2) irrigation intervals and three different irrigation levels (W1, W2, W3) adjusted according to Class A pan evaporation on root, leaf, and sugar yields and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Three different plant-pan coefficients (0.70, 0.60, and 0.50) were used for adjusting the three different irrigation levels. The irrigation techniques and levels affected yields significantly. Seasonal meanly irrigation quantities were 280.4 mm in FT treatments and 162.4 mm in PRD treatments. While mean root yield of 33.80 t ha(-1) is obtained in FI treatments, it was 26.43 t ha(-1) in PRD treatments. Similarly, mean white sugar yield (WSY) for FI treatments (5 t ha(-1)) was higher than PRD treatments (3.81 t ha(-1)). There were significant polynomial relationships between irrigation quantities and root yield or WSY in both FI and PRD treatment. PRD technique increased by 34.9% IWUE compared to FI. Although the highest root yield was determined in FI-I1W1 sub treatment as 37.57 t ha(-1), the highest IWUE was determined in PRD-I1W3 sub treatment as 173.9 kg ha(-1) mm(-1) since it has the lowest irrigation water amount as 140.6 mm However, among PRD treatments for more root yield and for more white sugar yield, I1W1 and I1W2 sub treatments were the best. The economic impacts of climate change on the Chilean agricultural sector. A non-linear agricultural supply model 期刊论文 Ponce R; Blanco M; Giupponi C; Agriculture could be one of the most vulnerable economic sectors to the impacts of climate change in the coming decades, with impacts threatening agricultural production in general and food security in particular. Within this context, climate change will impose a challenge to policy makers, especially in those countries that based their development on primary sectors. In this paper we present a non-linear agricultural supply model for the analysis of the economic impacts of changes in crop yields due to climate change. The model accounts for uncertainty through the use of Monte Carlo simulations about crop yields. According to our results, climate change impacts on the Chilean agricultural sector are widespread, with considerable distributional consequences across regions, and with fruits producers being worst-off than crops producers. In general, the results reported here are consistent with those reported by previous studies showing large economic impacts on the northern zone. However, our model does not simulate remarkable economic consequences at the country level as previous studies did. Biochemical and physiological characterization of three rice cultivars under different daytime temperature conditions 期刊论文 Sanchez-Reinoso AD; Garces-Varon G; Restrepo-Diaz H; Heat stress due to high daytime temperatures is one of the main limiting factors in rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield in Colombia. Thus, the objective of the present research was to analyze the effect of three different daytime temperatures (25, 35, and 40 degrees C) on the physiological responses of three Colombian rice cultivars (F60, F733, and F473), thereby contributing to the knowledge of rice acclimation mechanisms. For 10 d, eight plants of each of the three cultivars were subjected daily to 5 h periods of 35 and 40 degrees C. The control treatment corresponded to normal growth conditions (25 degrees C). Thermal stress was assessed based on a series of physiological and biochemical parameters. The 35 degrees C treatment produced photosynthetic and respiratory differences in all three cultivars. At 40 degrees C, 'F60'. displayed the lowest photosynthetic rate and the highest respiratory rate. Although this cultivar experienced particularly strong electrolyte leakage and changes in proline when subjected to the high-temperature treatments, similar trends were observed in 'F733' and 'F473' At 40 degrees C, the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in 'F473'. than in the other cultivars. These results may explain the poor agronomic performance of 'F60'. in the field under daytime heat stress. The methodologies employed in the present work may be useful in Colombian rice breeding programs, particularly for the selection of heat-tolerant breeding stocks. Ruminal pH and temperature, papilla characteristics, and animal performance of fattening calves fed concentrate or maize silage-based diets 期刊论文 Bodas R; Posado R; Bartolome DJ; de Paz MJT; Herraiz P; ... Feeding systems can play an important role, not only in beef farm profitability but also in animal health and performance. Fourteen Avilena-Negra Iberica bulls, with an initial weight of 270 kg (SE 22.6 kg) and aged 223 d (SE 16.2) were used to study the effect of two feeding systems on ruminal pH and temperature and animal performance when calves were kept in loose housing conditions. Feeding systems were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain-based concentrate plus barley straw (CONC) and maize (Zea mays L.) silage-based total mixed ration (TMR). Internal wireless boluses were used to collect pH and temperature values every 10 min throughout the measurement period (15 d). Diet did not modify (P > 0.10) average daily gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage, ruminal mucosa color, or papilla counts. Papilla width and papilla width/lamina propria thickness were significantly lower (P 0.10). Although animal performance is not affected, feeding fattening calves on a concentrate plus barley straw diet can result in better rumen conditions than using maize silage-based TMR. Morphophysical pedotransfer functions for groundwater pollution by nitrate leaching in Central Chile 期刊论文 Fuentes I; Casanova M; Seguel O; Najera F; Salazar O; Nitrate leaching (NL) is a major concern in agriculture due to its impact on human health and ecosystems. Solute movement through soil is governed by various hydraulic and physical properties that determine water flow. To study such relationships, a pedotransfer function of groundwater pollution was developed in two alluvial irrigated soils under long-term pig slurry applications. Two basins of central Chile, San Pedro (Typic Xerochrepts) and Pichidegua Xerofluvents) were selected, where maize (Zea mays L.) was grown in spring-summer, while during autumn-winter period a ryegrass-barley-oat mixed crop was established in San Pedro and a fallow management applied in Pichidegua. Soils in cultivated and control sites were characterized in physical and hydraulic terms. Nitrogen and water budgets were determined measuring periodically (biweekly) N concentration (N-NO3- and N-NH4+) and monitoring water contents in soil profiles, respectively. Dye tracer tests were performed with brilliant blue (BB) dye and the staining patterns analyzed. To contrast the effect of slurry additions over soil physical properties and over NL, t-Student tests were performed. Some accurate pollution groundwater NL pedotransfer functions were obtained calculated through least square fit models and artificial neural networks. Textural porosity, mean diameter variation, slow drainage porosity, air conductivity at 33 kPa water tension and N-NO3- concentrations were directly related to NL. In terms of preferential flow analysis, stained path width > 200 mm was inversely associated to NL. Finally, dye tracer tests provided a better understanding of the characteristics and pattern of water/solute movement through soil to groundwater. Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of honey bee viruses in the Biobio Region of Chile and their association with other honey bee pathogens 期刊论文 Rodriguez M; Vargas M; Antunez K; Gerding M; Castro FO; ... Different episodes of mortalities of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies have been associated with the presence of honey bee pathogens. Since the Biobio Region has among the highest number of apiaries in Chile, the aim of the present study was to identify viruses in the Region affecting honey bees, evaluate their relation to other pathogens, and conduct a phylogenetic analysis. Pupae and adult bees were collected from 60 apiaries of Apis mellifera L. in the Biobio Region over 2 yr. RNA viruses were detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), and Acarapis woodi, Nosema spp., and Varroa destructor via PCR. Three viruses were detected: Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV) and Deformed wing virus (DWV) in 2%, 10%, and 42% of the apiaries, respectively. No statistical correlation was observed between the presence of the different viruses, V. destructor, A. woodi, and the two Nosema species, and the bee development stages. One year after the first sampling, DWV and BQCV were detected mainly in foraging adult bee samples. Three percent of the apiaries were infected with N. apis and 18% with N. ceranae, 5% were positive for V. destructor, while A. woodi was not detected. PCR products were sequenced and compared to the Genbank database. Chilean sequences of ABPV, BQCV, and DWV showed high percentages of similarity to other isolates in South America. Influence of breed and feeding on the main quality characteristics of sheep carcass and meat: A review 期刊论文 Ramirez-Retamal J; Morales R; This paper reviews two factors (breed and feed) affecting the carcass and meat quality of sheep. The quality of livestock products has acquired greater importance from the distinct perspectives of the different participants in the agricultural food chain. Consumers, producers and the industry give different levels of importance to the parameters of meat and carcass quality. Nevertheless, all the participants in the meat production chain must ensure quality to improve their competitiveness. The quality of the carcass and meat can be influenced by different factors such as breed and type of feed. The breed can influence weight, yields, and the conformation of the carcass, among other variables, as well as the pH level and the fatty acid composition of the meat, whereas the feed mainly affects carcass conformation and several physicochemical and organoleptic parameters of meat quality such as proximal composition, the fatty acid profile, tenderness and color. Consequently, the effects of breed and feed type should be considered to obtain a quality product that satisfies consumer demand. Insecticidal activity of Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz & Pav.) Tul. essential oil against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky 期刊论文 Torres C; Silva G; Tapia M; Rodriguez JC; Figueroa I; ... The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is a worldwide key pest of stored products. Usually contact insecticides or fumigants are used against it, but problems as toxic residues, human intoxications, and resistance have triggered the search for alternative control methods as the use of essential oils. The objective of this research was to assess under laboratory conditions, the insecticidal properties of Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz & Pav.) Tul. essential oil against S. zeamais. In contact toxicity bioassay assessed treatments were 0 (control), 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 10, 20, and 40 mL essential oil kg(-1) grain and 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175 mu L essential oil L-1 air in fumigant toxicity tests. The highest toxicity by contact activity was reached by concentrations higher than 10 mL essential oil kg(-1) grain (100% mortality). The same treatments totally inhibit F-1. The dose of 175 mu L essential oil L-1 air showed a significant toxicity by fumigant activity causing 72.5% of dead insects. The other treatments did not surpass 5% mortality. In offspring effect (F-1) bioassay, all treatments had an insect emergence significantly lower than the control but concentrations equal or higher than 10 mL essential oil kg(-1) grain prevented the emergence of F-1 during the 7 wk of bioassay. The residual effect of contact toxicity remained by 15 d. The treatments based on essential oil lead to a weight grain loss lower than control and germination was not affected. All assessed treatments showed repellent effect. The essential oil of L. sempervirens has promissory perspectives to maize weevil control. Growth and yield of grafted cucumbers in soil infested with root-knot nematodes 期刊论文 Goreta Ban S; Zanic K; Dumicic G; Raspudic E; Vuletin Selak G; ... The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rootstocks on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants in soils infested with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) Cucumber 'Adrian' was grown with its own roots or was grafted onto three rootstocks of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl ('Emphasis', S-1', and 'Gourd'), two interspecific hybrid rootstocks of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne x C. moschata Duchesne ('Strong Tosa' and 'RS 841 Improved') and zucchini Cucurbita pepo L. ('Romanesco Zucchini'). The experiments were conducted in commercial greenhouse, with cucumber grafted onto three rootstocks in the first season and onto six rootstocks in the second spring-summer season. The number of leaves was considerably affected by the rootstock in both seasons, and was the highest for the plants grafted onto interspecific rootstocks (28.0 in the first and 44.9 in the second season). The plants grafted onto 'Strong Tosa' had higher total number of fruits (19.9) and yield (5.38 kg) compared to other rootstocks or non-grafted plants in first season, and the same result was found for two interspecific rootstocks in the second season (6.96 kg and more than 28.9 fruits per plant). The total soluble solids, pH and electrical conductivity of the fruit were not affected by rootstock, while titratable acidity changed with the rootstock type. The grafting of cucumber plants onto different rootstocks was confirmed as an acceptable non-chemical method to compete with the limitations of soils infected with root-knot nematodes, but the effect was highly dependent on the choice of the rootstock. Effect of salt stress on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in leaves in two contrasting corn, 'Lluteno' and 'Jubilee' 期刊论文 Carrasco-Rios L; Pinto M; Salinity is an important problem to crop production; affecting photosynthesis process which favors the production of reactive oxygen species. Plants have generated adaptation strategies to prevent oxidative damage caused by salinity. In this study we evaluated the effect of salinity on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in leaves of corn (Zea mays L.) plants 'Lluteno' (adapted to salinity) and 'Jubilee' (improved variety). 'Lluteno' is the only one corn capable to prosper in the Valley of Lluta under saline conditions (EC = 9.1 dS m(-1)) and the most widely cultivated crop in terms of area in the desert of northern Chile. Plants of 21 d old were subjected for 15 d to two saline treatments: 50 and 100 mM NaCl. Salinity caused a significant reduction in plant biomass, ca. 65% in 'Jubilee' and 20% in 'Lluteno' (P <= 0.05). The biomass reduction and oxidative damage to cell membranes caused by the generation of peroxides was significantly less in 'Lluteno'. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in 'Lluteno' was significantly greater than in 'Jubilee' in all treatments, while glutathione reductase (GR) had greater activity in 'Jubilee'. However, most enzymes studied were adversely affected by salinity compared to the control. These results indicate that tolerance to salinity exhibited by 'Lluterio' should in part due to the high activity that exhibit antioxidant enzymes compared to 'Jubilee'. Response of root characteristics and yield in peanut under terminal drought condition 期刊论文 Junjittakarn J; Girdthai T; Jogloy S; Vorasoot N; Patanothai A; Drought at pod filling reduces growth, yield, and seed quality of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Great root system can reduce yield loss under water stress. There is a lack of information on root traits for peanut genotypes and the relationship between rooting traits and peanut yield under terminal drought. The pot experiments were conducted at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. A randomized complete block design was used with two factorials set-up with four replicates. Factor A consisted of two water regimes (field capacity and 1/3 available water at 80 d after planting to harvest), and factor B comprised of 11 peanut genotypes. Data were recorded for root traits (root dry weight, root length, root surface, root diameter, and root volume), and peanut yield (pod dry weight, biomass, and harvest index) were measured at final harvest. Terminal drought significantly decrease root characteristics (0.83-1.03 g plant(-1) of root dry weight) and peanut yield (7.98-8.89 g plant(-1) of pod dry weight). Yield responses to terminal drought were not correlated with root traits except root length and root volume (r = 0.71 and 0.83, respectively). Some genotype, root traits seem to be correlated With peanut yield under terminal drought. 'KK60-3' showed high root traits, maintained pod dry weight under terminal drought, whereas Tifton 8 maintained biomass production. ICGV98348 had high root traits, maintained pod dry weight and harvest index under drought conditions. The results suggested that peanut contained high root characters which maintained yield under terminal drought. Dehydrated olive-waste cake as a source of high value-added bioproduct: Drying kinetics, physicochemical properties, and bioactive compounds 期刊论文 Uribe E; Lemus-Mondaca R; Pasten A; Astudillo S; Vega-Galvez A; ... Olive (Olea europaea L.) oil processing produces significant amount of waste that can be utilized for the production of high value-added ingredients for various industrial applications. In this work, the effects of temperature on drying kinetics and quality indexes of the olive-waste cake during convective dehydration (40-90 degrees C) were investigated. Results on effective moisture diffusivity, physicochemical parameters, fatty acid profile, total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavanol contents a well as antioxidant capacity are also reported. Most of the fatty acids increased their content with respect to control sample with a temperature increase, i.e. oleic and linoleic acids increased 48% and 43% at 70 and 40 degrees C, respectively. Total flavanol content increased with temperature (48-62 mg catechin equivalents [CTE] 100 g(-1) DM) except for 80 degrees C. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were highly correlated to antioxidant capacity (0.923 < r < 0.992), except for 70 and 80 degrees C, the rest of the samples maintained their initial antioxidant capacity by ORAC analysis. Thus, these parameters show that dried olive-waste cake has a high bioactive compounds with potential use as additives for the food or other industries. Toxicity of the phenolic extract from jabuticabeira (Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg) fruit skins on Spodoptera frugiperda 期刊论文 Alves APC; Correa AD; Alves DS; Saczk AA; Lino JBR; ... Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, 1797 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the main pest of maize, besides attacking sorghum and cotton crops. The control of this pest has been accomplished mainly with the use of synthetic insecticides but, due to the growing concern about the environment and food quality, phenolic compounds have shown their potential for the biological control of this insect. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of the extract of jabuticabeira, Myrciaria cauliflora [Mart.] O. Berg (Myrtaceae) fruit skin flour in the control of S. frugiperda. Skins of M. cauliflora Sabara genotype were dried at 45 C in a forced air oven. In order to obtain the extract, 1.0 g flour was mixed with 10 mL acetone: water solution (7:3 v/v). Forty-eight-hour-old S. frugiperda caterpillars were placed in glass tubes with an artificial diet containing the extract at concentrations of 0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg L-1. The extract, in which the phenolic compounds gallic acid, gallocatechin, catechin, epicatechin, ellagic acid, and salicylic acid were identified at a concentration of 2000 mg L-1, in average, increased mortality rates by 150% in the larval stage, duration of larval stages by 60%, and pupal by 17%, and decreased amount of females by 55%. On the other hand, the extract at 1000 mg L-1 only increased duration of larval period by 24%. It was concluded that the extract is harmful to this insect, probably due to the presence of phenolic compounds. Toxicity of some insecticides used in maize crop on Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) immature stages 期刊论文 Souza JR; Carvalho GA; Moura AP; Couto MHG; Maia JB; Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of maize (Zea mays L.) crops in Brazil. The effects of beta-cypermethrin, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, spinosad, etofenprox, triflumuron, alpha-cypermethrin/teflubenzuron, and lambda-cyhalothrin/thiamethoxam on Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) immature stages were evaluated. Eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), containing immature stages of the parasitoid were dipped in water solution pesticides, to evaluate their effects on emergence and sex ratio of F-1 parasitoids. For F-2 parasitoids, emergence, parasitism capacity, and sex ratio were evaluated. Beta-cypermethrin, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, and spinosad affected the emergence success of F-1 T. pretiosum. Insects exposed to etofenprox and alpha-cypermethrin/teflubenzuron during the egg-larval period and to lambda-cyhalothrin/thiamethoxam during the pupal stage also suffered reduction in the emergence. Beta-cypermethrin affected the sex ratio of F-1 T. pretiosum from host eggs treated during the egg-larval period; spinosad affected it during the egg-larval period and the pupal stage, whereas chlorpyrifos did the same when applied during the pupal stage. Chlorpyrifos also affected the sex ratio of F-2 parasitoids, but only when applied during the egg-larval period, whereas chlorfenapyr reduced this trait when applied during the pre-pupal phase. Chlorpyrifos and alpha-cypermethrin/teflubenzuron affected the parasitism capacity of F-1 females from eggs treated during the egg-larval period. Considering the overall effects, only etofenprox and triflumuron were selective on T. pretiosum when applied on parasitized A. kuehniella eggs. Further studies need to be carried out to verify the toxicity of the other pesticides under semi-field and field conditions. < 上一页 1 2 3 4 下一页 >	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line230
__label__wiki	0.570607	0.570607	Was 2013 "The Year of the EU Task Force for Greece"? A year ago, my New Year's Eve proposal was that the year 2013 should be made "The Year of the EU Task Force for Greece". Well, what can be said about that in retrospect? The TFGR had been established by the EU in 2011 so that its resources could be used by Greek authorities to meet 3 great challenges facing the country and Greek society: 1. Supporting growth, employment and competitiveness. 2. Enabling growth through reform of Greek public administration. 3. Maintaining progress towards fiscal consolidation. Its key mission was summarized as follows: The Task Force is a resource at the disposal of the Greek authorities as they seek to build a modern and prosperous Greece: a Greece characterised by economic opportunity and social equity, and served by an efficient administration with a strong public service ethos. To date, the TFGR has published five reports, two of which during 2013: one in April and one in October. When the TFGR was established, I thought it was one of the greatest things for Greece since sliced bread. There was, on one hand, Greece, a country which badly needed technical advice and help in all matters relating to bringing the country into modernity and, on the other hand, there were other European countries which had centuries of know-how in public administration and so forth. I thought Greece would jump enthusiastically at the opportunity and facilitate an accelerated transition to modernity. I recognize that the TFGR has to keep a low profile for political reasons. The impression must be avoided that 'foreigners are showing Greeks how to run their country' (even though that's what the TFGR was and should be all about). The TFGR's progress reports are diligent excercises in demonstrating and documenting success. There is a lot of talk about 'broadening and deepening technical assistance'; about 'helping to build the administrative capacity to prepare and implement reforms'; about 'helping the Greek administration to better service the needs of its citizens'; etc. etc. I am certain that there were quite a lot of tangible results accomplished through the assistance of the TFGR. There better be some tangible results after 2-1/2 years! What I have not seen todate - and this is what I had in mind when I wrote my New Year's Eve proposal a year ago - is that the TFGR would become a widely recognized and appreciated force of change in Greece; change for the better; change for better public administration. No country can use its potential if there is not an efficient public administration and if there are not strong institutions. Thus, I propose for 2014 the same which I had proposed a year ago today, namely: that 2014 become "The Year of the EU Task Force for Greece!" Was 2013 "The Year of the EU Task Force for Greece... Wolfgang Münchau's Sobering Assessment of the Rece... The Very Unusual Year-End TV Address of PM Samaras... Summary of European Bail-Out Facilities Observing Greece During 2013 Greece's Current Account --- Cause for Jubiliation... Three Interesting Proposals by Hans-Olaf Henkel One Key Difference Between Greece and a Country Li... Memories of Mount Athos Test Question: EU Has How Many Currencies? What the Heck is Going on in Greece? Personal Views on Greek Mentalities Encyclopedia Britannica 1911 on Greeks Experts Favor Debt Re-Profiling! The Gigantic Dimensions of Germany's Foreign Asset...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line238
__label__cc	0.595256	0.404744	"The Rescue Is Over" - Reviewing 7 Years Of Blogging "Greece - The Rescue is Over" titled the online portal of Austria's national broadcaster on August 20. The European media were full of self-congratulatory statements by EU elites. Yes, the Greek people had to go through severe hardships in the last 8 years but now that chapter is closed and the stage is set for a prosperous future. Provided, of course, that Greece continues successfully on the reform path of the last years. Etc., etc. This blog has accompanied the Greek crisis since June 2011. In this elaborate essay I will reflect on the observations I have made and the opinions I have expressed over the years. In early 2009, and in preparation for my upcoming retirement, my Greek wife and I started looking for an apartment in the Thessaloniki area where we planned to spend a good portion of our retired life. We had lived in Munich at the time, one of Germany's most expensive cities, and we expected a life in a less expensive environment. We quickly found an optimal apartment in Kalamaria and in April of 2009, we flew to Thessaloniki with the purpose of getting the apartment in shape, i. e. furniture, etc. Germany at that time had been hit hard by the financial crisis. At one point, Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Finance Minister had to go on TV to assure the public that all German bank deposits were guaranteed by the state. This against the background that a bankrun was feared. In my banking job, I was responsible for corporate banking in Southern Germany, the home of the German Mittelstand. Every day we received new panic reports from our customers. As the taxi drove us from the Thessaloniki airport to our hotel (there was no furniture in the apartment yet), we passed an impressive looking furniture store. That, I said to my wife, would be our first stop the next day. I was looking forward to the opportunity of buying top quality furniture at low prices. The first living room arrangement which they showed us (2 sofas and a chair) went for 10.000 Euros. I expressed shock at the price. The sales lady looked at us with the expression on her face: "If you can't afford our furniture, don't waste my time." We decided not to waste her time. From then on, one surprise was followed by the next. There was an unbelievable number of large furniture stores. At IKEA it was difficult to find a place in their huge parking lot. Downtown Thessaloniki was exploding with economic activity. In short, wherever I looked, I saw shops, people shopping and the prices were high. In several instances (like supermarkets) higher than in Munich. Through my wife's cousin, a very well connected man around 50, we made our first friends. They were either rentiers or retirees even though none of them was over 60. The cousin had sold his small business (a t-shirt manufacture) when he was 45 and he was looking at about 5.000 Euros in monthly rental income and real estate properties which he valued at 1,5 MEUR. His best friend told us that he had collected a severance package from OTE in his early fifties and was now receiving a monthly pension of almost 3.000 Euros net per month. I asked him what he had done at OTE and he proudly said 'nothing'. He would come to the office in the morning, leave his jacket on his chair and go out to the beaches. Another friend had taken early retirement from a public sector company where he had been a big shot in the union. He was just completing a new mansion which I thought would be worth at least 2 MEUR. On the side, he was pursuing projects with EU subsidies and we learned through the grapevine that a good portion of those subsidies found their way into his private pocket. A neighbor told us that he was collecting 12.000 Euros net per month in the form of pensions from 3 management positions in the public sector. Our real estate agent, a former policewoman in her mid-fifties, told us that she had retired at 48, collected a pension of 1.800 Euros net per month and now earned substantial income as a broker. In a relatively short time, we had built up a circle of friends of over a dozen people. Only one of them was over 60 (the former public sector manager) but none of them was in a working relationship, either employed or self-employed. There were either rentiers and/or early retirees. Around that time, I read an analysis of Greece's economic situation by a reputable international institution. Regrettably, I did not keep it and I don't remember the name of the institution. The gist of the analysis was that Greece would probably remain unharmed by the financial crisis because its banks were not involved in international speculation. If anything, Greece had a good chance of coming out of it as a winner. Upon returning to Munich later in the spring of 2009, I happened to attend a presentation by the well-known economist Michael Huether. He was talking about the financial crisis in Eastern Europe and how the banks had to put together a rescue package. And then he said: "Mind you, before the crisis is over, we will also have to put together a rescue package for Southern Europe." I thought the man was dreaming. A rescue package for Greece? Didn't he know that Greece was a booming place and that analysts predicted a glorious future for the economy? Around that time, I happened to read "The Battle of Bretton Woods" by Benn Steil. It was the battle between the British John Maynard Keynes and the American Harry White. Keynes had one predominant objective: to assure that the new monetary order would control imbalances in the current accounts. He proposed a new reference currency ("Bancor") in which surpluses/deficits would be settled. Over a certain level, a surplus country would have to pay into the Bancor and the deficit countries would receive them. A perfect recycling mechanism. Keynes' counterpart White also had a predominant objective and it was diametrically opposed to that of Keynes: to establish the predominance of the USD in the new monetary order. The dollar would be fixed against gold and the other currencies would be kept in a trading range versus the USD. Responsible conduct of the US would assure that world-wide imbalances would he held in check. White prevailed. In 1971, Keynes was posthumously proved correct. The US had not displayed responsible conduct, had accumulated large external deficits and there was no longer enough gold to cover the USD in circulation. In a short TV speech, President Nixon surprised the world with the news that the USD would no longer be convertible into gold at a fixed price. In practice, it was a haircut of all USD claims held by the rest of the world. The age of fiat money had begun. I came away from reading that book with the conviction that the most important factor in international financial stability was a country's current account, that it was a country's balance of payments that had to be checked, and that conviction shaped almost everything which I would write about Greece's financial crisis later. When the Greek financial crisis erupted in late 2009 and until the first rescue package of May 2010, it felt to me like a déjà-vu. I had witnessed, as local country manager of a large American bank, the economic turn-around in Chile in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Since then, Chile has become the prototype for me as regards how to overcome an economic crisis. When I arrived in Chile in 1980, the economy was booming. Only 7 years earlier, Chile had been in total economic chaos caused by the policies of Salvatore Allende: Chile in 1973 was what Venezuela is today. How could a totally bankrupt economy be turned around into a booming economy in only a few years? Two very simple factors: a very competent economic management team (the "Chicago Boys" in Chile) and a political leadership which could give that management team air cover to implement their policies. In Chile, that political leadership was the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, rightly blamed for atrocious human rights violations. However, without such air cover it would have been unlikely for the economic management team to succeed owing to the enormous adjustment pains which came along with the new policies. It was a shock treatment like changing traffic from left to right overnight. I often wondered whether a democracy could survive such a shock treatment. In Greece, I thought the shock treatment could work IF there were a competent economic management team and IF there were a strong, unified government supporting it. The most important factor for the success of the Chicago Boys was that they had a plan and consistently and unwaveringly pursued it. It was nothing but applied common sense: increase exports, reduce imports, apply efficiency criteria to the huge public sector, create market conditions for the private sector and create an economic framework which would attract foreign capital. The Chicago Boys committed one major mistake which eventually caused their downfall and the external payments crisis of the early 1980s: they fixed the exchange rate to the USD 'forever'. With Chilean interest rates much higher than USD interest rates and with no perceived foreign exchange risk, foreign capital flowed into Chile like there was no tomorrow. When the bubble exploded, the Chileans eliminated the fixed exchange rate and the economy stabilized relatively quickly. Chile's luck was that they had only fixed the exchange rate instead of joining a currency union with the USD. The rest of the model of the Chicago Boys remained in place, resulting in Chile's becoming one of the most successful economies in Latin America to this day. Later in the 1980s, I was transferred to Argentina where my bank was one of the largest foreign creditors of the country. In 1983, Argentina hit the then largest external financing crisis ever with American banks being by far the largest creditors. It was the American Citibank which headed up the crisis management. Its principal negotiator, Bill Rhodes, literally personally developed the model for handling Argentina's external financing crisis, a model which became the standard for handling the dozens of external financing crises throughout the world since then. Its components, again, were quite simple: negotiations had to be carried out directly between Argentina and its private creditors; official institutions (the Fed, the US government) only quarterbacked behind the scenes; private creditors had to maintain their Argentine exposures, i. e. loans and trade credit ("risk takers must remain risk carriers"); and the IMF assumed responsibility for providing fresh money and negotiating economic measures ("memorandum") with the Argentine government. The banks agreed subject to the involvement of the IMF, the IMF committed subject to the agreement of the banks. The mutual dependency between private creditors and the IMF was born. No bank was bailed out. Instead, their benefit was that they could keep their existing exposures on performing status instead of having to write them down. Given the above experiences, I thought by late 2009 that Greece's problems would be solved rather quickly. As regards reforming the economy, I thought they would copy the Chileans: put in place a competent economic management team and have a unified government provide it with air cover. And as regards the external financing crisis, I thought the EU would consult with Citibank, by then the world's premier expert in how to handle external financing crises. The EU refused to consult the experts. Bill Rhodes later said in interviews that he had offered his advice to the EU as well as to the then Prime Minister George Papandreou. He was told by all parties that the experience with emerging countries would serve no purpose because the EU and, particularly, the Eurozone were completely different animals. The trouble was that the EU had zero experience with the handling of external financing crises of a country. By early 2010, I was baffled with the events unfolding in the Eurozone. Instead of consulting experts, Angela Merkel consulted with the CEO of one of Greece's largest creditors, Joseph Ackermann of Deutsche Bank! Ackermann, as his job required, defended the interests of his institution and argued with Merkel that not only the Euro and the Eurozone but the entire world-wide financial system would fall into chaos if Greece were not bailed out. At the peak of those dramatic developments, Merkel coined a phrase which may go down into history as the most expensive phrase ever: "If Greece falls, the Euro falls and if the Euro falls, the EU will fall!" That misinterpretation was the source of every other problem which followed subsequently. What should Merkel & Co. have said to the bankers pleading for a bail-out of Greece? Something like this: "We realize that you have a problem with Greece but, truly, this is a problem between you the creditors and Greece as your borrower. You will have to negotiate a restructuring of your claims directly with your borrower. We are on standby when it comes to financing Greece's new financial needs going forward and for negotiating economic measures with Greece but first you have to restructure your claims. Should you fail to do so, you correctly say that your institutions may fail. You need not worry about that because we already have protective measures in place. We have already put in place successor vehicles for each of your institutions. If you declare bankruptcy in the morning, our successor companies will take over your operations in the afternoon and your shareholders will be wiped out. At some point in the future, your successor companies will again be privatized and we will hopefully recover much if not most our our investment. The tax payers will not lose everything, which is what would happen if we bailed you out via Greece. Mind you, if you do not follow our advice and if your shareholders are wiped out, you may become personally liable for any damage suffered by your shareholders because you had the opportunity to avoid that damage and you chose not to use it." The utter misinterpretation of EU elites was that, in a major financial crisis, it was the banks which had the power and the governments which were 'alternativlos'. The opposite is the case. In any major financial crisis, it is the creditworthy governments which have the power and the banks are dependent on them for the simple reason that governments have time and the capacity to raise money. If a bank falls below equity requirements, it needs to file for bankruptcy immediately, as Lehmen had shown. A creditworthy government can provide the time for an orderly bank restructuring and/or liquidation and the liquidity required. The US government had demonstrated how this is done. When the world's largest insurance company, the giant AIG, faced bankruptcy because a couple of hundred employees in London had engaged in reckless credit default swaps, the US government stepped in and it demanded its pound of flesh: 90% of shareholdings were wiped out. Only a few years later, the US government successfully exited the restructured AIG and took a huge profit on the exercise. AIG's largest former shareholder sued the government for damages to the tune of 30 BUSD. The law suit failed on the grounds that not only profits are for private shareholders but losses as well. As I explained above, a first memorandum could not have been avoided even if the EU had handled the Greek crisis correctly: no creditor would have agreed to keep his exposures if there was no commitment for reform measures. What puzzled me during visits to Greece throughout 2010 was that life had hardly changed: Greeks were still buying imported goods like there was no tomorrow. Under normal situations, when a country loses access to foreign financing, its current account needs to be balanced literally overnight. Imports are drastically reduced. The entire population feels that there is a problem. Greece, however, continued to run very high current account deficits. In the spring of 2011, Prof. Hans-Werner Sinn provided the explanation when he introduced the world to the marvels of Target2, the ECB's cash management system. By then, the Bundesbank had accumulated Target2 claims of 324 BEUR and Sinn prophesized the demise of Germany (today they are close to 1 trillion Euros). One can make intellectual arguments whether Target2 is the key component of a currency union or whether it is an unlimited credit card. In practice, Target2 allows a domestic banking sector to pay for imports, for deposit flight and for capital flight even if it has lost access to foreign funding. Without Target2, the Greek banking sector would have become illiquid in 2010. In June 2011, I started this blog and one of my first articles was about Target2. My argument was that Target2 was the principal reason why there was no crisis awareness among the Greek population. As long as one can buy imported goods, withdraw savings from banks and transfer capital abroad, it is hard to convince the general public that there is a crisis. As I studied the first memorandum, I couldn't help to think that it was a bookkeeper's approach to solving financial problems: increase tax revenues and cut costs. What I was looking for was a long-term economic development plan à la Chile which would aim to drastically restructure the Greek economy so that it could stand on its own without funding/subsidies from abroad. A plan which would have a 10-20 years time frame. In the first month of this blog I proposed such a plan. To summarize the content: "If Greece cannot make it with the Euro but if a Grexit is the worst of all evils, Greece should hold on to the Euro but temporarily simulate a situation as though it had returned to the Drachma: import controls and substitution with the focus on 'infant industry protection and development'; export promotion; attraction of foreign investment AND, finally, a shock treatment for the public sector. Instead of attempting to change the entire economy at once, Special Economic Zones should be established where the new economic framework could be gradually spread through the country." I later referred to it as the "4 obsessions" which would have to be fostered throughout the Greek economy and population: an obsession with import substitution, with exports, with attracting foreign investment and with making the public sector efficient. To this date, I have not seen such a plan. Soon after I started this blog, I became aware of Yanis Varoufakis and his blog and other publications. His 'Modest Proposal' had caught my attention because it was a most ingenius proposal to solve the Eurozone's problems. It was certainly better than everything I had heard from EU elites on the subject. The only problem I had with it was that it was a solution for the Eurozone's problems and not a solution for Greece's problems. My dialogue with Varoufakis began at that time. It continued throughout the years and became extremely intensive in the weeks prior to the election of January 2015. Only a few weeks after his appointment as Finance Minister and after observing his conduct on the international scene, I discontinued the contact. My early critique of Varoufakis was as follows: "Why do you use all your intellectual brilliance, your competency, your eloquence and your charisma to solve other people's problems (i. e. the Eurozone's problems) and don't focus at all on solutions for the problems which Greece could provide on its own?" Varoufakis' standard reply was that, during the American depression in the 1930s, there was nothing which the state of Ohio could have done on its own because it was a systemic crisis. My standard answer was: as long as Greece ranked as the least attractive country for doing business in the entire EU (World Bank) and as the most corrupt country (Transparency International), there is no one other than Greeks who can solve these two problems. Still, I remained optimistic throughout 2011 that, eventually, the Greek government would take its fate into it own hands (instead of focusing on the victim's role), that it would come up with a long-term economic development plan and implement it. I saw enormous potential in the Greek economy given that its problems were so obvious, could quickly be identified and attacked as long as there was the political will to do it and I also thought that the economy not only had great catch-up potential but also new opportunities as a regional economic hub. At one point, I even dreamed that Greece could become the economic power center of the Eastern Mediterranean. Two things happened in the fall of 2011 which enormously encouraged my optimistic thinking: the EU Task Force for Greece (TFGR) was established and the Athens office of McKinsey published its economic plan titled "Greece 10 Years Ahead". McKinsey proposed how 500.000 new jobs could be created over a period of 10 years and 50 BEUR added to Greece's GDP and the TFGR proposed "to be at the disposal of the Greek authorities as they seek to build a modern and prosperous Greece: a Greece characterized by economic opportunity and social equity, and served by an efficient administration with a strong public service ethos." All of this seemed so easy: a unified government would take the McKinsey plan and implement it and it would mandate the TFGR to implement the modernization of Greece in a hurry. Animal spirits would start flowing and foreign investors would take note. Instead of rescue funding from the EU, Greece would receive voluntary funding from private investors. After all, that's how it had happened in Chile. I had initially been quite enthusiastic about Prime Minister Papandreou. He struck me like a polished individual who seemed competent, was saying the right things and seemed to have a will. By the fall of 2011, I had developed serious doubts. There simply did not seem to be much of a backbone. More of a diplomat than an executive. In early November 2011, I knew that there would be a moment of truth: would Papandreou prove himself as a Margaret Thatcher ("I want my money back!") or only as the son of his father. Regrettably, he showed himself only as the son of his father. When Papandreou surprised the EU by announcing a referendum, I thought that this was an ingenius plot. Obviously, not to really hold a referendum but only to use it as a negotiating instrument versus the EU. I expected the Nice conference to become a showdown: when the French President lost his nerve, exploded and pounded the table, I expected Papandreou to remain quite relaxed and say to the President: "Look, there is no reason to get so excited; there is an easy way out. All I ask is that you do this and that for Greece and I will call off the referendum. Otherwise, the will of the Greek population will count and I am afraid you may not like the result." Given that discussions had already been in the 3-digit billion Euro sphere, a demand for, say, 10-20 BEUR in the form of additional investments in Greece's private sector would have been like the icing on the cake, a satisfactory 'this and that'. Papandreou caved in, the political opposition behaved irresponsibly and all my hope for ever seeing a solid solution for Greece evaporated. With the benefit of hindsight, I would say that the period of 2010-12 was the crucial period where Greece 's future was determined: would Greece become the country which the TFGR envisioned or would it remain an underdeveloped economy with totally unequal distribution of wealth, income and burdens? Too geopolitically important to be allowed to fail completely but a far cry from utilizing its potential? The cynical celebrations about 'Greece's success story' are offset by more balanced critiques of what really happened in Greece since 2010. The celebrators claim that they saved Greece, the more balanced commentators say that Greece saved the banks and the Eurozone but not itself. Very little in-depth analysis is being made as to why Greece really ended up in 2010 where it ended up. Was it unavoidable that the Euro-dominos would fall and Greece was simply the first one to fall? Was the rescue program satisfactory or were mistakes made? If mistakes were made, who is to blame? Greece or the creditors? I have always maintained that there were 2 crises in Greece: an economic crisis and a financial one. The economic crisis, I argued consistently, began with the assumption of power by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and his PASOK in 1981 and the nearly simultaneous admission of Greece to the EU. The financial crisis began when 30 years of reckless mismanagement culminated in a 'sudden stop' of external financing in early 2010. In his book "The 13th Labor of Hercules", Yiannis Palaiologos gives an account of the reckless mismanagement referred to above. In essence, PASOK managed to change Greece's political and economic climate in only a few years: a bloated welfare state with stifling interventions and overregulation; welfare populism, cronyism, statism, nepotism, protectionism and paternalism. And worst of all, the opposition, Nea Demokratia, when in power, did its best to copy PASOK instead of correcting their policies. There no longer were checks and balances. Aristides Hatzis described this as follows: "Today's result is the outcome of a disastrous competition between the parties to offer patronage, welfare populism and predatory statism to their constituencies." The responsibility can be assigned equally to both parties: if it was PASOK who initially embarked Greece on this disastrous path, the last chapter in the story "how to ruin a country" was provided by ND when, during their term from 2004-09, they drove the public sector out of control. Was it the Euro which caused the demise of the Greek economy? Not really. When one visits Greek industrial parks today, many are more reminiscent of industrial cemeteries. Most of those industrial failures date back to the 1980s and 1990s when Greek competitiveness was essentially blown out of the water. In 1993, a young Greek professor teaching at an Australian university was asked, in a TV interview, his opinion of the state of the Greek economy. The professor stated that the Greek economy was in a state of terminal decline. His name was Yanis Varoufakis. In 1997, the so-called Spraos Report about Greece's pension system recommended urgent reforms lest the system fail. The President of all unions criticized the report for suggesting that the pension system would collapse by 2010 if corrective measures were not taken. That, the President prophetically ridiculed the authors, would assume that the Greek state would go bankrupt by 2010 (his assumption being that the Greek state could never go bankrupt). No, the Euro did not cause the demise of the Greek economy. The stage for that was set during the 1980s and 1990s, facilitated by the wave of foreign capital flows after EU membership. The Euro only added a turbo to that process, a giant turbo to be sure, and the wave of foreign capital flows turned into a tsunami during the 2000s. The economic crisis turned into a financial crisis during 2008. The sub-prime crisis had made lenders very risk-aware and cautious and many of Greece's lenders, previously unanimously enthusiastic, had begun looking more carefully at Greece's numbers. New lending to the Greek banking sector dried out and some existing loans were called back. This is evidenced by the rise in Greece's Target2 liabilities which began during 2008 (before then, Greece's Target2 was rather balanced). In 2009, the outflow of capital accelerated and once the new PASOK government revealed the true dimensions of Greece's deficits, 'sudden stop' was only a natural consequence. I once read an analysis which pointed out that there have been about 70 'sudden stops' world-wide since 1945. As a result, there was nothing new or unusual about Greece's 'sudden stop'. What was new about Greece's 'sudden stop' was the inadequate, if not irresponsible, EU's handling of it. Any 'sudden stop' triggers a major domestic crisis, particularly when an economy has become totally dependent on foreign capital. Thus, the question is not whether the suffering of the Greek population could have been avoided. Instead, the questions are: Could the suffering have been less? Could it have been for a shorter period of time? And, above all, did the suffering serve any constructive long-term purpose? Anyone who argues that the post-2010 rescue programs intended 'to save Greece' is disavowing reality. As long as the mantra was "If Greece falls, the Euro falls and if the Euro falls, the EU will fall!", the obvious conclusion is that the purpose of the post-2010 rescue was to save the Euro and the EU. The only thing that Greece was saved from was a default on its external liabilities, something which doomsayers dramatically referred to as 'the bankruptcy of Greece'. The Chief Economist of Citibank reacted to this as follows: "What the Europeans did not know was that sovereign defaults have been the most ordinary thing in the world of finance in recent decades." When the threat of a default appears on the horizon (or when it has already occurred), countries - like private or corporate borrowers - need to sit down with their creditors to discuss a restructuring of the debt. Never before in the history of finance have private lenders been let so easily off the hook as in the case of Greece! Only self-centered dreamers can have the nerve to call a rescue program which still leaves the country in shambles after 8 years a success. "Never let a serious crisis go to waste", the saying goes. The Greek crisis went to waste. No Greek parent can tell his children that "yes, we really had to suffer for a long time but we did it for you because you now live in a better country!" What went wrong? It is much easier to identify responsibility for the failure on the Greek side instead of elsewhere. Yes, 'ALL Greeks had eaten the lunch', as a Greek politician once said, and, therefore, all Greeks should now pay for it. Yes, the Greek side never left the impression that it assumed ownership of the problem but always left the impression that reforms were undertaken only unwillingly, only under severe pressure from the Troika and then only haphazardly. Yes, the Greek side always focused on the victim's role and sought to put blame elsewhere. Etc., etc. But the most important point is missing! What if a country is not yet quite ready for the framework of a highly developed EU, particularly for a complicated currency union? What if a country is not yet quite ready for the free movement of products, services and capital? What if a country had joined the EU and the Eurozone in the expectation that it would find help in its development? Looking back, I would argue that the resource allocation over the last 8 years was at best 10% for assisting Greece "to build a modern and prosperous Greece: a Greece characterized by economic opportunity and social equity, and served by an efficient administration with a strong public service ethos" and at least 90% for debt issues. What if it had been the other way around? A debt problem, however large, can be solved by a group of people in a conference room as long as they agree. To 'build a modern and prosperous Greece: a Greece characterized by economic opportunity and social equity, and served by an efficient administration with a strong public service ethos' is a project for a generation and it requires the best brains not only of Greece but of the EU in general. As Greece exits the program, its debt is now more or less regularized: much of the interest burden has been deferred, most of the debt maturities have been extended way into the future and a cash reserve has been built up. Here is the million-dollar-question: Why could that not have been accomplished within the first year of the rescue, thereby allowing resources to be allocated to more constructive purposes? In 2009, Greece had a primary deficit of 24 BEUR: before paying enormous amounts of interest, the Greek state spent 24 BEUR more than it had revenues. A staggering figure by all accounts. Naturally, that can be viewed as an example of extreme profligacy and, naturally, that can quickly be turned into an emotional issue: the profligacy of the Greeks must be stopped; the primary balance must be brought to zero as quickly as possible! So far, so good. But anyone who has attended Economics 101 in college knows that national income is the sum of private sector and public sector income. If one of the two is cut drastically, the other one must increase if a destruction of national income is to be avoided. The problem is much greater than the 24 BEUR because when the state, as by far the largest economic agent in any country, cuts dramatically, there will be a multiplier effect throughout the economy. With the benefit of hindsight, one can debate whether the multiplier effect was calculated correctly or not. My point is that one doesn't really need a calculator. When one takes 24 BEUR out of an economy the size of about 220 BEUR, one knows that there will be shockwaves. Unless... Unless one accompanies the (necessary) austerity with growth measures elsewhere to ameliorate the damage. Granted, no one could reasonably have been expected to give the Greek state a fresh 24 BEUR for growth measures given the Greek state's history of misspending funds. But it should not have been too difficult for EU experts to design ways to steer 24 BEUR into the private sector for growth projects. After all, the Chinese company Cosco steered millions of investments into their Greek subsidiary in the midst of the crisis and they are today very happy about that. Why could the EU not have accomplished with the country what a Chinese company accomplished with its subsidiary? Many have argued that Greece should have been given a major haircut back in 2010 to get back on its feet. That is an illusion! Greece did not achieve a primary surplus until 2016. In other words, debt service (interest) did not burden the budget until 2016. Instead, all interest which was paid until then had first to be lent to Greece (and increased the debt). What would have mattered much more is if Greece had been given the interest terms back in 2010 which it has now (or better yet: an immediate interest moratorium for, say, 10 years). The example of Germany, half of whose debt had been haircut back in 1953, was often cited. With the benefit of hindsight, one can question whether that was a good decision. What if the debt which Germany was forgiven had been replaced with a 50-year bond including deferred interest? Would Germany in 2003 have been able to service that debt? Of course it would have and it would have been fairer to those parties who had to finance Germany's haircut back in 1953. In short, true help for Greece would have looked something like this back in 2010: extending all loan maturities out into the future, say 25-50 years; an interest moratorium for at least 10 years; fresh money to finance the primary deficit with the proviso of achieving a surplus within 5 years; a commitment to maintain the stability of Greece's banking sector; and fresh money of at least 20 BEUR for growth measures in the private sector. All except the last point would have been quite easy to do as long as reasonable people came to an agreement in a conference room. The last point would have required true brainpower. With that kind of an offer of 'help for Greece', the EU would have acquired a legitimate claim to put 'demands' to Greece in exchange. Those 'demands' would have consisted of the standard measures of a memorandum, albeit it in a more intelligent way than it was done. But most importantly, the 'demands' would have had to address the 'hot potatoes' of the Greek public and private sector, all those structural weaknesses that everyone knows of but no one dares to touch. Above all, the 'demands' would have had to assure that the 20 BEUR for growth measures would not go to waste. What if the Greek side had not accepted this? What if the Greek side had interpreted this as an interference with national sovereignty? What if there could not have been accomplished consensus in the Greek government? Well, it's like the above mentioned conversation with Joseph Ackermann: "We offer you help but it's up to you to accept it. If you don't accept it, you have to live with the consequences!" Having written all that, it begs the question: Where are we today? Can there still be prosperity for Greeks in the foreseeable future? At this point, there is no prosperity for the Greek population in toto in sight. Of course, the upper third of the Greek population (or so) will continue to do well to very well, as they have done in the past, even during the crisis, and they may even profit from the current situation. The middle-third (the former middle-class) will struggle to survive. And the lower-third will continue to suffer. All those Greek friends who are telling me that 'Greece will never change' are really saying that it will be this way for a very long time. However, when I put myself back into the idealistically optimistic mode which I was in back in 2010-12, I envisage the formation of a competent economic management team and a unified government which provides it with air cover. If that were ever to happen, one could realistically hope that the day will come when Greece is 'a modern and prosperous country: a country characterized by economic opportunity and social equity, and served by an efficient administration with a strong public service ethos." PS: reviewing what I have written above at great length, the thought comes to mind that I have said everything there is to say and that, perhaps, this is a good time to close this blog. I will ponder this. You make a mistake about the blog, i m saying that in 03:12 am greek time and i would prove that. A greek actress asked before 2-3 years about the crisis, suggested, that what happened was lack of understaning (educational) to acknowledge obvious mistakes, the manipulation of institutional foundations, the lack of meritocratic principles, the narrow antilipsis for political game etc. She lastly noted that economy was something to consider, but what matter was that time in Greece in certain periods remain stable-motionless, when all the world was moving with great speed, not only how to generate economic opportunities. (She is currently living in US.) The point here is that if time is perceived like the "Order of time" by Carlo Rovelli in a physics-history book then "Wonder is the source of our desire for knowledge, and the discovery that time is not what we thought it was opens up a thousand questions". In that sense the blog is offering knowledge and ideas, therefore like time has a relative meaning. It doesn't matter how many follow the blog. The many references about events, important or relevant, in different periods of time, may not directly connected to the rest, but describe the variety of perceptions and evaluations or the open mind from someone outside the greek way of thinking. Manos Hadjidakis the music genius-composer and theoretic of music said that when something good happening in Greece was due to the personal motivation or the inspiration of an individual. (He mostly said that in reference to his close friend K Karamanlis that decided Greece to become EEC member). In Greece today there aren't many happy people, or those who seem happy don't understand a lot. Around 500k have left and thousands others are sceptical. If someone from his view of things is to give the slightest stimulus people to imagine (not necessary a politician) then this effort worth a lot. For this reason different views even when there are disagreements are vital. It does not matter Klaus Kastner how often would you write, but to write. For someone who is emphasizing so much (rightly so imo) the Current Account and the Balance of Payments, hence the External Debt, putting the blaim mainly on A. Papandreou is maddening. Whatever A. Papandreou did (many things, lots of them destructive, no love for the man), he did not finance them via external, foreign currency debt. The sui generis balance of payments disaster started with his successor C. Semites as interests rates started falling dramatically during Delors' second stage heading for the actual creation and adoption of the Euro; that's when Greek debt started to go from internal/domestic to external and then then also from local/national currency (drachma) to (kind of) foreign currency (euro). It then continued balloning till we all now when and what. So without the Euro (i.e. its adoption by Greece), this mess would probably have not happened and even if it did, it would have been much easier to deal with since it would have been much easier to devalue, etc.; it wouldn't have been a exotic Eurozone theatre of the absurd but a plain vanilla national BoP crisis. kleingut August 25, 2018 at 9:34 AM When Papandreou assumed office in 1981, Greece's current account deficit was 5% of GDP. It subsequently dropped to about 8% of GDP. Then the deficit recovered somewhat during the 1990s until the Euro tsunami started. Since 1981, Greece has not had one year of a current account surplus. In fact, somewhere I once read that Greece has never had a current account surplus post Civil War. The current account was Greece's major problem prior to the Euro. There simply was not enough foreign currency to pay for all the import desires of Greeks. Which is why there had to be such hefty tariffs. Incidentally, the huge EU subsidies were "revenues" in the current account. Without them, the deficit would have been much higher. Notwithstanding that, I agree with you that, prior to the Euro, Greece's debt was heavily placed domestically and not from offshore. After all, it was issued in Drachma. However, quite a bit of that Drachma debt found its way offshore. For example, Austria had a double-taxation treaty with Greece which stipulated that interest income from Greek state debt was non-taxable in Austria. During the 1990s, one of the most sought-after investment products in Austria were Greek government bonds. Even after covering the foreign exchange risk of the Drachma, the return was still 1-2% over Austrian returns. I have often wondered whether Greece would have been able to accumulate so much foreign debt as a Drachma country. I am inclined to say yes. Hungary is a local currency country but that didn't stop foreign banks to overload Hungary with loans. At one point, most of Hungary's residential housing loans were financed in CHF. Financial crises always come after financial markets have gone wild, and gone wild they truly had in the 2000s. If you read my article carefully, you could have noticed that I said that "the most important factor in INTERNATIONAL financial stability was a country's current account". Note the emphasis on international! You can bet that, if all of Greece's debt in 2010 had been placed domestically, there would have been little excitement between Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt and Berlin. None of the above changes my view that it all started with A. Papandreou. The below article will probably not find your agreement but it most certainly has mine. http://users.uoa.gr/~ahatzis/Hatzis_2012_09.pdf "When Papandreou assumed office in 1981, Greece's current account deficit was 5% of GDP. It subsequently dropped to about 8% of GDP. Then the deficit recovered somewhat during the 1990s until the Euro tsunami started." Yep but Emphasis on "was 5%", "recovered" and "Euro tsunami". It was a blip. Now let's see, let's compare with what happened under Semites and his successors: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS?locations=GR&view=chart Sorry they're but not in any way equivalent. And in any case already told you that "even if it did [happen], it would have been much easier to deal with since it would have been much easier to devalue, etc.; it wouldn't have been a exotic Eurozone theatre of the absurd but [it would have been instead] a plain vanilla national BoP crisis." PS Hatjis is a joke. Every time I see him quoted in the international press I lose more hair out of my head as I can't stop pulling them in despair and anger. No, wealth is not "created through voluntary cooperation and exchange". I can't stand his BS, his ahistorical laissez-faire mantra. Not only he makes no sense in a macroeconomic sense but also in a developmental one. Not only does he makes no sense inside a macroeconomic crisis context, he doesn't even make sense in a long term developmental one (backwards or forwards in time) as historically most of advanced countries ghave become advanced economies through protectionism and lots of state intervention. kleingut August 25, 2018 at 11:09 AM My sense is that you read my article with a preconceived notion and wherever you feel your preconceived notion offended, you explode instead of thinking other people's opinions through. There can be absolutely no question that an external payments crisis is easier to deal with when one has a local currency. Did you not read my comment about Chile where I referred to Chile's luck of only having fixed its currency to the USD 'forever' instead of having joined a currency union? One of the reasons why I have become pessimistic about Greece is that as I began to spend more time with Greece, with Greeks and in Greece after my retirement, I sensed that it is very difficult for Greeks to get an objective competition of opinions. The tolerance of other opinions is quite limited. The phrase "I agree that we disagree" seems impossible to speak (Varoufakis couldn't even agree that he disagreed with Schäuble). Against that background, the vision of ever having a unified government, a unified leadership pulling on the same string seems quite unresalistic, as unrealistic as it appears as of now that prosperity will return to Greece. It is not necessary to immediately call someone one disagrees with a 'joke'. You don't have to pull you hair out when someone you disagree with speaks. You could just listen and come up with counterarguments. There are better ways to disagree with someone than just calling him BS. Yes, I think you should read the book "The 13th Labor of Heracles". And if you really meant it seriously, you would formulate your own critique thereof for others to benefit. I don't pull out my hair because I disagree with him. I pull my hair because he evangelizes plain BS and is consulted quoted internationally as if he were an expert on Greece. There are lots of people and views thereof I disagree with which aren't BS; his views don't belong to the latter. It has been brought to my attention that there may be difficulties with posting comments. I would appreciate it if anyone who has such difficulties could write me a mail (see my profile). Martin Leppich August 25, 2018 at 11:52 PM I agree with your post and find it very worth reading. The only issue I may beg to differ is whether you should maybe close this blog: you seem to seriously consider closing it. Don’t do it! I loved following your blog and I am sure so have many more! Greece’s fate will remain an issue and I really believe that it would be such a shame if you just stopped!! Sorry for being absent from the blog without permission, but I had some technical problems which Klaus helped me to resolve. His latest blog entry was very moving and I urge him to stay the course. In my opinion, what happens next will be very important and perhaps would allow Greece to seek retribution for the "European hypocrisy" which it recieved in abundant and thoroughly unwanted ways. As Ambrose Evans Prichard puts it "the euro must be destroyed" in order for Greece to abolish its debt servitude. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/08/22/greece-will-not-escape-debt-servitude-euro-destroyed/ And as long as Greeks remain in the eurozone (which apparently for some reason is so important to the Greeks), I don't think any Greek would cry if the collapse of the euro destroys Germany in the process. It would be a fate well deserved, I believe. Dean. kleingut August 26, 2018 at 5:45 PM I can't get past the Telegraph's paywall. Could you send me the article via PDF? When I adamantly argued against a Grexit back in 2010-12, I did so out of fear that the social cost to Greeks would be unbearable. Today, I would say that that social cost would probably not have been greater than the social cost which Greeks paid as a result of staying in the Euro, the benefit of the former being that a turn-around could have been accomplished rather quickly: a one-off shock and then a steady improvement. One aspect to consider though: a Grexit would have meant for Greeks a very major devaluation of all their domestic financial assets and no one can say how that would have come across. One Greek politician said at the time that the tanks would have to move to protect the banks. If there is one benefit which Greeks got out of staying in the Euro, it is that the value of their domestic financial assets was maintained and that they could withdraw over 100 BEUR from banks in Euros. Obviously, what they have left with banks is frozen through the capital controls now and should there be a Grexit in the future, those financial assets will still be devalued. Klaus: Here is the meat and potatoes of the article - well written BTW: "The original sin of the EU-IMF troika was to foist bailout loans on Greece – in violation of the IMF’s own rules – when it was already insolvent. The country needed debt cancellation of 50pc to restore viability, given that the cure of devaluation was blocked. This was done entirely in order to save Europe’s banks and the euro at a time when the eurozone had no firewall against contagion and no functioning lender of last resort. It still lacks such a backstop, as will become clear when the ECB halts bond purchases at the end of this year. Both the Indian and Brazilian members of the IMF board protested in 2010 that Greece was being sacrificed to save monetary union. Yes, the world was vulnerable in 2010. The Lehman crisis was fresh. But as the IMF watchdog said, if the real worry was contagion, then costs should have been borne “by the international community”. There was no excuse for what happened next. The troika tried to force through an “internal devaluation” of 20pc to 30pc by means of deflationary wage cuts. The country was forced to go through a fiscal squeeze of 11pc of GDP over the first three years. This was scientific malpractice. Overkill set off a downward spiral. The economic base contracted faster than austerity cuts could keep up, causing the debt trajectory to rise faster. When the targets were missed, the Greeks were forced to cut deeper. The IMF watchdog said there had been a chronic “lack of realism”. Top staff of the Fund had become cheerleaders for the euro project throughout the EMU crisis. Critics were silenced. Officials were prone to “groupthink” and “superficial and mechanistic” analysis. Needless to say, there is no chance that Greece will muddle through until 2060. The next global economic downturn will push the country back into recession and blow up the debt trajectory. Indeed, it is an open question whether the eurozone itself can weather another slump, given that the ECB has exhausted its monetary powder and there is still no fiscal union to stabilise the system. The glaring risk is that Italy’s insurgent coalition – armed with its “minibot” parallel currency – will set off a chain of events that causes the rupture of monetary union. In which case, Greece will be forced out of the euro as a collateral casualty. All the sacrifice and national humiliation since 2010 will be have been pointless. Greece may get its drachma whether it wants it or not." You said the euro was not at fault. I say this is wrong. If you take a country with external deficits and convert 100% of its debt/GDP to -essentially- a foreign currency (the euro), how is this debt going to be repaid? It can't be repaid. Greece should have defaulted within a year after entering the euro for this reason alone. The situation was masked by refinancing the older (drachma) bonds that matured and were repaid in euros by new bonds issued in euros. This continued for a couple of years and then no-one wanted to buy bonds (because it wasn't really a viable situation anyway). On top of that, the Maastricht treaty required a max 60% debt-GDP ratio for entering the Euro. It was understood that the conversion of mountains of debt issued in local currency can't be viably converted to euro-debt. Greece had 100% when it entered the Euro. It was officially known. The europeans had to implement tricks to workaround the 60% ceiling "issue", like saying that if a country is showing that it will gravitate towards the 60% mark in the future, then it's ok... This is an insane amount of creative bullshit to bound a country, not suitable for euro-entry, to its euro-chains and a non-viable euro-debt. kleingut September 7, 2018 at 4:41 PM I say that the Euro is "not really" the cause of Greece's demise. I say the Euro was a fire accelerant, a turbo on a development which would have happened with a Drachma, too. To think that Greece would not have been able to run up so much foreign debt had it stayed with the Drachma is an illusion. Financial markets had gone crazy in the 2000s (stimulated by Greenspan's loose money policies). Just look how much foreign currency debt local currency countries like Iceland or Hungary ran up during the 2000s. Please get the following into your mind: do NOT equate a default with a debt forgiveness!!! Countries, contrary to private individuals and corporations, CANNOT go bankrupt for the simple reason that there are no bankruptcy laws for countries. Thus, if a country does default (quasi bankruptcy), none of its debt disappears. Consequently, defaults of countries can only be remedied through negotiations, never through laws. If Greece had defaulted back in 2010, which I think it should have, Greece and its existing creditors (mostly private) would have had to sit down and negotiate something. Presumably it would have been a massive restructuring of the entire foreign debt of the country, as I described in the article. I doubt that the lenders would have agreed to a haircut at that time: it is simply against all financial principles and precedent to forgive a sovereign, above all a first-world sovereign, debt right away when a crisis first appears. But a massive debt restructuring it would have had to be. See my suggestions in the article. Coincidentally, the Austrian DIE PRESSE (a conservative-liberal paper) published today the below commentary from a former head of Austria's Institute for the Economy. It references a Vision 2030 for Greece and I find the article most interesting! Run it through a translator! https://diepresse.com/home/meinung/gastkommentar/5485453/Griechenland-kann-Brueckenkopf-werden# I can't tell how many articles like this I have read over the years about "reforms", when in fact reforms are code for European desperation for its own inadequacies so evident in the introduced and now failed "rescue program". Very early on (meaning at least 7 years ago), I have taken the position that reforms ought to be a never-ceasing process of smart administration in order to continuously seek and achieve efficiencies. However, reforms imposed never equal optimum reforms. Reforms need to come from within and normally are introduced when the general economy is doing well. If you wish to cut public spending then the rest of the economy should be humming at impressive rates. The GDP formula is well known and is taught in even elementary macroeconomics classes: GDP = C + G + I + NX. C is equal to all private consumption, or consumer spending, in a nation's economy, G is the sum of government spending, I is the sum of all the country's investment, including businesses capital expenditures and NX represents the balance of trade. In the United States the public+private consumption part is huge and close to 70%, the government spending roughly 17%, the gross private domestic investment around 16% and net exports around minus 3%. Therefore there is a smart way to do reform which is the precise opposite of dumb reforms Greece has been asked to introduce for the sole purpose of satisfying the lenders that a primary surplus exists for debt servicing. It also seems to me that this(constant reform reminding) is the final card of this profound stupidity which only has a very remote chance of working out in the end that somehow "reforms" will keep the Greek economy afloat and able to recycle and thus repay its debts. Well, guess what. There is a greater chance for an eruption of public discontent than this "reform" racket ever succeeding. And at some point, the Europeans need to lose this reform mania and simply admit the fallacy of their plans because only Greece can accomplish and still be alive what has been accomplished to date. As soon as Italy and other countries experience the crises which now seem unavoidable, the Greek rescue program will be a permanent chapter of shame for European hypocrisy, flawed politics, and total incompetence. Constant "reform" repetition and reminding is a form of desperation because quite honestly there is nothing left to do and now is up to the Greek people to tear down this unbelievable wall of shame. All true, Dean, but tell me: do you know of any precedent where a person, company or country undertook major and possibly painful reforms when things were going well? Yes, it should be that way but it never seems to happen that way. It's like Keynes saying that “the boom, not the slump, is the right time for austerity at the Treasury.” The only example that I can think of is Andres Velasco who was Finance Minister of Chile from 2006-10 (under a leftist President!): he built up reserves in good times, was nearly crucified for that but that helped Chile to get through the financial crisis in rather decent shape. No, Klaus, we agree. And you have convinced me that you care about Greece and as a result, I no longer doubt your sincerity. But the "reforms" thing is getting a little bit overworn at the moment. In fact I might say, Keynesian theory aside, that the way these "reforms" were introduced in Greece made them fail spectacularly towards being owned by the people (who never knew of the extent of the state's fiscal problems) and as a result instead of absorbing the reforms and integrating them into their daily lives they now have become reform averse. The minute you say reform in Greece, people reach for the pockets to find out what exactly was stolen from them again. Therefore, I truly recommend that this repetitive "reforms" mantra is replaced with quiet and substantive moves on the ground to grow the effing economy. Otherwise, this endless reforms gospel is actually the most potent anti-reform force one could possibly invent. Dean, a certain amount of "bookkeeper's approach" is always necessary when things have gotten out of hand financially but I agree with you, the word "reform" has been totally misinterpreted in the case of Greece. My neighbor, who had to handle the inheritance of an apartment building which he and others had inherited, told me that, in total, he had to get 35 documents to get the job done. I don't know how long it took him but it is safe to assume that it took a lot of time. A "reform" would be to get that number down to, say, 5 . If less staff is required afterwards, that would be the result of the reform and not the objective. The Greeks wasted 8 years since the tide went out and still refuse to put their swimwear on. kleingut, you cited the IMF outlook for Greece in your previous post and I think it said it all: Aging population + very low productivity growth + hostile business environment + deeply devided and constantly failing politcal class that only acted when other nations put a weapon to their head etc. etc. Your fellow-countryman is fantasizing when he thinks that there is any chance that Greece could become something like a european Singapore. It would be a loss if you discontinue the blog. In discussions characterized by fantasy and feelings your voice has been one of realism and reason. Lennard. Thomas Wieser, the former head of the Eurogroup Working Group, gave Kathemerini an interesting interview. Where I argued that the EU should have demanded of Greece, in exchange for "real help", to "address the 'hot potatoes' of the Greek public and private sector, all those structural weaknesses that everyone knows of but no one dares to touch", Wieser takes the following different view: "But it is not, indeed it cannot be the aim of a program to dive deep into the political and constitutional fundamentals of a society. It cannot start addressing the root causes of a judicial system that is not allowed to work completely independently, or into fundamental questions of how the education system is organized and set up. These are issues that society has to solve for itself, and this is done largely through elections. This may work in the right direction, or in the wrong direction – but it is the direction the sovereign gives to its elected politicians. Changing such fundamentals through a program would be an erosion of democracy." Below is the link. http://www.ekathimerini.com/232009/article/ekathimerini/business/in-2015-some-played-a-very-costly-game-says-thomas-wieser Wieser for me has the skills of a lowly clerk and the brains of semi-developed barnacle. He was never a player, so why give the guy the podium to makes speeches for the benefit of the totally rotten New Democracy which mathematically will lose the next elections? Why? Don't you know that Kathimerini is a pure propaganda newspaper for the very same political party that brought disaster to Greece? So, how can you even read their mickey mouse articles? And why would you read them? Thomas Wieser understand the deficiencies, but he should emphasize for changes he mention before 2015. @ Dean. The time honored Greek way of discussion and dialogue. When somebody say something or write something you disagree with, don't comment it or argue your case. No, attack the persons or publications integrity, and advise people not to listen to, or read it, and do it at a high volume to hide the lack of substance. The modern Greek version of the Socratic method, reduced to a shouting match. Lennard: I don't understand why it's so difficult for you to accept that there is a class of European clowns that I would not even hire to clean my bathroom. They are devoid of proper education and they are simply drinking the Brussels CoolAid. They are nothing more than bad propagandists and their is empty, unsubstantive talk. Why would you even listen to these people? Since I have frequently referred to an interview which Yanis Varoufakis gave back in 1993, I thought I would link it below. The man who blamed all of Greece's travails on the Euro said this at the time: "The financial difficulties in Greece have to traced back to a very frail model of development in the 1960s. Ever since the international economy started trembling in the beginning of the 1970s, Greece entered a very long decline... The question is what can any government do in order to stop and reverse that decline." When asked what he thought about the young generation of Greek politicians, he said the following: "The new generation of politicians is waiting in the wings. There is a conventional belief in Greece that all you have to do is to wait for these people and then a generation of young people with new ideas is going to emerge. I happen to be a conservative. I happen to be of the view that we would not necessarily see a greater vision by the younger generation If you look very closely at the younger generation in all parts, I don't think you see an enormous amount of talent there." Finally, he referred to the terminal state of the Greek economy as follows: "Wether I believe that the terminal decline that started in the 1970s, as I pointed out earlier, is going to be reversed, that's another matter. I think all the signs are pessimistic on that front." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0IG4jREsvs&t=1s https://www.hba.gr/6Mme/UplFiles/Deltia_typou/RedeAthen.pdf Jim Slip September 1, 2018 at 12:15 AM This is a very long post, and a very biased one. Yes, the Eurozone caused the demise of the Greek economy. The exchange rate was too high, the interest rates were too low, the hostile central-bank did not support the bond market or the banking system, there were no surplus recycling mechanisms, the legacy debts were converted to foreign hard currency overnight, the post-crisis fiscal policy was pro-cyclical and too tight, and so on and so forth. Any country with a weak external sector that faces the above conditions is living on borrowed time. The facade that all is fine in the Eurozone has lasted long enough. As a new international crisis is brewing, and as globalization stutters, EMU will be put to the test, again. Let's all hope that this time it finally meets the fate of Europe's previous attempt to square the circle, the dreaded ERM. Miranda Xafa is clearly not a friend of the SYRIZA government but she has a high reputation as an economist (at least among non-Greeks). Below is her rather disappointing analysis where Greece stands after the exit from the program: http://www.ekathimerini.com/232187/opinion/ekathimerini/comment/exiting-the-third-bailout-an-evaluation You are prone to inconsistency and lack of focus. Xafa is pro-austerity and pro-Troika. Hans Weber Sinn (by your own words the subject of your admiration) is the exact opposite. Therefore either Sinn is a respected economist and Xafa an IMF stooge or you are all over the place and are willing to trade principle in order to score cheap points. How many times do we have to say that Kathimerini is propaganda press and why do you have such difficulty accepting such simple fact? Quoting Kathimerini dilutes your argument. kleingut September 4, 2018 at 10:46 AM Dean, in both of your comments you fall back into the mode of reading things which were not written and putting claims in somebody's mouth (mine) which were never made. I did not know that Hans-Werner Sinn was the subject of my admiration. He is, not totally unlike Varoufakis, a man with provocative views and who knows what he is talking about, and I always enjoy thought-provoking views. Sinn is also a sort of maverick and oftentimes he goes too far in his quest to teach the world what economics is all about. Clearly, If Krugman, Stiglitz & Co. can be described as "big spenders", Sinn very clearly does not fall into that category. About Xafa, on the other hand, I know very litte but I have observed that she is, second probably only to Varoufakis, a very frequently quoted Greek economist in the international media. I cannot tell whether Ekathimerini is a propaganda press or not but I do think that they have (and had, with Nick Malkoutzis) very good commentators. Sometimes I agree with them, other times I disagree. That's how it goes with opinions. Regarding Dijsselbloem, by "changing his narrative" I meant that the man who was the leading steer in forcing conditions down Greece's throat has now become a critic of his former self. That goes for several others, too. We seem to be going through a phase where wisemen make news by pointing out how unwise they have been. If you allow some feedback on Kathimerini then you might understand better the subject matter. Kathimerini was established in 1919 and supported the 1936 Metaxas dictator government which provided the seeds for the bloody Greek Civil War, a decade later. Kathimerini does not allow the publishing if its circulation numbers but it is widely believed that its daily sales figures are below 15,000 and its Sunday circulation at about 50,000. These are the figures of the provincial press rather than of national press worldwide. With figures like this Kathimerini is not a viable newspaper and you might say is very much the type of "bankrupt" type business which needs to be cleaned out of the Greek system if Greece is to modernize and move forward. It's owned by an obscure and mediocre Greek businessman named Alafouzos, who also owns the Skai TV network and is already divesting of its other colossal failure of a football club by selling Panathinaikos FC to an Asian businessman just to stop the financial bleeding. So, one immediate observation as an MBA (a degree which you hold) is why is this guy presiding over a series of marginal and failed/failing businesses? And the simple answer is that Skai TV and Kathimerini are ND mouthpieces and this in Greek politics means a great deal in propaganda currency. You, foreigners, love Kathimerini because it sucks up to your biases and distortions of Greek reality. To those of us who understand Greece in a bit more depth, Kathimerini is a contrarian indicator. Whatever Kathimerini promotes in political thought, the safe bet can be found in the exact opposite. As far as the "good commentators" comment, I delight in the fact that you are quickly Hellinising and becoming more Greek than the Greeks themselves, meaning that you are more interested in prose, theatrics and dramatic presentations rather than the substance of issues which is far less glamorous and far more inconvenient and/or unpleasant. Do me a favor please and don't fall for the fact that Kathimerini is selling you foreigners an easy platform to voice your opinions about Greece. They are nothing more than the first merchant you meet in a central market wishing to satisfy your every need, win exclusivity and convince you that all other merchants are inferior and of bad quality. The truth, of course, is that Kathimerini is the uber bad quality merchant of news and nonstop propaganda and if we are to reform Greece a nice first step would be to eliminate artificial channels of information like Kathimerini and its servants(aka Malkoutzis) from the honest part of public discourse. I would be interested in Nick Malkoutzis' reaction to this. Why don't you post it on Macropolis and request his response? Meanwhile, and to keep your emotional fluids in motion, I am linking an essay by Aristides Hatzis about modern Greek history which will undoubtedly trigger critical comments from you, or not? https://www.academia.edu/37336202/A_Political_History_of_Modern_Greece_1821-2018 PS: at some point you will undoubtedly explain to me what part of Greek public discourse is not propaganda... I am sure you know from personal observation in life that little things are capable of producing big differences. So, let's start with the name Hatzis and its meaning (because everything in the Greek language has a meaning). "Hatzi- or Chatzi- (Greek: Χατζη-) is a prefix of Greek family names. It derives ultimately from the Arabic Hajji, denoting one who has successfully completed a pilgrimage. In Christianity, the prefix is added when someone had committed the pilgrimage to Jerusalem." You, of course, know my aversion to pseudo-religions of all type, especially Christianity the Roman invention instrument of ruling an empire of slaves. Therefore, we don't have a good start here. His family surname means he came from Asia Minor and as a result, he harbors an incurable bias against the idea of what Greece is or supposed to be. You see, I don't accept his thesis that Greece has a 200 year history as a modern state because it is based on two false premises (a) that Greece is a byproduct of two false empires (i.e. uber anti-Greek concepts by definition), one based on Roman slavery and the other on Ottoman slavery and b.) it makes Greece a product of the east akin to a toddler in developmental terms. Since I strongly reject both such versions of "modern" Greece ( I believe instead that authentic Greece is only based on science and reason such as taught by Socrates (to bring our friend Lennard into the conversation - see below for his comment in the Socratic Method) and that Greece could never be a product of slavery but an idea/concept spawned by free men not to mention that is the cornerstone of western civilization. I am sorry to inform you then that after reading a synopsis of Mr. Hatzis paper, I could not muster the strength to even critique the flawed foundations of his approach. He is entitled to his opinions of course, but I think he displays the unmistakable traces of those mistreated refugees from Asia Minor who maintain a romantic view of their eastern lands and who (for very good reasons indeed) feel compelled to deconstruct the modern Greek state which indeed mistreated those Asia Minor families as category B citizens and never truly accepted them as genuine parts of Greek society. These are the wounds of the Greek Civil War and they run deep but all boil down to matters of injustice. Can Greeks be cruel and uncaring towards other Greeks? Absolutely. Wow, Dijsselbloem changed his narrative very quickly! http://www.ekathimerini.com/232221/article/ekathimerini/business/former-eurogroup-head-dijsselbloem-says-demands-on-greeks-were-too-heavy Which part of what he says is classified as "changing narrative"? Reforms are for well-run governments to attempt and a competent state reforms regardless. Why are you confusing reforms with saving the flawed euro? The whole objective of the last 10 years was to save the euro and not Greece. Everyone who believes otherwise is simply ignorant and naive. It would be a shame if you left this blog. However, i would like to leave this crisis behind us and try to build on the momentum seen. I do not share the outsights of the experts. I just got back from vacation and i have never seen so many tourists in my life on my Island and with such great variation. Meanwhile local economy has changed for the better. Greeks still complain but is more the complaining of "i want more" than "i have nothing to eat." Tourism window contributing to our economy is also growing. The population is a concern because the 500,000 who left are the working age. Young working age. That can not be made up. Wish You well, I recommend to observe the Argentine situation because Argentina and Greece share quite a few traits: corruption spread throughout the entire public sector and economy; governments playing to their friends and interest groups; perennial complaining but never taking effective long-term measures, etc. etc. Where Chile reformed its economy once, but reformed it is such a way that reform lasted for half a century (so far), Argentina is on a perennial downward slope with sporadic phases of stability in between. The huge difference with Greece is that Argentina is EXTREMELY wealthy in natural resources. The famous joke goes that what Argentines destroy during daytime, God replaces during the night. Or, when God saw how much wealth he had given that country, he decided to give it the Argentines to counterbalance that. The private offshore wealth of Argentines is mindboggling. Citibank's view in my time was that such private wealth was always at least as high as Argentina's government debt. That would put the figure now at well over 300 BEUR! The trick with that private debt was/is that, periodically, some of it came back to Argentina to work profitably there. During chaos, every Argentine converts his money into dollars and most move those dollars outside the country. Whenever a periodic stability plan is in the works, smart Argentines know that good money is to be made in their country and they bring some of that money backs (which accelerates any recovery). As soon as the first clouds re-appear on the economic horizon, that money leaves the country again (thereby accelerating the demise). I once suggested in this blog that the trick for Greece would be to have some of Greek private wealth return to the country but not temporarily but, instead, to stay. That would require that any new economic policy would be a long-term policy and not just a "sporadic Argentine period of stability". It will also be interesting to observe Turkey. From the distance, it looks like that country is facing an unavoidable "sudden stop" (if it isn't already in the midst of one). Only a miracle seems capable of avoiding that. If sudden stop does finally occur, no one will use the word "haircut" and no other country will bail out the lenders via Turkey. The existing lenders will simply have to restructure the debt, all claims will remain valid. Thus, the creditors keep full value of their loans but they won't get repayment for a long time (and some of the existing lenders may have to be recapitalized, as it should be). Finally, an article by an author with intelligence and economic understanding on par with that of Dean, Jeffry D. Sachs. Not that it carries much weight, after all it was brought in Ekathimerini. @Dean My lack of understanding must be ascribed to my upbringing and life experiences. I am brought up in a society where the logical Socratic Method is a tool, not an abstract 2000 year old ideal. It is used in all aspects of life, personal relations, business and politics. Some of the people who use it don't even know the name of it, they may call it common sense. The tool has brought the society a modest success, it has done so by facilitating compromises and positive sum deals. During my life and work in other societies I used the same tool, usually with success, and I did not find a better one. On the other hand I observed that those who refused to use the method lost influence and knowledge, and eventually became irrelevant. I am delighted that you like the Socratic method ( since I am a huge admirer of Socrates) but it requires a flowing Q&A format which this blog is lacking. When you post commentary and you need to wait one day for your comment to appear and even longer for responses, then you can kiss the Socratic Method goodbye. In the remote case that this blog decided to adopt the Socratic Method (i.e. an interactive and ever-flowing commentary session fostering Q&A and devoid of censorship - because delayed comments are a form of censorship) then I would love to give you a powerful demonstration of how the Socratic Method is supposed to work. kleingut: 1. In view of the occasion I would like to thank you for all the work you put into this blog over the years. I learned a lot from your articles precisely because I did not always (though mostly) agree with everything you wrote 100%. Your bankers view on the Greek long-term malaise clearly broadened my understanding of the failure of Greece economy in particular and of economics in general. 2. I think it would be a pity if you would close this blog now. And here is why: - The crisis isn’t over and there a dark clouds on the horizon - not only for Greece but for the world economy in general. - Now as Athens has more room to maneuver you can finally discuss in more detail what the Greeks can do to better their economy. Here are the fields that I would be interested in: - Fiscal policy (retirement funding, public vs. private sector, defense spending, etc.) - Educational policy (especially vocational training) - Ease of doing business (legal framework) - Strengthening of institutions and fighting corruption - Foreign direct investments (especially those of the Chinese) - Diversification of economic activity. So again, thanks for this blog and please keep it up. kleingut September 6, 2018 at 12:20 PM What the Greeks could do to better their economy, their society and their country? Well, I know what I would do. I would ask the EU to re-establish the Task Force for Greece. I would only make one change: before, the TFGR had a direct reporting line to the EU and only an indirect one to the Greek government. That made it appear to many Greeks as though it were a foreign interventor, perhaps even an occupation force, and that obviously made it virtually impossible for the Greek side to "own" the project. Going forward, I would have the TFGR report directly to the Greek government, perhaps even directly to the Prime Minister, with only a dotted reporting line to the EU. The critical aspect would be that the Greek Prime Minister, whoever he is, considers it as "his" project and fully supports it. And then I would sit down with the TFGR to formulate an agenda which, at its end, has Greece as "a modern and prosperous country: a country characterized by economic opportunity and social equity, and served by an efficient administration with a strong public service ethos." Do I imply that the Greeks could not handle that on their own? Not really, but only through a TFGR can the Greek side have access to all the resources and competency of other countries in its effort towards modernization. Copying others is always more efficient than inventing the wheel on one's own. I always referred to the Chilean experience. The Chileans could only be successful because they had their own Task Force. It was composed of Chileans and not of foreigners BUT those Chileans (the "Chicago Boys") were a unified group sharing the same economic religion: they had all studied at the same Chilean university, they had (almost) all studied under Milton Friedman in Chicago (a few of them at Harvard) and they were all very brilliant people, mostly quite young and idealistic. There were many other brilliant Chileans at the time but they did not have the same shared values, experiences, education and economic religion. They could never have achieved the unity which the Chicago Boys had. I am reminded of a conversation I once had very early on (around 2011) with a very prominent Greek businessman of national renown. A patriotic Greek. He said to me: "To reform the Greek public sector, we need 2 people for every middle and senior management job: one Greek and, on his side, an EU expert who trains him." I told him that he was out of his mind; Greeks would never accept such perceived subservience. He forcefully disagreed with me. He said Greeks would be happy to do that. In fact, he said, Greeks secretly know that this is what would be required and they hope that it would happen but they are too proud to admit it. Both of you are missing the point and start comparing apples to oranges. The issue here is (refer to the Telegraph article again quoted above) the hypocrisy of Europe, its incompetence and the fact that in rescuing the euro, idiotic Berlin & Brussels chose to signal out Greece as "in need of reforms". The "reform" part is the cloak Euroidiots are using to hide their own shortcomings. Can the Greek economy run better? Absolutely. If I were the Greek PM I could run it w/ an increased 30% efficiency factor right from the start. That's easy to do. What is not easy to do is changing the seasonal nature of the Greek economy. Greece has two economies: the winter 1/2-year economy which underperforms and overconsumes(overspends) and the summer 1/2 year economy which overperforms and erases the winter deficits. Can the cyclical nature of the Greek economy be cured? Sure but not by flipping a switch; it will take a long time (decades). Picking a Latin (i.e. Latin being the archenemy of Greek) country with one third the per capita GDP of Greece as an example to follow, fails on two very important counts: 1. There is no cultural commonality w/ Latin America in Greece. None. I am married to a Colombian-German girl and I know. Under a unifier umbrella like the United States culture maybe and that's a conditional maybe. 2. Cultivating the false notion that Greece could manage its enormous debt load through reforms of any kind, is I dare say an exercise for idiots or using the diplomatic language "an exercise for the semi-ignorant and ill-informed". So, if you want to use an example of a country to motivate Greeks towards better performance then that's none other than Cyprus. Same culture, same people but far better-educated people under the English system. So, let's put it into a mathematical formula for daily use: Reforms = German nonsense based on German self-interest and a profound diversion from the key issue. Improve the Greek economy = import Cypriots to run it. Dean, I am not familiar with Cyprus. What I do remember is that when, back in 2012/13, the crisis exploded, I thought how lucky the Greeks had been. From the articles I read about Cyprus, I thought that that country had really been given the shaft: depositors losing up to half of their uninsured deposits, etc. I thought Cyprus would remain in shambles for a very, very long time while the Greeks were already on a road towards stabilization, however rough that road was. In fact, Greece suddenly looked good relative to Cyprus (it even helped to bail out a Cypriot bank! Albeit at great profit for Greece...). Since then, from the little I have read, Cyprus seems to be back in reasonable shape. Perhaps you could can explain what they did differently from Greece. Regarding Cyprus as a role model for Greece and Chile being an anti-role model because it is Latin and so small, I am looking at TradingEconomics: Cyprus has a GDP of about 22 BUSD compared with Chile's of about 280 BUSD. Its population is about 1,2 million, or about the size of the Greater Thessaloniki area. That seems to be a different cup of tea from Greece. You are, as always, mixing 2 different issues: the hypocrisy of the EU and the domestic structural problems of the Greek economy and its public administration. On the former, I fully share your view and I have written at length about it. If you want to refresh your memory, go the the "favorite links" on the right hand side and browse through "AAA-What this blog is all about". At one point, I even suggested something like a Nueremberg Trial for the EU elites. The latter issue is a separate one, albeit in some instances linked to the former. Some people, like Varoufakis, argue that the latter is a minor one, has always been around and would never have caused all the trouble if it had not been for the former. That, to me, is pure demagoguery. Only Greeks can, within their own sovereignty and jurisdiction, change the attractiveness of the country for doing business and the level of corruption (on both counts Greece ranks last in the entire EU). The "reform" part is the cloak Euroidiots are using to hide their own shortcomings? That's overestimating the EU and underestimating Greece. The dramatic need for reforms has been recognized by Greece for over 20 years. Just look at Varoufakis's video of 1993 or read his manifesto for his new Greek party. I mentioned the anecdote of the Spraos report in my above article. The literature by Greeks about the need for reforms is seemingly endless over the decades. When I praised the McKinsey Report when it came out in 2011, I was reminded by commentators that it wasn't really original McKinsey. Instead, they had largely copied from a major study which the Greek government had commissioned a few years earlier. And so forth. So my advice to you is the same I have always given Varoufakis: focus on the problems which Greeks can solve on their own and leave the problems of other people to other people. For what it's worth, here is an excerpt from Varoufakis' manifesto: "In the post-Civil War era, Greece’s growth occurred in the context of a totalitarian political framework adorned with a veil of parliamentarianism. New industries were erected in the 1950s under the protection of a paternalistic and authoritarian state. Uncompetitive and on flimsy foundations, they could simply not sustain the 1970s shock waves from the oil price hikes, the international economic crisis that ensued, and the removal of tariff protection mandated well before Greece could join the European Union (the EEC at that time) in 1980. Our industry’s demise led to a recession and hordes of unemployed workers who (in the absence of a welfare state) were gradually re-employed by the state – the beginnings of the public debt crunch. Greece’s accession to the EU (EEC) in 1980, and especially the eurozone in 2000, created new enrichment opportunities for the Greek borderless oligarchy: Their pre-existing political clout helped the upper class to transform themselves from protected capitalists to well-connected rentiers aiming at the rents now available from European Community sources. And when the euro arrived, and rivers of private loans from the inane Franco-German banks began to flow, Greece entered the phase of Ponzi growth on which feasted the Triangle of Sin: Developers-Bankers-Media Owners. While the weaker citizens increasingly struggled to make ends meet, our new ‘entrepreneurial’ class were celebrating the myth of Greece’s ‘new paradigm’ and its accession to ‘Europe’s hard inner circle’." If you begin to look at Greece under the favorite leftist mantra of "class struggle" then you enter a maze from which there is no exit. Varoufakis and others like him are permanently trapped victims of their own ideology. Their paths in the maze are both fascinating and endless. If you allow Yanis to define the problem then I can assure you that there is no solution to it. "Only Greeks can, within their own sovereignty and jurisdiction," Greece is presently sovereign in name only. You keep neglecting this. €v€n if th€ s€rfdom is by own choic€. "change the attractiveness of the country for doing business and the level of corruption (on both counts Greece ranks last in the entire EU)." Countries predominantly do not get out of macroeconomic crises by attracting foreign investment.* Nor do they advance developmentally through foreign investment (the only such useful foreign investment is the the one transfering technical knowhow, a very rare one, a very hard to attact). Greek (-style and relevant corruption) is not the cause of the form, structure and level of the Greek economy or of any economy. It's the form, structure and level of the economy that defines the form, structure and level of corruption it has, not the other way round. Germans e.g were once thought to be by nature corrupt and lazy (when Britain et al. were leading industrialization); they didn't stop being thought in this way because they rooted out corruption; they stopped being thought thus because they industrialised and caught up very fast (but certainly not in a few years; it's decades we're talking about) with the industial leading countries, following the German historical school of Economics, i.e. see Liszt, himself following Hamilton and the American School); all these things of course have been long forgotten in Germany since WWII and Ordoliberalismus. Just like USA being the champion of protectionism for centuries has been long forgotten in the US since at least the 70s and the reign of Neoliberalism. To quote Lapavitsas on this and Greece in order to make the impossible scale of FI that would be needed to achieve such a goal: "Όσοι νομίζουν ότι το επενδυτικό άλμα μπορεί να βασιστεί σε ξένες επενδύσεις δεν έχουν συναίσθηση ούτε του κενού που υπάρχει, ούτε των συνθηκών στην παγκόσμια αγορά. Το 2008 η Ελλάδα είχε ακαθάριστες επενδύσεις περίπου 60δις, ενώ σήμερα έχει περίπου 20δις. Η γειτονική Τουρκία, με οικονομία 4,5 φορές μεγαλύτερη από την ελληνική και πολύ καλύτερες επιδόσεις στην προσέλκυση επενδύσεων, είχε μέσο όρο ξένων επενδύσεων τα τελευταία 5 χρόνια περίπου 12δις. Πως ακριβώς θα λύσουν οι ξένες επενδύσεις το ελληνικό πρόβλημα;" http://costaslapavitsas.blogspot.com/2018/09/blog-post.html List, not Liszt, sorry for the typo. Somehow Franz intruded on Friedrich in my train of thought... :) The only thing Greece is not sovereign in is in spending other countries' money; full stop. Everything that is necessary to make Greece a more attractive place for investment (domestic or foreign) and a less corrupt economy can be handled within its own jurisdiction. In fact, only within its own jurisdiction can it be handled. I wouldn't argue so forcefully if I had not experienced that, with the right economic management team and a unified government behind it, even a chaotic and bankrupt country can be turned around within a few years. A.If other countries' money is needed to maintain the status quo, i.e to remain in the EZ and not default then not being allowed to spend this money at will means there is no sovereignty. Let's not play dumb, shall we? PS The only alternative, the only sovereign available act would be Grexit + default on the external debt. A path I would happily prefer but something that's not on the table, at least presently. B.Again, no. May I remind to you the seemingly invisible hybrid offspring of a Gorilla, an Elephant and a Blue Whale in the room? I.e. that: The Eurozone (minus Greece) did not leave the Eurozone crisis behind by rooting out corruption and/or attracting foreign investment. Nor did the US. Nor did the UK. Nor did Japan. And so on and so forth. They exited the crisis through QE and Economic Stimulus. I.e. by means which Greece was either excluded from or was not in the position to do. When I read comments like yours, a great desire develops inside me, namely: that a majority of Greeks start feeling like you do and that they elect a government which goes for default and Grexit. Perhaps one has to force self-responsibility on a nation if it cannot be achieved otherwise. Other countries' money was not needed to maintain the status quo. Instead, it was needed to pay salaries, pensions and other government expenses. Nobody forced Greece to squeeze out a primary surplus by cutting investments to almost nil and running up arrears. Instead, some tranches were even earmarked for such purposes but were not used for that purpose. Fine with me if you want to play dumb, you seem to know how to. I don't. QE is fine for countries which take up new debt because of the lower interest rate. Greece has the cheapest debt in the whole world without QE (much of the EU-debt is interest-free). Economic stimulus? You first need to be clear what you are stimulating. If economic stimulus goes into consumption (as it had in Greece prior to the crisis) and if consumption goes heavily into imports (as it had before), a Greek stimulus is actually a stimulus for other economies. How many Greeks have told me that Greece has actually made Germany rich by buying so much from them? You last statement that Greece has the cheapest debt cannot be true. The 10-Yr German Teasury currently yields 0.39%. Can you please provide evidence that the Greek debt is at lower rates than this? How could you even make such statement when Greece's IMF debt is at roughly 4.5%? Are you turning into an EU populist? I said „much of the debt“ is interest free. That‘s the ESM part, I believe around 150 BEUR of the total. It was interest free until 2022 and has now been extended to 2032 interest free. The rest of official EU debt is also at extremely low rates. But, yes, there is also expensive debt: all the free market debt raised since 2014, left-overs of old debt and, of course, the ridiculously expensive IMF debt. OK, now you ARE playing dumb. "QE is fine for countries which take up new debt because of the lower interest rate. Greece has the cheapest debt in the whole world without QE (much of the EU-debt is interest-free)." https://voxeu.org/article/ecb-grants-debt-relief-all-eurozone-nations-except-greece 1.This is how Portugal, Spain, et al. and the very existence of the Eurozone was saved. Excluding Greece of course. Including Greece in QE could, if not would, have signalled the markets that the ECB is behind Greek debt, i.e. that Greece would not -in various degrees of probability- default, and this WITHOUT having to starve and tax herself to death. It could have possibly turned a solvency problem to one of illiquidity and possibly even better; without the endless austerity. And this exactly why it didn't happen. It's would be a northern transfer union nightmare. Instead, the other EZ countries were signalled that if they wouldn't walk the teutonic/nordic line they would have to follow in the footsteps of Greece; and if on the other hand they would follow the righteous path, then they would be rewarded (though Super Mario had to fight a war with the Teutones even for this macroeconomic sine qua non). It's the carrot and the stick, grand EZ style. 2.Greece does no have the cheapest debt in world in any reasonable sense -nevermind the instances of negative rates, Dean mentioning Germany etc- by a longshot because Greece cannot actually borrow from the markets at that rate, didn't/doesn't have the de facto sovereignty to spend that borrowed money at will (you know, 90% right back to the creditors etc.) had to starve and tax herself to death in order to be given relevant loans (so that she wouldn't default and exit the EZ). The cunning slight of hand you are doing is not impressing me... ;-) PS Forgotten to include, to make absolutely clear, in the reasons why the debt is not actually that cheap, the future dimension. I.e that the reasons already mentioned for the past are absolutely also true for and extend to the future. I.e. Greece cannot and will not be able to borrow at such rates from the markets (in fact at the first obstacle a return to chaos is commonly fortold), cannot and will not be able to spend at will (i.e. de facto no sovereignty; see for examples recent threats to be denied debt "relief" if she doesn't walk the line) and has to produce and will have to produce large primary surpluses (i.e. tax and cut) virtually for ever in order to the money pay back (something you spinned very cunningly focusing on the fact that the idiots in power have chosen the strategy of producing even greater surpluses for the near future). When on the other hand Germany for example or any normal borrower borrows (cheaply or not so cheaply), it means that: she can borrow in at least the near future at that or similar rate from the markets, she can spend the borrowed money however she pleases and, she doesn't have to chop and keep chopping pieces off her arms and legs for ever in order to receive that money. But you have given me a powerful demonstration of your discussion method, it is more like one of my friend's description of Greek discussions. Transmitters only, no receivers, the only listener is the microphone that via the amplifier and loudspeaker creates an ever louder sound loop ending in a crescendo of wailing noise. Like cheap sound equipment. Are you trying to transmit to me that you are not tolerant of opposing views? Gray October 24, 2018 at 10:08 AM That's the same experience virtually every rational commenter has made when trying to have a discussion with Dean Plassaras, Lennard. Dean is a well known troll and blocked by many sites. I wonder why Klaus let him comment here, that's a total waste of time. By no means, express your views and discuss them in whatever form you wish, so do I. Views opposition is generally a good thing. This is how propositions of value get developed and applied for the greater good. As I said: Do you want Greece to prosper? Then let Cypriot run it. "Cyprus managed to raise 1.5 billion euros on Tuesday in a sale of 10-year bonds, shortly after Standard & Poor’s upgraded the island’s credit rating out of junk status on Friday. Demand for Nicosia’s new paper came to 5.5 billion euros and the interest rate came to 2.4 percent, beating original estimates for 2.6 percent." http://www.ekathimerini.com/232738/article/ekathimerini/business/cyprus-makes-the-most-of-sp-credit-rating-upgrade Best deal ever for Greece. COSCO. http://www.kathimerini.gr/986792/article/oikonomia/epixeirhseis/yperdiplasiasmos-kerdwn-kai-megalh-ay3hsh-tziroy--apo-ton-olp-to-a-6mhno if you decide to close this blog, I would like to thank you for the work that you have done over the years. I have followed the blog from time to time, and it has given me considerable new insight. Sometimes it seemed to me a bit like an island of sound reasoning in an ocean of rubbish. If you decide to continue, this could be an interesting story to deal with: https://www.nzz.ch/international/lager-moria-wird-zur-politischen-affaere-in-griechenland-ld.1424674 I wonder what to think about this matter. kleingut October 3, 2018 at 10:33 AM I think I once wrote an article about this. At that time, if I remember correctly, total aid was around 800 MEUR (which now is said to be around 1,6 BEUR). Only a portion of that aid (I believe around 1/3) had gone to the Greek state, the rest to all sorts of other agencies/institutions like NGOs, etc. They all had one thing in common: zero accountability as to how the funds had been used. In my opinion, there is a point where misuse of funds is less a sin of those who misuse them and more of those who provide the funds so irresponsibly that they literally invite misuse. According to Greek commentators I have read, the above reflects the disfunctionality of the Greek state. That may be the case. It may also be the case that the Greek state wants to make it extremely unattractive for refugees to cross the Aegean. The true test would be to invite a tender for the construction of a container city housing up to, say, 50.000 people and the cost of operating it. My sense is that it would take at maximum a few months and cost much less than 1,6 BEUR. Greece's luck is that the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is a former communist (Michelle Bachelet). Apparently, she heard that the conservative Austrian Chancellor is opposing an open-door policy for migrants and she felt it necessary to send a commission to Austria to check on that country's human rights situation. These auditors will have a lot to audit in Austria because Austria offers so many different social benefits to migrants that it will be a long time until they get to look into the Greek situation (not to mention countries where they have torture, etc.). "...Austria offers so many different social benefits to migrants that it will be a long time until they get to look into the Greek situation" ...but, alas!, not "a container city housing up to, say, 50.000 people"... from where Austria, Switzerland (!) & Co could chery pick with whom they are going to share their "many different social benefits", while at the same time a) getting to shed bitter tears of moral superiority when lamenting the deplorable refugee concentration camps many many many hunderd kilometers south of their southermost borders and b)wallowing in that totaly pervasive but always-better-left-unspoken feeling of victimhood that good Northernes get when contemplating how much of their hard earned taxpayers money is beeing wasted many many many hundert kilometers south of their southermost borders on those ungrateful and incompetent camp keepers. But damn those (ex-)commies ! Lykinos PS. One could and should hold, amongst others, SYRIZA responsible for its refugees concentration camps but that one should not come many many hundet kilometers north of our borders unless said one is willing and able to put up "a container city housing up to, say, 50.000 people" from where richer countries will pick and choose with whom and when they are going to share their generosity without Nazis, Nazi apologists, Nazi sympathisers & CO taking the reins of their affluent societies. But damn those (ex-)commies ! Damn them everywhere! kleingut October 3, 2018 at 8:13 PM I take it you have never seen container homes. They are very much like mobile homes. From the inside, you couldn't tell the difference with an apartment. Stop playing dumb. Here is an interesting article about how Albania developed in the last few years and lessons which Greece could draw from it: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/albanian-economic-miracle-innovative-policymaking-by-ricardo-hausmann-2018-09 @Lykinos Does it rankle that Austria has taken proportionally more migrants than Greece, and treat them decently, and finance it out of her own budget? Does it disturb your picture of Greece as the hospital country that has shown Europe what humanity is? I shouldn’t be doing your work for you but since reading comprehension is obviously not your thing I’ll give you a hint: is Austria expected to imprison sixty thousand people and counting, since refugee and immigrant flows are not to stop soon, until its richer “partners” deem the moment opportune to show “generosity” without fear that their good honest folk will flock en masse to FPÖ – AfD shits and their we-are-the-moderate-centre desperate imitators? Does it disturb your picture of yourself as a good fiscally responsible northerner of humanitarian tendencies if not sensibilities and as a raging smartass telling off those Greek hypocrites that these camps – or, “a container city housing up to, say, 50.000 people” - cannot be anything other than concentration camps, no matter how much alike to apartments these container homes may be; the moment these people are afforded free movement, which is the humane and decent thing to do, most of them will strive to abandon bankrupted Greece and reach poor little affluent you, making people like your dearest self increasingly concerned about the “many different social benefits” that immigrants enjoy in you country, supposedly causing an open invitation effect, and increasingly ridiculous as you strive to come up with more and more sophisticated excuses why these up and coming Nazi apologists, misunderstood sons and grandsons of good old upstanding families that happened one to be Nazis, are not as bad as they are made to be seen and finally one could believe that they represent a legitimate political alternative and so on… See, I can also make assumptions about you. There’s nothing to it. I don’t even need to know where you hail from in order to expose your particular brand of hypocrisy in the matter of: “hey, let’s raise immense humane concentration camps many many many hundred kilometers south of our borders and then congratulate ourselves that at least we are not as bad as the wasting-our-hard-earned-taxpayer-euros people that are running them!” PS. Cool it off with your “Austria has taken proportionally more migrants than Greece” stuff. I know the numbers that ÖVP -FPÖ types like to advance but what I’d like to know is the actual number of people granted asylum. I will respond on behalf of Anonymous at 8.31 PM Asylums granted in Austria prior to 2014: 3.000-4.000 per year. Thereafter: 2014: 8.724 2015: 14.413 2018: 9.786 (8 months) And here are the numbers for asylum applications: Prior to 2014: on averasge 15.000 per year. Thereafter: From your response I gather that it does rankle that Austria could manage her migration problems and Greece, in spite of the millions she received from EU to do so, could/would not. Or would you say that Moria is a beacon of Greek humanity and that conditions in Austria are worse? From your response i'm surprised you gathered anything at all. @ Klaus. There seems to be confusion regarding how much Greece has received to manage her migrant problems, most likely caused by the European Commission paper MANAGING MIGRATION EU Financial Support to Greece, April 2018. My take on it is that Greece has been allocated/disbursed as follows: From the 2014-2020 long term funding 561/153 MIO. From 2015-2018 Emergency Funding 393/279 MIO. Thereof 197.4 MIO ear marked for NGO's (UNHCR etc.) Those figures indicate that Greece had availability of 80% of the money at hand. As for who is accountable, the Greek state is, EU allocate funds to member states, not NGO's. As for who is more reliable as responsible end spender entity, Greek General Secretary for Co-Ordination or UNHCR, I leave it for you to decide. I don't share your views on misuse of funds. Not being religious I don't pray "don't lead me into temptation". If I was religious, I hope I would ask for "the moral strength to resist temptations". Thanks for the blog. I've visited regularly over the years and learnt a lot. Your polite, active commenting style was also a highlight. Come on Klaus! This publication from August has now gathered several months of comments with many readers saying that they would like to continue reading your valued opinions. Myself I also would like to thank you for all your efforts and kindly ask you to continue. I fully understand that it is hard work without recompense. I think that an average of quarterly texts would lessen your burden and still keep us informed how you see the situation. Thanks again and regards from Switzerland http://www.pdma.gr/attachments/article/1710/Greece%20-%20Investor%20Presentation_September%202018.pdf https://www.nbg.gr/greek/the-group/press-office/e-spot/reports/Documents/NBG%20Greece_Macro%20Outlook_September%202018_final.pdf page 10 (after Eurogroup June 21, 2018) kleingut October 15, 2018 at 6:16 PM What is the source of the "Investor Presentation"? Who prepared it and who was it made to? What is the source of the "Investor Presentation"? You mean the source of the data? Probably, PDMA Public Debt Management Agency. "Who prepared it?" Download the document, and then click File, Properties. In Description you will see: Title: UTILISATION DU MODÈLE Author: David Nguyen "Who was it made to?" Probably (?) for investors. Tsakalotos and Chouliarakis have made lately many trips in US and Asia.Tsipras also visited USA (24 September). What I see is an excellent PowerPoint presentation, the type of presentation investors like to see. So the optics are great. As regards content, I will have to take time to study it but as luck would have it, of all the 31 slides, I hit the one about "strengthening banking sector" and having followed the news lately, that is a heading I would not have used... Still, I am impressed that the Greek government would have understood that in order to impress foreign investors, one has to go the international (and not the Greek) way and the international way, I say this cynically, begins nowadays with beautiful PowerPoint presentations. One has to bear in mind, though, that the best presentation will not do the trick if it is not supported by facts and actions. PS: the name David Nguyen rings a bell. I have come across this name before but I can't remember where. For the last sentence, you don't have to stop writing. Typically, the economy is improving, but parallel important issues how the economy performs, are far more complicated. Well, Nguyen is a family name as common as Meier in german speaking countries. There are even a number of David Nguynes around. This David Nguyen is probably this guy: https://www.niesr.ac.uk/users/dnguyen Hi Klaus, thank you very much for this excellent summary of the weird tale of “rescuing“ Greece. As someione who has paid attention to this madness and occassionally commented here, it saddens me that your optimistic views have not prevailed. Yes, there had been a chance for a better outcome, but now, so many years later, it has become very obvious that it had been a very small one. The reason for that is very simple and you mentioned it yourself at the beginning of this article: It's the self serving attitude of large parts of the Greek public which milk the country for as much money as they can get, unlimited by any ethical concerns. Those greedy Egomaniacs don't give a damn about solidarity or loyalty, they don't see the state as a necessary part of the community that deserves their support, but only as a cashcow to enrich them. Thus, a lot of energy goes into finding new creative ways to get a bigger share of this apparently unlimited supply of money, and hardly any into succeeding in the real economy. The few real entrepreneurs who opposed the con artist mentality of the majority have been ruined by now or fled the country. Without such enterprising folks who are necesary for an economic revival, any hopes for improvement are moot. That's the ugly truth, and - pls excuse my monday morning quarterbacking - you could have known that when you made your first aquaintances after moving to Greece. Didn't it occur to you that your optimistic ideas were not compatible with those freeloaders, who had no bad conscience for ripping their country off? That very mentality let to the ripping off of the Troika and the stubborn resistance to each and every measure that was seen as a burden to the deadbeats. In many cases, they prevailed, and what's even worse, they never contributed anything productive to the reform program. That's why there's no happy end to this story, actually no end at all. Nothing has seriously changed and Greece will continue to use all means available to squeeze money out of naive investors and the EU. So, pls keep this blog going, Klaus, if you have the energy and nerves to do so. There's more madness ahead and your insights will be valuable. Here's to the next season of this giant soap opera. Yamas! "The Rescue Is Over" - Reviewing 7 Years Of Bloggi... Long-Run GDP Growth Prospects Are Poor	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line239
__label__cc	0.585982	0.414018	Go Noles by Meghann on September 29, 2012 GO NOLES!!!! Derek and I have been looking forward to this day for MONTHS. MONTHS. Seriously, as soon as the schedule came out – and we knew the exact date that FSU would be playing USF in Tampa – we got our calendars out and circled it twice. We’re both HUGE FSU fans (we met at FSU in 2005, then reconnected at a homecoming football game in 2008) and love going to the games in Tallahassee (our last trip up there was in 2009), but finding the time to go see a game doesn’t always work out in our favor. Having them come to us in Tampa was almost like winning the football lottery. I’ve never seen Derek so excited for a football game. He was like a little boy on Christmas morning. The Seminoles! Here! In Tampa! I know, babe. Calm down. 🙂 We spent the morning on a wild goose chase for an FSU jersey (we couldn’t find one for Derek, but I found a child’s jersey that worked for half the price – score!), then met up with some friends for a little tailgating. And guess who else was in town for the game? Derek’s brother came all the way from Maryland to watch the FSU/USF face off. Are you ready for some football?!?! Of course, no tailgating experience is complete without beer. i had two of the Sam Adams Octoberfest Derek and I brought. I also had a sausage (with grilled onions – so good!) I made a veggie tray for tailgating (it got a little shaken up in the cooler), but I’m pretty sure Derek and I were the only ones who ate it. Oh, well – more for us! Publix cookies- amazing. Unpictured – piece of chicken + tortilla chips. It was interesting tailgating in bull country as a seminole. The group we were with were heavy USF fans, but there seemed to be a good mix of 50/50 FSU fans and USF fans when you started to walk around. There’s a strong base of FSU fans in the Tampa Bay area and we’re proud of our Noles! Around 5:30pm we started to pack up and head to the stadium for the 6:00pm game. Our tickets were through a friend-of-a-friend and the seats were AMAZING! About 20 rows up on the 35 yard line. Pretty sure I’ve never sat that close to a football field a day in my life. AWESOME way to watch a football game! If you squint, you’ll see the FSU band. I’m sad they were so far away, but that didn’t stop us from rockin’ out to the FSU fight song every time they played it! F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E Florida State! Florida State! Florida State! WOOOO The game itself was a surprisingly good game. To be honest, we went in expecting to destroy USF, but they managed to hold us off with some impressive defense. There were a few nail-biting moments that were a little intense in the crowd (I’m all for playful smack talk, but sometimes fans of opposing teams are just downright mean – that goes for BOTH sides here), but we made it through and came out ahead with a 30-17 victory. So proud to be a Seminole today! Even if we had lost, I would still be proud. Florida State isn’t just my team, it’s a part of my history, it’s a part of what makes me who I am. I spent four years falling in love with that school and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. A true fan to the very end. 🙂 Go Noles! Arigato It doesn’t take much to persuade Derek or I to eat XYZ for dinner. Last week we were watching a movie where the main characters had chinese takeout several times through the course of the 2 hour movie. About halfway through the movie (when our stomachs started grumbling) we were asking Siri for Chinese takeout more »	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line245
__label__cc	0.716554	0.283446	Tag Archives: Governance Labels – Carriers of Fear and Loathing Democracy is not possible when people think it’s okay to label and attack not listen to each other and no matter how they are governed, people who live that way cannot be happy. People all across our political spectrum have increasingly turned to labeling each other but if we dismiss each other as a Nazi, Libtard, racist, socialist or whatever, we won’t hear what each other has to say, What to do, then, when we are labeled in that way? I have a suggestion and a request, but before I get to them, here’s some background and an illustration of the issue. Forty five years ago I set up a text based social media platform that was popular all across the business where I worked. But there were two problems. I didn’t know how to monetize it so it became a drain on computing resources that underpinned our business and, until a terrific moderator appointed himself, it was a platform for personal abuse. Now the illustration, one of my periodic attempts to motivate thoughtful dialog. One of my friends who is a very intelligent, loving, courageous, creative person is subject to terrible fears that lead her to post things like this: “Rep Omar is beyond terrible. She is a potential terrorist,”. She posted that in big letters on a red background. It immediately triggered these comments “yep get her out” then “No. She is a terrorist. So is CAIR and 99.9999999% of her district in poor old Minnesota” then “trump supporters are racist nazis who have no understanding what e terrorist does” followed by “to compare a trump supporter to a Jew killing Nazi is dumb as a box of rocks- go back to your mother country!!! “ Labeling Omar as a terrorist and Trump supporters as racist Nazis made discussion pretty much impossible but I asked my friend: “Why do you think that? “ A few more insults were traded followed by: “She is a terrible person as is Tlaib” to which my friend replied “They are actually scary and why does Nancy Pelosi support them so much” which prompted “scary yes, educated women with the power to enforce the constitution over the repeated efforts of the Oval Office.” More insults. Then my friend replied “She is clearly anti Israel.” to which I replied “she is anti the actions of Israel’s current government as are many of my Jewish friends.” Someone else then wrote “and Trump has defended Neo-Nazis who killed American Citizens. What’s your point beta queen?” A few more insults followed then came “I think people are cool with antisemitism (see Dems in Congress) No big deal. Along with infanticide” I replied “She is definitely opposed to the policies and actions of Israel’s government, an issue that isn’t getting discussed in Congress. Is she antisemitic? Maybe but it isn’t yet clear. Is she being subjected to Islamophobic hate? Very much so. Here’s a sensible short piece by a liberal Jew who was brought up to support human rights.? Another guy and I exchanged two more good opinion pieces. My friend then replied to the comment about Dems in Congress being cool with antisemitism and infanticide “you are so right. It’s so unbelievable”. I replied “are you saying all Democrats in Congress are antisemitic? Name one who is cool with infanticide” to which my friend replied “most of them”. I asked for evidence and said I would change my mind. Then I added: “There’s a big difference between antisemitism and being anti the policies and acts of Netanyahu’s gov’t” Now a new person responded to me “maybe you should get informed instead of making Zen like comments. Try your amateur psychology on your dog or Libtard friends.” I replied “is there something in particular I should get informed about or are you only capable of vacuous insults?” to which he responded “No, can’t reason with uninformed snowflakes. I’ve seen your posts and they are absurd. Being stuck on stupid is your problem. If you can’t handle the truth then block me”. While I was replying “you haven’t included any truth in your comments, only insults” another person commented “she put her hand on the Quran to be swore in. I don’t mean to say this might be over your head but if it walks like a duck, if it quacks like a duck it is a duck” to which I replied “The duck you speak of is a terrorist? Are you saying every Muslim is a terrorist?” The first person now wrote “I can’t educate you. You’re likely a product of the failed public education system. As a wise person once said, if you argue with a fool others can’t tell you apart. Stick with your Libtard friends. I have no time for losers.” I responded “you have made no attempt to educate me. All you’ve done is try to intimidate me with insults” He replied “I have no patience for Libtards. Illiteracy is not a virtue. I suggest you get informed before you question others.” The duck person now wrote “if they believe in the Quran they are not to be in this country. Period.” There were a few more comments reiterating the terrorist, antisemite and socialist labels then I guess everyone moved on to the next whipping up of fear and hatred. It would have been better if I hadn’t said “vacuous insults” even though the dialog wouldn’t have developed any differently. I knew I was wasting my time writing to him or most others who commented but I did get a couple of “likes” for “she is anti the actions of Israel’s current government as are many of my Jewish friends.” After a day or two thinking I have a belief and a request to share. My belief is that we must not just ignore labeling. We must keep trying, as skillfully as we possibly can, to encourage listening. My request is, whatever your beliefs and no matter how badly you are provoked, please never label anyone, especially those you disagree with. There is more to every one of us than what’s conveyed by a label. By admin Posted in Communication, Culture, Governance, Uncategorized Tagged Communication, Culture, Governance Who Does Trump’s Tax Plan Benefit? Who does the Republican tax proposal aim to benefit ? Let’s examine its intentions, then look at an approach that extends some of its features and is progressive. Clear intent: Give more to the heirs of the very wealthy, e.g., President Trump. The estate tax is eliminated entirely in six years, which greatly benefits the wealthiest 0.2% of the population. Clear intent: Continue to take less from wealthy hedge fund managers and private equity executives who will continue to be taxed at capital gains rates that are about half the ordinary income tax rate on profits they pay themselves via the carried interest loophole. Clear intent: Give more to the owners of partnerships, S corporations, and sole proprietorships, which are overwhelmingly owned by rich individuals like President Trump. Income from them that is returned to the companies’ owners is now taxed at the same rates as wages and salaries but it would be taxed at a new 25% rate. The Tax Policy Center (TPC) finds that the top 1% would receive 88% of the benefit with the 400 households with the highest incomes getting an average annual tax cut of $3.7 million. Clear intent: Give all those with high incomes more by eliminating the alternative minimum tax and raising the threshold for the 39.6% top rate on income (which was 70% in 1980) to $1 million for couples, up from $470,700 today. Clear expectation with unclear intent: Add at least $1.5 trillion to the federal debt over a decade (many economists think it will be more) by cutting the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20% without raising other taxes. The cost of this debt will grow as interest rates rise so the intent could be to “starve the federal government of revenues, setting the stage for a frontal attack on core social programs such as Social Security and Medicare.” Unclear intent: The corporate tax rate is cut from 35% to 20%, which will save US corporations $2 trillion over the next ten years. The great majority of economists believe shareholders would be the primary beneficiaries but Republicans say employee salaries would rise. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin claims: “many, many economic studies show that more than 70% of the burden of corporate taxes are passed on to the workers.” Congress’s non-partisan scorekeepers — the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation — as well as Treasury’s Office of Tax Analysis have all assessed the empirical research as showing that only about a quarter or less of corporate taxes fall on workers, meaning that they would receive a quarter or less of the benefit of corporate tax cuts. The Tax Policy Center estimates that over a third of the benefit would go to the top 1% and 70% to the top fifth. By 2027, low- and moderate-income families with children would receive little or no tax cuts, and many would see tax increases while 80% of benefits would go to the top 1% of households and after-tax incomes of the bottom 80% would rise by less than half of one percent. Unclear expectation: The effect on middle and lower income families. The plan roughly doubles the standard tax deduction but it repeals or reduces current tax deductions that chiefly benefit workers and middle-class people, including mortgage interest, state and local taxes, student loans, medical expenses, moving costs, and tax credits for retired and disabled people. The standard deduction will be raised to $24,000 for couples and $12,000 for individuals but the $4,050 personal exemption is eliminated The mortgage interest deduction is unchanged for current homeowners, but is capped at $500,000, down from $1 million, for all future mortgages. The deduction for state and local income/sales taxes would be eliminated. The deduction for state and local property taxes would be capped at $10,000. The Tax Policy Center (TPC) analyzed the change in after-tax income for the poor, middle class and rich and found the middle class would get a 1.2% boost to their after-tax income and the bottom 40% would get almost no benefit. Their taxes would actually increase $10 to $20, on average, by 2027. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities assessed the intent of the plan in its original form when the top tax rate would have been 35%. They estimated the overall results of that plan would be: The top 1 percent, who make above $733,000 annually, would see average tax cuts of $90,000 in 2018, increasing their after-tax incomes by 5.9%. They would receive about 45 percent of the total net tax cut. The top one-tenth of 1 percent, who make over $3.4 million, would receive average tax cuts of $507,000 in 2018, raising their after-tax incomes by 7.2%. This average increase in after-tax income for those in the middle fifth of the income spectrum would be 1.2%. The bottom fifth would gain less than 0.5%. People with annual incomes over $1 million would receive average tax cuts of $138,000 in 2018, compared to average tax cuts of $270 for households making below $75,000. Millionaires’ after-tax incomes would rise 6.4 percent in 2018, compared to a 0.9 percent increase for those making less than $75,000. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated the results of every detail of the plan but we do not need more detail to confirm that its purpose is to benefit the wealthy. So let’s move on. Is there a way to build on some of the Republican ideas to start reversing our society’s dangerously high inequality? We use tax revenue to pay for services we want from our government. The “we” who want those services is, to coin a phrase, “we the people” not also “we the legal entities such as corporations” so it would be more straightforward to tax the income and wealth only of people. We could then focus just on the relative contribution each economic subset of people should contribute to the cost of government services that benefit us all. We would still have vigorous disputes about relative contributions but we could better understand each others belief about what is fair. Making that change might also encourage us to pay more attention to how much our government spends on each of its services. We know what Social Security and Medicare cost us because we pay for those with dedicated taxes. But most of us do not know that what we spend on our military activities dwarfs every other discretionary service and includes having our troops in 53 out of the 54 nations in Africa. A better program might look like this: Entirely eliminate taxes on businesses and tax only the income their owners derive from them. Replace the lost revenue by: Making income tax rates steeply more progressive, perhaps returning to the 1980 70% rate Entirely eliminating preferred subcategories of income such as capital gains, pass-through and carried interest. We would tax all income above, say, $12,000 per person, from all sources at the same rates. Making the estate tax very steeply progressive on amounts above, say, $5 million (which my grandfather’s generation did to end the stranglehold of Britain’s aristocracy). Some other things we could consider: If we wanted to accelerate cutting the influence of our financial oligarchy we could also establish a wealth tax, similar to property tax but applied to all wealth. We could also build on the Republican idea of cutting tax deductions that benefit some people over others. and entirely eliminate tax preferences, including mortgage interest, state and local taxes, student loans, medical expenses, moving costs, and tax credits for retired and disabled people. We could raise the minimum wage if we believe the Republican theory that eliminating the tax on businesses would cause wages to rise. We might raise them to the level where a head of household could support their family as they did before America needed to be made great again. We could also explore new taxes such as this one and use those revenues to fund maintenance of the transportation and other infrastructure that we all depend on. Summing up: The Republican tax proposal contains some good ideas but the way they are structured would greatly benefit the very wealthy and do little or nothing for everyone else. It would also greatly expand our debt whose cost will be born by us and future generations. The promises made to sell the plan are spurious. It can not be supported by anyone who understands it and is not wealthy and selfish. But we do need a better tax system. What do you think of the progressive approach above? Don’t worry if it seems impossible. If we are clear on what we want, we can figure out how to get there. By admin Posted in Economics, Governance, Taxes, USA Tagged Economics, Governance, Taxes, USA We the Easily Bamboozled – Tax Reform We do need to change how we fund our government’s activities and how our economy distributes the wealth it creates. But the tax plan now being revealed is not what we need. Our President and Republican leaders keep telling us it is urgently necessary to lower corporate tax rates so companies can stay competitive. It has become the party line. As my Republican Senator Toomey’s website says: “Our country’s current corporate tax rate of 35 percent is one of the highest in the developed world, far higher than the average 25 percent rate of our economic competitors. Without a significant reduction in business tax rates, the U.S. will never be the best place to invest and create jobs … The best economic stimulus for the middle class, who have seen their wages stagnate and tax bills rise over the last decade, is a well-paying job. Tax reform will help deliver on this goal with its focus on lower rates, investment, and growth.” Really? The 20 US companies that accounted for 20% of US GDP last year, meaning all our economic activity, paid taxes totaling only 0.6% of GDP and only 3.6% of all federal taxes (Source: Forbes). Businesses pay taxes on profits not revenues, of course, but my point is that our theoretical corporate tax rate is not making our businesses less competitive or stifling their job creation. That is not the motive behind this tax plan. But before we get to that, what would this budget cost? The fiscally conservative Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates $2.2 trillion in lost revenue over a decade. The tax cuts would total $5.8 trillion. New revenues totaling $3.6 trillion resulting from “base broadening” would allegedly reduce the net loss to $2.2 trillion. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin told us “The plan will pay for itself with growth”. But we have seen over and over again, most recently in a multi-year “experiment” in the state of Kansas which its governor trumpeted as a “shot of adrenaline” to the state, that a tax cut plan that will pay for itself is a fantasy. That fantasy cannot and will not ever come to pass. So, what motivates this plan? Who would benefit? The Tax Policy Center estimates that 80% of the $5.8 trillion in tax cuts would benefit the richest 1 percent. And who would lose? 55 million Americans would lose their tax deductions on what they save in tax-deferred 401k plans and what they pay in state and local taxes. They are our middle class. Those who earn less would be hit harder, losing government services eliminated to pay for the tax cut, which look to include about $1.5 billion in Medicare and Medicaid. Would anyone other than those with very high incomes benefit from this plan? Yes — their heirs. This is a good budget if you want your kids to live under an aristocracy of folks like President Trump whose inheritance installed him among the plutocrats who bought our political establishment. We do not have the leaders we should want. Their plan is very far from what we need. Collective Unawareness It is quiet this morning. No howl of fast accelerating cars and trucks propelling their drivers to work. Today we celebrate the accidental discovery of this land whose inhabitants we slaughtered and which we call our homeland. It is not our true nature to do such things, to brutalize others. We just have the habit of behaving that way. So let’s change! Let’s become who we truly are. Let’s become more and more the good people we have often been. We are now spending a trillion dollars a year on things we think of as defending ourselves. We have for sixteen years been in a “war on terror” that can by definition never be won and which motivates terrorism against us. We are at war in seven countries, none of which has declared war against us. We are spending vast sums preventing people whose countries we help destroy from coming here. We sing: “This land is our land…” We say: “This is the land of the free” while giving up our freedoms. This would be a particularly good day, since we will not be distracted by work, to take a deep breath, relax, and consider who we really are. We are a people who desire happiness and often act generously but who have some very bad habits. We entertain ourselves with spectacles of violence, we fear violence against ourselves, we think that fear justifies our own violence, and we imagine magical solutions. Our leader told us he would build a huge and beautiful wall to keep immigrants out. He said Mexico would foot the bill and too many of us pretended to believe him. Our leader now tells the world we may utterly destroy North Korea. We already did that to Iraq and Libya, just not yet with “fire and fury the world has never seen”. I won’t go on with the litany. What I’m saying is, we really are not bad people. We are good people with bad habits. So please, let’s spend some time today noticing our selfish, fearful violent habits and start to shed the collective unawareness that makes it possible for us to do terrible things. Let’s resolve to become the kind and happy people we really are. Let’s do it! By admin Posted in Anxiety, Culture, Defense, Mental Illness, Psychology, Uncategorized, USA, Violence Tagged anxiety, Defense, Ethics, Governance, Happiness, mental illness, Psychology, USA, Violence Our President is Too Dangerous What if our President is not only unfit to discharge his duties, but is a grave threat to our future? I happened to disagree with several important Obama administration policies and I disagree with substantially all those of the Trump administration but, with a crucially important caveat, in a democracy the majority view should win. The caveat is, we must not greatly harm those who come after us, or those in other parts of the world. An example of what we must not do is making nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. Such a war would destroy not only millions of future lives but also millions now. So, if we consider President Trump likely to do that, we must remove him from office. Does he in fact seem likely to do that? President Trump recently announced to the UN that his administration will if necessary “totally destroy” North Korea, he has promised them “fire and fury like the world has never seen“, earlier this week he told reporters we are now in “the calm before the storm”, and he tweeted that his Secretary of State is wasting his time trying to talk with N. Korean leaders. Now Reuters reports the following tweet by Trump. “Presidents and their administrations have been talking to North Korea for 25 years, agreements made and massive amounts of money paid … Hasn’t worked, agreements violated before the ink was dry, making fools of U.S. negotiators. Sorry, but only one thing will work!” So, yes, he does seem likely to order a military attack on North Korea. What would be the result? North Korea would launch missiles carrying nuclear warheads and destroy our base and everyone on Guam. Perhaps also Japan. They would certainly destroy Seoul where ten million South Koreans live. North Korea aims to deter us from attacking them as we did Iraq and other nations, but if attacked, they must respond and that will result in at least 25 million immediate deaths. How many more depends on how many nuclear weapons North Korea can deploy, and whether we also use them. What we must face up to is, signalling his intent to attack North Korea means that resident Trump is dangerously unfit to remain in office. This is not an matter of differing policy ideas or even of how much we value our own lives versus those of our children’s children. This is a matter of survival. How can Trump be removed from office?? By invoking the 25th Amendment, which was established in 1965. Such an amendment was needed half a century earlier when the massive stroke President Wilson suffered in 1919 left him unable, and unaware of it, to continue as President. Although his incapacity could not be hidden from those close to him, it was hidden from the public. He remained in office until his second term ended in 1921 so we were in reality without a President for those two years. President Roosevelt was in declining health from at least 1940 and tests in early 1944 revealed serious problems that forced him to rest for more than two hours a day. Press reports about his heath were quashed so the public was unaware and voted him in for a third term. Although still clear mentally, he died in March 1945, two months into his fourth term of office, after a massive stroke. President Eisenhower served us better after suffering a heart attack in 1955 and requiring emergency surgery the following year. He established a written agreement for Vice President Nixon to act on his behalf if and when he was unable to do so. A Constitutional Amendment that would have given Congress the ability to declare a President unable to perform his duties was proposed in 1960. After concerns about possible abuse of that authority were resolved, the 25th Amendment was passed by both Houses in 1965. Presidents Reagan in 1985 and G.W. Bush in 2002 and 2007 invoked the Amendment when they underwent colonoscopies. But this situation is different. It would be Congress not President Trump invoking the Amendment. How would that work? The Amendment reads: “Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.” Presumably President Trump would declare that he suffers no such disability. He could then resume office unless a two-thirds vote of both Houses declared him unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. We are in new territory. The 25th Amendment was established in case the President becomes incapacitated as Wilson did or others have temporarily. We have never before had to judge the state of a President’s mental capacity. Because President Trump seems certain to behave in increasingly bizarre ways, it seems inevitable that enough members of Congress will at some point agree he must be replaced. But what if he orders nuclear war before then? It’s possible to imagine Secretary of Defense Mattis saying: “Sorry, sir, that would be wrong. I must respectfully refuse to carry out that order”. In that case, Trump would promptly replace him with a sycophant who would go ahead. So… I am very far from eager for President Pence but the risk and its consequences are too great We must replace President Trump now. By admin Posted in Governance, Mental Illness, Uncategorized, USA Tagged Governance, mental illness, USA Innocence, Habits and Donald Duck We recently remembered 9/11/2001. We do not, however, remember 9/1/1973 when General Pinochet overthrew Chile’s popularly elected government with our very active support. Why do we remember only when we were the victims, not when we were the perpetrators? Ariel Dorfman reflects on that in A Tale of Two Donalds and his conclusion, “We really don’t have to leave this world as it was when we were born”, got me thinking. Some preamble: Why did we help to overthrow Chile’s government? Because the Chilean people had for three years been working to build socialism via the ballot box and our leaders were afraid they might succeed, inspiring the same thing to happen here. The focus of Dorfman’s book was Donald Duck because: “If there was a single company that embodied the overarching influence of the U.S. — not just in Chile but in so many other lands then known as the Third World — it was the Walt Disney Corporation.” What was symbolized by Disney’s Donald Duck world? “a belief in an essential American innocence, in the utter exceptionality, the ethical singularity and manifest destiny of the United States … the inability of the country Walt was exporting in such a pristine state… to recognize its own history”. What history did we not recognize? What, as Dorfman puts it, was our sin? “[our] violence (the enslavement of blacks, the extermination of natives, the massacres of striking workers, the persecution and deportation of aliens and rebels, all those imperial and military adventures, invasions, and annexations in foreign lands, and a never-ending complicity with dictatorships and autocracy globally)”. Why is Dorfman writing now about what happened almost half a century ago? Because, he says: “We are clearly in a moment when a yearning to regress to the supposedly uncomplicated, spotless, and innocent America of those Disney cartoons, the sort of America that Walt once imagined as eternal, fills Trump and so many of his followers with an inchoate nostalgia.” Now here’s what struck me. The innocence Disney conveyed is real. At the same time, the violence, selfishness and greed that Dorfman points to are also real. How can both be true? It’s because, in the Buddhist understanding of existence, our intrinsic nature is good; we behave badly only out of habit. What happens is, our mistaken acts accumulate into conceptual and emotional habits, then our behavior is governed by the things we always think and feelings we always have, not the unique circumstances in each moment. Buddhists call all that programming karma. We call the habits we share our culture. By observing people who have studied, reflected and done Buddhist practices for long enough, we can see they are not on auto-pilot. They are naturally kind. The Buddhist understanding of our nature is confirmed by observation. Buddhism is not the only way to overcome bad habits, of course, and Buddhist leaders in Myanmar are currently exterminating their Muslim Rohingya population. We first need the right motivation, then whatever way works to train ourselves out of selfishness, greed and violence. One of our greatest warriors was especially clear about making the right choice. Three months into his first term President Eisenhower gave this speech: “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. “This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. “The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities. It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population. It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals. It is some fifty miles of concrete pavement. We pay for a single fighter with a half-million bushels of wheat. We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people. “This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.” Why did we not heed Ike’s words, or his warning eight years later about our emerging military-industrial complex? And why did our current leaders just vote for another vast increase in military spending while trying to pay for it and a further tax cut for the wealthy by cutting medical care for tens of millions of other Americans? Because, despite our intrinsic goodness, we keep choosing not to acknowledge the habits we inherited — our sense that we were entitled to exterminate Native Americans and enslave people of color, the greed, fear and violence that govern so much of what we do. We keep reinforcing those habits. We could, as Buddhist and other teachers explain, shed our selfishness, violence and greed. We would just have to recognize our programming then work diligently and long to get free of those habits. Castigating others feeds our own self-righteousness, so let’s stop doing that. Let’s each of us just work at freeing ourselves. And let’s stop electing leaders who subvert other governments. In 1973 we worked to overthrow Chile’s democratically elected government. Twenty years earlier, we’d done it in Iran. Thirty years later we did it in Iraq, then Libya. We’re trying it now in Syria and helping Saudi Arabia do it to Yemen. Let’s elect leaders who will inspire us to act as the good people we are. But before that can happen we’ll have to work sincerely to overcome our amnesia and purge our programming. By admin Posted in Buddhism, Culture, Foreign Policy, Psychology, USA, Violence Tagged Buddhism, Culture, Ethics, Foreign Policy, Governance, Psychology, USA, Violence An Angry Reply to Tom Perez Here’s the reply I just sent to Tom Perez, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee at democraticparty@democrats.org: Tom – You just made me very angry. What you wrote is deceptive. Senate Republicans did not just vote to repeal our health care. They voted to debate repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Yes, Congressional and Senate Republicans are trying everything they can to repeal the ACA and yes, they may yet succeed. But hysteria makes it LESS likely that we can continue to block their cruel program. Stop using every excuse just to seek donations. Commit yourself and the Party to a health care system enough of us will vote for. We will keep losing elections if you keep up this nonsense and I will continue NOT donating to our Party. — Martin And here is his email that got me riled up: Senate Republicans just voted to repeal our health care — so we’re going to vote them out of office. Help us raise $100,000 to elect Democrats today, and get your donation matched. Martin, the nightmare just became real: Senate Republicans voted to move forward with health care repeal. It’s only a matter of time before a repeal bill lands on Donald Trump’s desk and he eagerly signs it into law. I’m devastated. Millions of Americans will lose their coverage, millions more will face skyrocketing premiums that put the care they need out of reach, babies born with chronic illnesses could hit lifetime caps on coverage before their first birthday — this is not who we are. So here’s what we have to do now, Martin: pick ourselves up and get back to work so we can kick every single Republican who votes to take our health care away out of office. We want to raise $100,000 before the end of the day to start laying the groundwork to win back the House and Senate, and a group of generous Democrats has offered to match it dollar-for-dollar. Chip in $3 or more right now to help us get there and get your donation matched. Tom Perez The Democratic Party will almost certainly remain ineffective while Tom Perez and others who just want donations are in office. We must do all we can to motivate them to change while simultaneously working to replace them when they ignore us. By admin Posted in Communication, Governance, Health Care, USA Tagged Communication, Governance, Health insurance, USA To Senator Schumer Here’s my reply to the email I got this morning from info@chuckschumer.com: Dear Senator Schumer – I do hope this will be helpful. In the middle of your email, you write: “But resistance alone is not a recipe for progress. We also need a plan to improve the lives of the American people.” That was exciting to see. I couldn’t agree more. So I clicked on the link to learn about your plan. What did I find there? No plan. Nothing about what you will do. Just another appeal for money. I’ve said it before and I fervently hope I don’t keep having to say it. I will only donate again when the Democratic Party commits to real changes and begins to market them well. We aspire to be a society that prioritizes human flourishing over profit for a tiny minority. Achieving that requires a theme with a long term program – the equivalent of tax cuts for Republicans. It requires coordinated marketing to build unstoppable demand and mitigate cultural concerns that now divide us. Any elected Democratic Party politician who is not committed to that program must be replaced. And here’s the email from Senator Schumer: Dear Martin, It has been six whole months since President Trump took office. Six whole months of hearing the Trump administration claim they would “drain the swamp,” but instead continued the same old Republican agenda where government works for billionaires instead of the rest of us. Yet, thanks to the activism and acts of resistance of this movement, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress do not have one major victory on the books. Not a single one. But resistance alone is not a recipe for progress. We also need a plan to improve the lives of the American people. The truth is Americans deserve higher wages and better jobs, lower costs of living, and a better future to look forward to. President Trump and his corporate cronies promised voters all this and more — but instead he gave Americans a raw deal. Everyday Americans deserve a better deal. Today, I’m joined by leaders from the House and the Senate in announcing the Democrats’ bold economic plan that works for the middle class. Government should have your back, working for you and the millions of hard-working Americans who make this country what it is. If you believe that Americans deserve a better deal like I do, check out our new site to learn about our plan and add your support. We have given President Trump and Republicans a chance to lead. We have given them every opportunity to come to the table and work with us to get things done for the American people. They have not done their jobs, and they must be held accountable. It’s time for Americans to demand a better deal. Thanks for joining me, Senator Schumer sounds as if he has at last realized a plan is necessary, he even says he has one, but then all he offers is an appeal for money. Please join me in demanding change. By admin Posted in Communication, Governance, USA Tagged Communication, Governance, USA To the Chairman of the DNC Here’s my reply to Tom Perez, Chairman of the Democratic Party, at democraticparty@democrats to help me remember what I wrote, and in the hope that you’ll join me: I hope this helps, Tom. What do you mean when you write: “all of us who believe that health care is a right for all Americans”? The ACA does not provide that. You write: “Republicans are determined to take away health care from millions” and ask me to give you money to: “throw them out of office.” The Republican proposals are appalling, but… What health care system is the DNC committed to instead? Democrats keep losing elections because many voters want to throw US out of office and others don’t care enough to vote to keep us IN office. Why? They don’t know what we stand for. Every other advanced economy provides universal health care and spends far less than we do. Decent people can disagree about whether or not health care is a human right but there is no denying that every way other nations provide universal health care costs less than ours. Is that what you want me to donate for? Here’s what I replied to: Martin — Tonight, because of millions of grassroots Democrats like you who banded together and fought against it, Republicans’ attempt to take health care away from millions of Americans failed again. While this is a victory for basic human decency, for the families who rely on the Affordable Care Act, and for all of us who believe that health care is a right for all Americans, the fight is far from over. Republicans are determined to take away health care from millions. We saw it when Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and Senate Republicans worked in secret, behind closed doors, to write a bill that would have given massive tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, paid for by cutting working families off from the care they need. They ignored the overwhelming opposition of their constituents — and now we’re going to make sure their constituents throw them out of office. Help build the foundation to take on these Republicans in every state, elect Democrats who will protect every American’s access to health care, and take back our majorities in Congress. Chip in $3 or more tonight. Thank you, sincerely, for everything you’ve done to stop health care repeal. Onward as we continue to fight for the values we believe in. To the CEO of the DNC To remember what I replied to Jess O’Connell at democraticparty@democrats.org, and hoping you’ll join me, here’s my reply: What would you do with the money if I gave it, Jess? I have stopped donating until the DNC commits itself to and campaigns compellingly FOR legislation that benefits not mega-donors but we the people. To the following appeal: You marched, you called, you protested, you spoke up, you signed petitions, you made sure Republicans knew that if they voted for the GOP’s health care bill, we’d vote them out of office. And it worked. Mitch McConnell couldn’t get the votes for his truly dangerous bill. So pat yourself on the back — and then get ready to get right back in the fight, because Republicans are making their next move. McConnell just set a date for the next health care vote on Tuesday. And the repeal bill they’ll be voting on is no different from the last version! It would still cause 22 million Americans to lose the health coverage they rely on. Clearly, Republicans are grasping at straws. But they want to score political points with their far-right base by saying they voted to repeal Obamacare, even if it comes at the expense of millions of American lives. I need you to pitch in $10 or whatever you can now to help Democrats fight back against the GOP’s health care repeal. They won’t give up, so neither can we. We’re the last line of defense. Thanks for stepping up. Jess O’Connell	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line249
__label__wiki	0.798791	0.798791	Oregon Bank bombing trial shows anti-government sentiment Prosecutors say catalyst was election of President Obama By Jeff Barnard SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- People who knew Bruce Turnidge and his son say they loved their guns, hated President Obama, and fantasized about starting a militia and a tent city in the woods for people who shared their radical beliefs. Prosecutors say they acted on their anger at the government by planting a bomb that blew up inside a small-town bank in 2008, killing two police officers and maiming a third. The father and son are on trial in Oregon in a case that has painted a picture of a rural underworld of hatred and resentment in which the defendants blamed their troubles on a government bent on taking their guns and freedom. Bruce Turnidge regularly lectured anyone who would listen about the need for citizens to be armed to defend their freedom, and cheered the Oklahoma City federal building bombing, according to testimony. His son, Joshua, shared similar views and spoke of robbing a bank to raise the money to keep their biodiesel business afloat. "The catalyst was the election of Barack Obama in 2008," prosecutor Katie Suver said at the start of the trial in September. She said both men believed the Obama administration would crack down on their rights to own guns. The attack occurred about a month after Obama was elected. Though the two are on trial together, they have turned against each other in their defenses against aggravated murder charges that could send them to death row. Defense lawyers believe the Turnidge's political beliefs should have no bearing on the trial, and contend the bomb wouldn't have detonated had officers not bungled the response. Bruce Turnidge, 58, was the son of a prominent mint farmer in Oregon's fertile Willamette Valley. He was forced to go out on his own at 18 when his father lost the farm. In the 1990s he and a group of like-minded men approached a Salem businessman for a loan to buy military-grade weapons. Richard Faith testified that he didn't share their beliefs and turned them down, though he later gave Turnidge a loan to buy an onion farm in northern Nevada. Gail Lambert went to church with Bruce Turnidge in Orovada, Nev. She testified that Turnidge often sat "like a ticking time bomb" during adult Sunday school, his chin in his hand, only to erupt to loudly declare people needed to rise up and take power back from the government. "Bruce said that Timothy McVeigh was a hero," she testified. Melodie Chasteen, once Joshua Turnidge's girlfriend, told jurors that during a dinner at Bruce Turnidge's home, father and son both exulted in news of the 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombing that killed 168 people. She said Bruce Turnidge pumped his fist in the air and "cheered like it was a football game." Bruce Turnidge eventually lost the Nevada farm, and returned to the Willamette Valley, where he and his son started a business turning used restaurant frying oil into biodiesel for farm tractors. Marissa Sherwood, who ran the office for BD Oil, testified both men feared the Obama administration would crack down on gun owners, and that financial hardship forced Joshua Turnidge to pawn his guns. "It meant a lot to him to have his guns," she said. Joshua Turnidge, 34, more than once talked about robbing a bank to bail out the business, though she never imagined it would happen, Sherwood testified. The prosecution has finished presenting its case, and the defense began calling its witnesses this week. Joshua Turnidge is expected to take the stand Monday. Defense lawyers maintain the bomb never would have gone off if state police bomb technician Bill Hakim had not mistaken it for a hoax and tried to take it apart. Hakim died along with Woodburn Police Lt. Tom Tennant. Police Chief Scott Russell lost a leg. The son's attorney has contended the bomb was the result of the father finally going through with one of his hare-brained schemes. In opening arguments, Steve Krasik told the jury that soon after the bombing, Joshua saw his father in the barn, mumbling that "Nobody was supposed to get hurt," leading Joshua to believe his dad had something to do with the bombing. Pat Turnidge testified his brother had said something similar in a frantic phone call. The father's lawyer has argued the son, aware DNA evidence linked him to a cell phone left behind as part of the bomb plot, was trying to throw blame on his father. The bomb went off at the West Coast bank in the little town of Woodburn on Dec. 12, 2008. A bomb threat was phoned in earlier that day to the Wells Fargo Bank branch next door. Police found a bundle of plastic garbage bags and a disposable cell phone left behind that bank. Police then found a green metal box in some bushes at the West Coast Bank. Curious bank employees tipped it over and saw a wire sticking out. Hakim took a good look at it. Despite being unable to get his X-ray equipment to show what was inside, he decided it was a hoax and took it to the bank lobby to take it apart. Tennant and Russell stayed to watch. A bank employee was on her way out when she heard Hakim say, "There, I got it," just before the bomb went off. Jurors watched silent video that went from Hakim bending over the box, Christmas decorations on the hearth next to him, to billows of dense smoke. Prosecutors maintain Hakim did not set off the bomb. They called an expert who testified it was accidentally detonated by radio waves from a garage door opener or a passing truck driver. Police quickly tracked down the Turnidges from the cell phone found with the garbage bags, arresting the son and going to the father's house on a farm in the community of Jefferson. They found loaded guns throughout the house and evidence linked to the bomb thrown into the Santiam River. Sitting in his living room while police searched, Bruce Turnidge extolled his anti-government views as an FBI agent kept an eye on him. "Bruce started talking about the Second Amendment and citizens' rights to carry firearms," Special Agent George Chamberlin testified. "Bruce talked at length that the government should fear the people and that the people should not fear the government." Turnidge also spoke about the origins of a racial slur, adding, "Now we have one in the White House, " Chamberlin testified. You are here: HomeDetroit > Oregon Bank bombing trial shows anti-government sentiment Prosecutors say catalyst was election of President Obama	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line255
__label__wiki	0.862467	0.862467	Canon EF Lenses made by Sigma for less than $700 Wildlife lens Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Canon EF Fixed aperture n/a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon EF "I like the lense. It is a great walk around lense which is light and fast enough for situations where other lenses fail. I used to have the 17-85mm EF-S Canon lense before and was looking for a faster alternative that is having a good wide ancle" bhphotovideo.com Fixed aperture No See 49 sample photos taken with the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon EF Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon EF "I mainly use this lens for close-up work like insects and plants. It is ideal for a full frame high resolution sensor and is sharp from edge to edge. I can't find any faults at this stage." bhphotovideo.com See 8 sample photos taken with the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon EF Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Canon-ef Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Canon EF See 50 sample photos taken with the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Canon EF Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon EF "One of the main pros of these lens is the AF system – fast and acurate." bhphotovideo.com Fixed aperture The same maximum aperture at all focal lengths Fixed aperture Yes See 50 sample photos taken with the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon EF Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Canon EF See 50 sample photos taken with the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Canon EF Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon EF See 48 sample photos taken with the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon EF Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Canon EF "The lens is great, especially If you like taking interior shots or panoramic, architectural buildings, architectural models." bhphotovideo.com See 50 sample photos taken with the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Canon EF Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Canon EF "Great for certain things such as landscape, real-estate, and architecture." bhphotovideo.com Min focal length 8 mm See 24 sample photos taken with the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Canon EF	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line256
__label__cc	0.542091	0.457909	LiberSpark Black Iron's Glory Devouring Heaven Chant Dragon-Marked War God Grasping Evil My Cold and Beautiful Wife My Wife Is a Beautiful CEO Spiritual furnace Tales of the Reincarnated Lord The Daoist Seal The Great Game - The Young Master Urban Banished Immortal World Defying Dan God The Great Game - The Young Master - 222 Show TL Note Thank you HoronXI for your patronage! So jetlagged that I actually lost track of the day... “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.” --Obi-Wan Kenobi, ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ Chapter 222 - Reward …and when the glow faded, Huang Ming did not see anything out of the ordinary. He glanced around the room and then looked down on himself. Miss Black continued to sip at her drink. Nothing seemed to have changed. “What did you do?” Huang Ming asked with a frown. “You wanted a treasure, so I gave you one,” she replied. His frown deepened as he looked as his very obviously empty hands. “Well, where is it?” “It is inside of you,” she answered nonchalantly. Huang Ming was aghast. “What?” “You asked about strength and such, but you forgotten one of the common attributes.” Huang Ming mentally ticked off what he had mentioned previously before coming to a conclusion. “Luck?” he asked uncertainly. “Is that even a thing?” “I am imbuing you some modicum of good luck,” Miss Black said. “I think you deserve that much after all that you have been through for me.” “You mean because of you,” he muttered. She ignored his snide comment. “You can think of it as the small pebble rolling down a hill, working small things in your favour. What might kill you would only seriously maim you for life or turn you into a vegetable, for example.” Huang Ming stared at her. “How is that a reward!?” “Ah, but knowing that might cause you to be too overly reckless and change your behaviour. Wait; let me remove that from your memory.” “Don’t worry, it’s painless.” She waved a hand vaguely over his general direction. “See?” “See what?” Huang Ming asked. “I thought you’re supposed to give me a reward. Where is it?” Miss Black smiled as she enjoyed her own private joke. “Forget it. Let us move on, you can ask me anything you want.” Huang Ming sighed, feeling as if she had pulled a prank on him. He sat to face her directly, eye to eye. “Are they well?” he asked quietly. Huang Ming raised an eyebrow skeptically. “All of them?” “We have determined that our Avatars are often concerned for the well-being of the various individuals that they have come across. And so we have decided to make it so that their friends and loved ones live well,” she explained as she placed her tea cup back down. “And for their enemies to suffer,” she added matter-of-factly. It was as if an enormous mountain had lifted from Huang Ming’s shoulders. All his lives, all his time spent in this or that body… the undying loves, the lovable children, the blood brothers, great rivals, friends and relatives… the inextinguishable hatreds and unending feuds and unfinished business… all had weighed heavily on his mind. Over time, some feelings eventually disappear, some memories eventually fade away. But there are some that would stay with him forever. Some… more than others. “When it is all done, you may return to whatever time and place you desire. For now, you may ask about someone specific, if you wish. Consider it as an additional reward,” Miss Black offered. And so he asked. The dark beauty who was his companion adventurer against the forces of evil… the alien honorbound warrior who fought by his side on innumerable planets… the sharpshooter on a steampunk world… the mercenary techno-wizard… the one-eyed ace pilot… And finally, he asked about his parents and siblings on Earth. They all lived and died well, long after he had left. “Do you feel better now?” “Yes,” Huang Ming admitted, his misty eyes had long since dried. Words could not express what he was feeling at the moment. Perhaps, it was the best sort of reward he could have ever hoped for. “Good,” she said with a smile, pleased with herself. Then Huang Ming glared at her. “What is the point of doing all that unless you let the Avatars know?” he asked softly. He was relieved… and yet also angered. None of his fellow Avatars had told him of such things, they had spent many idle moments chatting wistfully about those that they have left behind. “We let them know when their term of service to us has expired. Or, as you put it, ‘ascended’.” “How else would you reward an Avatar? You can already gain fame, power, sexual conquests and such in those lives you have experienced. You yourself jumped out of a building hoping to end it all,” she reminded him. “I wouldn’t have jumped if you had told us that. We’d be more motivated to grind out our service to the end.” “As I said, that would modify your behaviour due to our intervention. You would do things differently if you already know the ending.” “When did you say that?” Huang Ming’s frown deepened. Once more, she waved a hand. “Forget it,” she said. “Forget what? I am still waiting for my reward.” “You have already received it.” “I did?” “Hold on, I will need to remove that too, in case that someone or something reads your mind.” She waved again. “Why do you keep waving your hand like that?” “Don’t you feel better now?” Miss Black asked smugly. “Ah. Hmm, I am. Why?” Huang Ming wondered aloud. It was as if his very soul was lighter, and the dark thoughts that had always been in the back of his mind had been dispelled. ‘But why are my eyes so dry?’ “Let’s move on,” Miss Black interrupted. “I cannot help you much in this world, but since I am allowed to give you some hints. What do you want to know about your enemy Avatar?” “Do I know this enemy Avatar? How experienced is she?” Huang Ming asked. “You have yet to cross paths with her before. She’s relatively quite new, compared to you.” “Really. Maybe that is why she arrived sooner?” “No, that should not have happened. It should be a level playing ground. You humans have a gaming term for this. ‘Matchmaking’, I believe.” There was something disconcerting to hear a cosmic-spanning event involving omnipotent gods being described with mundane gaming phrases. “I use them because it is conveniently familiar to you,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Right. Then, does she know who I am? I mean, as her opponent Avatar.” To his relief, she shook her head. “No. But she is suspicious by nature and you are in her path anyway. So when I said you need to pick up the pace, I mean it.” “I see. I don’t suppose you can break one of her legs and force her to rest?” Huang Ming asked lightly. “That would be considered as a breach of the rules.” “I know, I know,” Huang Ming sighed. “Now that you know, it is time for me to leave,” she said as she stood up. “Already? I feel a little shortchanged…” Huang Ming chuckled hollowly. “Don’t worry, we will meet again when you are done,” she said confidently. Then she frowned. “Assuming that you win, that is.” “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he said sarcastically. “You have no idea. I have faith in you, Avatar,” Miss Black said. “You just want to be entertained,” Huang Ming said with a lopsided smile. “And to win,” she added with a smirk of her own. The dome of silent energy disappeared and immediately Huang Ming was assailed by a gust of violent wind that forced him to close his eyes and raise his hands protectively. Something crashed into him, and he reflexively held on to whatever had collided into him. When he opened his eyes after the wind had subsided, he saw an angry and flushed Master Zheng Yen in his arms. Her appearance had been restored. Was he mistaken but did she look younger than before Miss Black’s possession? “Ah. Hello,” he greeted sheepishly. “Let go of me this instant, you ruffian,” she hissed. He sighed as she quickly got away from him, her eyes glaring daggers at him. ‘Some god she is, pulling a prank like this at the very end.’ ‘I see everything, you know,’ a tiny voice in his mind reminded him. The god gave her pick, A parting trick. Support rdawv and his work The Great Game - The Young Master "); } } if ($(elem).data('type') == 'reader-inline') { $(elem).append(" "); } }); // UberCPM //var responsiveAdCode = "	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line257
__label__wiki	0.506405	0.506405	Networking for Converged Infrastructure Friday May 16th 2014 by Arthur Cole Converged infrastructure is great for plug-and-play provisioning, but first you have to decide what kind of network you want. Converged infrastructure (CI) sounds like a data center manager’s dream. Rather than provisioning, configuring and integrating individual components into a working environment, CI allows you to simply plug boxes into one another Lego®-style. At least, that's the dream. In practice, however, it isn’t quite that simple, at least not in the initial deployment phase. Aside from the plethora of vendor solutions out there – IBM has one, HP has one, even Facebook has one – there are design considerations within each platform that can have serious repercussions regarding price and performance down the road. A key issue is networking, which confounding both buyers and vendors. The main question is, do you want to employ more traditional, albeit highly streamlined, rack-based networking infrastructure, or should you go with an all-software approach? EMC converged infrastructure drives a wedge between VMware and Cisco This issue is already tearing at the seams of the leading CI partnership: the VCE project, led by EMC, VMware and Cisco. The VCE platform is built around the jointly developed Vblockmodule, but in a blow to VMware,the default networking component will be Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure and the Nexus 9000 switch rather than the NSX platform that VMware acquired from Nicira in late 2012. Users will still be able to run NSX on the VCE platform, but they’ll need to go through the VMware Cooperative Support Agreement to get it. Meanwhile, EMC, the majority owner of VMware, is attempting to smooth things over with both VMware and Cisco by cutting separate deals in support of their respective networking solutions. VMware will benefit from Project Mystic, aimed at developing an EMC-branded CI solution that will make extensive use of VMware cloud and virtualization software, which presumably includes the NSX and/or VXLAN platforms. Although details are sketchy, the idea is to layer the system on top of commodity hardware, with final integration responsibilities falling to the distribution channel. Also unclear is how this new platform will affect VMware relations with other CI partners like Nutanix and Simplivity. Converged infrastructure and the channel At the same time, EMC and Cisco have entered into a new channel program to provide rebates and other incentives for key elements of the VCE platform, like the VPSEX reference architecture. The Cloud Infrastructure Solutions Accelerator program is widely seen as an attempt to quell growing unrest among distributors and other channel partners, who fear that a widening rift between key partners in the Vblock platform will hurt sales. The program also includes guidance on how to custom-design CI platforms using various combos of EMC, VCE and Cisco technologies. Without doubt, the VCE consortium and its channel partners are starting to feel the pressure as interest in converged infrastructure heats up. A top competitor is likely to be HP, which recently came out with a new Virtual Connect FlexFabric module that can transform BladeSystem architectures into converged platforms. The device provides up to 40G core network support and can be controlled by the company’s OneView CI management stack. As an aside, HP announced that the Virtual Connect platform recently surpassed 10 million port shipments, eliminating an estimated 60,000 km of data center cabling. Regardless of whether the enterprise adopts an all-software or an integrated hardware/software approach to CI networking, the ultimate goal of building modular infrastructure around a software defined network architecture remains the same. The difference is whether the SDN component will ride on commodity hardware, or whether there will be added value in built-in hardware dependency. Both sides of the debate say theirs is the superior solution. Enterprise executives will surely want to delve into this issue fairly quickly if data center hardware convergence is on the agenda. Riverbed Evolves Granite into SteelFusion for Converged Data Acceleration OCP and Networking: From Small Beginnings… Extreme Networks Partners with Lenovo and EMC for Convergence	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line260
__label__wiki	0.92309	0.92309	Every woman needs a platform to showcase her beauty: Ex-Mrs India Mumbai, September 9 (IANS) Mrs India World 2016 Mohini Sharma Mane, now license holder of the pageant Mrs India, said on Sunday that every woman needs a platform to showcase her talent and in the 2019 Mrs India Inc beauty pageant, she is trying to create a space for women empowerment. Mohini said: “Every woman needs a platform to showcase her beauty, intelligence and talent. Mrs India Inc will empower women, serve as a platform to showcase and recognize the talent possessed by married women. We encourage women to live life on their own terms, make their own decisions and start a new journey because it is never too late!” According to her, she faced multiple obstacles in her journey at Mrs World. That made her to create a platform to support women to represent India on the global stage. “I had made a decision back in 2016 that I will form a platform that acts like a backbone or support woman representing our country during their international journey. “I’m striving very hard to ensure that Mrs India Inc provides the best facilities, grooms all the women and bring out the best in them. Even though I didn’t get such an opportunity, I’m trying my best to give India another Mrs World winner who is just like Mrs Aditi Gowitrikar,” she shared. The platform Mrs India Inc was launched in June 2018. Mohini along with her husband Anand Mane created the platform and acquired the license to conduct the Mrs India pageant. The audition for the pageant has started and the West zone audition took place on Sunday in Mumbai. Around 200 applicants from states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra participated in the audition. The judge’s panel was graced by model VJ Alesia Raut, renowned Marathi actor Chirag Patil and grooming expert Avni Gandhi Varma. The North zone audition will be held next month in New Delhi. Happy to see people from Haryana looking at women differently: Miss World 2017 Miss Dimapur 2017 beauty pageant on October 27 Ketholeno Kense honoured with ‘Vogue Young Achiever of the Year’ Miss Teen India Shilpa Shinde most talked about ‘Bigg Boss 11’ contestant on Twitter Everyone has social responsibility, not just politicians: Manushi Chhillar Villagers use a makeshift raft to cross a flooded area on the outskirts of Agartala, India July... more» Priyanka congratulates ‘Jsister’ Sophie over Emmy Nomination New York, July 17 (IANS) Indian actress Priyanka Chopra shared a special message to her ‘J... more»	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line265
__label__cc	0.683585	0.316415	Author Archives: MAABA MAABA Participates in Edwards Jones’ Diversity Expo Posted by MAABA On November 8 and 9, 2010, MAABA participated in St. Louis-based investment firm, Edward Jones’ Diversity Expo which featured exhibits and presentations from St. Louis cultural and diversity organizations. MAABA sent representatives to meet with Edward Jones employees to explain and promote its mission. MAABA Kicks Off Its Mentor-Mentee Program Several MAABA members met with their mentee law students from Washington University and Saint Louis University for a dim sum brunch on Saturday, November 6. MAABA has been pairing public and private sector attorneys with law students for over five years now, and several former mentees are continuing their involvement with the program as mentors. To join MAABA or participate as a Mentor or Mentee, click on our Membership Link, and download our application(s). MAABA Hosts Midwest China Hub Commission Reception for Chinese Delegation On November 4, 2010, MAABA hosted a cocktail reception for a delegation from China including leaders of the Civil Aviation Association of China, heads of Chinese airlines, and representatives of the Chinese Consul General’s office from Chicago at law firm Bryan Cave’s offices in downtown St. Louis. The Chinese delegation was visiting St. Louis through the Midwest China Hub Commission (MCHC), the public-private effort to establish a China Cargo Hub in St. Louis. Welcome remarks were made by Chairman of Bryan Cave, Don Lents, and President of MAABA, Alexander Lee. The reception was well-attended by St. Louis business and community leaders including Chairman of the MCHC, Mike Jones, Director of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Rhonda Hamm-Niebrugge, CEO of the Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), Dick Fleming, RCGA Senior Vice President, Steve Johnson, St. Louis County Associate Circuit Judge, Hon. Judy Draper, and Executive Director for the World Trade Center, Tim Nowak. Members of other St. Louis Asian American organizations were also in attendance including General Director for the Young Asian Professionals Association (YAPA), Peter Chang, and President of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), Eling Lam. Several MAABA members also attended a Blues Hockey game after the reception with the Chinese delegation and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. MAABA Founder Judge Judy Draper Wins Judge Retention Election MAABA is pleased and honored to announce that MAABA Founding Member and Historian, Judge Judy Draper, retained her associate circuit judgeship in a St. Louis County-wide nonpartisan retention election on November 2, 2010. Judge Draper has served as a Judge in St. Louis County Circuit Court since 2004 when she was appointed by Governor Bob Holden. © Missouri Asian American Bar Association	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line266
__label__cc	0.735062	0.264938	Top Quality Steel Manufacturers Company in India- Madhav KRG Group > CSR The human-kind has rose to form different civilizations, more often than not, these civilizations were a mirror of their geographical location and a slew of socio-economic models emanated from these civilizations. They followed their own socio-economic models, developing into nation-states, interacted and contested each other in the economic and other fields. India, originally The JambuDweep, and its economy is once more is on the rise, however, the general youth is still confused as to ‘Who We Are?’, and there are enough to fish in the troubled-waters. We cannot aspire to sell the ‘Indian Civilization’ to empty stomachs, neither can we aspire to have graduates who are virtually un-employable. India of yesteryears was an economic giant whilst being a ‘Village Based Economy’. The historical perspective suggests that the Rural Populace had both the options, of migrating to bigger cities or to transport its products to markets which included urban, international and the village itself. This model brought ‘Sampoornta’ and ‘Samriddi’, i.e. ‘Wholesome-Fullness’ and ‘Economic Well-Being’ to our ancestors without the need to change their habitat. Keeping all this in mind and especially when we know that India in its present strength is the youngest nation in the world, our lack of responsibility towards our mother land and its people can prove fatal to our generations to come. If we see the whole creation in its entirety, we will find that we all cannot move an inch without each other’s support. As citizens, we all knows our “Rights” however as Humans we all need to understand our “Responsibilities”. Responsibility is not an Act, it’s our attitude of our Ability to Respond to any given situation. Success may or may not come however, we all are responsible for our actions and inactions. We at Madhav Alloys Private Limited have planned our “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) initiatives not merely as complying the provisions of law but as our moral, ethical and spiritual responsibility in “Giving Back to Society”. That is motto and Vision as well. The company’s long-term CSR objective is to improve the quality of life of the communities through developing individual’s Skills, Education and Awareness (SEA). The whole idea of “SEA” is enabling people both in ‘Sampoornta’ and ‘Samriddi’, i.e. ‘Wholesome-Fullness’ and ‘Economic Well-Being’. For that company shall allocate at least 2% of its average net profits before taxes of the preceding three years, towards CSR activities to sustain and improve a healthy and prosperous environment and to improve the quality of life of the communities it serves. The company may also utilize its products and services as suitable for its CSR activities. Any surpluses arising out of CSR projects or programmes or activities shall be re-deployed back into CSR activities and will not form a part of the business profits of the company. The company shall positively impact and influence its employees and partners in fostering a sense of social commitment for their stakeholders. Madhav Group’s focus areas for developmental activities will be in urban as well as rural areas in the state of Punjab where it is located at present. The company may also support initiatives in other geographies, as approved by the CSR Committee of the Board, from time to time. While we will ensure that all communities benefit from our CSR initiatives and we would focus on those groups that are socially and economically marginalized. Whilst a large part of the CSR efforts of Madhav Group will be implemented by an in-house CSR department and the company will also partner with credible organizations – individually or as a consortium – to design, fund, implement and review projects. Partner agencies will be selected based on well-defined selection criteria. Vocational Skill Training's Under this head any type of vocational skills will be imparted to rural youth as per the village and community needs. Soft & Emotional Skill Training’s The company have signed a “Project Virasat” with an International organization named The Art of Living in which the rural youth will trained in its flagship program called “Youth Leadership Training Program”. Educational Developments 1.Basic Education Providing Scholarships to Brilliant Students. Adopting not so Privileged Students. Provide Basic Needs to School Promoting Art, Music & Sports in Schools 2.Value-Based Education Rural All-Round Training with Excellence Program (6-12 Yrs) Rural Youth Empowerment Seminars (12-18 Yrs) Rural Happiness Programs (above 18 Yrs) Prison SMART Programs (For Jail Inmates) PRAN (Program of Recovery of Addicts Naturally) (For Addicts in Addiction Centres) 3.Awareness Developments Hygiene Awareness Under this head various initiatives to make our Environment friendly will be undertaken. Heath Awareness Under this head various initiatives to maintain individual’s heath for Happiness will be undertaken and also conduct The Art of Living’s PRAN (Program of Recovery for Addicts Naturally) for people under Drug-Addictions. Homes Awareness Under this head various initiatives will be taken to make people aware about importance of having own house. The rural populace is to be made aware to reduce wasteful expenditure and invest money to build their own homes. Under this head various activities will be planned so that despite having so much disparities/diversities still we all can exists together. We all may differ in color, caste, religion, gender and so many things, still having respect for all and follow our culture. It’s about deepening our roots and broadening our visions where we can see ONE in all and ALL in one. Under this head various initiatives will be taken where in masses are made aware that the core of being humans is its value system. It’s easy to become a parent and give some training or teach some skills for livelihood but kindling values like Love, Compassion, Peace is of prime importance. Awareness is needed what of type of world we want to leave behind for our generation next. A world having all comforts but is full of pollution, corruption and violence is not desirable by any human. Prioritizing Values over material comforts is need of the hour.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line267
__label__cc	0.628889	0.371111	The Resource Everlife The item Everlife represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. Showalter, Gena Don't miss the EPIC CONCLUSION to the Everlife novels, a series fans calls "vividly unique," "unforgettable" and "exhilarating." New from Gena Showalter, author of the New York Times bestselling The White Rabbit Chronicles, comes a series finale that will keep you on the edge of your seat rooting for the characters until the very last page."Utterly unique and absolutely riveting—I couldn't put it down! What a marvelously cool world." —Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author, on FirstlifeSTAND TOGETHER OR FALL ALONE.THE FATE OF THE EVERLIFE HANGS IN THE BALANCE.At seventeen years old, Tenley "Ten" Lockwood had to make the ultimate choice—where to live after she died. Loyalty to her selected realm has not wavered...until now. She is out of time. Sacrifices must be made, and a terrible price must be paid. But is she too late? As the Everlife descends into darkness, a single truth becomes clear: Troika and Myriad must unite—or perish. In order to bring sworn enemies together, Ten must enter forbidden territory...and destroy the powerful Prince of Ravens. But there's only one way inside—bonding with Killian Flynn, a deadly rival who sets her blood aflame.When nothing goes as planned and betrayal leads to the edge of utter defeat, Ten and Killian will have to rebuild trust from the ashes of their hearts. Victory seems impossible, the odds stacked against them. In the end, how far will they be willing to go for the sake of their realms and the Everlife? "Lifeblood ramps up the action 'Ten'fold—don't miss this exhilarating sequel to Firstlife!" —P.C. Cast, #1 New York Times bestselling author"Firstlife...illuminat[es] the depths of human resilience and the power of love, even in the darkest hours." —Kresley Cole, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Arcana Chronicles"I couldn't stop rooting for Ten, an unforgettable and powerful heroine who is obsessed with numbers, creates the coolest reverse poems, and fascinates the baddest bad boy Showalter has ever written." —Kristin Cast, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Firstlife"Raw, edgy and dark—Firstlife will leave you craving more." —Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet series OVERDRIVE:8cd6cb6b-4a02-4ebb-9ac3-a7aa601ff1ce <div class="citation" vocab="http://schema.org/"><i class="fa fa-external-link-square fa-fw"></i> Data from <span resource="http://link.mvlc.org/portal/Everlife/8jVTnQqNzfE/" typeof="Book http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/Item"><span property="name http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/label"><a href="http://link.mvlc.org/portal/Everlife/8jVTnQqNzfE/">Everlife</a></span> - <span property="potentialAction" typeOf="OrganizeAction"><span property="agent" typeof="LibrarySystem http://library.link/vocab/LibrarySystem" resource="http://link.mvlc.org/"><span property="name http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/label"><a property="url" href="http://link.mvlc.org/">Merrimack Valley Library Consortium</a></span></span></span></span></div> Data Citation of the Item Everlife http://link.mvlc.org/portal/Everlife/8jVTnQqNzfE/ http://library.link/portal/Everlife/8jVTnQqNzfE/	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line273
__label__cc	0.720648	0.279352	All For The ❤️❤️❤️ - Special Author Spotlight Day - Nikki Groom - The Kingdom Series Nikki Groom is a hopeless romantic, lover of all things happily ever after and firm believer that love makes the world go around. In her spare time, you will find Nikki laughing with her very treasured family, walking with her beloved dog in the hundred acre wood or curled up in a cosy corner with words and wine. She lives in East Sussex, UK, with her husband and two children. Having turned her hand to many things over the years, Nikki is now proud to add ‘author’ to that list after writing Holding Aces (The Kingdom Series bk 1) & High Stakes (The Kingdom Series bk 2). Having always been a dreamer, Nikki’s imagination stretches far and wide, which enables her to get lost in faraway places and imaginary people. Nikki loves to chat, especially about books! You can find her here… Facebook: www.facebook.com/authornikkigroom Twitter: @nikkigroom4 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8126807.Nikki_Groom Email: nikkigroom.author@gmail.com Booktropolous Social: http://booktropoloussocial.com/index.php?do=%2Fpages%2F4%2F Google+: plus.google.com/106922492694572034416 Amazon: amazon.com/author/nikkigroom The All For The ❤️❤️❤️ Team asked Nikki Some Questions: 1.How did you become an author? By accident! I started off as a blogger after rediscovering my love for reading when Mr Grey gatecrashed my world! I couldn’t get enough of new book boyfriends and stories that captivated my thoughts. I never dreamed I would, or could write a book. Then a Bruno Mars song triggered something in my mind while driving to work one day, and by the end of my shift, a whole new world had developed and Mr King and Arianna were so vivid, it was like I had known them for years! The rest is history! 2. What's a typical day in the life of an author? Well, for me, it’s crazy! I work as a full time hairdresser and have two children, a hubby and a dog, so every day is busy busy. I don’t get to write until I have come home, cooked for the family and settled down by about 7/8 at night. Then I write until my eyes can’t stay open any more! Days off are bliss as I sit on my butt all day and immerse myself in a different world. 3. Where do you write? I have 2 places that I write most of the time. My little box room in the house that I converted from a dumping ground into an office. And my rocking chair that overlooks my garden, the kids have dubbed it, kindle corner! 4. What’s the best part of being an author? There isn’t just one great part. There’s so many. Living in the minds of my fictional characters is a feeling you just can’t explain. Releasing a book, with your name on the front cover, is exhilarating to say the least. But also, getting to meet awesome readers, bloggers and other authors on this crazy train is so much fun. It’s all amazing. 5.Does music play a part in your writing process. If so which artists are your favourites to write to? Music plays a HUGE part in my writing process. I have a spotify playlist for every book I’ve written, and it’s played on repeat whenever I open up my word doc. I also have playlists for setting different moods. A few of my favorites are...Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, James Arthur, Sam Smith and Adele. 6. What advice do you have for wanna be authors? Oh my goodness, there are so many things that I have learnt along the way and I honestly think I could write a small book on it! I think the most important thing is, and it’s said a lot, is to write for yourself. Ultimately you need to be in love with your characters and your story. The feeling you put in to it will hopefully transpire through to the readers that pick up your story. Edit, edit and edit some more. Then give your manuscript to a professional editor. It is more important than I can say! Both of my books went through edits by me, a beta read by four separate readers,each who are honest and not afraid to say if something doesn’t work, then an professional editor and a proofreader after that! 7. What are you reading now ? I’m not reading anything at the moment. I try not to get stuck in to someone else's world while I’m writing my own story. But I’m desperate to pick up a book! I’m always happy to hear suggestions as to what to read next! 8. Which author do you fan girl over? Pam Godwin. I actually think I might have a girl crush on her. God help her if I’m actually ever in the same room as her! 9. What was your last 5* read? Pam Godwin’s Vanquish. I bought it on release day (My birthday I might add, Pam must have known!) but I couldn’t start it until I had finished writing High Stakes. Damn near killed me to wait but it was very worth it! 10. Typically you write from the female POV but High stakes had a few chapters from Denham’s, which is the best to write male / female? I really enjoyed writing from a Male POV, it was so much fun! The novel I’m currently working on is dual POV, I love the versatility you have with it. I can let my imagination run riot! 11. Which of your characters would you most like to be and Why? Ooh this is tough. The obvious answer would to be Arianna, then I would get my delicious Denham all to myself. But, I’m very fond of Lottie. She is straight talking but so loveable, and she lives life with a fierce determination which I admire. 12. Are any of the characters from your books based on people from your real life? Yes. I find myself adding little characteristics from my friends and family to my characters. Every character i have treated are unique, but they definitely have traits from people i know. Mr King is very inspired by my hubby! 13. Have you ever re enacted any of your sex scenes? All sex scenes are tried and tested previous to getting them down in words. Oh, re-enacted? Yes, many times ;) 14. Which book boyfriend would you like to snog the face off? I have to choose just one? In that case, Mr Grey of course. 15. Vanilla or Kinky - Kinky 16. Lights on / lights off - Can I say candlelight? 17.Alpha CEO’s or Best friends turned lovers? CEO’s all day long! 18 Tattoos? Turn on or turn off - Turn ON 19.Bad boy or good guy? - Good guy (with a dash of bad!) 20. Finally...Denham or Spike??? No, no and NO! This is impossible. Denham is my first. He will always have a very special place in my heart, and he’s a hot motherfu@ker! But Spike, well, I know things about Spike that you guys don’t, and I think he would give Denham a run for his money. I really do! Holding Aces - The Kingdom Series Bk1 Holding Aces is part one of a two part Adult Contemporary Romance series that contains mature sexual content and language and is not intended for readers under the age of 18. Please note: This is not a dark romance They say that time heals all wounds. But mine are set in so deeply, they’ve taken on a life of their own, lurking in the shadows at every turn and haunting my thoughts. The girl I once was has been replaced by a stranger. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I run. And I hide. Pretending to be someone I’m not… Until I meet Denham King. My burst of color in an otherwise grey world. And for the first time in my life, I find myself running towards someone instead of running away. But fate can be cruel, and I can’t escape my past. Our Holding Aces Review: http://literarylust.weebly.com/book-reviews/holding-aces-nikki-groom-full-review * A Review From All for the ❤️❤️❤️ Review Team * Holding Aces by Nikki Groom reviewed by Kelsey at Kelsey's Korner Blog I really have to say bravo to Nikki Groom for this fabulous debut novel. Nikki has created a new book boyfriend named Mr King, I’m sure it won’t be long before he’s a household name. He’s suave, debonair and handsome (I want him!!). He’s charming, sexy and witty (I want him!!). He’s kind, strong and protective (I want him!!). Yes I liked him a lot, I also liked the female lead character Arianna, even though she had suffered trauma she still had some energy and fight left in her and I liked the way they fit together and complimented each other. This book had me reading at a very fast pace, it flowed beautifully and it was an easy read. The way Nikki built up the scenes had me anticipating and it was very clever of her. She didn’t rush into the sexual side of things, it was a slow flickering burn waiting to ignite and when it did she portrayed it perfectly. It was hot and sexy but it felt real and not overly done, formulated just right to give you that heat and feel that tingle inside. I got through this at whippet speed, the banter between the support characters was delightful, the bouts of humour tickled me and I would love to see more stories coming alive in Nikki’s head through these characters. This novel definitely had lots of content but if I have to be extra critical my only complaint would be that I would have liked more angst earlier. But that’s just me, I’m kind of sick and twisted like that. I knew this was part one and would end in a cliffie, but I felt like this was just the beginning to what could be a tremendous series. For a new author to come up with the quality and style of writing that Nikki has done in Holding Aces I can only take my hat off to her and applaud. I look forward to seeing the next instalment and hope I don’t need to wait too long. If Nikki progresses the way I think she will I can definitely see another best selling british author in the making and I’ll be willing her on from the sidelines. HOLDING ACES BUY LINKS: AMAZON US- http://amzn.com/B00KLO4M9U AMAZON UK- http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KLO4M9U B&N- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holding-aces-nikki-groom/1119618503 KOBO- http://tinyurl.com/qjtsjj6 IBOOKS- http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id882792678 High Stakes -The Kingdom Series bk2 High Stakes is the conclusion to The Kingdom Series. It is not a stand alone. Holding Aces is book 1 and should be read first. “Stupid. Beautiful. Girl. How did you ever think you could be free?” The last words I heard before the darkness took me and my dreams were shattered I was on my way to having it all. Friends, family and a future. Everything I had wished for but never thought possible. Denham King showed me just how good life could be. A life where love and happiness were within reach. I should have known it would never last. My past is a dark, damp cloud, that has seeped into my skin and left a cold promise. A promise of hurt and pain. A promise of a long, hard fight, where the stakes are high and the risks threaten lives. When your world gets thrown in all directions, and your dreams for the future are torn from your grasp; how do you go on? Can I fight the demons that haunt me? Can love save me from fate’s cruel path? Our High Stakes Review: http://literarylust.weebly.com/book-reviews/high-stakes-the-kingdom-series-bk2-nikki-groom-reviewed-by-zoe * A Review From All for the ❤️❤️❤️ Review Team * High Stakes by Nikki Groom reviewed by Jo @ Four Brits And A Book. Tears in my eyes? Sense of completion and ending? Needing a story for the side characters? Yes. Yes. And HELL YES. This sequel in the series was heart warming, heart shattering, breath holdingly (yeah, this review needs a made up word!) amazing! Holding Aces left us holding our breath! Thank goodness I had High Stakes to delve and dive straight into and what a book! The premise of the story is very insta-love but both characters had such upsetting pasts that you needed them to find one another and heal together and live for the day as one. I adored all of the characters. From Arianna's loud mouthed bestie, Lottie, to Denham's right hand man, Jack and back again to their exes, Jonny and Amy. That's right. I liked the exes. They played their parts perfectly and I loved to hate them. I lived to hate them. Fighting for their love was never going to be easy but my goodness what a TWIST at 80%. The last 20% of the book had me guessing and coming up wrong at each turn. This is the point where it became edge of the seat, nail biting kind of good. I won't lie. I shed tears. I felt anger. I was dejected and low. But I also experienced highs and smiles and a soaring heart. But that ending? Mixed feelings. I can't help but feel the King family hasn't had their perfect ending. Dennam, yes. Tara and Spike, definitely not. Please, Nikki, write their books too! And Little But Loud Lottie, sobs bless her poor heart. Read these books, you won't regret it! "She's the Queen of his heart. He's the King of her love. They're an army of two." * A Review From All for the ❤️❤️❤️ Review Team * High Stakes by Nikki Groom reviewed by Kelly @ Kelly's Kindle Konfessions. Nikki Groom is fast becoming one of my favourite authors, she has the ability to suck your heart and soul into the story and then spit them back out. High Stakes is not a standalone book it's the eagerly awaited part two, part one being the heart stopping Holding Aces. As Holding Aces ended in a cliffhanger I couldn't wait to get my hands on this beauty, I'm so glad it didn't disappoint. The story continues where part one left us Arianna in the hands of the one man she fears the most, I don't want to give too much away but that scene does not end as you would expect. For a lot of this book Denham and Arianna spend it getting to know each other, spending time with each other and their families cements their relationship. Arianna discovers the secrets behind Denham gaining the Kingdom and his father's death and for once it would seem that Arianna is living the life she always wanted - for a while she is living her dream but of course that's not going to last, as there is a huge shadow about to rock both their worlds and those the care for when they least expect it. This book certainly kept me entertained from start to finish, I had a real hard time putting it down so much so I had a row with my husband when I refused to turn my kindle off - that ending was so worth that row - it left me somewhat heartbroken too. What makes this book so good is the strength of the characters their do or die approach to life and of course Spike and Lottie bring a lot of light hearted banter to the story too which I loved.So much so that I would love to see them get their own book I need to know how their story ends. Would love to hear Tara's story too ! HIGH STAKES BUY LINKS: Amazon US http://amzn.com/B00OSDWCPG Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OSDWCPG B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/high-stakes-nikki-groom/1120612830?ean=2940046301786&itm=1&usri=2940046301786 Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/high-stakes-30 iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id931641316 Blog Tour - Wild Addiction - Emma Hart In this sizzling conclusion to WILD TEMPTATION, Liv and Tyler see the boundaries of their addictions pushed to new limits as their heads battle with their hearts for an explosive fall into the depths of love… I gave him my body, and he gave me no strings. It was that simple… in the beginning. I never could have imagined my temptation could become my addiction. If I knew for a second how entirely Tyler Stone would consume me, I never would have handed him my body so freely. His addiction feeds mine. My cravings ignite his. Together we are dangerous. Destructive. Obsessive. Wild. But now it’s too late. We’re bound by more than our inexplicable need for the other, and the ties that hold us together are irreversible. He craves my body. I crave his heart. This is addiction. Wild Addiction is book two of the WILD series. It is preceded by Wild Attraction, a free prequel, and Wild Temptation, the first full-length novel. “No, you don’t. You’re impulsive and indecisive and spur-of-the-moment.” He runs his nose up my neck. His breath coats my skin in a swath of heat that sends tingles through me. “It’s what I love about you. I love it when you don’t think.” “Because when I do, I overthink to hell.” “Precisely.” He smiles against my skin. “So stop thinking.” “Even if I think you’re cute?” “Especially that.” He laughs, his hands settling against my waist. I expect them to slide down, to cup my ass and pull me toward him. They don’t. They flatten against the small of my back and linger there. The heat from his hold seeps through the material of my sweater. The tension zings. It bounces off him and me, colliding in the tiny space between us and igniting like fireworks on the Fourth of July. My chest heaves with anticipation. I want his touch. Despite my earlier thoughts about the sex overriding the rest of our relationship, when we’re here, like this, so close, I can’t help but need him inside me. I can’t help but want to be so connected to him. “There’s more to us.” The words leave me, barely audible, unintentional. “What do you mean?” he whispers into my ear. “Than our addiction. There’s more, isn’t there? It’s stronger than our addiction. More intense, yet just as dangerous. It’s lingering under the blanket of our addictions.” Tyler eases one hand around my front and up my body until he’s cupping the back of my head. “Yeah. Yeah, there’s so much more than our addiction.” I press my face into his chest as Nana’s words come back to me. “When you’re in love, you’ll know it.” “We are so fucked,” I whisper into his shirt. “So fucking fucked.” View our 5 Star Wild Addiction Review here: http://literarylust.weebly.com/book-reviews/review-wild-addiction-emma-hart Amazon US: http://bit.ly/WildAddictionAmazonUS Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/WildAddictionAmazonUK B&N: http://bit.ly/WildAddictionBN Kobo: http://bit.ly/WildAddictionKobo iBooks: http://bit.ly/WildAddictioniBooks Wild Temptation: In this sexy new CALL series spin-off series by New York Times bestseller Emma Hart, enter the intense world of a no strings relationship and experience addiction like you never expected... The moment I walked in to find Mr. Tall, Dark, Handsome, and Oh So British--my mind-blowing one night stand--as my photographer for the shoot that could change it all, I knew life was throwing me a curveball. The moment he, Tyler Stone, walked into my best friend’s apartment, I knew that curveball was heading straight for my gut. The hit comes in the form of a no-strings proposition… One that gives him utter control over my body. If I surrender, that curveball is steadily en-route for a collision course with my heart. He’s a sex addict. I’m a love addict. This is temptation. Wild Temptation is book one of the Wild series and a full-length novel at approx. 92,000 words. Amazon US: http://bit.ly/WildTemptationAmazonUS Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/WildTemptationAmazonUK B&N: http://bit.ly/WildTemptationBN Kobo: http://bit.ly/WildTemptationKobo iBooks: http://bit.ly/WildTemptationiBooks Wild Attraction Prequel: Amazon US: http://bit.ly/WildAttractionAmazonUS... Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/WildAttractionAmazonUK B&N: http://bit.ly/WildAttractionBN iBooks: http://bit.ly/WildAttractioniBooks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaHartAuthor Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6451162.Emma_Hart Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Emma-Hart/e/B00A3QSV0M/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1410362990&sr=8-2-ent Breaking News - Blogs Unite - All for the <3 <3 <3 Breaking News - Blogs Unite - All for the <3 <3 <3 On behalf of Four Brits And A Book, Francessca's Romance Reviews, Kelly's Kindle Konfessions, Kelsey's Korner Blog, Literary Lust and Surrender to Books we’d like to bring you the following announcement. As dedicated bloggers and great friends we are always chatting about ways we can make our blogs better and bring you the readers more, whilst retaining the core of what make our blogs individual. As part of these discussions, we have now made an agreement between the above blogs, that we will be bringing you reviews from each other, as well as our own ongoing reviews. On our reviews now, you will see something similar to this example which will indicate to you who the reviewer was that reviewed the book: New review from All the Review team- High Stakes reviewed by Zoe from Literary Lust By joining together in this way, we are able to bring you the readers more quality reviews to each blog, and for our authors, they now have the potential to be seen on 6 blogs instead of the 1 who signed up to We all remain individuals and dedicated to our own blogs. Therefore, it may be that 3 of us are all signed up to review the same book. That won’t change. What you will find then is that you will get to see several peoples interpretation on the same book. Again, we feel this is something of worth to bring you. This agreement will come into effect immediately, so keep your eyes peeled for new reviews coming your way. We hope you are as excited as we are about this new development. To celebrate our new agreement, we would like to celebrate with you and have put together the following rafflecopter competition. 1st Prize - £15/$25 Amazon giftcard 2nd Prize - £5/$8 Amazon giftcard 3rd Prize - £5/$8 Amazon giftcard 4th Prize - Tshirt signed by Edinburgh Attending Authors 5th Prize - Signed Swag Pack To celebrate, we are holding a rafflecopter giveaway with 5 prizes including amazon vouchers, a signed tshirt from the Edinburgh RARE signing and a signed swag pack. Enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1717496e2/ Jo (Four Brits), Francessca, Kelly, Kelsey, Zoe & Donna (Literary Lust), Maria & Maz (Surrender To Books). Blog Tour - Blinded by Love Series - Emma Grayson Author: Emma Grayson Hosted By: Francessca's Romance Reviews</ a> Take It All (Blinded By Love #1) Judy Garland said it best, For it was not into my ear you whispered but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed but my soul. If you asked her why she loved him, she would tell you it was because he was who he was and, well, she was who she was. Plain and simple. All her life Lennox Ward felt incomplete. Her heart was always searching for that one special thing; that special someone she had yet to find. Then Caleb Kingston came strolling back into her life unexpectedly, and little did she know her world was about to come crashing down around her, forever shattering it. I started 'Take it All' and it immediately sucked me in, I couldn't stop reading! ~ Goodreads Review WOW!!! This book was not what I expected but I totally fell in love with the characters and storyline , it was real and dealt with real issues!!This wasn't some " cookie cutter " romance story, things got ugly and the truth freaking hurt ~ goodreads review This is one of those stay up all night, finish in one sitting books. Take it All is a heartbreaking story of a love that can destroy you and it leaves you feeling you got hit by a semi... in a good and bad way. ~ Goodreads Review Amazon USA Promise It All (Blinded by Love #2) Caleb Kingston’s addiction got the best of him and he left everything important behind; including the one person he loved more than anything. Lennox is left to fight through her heartache and pain as well as the crushing confusion she feels in the aftermath of Caleb’s departure. She finds it difficult to move forward because he didn’t just leave her behind, he also left their son, AJ. Realizing Caleb will never leave the life of addiction behind and return to her and AJ, Lennox makes the painful choice to finally put Caleb and their love behind her. But when Caleb returns in a shocking and unexpected way, he changes her game plan and makes her question what she truly wants. Friday, May 16th 2014 Tick. Tock. The room was empty and silent, except for the sound of Heather, the receptionist, typing away on the computer. Lennox looked at the time on her phone; she still had another fifteen minutes before it was her turn. The office was old and dusty with a musky smell. She thought the place could use a good cleaning and possibly a new air freshener, preferably the scent of fresh linen. The chair she sat in was well worn with the padding torn and barely there as the wooden base under her was becoming uncomfortable. Just like it did every single time she sat on it twice a week for the last five months, but this time wasn't anything like the times before. Every time she came, she was prepared, she knew what she was going to say, she was ready to hold her emotions back, she was ready to put on a brave face and act as if everything was okay, that she was okay. Not today. Today she had no idea what to expect. For the first time she was going in completely blind and unprepared. She had no expectations, no words to express how she was feeling or what she was thinking, but worst of all she had no idea how she was going to control her emotions and put on a brave face and continue to act as if she was okay. Lennox wasn't okay, she was far from okay. Sitting in the god-awful chair, staring at the off white wall in front of her, she only had one word floating around in her head. Kryptonite. Superman's weakness. Like him, everyone has a weakness. Everyone has something in their lives that no matter how hard they try to push it aside, they can't. They end up falling into its momentum until they're on the ground without the strength to get back up again and live. Lennox had fallen into her Kryptonite more than once, but this time she had more than just herself to lose. She struggled with wondering if the direction she was heading was right, if it was worth it, and if it was what she truly wanted. She had perspective. She'd thought about every outcome possible, and she had done so more than once—more than twice. She thought about it every single day for the past three months. She was unfocused with everything in her life, and consumed with the possible outcomes of her day. She knew nothing would be solved at the end of her time, or in a day or week or even in a month. She knew it could take months until she finally had clarity, and the thought of that killed her. She wasn't the most patient person, but when it came to this specific topic she knew one thing for sure. It was going to take time. It would also take work, patience, faith, hope, and most of all trust. Trust... the hardest thing for her to give to anyone. The chair next to Lennox suddenly wasn't empty anymore as Heather stood up from her desk. "He'll see you now," she said. Lennox nodded and stood to her feet, pulling her purse over her shoulder. Today was the first time she wasn't going in alone. As they walked toward the mocha-colored door, Lennox laughed to herself as she thought about how it all started with a phone call. A phone call she'd been waiting three years for. A phone call that changed everything. Amazon UK</ a> Emma Grayson is a Canadian author who resides outside of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with her family and seven year old son. She is Amazon’s Bestselling author of Unbeautifully Loved, the first book of the Breathe Again series, as well as it’s follow up, Unbearable Guilt. She is also the author of Take it All and Promise it All, a series inspired by real events of her life. Emma is currently working on a new novel, Erase my Scars, the first of a new trilogy. When Emma’s not writing she enjoys time with her son, coming up with new book plots, going to the movies, reading, enjoying time with family and friends, and watching rerun episodes of Criminal Minds and Sons of Anarchy. She loves to watch the food network, music of all kinds, coffee, all things purple, Oilers hockey, and doesn’t leave the house without her cell phone, Kobo, flip flops and a pack of gum. STALK LINKS Blog Tour - Between A Rock And A Hard Place - Jenna Galicki Title: Between a Rock and a Hard Place (Radical Rock Stars, #2) Author: Jenna Galicki Synopsis</ span> She’s a rock goddess. He’s a sex pistol. I need them both, in my life and in my bed, and I'm not living without either one of them. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them there, even if it costs me everything I ever wanted. I’m Tommy Blade, The Prince of Punk Rock, and this is the rest of our story. When Jessi Blade is forced to miss the first leg of Immortal Angel’s world tour, Tommy Blade and Angel Garcia are alone together for the first time. Their romance flourishes and brings them closer together, but time apart puts a strain on Tommy and Jessi’s marriage. The demanding schedule of a world tour, pressure from the record label and a wife who feels neglected, leaves Tommy under a blanket of anxiety. He’s helpless as his perfect life slowly falls to pieces. When Jessi finally catches up to Tommy and Angel four weeks into their world tour, she begins to feel like an outsider. She’s not about to take a back seat to Angel and she competes for Tommy’s attention. Tired of the rivalry, she begins to wonder if they’d be happier without her. Angel is trying to hold their relationship together, but Jessi’s animosity and Tommy’s nervous tension, are a heavy load to carry. Before long, it becomes clear that their life, and the band, are doomed unless they work out their differences. Excerpt </ strong> Tommy thought he was still dreaming. A gentle hand tucked strands of hair behind his ear. Warm lips met his neck just below his ear and they rested there long enough to make the hair on the back of his neck prickle. A hot, thick tongue licked tiny circles on the sensitive skin of his neck and warm breath blew on his cheek like a summer breeze. It sent a tingle down his back. The soft moan in his ear let him know that this wasn’t a dream. It was Angel.</ span> Tommy kept his eyes closed and reached for his lover’s cheek. He tilted his head to the side to allow Angel’s magnificent tongue to bathe him in delightful blistering heat. He sighed and turned his face to catch the fleshy godlike tongue in his mouth. He held Angel’s face in his hand and drank in the warm sensuous dew on Angel’s lips. “That’s the way I want you to wake me up every morning for the rest of my life.” Between a Rock and a Hard Place (Radical Rock Stars: Book Two) Amazon US \| Amazon UK \| Nook </ a> Catch up with The Prince of Punk Rock (Radical Rock Stars Book One) I love her, but I also love him. She’s everything to me. He sets my world on fire. It's our dirty little secret, and it’s about to blow our record deal sky high. I’m Tommy Blade, the Prince of Punk Rock, and this is our story. Tommy Blade is a man with a secret. It’s a secret he only shares with one person, Jessi Blade – and the men he surrenders to in the bedroom. Jessi’s only condition to their tumultuous sex life is that the men are one night stands. But when Angel Garcia enters their life, it’s like a match to gasoline. </ span> Mega-talented punk rock singer Angel Garcia, with his smoldering ebony eyes, tight leather pants and unstoppable stage presence, is a man who is used to getting what he wants. He has his eyes set on Tommy Blade as his new lead guitarist, and as his life partner. Jessi Blade, sympathetic to her husband's bisexual needs, loves him enough to share him, but she never counted on Angel Garcia to test the threshold of her marriage. He makes her life hell . . . and heaven. He’s her damnation and her salvation. She wants to hate him. She wants to despise him. But his charm and raw sex appeal are impossible to resist. Without warning, she finds herself falling in love with her husband's gay lover. At the height of it all, their punk rock band catapults to stardom. Their lives are marred by secrecy, deception and sacrifice. Feelings of betrayal, backlash from the sensationalistic media and threats of blackmail send them down a hard road filled with tough decisions. They aren't your ordinary rock stars. They're radical rock stars. And they have a big story to tell. The Prince of Punk Rock (Radical Rock Stars: Book One) Jenna Galicki is a strong advocate for LGBT rights and marriage equality. She lives in Long Island, NY with her husband and two dogs, and she loves meeting new people. She's a rottweiler enthusiast and an avid music buff. When she's not hunched over a computer, you can find her front row at a rock concert. Follow Jenna Galicki, she would love to hear from you Giveaway!</ strong> Other books by Jenna Galicki Amazon US \| Nook He's the shoulder she leans on. He worships her. She shields and protects him. He watches over her. They're soul mates for life. They're not lovers; they're best friends. Their struggle to find someone who can handle their intense bond is met with a roller coaster of raw emotion, loyalty and heartache. Follow their journey to find love. When Heather Cooper married Peter, she thought that she had finally found someone who could handle the inseparable bond she shares with her gay best friend, Justin Perrotta. It’s only a matter of time before jealousy rears its ugly head, and Peter’s true feelings emerge – and he starts drinking. Burned by an ex-boyfriend, Justin refuses to open his heart to love again. Wild relationships and one night stands leave him lonely and unfulfilled, even though he will not admit it. He finds love when he least expects it, but his fear of commitment threatens to ruin the best thing that has ever happened to him. In this modern day ‘Will and Grace’ meets ‘Sex and the City’, two best friends, a straight woman and a gay man, struggle to find someone to love as much as they love each other. Blog Tour - Beautifully Together - A.M. Guilliams http://amzn.to/1uQizXz PLEASE read Beautifully Tainted before reading Beautifully Together. Beautifully Together is not a cliffhanger. What would you do when your past collides with your present? Matt and Emily's future depends on the connections with their pasts. Questions need to be answered. Conflicts need to be resolved. They face tough decisions ahead and the relationship they long to have will depend on if they can handle each other's pasts coming to light. A blast from the past wants what was thought to be gone forever. Secrets will be revealed. Lives will be lost. Can they overcome everything that's thrown their way? Will they finally be able to live beautifully together? Or will events beyond their control leave them forever broken? Teasers: Author Note: A.M. Guilliams decided to take her joy of jotting down random thoughts and turn them into a full length novel. She attended the University of Phoenix, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Her passion for the way the mind works and for the criminal justice field fueled her desire to major in this field. She’s a Dispatcher by day, and a mom to three beautiful children and two doggies by night. When the characters are not taking over her mind, she can be found outdoors, spending time with her family. Singing, dancing, taking pictures, and reading hot, steamy novels are what she loves to do to relax when she gets some down time. She loves to take trips to places that she’s never been before and is a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Skydiving, fast cars, and rollercoasters, all being sources to get her blood pumping. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-AM-Guilliams/262892013869353 Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/A.M.-Guilliams/e/B00J4OMODO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1412948684&sr=1-2 Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7489948.A_M_Guilliams The Art of Romance Promotions a Rafflecopter giveaway Promo Blitz - More Than Forever - Jay McLean MORE THAN FOREVER By Jay McLean (More Than Series, Book 4) Title: More Than Forever Author: Jay McLean Genre: New Adult More Than Forever is book four in the More Than series and may be read as a standalone, though it is recommended to read in series order. Series reading order: More Than This (Book one) More Than Her (Book two) More Than Him (Book three) -LUCY- There is a love so fierce it cannot be measured. A heart so strong it will never slow. There is a promise so sure it can never lie. He promised me that love forever. Even when it wasn't enough. -CAMERON- Forever. Everlasting. Eternal. There is no measure of time. No sounds of the ticking of a clock. Just the rising and falling of the sun. And our own sense of forever. But our forever isn't always. Amazon US > http://amzn.to/1jkMfZy iBooks > http://bit.ly/1qrKsUO B&N > http://bit.ly/1qrKxrB Kobo > http://bit.ly/1qrK8p3 US -> http://amzn.to/1vvP1hN UK-> http://amzn.to/1eiDlmD MORE THAN HER US -> http://amzn.to/KcGT1y UK -> http://amzn.to/1eiDy9g MORE THAN HIM US -> http://amzn.to/1frSC6N UK -> http://amzn.to/1fs0hSo I see her wobble on her feet before she slowly tumbles to the ground. Her knees give out first, then the rest of her. It feels like I should've gotten to her earlier, but seconds of panic took place before my mind kicked into gear. And the rest is a blur. Her friend's standing over us while I rest her head on my lap. "Lucy," I say. And it's the first time I've said her name out loud. It'd been over three weeks since I'd learned it. "What happened?" Logan asks her friend. "I don't know." She's as panicked as I am, if not worse. "Is she dehydrated?" Logan picks up what looks like an uneaten sandwich. "Is this hers? Has she eaten?" I don't know why it annoys me that Logan is asking all the right questions and all I can do is stare down at her. She's breathing, so I guess that's something. He drops down on his knees on the other side of her and pours water from his bottle into his hand, and then he runs it across her forehead and into her hairline. "Is she alright, mate?" Jake asks. He's new and has a weird accent but Logan seems to think he's cool so we keep him around. Logan does the water thing again, and this time her eyes slowly flutter open. And I release the breath I was holding. "It's okay," Logan says to her, "you just passed out." He's in her face now, and I want to punch him for being the first thing she sees when she comes to. I was here first; I was the one watching her when she fell. It should have been me. "I hate that guy," Logan jerks his head toward Jake and a new kid. "The new kid? Dylan?" He nods. "He thinks he owns the school." "Really?" I glare over at them. "Apparently he kills it on the basketball court, but I dunno." I shrug. "He hasn't said two words to me. He seems quiet." "Those are the ones you have to worry about, Cam. The quiet broody assholes get all the girls. Better watch him around that new girl of yours." I play dumb. "What new girl?" "Shut up, asshole. You don't think I notice you watching her all the fucking time?" I lift my chin. "I think if there's an asshole in this entire school to watch out for, it's you." He laughs and adjusts his cap. "You don't need to worry about me. I'm not into stealing my friend's girls." He shoves his hand in his catcher's glove and smacks my arm with it. "Say the word. Claim her. I promise to stay away and I'll make sure she's untouchable to everyone else." "I'm not an asshole and she isn't property. I can't own her." "If that's what you want." He raises an eyebrow. "She's cute. In a couple years she'll be hot. Guys will be all over her. I'm just trying to help out." I think about what he's saying, and he makes a good point. Only he's wrong—she's hot now. "Fine. I claim her. She's mine." His smirk is instant. "You can't own someone, you pig. She isn't property." I laugh. "Fuck you." Jake struts over to us. "Ya reckon that new kid Dylan can hang out with us this arvo? He seems like a top bloke." Logan's gaze moves to me, confusion clear on his face. I shrug. He lets out a chuckle before gripping both of Jake's shoulders and shaking him gently. He looks him right in the eye, speaking slowly and clearly. "I have no idea what the fuck you just said." Follow Jay McLean on Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - FB Fan Page - Blog - Newsletter RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY BLOG TOUR - Robert - Tracie Podger Title: Robert Author: Tracie Podger Release Date: September 28, 2014 Tour Sponsor: Paula's Passionate Promotions Robert Stone was six years old when his parents were killed and he was left to live a life of abuse at the hands of a mad, religious aunt in America. At the age of eleven, alone and rejected, he cracked - with terrible consequences. But he survived. Today he lives a life immersed in the world of crime and deadly secrets. As the head of a powerful organisation, he is a wealthy and very powerful man. He enjoys his very private life and he answers to no one. Until one day he meets a woman - a woman that will challenge everything he is and everything he has been. This is the story of a remarkable man, a dangerous man. His life in his words. This is the story of Robert Stone. Contemporary romance for readers over 18. Although part of the Amazon best-selling Fallen Angel series, Robert</ strong> can be read as a prequel to Fallen Angel, Part I. I watched her undo the belt at her side and shrug her shoulders, the dress falling to the floor. She slowly turned. She wore black lace panties and a matching bra. I strode towards her, taking her face in one hand, turning it to the side, giving me access to her neck. I heard her breath quicken. I felt her hands on my chest, loosening my tie. I pulled her bra down, releasing a breast and sucked on her nipple while she fumbled with the zipper on my pants. "You are one mean bastard," she said. "So I've been told, many times," I whispered as my teeth bit down hard on her earlobe. ********************************************************************************** Travis left and I headed for the shower. I closed my eyes and let the water run over my face, tilting it towards the shower head. I tried to conjure up some feeling towards what we had done, but nothing came. Was I so heartless that I couldn't feel even the slightest remorse? Even killing a man for justifiable reasons deserved some feeling. There was no doubt Padriac was a threat to me and my family and that threat had to be dealt with. He couldn't be allowed to blackmail or talk, but what was more important, he had beaten and abused my brother. I wouldn't allow anyone to hurt my family and live after. Add Robert to Goodreads Tracie Podger currently lives in Kent, UK with her husband and a rather obnoxious cat called George. She’s a Padi Scuba Diving Instructor with a passion for writing. Tracie has been fortunate to have dived some of the wonderful oceans of the world where she can indulge in another hobby, underwater photography. She likes getting up close and personal with sharks. Tracie wishes to thank you for giving your time to read her books and hopes you enjoy them as much as she loves writing them. If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact her, she would love to hear from you.</ span> Facebook</ a> Facebook Fan Group Amazon US - click on the cover: Amazon UK <---- click here! Other Books in the Fallen Angel series Buying Links for Fallen Angel, Fallen Angel II, and Evelyn UK ebook Fallen Angel, Part I UK ebook Fallen Angel, Part II UK ebook Evelyn UK Print Fallen Angel, Part I UK Print Fallen Angel, Part II UK Print Evelyn US ebook Fallen Angel, Part I US ebook Fallen Angel, Part II US ebook Evelyn US Print Fallen Angel, Part I US Print Fallen Angel, Part II US Print Evelyn Enter the Tour Giveaway! New Release** Save Me by Natasha Preston Author: Natasha Preston Genre:NA contemporary romance Release Date: 7th October Tegan Pennells used to care about everything: family, friends, boys, school, and music. But then her dad died and that stopped. She doesn’t care about her relationship with her mum and sister. She doesn’t care that she’s pushed away most of her friends. She doesn’t care that she lost her virginity to her friend’s brother in the backseat of his car. She doesn’t care that she uses men, or what people think about her friends with benefits agreement with Kai, a guy she met in a bar. Tegan doesn’t care about the man that received her father’s heart. And she doesn’t want to care about that man’s son. She doesn’t want to care about anything ever again. UK native Natasha Preston grew up in small villages and towns. She discovered her love of writing when she stumbled across an amateur writing site and uploaded her first story and hasn’t looked back since. She enjoys writing NA romance, thrillers, gritty YA and the occasional serial killer. CONNECT WITH NATASHA Twitter</ a>	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line274
__label__wiki	0.721986	0.721986	NEWS ALERT: Man struck and killed by train identified Posted on November 16, 2017 by Thomas Sellers Star Staff Reports Traffic came to a halt at Church Street, Navy Road and Easley Street after a pedestrian was struck by train. The man died from his injuries after being hit by the train earlier this morning about 9 a.m. Authorities identified the man as Scott Thorpe, 51 years old. He was walking on… Brighton’s center of attention today is DJ Barker’s Rhodes Football signing Posted on November 16, 2017 November 16, 2017 by Thomas Sellers By Thomas Sellers Jr. Brighton senior center DJ Barker made it official today, he will be a Rhodes Lynx in 2018. Barker became a part of the Brighton Cardinal roster after moving from the St. Augustine, Fla., area last November. The 5’10, 200 pound athlete joined Head Coach Robin Jacobs team this past year as… Munford’s MaKayla Pugh takes here step in life with Southwest Softball By Thomas Sellers Jr. MaKayla Pugh’s talents will be heading to the campus of Southwest Tennessee next fall. She made it official Nov. 15 in the Munford High School Library signing her letter of intent with her parents Chris and Jennifer, sister MaKenzie, aunt Missy Bradley and Grandma Pam Hartsfield by her side. “I’m proud… Ordinance amends City Code for zoning, land-use control By Bill Short The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously passed an ordinance on final reading this week that amends the Municipal Code for zoning and land-use control. Board members took the action Monday night during their regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Al Bell and seconded by Alderman Frankie Dakin…. Visit From Three Wise Men Members of the Young at Heart senior group at Clopton United Methodist Church in Brighton recently enjoyed being entertained by two of the “The Three Wise Men” from left are Howard Michael and Walter Hollyfield. The third Wise Man, Carter Hooker, was unable to participate this year. They performed a variety of gospel, country and… Tae’lyr’s Triumph: Gatlin motivations push him to University of Denver By Thomas Sellers Jr. Multiple things have motivated Tae’lyr Gatlin toward his National Signing Day. The Brighton senior wanted to be the most decorated player in school history. The MVP point guard targeted being the first Division I Basketball signee for the Cardinals since Herley Maclin in 1999. Gatlin might have had additional motivation from… Public Safety November 16, 2017 Arrests Oct. 31- 39-year-old Millington male, charged with violation of an order of protection or restraining order; 46-year-old Memphis male, charged with theft of property-conduct involving merchandise; Nov. 1- 36-year-old Millington male, charged with failure to appear; 46-year-old Millington male, charged with failure to appear, driving while license suspended/cancelled/revoked, following too closely; Nov. 2- 52-year-old… Two seriously wounded in weekend shooting Star Staff Reports Two men were transported to Regional One in Memphis after being shot. Around 9:45 Saturday night, the shooting took place at the Commodore Village Apartments, which is located at 4486 Babe Howard Blvd. Millington Police confirmed two men were shot and transported to the hospital in critical condition. According to Millington Public… Obituary November 16, 2017 RONALD WILLIAM ACKERMAN Ronald William Ackerman, 77, of Memphis, passed away Sunday, November 5, 2017. Mr. Ackerman was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Ann Ackerman; and his parents, Marvin and Elizabeth Ackerman. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Ann Leavesley(Duane); daughter, Katharine B. Federman(Peter); daughter, Laura Ann Shelton; daughter, Rebecca Elizabeth Hanzel;… Military News: Silvis graduates basic training U.S. Air Force Airman Jesse R. Silvis graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward…	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line279
__label__wiki	0.688231	0.688231	Miss Manhattan Hangs Out...with Ronin Davis When Ronin Davis answers his door, there’s a beard where his face used to be. How long has it been since I’ve seen him? Too long apparently, as there’s now handsome auburn hair around his jaw. It’s perfect timing, too, since tonight he and his boyfriend Josh will be dressing up as lumberjacks for a Purim party hosted by JQY. JQY, short for Jewish Queer Youth, is an organization dedicated to providing a community for young Jewish LGBTQ people, fighting “to ensure the emotional and physical health and safety of these individuals,” with a specific focus on Orthodox and Hassidic communities. One of the ways the organization raises funds is through events like tonight’s Purim party. “Do you know the story of Purim?” Ronin asks me as I make my way into his apartment. I know it just barely, and as he dons his lumberjack gear, he narrates it to me. Purim celebrates the day the Jewish people were spared from slaughter at the hand of the evil Haman by Esther, Queen of Persia. To celebrate, the Megillah, the story of Esther saving the Jews, is read aloud. Costumes are worn on the holiday, which is why it’s often mistakenly called “Jewish Halloween.” Rather, it is said that we dress up because God “disguised” himself in the events that led to the sparing of the Jews in the Purim story. “You’re also supposed to get so drunk you can’t recognize anyone,” Ronin says mischievously. Eating tons of delicious, jam-filled triangular pastries called hamantaschen is also part of the festivities. Ronin pins his blue and white yarmulke to the top of his head while Josh swipes glitter into his own beard. We listen to Jewish a cappella group The Maccabeats sing “Purim Song” on YouTube. Ronin, who grew up in a conservative home with a rabbi father, is close to his family and regularly attends Jewish events, queer and not. We make our way to the train and Ronin proudly dons his newest purchase, a combination knit scarf, mittens, and hat made to look like a unicorn. Josh looks at him endearingly and smiles. Ronin is bubbly and warm, but there’s also a strong, focused sense of justice running through his life. Not that the two are mutually exclusive. By day he works at The Council of State Governments Justice Center where he oversees a program helping the previously incarcerated with mentorship, fatherhood, family, and community reentry. He has been working in community justice professionally since 2007, when he started in his native Colorado as a Detention Officer and Juvenile Bond Commissioner. Ronin’s friendly nature is in full force at the JQY event, where he seems to know everyone. He and Josh effortlessly mix and mingle with people dressed as cowgirls, kings, Power Rangers and leather-bound scuba divers. They nosh on hamantaschen and sip a fruity spiked punch, making their way around the room while the DJ plays Britney, Madonna, and more. Eventually, they begin to dance and…they just don’t stop. Follow Ronin on Instagram and Twitter. Labels: archive, JQY, judaism, Miss Manhattan Hangs Out, purim, ronin davis Andrew Carter March 8, 2018 at 5:02 AM Hi I really appreciate your all efforts which is specially for the Manhattan Jewish Exeperience well done. miss-manhattan March 9, 2018 at 11:09 AM Thank you so much, Andrew! I appreciate it. L.A. Woman II: Venice and Ru	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line282
__label__cc	0.66376	0.33624	My Paris Tours Louvre Museum Guided Tour 3 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Latin Quarter in Paris Paris City TourParis City ToursParis Private ToursParis Sightseeing ToursParis Tour GuideParis Walking ToursPrivate Tours Paris April 17, 2018 MyParisTours.com Staff Paris Sightseeing Tours Paris Tourist Attractions Latin Quarter situated in between 5th and 6th arrondissements of Paris gets its bohemian charm from the cafes, bookshops, and other attractions lined up along the cobblestone streets. Most of the nooks and corners of Latin Quarter are a maze of winding paths, alleys, and quaint hidden squares. Apart from the Boulevard Saint-Michel, this Parisian quarter retains its Medieval Period charm. Try wandering off into any of pedestrian lanes when on Paris sightseeing tours to experience the beauty of Latin Quarter firsthand. In addition, consider adding the three tourist attractions listed below to make the day out in the capital city even more enjoyable. This mausoleum in the Parisian area situated amidst 5th and 6th districts is home to tombstones of some of the prominent French citizens. The entire space of the building is dedicated to commemorating the great accomplishments of French people to have had a great influence on the citizens. Its façade comprises of several Corinthian columns, and above it has an inscription that means, “To Great Men, Their Country is Grateful.” The main attraction in the mausoleum is the replica of a pendulum named after French physicist, Léon Foucault, which was conceived to demonstrate the rotation of the earth. Grande Mosquée de Paris This is one of the biggest mosques not only in Paris, but also in all of France. It is situated just a stone’s throw away from the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle also known as Museum of Natural History. The adobe of the mosque built during the 1920’s in Hispanic and Moorish architectural styles is a sight to behold. Its prayer hall has stunning carpets and hammam resembles North African bathrooms titled in decorative mosaic. Musée National Eugène Delacroix This museum in the City of Lights celebrates the artworks of French artist, and forever-romanticist, Eugène Delacroix. The collections of the museum chronicle parts of the career of the Romantic painter and throws light on the themes he depicted on canvas alongside his artistic influences. The museum displays the artworks Delacroix painted while in transit to Morocco during the 19th Century. His world-famous work, ‘Liberty Leading People’, has graced the French currency and featured on the album cover of Coldplay band that included their famous song ‘Viva la Vida’. However, most of the masterpiece of Delacroix is home to Musée du Louvre in the 1st arrondissement. Mistakes to Avoid While Taking Business Loans Choosing the Right Parisian Neighborhood for your Stay Places to Find Street Art in Paris Visiting the Louvre at Night Go on a Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain Ride in Disneyland Copyright 2019 \| Paris City Walking Tours and Museum Tours	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line293
__label__wiki	0.728589	0.728589	Seattle, Wash. 7 St. Louis, Mo. 7 Plessy vs Ferguson, 1896 33 Imperialism 15 CSKC-INP, Coretta Scott King Collection, In Private Hands 8 ''The Future of Integration'', Address at Monmouth College West Long Branch, N.J. Van Note, William G. [Monmouth College (West Long Branch, N.J.)] Monmouth College (West Long Branch, N.J.) Ashbury Park Press NJASP Asbury Park Press, Inc. Asbury Park, New Jersey "The Other America," Address delivered at Stanford University Stanford, Calif. Napier, Bunyan Davie [Stanford University] Bell, Charles H. [Stanford University] 6/28/2004 15:5:2 ''The Other America,'' Address delivered at Stanford University Other America ''The Other America,'' Address delivered at Ford Hall Forum Ford Hall Forum Providence, R.I. Gettysburg, Penn. Star-Spangled Banner DWarAC-INP Dennis Warren Audio Collection, In Private Hands ''Civil Rights at the Crossroads'', Address to Local 815 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Allied Trades Council International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 815 Allied Trades Council Civil Rights at the Crossroads, Address delivered to Local 815 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Allied Trades Council NYC-23A & 23B ''America's Chief Moral Dilemma,'' Address delivered at the University of California, Berkeley Commanger, Henry Steele Kai-shek, Chiang CLPAC Pacifica Radio Archive, Los Angeles, Calif. 12/1/2010 alexmw Transforming a Neighborhood into a Brotherhood, Address at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Radio Announcers White, Paul Span, Purvis Wood, Georgia Javits, Jacob K. (Jacob Koppel) Kennedy, Edward Moore Fall, Bernard National Association of Radio and Television Announcers National Association of Real Estate Brokers ''Transforming a Neighborhood Into a Brotherhood,'' Address delivered at the Annual Convention of the National Assocation of Radio and Television Announcers Montague, Nathaniel Wright, Orville Wright, Wilbur Somtimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line297
__label__cc	0.661519	0.338481	Review - The Prince by Tiffany Reisz Title: The Prince Author: Tiffany Reisz Series: The Original Sinners #3 Genre: Erotic Romance Paperback provided by Harlequin Australia for an honest review For readers 18+. Includes BDSM and Erotic scenes. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer...preferably in bed. That's always been Kingsley Edge's strategy with his associate, the notorious New York dominatrix Nora Sutherlin. But with Nora away in Kentucky, now it's Kingsley's chance to take her place at the feet of the only man he's ever wanted -- Søren, Nora's on-again, off-again lover -- until a new threat from an old enemy forces him to confront his past. Wes Railey is still the object of Nora's tamest yet most maddening fantasies, and the one man she can't forget. He's young. He's wonderful. He's also thoroughbred royalty and she's in "his" world now. But Nora is no simpering Southern belle, and her dream of fitting into Wesley's world is perpetually at odds with her dear Søren's relentlessly seductive pull. Two worlds of wealth and passion call to her and whichever one Nora chooses, it will be the hardest decision she will ever have to make... unless someone makes it for her.... The Prince is a completely different book to the first two books in the series. It doesn’t have numbered chapters, instead it alternates between North – The Past, North – The Present (both of which are about Kingsley) and the South (which is Nora). Kingsley is the main character in this book and about 2/3rd’s of the book is about him, and Nora has the rest. I enjoyed this new writing style, as I was able to read the background of Kingsley, and keep up with what happened in the current day. North – The Past, focuses on how Kinsley and Soren met at the all-boys Jesuit boarding school. Kingsley was a ladies’ man even back then and was able to get the girls do anything he wanted. You can see that Kingsley is attracted to Soren immediately and wants to do anything to pursue him. Even at this school the other students were afraid of Soren, but Kingsley was more curious and wanted to know more about him. Life as he knew it was about to change forever. I loved getting to know what Soren and Kinsley were like when they were teenagers. I was able to see their bond develop and grow and eventually I think it is love. I am usually not one for reading M/M scenes, but as I know these characters so well from the other books, I found it easy to read so that I could understand the characters better and to see the depth of their bond. The more I read about Soren, the more I realise that he is a good person. After The Siren I didn’t like him but my opinion changed after The Angel and now I like him even more. North – The Present, Kingsley and Soren are dealing with a serious threat. In The Angel, someone broke into Kinsley’s home and stole Nora’s file from him. The file is heavily encrypted but the fact that someone was able to drug his dogs and get into his home, has kept Kingsley on edge since. In The Prince there are more threats; someone from their past, who knows their secrets, is trying to destroy them. Kingsley was sent a photo from the boarding school and there are more break-ins; Soren’s childhood home, Nora’s home and Kingsley’s place again. It was interesting to see Kingsley and Soren work together to try and find out who the culprit is. They travel back to Soren’s home town and to the boarding school and revisit the ghosts of their pasts. Although it has been 30 years since they were at school together, their bond is still there and Kingsley’s love for Soren has not faded. South, is about Nora and Wes. At the conclusion of the last book, Nora was back in Wes’s arms and now they have gone south to his parents’ home in Kentucky. Wes wants to show her what his life is like and in the process, try to win Nora’s heart completely. Nora meets the parents, goes to the horse races and spends all of her time with Wes. She is battling between the life she had with Soren and the life she wants with Wes. Nora is a hard person to read at times and I think she tries to talk herself out of things before it even happens, even with her relationship with Wes. She doesn’t think that she is good enough for him, but they love each other anyway. She is not sure how to have a normal life but is doing her best to figure it out. There aren’t many dark erotica scenes in this book as there have been in the other books. The ones that I did read about were between Soren and Kingsley and even they were from the Past. Nora has some sexual scenes, but they are very tame considering who and what she is. There were no visits to the 8th Circle, but Nora was able to use a whip eventually. I still enjoyed this book because of the amount of depth we were able to get about the characters. The story is building in The Prince and even though I was given some answers by the end, the cliffhanger had me frustrated!! Just when I thought everything was falling into place, END OF BOOK!! OMG!! How can this happen…… Anyway, it was a very intense read all the way through and more often than not I was on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what would happen next. See my review for The Siren (book 1) here. See my review for The Angel (book 2) here. Once I again need to thank Harlequin Australia for sending me a paperback copy of The Siren to review!! Tiffany Reisz lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her boyfriend (a reformed book reviewer) and two cats (one good, one evil). She graduated with a B.A. in English from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and is making both her parents and her professors proud by writing BDSM erotica under her real name. She has five piercings, one tattoo, and has been arrested twice. When not under arrest, Tiffany enjoys Latin Dance, Latin Men, and Latin Verbs. She dropped out of a conservative southern seminary in order to pursue her dream of becoming a smut peddler. Johnny Depp’s aunt was her fourth grade teacher. Her first full-length novel THE SIREN was inspired by a desire to tie up actor Jason Isaacs (on paper). She hopes someday life will imitate art (in bed). If she couldn’t write, she would die… Find Tiffany online at: Website - http://www.tiffanyreisz.com/index.html Blog - http://tiffanyreisz.com/storytime/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/tiffanyreisz Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4480131.Tiffany_Reisz Labels: 18+, 4 Stars, Harlequin, ParaNormal Review, Review Review – Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout Swoon Thursday #27 – Angelfire by Hanna Peach Excerpt/Spotlight – Seal of Destiny by Traci Dougl... Waiting On Wednesday # 25 - Spellcaster By Claudia... Teaser Tuesdays # 26 - Bloodlines and The Golden L... Review – Bloodlines by Richelle Mead Stacking the Shelves/Sunday Post #21 Review – Under the Desert Moon by Emma Meade Guest Post/Review – A Matter of Fate by Heather Ly... Review – Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout Swoon Thursday #26 – Stealing Breath by Joanne Bro... Character Bio/Spotlight - Hunter Moon by Jeanette ... Waiting On Wednesday # 24 - Cinder By Jessica Sore... TV Interview/Giveaway - Enchantment by Charlotte A... Teaser Tuesdays # 25 - Closure By Kim Carmichael Character Bio/Spotlight - Incendiary by Amy A. Bar... Release Day Blitz - Raving Violet by Valerie Gilbe... Review - Last Regress by Rachel J. Thorne Promo/Review - Aurora Sky, Vampire Hunter by Nikki... Review - Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout Swoon Thursday #25 – A Matter of Fate by Heather L... Promo - Ocean Kills by Jade Hart Waiting On Wednesday # 23 - Dead Ever After By Cha... Review - Hell’s Gate by Benjamin Daniels Teaser Tuesdays # 24 - Hera, Queen of Gods By T.D.... Guest Post/Giveaway – Five by Christie L. Rich Review - The First Spell by Rachel Carrington Review - Qeya by Jennifer Silverwood Review - Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire Swoon Thursday #24 – Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrou... Review - Up To Me by M. Leighton Waiting On Wednesday # 22 - The Eternity Cure By J... Promo/Giveaway – Waterfall by Lacy Danes Teaser Tuesdays # 23 - Gunmetal Magic by Ilona And... Promo/Giveaway – Dark Return by Taryn Browning Review - Down To You by Michelle Leighton Character Bio/Giveaway – Destined by Ali Cross Swoon Thursday #23 – Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrou... Waiting On Wednesday # 21 - Up To Me By M. Leighto... Teaser Tuesdays # 22 - Touch of Power by Maria V. ...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line300
__label__wiki	0.972056	0.972056	The BBC has updated its cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This includes cookies from third party social media websites if you visit a page which contains embedded content from social media. Such third party cookies may track your use of the BBC website. We and our partners also use cookies to ensure we show you advertising that is relevant to you. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the BBC website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. British Broadcasting Corporation Home Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk search BBC News Updated every minute of every day One-Minute World News News Front Page Related BBC sites Page last updated at 16:59 GMT, Monday, 20 July 2009 17:59 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Flying on the wings of 'Eagle' By Jonathan Fildes Technology reporter, BBC News Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. How the new Altair system would land astronauts back on the Moon "We wanted it to be a bit more Star Wars or Star Trek but the physics gets in the way," says John Connolly, chief architect of Nasa's new Altair Moon Lander. The spacecraft, part of the US space agency's Constellation programme, is the vehicle that Nasa hopes will carry man to the surface of the Moon by 2020. Despite Mr Connolly's fantasies about its design, prototypes of the craft bear a striking resemblance to the Eagle lander which carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the lunar surface 40 years ago. "That was an ugly, spidery spacecraft," he says. "But the Apollo engineers got a lot of things right." Like the Eagle, Altair will be delivered into orbit by a heavy-lift rocket (the Ares V, currently under development) and then ferried on towards the Moon by a command module. And like its predecessor it is a two-stage vehicle: a descent and an ascent stage. The large descent module - including the fragile looking legs - consists largely of an engine and propellant tanks. The smaller ascent module - on top of the vehicle - contains the life support systems and the engine required to get the astronauts back to an orbiting module; another throwback to the Apollo days. But if it looks like Eagle, that is no surprise. The Altair team have been poring over the old design blueprints and have even drafted in some of the old Apollo engineers. "We ask them a lot of questions," said Mr Connolly. Even the lander's name has echoes of the Eagle. Altair is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila, Latin for Eagle. Compare the two landers But there are also key differences. For starters, the new craft is much larger and is a multi-role vehicle, able to deliver astronauts or cargo to the Moon's surface. In a standard mission, it will be able to deliver four astronauts to the lunar surface, compared with the Eagle's two. Altair has been designed as a multi-use vehicle The module acts as living quarters for the crew and features an airlock, meaning that the whole cabin does not need to be depressurised every time an astronaut exits the vehicle. It also has an additional advantage. "We talked to the Apollo astronauts and they had a real problem with dust in the cabin," said Mr Connolly. "The airlock allows us control the dust - dusty space suits can be kept out of the cabin - and it also allows us to split the crew's operations." In the new lander, for example, two astronauts could remain inside whilst two others explore outside. The airlock - because of its weight - is left behind on the Moon's surface with the descent stage when the astronauts are ready to leave. Other configurations of the new lander allow it to act as a lunar outpost, sustaining a crew for more than six months, or as a cargo truck, shipping more than 14 tonnes of material to the surface. These option are critical for Nasa's plans to set up a base on the moon as a staging post for exploration on Mars. The design margins for Eagle were very thin All the vehicles use a common descent stage, with different configurations of craft on top depending on the mission. However, one of the main differences to Eagle is the craft's ability to land almost anywhere on the lunar surface. "Apollo was restricted to mid latitudes and broad daylight," explained Justin Vican, part of a team at the Draper Laboratory in Boston, US, which is developing a new landing system for Altair. "They could only land under optimal conditions." The Autonomous precision Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology (Alhat) project at Draper Labs - the place where the first Apollo Guidance Computers were designed - aims to overcome these limitations. "One of the hardest spots to land is somewhere like the South Pole," said Mr Vican. "Odds are you are going to be landing in total darkness." Alhat will basically allow the astronauts to see in the dark. The physics of spaceflight determines the shape of the lunar landers It will use a suite of sensors and technologies such as a flash Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) "It's like a sonar but with light," explained Mr Vican. The system gives the astronauts very high resolution topographical images of the surface. "From space you can see the big obstacles. The real danger is if you land on a rock three feet high." The team behind Alhat aim to have a system that can detect objects "about the size of a basketball" along with steep or cratered terrain. When the system picks up a hazard, it warns the pilot and allows them to choose a new and precise landing spot on the fly. It is an example of how technology is reducing the risk of space flight. "The design margins for Eagle were very thin," said Mr Connolly. "Altair should be safer." The spacecraft is currently on its third design, but Mr Connolly says there will be likely be a "dozen more" before it is set in stone and the blueprints turned over to an industrial partner to construct. However, there is still a question whether it will get that far. Currently, the Obama administration is undertaking a review of Nasa's manned space activities. The Augustine review, as it is known, is due to report back in August. "Nasa is playing its part [in the review]," he says. "We feel good. If there is an option of going to the Moon, we will need a lander." And if it does get the go-ahead, does he think a new era of manned lunar exploration will capture people's imaginations in the same way as Apollo? "I think it will do in a different way," he says. "With communications technology, it will be a very personal experience. But still very exciting." LUNAR LANDERS - EAGLE v ALTAIR Apollo 'Eagle' lunar lander Crew size: 2 Surface duration: 3 days Landing site capability: Near side, equatorial Overall height: 7.04m (23.1ft) Width at tanks: 4.22m (13.8ft) Width at footpads: 9.45m (31ft) Ascent stage mass: 4,805kg (10,571lbs) Descent stage mass: 11,666kg (25,665lbs) Descent engine thrust: 44.1Kn (9,900lbf) Altair lunar lander Surface duration: 7-210 days Overall height: 9.9m (32.5ft) Width at tanks: 8.8m (28.9ft) Width at footpads: 14.9m (49ft) Descent engine thrust: 83.0Kn (18,650lbf) Print Sponsor Moon map: Archive footage from the Apollo missions Audio slideshow: Moon reporter Obama hails Apollo 11 astronauts Moon astronauts urge Mars mission Why go back to the Moon? Weaving the way to the Moon Apollo's fuel-cell power legacy Understanding Neil Armstrong Moon landing: Your memories APOLLO ESSAYS The magic of Apollo The 'flight of the Spider' Rendezvous around the Moon Happy Birthday Earthrise VIDEO AND ARCHIVE REPORTS Armstrong: Apollo's peace 'investment' Aldrin: I was relieved to be second Enhanced Moon footage revealed 'Beatnik' who put first men on Moon Nasa on return to Moon and Mars Moon-landing madness among media BBC Archive: Apollo lunar missions Nasa: Apollo 40 years Apollo 40th birthday celebrations Draper Laboratory TOP TECHNOLOGY STORIES US lifts lid on WikiLeaks probe Bing gains market share in search 'Virtual human' makes Xbox debut MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW WATCHED/LISTENED Tourists flock to 'Jesus's tomb' in Kashmir Most popular now, in detail Indonesia's female 'devil wheel' riders Has China's housing bubble burst? 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__label__cc	0.673085	0.326915	Noir Fiction inspired by The Bella Vista Motel One Trick Pony For the last fifteen or so years I've been living with a bunch of dead guys at a motel in West Texas. Like the characters in my stories, I'd really like to move on, see the world, go places. But I'm just like them. Anchored by love, worn down by circumstances and fascinated by how much there really is underneath it all. So I keep writing their stories and tell myself that someday, when I've got this all out of my system, I'll write deep, meaningful literature about... something else. In the meantime, this is a place for the short attention spanned. I'm making a commitment to keep it small here. Flash fiction and scenes from the life inspired by, The Bella Vista Motel. Pamila The Guest Book - 6 Everybody thought Dicky Two-Times got his name because of his way with the ladies, but Romeo knew better. As he sat there under the trees going over the night Dicky died, he remembered that there had been a dame involved, but she'd been no more responsible than the gun that killed him, she didn't pull the trigger. Romeo continued to ignore the blur of grey beside him, though he flinched at the lightening flash of white light from just over his left shoulder, like a flashbulb "pop" going off, as if the picture in his mind of Dicky holding up his hands in front his face, the word "no" forever frozen on his lips, had just been snapped by an unseen camera. The dame bothered Romeo though, because he couldn't remember where she came from, whether she'd arrived along with Sy or with the flock of whores from Violet's and Sy had just called dibs on her – but either way, he did remember she had been a real looker, and she'd made herself scarce as soon as things got ugly. It might have been Dicky's passes at the dame that got Sy started, but what pushed him over the edge was the weird way Dicky had to keep touching Sy's stuff, casually like he was trying to be unnoticeable, the side of his whiskey glass, one, pause, two, the back of Sy's chair, one, pause, two... with guilty, feathery fingers and a twisted mouth like he couldn't help himself, like he hated what he was doing. Romeo thought the incident had been unfortunate, but didn't see that he could have prevented it, because the only ones responsible for Dicky's death had been Dicky himself and the guy he made sore, Sy, who'd said, "Dicky, you touch my head one more time, and I'm gonna fucking kill you." Posted by Pamila Payne at 11:23 AM 3 comments Labels: "Bella Vista Motel" noir, "six sentences" Romeo could hear the dogs sniffing around somewhere behind him, the orchestra of birdsong and lazy wind through the trees high above, interrupted by the occasional rude cackle of crows. He opened the guest book and scanned the names, frowning at the blank spaces that held faint impressions of fake monikers he'd inserted in the first book to round things out, and guys like Geo Caletti and Mo Ragola who seemed to come and go without incident. Only the dead men had left their marks clearly, indelibly, the signatures unique to each in deep, rusty brown ink. The first name, right at the top still caused a sick feeling in the pit of Romeo's stomach, the smell of burned flesh coming to mind as clearly as the image of Jack... taking a head-first dive into the white hot incinerator. Every name had its own story, some as bad or worse in their own way as Jack's, and as Romeo's gaze fell on Dicky Two-Times, he tried to remember the sequence of events, wondering if somehow he could have prevented the outcome. A cold chill ran up the back of Romeo's neck, but he knew not to turn around, not to look for the man in the gray suit, the man with the rainwater eyes, the man he'd shot dead two years earlier – he knew Agent Ramiel could only be seen out the corner of his eyes unless he was asleep and dreaming, and then, he was all too clear. Posted by Pamila Payne at 12:06 PM 2 comments Romeo walked out into the clearing behind the motel, an area of about twenty or thirty yards, a hushed threshold at the edge of the grove. The grove went back a long ways, nearly two acres deep, about an acre wide at the far end, big enough for Romeo to squint his eyes and look out into the trees, imagining central park. The largest trees surrounded the edges of the clearing, their branches spreading out above in a cathedral ceiling of leaves so that it was always shady, even when winter stripped the branches down to a skeletal tangle. On the left side of the clearing, a huge old stone fireplace and its chimney stood completely intact and functional, the cabin it served in 1870 stripped away by hostile fire. On the far right side, a modern cement block incinerator, big enough to serve ugly purposes, with an extra wide metal door and a high chimney of its own, smoked calmly, like a lit cigarette lying in an ashtray waiting for lips. Usually when the guest book came back, Romeo pitched it in the incinerator without pause or remorse, but this time, tired of lying to himself, tired of doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome, he decided to take a seat on the edge of the stone hearth and face what the book had to say, to see if the names written in deep brown ink would come alive long enough for him to understand what he was supposed to do. Posted by Pamila Payne at 9:13 AM 0 comments Slappy, the kid, appeared from around the corner, hip first and jaws flapping as usual. Romeo still had the phone receiver in his hand, even though Mr. G had hung up, and could feel his pulse battering senselessly against the dead, black bakelite. "I hope you're ready to go," the kid said, "'cause when I pulled the truck up and looked back in the rear view, there's the mutts in the back again, just like they always ride back there, like it's all of a sudden normal or somethin', but unless you let 'em ride in the back when I ain't lookin,' I don't know where they keep gettin' the idea they're goin' somewhere, and I gotta tell you, I'm fed up with their gettin' in the way and being so obstinate about it - those dogs are some big heavy bastards when they don't want to move - but I did finally get 'em out, so... we goin' now or what?" Romeo replaced the receiver, closed the cover of the guest book and tucked it under his arm. He couldn't help sighing as he looked out the front window at the road that lead beyond sight to wavering, intangible horizons and said, "Nah, you go on without me and just get double of everything on the list." Slappy's elastic eyebrows shot up, but before he could ask, Romeo said, "I got some work to do before our new guest arrives..." and he gave a whistle for the dogs to make it easier on the kid as he headed out the door and down the walkway to the grove of trees behind the motel. Romeo squinted at the guest book, read the name at the bottom of the list - Clark Mannish - but it didn't ring a bell, did he know this guy yet? That bloody metallic taste flooded the back of his tongue and set his teeth on edge, the hair on the back of his neck prickled and an electric tremor ran up his spine. He looked at the big, black phone on the desk as it began to vibrate with the force of its warning bell and thought of air raid sirens, fire alarms, parochial school, death, disaster, confinement. He answered it before it could finish ripping open the silence and said, "Bella Vista Motel, how can I help you?" even though he knew it was Mr. G. "Romeo, ever at the ready..." Mr. G said, his black skull grin evident in his voice, "good thing I caught you before you did your shopping, you'll need to set another place at the table tonight." Romeo listened to Mr. G's instructions, trying his best not to clench his jaw, unsurprised when he was told the new guest's name and got a sudden picture in his mind - a man of gigantic proportions with eyes by turns needy and cruel, a man with a deep voice and a high, girlish giggle. Romeo was in a hurry when he breezed through the motel lobby, keys in hand and the temporary freedom of the road in mind. A supply trip to San Angelo wasn't exactly a pleasure cruise, but hey, he knew how to savor fresh air sucked through a straw. And anyway, he had a good feeling that a new shipment of records from Sha-Sha was waiting for him at the post office, brand new recordings from jam sessions at 3 Dueces, Billy Eckstine's, Jimmy Ryans' and who knew where else – anywhere Sha-Sha could drag his wonderful recording machine and capture the wailing beat, beat, beat. Each shiny black disc he acquired gave him back a piece of himself, let him close his eyes to the dry, stir-crazy day after day and fool himself into thinking he was back home in the city. If he'd kept going right on through, he wouldn't have noticed the guest book, spread-eagle lewd right out on the front desk. But there it was, taunting him with its pages of tombstone roll-call, all the names he didn't want to see and more – a new name, a new guest, a new stain that wouldn't clean away, no matter how many times he burned that god damned book in the incinerator. For the last fifteen or so years I've been living with a bunch of dead guys at a motel in West Texas. Like the characters in my stories, I'd really like to move on, see the world, go places. But I'm just like them. Anchored by love, worn down by circumstances and fascinated by how much there really is underneath it all. So I keep writing their stories and tell myself that someday, when I've got this all out of my system, I'll write deep, meaningful literature about... something else. In the meantime, this is a place for the short attention spanned. I'm making a commitment to keep it small here. Flash fiction, scenes from the life and Six Sentence serials inspired by, The Bella Vista Motel. Pamila Payne I write Noir Horror. My first novel, The Bella Vista Motel, is in search of a publisher. The Bella Vista Motel - Unabridged. Novel Excerpts, Short Stories and Serials, Blog... Vintage Vice yolink search David Niall Wilson Heart of a Dragon & Sins of the Flash … Six Sentences Boyfriend Disclaimer VolumeOneHundred Bukowski's Basement CNN REPORTS MASSIVE SINGLE-MALT SCOTCH SHORTAGE A Rage of Angel Stigma at Cavalcade of Stars Fiction Writer ~ Jodi MacArthur You Didn't Hear This From Me... Paul D. Brazill VISION PRIMORDIAL Where do we find freedom? Cormac Writes What to drive? What to drive? Richard Godwin Chin Wag At The Slaughterhouse: Interview With Michael J. Solender Impossible Wrigglepot Loving the Unliving (having nothing to do with zombies) Very Hot Jews Mindspeak Visit The 6S Social Network Visit CrimeSpace	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line318
__label__cc	0.615288	0.384712	Airborne camera tracking the Apollo 11 reentry - first tracking the glorious destruction of the Service Module, and then tracking the Command Module. neutronium76 Date: Wednesday, 27.03.2013, 13:43 \| Message # 47 Very intresting. I didn't know there was such recording from back then. Here is a video with technical background of the return trip from the moon: it reminded me of my countless unsuccesful attempts to bring back the spacecraft in Orbiter simulator at the correct landing point. I always ended up landing in africa, siberia, the north or south pole, the indian ocean etc.. Anywhere but the central pacific PC1:Core i7 [email protected], 6 cores/12 threads, 12GB DDR3 [email protected], 2x(SLI) GTX-580 GPUs 3GB VRAM(GDDR5)@1GHz, OS:Win7x64SP1 PC2:Core2Quad [email protected], 2 cores/4 threads 4GB DDR2 [email protected], GTX-285 GPU 1GB VRAM(DDR3)@1.24GHz, OS:WinVistax64SP2 Very cool videos, thanks for sharing those, guys. Earlier today, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome carrying the ISS Expedition 35/36 crew. It docked with the International Space Station just 5 hours 45 minutes later. This was the first time that a same-day launch and docking was ever performed with a manned spacecraft in the ISS program. On a personal note, I had forgotten that the launch was happening today, and I had NEVER known that it was going to be a 4-orbit rendezvous profile. I had the impression that that would not be attempted with a crewed spacecraft for another couple of years perhaps. This is hugely exciting. Getting to your destination in the same amount of time as a typical trans-continental airline flight - or less - rather than spending days in such a tiny space is a massive improvement in a passenger's space travel. NovaSilisko Date: Friday, 29.03.2013, 09:54 \| Message # 50 Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the fastest rendezvous+docking in history? I had thought so, but I just did some checking on other missions that I thought docked quickly, and it turns out that Gemini 8 launch to docking time was slightly faster than this one. There may have been other missions as well, though I doubt it. But this is the fastest launch to docking time of a crewed spacecraft to another crewed or crewable spacecraft that I know of. As some of you may have read by now, NASA has now announced its intended direction for its human spaceflight program, and that direction does not include the Moon. The current plan calls for sending an unmanned mission to capture a near-Earth asteroid/meteoroid, tow it into high lunar orbit, and send the first crewed launch to visit that asteroid in 2021 and return samples. This is a modification of the original schedule which called for an Apollo 8-style lunar orbital flight. After that mission they will focus on Mars. No missions are planned or being seriously considered for lunar surface exploration or for near-lunar missions. Personally I hope that SOMEONE goes to the Moon, and I hope that someone brings good cameras and wants to share all of their images (i.e., someone besides than China). I really want to see humans back on the Moon. Sorry for the lack of links, I'm just feeling very lazy right now Edited by HarbingerDawn - Tuesday, 09.04.2013, 11:52 DoctorOfSpace Date: Tuesday, 09.04.2013, 11:59 \| Message # 53 Russia is sending some robots to the moon. http://www.space.com/20461-r....=514648 Would be nice if they would send some people though or start a Moon base. Yeah not happening, certainly not the base. I guarantee it, 100%. Antza2 Date: Tuesday, 09.04.2013, 13:31 \| Message # 55 DoctorOfSpace asked me to link this picture here. Quote (Antza2) It's pretty off-topic... Quite off topic, the context was all wrong. NovaSilisko Date: Tuesday, 09.04.2013, 20:29 \| Message # 58 The current plan calls for sending an unmanned mission to capture a near-Earth asteroid/meteoroid, tow it into high lunar orbit, and send the first crewed launch to visit that asteroid in 2021 and return samples. This is a modification of the original schedule which called for an Apollo 8-style lunar orbital flight. NASA developing a coherent plan for exploration? It's the end of the world! neutronium76 Date: Tuesday, 09.04.2013, 21:58 \| Message # 59 The current plan calls for sending an unmanned mission to capture a near-Earth asteroid/meteoroid, tow it into high lunar orbit, and send the first crewed launch to visit that asteroid in 2021 and return samples Correct me if I am wrong but wouldn't this be more risky and at a similar cost to just sending an Apollo-style mission to the moon? I mean with all the research that has been done and is being done, wouldn't be wiser to carefully plan a mission for a permanent base on the moon with a 3-5 human crue doing research and preparing for the next step to Mars?. If something goes wrong with that asteroid it may crash to earth, enter wrong orbit etc.. Also I don't know if its orbit can remain stable around the moon which orbits the earth. I mean there is no natural moon of a moon of a planet AFAIK. If something goes wrong with that asteroid it may crash to earth, enter wrong orbit etc.. Also I don't know if its orbit can remain stable around the moon which orbits the earth. I mean there is no natural moon of a moon of a planet AFAIK. Any asteroid that could be towed by humans is too small to do anything to earth. I'm not sure how long the asteroid would be stable, though.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line321
__label__cc	0.722705	0.277295	Home Login Contact Album list Last uploads Last comments Most viewed Top rated My Favorites Search Home > Appearances > 2015 > 04/05 - Mary-Kate & Ashley at the Costume Institute Benefit at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC Filename: 526661270_28329.jpg Album name: helen / 04/05 - Mary-Kate & Ashley at the Costume Institute Benefit at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC URL: http://www.olsensobsessive.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=59176 Olsens Obsessive Coppermine Theme Developed By: VNCS Welcome to the OlsensObsessive Gallery! Here you'll find over 50,000 images of Mary-Kate Olsen & Ashley Olsen. At OlsensObsessive we pride ourselves on bringing you the fastest & biggest gallery around. We regularly update the site with exclusive images, high-quality batch uploads & rare shots, we always aim to add new or unseen photos within 24 hours of them being made available to us. Don't forget to check back daily, bookmark us & follow us on social media for 24/7 news; If you have any problems navigating the site, or need some help visit our FAQ page or contact us. OlsensObsessive is a non-profit, non-official fansite for Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, we have no affiliation with neither themselves or their management. OlsensObsessive is run by a fan for other fans in order to promote the talent & career(s) of Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen. The webmaster of this website & any of its subdomains or social media accounts claim no ownership to any material seen and/or published online and is used, to the best of their knowledge, under the "Fair Use" copyright law(s). For any removal of material please contact us before pursuing further action, material will then be removed immediately without dispute upon contact.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line322
__label__cc	0.575284	0.424716	Featured The Latest Ebola Outbreak Tag: personalized medicine Diagnostic tests & procedures Can DNA testing predict your response to drugs? Can your genes really predict how you will metabolize certain medications? The FDA has approved the first direct-to-consumer test that claims to do this. How meaningful are the findings? Scott Gavura / November 29, 2018 MEND Protocol For Alzheimer’s Disease The medical profession is currently engaged in a simmering debate about what is the best overall approach to take toward the relationship between science and health care. I would say that the current dominant model is Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). We, of course, advocate for a number of tweaks to EBM we call Private-investigator-detective (SBM). SBM essentially advocates for an ironic-sounding holistic... Steven Novella / June 22, 2016 CancerClinical Trials Meet the new drugs, same as the old drugs? “Targeted therapy.” It’s the holy grail of cancer research these days. If you listen to its most vocal proponents, it’s the path towards “personalized medicine” that improves survival with much lower toxicity. With the advent of the revolution in genomics that has transformed cancer research over the last decade, including the petabytes of sequence and gene expression data that pour out of... David Gorski / July 23, 2012 Basic ScienceCancerClinical Trials Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski’s “personalized gene-targeted cancer therapy”: Can he do what he claims for cancer? Last week, I wrote a magnum opus of a movie review of a movie about a physician and “researcher” named Stanislaw Burzynski, MD, PhD, founder of the Burzynski Clinic and Burzynski Research Institute in Houston. I refer you to my original post for details, but in brief Dr. Burzynski claimed in the 1970s to have made a major breakthrough in cancer therapy... David Gorski / December 5, 2011 Hope and hype in genomics and “personalized medicine” “Personalized medicine.” You’ve probably heard the term. It’s a bit of a buzzword these days and refers to a vision of future medicine in which therapies are much more tightly tailored to individual patients than they currently are. That’s not to say that as physicians we haven’t practiced personalized medicine before; certainly we have. However it has only been in the last... David Gorski / April 11, 2011 Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Road Map or Tarot Cards? A topic of growing interest (and concern) at SBM is laboratory and diagnostic test pseudoscience. Bogus tests are everywhere, and Kimball Atwood recently discussed several of them. But over the past several years, diagnostic tests have emerged that appear to be science-based and offer gene-level insights into your health. And these tests don’t even require a physician’s visit – just a swab... Scott Gavura / September 2, 2010 камагра таблетки инструкция сиалис софт купить в украине	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line331
__label__cc	0.693754	0.306246	That's the economic truth This is from the July 25th, 2008 edition of the Kiplinger Tax Letter: “New statistics from the Internal Revenue Service show that the highest-earning 1% of taxpayers in America make 22.06% of all income reported to the government. That’s almost twice the 12.51% of total income earned collectively by the lowest-earning 50% of workers. Yes, 1.4 million taxpayers claim 22% of income earned while 68 million share just 12.5%. But get this: When it comes to taxes paid, an even wider discrepancy shows itself -- in reverse. That top 1% of earners pay 39.89% of all the federal individual income taxes. The bottom 50% of earners pay just 2.99% of those taxes.” The article further points out that while you may not feel rich earning $35,000 a year, you are nonetheless in the top half of all taxpayers, and at $65,000 a year you’re in the top 25 percent. You can read the entire article here: http://content.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2007/11/taxrank.html No matter where you stand on the issues in this year’s Presidential election, your pocketbook can’t possibly support new tax increases. These numbers are staggering and are clear evidence that mid and upper incomers are paying not only their fair share, but really the lion’s share of the taxes in this country. So when a Presidential candidate tells Joe the Plumber that he wants to spread Joe’s wealth around rather than let Joe keep his hard-earned wealth, what he is really telling Joe is that he wants to spread more of Joe’s wealth than what is already being done. Not only Joe’s wealth, but also yours and mine as well. Creating new wealth rather than spreading existing wealth is the solution for a more prosperous U.S. and that’s the economic truth. What people were saying in 1955 Voting for President Parallel squat wall sit with a kick Credo in unum Deum You can always pick tomatoes Plyometric power-over pushups Walking lunges with a kick Taking good notes With the exception of Sunday Just an average Joe Blow One of my first loves 2008 measurable fitness goals Sucker punched in a nightclub brawl Every blue moon Holy Sunday The bride and groom are back I need a haircut Boredom and intensity cannot co-exist Old school economics 101 On the disabled list The Kono Course Never on Sunday Always be her groom That's the isometric truth Reading the obits Coming up short	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line332
__label__cc	0.704703	0.295297	Dick Cavett’s Epic Woodstock Festival Show (August, 1969) by Colin Marshall, Open Culture: http://www.openculture.com/2012/06/dick_cavetts_epic_woodstock_festival_show.html Even if you never tuned in back then, you need only watch a few famous clips of Dick Cavett in action to understand why he earned the reputation of running the first major American talk show that qualified as “cool,” “smart,” or “hip.” His operation showcased some of the most important elements of late-sixties and seventies America, those that the other talk shows tended to ignore, misrepresent, or simply misunderstand. Cavett himself embodied a sensibility, neither strictly frivolous nor strictly high-toned, that allowed him the widest possible cultural range. “The idea that one man could be both playful and serious was never deemed to be quite natural on American television, and Cavett was regarded as something of a freak even at the time,” wrote critic and Cavett guest Clive James. “Eventually he paid the penalty for being sui generis in a medium that likes its categories to be clearly marked.” For an idea of what that position enabled, just watch Cavett’s musical guests: he had Frank Zappa, he had John Lennon, he had Janis Joplin for her final interview. And then we have the “Woodstock episode.” Aired on August 16, 1969, the day after the festival, but taped mere hours after the last notes rang out in Bethel, it brought Cavett together with Jefferson Airplane, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Joni Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix, though scheduled to show up, played long at the festival and wound up too “zonked” to appear on television). Specifically, it brought them together on a strikingly elaborate, aggressively colorful one-off set that seated host and guests on a circle of what look like Naugahyde marshmallows. Whatever the aesthetic transgressions of this broadcast’s design, they lead to more than one memorable moment in talk-show history, as when Cavett tears off in frustration the tacky scarf his staff insisted he tie on for the occasion. Pull up the Woodstock episode on YouTube for the performances - Mitchell’s “Chelsea Morning” and Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” featuring Crosby, to name two - but stay for the conversation, especially the part when Cavett responds to Grace Slick calling him “Jim” one time too many: “You’ve got to learn my name, Miss Joplin!” Colin Marshall hosts and produces Notebook on Cities and Culture. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall. Posted by Dr Robert Muller at 12:16 PM No comments: Links to this post Labels: 1960s culture, Flashback, Videos Leonard Bernstein Demystifies the Rock Revolution for Curious (if Square) Grown-Ups in 1967 by Colin Marshall, Open Culture: http://www.openculture.com/2013/03/leonard_bernstein_demystifies_the_1960s_rock_revolution.html Many of today’s thirteen-year-olds surely have the Beatles on their iPods (or their iPhones or Androids, or whatever now ranks as the cutting-edge adolescent’s listening device of choice). Yet they would have been born in 2000, forty years after the dissolution of the Beatles themselves. Their parents would probably have been born in the sixties, already the height of the band’s creativity. The startling implication: these kids rock out to some of the very same songs their grandparents may well have loved. As P.J. O’Rourke once wrote upon spotting an aged hippie with a walker and a hearing aid at an Iraq War protest, sic transit generation gap. But back in 1967, when that gap yawned so chasmically wide as to render any communication across it seemingly impossible, the young Baby Boomers and their own Great Depression, Second World War-forged parents used the musical landscape to draw their battle lines. Who could broker a peace? Enter composer, pianist, and New York Philharmonic director Leonard Bernstein. Born in 1918 and hailed as one of the most accomplished and astute musical minds in American history, he could not only appreciate the techniques and innovations of the youth-driven pop-rock explosion of the sixties, he could get the ear of his middle-aged peers and explain to them just what they were missing. The television broadcast Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution gave Bernstein a mass-communication platform on which perform this analysis, asking aloud the questions of: (a) why this music so infuriates Americans over a certain age and (b) why he himself likes it so much. Decked out in a square-friendly suit and tie and appearing on the even square-friendlier CBS network, Bernstein plays clips of songs by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, and the Association, breaking down the genuine musicological merits of each: their vocal expressions, their unexpected key changes, their countless sonic layers, their stripped-down melodic sense, and their lyrics’ adeptness of implication (“one of our teenager’s strongest weapons”). Bernstein also calls upon “Society’s Child” singer-songwriter Janis Ian and Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson to perform live. Quite a few crew-cut, cardigan-clad, martini-sipping adults must have come away from Inside Pop with a new, if grudging, appreciation for the craft of these long-haired youngsters. But now, to address the concerns of the 21st century’s bewildered grown-ups, who will go on television and explain dubstep? Posted by Dr Robert Muller at 8:00 PM No comments: Links to this post Dick Cavett’s Epic Woodstock Festival Show (August... Leonard Bernstein Demystifies the Rock Revolution ...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line336
__label__cc	0.732982	0.267018	Home » Research » Recruiting Projects » Phd Scholarship-Persistent airflow limitation and the airway microbiome in childhood asthma Phd Scholarship-Persistent airflow limitation and the airway microbiome in childhood asthma Persistent airflow limitation and the airway microbiome in childhood asthma – PhD Scholarship Asthma is a major public health problem in New Zealand (and internationally) with one in four children affected. It is generally characterised by episodic reversible airway narrowing, but a significant proportion of children with asthma experience progressive persistent airflow limitation despite optimal therapy. The research project, funded by the Health Research Council, will assess the role of the airway microbiome and inflammation in persistent airflow limitation in childhood asthma. Click here for more information on work already done on this project. We seek applications for a PhD scholarship with Massey University’s Centre for Public Health research in Wellington. The PhD candidate will be working with an interdisciplinary and international team of world-renowned scientists in the fields of public health and epidemiology, clinical respiratory research, innate immunology, molecular microbiology, bacterial genomics and paediatrics. The PhD student will conduct laboratory, bioinformatics, and data analyses with support from supervisors, bio-statisticians and other doctoral candidates working on related asthma projects. The student is expected to write, as first author (with support from the co-authors), a minimum of three scientific publications in peer reviewed journals as part of the PhD (the PhD will be done by publication rather than by monograph). For more information about our research and our staff, please visit: publichealth.massey.ac.nz. Amount awarded The scholarship includes a (tax-free) stipend of $25,000 per annum for a maximum period of three years plus university fees. Students must be prepared to be enrolled at Massey University by 13 July 2019. Students will have a bachelor's degree with appropriate honours or master's degree in a relevant field, such as public health, epidemiology, microbiology, medicine, or molecular biology. A minimum GPA of 7.5 (above an average of A-) is required. The candidate will also be required to reside in Wellington for the duration of the project. Prof Jeroen Douwes Dr Collin Brooks Applicants should send a copy of their curriculum vitae and a statement of interest to: E-mail: j.douwes@massey.ac.nz	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line337
__label__wiki	0.600541	0.600541	Drug Delivery Implants for Geographic Atrophy A number of sustained-delivery technologies are under study. By Baruch D. Kuppermann, MD, PhD Geographic atrophy (GA), the late, atrophic form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a major cause of moderate and severe vision loss.1,2 It typically follows a progressive course, leading to degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor cells. GA is thought to be the natural course of AMD if neovascularization does not develop first.3 There is currently no established treatment for GA. Apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death that helps to clear injured or unneeded cells from the body, is normally an important homeostatic function. However, excessive, uncontrolled apoptosis has been implicated as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of multiple ophthalmic diseases, including GA.3 Stopping the death of retinal neuronal cells associated with GA is a balancing act. In normal eyes, numerous factors promote either the death or the survival of retinal neurons and photoreceptors. The viability of these cells is the result of a balance between these signals of cell death and survival. If the balance shifts toward cell death signals, excessive apoptosis can result. The aim of neuroprotective therapy is to enhance cell survival signals, block cell death signals, and shift the balance in the other direction, in favor of survival. A number of neuroprotective strategies for glaucoma have been investigated, including neurotrophins, vasoprotectants, calcium channel blockers, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and other antioxidants, brimonidine, memantine, and betaxolol. Currently 3 potential neuroprotective strategies are being investigated for treatment of GA: ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), brimonidine tartrate, and fluocinolone acetonide (FA). Because of the chronic nature of GA, which progresses over a period of years, long-term delivery of these agents is thought to be vital. Each of these 3 drugs is being investigated in patients with GA using a different extended-delivery technology: CNTF in an encapsulated cell technology (Neurotech); brimonidine in a biodegradable drug-delivery system (Allergan); and FA in the Iluvien drug-delivery implant (Alimera). This article updates the status of clinical investigation of each of these drugs and their respective delivery technologies for treatment of GA. In experimental studies, the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist brimonidine has demonstrated protection of retinal ganglion cells, bipolar cells, and photoreceptors from degeneration after a number of types of insults, including retinal ischemia, partial nerve crush, ocular hypertension, and retinal phototoxicity.4-7 Brimonidine has recently been shown to protect photoreceptors from blue-light–induced damage (Figure 1).8 The proposed mechanisms of action of brimonidine’s neuroprotective properties include upregulation of endogenous production of trophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor in retinal ganglion cells; activation of intracellular cell-survival signaling pathways; stabilization of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential under conditions of oxidative stress; and attenuation of the activation of glial cells and the immunoreactivity of retinal glial fibrillary acidic protein.6,9-11 A sustained-release formulation of brimonidine is currently being evaluated in 2 clinical trials—a phase 2 safety and efficacy study in patients with GA and an exploratory safety study in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The delivery device in the trials is a biodegradable polymer matrix containing the active ingredient brimonidine tartrate. Injected into the vitreous with a 22-gauge inserter similar to the injector used with the dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex, Allergan), the device slowly degrades with the goal of delivering sustained, nontoxic, therapeutic levels of brimonidine to the RPE. In the phase 2 study, 125 patients with bilateral GA and visual acuity of between 20/40 and 20/200 were randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive the brimonidine delivery system containing either 200 μg or 400 μg of drug or sham treatment. Patients received the drug or sham treatment in 1 eye and sham treatment in the fellow eye on day 1 and a repeat of the assigned treatment and sham treatment at month 6. The GA trial is fully enrolled and in the second year of follow-up. The exploratory study in patients with RP is still enrolling patients. CNTF The Neurotech encapsulated cell technology (ECT) has been called an implantable cellular factory. The intraocular implant, designated Renexus (formerly NT-501), contains modified human cells that secrete CNTF for sustained, controlled delivery to the retina.12 The capsule, implanted into the vitreoretinal space in an outpatient procedure, is capable of secreting the protein continuously for more than 2 years, as demonstrated by explanted devices (Figure 2). Unlike other drug implants, this device does not primarily store the drug, but rather produces it in situ. The immunoisolatory membrane surrounding the encapsulated cells allows ingress of oxygen and nutrients and egress of therapeutic factors, but blocks the entry of immune system components (Figure 3). This results in levels of CNTF in the vitreous that are consistent over time and effectively achieve photoreceptor preservation.13 The use of growth factors to protect photoreceptors from degeneration was first demonstrated in 1990,14 and multiple growth factors, cytokines, and neurotrophic factors, including CNTF, have been explored since then in a variety of experimental conditions.15,16 In a rat model of retinal degeneration, Li et al 17 showed that CNTF induced regeneration of cone outer segments. Tao and colleagues12 investigated delivery of CNTF through ECT in an rcd1 canine model of RP. They found that CNTF delivered directly into the vitreous protected photoreceptors in an apparently dose-dependent manner. A phase 2 clinical study of CNTF delivered via ECT in patients with GA was recently completed.17 In this 1-year, randomized, double-masked, controlled dose-ranging study, 48 individuals were randomly assigned to receive a highdose (n=24) or low-dose (n=12) implant or sham surgery (n=12). The primary endpoint was change in BCVA at 12 months. The investigators reported that treatment with CNTF resulted in a dose-dependent increase in retinal thickness. Visual acuity stabilization (loss of less than 15 letters of BCVA) was seen in 96.3% of those in the high-dose group, compared with 83.3% in the low-dose group and 75% in the sham-treated group (Figure 4). Among those with baseline BCVA of 20/63 or better, 100% of those in the high-dose group lost less than 15 letters, compared with 55.5% in the combined low-dose and sham groups (P = .03). The change in BCVA was a mean gain of 0.8 letter in the high-dose group compared with a mean 9.7 letter loss in the combined low-dose/sham group (P = .03). Both the implant and the implantation procedure were well-tolerated. These findings suggest that CNTF delivered by ECT protects photoreceptors in GA, especially in eyes with 20/63 or better vision at baseline. Using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, Talcott et al13 monitored cone density over 2 years in 3 patients enrolled in a phase 2 study. In each patient—2 with RP, 1 with Usher syndrome—the CNTF ECT was implanted in 1 eye and the other was sham-treated. Over the 2 years of observation, multiple high-resolution images were obtained. Cone density remained stable in all treated eyes in all locations studied, while a decrease of 9% to 24% in cone density was seen in 8 of 9 locations monitored in sham-treated eyes (Figure 5). A phase 3 trial of NT-501 in patients with dry AMD has been proposed. The design would include 300 patients, with 200 receiving the high dose ECT implant and 100 receiving sham treatment. The primary endpoint would be stabilization of vision (loss of less than 15 letters of BCVA) at 1 year, with follow-up continuing to 2 years. Neurotech has received fast track designation for NT-501 for the treatment of visual loss associated with dry AMD from the US Food and Drug Administration. Fluocinolone Acetonide The ability of the gluocorticoid FA to provide neuroprotection to photoreceptors and the RPE has been suggested in animal studies by Glybina and colleagues,18,19 who showed that RCS S334-ter rats treated with 0.2 μg/day of FA had less retinal thinning and less reduction of b-wave amplitude on electroretinography than control animals. Sustained-release, low-dose FA reduced retinal neuroinflammation by fivefold in the inner and outer retina, these investigators reported. A low-dose, sustained-release formulation of FA (Iluvien) is being evaluated in the MAP-GA trial, funded by Alimera Sciences, the developers of the delivery system. The FA implant is a nonbioerodible polyimide tube, 3.5 mm long and 0.37 mm in diameter, which is inserted into the posterior chamber through a self-sealing wound with a 25-gauge inserter in an outpatient procedure. The implant dispenses 0.2 μg/day of FA and is engineered to provide a sustained therapeutic effect over a 2 to 3-year period. The MAP-GA trial is designed to assess whether lowdose, sustained-release FA can slow the progression of GA in patients with dry AMD. In this randomized, double- masked, fellow-eye comparison study, 40 patients with bilateral GA will receive an implant in 1 eye that releases either 0.2 or 0.5 μg of FA per day. The primary outcome measure at 1 year is change in lesion area on color and fundus autofluorescence photographs, as interpreted by the Digital Angiography Reading Center. Secondary measures include the square root of the lesion area, standard and low-luminance visual acuity, drusen volume, retinal thickness, fluorescein angiography, and number of treatments for choroidal neovascularization. This trial is currently enrolling patients. Alimera has received marketing authorization for Iluvien in the United Kingdom, Austria, and Portugal for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, and is seeking FDA approval in the United States for the same indication. There is significant unmet medical need for neuroprotection in posterior segment eye diseases—not only for GA in dry AMD, but also for diabetic macular ischemia, chronic macular edema, retinal detachment, RP, and other inherited retinal degenerative diseases. Because of the chronic nature of GA in dry AMD, a sustained-delivery method will likely be an important part of any therapeutic approach. Multiple pathways merit investigation as targets for neuroprotection in GA. Currently, 3 therapeutic entities in 3 distinct delivery systems are being investigated in clinical trials in patients with GA. The ECT method of delivering CNTF has shown benefit in a phase 2 study. A phase 2 trial of the brimonidine bioerodible delivery system is fully enrolled. A pilot trial of the FA implant is enrolling patients. There is currently no established treatment to prevent GA or to slow its progression. We look forward to the results of these studies and the potential to therapeutically address this important cause of visual loss in the future. Baruch D. Kuppermann, MD, PhD, is a Professor and Chief of the Retina Service at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Kuppermann is a member of the Retina Today editorial board. He reports that he receives clinical research grants from Alimera, Allergan Inc., Genentech, Regeneron Inc., and Thrombogenics; he is a consultant to Allergan, Inc., B Braun, CoMentis, Fovea, Genetech, Glaukos, Novartis, Ophthotech, Pfizer, ScyFix, Surmodics, TargeGen, and Vitreoretinal Technologies Inc.; he is a member of the data and safety monitoring board for Neovista, and is a medical monitor for Novagali. Dr. Kupperman may be reached at bdkupper@uci.edu. Nowak JZ. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): pathogenesis and therapy. Pharmacol Rep. 2006;58(3):353-363. Review. Sunness JS, Margalit E, Srikumaran D, Applegate CA, Tian Y, Perry D, Hawkins BS, Bressler NM. The long-term natural history of geographic atrophy from age-related macular degeneration: enlargement of atrophy and implications for interventional clinical trials. Ophthalmology. 2007;114(2):271-277. Roth F, Bindewald A, Holz FG. Keypathophysiologic pathways in age-related macular disease. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2004;242(8):710-716. Epub 2004 Aug 10. Burke J, Schwartz M. Preclinical evaluation of brimonidine. Surv Ophthalmol. 1996;41 Suppl 1:S9-18. Lai RK, Chun T, Hasson D, Lee S, Mehrbod F, Wheeler L. Alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist protects retinal function after acute retinal ischemic injury in the rat. Vis Neurosci. 2002;19(2):175-185. WoldeMussie E, Ruiz G, Wijono M, Wheeler LA. Neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells by brimonidine in rats with laser-induced chronic ocular hypertension. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42(12):2849-2855. Wheeler L, WoldeMussie E, Lai R. Role of alpha-2 agonists in neuroprotection. Surv Ophthalmol. 2003;48 Suppl 1:S47-51. Lai R, Lim R, Wu G, Edelman JL. A comparative study of the effect of brimonidine, fenretinide and valproate on light-induced retinal degeneration. Paper presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting; May 05, 2011; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Gao H, Qiao X, Cantor LB, WuDunn D. Up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression by brimonidine in rat retinal ganglion cells. Arch Ophthalmol. 2002;120(6):797-803. Kim HS, Chang YI, Kim JH, Park CK. Alteration of retinal intrinsic survival signal and effect of alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist in the retina of the chronic ocular hypertension rat. Vis Neurosci. 2007;24(2):127-139. Dong CJ, Guo Y, Wheeler L, Hare WA. Alpha2 adrenergic receptor-mediated modulation of cytosolic Ca++ signals at the inner plexiform layer of the rat retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48(3):1410-1415. Tao W, Wen R, Goddard MB, et al. Encapsulated cell-based delivery of CNTF reduces photoreceptor degeneration in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002;43(10):3292-3298. Talcott KE, Ratnam K, Sundquist SM, et al. Longitudinal study of cone photoreceptors during retinal degeneration and in response to ciliary neurotrophic factor treatment. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52(5):2219-2226. Faktorovich EG, Steinberg RH, Yasumura D, Matthes MT, LaVail MM. Photoreceptor degeneration in inherited retinal dystrophy delayed by basic fibroblast growth factor. Nature. 1990;347(6288):83-86. LaVail MM, Unoki K, Yasumura D, Matthes MT, Yancopoulos GD, Steinberg RH. Multiple growth factors, cytokines, and neurotrophins rescue photoreceptors from the damaging effects of constant light. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1992;89(23):11249-11253. LaVail MM, Yasumura D, Matthes MT, Lau-Villacorta C, Unoki K, Sung CH, Steinberg RH. Protection of mouse photoreceptors by survival factors in retinal degenerations. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1998;39(3):592-602. Zhang K, Hopkins JJ, Heier JS, et al. Ciliary neurotrophic factor delivered by encapsulated cell intraocular implants for treatment of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(15):6241-6245. Epub 2011 Mar 28. Glybina IV, Kennedy A, Ashton P, Abrams GW, Iezzi R. Photoreceptor neuroprotection in RCS rats via low-dose intravitreal sustained-delivery of fluocinolone acetonide. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50(10):4847-4857. Epub 2009 Apr 30. Glybina IV, Kennedy A, Ashton P, Abrams GW, Iezzi R. Intravitreous delivery of the corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide attenuates retinal degeneration in S334ter-4 rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010;51(8):4243-52. Epub 2010 Mar 10.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line343
__label__cc	0.663022	0.336978	Resident Evil Corporate Battles 3 Rules Category Click here to enter "RULES" Enter here for "Rules" and to understand what "Chapter" we are currently on. 6 9 Mon Dec 17, 2012 1:21 am Saeko Busujima A place to simply talk to others and discuss site stuff or real life stuff ;) 37 157 Sun Aug 02, 2015 6:38 pm For those who have lengthy flashbacks or backstories they'd like to express before the events of RECB3/RE6. It's been 15 years since Raccoon City, and 13 years since the realtered events of RECB2. There is bound to be something that happened :) Information Department Character Profiles: HUMAN Human only Characters are to be POSTED HERE upon making a character. Failure to do so will result in your character 'not existing'. 38 39 Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:36 pm Vincent Cho Character Profiles: B.O.W.s B.O.W. Characters (with the exception of characters 'being an infected zombie') are to be POSTED HERE upon making a character. Failure to do so will result in your character 'not existing'. 9 9 Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:20 am Formic TIPS and Useful Information Information on things you may encounter during the main RP, such as the 'Random Encounter', Weapon Benches, locked doors, ammunition usage, and kinds of recovery items and useful tools. 4 12 Tue Nov 24, 2015 8:52 pm Darkstorm Zero 'Guns For Hire' If your a veteran RECB member, you know what this place is about ;) Practice your skills and hone your battle prowess in a simulation that doesn't effect the turnout of the main RP story. This is our sites longtime running version of the real game's 'Mercenaries' mode. We also call this forum, the 'Dueling Thread'. 16 255 Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:10 am Weapon + Item Rewards As you progress with your Skill Points, you will gain access to all sorts of goodies to add onto your character. Most of these items are weapons from Handy Firearms, custom weapons made by Damian Handy (as in the character) himself. Others are just items you can use to increase the amount of ammo you have on you, and some are unique abilities that you can use to strengthen your skills and character life! Don't worry BOWs, you too are accessed with customizable features you can add to your character as well! From enhancing strength, increasing your durability, and adding 'elemental' damage to your character. 2 8 Sun Nov 04, 2012 10:27 pm Beastiary A detailed Beastiary of creatures that are possible to see since all of the Resident Evil Corporate Battles history; and possible future enemies. Tall Oaks Tall Oaks Outskirts, Highway and Forests The outskirts of Tall Oaks is forested with a highway and a double train track that leads in and out of the City. 5 80 Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:22 pm Tall Oaks Town Area The urban town area of Tall Oaks. Shops, streets, and other places are located here, including Main Street. 24 434 Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:26 pm The Maple Lodge An Inn and Apartment Complex in one. Located in the city, its descent priced rooms, and clean environment inside and out make it one of the most popular in Tall Oaks. Most of the rooms are booked due to the recent arrival of the President and his entourage. 8 194 Mon Dec 15, 2014 7:53 pm Tall Oaks Station The subway station of Tall Oaks. The trains can take you all over Tall Oaks, as well as out of the City. 1 20 Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:27 am To save city cost, both the sewers and underground Tram System run side-by side with each other. Tall Oaks Police Department "To Protect and Serve", the Police Department of the city of Tall Oaks. Police Officers, Detectives and the like will be all found here as well as those being placed under investigation and those visiting. 24 31 Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:56 pm Sheila McDougal Tall Oaks General Hospital (Come here after you die or are grievously injured) Uobličiti Ivy University The Ivy League College where the President of the United States, Adam Benford, will be holding a Press Conference and be giving a speech to the Public. The School is in the 'Summer Session', not many are still attending classes. The building has been 'moddified' to accomadate the President and his entourage; decorated with red white and blue balloons, banners, cards, flowers and sheet covered dining tables. 10 62 Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:00 pm Though the school is currently in 'Summer Session', there are a few attending summer classes. Both Male and Female Student dorm rooms are located in the same building, just built at opposite wings: Male dorms <--West Wing Female dorms East Wing Student Union is located on the first Floor 1 1 Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:33 am Seanna King Sizemore Park A large community park with a pond. 4 73 Thu Oct 30, 2014 11:24 pm Tall Oaks Cathedral A church placed in a vast graveyard towards the outskirts of town near the coast. Cindy Handy Underground Bio Weapons Lab A secret lab that is built deep...very deep under the soil of Tall Oaks. Some places in Tall Oaks have easy access into this underground structure, while others are more elaborate. 4 61 Wed Jul 24, 2013 5:30 am TBQ Edonia BSAA Encampment An encampment of the B.S.A.A. forces stationed in Edonia serving as the Head Quarters and as the Medical Area for the B.S.A.A. and civilians. Mercenary and Rebel Encampments An encampment of the Mercenary forces stationed in Edonia serving as the Head Quarters and as the Medical Area for their fellow Mercenaries and their Comrades. 1 1 Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:32 pm Jack 'T.B.S' Taylor 1 1 Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:32 am Rebecca Ronson Lanshiang A Bustling City that would later house a horrible, and unpreventable nightmare... Paradise Arcade A digital Casino where on one area is a legit arcade for young adults and a casino for gamblers to throw away their cash. The River Faucon A medium sized river that runs through Paradise City and effectively cuts it in half. Key features of this river are the North Bridge located in the North District, the Gate Bridge which is located in the Southern District, and the Wolf Bridge that connects the West and East Districts and is the closest bridge to the 'River Bed' Bar. There are other things than bridges that line up both sides of the river, from small warehouses to factories and shops, to more of an 'Underworld' feel, where there are many street and organized gangs that operate along both sides of the river. 14 118 Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:38 am Khristian "The River Bed" A relatively out of place yet ordinary bar located near the Faucon River that runs through the metropolis of Paradise City. It hasn't been around for too long, but steadily been receiving a descent amount of patrons who visit it. 8 61 Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:38 am Abandoned SynGen Factory A factory and warehouse that used to be owned by Genetic's company SynGen. It was abandoned three years ago, and the company has since moved elsewhere. 4 53 Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:11 am Houki The Northern most part of Paradise City, sometimes referred to as the "North District" or "North City". This area is usually made up of high rises and corporate buildings; as well as condos for the wealthy. It is the economical hub of the Paradise region. Also known as the Southern District, this area of the city has lines of shops and housing developments for those who live in Paradise City but can't afford to live in the North District. Kiyomi Yuri West City 1 4 Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:40 pm The Taylor Home The home of Khristian and Jessie Taylor. It was only recently bought as the couple moved to the new city. East City Catherine's Island A small island among a series of remote islands purchased by Catherine Miller for 28 million dollars. On this island lies her new home, and a small village where members of her team live in relative peace since they've retired from Active Duty. 7 70 Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:09 am Catherine's Retreat The abode of one 'Catherine Cécile Miller'. Located deep within the island, it's slightly elevated above the jungle canopy and witnesses quite an astonishing and breathtaking view of her property. 5 19 Tue Dec 16, 2014 6:37 am Pacificadora Village The small mercenary village that has taken residence on Catherine's Island. All the buildings are Adobe Styled with handful of wooden shacks and other tin roofed housing. Each and every member of this village is a mercenary who works for Cat, or are family of said Mercenary(s). There are also small gardens in the village, allowing crops to be used for the island's personal use as well as boats used to fish at sea. A landing strip outside the village allows planes to land without trouble inland. There are also covered Anti-Aircraft guns and missile launchers under tarps and easily removable bamboo shacks to help defend the island and the village. 4 4 Thu Dec 04, 2014 4:33 pm Catherine Miller Antarctic Tundra A vast desert of ice and snow. In the winter months a very treacherous location that will kill you within minutes without the proper gear. 21 80 Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:17 am James Ferral's Old Templar Bunker Hidden deep under the ice, and hidden behind a glacier lies the secret outpost of former Umbrella Scientist and Templar James Ferral. His lab and hidden bunker would be considered another 'Wonder of the World' if it more than just two people had seen it. Now it belongs to the former's pupil and apprentice; Edgar Holden. The Geo Front Damian: "So...this is what you've been up to all these years?" Our users have posted a total of 1688 messages The newest registered user is gmac3 Legend : [ Moderators ][ RECB Veterans ][ Neo-Umbrella ][ B.S.A.A. ]	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line353
__label__cc	0.545179	0.454821	Resident Evil Corporate Battles 3 :: Tall Oaks :: Ivy University Share 1st Floor Staff Room Location : New York Subject: 1st Floor Staff Room Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:20 pm Damian stands in front of the Staff Room door. He watches a pair of Secret Service Agents walk by which he nodded to, but as soon as they were out of site he tries the door. "Shit...it's locked." He grumbled. He pulls out his lighter. His lighter, which was made of TG01, the same material that was found on Rockfort Island back in the late 90's. He had a hidden compartment which had a few of his lockpicks stored inside. He pulls out a pair of picks and then proceeds to pick the lock of the door. After a few seconds of probing the lock, the door's lock on the other side clicks open, and he quickly opens the door and enters, locking the door again. "Okay... time to look around." he starts when he feels his phone vibrate. He brings it up and answers. "Hello?" ★★★★☆๑۩۩๑☆★★★★ Robert Kendo Location : England Subject: Re: 1st Floor Staff Room Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:28 pm "Hey mate it's Ben, I've more or less finished up here i don't think i'll find anything else of use but i have found what appears to orders for the university regarding the presidents arrival we can check it out later if you like, need any help down there or you all good? As Ben is on the phone he walks through the 2nd floor hallway Damian nods. "Interesting. Well I just picked the lock of the first floor's staff room. I haven't quite searched the room yet, but if your finished up there then come down here. Just knock three times and I'll let you inside." He says taking a seat on the couch. His cigar smolders which he places inside a cigar case. It was rather lavish for a small staff room. "okay mate i'm on my way down" Ben ends the call and makes his way to the first floor. Damian slips the phone back into his coat and walks over to the filing cabinet, rummaging through the contents for anything that may be useful. Subject: Re: 1st Floor Staff Room Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:05 pm Ben walks into the staff room he turns to Damian "I would have thought with the president coming security would be a lot tighter, not that I'm complaining. Okay where shall we start. He nods. "It's almost too quiet. By all rights I don't think we should have even been allowed to even get inside...But regardless." he points to a couple filing cabinets and a laptop that was in the corner. "Either one of those, which ever you prefer. We may find something useful." "I'll take the laptop might be able to find some other useful info" Ben picks the laptop up and sits down on the chair he plugs his phone in as he did before and begins the hacking process. He gets into the laptop fairly easily "man a 5 year old would be able to hack into these systems" he then looks at the screen which reveals 4 different options -University Blueprints -A text file of the University Schedule - Memo to Head Dean - Email from DSO Agent L.Kennedy "Looks like there's some interesting stuff on here Damian, I'll download it so we can check it out later" Ben downloads the four files to his phone. "Wait a minute DSO Agent L.Ken, that's who it was it must have been, looks like we have a mutual friend here mate he turns the laptop to Damian and points to the file with the DSO Agents name. Subject: Re: 1st Floor Staff Room Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:29 pm "A five year old, huh? That's still more know how how than I have when it comes to hacking." he said as he sifted through the files. That is when he heard something about a 'mutual friend'. "Mutual friend?" He walks up to the computer and his eyes widen a little. "Well now... this really is becoming a Raccoon City Reunion." he chuckled slightly. "heh, i know right but that's what worries me with so many Survivors from Raccoon" Ben pauses for a moment with a slight worried look on his face "I just get the feeling that something bad's gonna happen, i just hope i'm wrong Ben then finally adds "Now that i think about it i'm sure he bumped into me upstairs just as i was about to go into the administration room i could be wrong because i only caught part of his name on his badge DSO Agent L.Ken, he was long gone by the time i realized though" Ben then asks Damian "You found anything useful mate?" Subject: Re: 1st Floor Staff Room Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:38 pm Ben Winters wrote: "Well I guess it comes with the territory. Only a couple hundred out of 100,000 survived the Raccoon City Outbreak. No one else knows what we know, what we've been through...what we've seen." he pauses for a moment, a frown upon his face as he stands before the open file cabinets. He half turns his head. "No.. I haven't yet." he goes back to the cabinet again and sifts through the folders and paused again when he found something useful. "Ah there we go." he pulls out the manila folder labeled: "Floor Plan" and sets it upon the coffee table. "Thats one," he says going back to the cabinet and then pulled out another folder before dropping it upon the other, this one labeled as: "Staff Passes". He opens this folder and finds a sheet with sectors followed by a series of six digit codes. "There we go, in case we have to head into one of these areas-- B12 and the East Wing Dormitory. The passcode is 335016; if we're trying to head into the Staff Offices or the Underground Garage near the courtyard the code is 673592." he says, ignoring some of the other codes which were for maintenance rooms and the Gym Locker Room. He took notice of one of the codes, and spoke nothing of it to Ben, instead silently committing it to memory. "So, thats what our search has come up to. A few files, maps and passcodes. Do we need anything else?" He asked Ben, feeling as though he forgot something. Ben scratches his head "hmmm don't think so, oh wait" Ben takes Damian's Samurai Edge out and spins it around his finger the same way someone would with a Revolver "oh yeah still got it" he then passes the gun to Damian "here you go mate, i think that's more or less it" Ben then spot's a pair of Aviator sunglasses and in a childish tone he says "oooo i like these" Damian pulls out Ben's handgun, spinning it as well, but adds a toss of the heavier piece into the air, grabbing it by the barrel and boarder shifts the gun, spins it on his left hand's middle finger, spins it sideways, reverses the spin before he stopped showing off. He half grinned, handing him his handgun back butt first. "...an old friend taught me that." he says, taking his gun back and spins it into his shoulder holster. He shakes his head in Ben's response to the aviators. "Heh, he liked aviators as well." he says pulling out a cigarillo and lights it up with his lighter. Ben may have noticed the engravings upon it, the D and H on one side, while the other had Japanese characters. He puffs on the tobacco, and swings his lighter's top closed. He turns to Ben again with the stick hanging off the side of his mouth and raises an eyebrow. "So, anyplace else you'd like to check out? It's not even noon yet." he says grabbing the files. "I'm sure they won't be missing these anytime soon. Not while everyone still running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Ben looked at Damian then back to his gun "yeah i'm not even gonna attempt that" Ben chuckled as he took his gun and added "i don't think so can't think of anywhere else to checkout at the moment, how about you anywhere you fancy checking out?" Ben then picked up the Aviators and put them on with a smile on his face He shook his head. "No place in particular. I think I'm going to return to that Happy Burger place, grab a quick bite and have a look around the town. So far from my arrival late afternoon, I've only come to a Bar ran by an asshole, a street littered with glass and an Emergency Room. I'd like a better handle on the city, scope out the shops as well, and observe the Police presence here." he states. "Unless there's someplace you'd rather be at the moment, I'm blowing this Popsicle stand." "I'll second that, i'll tag along with you for a while if that's okay could do with something to eat myself, i should probably go get my car back too" Ben finished with a chuckle Damian chuckled. "Sure. I can do with some company. Well then, after you mate." he says opening the door for Ben. He tossed his car keys to him. "You can drive, my shoulder's still aching from this morning." he says rubbing his shoulder. It wasn't just that, his entire body felt pain stricken. Ben catches the car keys "Well we have had quite a day so far being shot at and all but sounds like you had a bit of fun before all of that" Ben finished with a chuckle makes his way to the entrance of the university Subject: Re: 1st Floor Staff Room Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:18 pm Damian felt a bead of sweat trickle down the side of his head. He brought up one hand and ran it through his hair on the right side of his head, then started scratching the back of his head, Damian's trademark nervous pose. "Well...I wouldn't quite call it 'fun' rather than falling down an escalator that is perpetually going up." he says this then sighs again. "Well I'll be right outside with you, I'm going to check one more place quickly." he calls back closing and relocking the door behind him. He turns to face the opposite end of the hall. His face expressing determination, he walks down the hall towards the double doors that would lead to the 'Banquet Hall'. Subject: Re: 1st Floor Staff Room Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:00 pm Ben chuckles slightly "Sounds more painful than fun then, Okay mate see you outside" Ben then goes in the opposite direction to Damian and makes his way back outside. Subject: Re: 1st Floor Staff Room » Advice for creating a toy room » My Smurf room! » Sun Room » New Party Room - Outer Space!!! » Dressing Room Monster Resident Evil Corporate Battles 3 :: Tall Oaks :: Ivy University Jump to: Select a forum\|\|--Rules Category\| \|--Click here to enter "RULES"\| \|--General Discussion\| \|--General Chat\| \|--Back Stories\| \|--Information Department\| \|--Character Profiles: HUMAN\| \|--Character Profiles: B.O.W.s\| \|--TIPS and Useful Information\| \|--'Guns For Hire'\| \|--Weapon + Item Rewards\| \|--Beastiary\| \|--Tall Oaks\| \|--Tall Oaks Outskirts, Highway and Forests\| \|--Tall Oaks Town Area\| \| \|--The Maple Lodge\| \| \| \|--Tall Oaks Station\| \| \|--Sewer System\| \| \| \|--Tall Oaks Police Department\| \|--Tall Oaks General Hospital\| \|--Ivy University\| \| \|--Dormitories\| \| \| \|--Sizemore Park\| \|--Tall Oaks Cathedral\| \|--Underground Bio Weapons Lab\| \|--Edonia\| \|--BSAA Encampment\| \|--Mercenary and Rebel Encampments\| \|--City Hall\| \|--Lanshiang\| \|--Tachi\| \|--Paradise City\| \|--Paradise Arcade\| \|--The River Faucon\| \| \|--"The River Bed"\| \| \|--Abandoned SynGen Factory\| \| \| \|--North City\| \|--South City\| \|--West City\| \| \|--The Taylor Home\| \| \| \|--East City\| \|--South Pacific Islands\| \|--Catherine's Island\| \| \|--Catherine's Retreat\| \| \| \|--Pacificadora Village\| \|--Antarctica \|--Antarctic Tundra \|--James Ferral's Old Templar Bunker \|--The Geo Front	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line354
__label__wiki	0.618295	0.618295	Refreshers v Tilford – 23 June 2019 By Joe Cannon 2019-06-262019-06-26http://refresherscc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/refreshers-logo5-1024x123.jpgRefreshers CChttp://refresherscc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/refreshers-logo5-1024x123.jpg200px200px After the travails of England losing their second world cup ODI match against Sri-Lanka earlier in the week, it was time for the Refreshers to put a smile on cricket fans’ faces on a humid and rather overcast, albeit ultimately dry, day on Sunday June 23rd in defence of the elegant (if slightly in need of a polish) Tanner Cup. Losing the toss, Tilford put us into bat with James Skelton and Tim Lord sharing a fine 50 opening partnership before Skelton fell on 28 bringing in James Lord for the first of two father and son partnerships on the day. With James to fall first, Tim Lord made a sparklingly 54, latterly in partnership with Sam Burrett who went on to top score with a fine 62. Edward Faulks rolled back the years (indeed, playing against one of his school friends in the Tilford XI) scoring an effortless 22 before the second father and son partnership of Richard and Max Jory took us to a declaration on 221 for 6 from 46 overs at 4:45pm. Having started well with his first three overs only going for 3 runs and taking the first wicket, Richard Saunders – celebrating his birthday – then rather lost his radar with his next 3 overs going for 27 runs. With Richard Jory and Sam Burrett also going for a few more than they normally would at the other end, it fell to Andrew Gardner and Chris Bell to slow the run rate and finally get amongst the wickets with Gardner taking 2 for 40 off 10 overs, and Bell 6 for 40 off 16 in his first game back since breaking 5 ribs and puncturing a lung in late March. With all results possible going into the final few overs, inexplicably and needing a win to regain the Tanner Cup, Tilford rather shut up shop, closing on 203 for 9 in the 44 overs bowled. After a lovely day’s cricket with some excellent batting and bowling performances and, uniquely perhaps for the Refreshers, no catches dropped, we managed to retain the Tanner Cup for another year. Match Manager Copyright Refreshers CC All Rights Reserved © 2016 President’s Weekend, MarlboroughUncategorized Refreshers v Castle Rising – 5 May 2019Uncategorized	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line355
__label__cc	0.733658	0.266342	Ram Viswanathan Searching... Learning & Sharing Chennai Runners Starry Blow To Sun TV? Sararthkumar has quit DMK and might eventually end up in AIADMK. While this is bound to have some impact on DMK in the forthcoming elections, Sarathkumar’s exit will matter little in the long run for DMK. However, this episode will affect Sun TV. Sarathkumar’s wife actor Radhika and her Radaan mediaworks have been part and parcel of Sun Network’s success for several years now. Her programs from Chitti to Selvi have been hugely popular not only in Tamil but also in other South Indian Languages. Radaan is also producing Quiz programs hosted by cine stars for Sun Network. In fact, Radhika herself hosts the Telugu Quiz program Sun Network. It is going to be interesting to see how Radhika, Sun TV alliance changes due to Sarathkumar’s exit from DMK. After all, he cited the insults heaped on his wife Radhika as one of the reasons for leaving DMK. Sun Network’s stranglehold on Tamil media is a cause for concern for many. The media empire of Sun Network is vast and spawns multiple delivery channels. Their Sumangali Cable Vision has near lock on distribution and its 4 Tamil Channels SunTV, KTV, Sun News & Sun Music have a complete sway over the Tamil audience. Though a recent entrant in to the print media, Sun Network has already captured significant market share for its Tamil dailies & magazine (Dinakaran, Tamil Murasu and Kungumam). They did it by blanketing its TV outlets with continuous advertisements and predatory pricing policies and freebies. The only standout seems to their foray in to radio. Suryan FM has not been as popular as Radio Mirchi in Chennai. Sun Network’s media and political power is truly vast and frightening. So, it will be very interesting to see the impact of Sarathkumar’s exit from DMK on Sun TV. Google News on Sarthkumar's exit Radaan Mediaworks Sun Network Posted by Ram Viswanathan at Tuesday, April 11, 2006 Ram Gopal Wed Apr 12, 04:15:00 AM Nope Ram I think you got it all wrong. Sarath quit, he might get back. Immaterial of what happens on his comeback Radhika will never quit neither the dmk nor sun network. this is my view. Narayanan Venkitu Wed Apr 12, 05:49:00 AM One of the reasons was that he couldn't get a Minister post.! Yaar..Yaar dhan Minister agardhunne illai.!! That said, IMHO it will only have a minor impact. Ram Viswanathan Wed Apr 12, 08:01:00 AM Ram Gopal I guess only time will tell.. Narayanan Yes..it will only have a minor political impact.. karthik Thu Apr 13, 11:12:00 PM Look for Radhika divorces SarathKumar. And may be SarathKumar marries Namitha !!!! Ram Viswanathan Fri Apr 14, 09:03:00 AM Karthik That wouldn't be surprising.. and certainly not the first time for either of them.. oosi Tue Apr 18, 05:56:00 AM Radhika proved you guys are wrong !! Ram Viswanathan Tue Apr 18, 06:22:00 PM Oosi I lost you here..!!! Sarath Kumar and Radhika have joined Amma and the impact on Radaan & SunTV is yet to come out.. So what's your point? Humans of Chennai (19) Comrades (16) R2I (12) Chennai Runners (11) Chennai Living (7) Sujatha (4) 'Open Source' (3) Berlin-Marathon (3) Deepam (3) 'Global Warming' (2) 'Running Injuries' (2) Auroville (2) Favorite Songs (2) SCMM (2) #cancer #breastcancer (1) Airtel (1) Buckeyes (1) Che (1) IITM (1) KYC (1) Know Your Chennai (1) OSU (1) Olcott (1) Spijkenisse (1) TN Elections (1) Technology Google Android (1) Blog Archive January (2) December (2) October (1) September (1) July (1) December (1) October (2) May (1) April (8) March (1) January (3) May (2) April (3) March (13) February (15) December (4) November (12) October (1) September (1) June (6) May (3) April (1) March (4) February (6) January (1) December (1) October (6) September (3) June (4) May (8) April (1) March (3) February (6) January (1) December (9) November (1) October (12) September (3) July (2) June (4) May (3) April (1) March (4) October (3) September (2) June (2) May (2) January (1) May (2) April (2) September (5) August (2) June (1) April (1) March (6) February (2) January (5) December (6) November (8) October (5) September (2) August (3) July (1) June (4) May (9) April (3) March (6) February (11) January (10) December (8) November (12) October (10) September (9) August (19) July (18) June (29) May (17) April (13) March (18) February (21) January (28) December (20) November (32) October (22) September (29) August (39) July (37) June (35) May (22) April (22) March (20) February (12) January (24) December (11) November (7) October (13) September (7) August (8) July (12) June (9) May (6) April (2) March (3) August (1) July (3)	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line361
__label__cc	0.667527	0.332473	Like Sheep Browse for Like Sheep best prices at RankeDeal.com They Smell Like Sheep: Spiritual Leadership for the 21st Century Exploring the biblical models of shepherding, mentoring, and equipping, They Smell Like Sheep unlocks the secrets of leadership for anyone.What kind of leadership will effectively lead the church into the morally turbulent twenty-first century? The same kind of leadership that led it through the morally and politically chaotic first century. Shepherding. This is the kind of leadership Jesus used, and this is the kind of leadership that will take his church where he wants it to go. While the term "shepherd" produces warm images of love, care, and tenderness, it also describes a form of leadership that is perilously protective, dangerous, dirty, and smelly. "Shepherd" is something that every follower of Christ, the Good Shepherd, is called to become. Lynn Anderson, in this important book, leads us backwards in time to discover and identify the biblical leader for the future needs of the Christian community. Anderson's deep dig for truth will concern, convict, and confront us about where leadership has been, and will set a new standard for where the future leader must go. Brand: Simon & Schuster A dilapidated country church. Unfriendly people. Peculiar "ghosts". A secretive artist. Pastor Suzanne is assigned to a country church in the wheatfields of Kansas where she encounters a mysterious challenge. Trying to solve the problem and save the church shakes the ground under her feet. Brand: Brand: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Part No: black & white illustrations They Smell Like Sheep, Volume 2: Leading with the Heart of a Shepherd Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. - Proverbs 4:23 They Smell like Sheep, Volume 2: Leading with the Heart of a Shepherd is about more than gimmicks and techniques of leadership. It speaks to the character and heart of the leader. After all, heart makes the difference in an effective Sunday-school teacher, youth minister, elder, small-group leader, parent, grandparent, or Christian school teacher. Spiritual sheep, stray sheep, and searching sheep aren't nearly as concerned about the knowledge and skill of the shepherd as they are about his heart. When finding their way - at weddings, at funerals, during family crises, and in the hospital - sheep go to a shepherd in whom they discern God's own heart, like King David of old. Jesus said sheep would know their shepherd's voice and be drawn to it. It is the heart behind the voice that soothes and comforts God's people. How do you measure the influence of a godly shepherd? Without doubt, it's the heart of the shepherd that most powerfully shapes lives and souls in our flocks. If you want your own heart shaped and molded into the likeness of Christ, this book is an excellent place to begin. Be shepherds of God's flock under your care . . . as God wants you to be. Heeding the call to be a leader is an awe... Part No: 13982499 All We Like Sheep From the front flap of this 104 page book: "This book is a practical guide for living the Christian life. The title is taken from Isaiah 53:6. From God's perspective we are all like sheep. Therefore we can understand ourselves through a study of the characteristics of sheep. Isaiah 53:6 states the nature of human nature, the reason for man's problems and gives us the solution. Mary Glynn Peeples is not afraid to be transparent and tell you about her mistakes. As a popular conference speaker, she has for many years, taught the contents of this book. The following comments are frequently offered by those who have benefited: Practical; Makes sense; Sounds like you have been looking in my window; Identifies my problems; Humorous; Honest; Real; and Workable solutions." All We Like Sheep : Lessons from the Sheepfold Two women sheep-herders invite the reader to laugh, cry, and contemplate with them as they relate 45 stories of working with their flocks in Colorado. They share what these experiences have taught them about themselves, others, and Creator God. The two authors, Marilyn Bay Wentz and her mother, Mildred Nelson Bay, have a cumulative seven decades of sheep-raising experience. Their stories range from humorous to thought-provoking, but always inspiring. Each of the short chapters includes a vignette from the sheepfold, stories that draw the reader into a vicarious farm experience, and offer an entertaining way to learn about the animals that are mentioned more than 500 times in the Bible. Each story closes with a brief, spiritual application followed by reflection/discussion questions, and a prayer designed to lead the reader into personal communication with the Good Shepherd. Photos are included. The book is designed for personal or group use. Chapter Titles Include: Stay With the Flock It's All About the Smell Eternity In Our Hearts The Little Ewe Who Thought She Could The Shepherd's Staff Watch, for Night Is Coming Choosing Who and What to Follow Milk or Meat? Contentment Ice Baby Goat or Sheep? Leadership Lessons from the Shepherd A Lamb Called 'Her' Beware of Wolves Get In the ... Part No: illustrations I Just Really Like Sheep, OK: Blank Lined Journal Planner - Sheep Gifts Sheep Notebook Are you looking for a fun gift for someone close to you? This is a perfect blank, lined journal for men, women, and children. Great for taking down notes, reminders, and crafting to-do lists. Also a great creativity gift for decoration or for a notebook for school or office! Your new journal includes Beautiful matte-finished cover Fresh white paper 108 pages 6x9 inch format We have even more wonderful titles that you'll enjoy! Be sure to click on the author name for other great journal ideas. We Like Sheep In WE LIKE SHEEP, Grimey isn't particularly bad, but he just doesn't seem to fit in with the other sheep. He is belligerent, rebellious, and none of the other sheep like him. He runs away from the flock but the Good Shepherd thinks Grimey is just as valuable as the other ninety-nine sheep, and leaves the flock to find him. Ewenice, the newest little sheep is puzzled and through her questions the other sheep are reminded of the Good Shepherd's love for them. They see that they have not shown the same love to Grimey. Soon, Grimey returns, in the care of the Good Shepherd, and sees that the sheep have learned that following the Shepherd means more than just staying in the flock. ASIN: B000NVOU20 Lead Like a Shepherd: The Secret to Leading Well Pastor, author, and leadership consultant unpacks instruction for church leaders found in 1 Peter 5:1-4 where they are exhorted to shepherd the flock among them.Some instruction is timeless. Regardless of the age in which we live, certain instruction carries no expiration on its relevance. Pastor, author, and leadership consultant, Larry Osborne has discovered this to be the case with instruction on how to be a good leader. The best, most practical advice comes from the Bible, and in particular, 1 Peter 5:1-4. It's in this short passage where leaders are exhorted to shepherd the flock among them.Unfortunately, most modern leaders have precious little experience tending sheep, and many of the implications that were well understood when Peter penned these words are lost on today's reader. Osborne finds the parallels to be numerous, well-worth reviewing and understanding anew.A shepherd leads them to water even when they fear it. A shepherd never allows one sick lamb to destroy the flock. A shepherd lays down his life for his sheep . . .When leaders truly understand Peter's words of exhortation to lead like a shepherd, then they will begin to see the path that leads them to Leading Well. ASIN: B01MSL41RO Feels Like Summer (From "Shaun The Sheep Movie") ASIN: B0176ZIT9K Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book "A best selling lift-the-flap board book that introduces interactive play along with zoo animals." - Seira Wilson, Amazon EditorRod Campbell's classic lift-the-flap book Dear Zoo has been a firm favorite with toddlers and parents alike ever since it was first published in 1982. Young readers love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent-a monkey, a lion, and even an elephant! But will they ever find the perfect pet? With bright, bold artwork, a catchy refrain, and a whole host of favorite animals, Dear Zoo is a must for every child's bookshelf. ASIN: 141694737X Brand: Little Simon Part No: 9781416947370 They Smell Like Sheep They Smell Like Sheep, Volume 2 - eBook Like Sheep Gone Astray - Audiobook "Like Sheep at the Slaughter." A Statistical History of the Fourth Rhode Island Volunteers Those Who Act Like Sheep Eaten By Wolves T Shirt 2nd Amendment Tee S-5XL Category: T-Shirts Those who act like sheep eaten by wolves 2nd amendmant T Shirt New Graphic Tee Those Who Act Like Sheep Get Eaten By Wolves Ladies Hoodie T-Shirt Gun Rights Those Who Act Like Sheep Eaten By Wolves Mens V-Neck T Shirt 2nd Amendment All We Like Sheep by Peeples, Mary G. Category: Nonfiction Raft Point (422) Daisy Large Flag (422) Greatest Game Series (422) Disney Jump Rope (422) Oldsmobile Achieva Exterior Trim (422) ADS Like Sheep 3 X Power Magnifier Extended Lcd Manual Rotary Cutter Elizabeth W Bath Pouch Chevrolet Grill Metal Wrought Iron Plaque Chinese Paper Fan Pink Ribbon Note Red Wax Ribbon 21 Club Soccer Goal Los Angeles Clippers Two Piece Rich Thistle Gold Venetian Masquerade Mask Progress Outdoor Landscape Step Lights	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line363
__label__cc	0.72222	0.27778	Home » Blog » Events A recap of our Gala in New York On December 1st at Christie’s in New York City 250 of our friends, supporters and sponsors (sorry we could not fit more!) gathered for a dive into the ocean. The art filled hallways of Christie’s were transformed into a journey on the water celebrating, the beauty of the ocean and the amazing sea creatures that convince us we should dive in to protect the ocean! The evening was kicked off by our hosts David Rockefeller, Jr., Sailors for the Sea co-founder and Chairman and Stephen Lash, Chairman Emeritus, Christie’s. Next Steve Curwood, host and executive producer of NPR’s Living on Earth took the stage with Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Jerry Kirby, a three-time Volvo Ocean Race sailor and six-time America's Cup competitor. Steve, Julie and Jerry all shared their different passions for the ocean and their incredible and vast knowledge they each have from a lifetime dedicated to being on, near or talking about this important resource. Each of their stories arrived at the conclusion that we have one planet, one ocean and it takes passionate people, like those in the boating community to protect the waters we love! After this passionate discussion guests were treated to videos from our friends at Waterlust – celebrating the many wind-powered ocean sports we all love. The evening culminated in a toast to the ocean by our president, R. Mark Davis and board member Max Williamson and the auction of a lifetime for the wanderlust. Thanks to the amazing auctioneer, John Hays, each of the six donated auction packages, from a Hinckley ride in Newport to an Atlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 to a sailing adventure in Turkey on a private super-yacht were sold in record time all while supporting our ocean conservation programs! At the end of the night our gala chair Regan Gammon announced the event raised significant support for Sailors for the Sea. This would not have been possible with the generous support of our many incredible sponsors, donors and foundations listed here and everyone who attended the event and bid during the auction!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line366
__label__cc	0.544401	0.455599	My Best Columns Currently Browsing: Minutiae of the Minute 2007-2009 Toyota Camry Tail Light Minutiae Posted by Doug DeMuro in Minutiae of the Minute on \| 8 comments I haven’t done a good minutiae post in a while, which I believe we all can agree is a bad thing. And by “we all,” of course I mean me and the four or five people who care about this sort of thing. Today’s topic is the tail lights on the 2007-2009 Toyota Camry. You know these tail lights well, because you’ve been stuck behind them, for hours on end, going the speed limit in the left lane of your major local interstate highways. Toyota had three different powertrains for this Camry: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, a 268-hp V6, and a 4-cylinder hybrid. Interestingly, it also had two tail light designs. The design above was used on all non-hybrid Camry models. Meanwhile, the design below was used on all hybrids. Now, you might think these look pretty similar, and you’re right. But they have two crucial differences. One is obvious: the piece on the trunk is clear on the Camry Hybrid, while it’s half red on the gasoline-powered cars. Note to Camry Hybrid buyers: if your car has red trunk tail light pieces, it’s had bodywork. The other difference is less obvious: while the Camry Hybrid has LED brake lights, the standard Camry does not. I have no possible explanation for why the did this, especially because the turn signals in both cars are non-LED. Interestingly, most of these changes carried over when Toyota facelifted the Camry for the 2010 model year – but that’s a whoooole different article. Mazda Oscillating “Swing Vents”: Minutiae of the Minute Posted by Doug DeMuro in Minutiae of the Minute on \| 13 comments I think it’s time that we (and by we, of course I mean “I”) devote a second to Mazda’s swing vents, because it’s a topic that the mainstream automotive media, of which I am a part, are continually ignoring. This is almost certainly because no one cares. But I care, and so does an alert reader who contacted me to tell me about the swing vents. But I already knew, as did four or five others out there, none of whom have a life either. Here’s how it worked: you got in your early 1990s Mazda 626, put on the air conditioning or heat, and voila! The air pushed out of the vents as they moved back and forth. The result was your cabin was wafted with air, much like you’re royalty from thousands of years ago – you know, the ones that are always sitting in a throne-like chair while servants spread air back and forth using giant leaves. I know this feature made it on the Mazda 626, and I think it was on the 929 as well. Supposedly, the first-generation Lexus LS400 also had it, though I’m unable to confirm that as first-gen LS400 owners are all currently asleep in their retirement communities. The LS430 may have also used it. The Volkswagen Phaeton did not have oscillating vents, as many people think, but rather wood vent covers that electronically went up or down when you activated the climate control. If you have a Phaeton now, at least two of these probably still work. Unfortunately, oscillating vents seemingly have gone the way of the carburetor – probably because they made absolutely no sense in the first place. Maybe Mazda could’ve made a competitive minivan if they hadn’t spent so much money on the damn oscillating vents. (BONUS: this piece uses the word “oscillating” more times than anything else in Internet history. Just to be safe, oscillating oscillating oscillating.) Here’s a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWCxw7xKjko Honda Accord V6 Manual Sedan Minutiae Let’s be honest: most of the Honda Accords out there are four-cylinder sedans with an automatic transmission. But you can, in theory, get a V6 Accord. And you used to be able to get a stick shift. Of course, it’s no surprise a V6/stick combo was available in the “sporty” Accord coupe. But here’s an interesting fact: for two short years – 2006 and 2007 – you could also get an Accord sedan with a V6 and a stick shift. I consider this the high-water mark of the entire Accord run, although LaneWatch comes damn close. Anyway: for those of you minutiae-obsessed enthusiasts out there, here’s an even cooler fact: you can tell apart the V6 manual sedans from the V6 automatics. Here’s how: The easiest way to tell the two cars apart is the wheels. Every single V6 manual Accord sedan used these: This was very different from other Accord wheels. The closest wheel was this one, which was used in 2003 and 2004 on the four-cylinder Accord EX-L: But if you ever get confused – or if the owner has changed the wheels, there’s always… Badging This is the best part about the V6 manual Accord sedan. On all the Accord V6 sedans with an automatic transmission, Honda included a boring ol’ badge that printed “V6” in black lettering. But the manual got it in red letters, like so: Compared to the normal badge… It’s hard to get any more minute than this. But remember: if you see an Accord V6 manual sedan, you’re looking at the rarest version of the ’03-’07 Accord in existence. That makes it interesting. To some of us. -@DougDeMuro GMC Jimmy Diamond Edition: Minutiae Ah, the Jimmy Diamond Edition. This one is worthy of a serious mention in the GM Bad Idea section, except for the fact that I have a confession to make: I actually like it. And by that, I mean I like it in a “Oh the Plymouth Prowler is cool, but I would never let my friends see me driving it” kind of way. Let’s start with what the Jimmy Diamond is: ugly. But also a luxurious special edition version of the Jimmy sold late in its model run to try and earn a few sales from shoppers who thought the Oldsmobile Bravada was a little too retirement village. There were a few major updates that distinguished the Jimmy Diamond from the standard Jimmy. The wheels were one. The chrome running boards were another. But most importantly, there was the odd strip of silver trim on both doors. All Jimmy Diamonds had that, while no regular Jimmys did (fortunately), so it’s a good way to distinguish between the two. Also: many, but not all, Jimmy Diamonds had a “grille guard” in front, for reasons totally unknown. Now that we’ve covered the exterior, we must move on to the interior, which is the actual ugly part. That’s because the entire thing is covered with – truly – a diamond pattern. Diamond seats, diamond door panels, and – in case you forgot what you were sitting in – the Jimmy Diamond’s logo slapped on all four headrests. The logo was, of course, some diamonds. Obviously, the Diamond Edition didn’t last long, and you rarely see them on the roads anymore. But if you ever visit the junkyard, at least you’ll know what you’re looking at. Then you’ll cover your eyes. W124 Mercedes E-Class: Mirror Minutiae I once had a W124 500E. This was very impressive, but only to me and about three other people. Everyone else mainly said: Why the hell did you buy this crappy old Mercedes? This is especially true because I sold a 2001 E55 AMG to get it, and I actually paid more for the older, crappier Mercedes. But there was one impressive detail about my W124. In fact, it was an impressive detail of all W124 models, which – by the way – is the chassis code for the E-Class made from 1985 to 1995. And that one impressive detail is the mirrors. You see, all W124 models had two different mirror sizes. The driver side mirror was upright and narrow, while the passenger mirror was flat and wide. The theory was that W124 drivers would be in the left lane so often that they’d need a larger mirror to see right lane traffic. Obviously, the people who came up with this idea never drove a 200E. Unfortunately, the advent of cost-cutting (which really had never before been undertaken at Mercedes-Benz) killed the dual-mirror setup when the W210 came out in 1996. And although I was happy to own both a W210 E-Class and its predecessor, the W211, nothing ever felt as stately as the 500E. Of course, my passengers would disagree. Car Review Without Actually Driving It CarMax Cameras Come to America Feature Fail GM Bad Idea In The Hood It Exists Minutiae of the Minute Named in Japan Ridiculous Rebadge Used Car Reminder V Wagon Roadtrip!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line368
__label__wiki	0.551751	0.551751	Rihanna Flirts With A$AP Rocky at Coachella Scott Shetler As much as she hates the subject, Rihanna's dating life is of interest to many fans and celebrity-watchers. Ryan Seacrest reported on his radio show that RiRi was spotted flirting with rapper A$AP Rocky over the weekend at Coachella. With BFF Katy Perry, Rihanna showed up at Coachella to take in the party and the stellar music lineup, only stopping for a brief moment to perform with Calvin Harris. Rihanna watched Rocky's set, posting photos on her Instagram, and then got together with the rapper after his performance Saturday night. "The pair apparently got cozy in the VIP section, sipping on rum and champagne and flirting a little bit," Seacrest revealed. While Rihanna and Rocky may have just been hanging out as friends, rumors are bound to spread that the two may be a new couple. People love to speculate on the state of RiRi's love life, from the suggestions that she was dating Ashton Kutcher to the reports she had reconciled with Chris Brown. A$AP Rocky is an up-and-coming hip-hop star who opened for Drake on a recent tour. He released the mixtape 'LiveLoveA$AP' last year and is working on a proper studio album. Listen to Ryan Seacrest's Report About Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Filed Under: ASAP Rocky, Hot Off the Press, Rihanna Categories: Gossip, News	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line370
__label__cc	0.656119	0.343881	Computers & Electronics \| Software Today, Sony is one of the world’s leading entertainment organisations with major interests in consumer electronics, computing, cameras, film, music, video, gaming and telecommunications. HP Australia creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere — every person, every organization, and every community around the globe. At ABCmouse.com we make learning child's play. We offer a full online curriculum in reading, math, beginning science, social studies, art, and music. Simply click your mouse and little learners will have access to over 3,000 individual learning activities-from online books and games to original songs, puzzles, art activities, and printables. Additionally, ABCmouse.com offers mobile apps that include interactive books, educational games, and more. One in five Australians are now researching their family history online making it one of Australia's top 10 uses of the Internet. Take advantage of the 14 Day Free Trial to start your journey. Boombotix designs and manufacturers a line of ultraportable speakers called Boombots. We've invested in a vast library of digital media content to educate and entertain you! Have a look today! Dungeon Crawl Australia's largest online video game store boasting a huge range of games at the best prices with speedy shipping. DWI (Digital World International) We are a leading online technology retailer specialising in cameras, smartphones, tablets and much more all from the major brands. Each Buyer Supplying over 100,000 electronic products all over the world to millions of customers everyday without compromising quality. An online consumers electronics retailer selling over 30,000 products to customers in more than115 countries around the world. Hobby People Since 1972 Hobby People has been your trusted source for all things radio control! Never being satisfied to simply become another look-alike mail order company, Hobby People has been a leader in developing radio control since we first opened our doors. We carry the best brands in the industry at the best prices around! We have a huge selection of radio control cars, trucks, helicopters, planes, boats and more! We also carry a massive amount of plastic and dye cast models as well as slot cars, trains and general toys. Way back in 1996 — around the time electricity was discovered and cell phones were the size of your average 4-slot toaster — two Italian engineers got together to solve a problem in a recording studio. Could you get the sound of classic analog gear from a computer? One of them said (in Italian, of course) "Could we emulate electronic circuits using DSP algorithms and feed an audio signal through the computer and get the same sound?" The answer was yes, the piece of gear they emulated was a vintage Abbey Road console, and a company was born. We are dedicated to creating realistic robotic solutions to real-world problems and our home robots are revolutionizing the way people clean – inside and out. If you don't want to get your hands dirty, let us do it for you! Kogan's mission is to make the latest technology affordable for all Australians. Our direct business model cuts out all the 'middle men' and ensures our customers always get the best deal! Macy's - a name known all over the world, with a heritage to match... now we're online in Australia We sell everything, so buy what you want today. Selling a wide variety of Microsoft products including Windows, Office, Xbox, Surface, and much more! Norton by Symantec - security online when and where you need it. STOPzilla STOPzilla AVM 2013 is an easy-to-use tool for cleaning and protecting your PC. AVM launches and scans twice as fast as standard anti-virus technology, checking for the latest Viruses and Malware. With AVM technology, you're secure and protected from any malicious threat. TopBuy TopBuy.com.au, as one of the biggest Australia Online Shopping Retailer, is a wholly Australia owned & operated Online Bargains and Discounts mega store. WOW Sight & Sound Australia's Most Exciting Online Entertainment SuperStore! You can Shop Safely Online for Computers & Home Office and Accessories, delivered directly to you, fast & easy. yext Yext provides local cloud-computing services for marketers to manage their geodata and local content and connect it everywhere.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line376
__label__cc	0.588716	0.411284	Prof. Olivier Nicolet, HES-SO, elected as new President of the SCS Photochemistry Section At the General Assemby of the Photochemistry Section of the SCS at EPFL Lausanne on September 7, 2018, Prof. Olivier Nicolet, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Western Switzerland (HES-SO) was elected as new president. He succeeds Silvio Canonica who served as president for eight years and who will stay in the board as member for another term to ensure continuity. We like to welcome Olivier Nicolet as new president and thanks Silvio Canonica for leading the section for so many years. Thanks a lot, Silvio! Members of the Photochemistry Board 2018-2020: Olivier Nicolet, HES-SO Fribourg − President Silvio Canonica, Eawag Dübendorf − Member (Past-President) Kurt Dietliker, ETH Zürich − Member Tatu Kumpulainen, University of Geneva − Member (new) Oliver Wenger, University of Basel − Member Olivier Nicolet will start a survey asking all Photochemistry Section members what they think about possible future activities of the Section. This survey will include questions about the organization of a scientific meeting, and the most appropriate time frames to hold such a meeting and the General Assembly. Prof. Dr. John Bower, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line377
__label__wiki	0.50455	0.50455	IFJ zaangażował się w sprawę Świderka Dodano: 2010-03-14 - 3412 dni temu To : Stephane Richard 6 Place d’Alleray Brussels, 2 March 2010 Dear M. Richard I am writing on behalf of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world’s largest organisation of journalists representing over 600.000 members in 123 countries, to express our concerns about the treatment of a journalist, Mr. Tomasz Swiderek, in conditions which suggest he is a victim of unacceptable professional discrimination. Mr. Swiderek has been laid off by his employer following reports about the subsidiary company of France Telecom in Poland, Telekomunikacja Polska. Mr. Swiderek is an experienced financial journalist specializing in telecommunications and new technologies. He was sacked from his last job at Dziennik Gazeta Prawna at the beginning of February as he was reporting on the activities of Telekomunikacja Polska, Poland’s largest telecommunications company. This company is a major source of advertising revenue in Poland for both the print and electronic media. According to media reports in Poland Swiderek was dismissed for ‘undermining the image of the newspaper he worked for by personal attacks on senior management at Telekomunikacja Polska and its press spokesman’. The newspaper is reported as having accused Swiderek of losing a ‘sense of objectivity’. However, we are deeply concerned that in this case there is a profound injustice. Mr. Swiderek is currently considering taking legal action against his dismissal on the ground that his right to report in multinational corporations was violated and we share the opinion of our member organisation in Poland, the Stowarzyszenie Dziennikarzy Polskich (SDP) that that the principle of journalists’ right to write the truth is under threat. We believe that Mr. Swiderek should be reinstated in his former position and that Telekomunikacja Polska should make public its position of non-interference in the right of journalists to report freely. We are also asking France Telecom to review this case and to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the sacking of Mr. Swiderek. It is a matter of the utmost concern to us that there may be a direct relationship between his dismissal and reports that he prepared about your company and its activities. AIDAN WHITE Odsłon: 21275 \| Komentarzy: 0 \| Udostępnij: komentarze(0): Adres e-mail nie zostanie wyświetlony na stronie, służy jedynie możliwości potwierdzenia komentarza.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line379
__label__wiki	0.921517	0.921517	Wilcox, W. B. (Willis Bliss)6 Lala, Ramon Reyes3 Shunk, Caroline Saxe (Merrill)3 Hannaford, Ebenezer2 Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant)2 Boyce, William Dickson, 1848-1 Stevens, Joseph Earle1 Filipino5 Filipinos2 Negrito1 Negritos1 Philippines--Luzon[remove]18 plants[remove]18 You searched for: Image Format: photographs Image Geographic Information: Philippines--Luzon Image Keyword: plants 1. The Philippine Islands Page 244 Lala, Ramon Reyes New York, Continental publishing company, 1899, pg. 244 4. Yesterdays in the Philippines Page 160A Stevens, Joseph Earle New York, C. Scribner's sons, 1899, pg. 160A 5. Through Luzon on highways and byways Page 206 Wilcox, W. B. (Willis Bliss) Philadelphia, Franklin Book Company, 1901, pg. 206 7. Through Luzon on highways and byways Page 94 Philadelphia, Franklin Book Company, 1901, pg. 94 10. Through Luzon on highways and byways Page 130 11. An army woman in the Philippines; extracts from letters of an army officer's wife, describing her personal experiences in the Philippine Islands Page 116B Shunk, Caroline Saxe (Merrill) Kansas City, Mo, Franklin Hudson Publishing Co, 1914, pg. 116B 12. An army woman in the Philippines; extracts from letters of an army officer's wife, describing her personal experiences in the Philippine Islands Page 80B Kansas City, Mo, Franklin Hudson Publishing Co, 1914, pg. 80B 13. An army woman in the Philippines; extracts from letters of an army officer's wife, describing her personal experiences in the Philippine Islands Page 80A Kansas City, Mo, Franklin Hudson Publishing Co, 1914, pg. 80A 14. The Philippine Islands Page 67 Boyce, William Dickson, 1848- Chicago, New York, Rand, McNally, 1914, pg. 67 15. History and description of the picturesque Philippines, with entertaining accounts of the people and their modes of living, customs, industries, climate and present conditions Page 28 Hannaford, Ebenezer Springfield, O, The Crowell and Kirkpatrick co, 1900, pg. 28 17. The Philippine Islands and their people; a record of personal observation and experience, with a short summary of the more important facts in the history of the archipelago,by Dean C. Worcester Page 443 Worcester, Dean C. (Dean Conant) New York, London, The Macmillan company; Macmillan and co., ltd, 1899, pg. 443 18. The Philippine Islands and their people; a record of personal observation and experience, with a short summary of the more important facts in the history of the archipelago,by Dean C. Worcester Page 59 New York, London, The Macmillan company; Macmillan and co., ltd, 1899, pg. 59	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line380
__label__cc	0.667859	0.332141	Kaptur Email Campaign Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe "For the dead and the living, we must bear witness." — Elie Weisel Trip to Berlin. Roundup Motel Photocollage of this gorgeous little park outside of Ithaca, NY. Strawberry Farm Conway Hospital Boiler Room The Wolfe Of Main Street The Wolfe Of Main Street: How An American Picker Built His Empire Out Of Trash 2410 Gordon Ave. Sunset Outside Jacksonhole, WY Rayville Power & Water Garrett Greenhouse Silver gelatin print. Silhouette Sunset Silhouette Sunset II Howard Griffin Fire Melissa Pinto Images shot for interior designer Melissa Pinto. Susannah Vila Images shot for real estate posting site Flip.Lease The Last Day Of My Life "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" — Steve Jobs. In his commencement address to the Stanford Graduating Class of 2005, Jobs discusses how his life changed after being diagnosed with cancer, that he looks at himself in the mirror each morning and asks this question. For this photo, I wanted to look as if I were standing in front of a mirror brushing my teeth, and printed a shirt to display the quote. Featured on FastCompany.com Do It In Style "If you're going to break your New Year's resolutions, do it in style." — Stephen Dix, Associate Creative Director, TMPWorldwide Social Translucence For this story on our online identities, I wanted to show the authentic self as who we are when we are stripped bare, and how we filter our identity through the lens of the web. From the Digital to Analog: a Study of Authenticity on the Web Most of the photos I take are usually on the go with my iPhone. Instead of posting a great deal of mediocre images here, I suggest you visit my Instagram. Video created for Uber’s JUMP brand of electric ride sharing bikes NYC launch. Vert 1 Call Him! Director Mode This was a sample video created to show off features of an upcoming app. Genesis Central Park Ride Teaser for a race we held in Central Park for Ride Genesis Electric Skateboards. Directed/Edited Protocol Director Mode Short Promo for new app feature. Shot/Edited/Visual Effects/Music. Dronium 3X Promo for Protocol Dronium 3X. Directed/Shot/Edited/Music NeoDrone AP Short Promo for the Protocol NeoDrone AP Drone. Directed/Shot/Edited/Effects One Bedroom Studio Sometimes the projects I do never really see the light of day, as with this illustration originally conceived for the New York Times story on lease-reassignment app, Flip. While not as noble as gracing the pages of The Grey Lady, we did find a use for this piece in Flip's weekly newsletter. Success From Failure Just Build Stuff "Just build stuff." — Paul Graham, Y Combinator CoFounder Tribute to Maya Angelou using words from her poem, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Digital Illustration. Digital illustration of Apple CEO Tim Cook for Fast Company following the Worldwide Developers Conference. Fear Realized "There are few things more liberating in life than having your worst fear realized." — Conan O'Brien Chacahoula I was the editor-in-chief of my school's yearbook during my senior year of college. Unfortunately, I was the only one on staff. I did the layout and design of every page, took the majority of photos, and wrote most of the copy (with a great deal of help from my friend Zachary Parker)— all while working another full-time job throughout the summer after I graduated. My secret? Lunch hour naps. Helicon Originally proposed and designed in 2008 (on the first version of Adobe's Creative Suite mind you) ULM's literary journal, The Helicon, was to be resurrected after a 6 year hiatus. Unfortunately, before the book could be printed we lost our director, along with most of our funding. When the new director arrived, it seemed very unlikely that the journal would ever be printed. For every year that passed I created a cover with a new date (2008, 2009, 2010..) only to see it go nowhere, but the editor (Zachary Parker) kept to it. Nearly a year after we graduated Zach managed to secure funding and get all the approvals needed. In 2012, we finally had our copies. Jagermeister Orange This video was actually made to accompany my application for a job at Jagermeister. Unfortunately, they had already hired someone before I spent all weekend working on it. Drones For Everyone I created this video for the 2017 holiday season for Protocol NY. I made a previous stop motion utilizing music equalizer bars and thought presents could work really well for the same concept. Terrible First Efforts "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. Start by getting something— anything— down on paper." Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird. Ink, spray paint, and chalk on paper. Enjoy The Game Video created for Super Bowl XLIX. Clay, laserjet prints, vinyl cut lettering on paper. Tennessee Eclipse I was fortunate enough to be able to make it down to Nashville for the 2017 total solar eclipse with my family. I created this stop-motion from a series of photos I took periodically while waiting for totality to occur. How To Make Bulletproof Coffee This video was made with writer Chris Gayomali as a promotion for his story on bulletproof coffee. Life Audit This video takes the premise of life auditing, which involves organizing your goals and ambitions. When I saw the arrangement of the color coded Post-It notes used, it reminded me of a still frame from an audio frequency spectrum. From this idea, I made a complete video using the Post-Its as bars in the spectrum. Music by John Potts. Pen on paper. A Tinder (Love) Story Pen and marker on paper. I Don't Feel Like It "You don't have to feel like doing something in order to do it." — Oliver Burkeman, author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking. Marker and vinyl cut lettering on wood. Zenith Color TV Desk (Front) 1966 Zenith model 5430 television, Acrylic, Enamel, Glass, and Wood (33" x 42" x 21.5") Zenith Color TV Desk (Back) LEIF Display Table I designed and built this table for local Brooklyn storefront, LEIF, to showcase merchandise and provide storage for additional products. (99” x 65” x 36”) Homemade Startup Table Set of 6 tables. Douglas fir, steel, antique white and ebony stain. (90" x 54" x 32") "Don't be afraid to be you and own it. That's why people follow you." — Danae Ringelmann, Founder & CDO of Indiegogo. Vinyl lettering on peeled subway advertisement. (60" x 40") #selfieNYC During 2013, when selfie became Oxford's "Word Of The Year" and the hashtag craze swept the nation, I created #selfieNYC as an experiment to track audience engagement. I placed mirrors in subway stations and out in the streets of New York City, and using the hashtag #selfieNYC, tracked over 1000 pictures taken using just a handful of mirrors in a few weeks. Check out the project at selfienyc.com. Vinyl cut lettering on glass mirrors. (12" x 12") A Great Development Opportunity Like much of Louisiana, Monroe has a very high rate of poverty. In these low income areas, when businesses fail or shut down, there is usually nothing to replace them. Abandoned for years, these buildings fall apart from weathering and vandalism. Vacant properties are often associated with squatters, drug use, and violence, which ails an already impoverished community. To bring attention to the developing potential (and lack of) in these areas, I created a "real estate advertisement" of a nearby abandoned processing plant, listing its address and the phrase A Great Development Opportunity. The mural itself was placed on the boards of yet another abandoned building in the heart of the up-and-coming downtown. Laserjet prints and wheat paste. (162" x 88") All New Beginnings "All new beginnings come from quitting something." — Bo Ren, Facebook Product Manager. Pen on paper. (9" x 12") I've Looked Failure In The Eye "I've looked failure in the eye, and just kept right on going." — Cindy Gallop, CEO of Make Love Not Porn. Pen on paper. (8.5" x 6") You Can't Procrastinate On Your Own Life "You can't procrastinate on your own life." — Gabrielle Jackson, President at The Millennial Solution. Pen and marker on paper. (3" x 3") Still From Terrible First Efforts Coffee Solves All These Problems "Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful little cup." — Jerry Seinfeld. Coffee and gel medium on burlap. (36" x 24") This portrait was created for a Halloween post I wrote about Jack O' Lanterns for FastCompany.com. Ink and acrylic on pumpkin. The 15 Best Pumpkins On Instagram Airvent Steel. (84" x 90" x 67") Alexis's Bench Explanation of a Mechanism Steel, wood, paper collage, acrylic, gel medium transfers, aluminum, found objects, glass, leather, motor, projector, video, and incandescent bulb. (48" x 86" x 47") Explanation Of A Mechanism (Front) Explanation Of A Mechanism (Back) Detail of pulsating motor and projection. Laserjet prints, cardboard, projector, and wood pallet. (216" x 132" x 80") Cardboard, acrylic, and flexible conduit. (78" x 96" x 78") Bonham Cedar and steel. (32" x 65" x 24") Untitled Steel Steel and limestone. (13" x 18" x 12") The Button Acrylic, ink, watercolor pencil, and gel medium on canvas. (30" x 48") Holsum Acrylic and ink on plexiglass over laserjet prints. (24" x 36") Peyton's Cut-Rate Drugs Acrylic and ink on tempered glass and wood. (10" x 6.5") Monroe Auto Auction Acrylic and ink on plexiglass over gel medium transfers. (24" X 18") Acrylic and ink over gel medium transfers on panels. (60" x 36") Rayville Theatre Acrylic and watercolor pencil on European spruce woodcut. (42" x 30" x 2") Single Burner Drawing Acrylic and ink on found object. (9.5" x 9.5" x 3") Oil on canvas. (48" x 36") Broken Windows III Acrylic and ink on glass over laserjet prints. (24" x 36") Acrylic and ink on glass over colored charcoal and gel medium. (18" x 24") © 2018 Heartbklyn LLC	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line383
__label__wiki	0.678667	0.678667	Direct Imports 2004 Riverside Drive Ste. #VV straight line from the vine Alcohol may not solve your problems, but neither will water or milk. Winemonger Emily and Stephan Schindler have invested everything they own in Winemonger, a company that imports, distributes and retails Austrian wines. "When we started, all we knew was that we both loved wine," Schindler says. Everything else, she says, they learned the hard way. They both met as students at the American Film Institute, but they bonded over the bottles of wine they shared each evening at dinner. Emily, the daughter of a wine-loving Stanford University professor, has been swirling, sniffing and sipping wine as long as she can remember. And Stephan, whose family owns a tiny vineyard in Vienna, loves the wines of his homeland. When Stephan wanted to introduce his favorite Austrian wines to Emily, however, they were nowhere to be found in Los Angeles. One afternoon in the couple's Hollywood backyard they had a moment of clarity: Emily would stop rewriting other people's mediocre movie scripts and Stephan would extract himself from a job producing "Star Mania," the Austrian version of "American Idol." Instead, they would import Austrian wine and sell it on the Internet. Purple teeth, red tape! It took a year to organize the paperwork, which entailed much more than an import license. There were the wholesale license, off-site retail license, label approvals and customs compliance to obtain, and they had to build an Internet site, not to mention learn the logistics of shipping and exporting wine from Austria. Buying trips to Austria were rare treats. Winemonger's first shipment landed at the port of Oakland in October 2004. Thanks in part to delays at customs and more paperwork snarls, the first Internet sale -- four bottles to a California customer -- wasn't made until June 20, 2005. "We kept getting little things wrong," Emily says. "And getting wines from California to other states turns out to be as complicated as importing them in the first place." As they worked through the layers of state and federal bureaucracy, Emily says, "people kept saying, 'You can't do that.' Well, turns out you can." But since they were combining so many different businesses into one entity run by just two people, no one person had the answers they needed, she says. It's been worth it. "Our vintners have become good friends & the adventure of finding the wines, knowing we've picked great ones, I love that part."	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line390
__label__cc	0.672107	0.327893	Home > View from the pulpit > Feb 2012 View from the Pulpit Feb 2012 greenpastures@ntlworld.com LAUNCHING OUT I don’t know if Francesco Schettino, captain of the doomed Cruise Ship Costa Concordia is a superstitious person like many people today, but Friday 13th. of January will be etched upon his mind for the rest of his life. When the ship was launched at Sestri Ponente on 2 September 2005, the champagne bottle failed to break, causing some to think that the vessel was jinxed and that they would not travel on it unless they had a rabbit’s foot in their pocket! The fact that the ship capsized when it hit a rock off Isola del Giglio, west of Italy on 13th. Jan., was nothing to do with superstision but with the judgement of the Captain. He chose to deviat from the planned route to give the islanders a closer display of the Cruise Ship and sailed too close to a reef which it got impailed upon. It has been estimated that it will take ten months to recover the vessel from the rocks, the first 28 days to remove 500,000 gallons of fuel from its tanks, and salvaging costs and insurance claims could ammount to a billion pounds sterling. The vessel had about 4200 passengers on board and all but about 30 are safely accounted for, 17 deaths have been reported and 13 are still missing. The loss of this ship and some of the passengers and crew is a monumental tradegy caused by a monumental error of judgement. www.shetland.gov.uk/environmentalhealth/TheGreenLily reports, ‘ On Wednesday 19th November 1997, the M.V. "Green Lily" ran aground on Bressay and during the ensuing successful evacuation of the crew, Mr Billy Deacon, the winchman aboard the rescue helicopter tragically lost his life.’ The details of this unhappy event are fully recorded on another website, Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia On 19th November 1997 the reefer Green Lily (formerly Pacific Lily, Gomba Nile, Balkram and Gomba Endeavour) left Lerwick Harbour after loading a cargo of approx 3000 tonnes of frozen fish from the Shetland Catch factory, bound for Las Palmas, Canary Isles. After some technjcal details of the ship the report continues ‘Shortly after leaving harbour she suffered engine failure and in storm force south easterly winds was driven ashore on the east side of Bressay, near Grut Wick. The crew were rescued by the Lerwick Lifeboat and the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Sumburgh Airport. Sadly, after ensuring that the last crew member had been saved, Mr William Deacon, helicopter winchman, was lost to the tempest, he was posthumously awarded the George Medal for bravery. Lifeboat coxwain Hewitt Clark was awarded the RNLI's highest honour, the Gold medal, for his part in the rescue. A gospel message, presented by Earl Ritchie of West Richmond, Vamcouver, Canada, relating to this happening can be heard on www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQR05K-4R7E, which I thoroughly recommend you to listen to. In Luke ch.5 the Lord Jesus Christ instructed His disciples, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” When embarking on any venture in life it is always wise to seek guidance from the Lord. The Captain of Costa Concordia was foolish to leave the prescribed route and choose to go another way. The Captain of the Green Lily ignored the advice of the Harbour Master not to leave the Port at Lerwick, Shetland into a force 9 gale, forecast imminently to force 11. Disaster and shipwreck can be the experience of any in life that choose their own way and ignore the good counsel of God. Christ instructed the disciples to launch out, so it was safe to do so, and it was best for them too that they did so. Your life and mine are best protected and provided for when we follow the instructions of the Saviour. Have you ever felt reluctant to launch out with God? Thinking rather to hold onto one’s own thoughts and practices for future well-being. When Paul went to Athens he saw that there was an altar erected to The Unknown God. Paul preached at Mars Hill, “e men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them”.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line394
__label__wiki	0.647816	0.647816	From Capitol Hill to the States, immigration has become a defining issue in American life and politics, especially under the Trump administration. Staff writer at Daily Kos Gabe Ortiz joins me on the show today to talk about the continued separation of families at the border, the questioning of Hispanic American citizens’ passports and more. The California State Legislature considered a number of LGBT-related pieces of legislation, making strikes in many areas while also putting off a bill that would ban conversion therapy advertising. News editor for The Los Angeles Blade Karen Ocamb has been covering these issues and more in California politics. She joins me on the show to talk all about it. Since we last spoke with Heather ‘Digby’ Parton a lot has happened, from Bret Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing starting up to Pres. Trump not being very happy about veteran journalist Bob Woodward’s new book… Heather “Digby” Parton returns to the show to talk about the latest political news you should be following and so much more! We love your feedback! Fill out our listener survey!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line396
__label__cc	0.587015	0.412985	The health record is a form of communication between internal and external stakeholders in the healthcare environment. Health information management professionals are responsible for managing health records whether in paper, electronic, or hybrid format. Rate this Solution Task 3: Health Records The health record is a form of communication between internal and external stakeholders in the healthcare environment. Health information management professionals are responsible for managing health records whether in paper, electronic, or hybrid format. Guidelines must be followed in maintaining records, including their storage and destruction, and policies must be evaluated for their compliance with state and federal regulations. Your submission must be your original work. No more than a combined total of 30% of the submission and no more than a 10% match to any one individual source can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, even if cited correctly. Use the Turnitin Originality Report available in Taskstream as a guide for this measure of originality. You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course. A. Compare and contrast the characteristics of paper, hybrid, and fully electronic health records. 1. Discuss legal issues that may arise when using hybrid records. B. Evaluate the attached “Cedar Bend Record Policy” to determine if the policy protects health information for record storage and destruction of paper and electronic health records, by doing the following: 1. Describe whether the Cedar Bend record policy would comply with your state’s regulations. Be sure to include the state in which you reside and justify your decision. Note: Refer to the attached “State Retention Guidelines” to identify your state’s regulations. 2. Describe whether the Cedar Bend record policy would comply with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. Note: Refer to the attached “Retention and Destruction of Health Information” for a summary of the Medicare Conditions of Participation. 3. Describe whether the Cedar Bend record policy would comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule. Note: Refer to the attached “HIPAA Security Rule Overview” for a summary of the relevant HIPAA regulations related to records storage and destruction.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line401
__label__cc	0.552338	0.447662	Otto Pt.1 Posted on : August 25, 2016 By jkadmin A Short Story in Progress by Mike Black Once upon a time there was a young man named Dodo who cleaned houses for a living. Dodo was Jewish and made a lot of anti-Semitic jokes among others. When later interviewed for a biography entitled, “Otto: The Demon Who Made Earth Hell” by ex-politician Hillary Clinton, he reflected on his job saying, “I was doing the job of an immigrant.” Dodo was only 17, but had an intimate relationship with a single mother he met at his last job in the milk aisle of a healthy supermarket. It was by his crude milk jokes to this mama that he met Chloë at a cocktail party, who eventually invited him (through an interesting encounter while waiting in line for the bathroom that I’ll explain later) to join her on a trip to Xenia, Ohio, where she was the star role in her boyfriend’s low budget film. I can’t tell you where Dodo started out in life- to say the least he wasn’t all there- but what I can tell you is where he ended up. Chloë, her boyfriend (the director), Dodo, a man who looked significantly similar to John Cena, and a very cute girl by the name of Emma began their drive to Xenia but had to stop off in Las Vegas in the meantime. It just so happens the Cena look alike knew about this stopping in sin city beforehand, and had an unhealthy obsession with a short novel by Hunter S. Thompson. Now Dodo may have been a naive American, but he wasn’t stupid. Emma’s twin sister later told me of a letter Emma wrote to her just before she died. In it, Emma describes that day they all drove to Las Vegas. She said she heard only one sentence during this drive. Chloë’s boyfriend kept playing extremely loud Armenian Death Metal, and the transition between tracks 64 and 65 allowed Emma to catch Dodo saying blankly, “You had me at absinthe.” Night fell, and you could hear the crickets cricketing a sad song in preparation for Kansas. Well I don’t remember exactly what year that was, but it must have been the one where the economy was bad, because there was lots of L.V.P.D. officers with nothing to do that night. Dodo ended up on top of the exterior of the Luxor screaming at a swarm of pigs, “I built these damn pyramids, I can tear em down if I wanna!” Needless to say he wasn’t arrested. Who would want to be called a racist? Dodo woke up grateful the next morning. He said to himself, “Thank God I’m not Black.” Who would want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Unfortunately, the John Cena look alike WAS black, and the police blamed all of Dodo’s wrongdoing on him. As Mr. Cena was being assessed for sanity, the remaining four continued their trek spending what little winnings they had on profane shot glasses. No one seemed to notice Cena’s absence but Emma, who didn’t say anything for fear of causing a delay. She was only along for the ride to get dropped off at her girlfriend’s house in Illinois. Not even she remembered why Cena had gone with them. They drove for a few days, stopping in at motels in between, and picked up a hitchhiker somewhere in Colorado who was stoned out of his mind. He needed to get dropped off in Kansas and kept babbling about some sort of school reading. He somehow broke the radio and the Armenian Death Metal was no more. Well, the president of the United States at the time was on the same freeway, driving angrily as he had read some poems from a Shell Silverstein collection to a kindergarten class earlier that day before the intoxicated teacher left the school because he “was bored.” It just so happened that he was driving right behind Chloë’s boyfriend’s car. Chloë at the time was smoking a cigarette, but due to all of the coffee she had had that morning she felt like taking a shit. So she said, “I’m going to flick this cigarette out the window right now because I feel like taking a shit.” Emma, the only one with any sense in the group, advised against it. “I have a bad feeling about littering,” she said. But Chloë littered anyway, and the wind carried her half finished cigarette to hit the windshield of the president’s Toyota Camry, to which he responded, “Oh fuck,” and swerved, scared for his life. This was all, of course, happening in stop and go traffic, so the president tapped the side of a Ferrari to his right side. The two drivers, Mr. President and a man from Sudan, held up the traffic even more as they stopped their cars in the middle of the freeway to exchange insurance information. The president was in an even worse mood now, especially since the man from Sudan had a nicer car than him. “This is all your fault,” cried the president (he WAS actually crying now), and he asked the man where he was from. “Sudan,” said the man, but the president heard, “Iran.” So the president waged war on Iran. To confuse the Iranians in case of bombing, the United States reissued every map of theirs with three significant changes: 1) California was split into two, “Norcal” and “Socal” thus adding a new star to the flag, 2) the entire state of Hawaii was eradicated and instead Japan was now apart of the U.S., and 3) the state of Montana now said “Ohio” and the state of Ohio now said “Montana.” Well, Cena needed his friend to bail him out of jail in Las Vegas, and in order to pay for it, Cena’s friend, Franck, had to reclaim a house that used to be his mother’s on Mara Vista St. in Montana. Now Franck wasn’t all that bright, and lost his trusty pocket map of the states, so he had to buy a new one at a convenience store. Franck lived in Michigan at the time and when he looked for Montana on his new and shiny map he said aloud, “Things sure ain’t far as they used to be.” He grabbed his grandfather’s knife from WWII (the one with the Buddhist symbol on it) and he was off. It just so happens that there is only one Mara Vista St. in the entire state of Ohio, and it’s located in the city of Xenia. Some time after in Xenia… Four siblings inhabited a pretty rundown house with the address 665 1/2 Mara Vista St. Xenia, OH 90210. “Outkast” blared through the bedroom nearest the kitchen on the first floor. The four siblings were as follows (from oldest to youngest): Rachel, Johnson, Sophie, and Lucas. Don’t let the first two names full you- Rachel was a 24 year old man and Johnson was a 21 year old woman with down syndrome. Sophie and Lucas were twins; a boy and a girl who broke windows of the houses abandoned after a great tornado that stripped the meth town of all things good. Lucas was born two minutes after Sophie, but as Sophie was born at 11:59 on September 30, the twins were technically born in two different months. Their parents had died in a boating accident in the Salton Sea when the twins were 8, and since then things had been pretty twisted in their family. With no remaining family members, Rachel had become the head of the house, and with a drug problem and the desperate need to make rent, he prostituted Johnson without her full understanding while the twins were overall neglected. The twins turned all of their attention outside of tormenting the distant neighbors to their one and only friend, Otto, the German Shepherd. A frequent at “The Rachel House” for Johnson was a young man from Aberdeen, Washington, named Kurt. Though he never met Dodo, he was present at the cocktail party where Chloë invited Dodo on the Ohio Adventure (again we’ll get to that later), and the last time he ever visited The Rachel House was the very day that Franck came to unrightfully reclaim his mother’s house. Much later Kurt committed suicide after rising to stardom as a frontman of a popular band, but not without leaving his mark on this planet. After a long, confusing, and angry conversation between Rachel and Franck about Franck’s ideas about reclamation of the house, both parties left pretty pissed off, and on the way out Franck took out his grandfather’s knife and struck the blade through Otto’s skull. The poor dog yelped and fell over in shock and died. Franck left “Montana” and started back home where he would plot a new way to get the house back and release Cena. Rachel sat back down and thought to himself, “Well, that was stupid.” Crickets echoed their song through seven states that night. At this point in time Dodo, Chloe, her boyfriend, and Emma were dropping off the hitchhiker at a gas station in Kansas. He waited awkwardly in the middle of the street while Dodo and Chloe went inside the store to grab snacks, Chloe’s boyfriend went around back to take a leak, and Emma pumped gas into the car. Something about the way the crickets sounded drove the hitchhiker to snap, and spun around in the streets to classical music only he could hear. He ran to Emma and tackled her to the ground. Gas doused the car and Emma all in her face and eyes and nose. The hitchhiker lit a match to Emma’s shoulder and the gas station grew a bit brighter. Before Emma left our Earth she began writing a letter to her twin sister, on fire. The paper burned up though and her sister never received it. Emma had stronger will than the hitchhiker, so she died a full 20 seconds later than he did. She never got to see her girlfriend in Illinois. Her girlfriend was going to propose to Emma the second she arrived. Emma’s last words were, “I knew it would be too hot for a sweater.” Grateful for a distraction, the masked robber slid easily through the store doors and held the cashier at gunpoint. He said, “Put the money in the bag,” and the cashier started putting the money in the bag. Dodo learned an important lesson that night: being a coward is more beneficial than being a hero. Chloe charged at the robber and he shot her through the head. Dodo fled, and behind him he left Chloe’s boyfriend still in the bathroom stall, scared shitless. Four states away, some time since then… The twins had been so devastated by the death of their dog that they had resulted in trying to bring him back with satanic alchemy. They played Armenian Death Metal and found the blood of the innocent and all that other jazz you need to resurrect things from the dead. They put it all together in their basement and danced around a pentagram and such and BOOM! Something began precipitating from the floor. A little, green bodied, red armed and red headed (not hair but actually skin) baby formed from flames of Satan himself… Rachel had finally gotten Johnson to go back to sleep. He had noticed Johnson’s new habit of waking up early with sickness and had better prepared himself for this morning. Rachel heard a knock on the door and opened it to find a battered looking young man who could barely speak. He looked up at Rachel and asked, “Can I clean your house for a living?”… The twins examined the thing in the basement. An inhumanly large, everlastingly lit cigarette lay next to him. He had no hair on his body, he had a very tiny penis, and his eyes were ridiculously big with black irises and black pupils. Sophie picked it up in her arms, leaving the cigarette on the ground, and Lucas patted the thing’s head. “I missed you,” said Lucas. “Me too,” said Sophie. “It’s good to have you back, Otto.” II: I often find myself feeling bad for fat people. I feel bad for fat people eating junk food, and I feel bad for fat people eating healthy food. I feel bad for fat people exercising and I feel bad for fat people sitting on their ass. The chances that it’s not the fat person’s fault for being fat may or may not be slim, yet I still feel bad for fat people. Why do I feel bad for fat people? Why does my brain hate me? I’m most certainly insane. Unfortunately, I’m a high functioning insane person. When someone is low functioningly insane, they submit to their brain and have odd characteristics and do odd things all of the time that let a sane person know they are most definitely insane. But when you’re good at hiding it, like me, you REALIZE you’re insane, so people don’t give you the excuse of being insane. They just assume you’re being an idiot about something and you find yourself in a lot of terrible situations considering you acted insanely, and you have the conscious knowledge that you were acting insane. I don’t know if I’d rather be a high functioning or low functioning insane person, but I know that I wouldn’t want to be sane. And I put this critical attribute into the mind of the most underwhelmingly beautiful character of this story: Claire. Claire was born in secret- not even I could think of a place to have her born as secretly as she was- and she was begot (as the bestselling book of all time would say) from Johnson and Kurt. I’ll have you know that the absurd amount of random characters in this short story now mellow out into two spotlights on the stage: one for Otto and one for Claire. The only physical qualities you need to know about Claire is that she had dark brown almost black hair and freckles and she was pretty. Feel free to let your mind relate whoever you like to Claire, and use this person to fill in the rest of the details (believe me, I’m not picky). Just make sure you know that Claire was the love of Otto’s life, and make sure you take whatever FEELING you get from love with who or whatever and assign it to the connection between our two characters so that you can care about them as much as I do. Take as long as you need. (Insert a few blank pages) If there’s any way to be a better person in this world, it’s to realize when and when not to worry, and if you dig a bit deeper, it’s to realize when and when not to mention what’s worrying you. Every day spent living involves something that will make your mind stress. It’s the weight that you put to this stress that affects how you are perceived beyond the inside of your head. That being said, someone’s thoughts on you are not to be stressed about. What you have done to make that person feel that way just might be. Unfortunately, we as human beings or demons assign our own weight to the thoughts of other people. Someone you don’t know can fuck off, but your mother, right or wrong, can make you reassess your life with a single comment. It was Otto’s mother, sort of, Sophia, who made him spend a whole day thinking of what was right or wrong for him to do in this life. See, Sophia didn’t understand that Otto was different. After she grew an acceptance that he was indeed not a dog, she never accepted the fact that he was a demon, and not a human being. This gave Otto thoughts he could not understand at his young age, considering he was a demon doing people things. Otto often had trouble understanding his own love for his mother, as his true mother was a fallen angel long since forgotten, and he had gotten around just find thinking of Sophia as a figurehead, until he realized his true connection with her, which made things all the bit worse. So Otto went out for a walk that day, thinking all sorts of thoughts about life that would make a demon not want to live. His walk carried him all over Xenia and he kept his mind busy thinking about lots of things, like the funny people the town’s residents called, “aliens.” “They’re taking our jobs!” they would say. “They talk shit on America so much and yet they almost got their ass snapped by alligators to get here!” Otto didn’t understand these comments. “They don’t look green to me,” he thought and he left it at that. But the amount of passion he saw in these aliens is what kept his mind on the subject. They got spit at and made fun of, people paid them less for doing the same job, and there they were, working as hard as ever. For their pride. For their families. As day crawled behind the mountains and left its black sweatshirt behind, Otto came across The Lagoon. It was an interesting little body of water. It had no connection to any other bodies of water so it smelled bad. Its surface reflected the dusty streetlights surrounding it, and the trees danced around it and spat all sorts of faces of light or the absence of it for Otto’s retina’s to catch and misconstrue. He sat alone and the street was quiet. He felt peaceful. He lit a cigarette and and kept an eye on the water for a ripple. I don’t know how long he had been there before he fell asleep, but I can tell you what happened in between the time Otto opens his eyes and the time he’d closed them last. An extraordinarily large bell floated in the sky above Otto; a hovering, massive brass bell with a swastika on its front and a few blue lights shining from here and there from somewhere within it. A bright beam of this blue light exited from the bottom of the bell and split into two translucent arms with nine fingers each and they picked Otto up and cradled him for a bit, just to be sure he was sleeping. Then they retreated upward, taking Otto with them and then Otto was inside a ship of what he’d call, Green People. But I assure you, these people were not green. With whitish hair, deep, black eyes, and pink and purpilish cotton candy like skin, these people were on the boundary of incomprehensible human understanding of beauty in their figure, and it is not certain which was male and female, if there was such things in such a progressed people. Their only flaw was that they had names that were really hard to pronounce. And that’s the first time he saw her. Awake now inside of one of the chambers of that great bell was a giant mouth and nose connected to an even gianter glass orb. The cheeks and nose a delicate purple and the lips bright tangerine and in the glass orb a pink liquid, the perfect amount for a bath. It was the head of the alien’s creator. The single most important alien that was the brains of the ship and all of its pilots. Otto approached it and its vast sea of metal tubes and flashing buttons, and in the pink liquid was a naked woman smoking a cigarette: Claire, grown and stunning. She winked at Otto and asked if he’d care to join. Now I know what you’re thinking, just how did Claire get there? Well, when Claire was much younger, Johnson complained that during feeding Claire bit far too hard, and as a toddler she would bite other children until they would bleed. Rachel took Claire to his friend, a witch doctor, who diagnosed Claire as a genuine vampire. Well Claire couldn’t go around feeding on the innocent souls of Ohio, so Rachel forced her to eat people food. As I’m sure you’re aware, people food to a vampire tastes like shit, to the point where Claire would rather starve to death than eat it. So Rachel called up his friend, a biologist, to put an end to her anorexia. This bio buddy took the bacteria in termites, according to Wikipedia this is Spirochetes, that break down wood into glucose into Claire’s belly when she was 17. Since then she’s been a wood eating vampire, and the alien head thing has a mission to experiment on the two most intriguing species on Earth. Thus he picked up its only demon inhabitant (or so was thought at the time) Otto, and its only wood vampire, Claire, who was now in front of Otto for the first time in his life. he figured he’d never forget this moment, as he climbed into the orb with her, looked her in her big eyes and said, “what kind of music do you listen to?” 44 Manson Interview Xpogo Interview	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line402
__label__wiki	0.562366	0.562366	Learn Ancient Qi Gong from a World Renown Shaolin Master! 2 Classes: Limit 20 People Per Class Class #1: 4-4:45pm and Class #2: 5-5:45pm Cost: Pre-Sale $42.99 Day of Event (Space Permitting) $49.99 Select Your Class Class #1 $42.99 USDClass #2 $42.99 USD MASTER SHI YANQING Master Shi Yanqing was born in Handan, China. He began practicing Chinese martial arts in the Shaolin Temple at the age of nine. He was elected to the Shaolin Kungfu Monk Corps, in which he became a devout disciple to a Shaolin monk. Under the mentoring of Abbot Shi Yongxing, he learned traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Chan Wu culture, and the practice of Yi (medicine). Shi Yanqing won multiple Boxing Champion titles in the national Shaolin boxing contest. In 1999, he was selected to carry out cultural exchanges among the world. In 2003, as one of the Shaolin Kung Fu Monk Corps members, he visited Korea and the Philippines and various other countries, and won first place at the Korean International Kung Fu Tournament. He also toured with Abbot Shi Yongxing to Australia, the United States, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria and many other countries for cultural exchanges. He was appointed by Abbot Shi Yongxing to come to the United States to promote Shaolin Chan Wu culture. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge to help others gain strength and balance. About Qi Gong: This class teaches you controlled breathing, stretching of the torso and limbs in order to strengthen tendons and ligaments throughout the body. Compared to YOGA, Master Yanqing brought Ancient Shaolin YIJIGJIN & XISUIJING into QI GONG. You will learn “STAND” BADUANJING, “SIT” BADUANJING, “SHIERDUANJIN” and others. It’s higher level of YOGA – SHAOLIN YOGA! It will improve one’s general well-being and help balance one’s emotion. It will develop your inner peace and wisdom to enjoy daily life. Tags: California, Irvine, Kung Fu, Martial Arts, Master Shi Yanqing, Music Money Management, Qi Gong Class, Shaolin, Shaolin Kungfu, Shaolin Master, Special Event, Tai Chi Domkraft “Flood” Album Review + Stream… Domkraft Flood – Limited Vinyl // CD // DD Blues Funeral Recordings – releases October 19, 2018 Reviewed by Ric “Suisyko” Dorr Martin Widholm – Guitar Martin Wegeland – Bass & Vocals Anders Dahlgren – Drums Previous Releases: ‘Domkraft’ EP (2015) ‘The End Of Electricity’ (2016) Flood by Domkraft OK, I’ll admit it… the first question I had was what does the name Domkraft mean?? Translated from Swedish to English, it simply means ‘screw-jack’ like what you would use on a larger vehicle or a house foundation. Hmmm… this can ONLY mean that this is going to be some ultra-heavy shit I am about to immerse myself into. I had not heard of this power-trio until I was handed the album and told to give it a listen. Little did I realize just what awaited me on this true-sophomore effort from this band that describes themselves as simply, “Organic, electric, hypnotic and loud.” And, engage……… Opener “Landslide” wastes no time in getting right down to the heavy riff that knocks you over, complete with the soaring vocals that cascade over the staggered tempos that keep your feet moving during the almost ten minutes. “Landslide” sets the tone for the rest of the record to follow with a slow fade out, leading right into “The Watchers” with another lead you slowly follow along until the full body of stoner-might pops you in the jaw this time. Making sure you feel the reeling as you spin in amazement at the sheer force pumping out of this three-man machine that keeps the slice-and-dice routine swirling around you, even as the last chord strings in sustain. “Flood” is more even tempered and keeps the air shimmering with a bass tone that is ALL enveloping and shows zero sign that it will relent anytime soon, and why would you want it to?? Domkraft….The Calm before that Tsunami!! “They Appear To Be Alive” comes out nice and sedated and is the sole instrumental contained on this slab of intensity and then after a half second space, “Sandwalker” hits hard again, maintaining the stature of a giant that looms above and beyond as the musical winds whip the air around with a fury not witnessed since, well, the LAST Domkraft record!! “Octopus” is one of the harder-hitting compositions with the bass-slides and power chords encasing a drum line that fits like a ‘magnum’ and serves ‘this ride’ well. The stand-out track, in MY opinion, “Dead Eyes Red Skies” wraps this masterful-morsel in the perfect foil of musical precision that in it’s HUGENESS of mix, towers above the rest of the album and promises so much yet to come from this triad of mega-power. I believe this release will be making a lot of ‘best-of’ lists for 2018 and does indeed indicate that Domkraft is set to be in the leagues of their peers with bands like Monolord and Neurosis to name a few. If you don’t believe me, get your copy, share it ALL around and see what those around you are saying. Support / witness these guys in a live format if you are given the opportunity and above all else, keep it LOUD!! Tags: Blues Funeral Recordings, California, Domkraft, doom, Flood, kraut rock, Matthew D. Thomas, metal, Music Blog, Music Company, Music Money Management, Orange County, Psychedelic Rock, sludge, Stockholm, Sweden, Taste Nation LLC High on Fire “Electric Messiah” Review + Stream… Posted on 10/15/2018 at 11:17 am. Electric Messiah – Limited Vinyl // CD // DD eOne Heavy Records – released October 5, 2018 Oakland, CA USA Matt Pike – Guitar / Vocals Des Kensel – Drums Jeff Matz – Bass Guitar (ex Zeke, member since “Blessed Black Wings” tour) George RIce – Bass Guitar (ex-Dear Deceased, on :”Art Of Self Defense” / “SUrrounded By Thieves”) Joe Preston – Bass Guitar (ex Melvins / Thrones, on Blessed Black Wings) “The Art of Self-Defense” 2000 “Surrounded By Thieves” 2002 “Blessed Black Wings” 2005 “Live from the Relapse Contamination Festival” 2005 “Death Is This Communion” 2007 “Snakes For The Divine” 2010 “De Vermis Mysteriis” 2012 “Spitting Fire Live Volume I” 2013 “Spitting Fire Live Volume II” 2013 “Luminiferous” 2015 Electric Messiah by High On Fire Way back in 1998, Matt Pike was deep in the band SLEEP as guitarist and when the other guitarist quit, Matt began inviting people to come to his garage to jam. This led to Matt deciding to work in a power-trio again. Within 6 months, the jams led to the formation of HIGH ON FIRE, allowing Matt to keep his tone similar while his playing style was becoming faster and more aggressive in delivery and structure and taking over vocals and writing the bulk of the new material. As of 2007, the current and most prolific line-up solidified into the unit that is getting set to take the new release to the world. Having toured endlessly with a wide variety of acts from GOATWHORE to CONVERGE, including a stint on MEGADETH’s “Gigatour”. With the release of “Electric Messiah” Pike & Co. are not trying to re-invent the wheel; FAR from it. Nine tracks and 59 minutes later, HoF have delivered what can only be described as the quintessential definition of what High on Fire has come to demonstrate; aggressive precision seasoned perfectly with Matt’s lyrical creations. This fits seamlessly into his 6-string myriads of hyper-aggro masterpieces. Tracks like ‘Spewn From The Earth’, ‘The Pallad Mask’ and ‘Freebooter’ show that the might is still intact and the longer compositions are still present as ‘Steps Of The Ziggeraut/House Of Enlil’ and ‘Sanctioned Annihilation’ show clocking in at over 9 minutes plus. ALL factors that encompass High on Fire are present and even the title track belies that they are even more cohesive and just flat-out IN YOUR FACE than ever before, using power-chords, bombastic bass tones and drum-attacks that ring in sheer might. The standout on this record, for ME, is the closer ‘Drowning Dog’. I hear the culmination of the best of each previous release, all winding into this diatribe that allows Matt to give it all and offers what can only be HoF at it’s absolute top-notch performances. If you don’t have it yet, GET IT asap. If there is any in your circle that may not yet be aware of what High on Fire entails, force-feed them until they know, support these guys live if you get the chance and above all else, KEEP IT LOUD!! High on Fire Tour Dates Tags: Album Stream, California, Electric Messiah, eOne Heavy, heavy metal, Heavy Rock, High on Fire, Matthew D. Thomas, Music, Music Blog, Music Company, Music Money Management, Oakland, Review, Taste Nation LLC, Thrash Metal Ethereal Riffian start Crowdfunding Campaign for 3rd Full Length… Posted on 10/11/2018 at 9:59 am. Crowdfunding Campaign for Ethereal Riffian’s 3rd LP One of our favorite bands here at Taste Nation, Spiritualized rockers from Ukraine, Ethereal Riffian are launching a crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo to support their 3rd full-length album which they plan to release next year and we couldn’t be happier!! With all Ethereal Riffian’s previous releases their intention was to make people realize their true potential via different spiritual traditions, but with the third album we want to bring the wisdom from the Himalayan Caves to the streets of big cities and radio stations. Eight years since the inception of the band, we have refined our musical language to be able to produce the songs which talk directly to the Spirit and now we’re finally ready to record the album which will shake you to the core. We’ve been creating psychedelic rock music with a message since 2010 and are now ready to record our 3rd full-length album. We have started working on the new album in the beginning of 2016 and it took us a little more than two and a half years to write 10 new songs full of energy and purpose. “Since 2010, we have produced 6 releases and never before in our history we have asked our fans to contribute,” comments Val Kornev, frontman of the band. “This situation is very different, because we have many ambitious plans for this album and we’re looking forward to your contribution. Musically it’s a much more straightforward work compared to our previous efforts and ideologically, it can be described as bold as Rage Against the Machine meets the Dalai Lama.” You can follow the process of album’s recording via Ethereal Riffian’s YouTube channel. Contribute to the crowdfunding campaign: https://igg.me/at/erthird Follow Ethereal Riffian on social media: https://etherealriffian.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/etherealriffian/ http://bit.ly/etherealriffian https://www.instagram.com/etherealriffian/ https://twitter.com/EtherealRiffian https://vk.com/etherealriffian Tags: California, Ethereal Riffian, heavy psychedelic, Indiegogo, Los Angeles, Matthew D. Thomas, Music, Music Blog, Music Company, New Album, Robustfellow Productions, Rock Music, shamanic, Spiritual, Taste Nation LLC, Ukraine Max Tovstyi “Mesmerize” Album Review + Stream… MAX TOVSTYI Mesmerize – Vinyl // CD // DD Clostridium Records – released May 21, 2018 The Heavy Crawls The Red Sterns Mesmerize by Max Tovstyi While most of us have taken the summer to live life, the way we do, soaking up all of the joys life offers us while taking a break from the ‘every-day’ as it were. Max Tovstyi is the exception to the rule here. Having completed another tour with The Heavy Crawls and their rotating cast of members, he completed his Broken Bricks Studios project, including getting the right building and equipment, and doing most of the work himself. During all of this he had going on, Max was able to complete a series of 12 songs that tend towards a more blues-feel record, complete with faster tempo tracks interwoven with the slower, and Max does it ALL on this album. Previously, he seemed to concentrate on the space-rock type of structure and letting his guitar work speak for itself while sitting at the helm of his creative juggernaut, steering into the world. This time, it is just him, no pretense, no other minds involved so we get PURE Max, claiming responsibility for every nuance and note. I had been contacted directly by Max to review this solo-outing, the day before it’s release and upon initial listening, I was floored with the simple purity of each track, surprised with the dozen compositions that sound very little like anything I had heard before from… From the power chord intro of ‘Rising Sun’ through to the phased-out beginning of bonus track ‘So Unfamiliar’ and it’s slow-cascading tempo, there is just so much to ingest here. While ‘Wait Till Tomorrow’ comes out of the gate relatively quick, he slows to a mid-tempo pace that allows him to flex his muscle, including harmonizing alongside himself in the chorus and you can hear some multi-layered soloing as it permeates the air around. ‘Interstellar Girl opens with a jazzy drumline that leads right into some funky 70’s sounding keyboards that follow the pumped-up bass line and is jaunty enough to keep your head moving along, and ‘Feel Like Dying Now’ keeps that feel but is a diatribe in sadness as Max describes what took him there, all frosted in some of his most-personal soloing he has done yet. ‘From The Blues To The Funk’ sounds like something lifted directly out of Mississippi mud and by the time you have reached the three minute mark, the funk has overtaken the bass and the ‘funk’ is all over the place, replete with some sassy horn work for good measure. ‘Yesterday’s Blues’ is more traditional in arrangement and delivery but still containing his heart on his sleeve, much like the token ‘heartstrings-puller’ delivery of ‘You Have To Make Up Your Mind’ that includes some female back-up vocals to compliment the chorus here. ‘Show Me The Way’ maintains this feel and does not disappoint while tracks like ‘World Of Sin’ give you something to chew-on with the lush mix that manages to convey a little of the previously mentioned space-rock’ feel and still feeling heavy as fuck, where ‘You Know That I Know’ is one of the faster tracks offered and keeps it moving as much as any other from this album. ‘Show Me The Way’ sums up the rest of the record in keeping with that standard 3/4 time sig that is so prevalent with the blues overall. The one that stands out and away from the others on this in I didn’t just want, I NEEDED to listen to this one over and over, that being the title track ‘Mesmerize’ with what can only be described as fuzzed-out, punch you in your chest hard rock brought perfectly into this century by Max’ own hand. The structure/arrangement/delivery is flawless and FOR ME, is the best I have heard from Max to this point. Having watched this all develop has been fascinating and I can only hope for more, including a tour to the USA. Get it if you haven’t already, share it with ALL that surround you and when all else fails, keep it LOUD!! Tags: acoustic, Album Review, alternative rock, Americana, Blues Rock, California, Folk, Hard Rock, Kyiv, Matthew D. Thomas, Max Tovstyi, Mesmerize, Music Company, Music Money Management, Solo Album, southern rock, Stream, Taste Nation LLC, Ukraine Legend Of The Seagullmen “Self Titled” Album Review + Stream… They Ain’t No Flock Of Seagulls They are the Legend of the Seagullmen “Self Titled” – Vinyl // CD // DD Dine Along Records – released February 9, 2018 By Terry ‘The Ancient One’ Cuyler Legend of the Seagullmen are Danny Carey – drums (Tool) Brent Hinds – guitars (Mastodon) Jimmy Hayward – guitar (Director – Jonah Hex) David ‘The Doctor’ Dreyer – vocals Zappa Meets Zappa’s Peter Griffin – bass Chris DiGiovanni – synth // keys Legend of the Seagullmen by Legend of the Seagullmen Hello friends this is the Ancient One and recently I found myself having a flashback to some of the crappy music that MTV tried to force feed music fans in the 1980’s. Specifically the music of A Flock of Seagulls. Yes I hated that band. So when my friend “Matthew Thomas” Messaged me and said “Hey Ancient One you gotta listen to these guys called Legend of the Seagullmen.” I had a name association flashback and like a punch drunk boxer that hears a distant bell, I flew off the handle and responded with a stream of profanity in all caps about how I despised that band. Thankfully I kept my cool and looked up their website… When I eyeballed the Legend of the Seagullmen’s website I was still a little hesitant but the Ancient One isn’t one to knock any music till he hears it first. While some may automatically look into who a band is before listening I try not to do that so I can keep any personal bias out of my listening experience so I skipped looking up the press release that was used to hype the band to the audience, and instead followed the link I was given by “Matthew” to the album. From the moment I hit play to the end of the album I found myself entertained by the Legend of the Seagullmen’s with some amazing, eclectic rock. Hooked like a fish, I had to know more about this band that calls themselves Legend of the Seagullmen. In their description on Bandcamp and their band page Legend of the Seagullmen states “ Legend of the Seagullmen is a genre destroying super-group crafting conceptual rock ‘n’ roll hymns of epic proportions.” What I managed to learn from their Bandcamp page is the band is made up of Tool’s Danny Carey on drums, Mastodon’s Brent Hinds on guitar, the director of films such as Jonah Hex Jimmy Hayward on guitar, Zappa Meets Zappa’s Peter Griffin on bass, Chris DiGiovanni on synth/keys & David ‘The Doctor’ Dreyer on vocals. Seeking more info about the front man I searched the web until I came across an article in the The mighty Rolling Stone Magazine that said “The Seagullmen concept is the brainchild of three brothers, Frank, Chris and David Dreyer, who have put on appropriately theatrical concerts and made movies about the band’s long-running legend in recent years” Which is as far as I could seem to get with details about him. Well no matter I loved the music. I could easily heap praise upon Legend of the Seagullmen’s Danny Carey, Brent Hinds, and Peter Griffin because they are the three most well known musicians but would be unfair to the band as a whole. They also have a guitar playing film director Jimmy Hayward, a keyboard playing Production Manager from Blue Sky Animation Studios Chris DiGiovanni and a mysterious vocalist David ‘The Doctor’ Dreyer are able to take their place on stage and in the studio with them and not embarrass themselves is quite a feat in itself. If I were to describe the music I’d say it’s a wonderfully cheesy Rock ‘N’ Roll meets, Spaghetti Western meets, Nautical Adventure movie. Some of my favorite tunes on this are…all of them!! I recommend listening to this gem straight through like being at a Drive-In Movie Theater watching a double feature of kick ass B movie re-runs. This is definitely an album I’d recommend. Tags: Album Review, Album Stream, California, Cinematic, concept album, heavy metal, Heavy Rock, Legend of the Seagullmen, Los Angeles, Mastodon, Matthew Thomas, metal, Music Blog, Music Company, Psychedelic Rock, Self Titled Album, Supergroup, Taste Nation LLC, Tool Earthless “Black Heaven” Album Review + Music Video + Links… Earthless Black Heaven – Vinyl // CD // DD // Bundle Packages Nuclear Blast Records – Released March 16th, 2018 Terry “The Ancient One” Cuyler A Journey into Black Heaven Mario Rubalcaba (drums) Isaiah Mitchell (guitars & VOX) Mike Eginton (bass) Greetings music heads this is that old sonic wave rider The Ancient One and I want to tell all of you about San Diego’s heavy psyche rock trio Earthless and their upcoming album Black Heaven. Originally signed to the independent record labels Gravity Records and then Tee Pee Records, Earthless has been Blowing minds since 2001 with their own brand of almost entirely instrumental heavy-psych rock that many of other great musicians/bands credit as inspiration in their own music. To date they have released a slew of split albums with the likes of Witch, Danava, Lecherous Gaze, Premonitions 13, Radio Moscow, and Harsh Toke. This is accompanied by 2 live albums and 3 studio albums with their 4th “Black Heaven”, the subject of this review. Released on March 16th, 2018 on the Nuclear Blast record label with songs that have more vocals than all their previous releases combined, Black Heaven is a leaner meaner Earthless album . Though I cannot be certain because I don’t have any contacts in Nuclear Blast Records or Earthless I suspect the band’s association with the Rock Giant is why the bands latest album have significantly shorter songs. Is this a bad thing, absolutely not!! Isaiah has a fantastic bluesy voice that is also on display with his other band Golden Void. While the 40 minute album is broken into six tracks, to me it all seem to blend together into two parts with interlude track “Voit Rush” acting as sort of a road sign telling me were I am at in the journey. What catches my attention most about Black Heaven is that more than half of the songs have guitarist Isaiah Mitchell also taking up the microphone as vocalist. Which I think he does a bang up job at. Yet for all that has changed Earthless has remained true to their original mind-bending blend of krautrock and Japanese heavy-blues rock with still some of the freshest and finest Riffs, meanest basslines and Cosmic Drumming on this great Universe!! Link to buy Album, Bundles and more… http://shop.nuclearblast.com/en/products/sound/cd/cd-digi-ts-xxl/earthless-black-heaven-baseball-shirt-cd-digi-poster.html Tags: Acid Rock, Album Review, alternative metal, Black Heaven, Blues Rock, California, Earthless, Heavy Psychedelic Rock, krautrock, March Madness of Music, Matthew Thomas, Music Blog, Music Company, Music Video, Nuclear Blast Records, Power Trio, Progressive Rock, San Diego, Space Rock, Taste Nation LLC Neurosis “The Word As Law” Album Review + Stream… The Word as Law – Limited & Black Vinyl // CD // DD Neurot Recordings – Released – August 25 2017 Reviewed by Mike Hackenschmidt Scott Kelly / Lead vocals, Guitar Steve Von Till / Backing vocals, Guitar Dave Edwardson / Backing vocals, Bass Jason Roeder / Drums Noah Landis / Keyboards (Noah did not perform on The Word is Law) Just this weekend, Neurosis has re-released their 2nd album, “The Word as Law”, originally released June 1st, 1990 through Lookout! Records. The album has been out of print since the 90’s so fans who didn’t get the chance to buy it up 20+ years ago should be chomping at the bit to sink their teeth into this classic. Since 1990 a lot has happened to Neurosis including a major change in sound which includes the addition of a keyboardist. One fact that’s worthy of note; “The Word as Law” was released in 1990 with 8 tracks. It was re-released with 7 additional bonus tracks in 1991 with Simon McIllroy on Keys. This 2017 re-release exclusively contains the 8 original tracks, remastered. No keys. The 2017 re-release also has new cover art. It’s simple and elegant. The main image to the bottom right, rule of thirds applied, shows a framed mouth, tongue outstretched and pierced with a nail. To this old metal head, the purplish background looks like battle-worn leather. The image is completed with the band logo in the top left corner. The Word As Law (Remastered) by Neurosis The album opens with 4 slow, gentle strums of an electric guitar followed by a quick riff and into ‘Double-Edged Sword.’ Neurosis is currently labelled as Avant-Garde metal and early influencers of post-metal but in the early 90’s they had a much different sound. Their website indicates their early albums are a product of their punk roots. Wikipedia talks about them starting out playing hardcore. I honestly don’t know a whole lot about punk and hardcore, but yeah, I can hear the punk. However, when this old metal head listened to ‘Double-Edged Sword’ for the first time I also heard heavy influence from a very certain other California band. Fair warning: if you’re a fan of punk and hardcore, this might piss you off. I will concede that maybe this band didn’t influence Neurosis, maybe they just share the same influences, being from the same area. In fact, the band I hear influencing Neurosis has identified as former, skate-board-riding punks. The band I’m referring to is none other than thrash legends, Slayer. Scott Kelly sounds remarkably like Tom Araya on this album. Many of the guitar breakdowns and lead breaks reek of Kerry King BUT with a punk flair. Considering their influence in sludge, it really shouldn’t be too unrealistic to believe Neurosis have some metal roots. The 90’s were a very strange time in heavy music. Many, many bands started off with a particular sound and then went off in a completely different direction, Neurosis included. As a metal head teen in the 90’s, I read a lot of metal zines where I often encountered the term “Slayer Babies.” At the time, Slayer was claiming that too many new bands were copying their sound. I’m sitting here wondering if that was truly the case, or maybe hard music had just reached a point where there wasn’t much variety. Maybe the term Slayer Babies was really the industry crying out for something new and fresh and exciting which Neurosis delivered as early as their next album, “Souls at Zero”. But it’s not 1990 anymore so let’s not kid ourselves, sounding like Slayer-does-punk isn’t a terrible thing. In fact, I rather like it. Track 4, ‘To What End?’ is more what I expect traditional hardcore to be. The vocals are screamed (still sounds like Araya) in a different manner. The distortion is more hardcore. Lyrically, the whole album is more punk than metal. I particularly enjoy ‘Tomorrow’s Reality’ lyrics and my comparison to Slayer completely breaks down for this track where I could compare them more to Macabre than anything else. I’m not sure whose backing vocals resemble Nefarious but damn, that’s a tough sound to generate. My throat hurts just thinking about it. The album closes with ‘Blisters’ which gives us a hint of the sludge to come. It’s slow, thick to start and bass-y. It’s almost as if they knew where they were going next and saved this track for last as a hint for the listener. Neurosis Lineup during “The Word As Law” Era!! All-in-all, the re-release of “The Word as Law” should be viewed as a second chance, of sorts. Neurosis fans of new should rejoice at a rare chance to pick up an album off their back catalog that might not have been readily available in recent years. Fans of hard music who aren’t familiar with Neurosis get the opportunity to experience the band starting from their early work. And fuck, Neurosis get another shot at making a few well deserved bucks off their early work. For a band who have been at it for decades, it’s crazy when you realize that these guys still have day jobs. So let’s get out and support them. Tags: Album Review, California, doom, industrial, Matthew Thomas, metal, Music Blog, Music Company, Neurosis, Neurot Recordings, post-metal, Progressive Metal, punk, Re-Release, sludge, Taste Nation LLC, The Word as Law Xanthochroid “Of Erthe and Axen” Album Review + Video… Of Erthe and Axen – Act I (of 2) – CD // DD Self Released – August 22nd, 2017 Born: January 2005 Lake Forest, California USA “Blessed He With Boils” (2012) “Incultus” (2014) Disc I [Act I] 01. Open the Gates, O Forest Keeper 02. To Lost And Ancient Gardens 03. To Higher Climbs Where Few Might Stand 04. To Souls Distant And Dreaming 05. In Deep And Wooded Forests Of My Youth 06. The Sound Of Hunger Rise 07. The Sound Of A Glinting Blade 08. The Sound Which Has No Name Listing influences from ALIEN ANT FARM to Opeth, Moonsorrow to Wintersun and even DIMMU BORGIR, this three piece has no compunction about letting you know that this is not your average ‘every-man’ style of music but geared more towards the intelligencia among us and have all of the tools in their possession to show you why. They are self-described as ‘an Epic Black-Metal band that strives to produce the most sophisticated and enthralling compositions’, further citing that Xanthochroid is ‘not for the casual listener, but for the true connoisseur who demands more depth, more detail, and more musicality than what is out there presently.’ From the winding recesses of the mind of Sam Meador, the focus of the band came together through combining the desire to create moving stories with a love for pagan mythology into an ever evolving mythos, the music tells a story of a long power struggle between Thanos and Ereptor, two brothers who are heir to a deceased king fighting over the rightful kingship of the land of Septentria. This release and Part II (due Oct 17 2017) are being touted as a prequel to the two previous releases, further filling in the missing from the tales as woven to this point. Xanthochroid offers up 8 tracks totaling 43 minutes and each is presented in the full cinematic method this trio has established to be their norm. Even the names of the individual tracks invoke a feeling of more than just another song title, from opener ‘Open The Gates O Forest Keeper’ which immediately popped Opeth in my brain, to ‘In Deep and Wooded Forests of My Youth’ that has all of the flourish of any black/folk song out there with the added panache of vocals that come out of the surrounding mists you can smell as the music flows across and underneath you. Operatic at times, multi-layered harmonies and instrumentation executed with bravado in precision-filled performances. The last three tracks I would presume to be a three-part tome as each has a specific ‘Sound’ reference, ‘The Sound Of Hunger Rises’, ‘The Sound of a Glinting Blade’ and ‘The Sound Which Has No Name’, all strung together. Flowing one to the next and wrapping this with the darkest track musically, almost sounding as if Dany Filth himself had a hand in the writing. The anticipation for Part II is already building and with this release, the scope widens even further! If you are not a fan yet, get this as a perfect starting point and if are already ‘aware’, continue the voyage adding this release to your library, share those that do not know and witness the spectacle LIVE if you are granted the chance… keep it LOUD!! Tags: Album Review, California, Cinematic Black Metal, Lake Forest, Matthew Thomas, Melodic Black Metal, Music Blog, Music Company, Of Erthe and Axen Act 1, Prequel, Progressive Metal, Taste Nation LLC, Xanthochroid Collide “Color of Nothing” Album Review + Stream… Color Of Nothing – CD // DD Self Released + Crowdfunded – released May 25, 2017 Album Reviewed by Ric “Suisyko” Dorr Formed – 1992 Location – Los Angeles, California USA Members – kaRIN – vox / Statik – sounds Previous Releases – “Beneath The Skin” (1996), “Distort” remix collection (1998), “Chasing The Ghost (2000), “Some Kind Of Strange” (2003), “Vortex” remix collection (2004), “Like The Hunted” DVD/Live CD (2005), “Two Headed Monster” (2008), “These Eyes Before” (2009), “Counting To Zero” (2011), “Bent And Broken” (2012) COLLIDE is a duo founded in 1992 incorporating elements of electronica, trip hop and synth-pop combined with a darker edge to create something esoteric in nature and ethereal in execution, delivering a hybrid that is like nothing before. They have worked with artists of the highest esteem during their existence including the likes of Charlie Clouser, Dean Garcia (CURVE) and Danny Carey (TOOL), and they keep pumping out their own flavor of music to the masses. “Color Of Nothing” is the first offering in almost five years and kaRIN and Statik decided this time out to fund the album publicly, citing this move as a way to gauge if anyone still cared… with this release, the answer is a resounding YES and the result is amazing!! Eleven tracks clocking in at just over an hour, this collection of songs represents the BEST yet to come from this powerhouse and shows they are in top form and ready to take their place in your library. From the opening track ‘Wake Up’ through to closer ‘Pale Blue’, the edge is right there with all the ‘fixings’ to make this a feast for your auditory senses, including twists and turns to keep you moving all along. Flavorings of bands like KMFDM and MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT are sprinkled throughout with a splash here and there of LORDS OF ACID type progressions all serving kaRIN’s existential voice that cuts through with razor-precision and hits you between the eyes with her haunting delivery. ‘Soul Crush’ is a great example as she reminds us that “We are all human” in her signature siren-song voice. Color of Nothing by Collide ‘Fix’ shines extra bright for ME, as the standout track from this album. Soft and slow for the first 40 seconds before the drum line hits between your eyes and then kaRIN grabs hold and drags you along, willingly through the guitar lines and floating hypnotic melody of the rest of the body of the song. Even as drum fills jump out at you here and there, making the flow seamless as you traverse along Statik’s masterful arrangement. I could go on and on about each track here as they are each as strong as every other composition brought together here, but the BEST way for you to understand this record is to go GET IT, share it with every pair of ears you come across. Support Collide in the live format if you are blessed with the opportunity and most importantly, keep it LOUD!! Tags: Album Cover, California, Collide, Color of Nothing, EDM, Electronica, Los Angeles, Matthew Thomas, Taste Nation LLC, Trip Hop	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line410
__label__cc	0.647748	0.352252	And the Orwell Prize for Journalism 2010 goes to... and if George's counter-intuitive contradiction of what he and others have been claiming for years is a little difficult to swallow, here's some independent corroboration of George's new 'Cold is Warm' paradigm from some twunt who doesn't understand how fridges work... With All This Global Warming, Why is it So Cold? Eric Haxthausen "The explanation that is gaining currency among climate scientists is that low levels of Arctic sea ice during the summer are causing more heat to be absorbed in the Arctic during the fall, and changing atmospheric circulation pattern, driving cold Arctic air into Europe and the Eastern United States and funneling warm air up into the Arctic regions. This warm Arctic-cold continents pattern is likened to leaving the refrigerator door open. The room gets colder but the fridge warms up." Fortunately, there is, however, a planet-saving solution at hand. Scrolling near to the bottom of this page of real-time UK electricty production stats, you can see that windfarms are contributing something like a mighty 0.1% of the UK's current electricty needs... Which means that if the UK government sticks something like £300,000-500,000 a year on the average household's energy bill and gives that money to the aristocracy to build lots of lovely new windmills on 'their' land the British will have done their bit to keep global climate exactly the same as it was 20 years ago, for ever Ooops, that's just for the electricity and doesn't include natural gas, heating oil and petrol consumption. Better make that £1,000,000+ per year per household. And, obviously, the UK wouldn't have to build quite so many wind farms if we constructed a national grid of rechargeable batteries the size of Battersea Power Station to store up energy when its really windy so we can use it when it's not really windy It's easy enough to believe that AGW Climate Change prophets like George Monbiot are essentially decent, well-meaning types who haven't quite thought things through. I'd be a lot more convinced if they weren't rich, hypocritical fuckers who are wealthy enough not to suffer from, and will actually profit from, the consequences of the corrupt 'solutions' they are advocating Labels: chilling plots, temperatures can go down as well as up, What a cnt 'There was a suggestion you were rolling towards the police in your wheelchair...' Posted by Stef at 10:29 pm 19 comments: Links to this post Labels: Magic Wellness Stick, media whores, New Normal, not long to wait now, State Broadcasting Company, What a cnt, WTF Michael Flatley is really from Chicago Labels: Chart Deco, it's the bankers stupid, That's Numberwang Conspiraloon Round Up December 2010 pt1 So much going on in the conspirasphere, so little time to vent fully, but just enough time to place a few bets on some on-going stories... Such is Julian Assange's new found fame, even my pensioner Mum who never reads newspapers and only watches Italian gameshows on TV asked me the other day if I thought Assange was kosher on the level a straight shooter or not The fact that she was even asking me the question pretty much answers it Aangirfan has put together a much more detailed list of reasons to have little faith in Wikileaks He could have saved himself a lot of time by trying to come up with a list of reasons to actually have faith in Assange The countless debates about whether Assange is what he claims to be or not remind me of the past antics of the Shayler Being. Fans of Shayler's work will recall that he bought credibility in certain Truther circles by revealing the startling news that, shock fucking horror, MI6 planned to murder Gaddafi at one point in the 1990s. In return for this completely underwhelming revelation he was given a free pass to trample all over UK Conspiraloondom for the better part of a decade. I was still debating with people who wanted to give Shayler the benefit of the doubt even when he started claiming to be the reincarnation of Jesus AND King Arthur. Mercifully, the low cut blouse and lipstick was the final straw for all but the most open-minded and tolerant of folk. However, Shayler's ex girlfriend/ handler, who bought into Truther status at the same low low price, is still out there hard at work, playing a much longer game and with a slightly better hairdresser To be honest, I'm a little nonplussed that so many on-line folk are willing to give Assange so much benefit of the doubt, given the nature of the official narrative friendly bullshit he's pumping out, the stuff he isn't pumping out, and the fact that he's getting so much coverage from the mainstream media. In comparison, it's worth remembering how hard the mainstream press worked at trying to ignore, then downplay, the Climategate story last year. A leak which genuinely did piss in The Establishment's chips, a lot When in doubt, it's always worth remembering the Golden Rule of State Broadcasting Portraiture. If someone is covered by the BBC and they're not lit, or otherwise presented, like Baltar from Battlestar Galactica they ain't threatening anyone of any importance Eric Cantona's bank run Fair play to Eric for calling for the collapse of the banking cartel... ...but a planned bank run ain't going to do it Even if a mass protest did take place, managed to overcome daily cash withdrawal limits and actually killed a bank or two, how exactly would that beat the system? The Fed in the US and other central banks around the world were actually created in the wake of staged bank crises More dead banks and more chaos equals more consolidation and more centralised control Cantona strikes me as a decent man but one who doesn't fully understand how money works Unlike a certain indecent man who does... Max, and his new best buddy and fellow precious metal salesmen Alex Jones, have been trying to whip up a viral campaign with the claimed objective of destroying JP Morgan by buying up physical silver. The story goes that JP Morgan has been selling lots of paper silver, so if Max's followers buy lots of physical silver they'll reduce physical supply, drive up the price and JP Morgan won't be able to honour its paper contracts Curiously, in spite of all his ranting on the subject in recent years, Max seems to have forgotten what happens every time the finances of large banks go tits up, and who ends up covering all the losses. Buying a few poxy coins isn't even going to scratch a power structure that's been crafted over centuries and any immediate losses inflicted on that structure will be recouped, with interest Max also seems to forget who controls most of the production and stockpiles of precious metals around the world. The last time I looked, I don't recall identfying many silver mines or bullion depositories that were owned and operated by anarcho-syndicalist cooperatives Max also seems to have forgotten that there isn't actually that much physical gold or silver to go round and that if ordinary people did actually drive the price of gold or silver up to astronomical highs by buying a couple of coins each they wouldn't benefit themselves by very much but would benefit anyone who's already sitting on a few thousand coins to start with enormously There again, maybe Max hasn't forgotten any of this On reflection, I think he probably hasn't. I think it's more likely that he's trying to succeed where others have failed; through the power of the internet, lots and lots of bullshit and total and utter contempt for anyone who'll listen to him... Labels: Bullshit, Cognitive Infiltration, it's the bankers stupid, That's Numberwang, Triumph of the Shill (Groovy) Snow Labels: Odds and Ends Economics 101 - Lesson #11 QE Explained Labels: Chart Deco, it's the bankers stupid, not long to wait now, That's Numberwang Magic Wellness Sticks - German Style Labels: Magic Wellness Stick, not long to wait now, teddy bears' picnic Economics 101 - Lesson #3 Supply and Demand Labels: it's the bankers stupid, Neo-serfdom, not long to wait now, That's Numberwang Shillebrity Death Match #23 - Max Keiser vs. Alex Jones Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the Truthiest of them all? It's a heavyweight bout between Max and Alex Jones won his previous challenge with a knock-out assertion that 'the Arabs own Hollywood!!!' but Max has got some special moves of his own Place your bets and scroll forward 4 minutes in to see which of the these two duelling Infowarriors is going to leave his opponent speechless... That's a knock-out @4.24 Well done Max! The cheque's in the post and the negatives aren't Labels: Comedy Gold, fear is my business and business is booming, gatekeepers, it's only subliminal if you don't notice, Perfidious Harm, shillebrity, The Z word, Triumph of the Shill, truthiness, WTF I can't believe it's not a proper inquest pt6 The J7 7/7 Inquest blog has now been updated to include a post about 7/7 survivor Daniel Biddle's testimony: 7/7 Inquests: Danny Biddle, the Rucksack on the Lap - and the Explosion on the Floor The J7 post discusses the material covered in my previous post but with a lot more rigour and detail There's also, and it's a rare day indeed when I link to this site, an interesting comment over at the UK 9/11 forum: http://www.911forum.org.uk/board/viewtopic.php?p=151674#151674 There's a little bit of Carol Vorderman style numerology before the meat of the comment, which after an analysis of Biddle's testimony and train timetables, concludes with... "A question for Mr Keith QC and his team: How is it that Danny Biddle, disembarked from a main line train that, in your own words, arrived at Liverpool Street at 8:40 am or as confirmed by Mr Biddle, "there or thereabouts", then made his way along the platform, across the concourse, down the steps to the underground ticket barriers, through the ticket barriers and eventually onto the the Circle Line platform, ignore an overcrowded train and wait for the next Circle Line train, and then travel eight stops including Edgware Road on a Circle Line train in under 10 minutes on 7th July 2005 ? I presume that, Gareth A Davies at The Telegraph to pick a single example from the media are able to explain how they had Danny Biddle still tapping out (or editing his previous draft of) a text message to work to say he was on the way at 9.17am - the same time as the MPS originally claimed for the Edgware Road incident. 9:17am is now, according to Mr Keith QC, over 27 minutes after Mr Biddle saw MSK's arm move quickly, an action he elaborated upon in his "more detailed" version given in December, by adding that it looked like he [MSK] was pulling a white cord." Here's a link to another newspaper story that quotes Biddle being injured at 9.17am So, to recap... On the morning of 7/7, Mohammed Sidique Khan walked along a rush hour tube carriage, scattering bank cards and other documentation in front of his fellow passengers along the way, before standing up/ sitting down and putting his small/ large rucksack on the floor/ his lap and blowing himself up some distance from/ adjacent to the device, which was made from military grade/ home-made explosives, at 8.50am/ 9.17am Unless you're one of those people who goes for the 'Some Muslim nutters did it!!! What more do you need to know?!!' school of intellectual thought, the current state of the Official Narrative is, um, shambolic As I and others have stated previously, the 7/7 inquest does not appear to be an objective information gathering exercise but, rather, an extended presentation of a pre-established, and seriously flawed, narrative. The material starting to pile up at the J7 7/7 Inquests blog supports this conclusion very strongly Taken from the forthcoming - Official 7/7 Narrative Logic Problems for Kids Vol.1 (originally intended to be a single volume, but that was before the Inquest started) And now I'm going to ask for a favour Without rehashing old debates, I personally have been somewhat scornful of certain other 7/7 researchers From my high-tech secret command centre (a page of RSS feeds running on an abused netbook), I monitor postings on a large number of alternative news websites. What this sophisticated intelligence operation tells me is that those other 7/7 researchers have received, and continue to receive, considerably more promotion on-line than the work of J7 and producers of films that share the J7 ethic That's the ethic which focuses on identifying the flaws in Official Narratives rather than promoting alternative narratives Plugs for 7/7 (Raspberry) Ripple Effect and the musings of a certain Nazi apologist and BBC comedy act there are a plenty Plugs for J7 and films like Ludicrous Diversion and Seeds of Deconstruction ...biff all I can't remember the last time sites like Alex Jones', David Ickes', What Really Happened and loads of other major conspiraloon portals pointed readers to J7, if ever You could debate the reasons for this for ages but the fact is J7 is the source of much material that a lot of other researchers include in their own work. Yet credit, or valuable search-engine fodder in the way of links, is rarely given in return. I can't help noticing that J7 has started to heavily watermark some of the excellent material the group is generating for the 7/7 Inquest blog. I suspect that this has little to do with vanity and quite a lot to do with people ripping off and repackaging J7's work, without offering readers the chance to view the material in the context intended by the people who created it Jaguar at Luton station car park from J7 Truth Campaign on Vimeo. J7 is a small group of ordinary folk running themselves ragged filling in FOIs, attending hearings, sifting through transcripts and presenting their findings in as clear and as well-documented way as they can. I think they could do with a hand during a period in which they must be absolutely shagged out So, here's the favour I'm asking for Over the course of the 7/7 Inquest (and it's set to run for months), and assuming J7 is able to maintain its prodigious effort, please think about posting the occasional link to J7, especially the J7 7/7 Inquest blog, during your travels around the Internet. I have no doubt that the kind of intelligent, sophisticated, empathic and physically attractive people who pass through here don't need me to elaborate on this request by suggesting that any links posted should be as intelligent, sophisticated, empathic and physically attractive as they are. So I won't Except that bit where I just did Labels: 7/7, Conspiraloon Pride, Liberté Egalité Conspiralunaté There's a new post up at the J7 Inquests blog: 7/7 Inquests: The Disintegration of Shehzad Tanweer It is a thorough deconstruction of the anomalies which J7 has identified in the alleged evidence that places alleged bomber Shehzad Tanweer at the scene of the Aldgate explosion on 7/7 As well as being significant in itself, the comments underneath that post are also worth reading. There are a couple of thought-provoking observations about the nature of the damage caused on the 7/7 train carriages, and also a series of contributions from what appears to be the same anonymous commentator... "How about he bent or crouched over the rucksack, which was on the floor, to detonate it? Or held it in his arms and triggered it?" "You'll get your answer today when a survivor will testify that he saw Mohammed Sidique Khan detonate a bomb in his rucksack which was on the floor of the carriage. QED and time for you to put an end to your speculations" "Are you accusing Mr Biddle of lying? What possible motive would a man who's had both legs blown off have in protecting the conspiracy that ruined his life? Don't tell me he's been 'got at'" "The piece of shinbone was removed in hospital and passed to the scientists for DNA testing. It belonged to Tanweer. PS I was working at the forensic lab at the time." "Are you accusing forensic scientists of fitting up Tanweer? " "The answer to your question is no. I've only been in forensics for a mere 15 years. Can you give us a quick rundown of your forensic experience please?" It turns out that, Daniel Biddle, the survivor who was going to 'testify that he saw Mohammed Sidique Khan detonate a bomb in his rucksack which was on the floor of the carriage' did not say that and actually referred to a small rucksack on someone's lap This is a big difference, as the nature of the damage and injuries reported from the carriage is consistent with a large device at floor level, not a small device at waist level Apparently, 15 years of relevant forensic experience does not equip the commentator to distinguish between statements which refer to... Small rucksack on lap (Large) rucksack on floor This is no Gil Grissom we're dealing with here The style of the commentator's attack is an illustrative example of some of the strategies that apologists for Offical Narratives employ... They insult and patronise in an attempt to provoke an emotional response They ignore effective responses to their insinuations and simply move on to a new line of attack and above all They relentlessly attempt to force those who have identified flaws in an Official Narrative to generate speculations of their own This is not the behaviour of someone who holds a point of view that they know to be well-supported. This the behaviour of someone who is either unconciously dissonant or consciously deceptive. This is what you do when you know you are defending a flawed position And it doesn't help when, as illustrated by the following misguided comment I just saw under an Aangirfan post, truthers play right into the hands of those who would distract you from the weaknesses in their fairy story... "Maybe they just paid the guy off and he figures he's lost his legs in a bombing so why not profit from it. Even bomb victims can be ready to serve tyranny, either that or brainwashed at some point. These people did 911, so magicking up this "witness" is hardly beyond them." To put it another way Imagine you arranged to meet someone at a certain time and place They don't turn up The next day you phone that person and ask them why they didn't show The person says 'But I was there!' You say 'No you weren't' The person then says 'If I wasn't there where do you think I was? And why? And with who?' Would you be so daft as to even start to answer those questions? (It's worth noting that after nine years of bullshit about holographic aircraft, space beams, MI6 vs CIA vs Mossad, LIHOP/ MIHOP/ BUNNYHOP, etc etc, 9/11 Truthers are finally realising that it might just be better to stick with fundamental facts that as wide a number of them as possible can agree to be 'True'... DECLARATION: NO MUSLIMS PROVEN INVOLVED IN 9/11) Labels: 7/7, Bullshit, Cognitive Infiltration, Dissonance, Perfidious Harm FF15MP Spot the Difference Contest #51 A. Sir William Cubitt "The prison treadmill was invented in England in 1817 by Sir William Cubit, who observed prisoners lying around in idleness and put himself to the task of "reforming offenders by teaching them habits of industry." B. Ian Duncan Smith "jobseeker(s) would benefit from experiencing the "habits and routines" of working life, an unemployed person will be told to take up "mandatory work activity" of at least 30 hours a week for a four-week period. If they refuse or fail to complete the programme their jobseeker's allowance payments, currently £50.95 a week for those under 25 and £64.30 for those over 25, could be stopped for at least three months." And if your answer was 'I can't see much difference but IDS does look like he's having sex with a goat' you can write your name on a scrap of paper and stick it in the raffle box Compelling people to work for less than two quid an hour might, just possibly, bump into one or two small snags. The work has to be exceptionally unskilled, can't compete with work currently being done by people actually earning enough to exist, and it can't matter if The Compelled do, as is likely, a really shit job of it Cubitt-style treadmills offer a tried and tested solution to these problems, especially when connected to a big windmill, or some rocks This is an all-weather solution and doesn't involve much additional expense on stripey outfits, chains, shotguns, dogs, riding crops, mirrored shades or any of the other paraphenalia associated with managing reluctant groups of labourers in open spaces And if any whinging do-gooders start complaining that this kind of enforced physical drudgery does nothing for upper body strength, you could always compel the feckless to alternate between treadmills and operating some of these wall-mounted bad boys... ...as once used in Dartmoor Prison, that's the one still privately owned by the Royal Family Of course, if IDS were brave enough to be a true neo-radical he could use cranks and treadmills to interface* all of the unemployed with electrical generators, commoditise their output US prison style, draw up a few bonds and turn them over to our fabulous banking industry to make a market with. * = something like a person-sized Skinner Box, but with an axle Labels: it's the bankers stupid, Neo-serfdom, plus ça change, What a cnt Mainstream Conspiraloons #17 - Noam Chomsky, well sort of... "The explicit and declared motive of the [Afghanistan] war was to compel the Taliban to turn over to the United States, the people who they accused of having been involved in World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist acts. The Taliban…they requested evidence…and the Bush administration refused to provide any" "We later discovered one of the reasons why they did not bring evidence: they did not have any." Labels: Mainstream Conspiraloon Hope and Democracy? I st on Hope and Democracy (redux) All things considered, nowhere near as formidable as some principles backed by a dash of bloody-mindedness There's a post over at Craig Murray's blog which has a stab at a reasonable summary of the current plight of the UK and which ends with the line 'I see no hope' A moderately interesting discussion ensued in the comments underneath, on the subject of the impending national implosion and the nature of hope and democracy. That was until Craig's devoted trolls got stuck in and people started calling each other cnts Personally, I've maintained for a long time now that, just on a mathematical basis alone, the UK is economically and therefore probably socially fucked for a fair while into the future. Whilst, on the face of it, that's a pretty pessimistic point of view, I'd argue that living through some kind of unpleasantness is the only way the majority of people will realise that they've allowed the significance of their own lives to be devalued in exchange for some cheap junk, both physical or psycological So, I believe that there's a good chance that 'things' will eventually get better but only after some serious interim grief But this 'hope' thing? People who need hope to get by run the very considerable risk of losing it Should someone only do what they believe to be the Right Thing if they expect success at the end of it? Or should they do it because they believe it is the Right Thing to do? I'm all for picking my battles and only getting into fights that I expect to win, at an acceptable cost. That's on one level. On a higher level, if you think in terms of a war that you believe to be worth fighting, rather than the individual battles which make up a war, the fight justifies itself, regardless of the expected outcome. As long as you've been true to yourself and done the best that you can, hope doesn't come into it If the analogy with warfare seems too melodramatic, think about commercial pilots flying stricken aircraft. If you've ever heard a crash tape there is something uniquely spooky about doomed aircrew working through their recovery routines right up to the moment their plane hits the ground. But however unnatural that behaviour might seem to be, would you rather, as a passenger, have people who behave like that up front or the kind of people who'd take time out on the way down to say, or think, 'gosh, I hope we don't crash' Bollocks to hope Spivs like this are in the hope-peddling business... They are also in the democracy-peddling business There's a lot of discussion in the Conspirasphere about the nature of, and possible replacements for, the existing money system There's a lot less discussion about political systems Which is understandable, given the way that such crucial subjects as economics and civics are misrepresented in our schools We've all got a lot of catching up to do, and the money thing has been uppermost in most people's minds, but the political system is actually more important as it dictates who controls the money supply The prevailing narrative goes that democracy is the least worst system available to us and, with the fall of communism, there are no viable alternatives on the table A little while back, I was supervising a group of young kids; four girls and three boys. They were working on a project that required a series of decisions to be made. And it didn't take too long for the girls to decide that the best way to reach those decisions was on the basis of a majority vote, which they called for regularly. I enjoyed the comedy frustration of the boys for a little while before imposing a somewhat less democratic system of government Without some constitutional basis which lays down invariable principles, democracy is open to becoming the tyranny of the majority over the minority. Or in the case of most British parliaments in recent years, the minority over the majority And the mob is very easily bought off with some bread, a few circuses and a dash of cynical fear-mongering Democracy, fuck yeah! Plutocrats absolutely love unconstrained democracy. That's why they've got soldiers forcing it on people at gunpoint around the world It's worth remembering, as many Conspiraloons already appreciate, that the founding fathers of the USA set it up as a Constitutional Republic, not a Democracy, and they thought things through long and hard before doing so. Admittedly, many of the founding fathers were genocidal slave owners but, perversely, they do appear to have created a system which had the potential to work against their own class interest. This is not normal, was probably not wholly intentional, and is unlikely to be repeated on a regular basis Now, here's the tricky question How do you impose a set of fundamental principles on a society which establish the rights of the individual and minority groups in such a way that they cannot subsequently be removed by the 'democratic' majority? How do you do that in a democratic way? And what's to stop the plutocrats imposing their own, deliberately flawed, set of allegedly fundamental principles? I only mention this because I suspect it might become an issue at some point in the not too super distant future Labels: not long to wait now Good ol' Phil Now, as it happens, I've attended a few of the demos where these kind of offending placards have been displayed and, yes, it's always limited to a handful of demonstrators who operate outside of the mass of far more pleasant protestors (who occasionally offer to share their packed lunches with white infidels such as myself - I recommend the samosas) and, yes, the press photographers do spurn taking representative images and prefer to cluster around the half a dozen rent-a-fanatics like flies around shit And if your answer to the Spot the Difference Challenge was something like 'at least the BNP would pull the UK out of Iraq and Afghanistan', help yourself to a sweetie from the jar at the front of the room Labels: agent provocateur, Bullshit, first They came for the Muslims, Hate, Protocols of the Elders of Islam, Triumph of the Shill, two wings of the same bird, What a cnt Mainstream Conspiraloons #207 - Lord James of Blackheath "Wibble" Now here's something you don't read every day... "For the past 20 weeks I have been engaged in a very strange dialogue with the two noble Lords, in the course of which I have been trying to bring to their attention the willing availability of a strange organisation which wishes to make a great deal of money available to assist the recovery of the economy in this country. For want of a better name, I shall call it foundation X. That is not its real name, but it will do for the moment. Foundation X was introduced to me 20 weeks ago last week by an eminent City firm, which is FSA controlled. Its chairman came to me and said, "We have this extraordinary request to assist in a major financial reconstruction. It is megabucks, but we need your help to assist us in understanding whether this business is legitimate". I had the biggest put down of my life from my noble friend Lord Strathclyde when I told him this story. He said, "Why you? You're not important enough to have the answer to a question like that". He is quite right, I am not important enough, but the answer to the next question was, "You haven't got the experience for it". Yes I do. I have had one of the biggest experiences in the laundering of terrorist money and funny money that anyone has had in the City. I have handled billions of pounds of terrorist money." Lord James is 72 Labels: Mainstream Conspiraloon, Shadowy Overlords, WTF Mainstream Conspiraloons #136 - Randy Quaid I originally posted this link on the Conspiraloon Alliance blog because I thought it was too batshit for this blog, but WTF... Labels: Mainstream Conspiraloon, WTF Time to go away now pt2 Cheers to Anon for the link to this series of presentations by Damon Vrabel entitled 'Debunking Money' So far, I've watched the first in the series... ...and whilst it doesn't offer much in the way of new material for veteran Loons, Vrabel's delivery is 'concise and easy to understand' Which might be handy, as we're now getting to the stage where those of us who have been grazing the Net for some time have a pretty good idea of what's going on with the Money thing and, rather than preaching to the choir and discussing this material amongst ourselves, we probably should be thinking about reaching out to the majority of people who are waking up to the fact that they are being rogered senseless but don't quite understand how Naturally, I reserve the right to pull the link to Vrabel's videos if and when I discover that he starts talking about Space Newts, dons white robes or instructs viewers to send otherwise worthless money to some bearded Loon and his followers in a compound in the Mojave Desert. That is, after all, a vaguely suspicious haircut he's sporting there * = Something must be in the air/ water. Otherwise, how else could you account for a once unthinkable headline such as this... Bank of England Head Mervyn King Proposes Eliminating Fractional Reserve Banking NB Don't be holding your breath now Time to go away now Once upon a time if you wanted to bomb the crap out of someone you used to have to use something like this... The Avro Lancaster. An iconic aircraft viewed with respect and affection by the British people who lived through World War 2. Which, given the huge number of people who died in them and were killed by them, is a pretty strong endorsement for the effectiveness of wartime propaganada Britain built 7,500 Lancasters at a cost of something like £50,000 each (£1,600,000 in today's money). About 3,300 of these planes and their crews of seven highly trained men were shot down during the war. Total RAF Bomber Command losses of all types of aircraft was 8,500 planes and 57,000 crew Which was fab news for the industrialists who sold the aircraft and the bankers who created the money to buy them but, still, not as profitable as it could have been. Back in those days, building and operating fleets of bombers required masses of skilled labour that needed training and paying All of which reduced the bottom line severely Nowadays, thanks to improved technology, if you want to bomb the crap out of someone you can use something like this... and one of these... ...coming in at a higher unit cost than an Avro Lancaster, a much lower labour component and the operators pay to train themselves whilst they're still children It would be lovely to think that all those labour savings mean that people who would otherwise be fabricating and operating machinery of mass death would consequently be employed fabricating and operating other, less unpleasant things Unfortunately, our current System does not require their skills anywhere else either For something like 100-150 years that System required an educated, skilled workforce to tend machinery and manage empire. Thanks to advances in technology, most of that educated, skilled workforce is now surplus to requirements and the System would like Us to, thanks for everything, go away now And before We go away, that System would like to hoover up whatever crumbs of capital We managed to collectively accumulate over those last 100-150 years All of which should be bleeding obvious but a lot of people just don't seem to get it and insist on believing that news like this... ...is somehow an unfortunate consequence of the harsh economic times we live in and not part of a Systematic eradication of a class of people that is now surplus to requirements It would seem that, by some completely unguided, stochastic process, our colleges and universities are being transformed from institutions which produce educated people capable of productive work and critical thinking into factories which produce dumbed-down debt bitches primed for a lifetime of shitty, service sector jobs and neo-serfdom Which is just what our establishment needs and wants What a marvelous coincidence At which point one could argue till the cows come home whether this marvelous coincidence is... a) the result of deliberate planning by a shadowy cabal of finance capitalists conspiring away on a little island somewhere b) the natural consequence of finance capitalists acting in their class interest without much in the way of deliberate collusion But to be honest, as with most of these debates about whether or not a conspiracy is at work, when you are on the receiving end the motivations of the people fucking you are largely academic Your first priority should be to relieve your tormentors of the means by which they are fucking you Labels: Cui Bono?, it's the bankers stupid, Neo-serfdom, Shadowy Overlords, stochastics, the C word, the warfare state Mainstream Relief Valves #17 - George Carlin Every self-respecting Conspiraloon has already seen the following clip numerous times but it is so beautifully expressed that I've never really tired of it It's taken from 'Life is Worth Losing', a HBO Special by George Carlin And what struck me the last time I watched the clip is the enthusiasm of the audience response to Carlin's routine. In a handful of minutes Carlin, articulately and passionately, summarises the essence of Our predicament. The crowd clearly loves being told about how it is getting fcked in the rear end and whoops and cheers every time Carlin pauses for breath And then? They all went home And presumably carried on getting fcked in the rear end as usual Which, if you think about it for a moment, is quite peculiar behaviour 'You're getting fcked!' 'Ha Ha, That's so true. Guffaw Guffaw' 'No really. I mean it!' 'Tee Hee. Got to go home now so that I can get up tomorrow and get fcked some more. Ho Ho' And if you think about it for a while longer, it's simple enough to figure out why Carlin, and people like Carlin, were and are allowed to have their little rants Just as long as they're not offering any viable alternatives Labels: All the World's a stage, Dissonance, truthiness Deep Parenti Thanks to the spectre of cognitive infiltration, the Conspiraloon™ Alliance has few in the way of heroes it can place faith in in these difficult times. Michael Parenti is, however, one of the handful of serious academics such as Peter Dale Scott, Michael Hudson and Jesse 'The Body' Ventura that the Alliance currently looks upon favourably. That is until if and when they are exposed as being the COINTELPRO scum that they possibly are Definitely not COINTELPRO vermin, probably As Michael P. himself said recently 'Democracy isn't about trust ...trust is something you should reserve for close friends and loved ones ...and even then you should check them out once in a while' Thanks to The Antagonist for pointing me to an mp3 of a speech Parenti made earlier this year at the Understanding Deep Politics conference Michael Parenti: Deep Ideology and Conspiracy Parenti's getting on a bit and he does lose his way momentarily a couple of times in his presentation. But this is Parenti we're talking about and even a Parenti who pauses occasionally to think to himself about what's for dinner tonight and if he should put on a cardigan or not is still a class act Highlights of the talk include... A listing of the intellectual alternatives to what is now termed 'Conspiracy Theory. Alternatives such as "Innocence theory", "Somnabulist theory", "coincidence theory", "stupidity theory", "incompetence theory" and the trusty old loon favourite "stochastic theory" (shit happens) A discussion of how the Few have managed to narrow the range of permitted public political discourse down to a point where any suggestion that the establishment is run by people of deliberate bad faith is designated as being in the same category as Elvis sightings Identification of what should be a blindingly obvious point that, for some logically inconsistent reason, it's OK to believe that Labour organises to pursue its own self-interest in the best way that it can but to believe that oligrach's do the same is popularly dismissed as insanity. A notion enthusiastically promoted by media owned and controlled by those self-same oligarchs Parenti also ponders upon the fact that those who consider themselves to be of the Liberal Left have been suckered into being some of the most vigorous supporters of this kind of elite-serving bullshit thinking It's Parenti. It's Good Stuff Labels: Cognitive Infiltration, Conspiracies Rule Suckers, Liberté Egalité Conspiralunaté Peace through superior firepower A few days ago I was engaged in conversation with a non-conspiratorially minded chum who works in UK property sales Times are definitely a changing as, for the first time, he acknowledge to me that, yes, the UK possibly was headed towards a period of severe economic hardship for the massses. He was, however, confident that the UK government 'has got clever people working behind the scenes who can see what's coming and the government probably has already started spending money on starting up some industries that will help pay us out of the mess the country's in' My response was that there is absolutely no sign of that whatsoever and that whatever industry we could think of getting into, the Asian economies can think of getting into with a much lower cost base. Even if they consented to enduring the same standard of living as the Chinese or Indians, the wages of British workers cannot be slashed to be competitive with Chinese or Indian labour because UK property costs are so much higher. Property costs that the British have to meet directly in rent or mortgages and indirectly through the rentier element concealed within the price of essential goods and services However, as I explained to my chum, I have seen copious evidence that the British, and other Western, establishments are preparing for the possiblity of some kind of economic collapse. They haven't invested much in the way of productive manufacturing industry but they have spent shed loads on tooling-up their police forces But that, my chum argued, was necessary because of the threat of terrorism... Evidently, he's still in need of a little more conspirasizing I've been pulled up a couple of times in this blog for suggesting that British police have become more like para-militaries in recent years. The people who've pulled me up have have referred to the pitched battles, complete with cavalry, during the miners strike and the treatment meted out to people like Blair Peach and Stephen Waldorf as being evidence that the police have always been a bit 'tasty' when it comes to dealing with people who get in their way And, yes, these commentators have a point but, with all respect, have you taken a look at the British police recently... Even former senior coppers and yes, though I still can't quite believe it, Max 'Have you read my book about how great the SS were' Hastings have recently written articles suggesting that having machine-gun toting police who can execute people with impunity is probably not the way for supposedly civilised societies to go... How can the public feel safe when the police are so scared? Of course, the police have a tough job. But to shoot dead Mark Saunders like a mad dog was an affront to the values of a decent society Sir Max Hastings - sole liberator of the Falkland Islands and born-again bleeding heart pinko fag subversive But even these (presumably) principled voices against the militarisation of our police compromise their argument by agreeing that, because of the threat of terrorism, there is a place for some British policemen to be kitted out with the kind of weaponry and mentality that wouldn't be out of place in a 1970s junta, but only sometimes Now, to me, it's plain as day that the Terror threat is being at least bigged-up, and possibly at least partially instigated, by the numerous interest groups that benefit from a society collectively crapping its pants But that's actually a moot point Even if I believed that the Terror threat was 100% genuine and as really, really scary as our Overlords keep telling us it is, we should still reject the surveillence state and militarised police on the time-honoured bases that those who surrender liberty for a little temporary safety really do deserve neither, that freedom has a price and that if we change our society in response to terrorism the terrorists have achieved their objectives You will hear none of these arguments being promoted by British politicians, journalists or officially sanctioned (low) pressure groups like Liberty The gun fashionably displayed by the group of licenced potential killers in this photo is a variant of the iconic Heckler & Koch MP5... The MP5 can chuck out bullets at rates of up to 500-600 rounds a minute. It's black, it's scary looking and it can kill a lot of people very quickly. It's the kind of high-quality weapon that gives serious gun nuts a roaring chubby just thinking about it. MP5s, and a smattering of the higher velocity H&K G36, are now a common sight in London in the hands of Metropolitan police officers. If you're ever at one of London's airports take a look up sometime and you'll see police officers at the mezzanine levels strutting around with their MP5s, presumably ready to cut loose from elevated positions of fire at the drop of a hat. If you think about it for a moment that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Even if the quality of domestic terrorist was to take a quantum leap up from the kind of sad losers who make bombs out of flour and set fire to their underpants to the kind of terrorists who actually have access to guns, are the police really going to open fire with machine guns in crowded airport terminals? And, even if so, why do those armed police have to be there right in front of our fucking faces all the time? The answer, I fear, is the same reason why the government sent light tanks to Heathrow before the invasion of Iraq. That weaponry is not there to scare potential (and, remember, allegedly suicidal) terrorists. It's there to scare us The reason why I mention all of this now is because of this recent snippet from the State Broadcasting Company... Police in training for 'Mumbai-style' gun attack in UK ...suspects were planning to copy the 2008 attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai, where 10 gunmen went on a three-day rampage, killing 166 people and injuring more than 300, the sources said. In response police armed response units are being given more powerful weapons. Our correspondent said the UK authorities had been planning for such an attack ever since Mumbai happened. "David Cameron has taken a personal interest in the problem ever since his first threat assessment given to him when he took office in May. "Now police armed response units are getting their firepower and their stocks of ammunition increased to deal with multiple terrorists armed with automatic weapons," he said. More powerful than MP5s and G36s?! What the fuck are they planning to start dishing out? A few days ago I posted this clip as being a possible model for the introductory titles to any new TV series about the Metropolitan Police... It was an attempt at weak humour And it's weaker by the day * = You remember the Mumbai attack, that's the one that included operatives with connections with US intelligence that the Indians are getting pissy about. A back-story that has been lavishly covered by the British State Broadcasting Company. Or, there again, maybe not. And don't forget to read the hard-hitting, insightful and totally objective analysis from the SBC's totally unspooky Frank Gardner to the right of the article about UK police being armed with gatling guns or whatever the fuck it is they're getting. Frank's analyses are worth the State Propaganda Tax on their own Labels: Bullshit, Fascism, fear is my business and business is booming, imagine a boot stamping on a human face, it couldn't happen here, media whores, New Normal, State Broadcasting Company, the Very Real More 7/7 CCTV-based chicanery identified by J7... All is explained, or rather identified as being unexplained here... The Curious Case of the Jag That Parked in the Daytime Labels: 7/7, Bullshit, Dead Men Tell No Tales Activist Comedy GOLD!! aka No-one is going to save us, except ourselves You've got to love the timing of the second placard being raised siliently into view... ...and a couple of gold stars to the cameraman who didn't warn Robinson that his fatuous twaddle, fatuous twadlle that Robinson's viewers would forget as soon as he stopped talking, was being interrupted by something real This clip reminded me of a point I've tried to communicate to fellow Loons and Bloggers who still, deep down, nurse the idea that there are 'Good' mainstream journalists out there who, given the right material and circumstances, will help change the world No, no there are not There are no dishevelled, semi-alcholic rogues with a passion for a scoop begging their editors for 'just another 24 hours'. Just like there is no Death Star sporting a critical design flaw that makes it vulnerable to a single shot from a lone virtuous warrior These are myths brought to you by the people who fabricate the news and manufacture Death Stars Labels: Culture Jam, media whores, State Broadcasting Company, the warfare state, What a cnt And the Orwell Prize for Journalism 2010 goes to..... 'There was a suggestion you were rolling towards t... Shillebrity Death Match #23 - Max Keiser vs. Alex ... Mainstream Conspiraloons #17 - Noam Chomsky, well ... Hope and Democracy? I s*t on Hope and Democracy (... Mainstream Conspiraloons #207 - Lord James of Blac... Activist Comedy GOLD!! aka No-one is going to save...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line414
__label__wiki	0.510474	0.510474	Tag: Domestic Violence Network and Domestic Violence News Story Domestic Violence News Story South Africa Abuse isn’t just about bruises. Not all forms of abuse leave bruises where we can see them,Domestic Violence News Story in South Africa . Although physical abuse is terrifying and needs to be addressed immediately there are other forms of abuse that can cause significant damage. One type of abuse that is very difficult for outsiders to detect is financial abuse. Marriage should be a partnership but when one spouse completely dominates the finances to the point that the other spouse has no control and no options financial abuse may be occurring. Financial abuse occurs when one spouse is treated like an irresponsible child and Domestic Violence History . They are cut off from funds and their knowledge about the couple’s finances is severely limited. Some signs of financial abuse include: Other witnesses can be incredibly powerful on your behalf. Financial abuse is hard for people outside the relationship to detect. So when someone credible comes in and tells the judge that it is happening and they can see it the judge will listen and Abuse Programs Near Me . Domestic Violence News Story in South Africa ? Abuse isn't just about bruises. Not all forms of abuse leave bruises where we can see them. Although physical abuse is terrifying and needs to be addressed immediately there are other forms of abuse that can cause significant damage. One type of abuse that is very difficult for outsiders to detect is financial abuse. Marriage should be a partnership but when one spouse completely dominates the finances to the point that the other spouse has no control and no options financial abuse may be occurring. Signs of Potential Financial Abuse Financial abuse occurs when one spouse is treated like an irresponsible child. They are cut off from funds and their knowledge about the couple's finances is severely limited. Some signs of financial abuse include: •Strict Allowances. This isn't an amount that the spouses have agreed to limit themselves to but is instead a set amount that is grudgingly handed out from one spouse to the other and is all that will be given. Documents, documents, documents. Written evidence is incredibly strong and can range from credit card bills showing that there is a credit card but that you aren't named on it to emails from your spouse that show the financial abuse. Other witnesses can be incredibly powerful on your behalf. Financial abuse is hard for people outside the relationship to detect. So when someone credible comes in and tells the judge that it is happening and they can see it the judge will listen. How Do You Handle Narcissistic Abuse? Domestic Violence charges are treated differently than most other criminal cases because from the outset of the charge, not the conviction, it is very likely that you will have your home and your children taken from you. We are supposed to have a criminal system where you are innocent until proven guilty but as you will discover that is not the case with Domestic Violence charges. This survival guide will help explain the system you're up against and how to get through it. Do not plead guilty at Arraignment. Arraignment is the first formal court appearance in a criminal case. During this hearing, you will be formally notified of the criminal charge against you and given the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. DO NOT PLEAD GUILTY! This is obvious in cases where you do not believe you've done anything wrong but is also true in cases where you do think you've done something wrong. There is no benefit in pleading guilty up front but there may be costs in doing so. Some inexperienced people mistakenly believe that if they plead guilty at arraignment, they will get a lighter sentence than if they plead guilty later. This is incorrect. The reverse is much more common; you will likely get sentenced harder if you plead guilty up front. If you decide to plead guilty later, the Judge will not use the fact that you pled not guilty initially against you. By pleading not guilty at Arraignment, what you are really saying to the Judge is that you want a chance to see what evidence the Prosecutor has and if you feel it is sufficient to prove your guilt then you want a chance to negotiate with the Prosecutor for a better outcome. Pre-Trial No Contact Orders. In most criminal cases, a Judge will issue an order directing the Defendant not have any contact with the alleged victim. In Domestic Violence cases, that order can be extended to the victim's home, place of work, and children. These orders are issued before there is a finding of guilt and can render a Defendant homeless. If you work at the same place as your spouse then you might just find yourself out of a job too. Whether or not the children were involved with the incident, you can be prohibited from seeing them. Stipulated Orders of Continuance / Pre-Trial Diversion Agreements These are contracts, nothing more. You make an agreement with the Prosecutor's Office to do (and not do) certain things, like entering a Domestic Violence Treatment Program and stay out of trouble. If you comply with the contract, the case is dismissed. Reduced Charge It is often possible to get a Domestic Violence charge re-filed as a different, less serious, charge. The factors involved are: the facts of the current case, the Defendant's criminal history, and the position of the alleged victim. Examples of reduced charges are: Disorderly Conduct or Simple Assault without the DV tag. Only the State can bring criminal charges. With any criminal charge, including Domestic Violence, only the State can bring the charge - not the alleged victim in your case. This means that even if the person labeled "victim" wants the No Contact Order or the entire case to simply go away, they don't have the power to dismiss it; only the Prosecutor does Joint Bank Accounts. Be aware that some Victims Advocates are advising alleged victims to drain joint bank accounts. This advice leaves Defendants in the impossible position of becoming suddenly homeless due to the no contact order and penniless. Gun Rights. Conviction for a crime labeled Domestic Violence will forfeit your rights to own or possess firearm for the rest of your life. This is true even in cases where no gun was used, threatened, mentioned or even owned by the defendant. Because of the nature of Domestic Violence charges, you need to find an attorney that understands the complexity of these charges and what you can do about them. If you have questions specific to your case, please give me a call. I do not charge money for an initial consultation and I can answer many questions over the phone or via email. Copyright © The Cahoon Law Office - All Rights Reserved. Stop Abuse Have Domestic Violence Magazine Articles List Author SimbaPosted on July 18, 2018 July 18, 2018 Categories Domestic Violence Magazine Articles 2018Tags Abuse Agencies Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Classes Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Counseling Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Counselors Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Groups Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Hotline Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Lawyers Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Programs Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Support Groups Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Abuse Therapy Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Education and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Effects and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Effects On Children and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Effects On Society and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Emotional Abuse and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Essay and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Essay Conclusion and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Essay Introduction and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Essay Pdf and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Examples and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Facts and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Group Therapy and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Groups and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Guidelines and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Gun Laws and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Guns and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Hashtags and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Help and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Helpline and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence History and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Hotline and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Hotline In and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Hotline Number and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Network and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence News and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence News Stories and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence News Story and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence On Children and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence On Men and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence On Women and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Organisation and Domestic Violence News Story, Domestic Violence Organisations and Domestic Violence News Story, How To Prevent Domestic Violence and Domestic Violence News Story, How To Report Domestic Violence and Domestic Violence News Story, How To Stop Domestic Violence and Domestic Violence News Story, Outpatient Substance Abuse Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Report Animal Abuse Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Substance Abuse Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story, Therapist Narcissistic Abuse Near Me and Domestic Violence News Story	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line417
__label__wiki	0.932644	0.932644	We've moved! Our new address is 2803 Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11229. Non Theatrical Log In / Register Order Status Non Theatrical Log In Book a Film Academy Award Winners Kartemquin Films Sensory Ethnography Lab Loud Roar Productions Pacific Street Films Flaherty Collection Directed by Women African-American Studies Aging / Gerontology Asian-American Studies Criminal & Law Latin-American Studies Narrative Films Puerto Rican Studies Terrorism Studies META-MECANO: THE CREATION OF THE JEAN TI... META-MECANO: THE CREATION OF THE JEAN TINGUELY MUSEUM Price: $310.00  DVD Digital Site License DVD & Digital Site License (+$155) Directed by Rudolf Gerber 1997, 64 mins. Purchase: $310 Classroom Rental: $125 This video follows the sculptures of the late Jean Tinguely (1925-1991), one of Europe's most popular artists, as they are transported from his Swiss studio to their new home at the Museum of Basel. Their journey is interspersed with scenes of the museum's construction, and interviews with the architect, Mario Botta, Tinguely's widow, artist Niki de Saint Phalle, and Tinguely's longtime assistant, Seppi Imhof. The video culminates at the gala inauguration of the Jean Tinguely Museum, where the whimsical metal structures are formally bestowed to the public. Interviews with architect Mario Botta about his design for the impressive new museum are interspersed with archival footage from the Seventies of Tinguely, who describes his work. Botta, known for the solidity and permanence of his buildings, contrasts vividly with Tinguely and his fantastic mobile sculptures, which he refers to as his "festival of errors." Niki de Saint Phalle describes her love for Tinguely's work and the importance of preserving it for future generations, while Seppi Imhof's devotion to Tinguely and his work is conveyed in his reminiscences. Meta-Mecano reveals a marvelous world of matter and motion, one where civilization and nature, the spiritual and the mechanical, and motion and inertia, are constantly at odds. Subjects & Collections Urban Studies Europe Art History Architecture * Grand Prix, Paris International Film Festival "Gerber demonstrates exceptional craft, incorporating commentary from architect Mario Botta (who designed the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) and welder and longtime Tinquely associate Seppi Imhof, among others. The process of watching the building being designed, constructed and opened to the public is as engrossing as Tinguely's sculptures. Including a wide array of music from Vinz Vonlathen and a stunning moving shot of the completed, empty museum, Gerber has boldly redefined art documentaries just as Tinguely exploded ideas on sculpture." - Entertainment Today "The system took a long time to absorb and museumify him...and this is what the film is really about: the museumification of the artist and the rebel Tinguely." - Neue Zuricher Zeitung Films for the educational community. Copyright © 2019 The Cinema Guild, Inc.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0022.json.gz/line418

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