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__label__wiki	0.563307	0.563307	Mike Glennon Derek Carr Landry Jones Jon Gruden Nathan Peterman Antonio Brown Sports Sports transactions Sports business NFL football Professional football Football Free agency Oakland Raiders Arizona Cardinals Jacksonville Jaguars Pittsburgh Steelers Raiders sign backup quarterback Landry Jones - Apr. 11, 2019 08:55 AM EDT Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks to the media during the NFC/AFC coaches breakfast during the annual NFL football owners meetings, Tuesday, March 26, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent quarterback Landry Jones. The move on Tuesday gives the Raiders another potential backup behind starter Derek Carr. Oakland signed Mike Glennon earlier in free agency and also has Nathan Peterman on the roster. Jones was originally a fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2013. He has played 18 games with five starts in his career, completing 108 of 169 passes for 1,310 yards, eight TDs, seven interceptions and an 86.2 passer rating. "I like him because he has experience," coach Jon Gruden said. "I've seen him win games as a starter. I think his history with Antonio Brown will help me personally. A productive guy. He's a quick study. He can learn. He can go out there and function on game day with very little reps, and that is a skill that is hard to find. "I'll get a lot from that. I'll break down all of Antonio's targets — I don't just break it down one play after another, it's this play, this is the play they are running. Why did he run this route? How did they coach this route? ... You learn a lot of things they asked him to do, and that will help me." More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1612969
__label__cc	0.671874	0.328126	Arabian Paganism and Islam’s Pagan Origins by Týra Alrune Sahsnotasvriunt in Comparative Religion, Gods & Goddesses, Islam, Political cults posing as Religion, Religious Science, Wathanism - Arabian Paganism Tags: Allah, AlLat, AlUzzah, comparative religion, death cults, Goddess, Goddesses, Gods, Islam, Islamism, Islamofascism, Koran, Manat, Muslim, Muslims, oppression of women, Paganism, religious oppression written by Týra Alrune Sahsnotasvriunt (Mohammed and his followers went on a rampage to destroy every trace of Paganism in Arabia, but at least a few survived! A relief of AlLat, 100 AD) Muslims call the time pre islam “jahiliyyah” – age of ignorance. In turn what muslims are ignorant of is that the Allah/Al-ilah they worship is but an ancient Pagan deity. Most of what we know of Arabian polytheism is from scanty reliefs and stone inscriptions and from Ibn al-Kalbi’s “Kitab al-asnam”, Book of Idols. The name Allah is the personal name of the God of the moon. He was married to the Goddess of the sun and had three children with her, the “daughters of Allah”. His daughters’ names were AlLat (“The Goddess”), Goddess of harvest, fertility, and love. Like her mother she was associated with the sun. She might be related to Greek Leto, mother of the sun God Apollo. AlUzza (“the Mighty One”) was the Goddess of honor, justice, war, and passion. She was associated with the stars. Manat was the Goddess of fate, death, and the afterlife. Like Allah she was associated with the moon. Medina is named after her. The Gods in this divine family were considered “high Gods”, meaning they were at the top of the pantheon of Arabic deities. Some view them as separate although connected deities, but most non-islamic scholars agree that Allah and Hubal are one and the same God. One of Hubal’s names is also “Lord of the seven oracle arrows”, the number seven representing the moon. The “horns” of fertility of the moon deity Hubal towered atop the Kaaba as the most powerful deity of all. The horns were made up of the crescent moon with its tips (horns) pointing upwards. The same crescent moon that is now adorning so many flags of islamic countries and is essentially the symbol for mohammedanism today. On the same Kaaba quadrat annually circled by Muslims instead of Pagans now. The religion changed, the God they worship is still the same old lunar deity though. It is important to note that muslims, christians and jews do not worship “the same God” hence! Christianity is a religion that pieced together its beliefs from Osiric, Dionysic, other proto-Indo-European and samaritan-jewish tribal ideas of a savior figure. Judaism’s YHWH was actually the unity of the heavenly couple. Yeh was another name for El, the fatherly God. His wife was Ashera or also sometimes called Hava or Shua. Their union was Yeh(ha)va YHWH or Yehshua. Think about it… – Yeshua is the Aramaic name of Jesus… But back to Arabian Paganism. Central to polytheist Arabian belief was the idea of ‘barakha’. A holy and animating power or blessing instilled into humans through Gods or djinn (spirits). This power cannot be seen with the eyes, it is a universal soul (power). The only proof for the existence of the Gods was the effects of their deeds in this world, by natural occurrences, miracles and so forth. They are for the most part messengers and mediums of Allah who is “not of this world”, so consequentially the original source of the barakha is Allah himself. Like Catholics pray to God through the Virgin Mary, angels and saints the Arabic people prayed to Allah through these other, “lesser” Gods and spirits. Originally the tawaf was a pilgrimage to and the circling of the Kaaba to worship the 365 God statues inside. (One for each day of the year.) The Kaaba pilgrimage for once united the different tribes and their different practices and Gods. The Kaaba was circled seven times in honor of the seven planets (of the week) and the four lunar phases which each took seven days. The heavenly bodies, as was established earlier, were central to Arabian Pagan worship. Lesser tawafs were made to other holy places, shrines (hajj) all over Arabia also. Typically, worship and rituals were not planned in advance and occurred spontaneously. and can occur at any time. However, there were fixed holy days all revolving around astrology and especially the moon. Common practices included meditation, divination, the erecting or visiting of a temple, swearing an oath or oaths to one or more deities and curiously lion hunts. (If anyone knows more about the connection to lion hunts to Arabian worship please enlighten me!) Also upon entering another village an offering to the local Gods and landspirits had to be made. In the islamic religion the talbiyah (invocation to their god) is the same as during Pagan times. Allah is praised as the highest God. In conclusion if there is a “highest” then there must be lesser Gods. Talbiyah is a prayer formula that Mohammed appears to have neglected to alter accordingly when creating his new monotheistic religion. During the Pagan janazah (funeral) ist was customary for women to shriek, wail and beat at themselves. Some say this was to ward off evil spirits, others say it was so the spirit of the deceased would not enter and possess a living body. Women were considered to be especially susceptible to spirit possession. The ritual animal mass slaughter-bloodbath by the hands of woman, man and child (after the holiday of Eid) is widely known in islamic culture. This, too, stems from Pagan times when the first goat of the flock was sacrificed to AlLat, Goddess of harvest, after summer’s end. It might be best to comment that only men and sometimes women sacrificed to AlLat, never children. Ancient Arabian lunar chart Aqiqah is the islamic practice of sacrificing a sheep or lamb to Allah when a child is born. The Pagan meaning of this sacrifice was to appease Allah so he would take the lamb instead of the child. (Infant mortality was high in ancient Arabia.) Idols called wathan (hence the new name Wathanism for Arabian Neo-Paganism) were interpreted as the temporary house of the baetyl, deities, not as the specific deity itself. They were power points at which the worshipper could invoke the presence of the deity. Wathan for a baetyl The deities and beings of Arabian polytheism are too many to list on here, a list and more thorough description of who they are and their interrelations can be found at sacred-texts archive online or on Wikipedia for example. Many of the later ones already bear the hallmarks of Christian influence. For example Uj ibn Anak is a jabbar, giant, said to have bred with humanity. The whole story reminds a bit of the tale of the nephilim, whereas in the Bible it was angels that had bred with mankind and brought forth the giants (nephilim) hence. Maryam (Mary) was acknowledged as a deity in Arabian Paganism and many Gods from other cultures in the general area were adopted into the pantheon of Arabian Gods as well. Other ways of devotion were tree, animal, phallic worship and the devotion to the Mother Goddess. Unfortunately, despite such rich tribal pantheons of female deities women were still treated rather horribly in the Arab society. Something that the mohammedian religion only made worse evidently. It’s questionable whether there is an actual existent Arabian Neo-Paganism to speak of. There are no written records of it, only accounts of what once was. It is rumored that in the Levant Neo-Paganism is growing, albeit in secret as apostasy from islam is punishable by death. I have found only one person online that described himself as a Wathanist and he was a third generation Jordanian American from a non-muslim family already. Does anyone know of an online forum or Wathanist blog other than the blogspot one, which appears to be dead? If you do, please drop me a line.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1612976
__label__cc	0.602932	0.397068	a paper bird Un pajaro de papel en el pecho / Dice que el tiempo de los besos no ha llegado things I wrote what paper bird? Tag Archives: Accra Agenda Resources for the unbelievers, on aid conditionality and LGBT rights Posted on 26 June 2012 by scottlong1980 Aid received per capita across the global South, 2007: From wphr.org I’ve been working desultorily (a beautiful word: say it slowly: it seems to capture being lazy but just alive enough to claim you’re still doing something) on an article on aid conditionality and LGBT rights. This all comes, of course, from the controversy launched last fall by David Cameron’s declaring his government would cut development assistance to governments that committed violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This statement was idiotic in the pure, Greek sense: Cameron was, in essence, talking to himself. It came without any prior consulting with activists in the countries in question, and was an ill-planned effort to get domestic voices in the UK to shut up and stop pressuring the PM.(They did, obediently.) The ensuing backlash, across Africa and elsewhere, proved exceedingly discouraging about the idea. However, Hillary Clinton’s announcement that LGBT rights were a new US global priority gave new life to the project, and US advocates have urged the Obama administration to enlist American foreign aid money in the cause. Northern governments have ben conditioning development aid on other issues for a while, especially in the last 30 years– usually affixing economic strings (hire our consultants! buy our goods! privatize your hospitals, if you want our aid!), less often political or rights-related ones. I’ll raise specific questions in my article about whether something around sexuality- and gender-related abuses makes them peculiarly resistant to being stopped by such linkages. There are also legitimate concerns, though, about whether such linkages ever work the way they’re meant to, or are ever justified. I’m skeptical they do, or are. I’d like to get some discussion going as I finish the article, and so I’ll share some resources here for others who are skeptical, or in favor, or undecided, in hopes you’ll argue or respond. Respond! Use the comments section, or write me directly. 1) First off: here’s an interview with Radhika Balakrishnan, of the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, that lays out some of the concerns with conditionality clearly. 2) The October 2011 statement by dozens of African activists opposing aid conditionality in the LGBT rights sphere is here. Hakima Abbas’s “Aid, Resistance, and Queer Power” expands on its points; her essay can be found in this booklet from Sexuality Policy Watch (pp. 16-19) along with “Aid conditionality and respect for LGBT people’s rights” by Luis Abolafia Anguita (pp. 9-15). 3) An especially important paper you should examine is this report by AWID (the Association of Women in Development), succinctly called Conditionalities Undermine the Right to Development. It sets out a wide range of facts and arguments on the issue. Because it’s 128 pages long, I’ll try in the following points to summarize some of the background with which it deals. 4) A lot of people (including many of those pushing for aid conditionality) don’t know about the political negotiations in the last 10 years over the issue of how aid works, or doesn’t. By “political” I mean: Northern and Southern governments have actually discussed the subject, sometimes with each other! In 2005, a major ministerial-level meeting produced the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, responding to a wide perception that aid wasn’t being … well, effective. Over 100 countries joined to affirm five pillars of meaningful assistance: Ownership, Harmonisation, Alignment, Results and Mutual Accountability. (OHARMA?) OK, enough buzzwords. The key commitment under “Ownership” was that conditions on aid, if any, should be jointly owned. Donors should draw conditions, whenever possible, from a partner’s national development strategy … Other conditions would be included only when a sound justification exists and would be undertaken transparently and in close consultation with other donors and stake holders. Pragmatically, this recognized that conditions imposed from outside simply weren’t being met. Three years later, another high-level forum in Ghana produced the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA, a way better acronym). This proclaimed, “We will continue to change the nature of conditionality to support ownership” by developing countries. It mandated donors to “work with developing countries to agree on a limited set of mutually agreed conditions based on national development strategies,” and to “document and disseminate good practices on conditionality.” Both these documents can be found here, and straightforward summaries are here and here. It’s important to see that the emphasis on joint commitments, as opposed to taking aid hostage, severely limits how far donor governments should use aid to enforce rights goals that aren’t fully shared (or aren’t integrated into development strategies). Do we want LGBT rights to be the basis for backtracking on these principles? Anti-Debt Coalition activists protest an Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting, Jakarta, 2009 (Reuters) 5) Civil societies and social movements engaged intensely in the lead-up to the Paris and Accra meetings, as well as a further gathering in Busan, Korea, in 2011. And while you might suppose that women’s movements, for example, would want aid more conditioned on rights policies — since they were urging women’s rights and gender equality as core components of development planning — almost exclusively they called for less conditionality. Part of their reasoning involved the possible devastating effect of slashes in aid. They also saw that conditions foreign governments imposed actually prevented civil society in developing countries from being part of the rights discussion: everything turned into an argument between the donor and recipient governments, with domestic voices ignored. A broad coalition of feminist and gender-equality groups in 2011, for instance, called on donors to [m]ove away from policy conditionalities towards consistent application of concepts of multiple responsibility, accountability and transparency among both donor and developing countries. This could be advanced, for example, by supporting democratic scrutiny of development goals, policies and results. Policy conditionalities can have negative impacts on people, particularly on women and girls. They undermine the principle of ownership and contradict the right to development and self-determination. Similar criticisms can be found here. 6) The Paris and Accra documents have come under considerable fire for not going far enough. This (briefer) briefing paper from AWID summarizes some of the critiques. And this analysis by the UK-based Overseas Development Institute looks at the debate over aid effectiveness “through the recipient lens,” by talking to officials in governments that get aid. One criticism is that the Paris-based language doesn’t put sufficient stress on “predictability” of aid — states and societies need to know that money isn’t going to go away when the givers shift their whims. Conditionality is a prime generator of unpredictability in aid. The fact that many Northern donor governments don’t have a cross-party consensus on LGBT rights worsens the prospects in this particular sphere. What happens if Obama imposes conditions on development aid based on getting rid of sodomy laws; then Romney defeats him, and suddenly sodomy laws are OK; then Hillary Clinton gets elected in four years, and abruptly the conditions are back on again? Manic roller-coaster swoops and swerves in the terms of assistance don’t just leave governments confused; they mean that anti-poverty, health or infrastructural programs in country after country can’t plan on future funding, or their own existence. That’s a heavy responsibility for LGBT rights to bear. 7) When advocates talk about “conditionality,” often they mean the set of economic — or combined economic and political — strings that donor governments started attaching to aid in the 1980s and 1990s. International lenders, the World Bank and IMF, were even more radical and reviled movers in this. But surely human rights conditions are a different, friendlier thing altogether? never in history have so many owed so much to so little money from so few No. What’s happened for 30 years is that donors tie human rights into a bundle with something called “economic freedom,” or maybe “good governance,” conceived as governing the economy with a particular set of virtues that will make particular classes rich. After all, they’re all “freedoms,” right? Rights thus get bound up with the infamous “Washington Consensus”: Privatize everything! Shrink the state! Down with protection, up with free trade! Deregulate! This neoliberal “reform” brings wealth to people who are plugged into global flows of capital. It impoverishes pretty much everyone else — women, minorities, unpopular groups even more than others. When human rights get wrapped up with its strictures, they lose their popularity as well. LGBT rights are already seen, in many places, as imports from the insidious Outside. If wedded to imposed neoliberal policies, their street cred likely shrinks to zero. A fine example is a United States concoction called the “Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)” This strange being, set up by the Bush presidency in 2004, reveals how fake-friendly you can make aid conditionality appear, with the right rhetoric. It’s a foreign aid agency with a ton of US money, and a mandate to give it out only based on supposedly clear standards and criteria. If LGBT rights are going to be integrated into US giving, the MCC is one place it will start — and advocates are already targeting it to establish LGBT benchmarks for giving. The MCC grades developing countries on 17 indicators; they must exceed a median score on a number of them to be eligible to apply for money. One set of indicators is called “Ruling Justly,” and includes “civil liberties” and “political liberties.” This is the human-rightsy side. Another is called “Economic Freedom,” and includes “trade policy,” “inflation rate,” and “fiscal policy.” This is the telling part. The “trade policy” benchmarks, for instance, come directly, explicitly, from the Heritage Foundation: a right-wing Washington think tank whose mission — self-described — “is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.” MCC is all about eliminating trade barriers and denuding countries of defenses against foreign purchase and foreign sales. This means ending protective, import-substitution policies for building strong domestic industries: policies that have been the main means, in the last hundred years, for poor countries to develop. It means prying markets open to invasions of US goods, while eviscerating local producers. (The US government’s cabinet-level Trade Representative, statutorily responsible for doing the prying, sits on the MCC’s board.) It’s striking, too, that one of the absolute rather than relative indicators the MCC demands is “inflation rate,” where it insists on a strict maximum of 15%. This restricts countries’ power to devalue their currencies and stimulate their economies. It locks the receipients of MCC aid into the same austerity trap that Eurozone nations are writhing against today. A: Because of all the gay cruise ships that will visit Even the most humane of the MCC’s indicators — the “Investing in People” silo, evaluating public spending on things like health and education — tends toward the lowest standards (and doesn’t pay even lip service to the concept of economic and social rights). The MCC is mainly a brass-knuckle enforcer of neoliberalism, with some salving concessions to human rights in the form of “Ruling Justly” (a bizarre phrase in itself). Despite its cheerful visage, it’s a sinister strategy. Some serious caution is called for before letting LGBT rights be part of its package. To tie them to a project likely to inflict penury on subject populations could well be disastrous. I’m not the only one who says this. For some detailed critiques of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, check out the three articles — by Maurizio Carbone, Emma Mawdsley, and Susanne Soederberg — here. (Because these texts are Rapunzelled in behind academic firewalls, I’ve uploaded them and let down their hair so you can read them. If the authors object, fine, but then they’re bad leftists.) And if you want to find out about your own country’s relations with the MCC, that information (the agency is at least transparent!) is here. My advice: Watch out. But the difficulty transcends the MCC. The donors most likely to give a friendly hearing to LGBT-rights conditionality are donors already practicing conditionality based on “economic liberalization or “open markets”: conditions that, steeped in neoliberalism, are abhorrent to most peoples of the global South. “Symptoms of Neoliberalism”: Cartoon from Mexico, by El Fisgón 8) My real problem with the arguments for aid conditionality goes deeper. It’s that the advocates stay confined within a tightly limited and lopped version of human rights, very different from the one most people in the world believe in. Proponents speak as if, on one side, there were human rights lined up neatly: free expression, freedom from torture, freedom from sodomy laws, and so on. Then on the other, there’s development money. The only relation between the two sides is that, if a country respects the rights, it should get its development money. If it doesn’t, it shouldn’t get any. Or not as much. You would never imagine, hearing these folks promote this vision, that development is itself a human right. The UN General Assembly adopted its “Declaration on the Right to Development” in 1986, stating: The right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized. The Declaration and Programme of Action of the 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights also dealt with the issue extensively: “Democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing,” it affirmed. And: States should cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to development. The international community should promote an effective international cooperation for the realization of the right to development and the elimination of obstacles to development. Imagining that human rights are largely unconnected to development, except to legitimate restricting it, fits with a certain Anglo-American perspective in which economic and social rights don’t exist. But if you do believe development is a right, then to endorse conditionality as part of the standard human rights toolkit is, needlessly and destructively, to pit human rights against each other. The “Quezon City Declaration on AID” — a 2007 manifesto by a coalition of Asian movements and NGOs — states that The kind of aid we want must be premised primarily on a recognition of the history of colonization of countries across Asia, a history that persists in the continued exploitation by the North of the South, particularly the peoples of Asia and the region’s biodiversity. From this lens, aid becomes a matter of global redistributive justice, a just righting of historical wrongs. In this light — and from the perspective of development as a human right — it’s notable that, in 1970, donor countries pledged to devote 0.7% of their GDP to overseas development assistance. Almost none of them do so. In 2010 only five OECD countries met that mark; the US stood mired at less than a third. Surely the first priority of US and European advocates, including LGBT rights advocates, should be to increase their countries’ overall giving to meet their human rights commitments. They shouldn’t use LGBT rights as an excuse for governments to fail their pledges and give less. It’s only by understanding development as a right that you can see how the Quezon City statement can both call on states to reject conditionalities, and enjoin both donors and national governments to adopt a rights-based approach to aid giving, which means ensuring that human rights standards and social development principles guide all development cooperation and programming in all sectors and in all phases of the programming process. Right-holders and their supporters such as human right NGOs should be included in decision-making processes relating to aid money and allocation. Attention must especially be given to those whose voices are at risk of being silenced or marginalized vis-à-vis aid: women, children, and adolescents, or non-citizens such as in/formal migrant workers, indigenous peoples, small farmers and fishers, etc. A “rights-based approach to aid giving” means not using rights to justify cutbacks, but using aid actively and creatively to promote rights, including funding decision-making and participation by the most marginalized communities. The mounting calls for aid conditionality in the LGBT sphere suggest a failure of imagination, an unwillingness to think through creative ways that aid can further rights, not curtail development. We can do better than that. Posted in Economic Justice, Human Rights, LGBT Rights, Uncategorized \| Tagged Accra Agenda, conditionality, David Cameron, development assistance, foreign aid, Hillary Clinton, Millennium Challenge, neoliberalism, overseas assistance, Paris Declaration, Scott Long \| 6 Replies IF YOU LIKE THIS BLOG, WE’D BE GRATEFUL IF YOU PITCH IN Earlier posts by month Earlier posts by month Select Month December 2018 (1) October 2017 (2) November 2016 (3) July 2016 (1) June 2016 (1) November 2015 (1) October 2015 (1) September 2015 (7) August 2015 (3) July 2015 (4) June 2015 (3) May 2015 (8) April 2015 (2) March 2015 (3) February 2015 (5) January 2015 (6) December 2014 (7) November 2014 (5) October 2014 (1) September 2014 (3) August 2014 (1) July 2014 (6) June 2014 (5) May 2014 (5) April 2014 (3) March 2014 (6) February 2014 (1) January 2014 (3) December 2013 (2) November 2013 (4) October 2013 (16) September 2013 (21) August 2013 (10) July 2013 (4) May 2013 (4) April 2013 (2) December 2012 (1) August 2012 (5) June 2012 (6) May 2012 (4) April 2012 (3) March 2012 (34) February 2012 (7) January 2012 (29) December 2011 (13) November 2011 (76) October 2011 (52) September 2011 (6) new around here From Abu Ghraib to Neukölln: Neocon Repetition Compulsion in Berlin Egypt’s Wipe-Out-the-Queers Bill As If: On Alaa Abd el Fattah Egypt: Interrogating the terrorist Scott Long Selling out: The gays and governmentality The UN, seen from Khayelitsha: Guest post Cairo, and our comprador gay movements: A talk Oppose the UK – Jamaica prison deal Slavery’s ghost: Prison imperialism, Jamaica, and the UK Anusbook. 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__label__wiki	0.753339	0.753339	In Egypt, How Free Is Free? Posted on April 10, 2013 by adrienne Egypt is experiencing a suite of problems at the moment. Economic hardship, political discourse and constant violence rattle the day-to-day lives of its citizens, even though the revolution supposedly ended two years ago. Freedom of speech and of the press has been one of these hot-button issues, with activists and journalists brought in for questioning on the grounds of defamation. On March 31st, popular comedian Bassem Youssef joined the ranks of the summoned for commentary on his TV show “El Bernameg” (“The Show”) similar in format to the United States’ “The Daily Show.” Youssef had taken on the government, and it started to feel uneasy about his jabs. A new investigation against me is to be started because oflast episode. Accusations include spreading rumors and disturbing the “Peace” — Dr Bassem Youssef (@DrBassemYoussef) April 1, 2013 The next day, John Stewart, who interviewed Youssef several times, dedicated 11 minutes of his program unpacking the meaning of this media personality’s arrest with his charismatic sarcasm: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi cracks down on satirist @drbassemyoussef. on.cc.com/12ah3D6 #DailyShow — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) April 2, 2013 He ended the segment with a clip of President Morsi asserting his commitment to freedom of speech and the press, along with a direct plea for Morsi to reconsider the actions taken again Youssef (and democracy in general. “…the world is watching. No one wants to see Egypt plunge into darkness. A democracy isn’t a democracy if it only lasts until someone makes fun of your hat.” After the show, the US Embassy in Cairo tweeted the segment to its followers much to the chagrin of the Muslim Brotherhood and the ruling party. But activists commended the Embassy for their bold stance. Unfortunately, some things were not to be. The MB quickly countered, condemning the move. Another undiplomatic & unwise move by @usembassycairo, taking sides in an ongoing investigation & disregarding Egyptian law & culture — Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) April 2, 2013 Promptly, not only the offending tweet, but the entire @USEmbassyCairo account was taken down. Allegedly this was done without White House approval and soon after, the account was re-instated–minus the original tweet. @sameralatrush Hilarious. @usembassycairo deleted all previous tweets regarding #BassemYoussef till March 26th….. 😀 — orit perlov (@oritperlov) April 3, 2013 The next day, the MB continued a barrage of attacks on US policy and relations with the US, both on Twitter and their website. #FJP criticizes USG statements on @drbassemyoussef onging investigations, calling it flagrant meddling in #Egypt‘ domestic affairs “The FJP strongly and totally condemns these statements as made by the US State Department’s spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, because they will have only one interpretation in the Egyptian street: the US welcomes and defends contempt of religion by the media. At the same time, the FJP reiterates and reaffirms its deep respect for freedom of opinion and freedom to criticize executive leaders, including the head of state, within the bounds of the law and the Constitution, with respect for religious and cultural constants of this free revolutionary and independent people.” – excerpt from statement on the MB website Re:@statedept‘s briefing, Amb. Patterson sent an apology for Tweet by phone, promised to review @usembassycairo‘s policy & admitted mistake — Egyptian Presidency (@EgyPresidency) April 5, 2013 Morsi also released a statement (in English) regarding the incident. The President claimed that the accusations brought against Youssef were from a private citizen, and not the government. MT “@egypresidency: Press Release on the questioning of @drbassemyoussef facebook.com/photo.php?fbid…” “Egyptian Presidency Press Release on the Questioning of the Comedian The Presidency reaffirms that Egypt after the revolution has become a state of law with independent Judiciary. Hence, the Prosecution’s summoning of any Egyptian citizen regardless of his title or fame is the decision of the Prosecutor General, who operates independently from the presidency. The current legal system allows for individual complaints to be brought to the Prosecutor General. All the current well-publicized claims were initiated by citizens rather than the Presidency. The Presidency has not filed any complaint against stand-up comedian Basem Yousef. The Presidency reiterates the importance of freedom of expression and fully respects press freedom. All citizens are free to express themselves without the restrictions that prevailed in the era of the previous regime. The first legislation passed under President Mohamed Morsy was concerned with the prevention of pre-trial detention of journalists. This demonstrates the determination of the President to encourage press and media to operate in a free environment. We urge citizens to exercise their legal right to freedom of speech while respecting the rule of law.” People questioned it’s motive, considering it was written for a western audience. The Twitter-verse was aflame with support for Youssef and his message. If you’re easily offended by the words of a comedian, then having the job of president is not for you. #Morsi #Egypt #BassemYoussef — Mr. Ayloush™ (@NotOmarAyloush) April 5, 2013 I will only tweet nice things about the Muslim Brotherhood. I wouldn’t want Amb Anne Patterson to shut down my Twitter account @statedept — Steven A. Cook (@stevenacook) April 4, 2013 However, one blogger for the Huffington Post spoke out against Youssef: “Egypt stands at a critical juncture, and Bassem Youssef is taking advantage rather than playing a helping role. It only takes one deranged person to ruin the reputation of an entire nation. Bassem Youssef has entertained so many people and in the process has mocked all things that make Egypt the place loved by so many people. Bassem Youssef is milking his five minutes of fame, and his friends are talking about him as if he is some modern-day Martin Luther King Jr. MLK did not have a million-dollar contract. MLK did not insult people for money. MLK did not try to embarrass his foes. Let’s stop pretending Youssef is fighting the good fight. He is just fighting for a paycheck.” The post became its own center for debate, even being challenged by a fellow HuffPo blogger. Dissent in Egypt: No joking matter #BassemYoussef #Egyptbit.ly/Y0tE50 — Azza Radwan Sedky (@azzasedky) April 4, 2013 And the Muslim Brotherhood part was quick to defend Morsi’s motives: #FJP:We also reaffirm our respect to freedom of expression & criticizing those at the executive helm & Prez within boundaries of law & const Oddly enough, Youssef himself encouraged a redirection of this energy, claiming that others were more deserving and in more need of the attention. The conversation was so popular, #BassemYoussef, #Cairo and #Egypt all became trending topics on Twitter. Later in the week, after Youssef’s showed aired, #BassemYoussef would again rise to the same level of attention. But as is the achilles heel of social media, a vocal minority was acting as spokesperson for a nation when in fact, there was more to tell. One Eqyptian blogger set out to find the whole story. By combing the streets, she was able to determine a more even-handed and in-depth account of the debate. Here are some quotes from the “everyman” Egyptians she talked with: ‘ “Opinions should be expressed in a way acceptable to God. I shouldn’t knock people or use bad language.” “I used to watch Bassem Youssef during the revolution and I used to love him. But I don’t like the opposition’s style now. I’m not with Morsi but I don’t like the opposition.” “He is constantly attacking Islamists. Before he used to attack everyone but now he is constantly attacking Islamists”. Note that all of these people watch B.Youssef’s show regularly and enjoy it, even one man who agreed that the satirist should be taken to task for crossing the line. ‘ On Friday night, Youssef’s show aired as scheduled, and the media personality was unphased by his recent arrest. In the show, he took on Qatar with a parody that would go viral later that night. VIDEO: Bassem Youssef’s ‘Qatari’ homeland song goes viral english.ahram.org.eg/News/68564.aspx via @ahramonline #Egypt #BassemYoussef #Qatar — Noha El Agrab (@Noha_Agrab) April 7, 2013 In general, activists were elated to see the comedian continue to “fight the good fight” against the oppression they felt against the regime. The next day, Youssef was officially acquitted of charges and the investigation was dropped. At least the judicial system is well & functioning. Court dismisses case against popular TV satirist #BassemYoussef haaretz.com/news/middle-ea… — Rawan Nasser (@Raw_aan) April 7, 2013 That wasn’t the end of the story, though. Restricted humour? “@dailynewsegypt: #BassemYoussef episode angers #Egypt Qatar Business Council dailynewsegypt.com/2013/04/07/bas…” — Juhi Ginger Dagli (@JuhiGingerDagli) April 7, 2013 “The small but inordinately wealthy emirate of Qatar issued a statement on Monday, condemning Youssef’s mockery of their “generours aid” and warning the economically dire Egyptian state that relations would cool over the coming months. “He added that satire was permissible when used to discuss relevant political issues, saying that he in fact agreed with much of what Bassem Youssef presents on his programme, adding, however, that restraint should be exercised when discussing issues of economic importance, as this was in the best interests of the country. ” And this sentiment wasn’t limited to the government or the Business Council. Several citizens of the island also spoke out on Twitter, offended by the comedian’s commentary. Egyptian nationalism never translates as belittling Gulf citizens in such a humiliating manner. #Qatar #Gulf #BassemYoussef — Mohamed Abdelfattah (@mfatta7) April 5, 2013 For a land as impoverished and desperate as Egypt, the push and pull of old-world and new-world values could prove fatal to many of its citizens in this ongoing struggle for democracy. This entry was posted in All, Curated Stories by adrienne. Bookmark the permalink. 1 thought on “In Egypt, How Free Is Free?” mstem on April 10, 2013 at 6:37 pm said: Nice summary of the back and forth social media battles here. Documenting the conversations, especially with deleted tweets and many speakers, seems like a much bigger challenge than just curating tweets from a given hashtag or real-world event. Do you think there’s a need for a place to share screenshots and other evidence of later-deleted social media posts? Like a Politiwhoops for the rest of the world?	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1612981
__label__wiki	0.570877	0.570877	Business Entrepreneur Higher Education Education Health and Well-Being Marketing Entreprenurship Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Business Daily Startup Podcast Tim Ferriss Gary Vaynerchuk The Garyvee Audio Experience Planet Money Freakonomics Radio Mfceo Project Business Wars Oprah's Supersoul Conversations Oprah's Master Class: The Podcast Household Name Entrepreneur Stories 4⃣ Inspiration « » 131: Expanding a Tee Shirt Business from Home to $50M/year - Ryan Moor of Ryonet & Allmade By Millionaire Interviews Podcast. Discovered by Player FM and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Player FM, and audio streamed directly from their servers. Ryan Moor is the CEO and Founder of Ryonet and AllMade. Ryan Moor was born to parents Jim and Lynae in Portland, Oregon on April 15th, 1981. His early business ventures included playing music, mowing lawns and fields, miscellaneous yard work and mole extermination. 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Questions? Comments? My team & I would love to hear from you! Hollar at us via: Twitter (@acpeek or @millionairepod), Instagram (@millionaire_interviews), LinkedIn (@austincpeek), Facebook (@millionaireinterviews), or email: austin@millionaire-interviews.com. 😀😎😍 135: This Fast-Growth Manufacturer tells the Fascinating Story of Fuses (Jim Kalb of OptiFuse)1:16:39 Jim Kalb is currently the President of OptiFuse, an innovative high-growth manufacturer of power protection components distributed by high-quality select wholesalers throughout the world. OptiFuse has been listed on the Inc. 5000 for the last 5 years, as well as being named as one of Forbe's magazines "25 Best Small Companies" in 2017. This Epi ...… 134: How Grasshopper became a $176MM Virtual Phone System (w/ David Hauser of Grasshopper & SuperFat)48:10 David Hauser is the Co-founder of Grasshopper & SuperFat. Grasshopper is a company that serves and empowers entrepreneurs via its powerful tools like Grasshopper and Chargify. Grasshopper Group was listed by Inc. Magazine among the 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America; in fact there are many such accomplishments that it got. SuperFa ...… 133: Darn Good Yarn: How to Knit a Side Business into a Big Business (with Nicole Snow)1:00:54 Nicole Snow is the Founder and CEO at Darn Good Yarn. Born in northern NJ, Nicole grew up in a log cabin & spent hours playing “craft corner” with an old fashioned cash register & her parents’ office supplies. Nicole later attended Clarkson University, starting a successful business during her freshman year and earning a Bachelor of Science deg ...… 132: Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Business with Josh Turner of LinkedSelling...52:43 Josh Turner has been an entrepreneur since he was a teenager. He is the founder and CEO of LinkedSelling, a LinkedIn marketing agency recognized by many to be one of the leading companies in their space. His company also operates Linked University, an online training program for LinkedIn marketing and sales resources. This Episode is Sponsored ...… 131: Expanding a Tee Shirt Business from Home to $50M/year - Ryan Moor of Ryonet & Allmade1:05:24 Ryan Moor is the CEO and Founder of Ryonet and AllMade. Ryan Moor was born to parents Jim and Lynae in Portland, Oregon on April 15th, 1981. His early business ventures included playing music, mowing lawns and fields, miscellaneous yard work and mole extermination. In high school, after a short gig as a “pooper scooper” at a local pet boarding ...… 130: Building a Custom Shutter Business w/ Rick Skidmore of Timberlane1:00:50 Rick Skidmore is the Founder and CEO at Timberlane, Inc. Having been born an entrepreneur, it should have been clear early on that despite considerable success in the insurance and investment industry, Rick's future was outside the traditional career path. Rick founded his current company, Timberlane Inc., in 1995, based on a passion and a gapi ...… 129: Expand your Business Globally with Nicole Sahin of Globalization Partners59:22 Nicole Sahin is the CEO and Founder of Globalization Partners. Nicole Sahin’s mission is to eliminate barriers to doing business internationally and building global teams. As founder and CEO of Globalization Partners, she is recognized for having created their innovative Global Expansion Platform, which empowers companies to hire anyone, anywhe ...… 128: Transforming a Mediterranean Restaurant into a National Franchise \| Dan Simpson of Taziki's53:11 By Dan Simpson (on spectacular failures that are louder with clam crowder). 127: Halo Top Creamery: How 2 Ex-Lawyers Built a Global Ice Cream Brand (via Doug Bouton)53:58 Douglas Bouton is the President and COO at Halo Top Creamery. The ice cream brand was founded in 2011 by former attorney Justin Woolverton of Latham & Watkins LLP. Woolverton, who had hypoglycemic diet restrictions, began making ice cream in his own kitchen. Woolverton met Bouton, another former attorney, in a Los Angeles lawyers’ basketball le ...… 126: Growing a Salon... from NY to LA... the Journey of Janine Jarman of Hairroin Salon1:00:36 Janine Jarman is a nationally renowned celebrity hair stylist and the founder of Hairroin Salon. Born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA, Janine has been “hair-obsessed” for as long as she can remember. At the age of 15 she teamed up with her best friend to offer hair and makeup services to her party-bound classmates. Janine then moved on to be ...… 125: How to Start a Real Estate Business at 40 Years Young... Thomas McCormack of Resources RE58:29 Thomas McCormack is Managing Partner and Broker for Resources Real Estate located in Monmouth County, NJ. Having begun as a sales associate in 2002, Tom built his business by providing his clients with top-of-the-line service, ongoing communication and superior market knowledge. With a background in television and event production, Tom has deca ...… 124: SoapBox Soaps: Growing a Business from a Purpose with David Simnick45:36 Dave Simnick is the CEO and co-founder of SoapBox Soaps, a company whose mission is empower customers with the ability to change the world through everyday, quality purchases. SoapBox products are currently shelved in tens of thousands of stores across the United States and beyond. This Episode is Sponsored By: AutoSlash makes it easy to get th ...… 123: ⭐ How to Build a Fortune with Garbage (w/ Brian Scudamore of 1-800-Got-Junk)50:57 Brian Scudamore is the founder and CEO of O2E Brands, the banner company for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, and Shack Shine. He is a serial entrepreneur, known for pioneering the professional junk hauling industry with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Since conquering that market, he’s gone on to apply the O2E (ordinary to exceptional) formul ...… 122: Brides of Beverly Hills takes on Destination Weddings - Renée Strauss of Wedaways1:07:37 Renée Strauss is the founder of Wedaways. Her career spans decades in the luxury bridal industry, from selling wedding gowns in Beverly Hills to planning weddings for her clientele. Destination weddings were always a favorite part of her business. Discovering magnificent wedding venues and local vendors to produce flawless events, led to relati ...… 121: Taking Over a Family Business & Leading it to New Heights (Matthew Nix of The Nix Companies)57:07 Matthew Nix is the President of the Nix Companies. Matthew started working at the family business at a very young age, sweeping the floor and cleaning machinery for $5.00 a Saturday. Later, Matthew began working in the shop as a summer intern learning the ropes. In addition to learning the technical aspects of the job, he credits much of his cu ...… 120: The Business of Luxury Estate Sales - Michael Fry of Brown Button1:09:43 Michael Fry is the Co-Founder and CEO at Brown Button Estate Sales. He describes himself as a builder of new things and he cares about people in the process. Michael’s specialties include Estate Sales, Online Sales, Online Auctions, Residential Property Management, Real Estate Investing & Rehabbing, Business Start Ups, and Franchising. This Epi ...… 119: Fixing the Parking Industry through Technology - Juan Rodriguez of FlashParking1:13:07 Juan Rodriguez is the CEO & Co-Founder of FlashParking. He directs the planning, management of product development, and overall strategy of the company. Since starting in... This Episode is Sponsored By: Capterra is the leading, free online resource to help you find the best software solution for your business. With over 700,000 reviews of prod ...… 118: How this Sweatproof Undershirt made it on Shark Tank \| Billy Thompson of Thompson Tee1:12:41 Billy Thompson is the President of Thompson Tee. He is the inventor of the Thompson Tee with Hydro-Shield Sweatproof Technology, a patented undershirt guaranteed to block underarm sweat, preventing embarrassing wet marks and yellow stains. As seen on Shark Tank, "The Doctors" TV and Editor's Pick in SHAPE magazine. They are proudly serving cust ...… 117: ⭐ Reshaping the Education System through Software with Peter Kraft of EvoLabs1:19:43 Peter Kraft is the Founder and President of Evolution Labs. Prior to founding Evolution Labs, Kraft was instrumental in forming and re-envisioning two educational software companies that led the industry in recruitment, enrollment and retention of college students. He co-founded GoalQuest in 2000 and served as its CEO until 2007 when he spearhe ...… 116: Why did ‘The Economist' feature this South American Real Estate Investor? Find Out with Michael Koh…59:57 Michael Koh is the Founder and CEO of Koh Inversiones (Koh Investments). Michael has often been called a visionary by locals and foreigners alike for his foresight on the real estate market and his investment activities within Argentina. He was the largest buyer of residential real estate in Buenos Aires from 2003 to 2010. Under his leadership, ...… 115: ⭐ Fireworks, Sparklers, & Soda Stores - Oh My! This Entrepreneur Doesn't Hold Back...1:08:23 Mark Lazarchic is the CEO of Serenity Venture Group. He describes himself as a serial entrepreneur with eyes always open. Mark is the owner of multiple successful startup businesses in very competitive markets. Mark has spent the last 10 years being amazed at the level of mediocrity accepted by the public in business. At all levels... This Epis ...… 114: Take Your Dog on a Bike Ride with Michael Leon of Bike Tow Leash1:01:16 Michael Leon is Founder and President of BikeTowLeash & LEON Engineering, Inc. where he oversees all aspects including engineering, marketing, and mechanical. Being a service dog raiser and trainer of 10 service dogs that work for the disabled, Mike invented the 1-Running-Dog Bike Tow Leash—the only approved safe way to ride a bike, trike, mobi ...… 113: Fueling Small Business Growth with CEO John Oechsle of Swiftpage1:14:38 John Oechsle is the President and CEO of Swiftpage. He is a recognized international business leader with a 25 year track record of building highly profitable and sustainable revenue growth for emerging companies and established global leaders. Most recently he was the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Product for DigitalGlobe. During hi ...… 112: Reinventing the Trailer Industry - Steve Brenneman of the Aluminum Trailer Company1:11:29 Steve Brenneman is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Aluminum Trailer Company. At ATC, they pride themselves on manufacturing World Class, Precision-Built trailers. Each and every trailer they manufacture is hand-crafted to the exact specifications of their customers. Regardless of whether their customers are looking for a standard ...… 111: Creating Online Courses from South America with Freddy Vega of Platzi (a Y Combinator Co.)1:13:16 Freddy Vega is the Cofounder and CEO of Platzi. With over 700,000 students around the world, Platzi is the biggest tech school in Latin America. Platzi is helping transform developing countries into digital economies, training the next generation of professionals in programming, marketing, design and everything related to tech. Graduates of thi ...… 110: How to Spring Some Fire 🔥 into your Company with Jay Wilkinson of Firespring1:06:53 Jay Wilkinson is CEO of Firespring. The company is a Midwest-based marketing, print and software company providing exceptional creative, unmatched strategy and effective nonprofit tools. Today, Firespring has more than 200 team members and thousands of clients in all 50 states and all over the world. It became Nebraska's first Certified B Corp ...… 109: Tailgaiting for the 21st Century - Parker Duffey of Tailgate Guys1:04:35 Parker Duffey is the President and CEO of Tailgate Guys. Parker began laying the groundwork for his business venture at the age of 23. He joined forces with business partner Michael Otwell and launched Tailgate Guys in 2009. Tailgate Guys built its model as a reserved, turnkey tailgate system and quickly evolved into... Please Support Our Episo ...… 108: Building a Logistics Company from the Ground Up... Tyler Walton of 5 Logistics49:43 Tyler Walton is the President of 5 Logistics, which provides services for B2B fulfillment, B2C E-commerce fulfillment, packaging, assembly, cross-dock, container services, local trucking, and managed transportation. The companies fulfillment specialties include... Please Support Our Episode Sponsors: Fundrise is the first investment platform to ...… 107: How to Start an Airline... The All-You-Can-Fly Subscription Model by Wade Eyerly of Surf Airlines1:20:02 Wade Eyerly is the Founder and CEO of the Education Insurance Corporation, which aims to insure that a student’s investment in college education pays off with a better salary after graduation. Wade is also an inventor of the subscription aviation model, CEO, and founder of both Surf Air and Beacon. He has been a part of... Please Support Our Ep ...… 106: Growing Wireless World to 50+ Stores in the Midwest (with Vince Lubben)41:59 Vince Lubben is the Co-Owner of Wireless World. Vince began working in the wireless sector as a sales executive for CommNet Cellular, when the cell phone industry was young. He saw an opportunity to start his own business and opened his first store in Vermillion, South Dakota in 1999. Today, there are 54 Wireless World outlets and the company h ...… 105: Creating a Platform for Online Courses with Kenny Rueter of Kajabi54:34 Kenny Rueter is the CEO of the World’s First Knowledge Commerce Platform - Kajabi. It's a software-as-a-service platform that lets you create private membership portals and marketing pages. The company’s mission is to help people realize they possess knowledge which other people would find valuable, and that they can easily sell that knowledge ...… 104: How this Roofer from Canada Successfully Sold his Business (via Eric Gilbert-Williams)1:00:30 Eric Gilbert-Williams is the founder and CEO of The Roof Hospital, a residential roofing and exteriors organization. His entrepreneurial path began as an early troubled teenager and has led him down an adventurous path of... Please Support Our Episode Sponsors: Bombfell is an easier way for men to shop for top quality clothes handpicked by your ...… 103: Growth through Mergers & Acquisitions with John Bly of LBA Haynes Strand59:33 John Bly is the founding Member of LBA Haynes Strand, PLLC and LBA Haynes Strand Capital Advisors. His entrepreneurial leadership has propelled the CPA Firm’s growth. LBA Haynes Strand ranks as one of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Top 25 CPA Firms in the Charlotte Region and a Inc. 5000 Company. To keep the show free, please visit our sponso ...… 102: Entrepreneur from Israel Quits his 9-5 to Start a... Bean Bag Company? Eyal Levy of Yogibo.48:10 Eyal Levy was born in one of the suburbs of Tel Aviv and he was raised by a family of entrepreneurs. When he was growing up, he did military service and traveled... To keep the show free, please visit our sponsors: Fundrise & Square Payroll. Fundrise is the first investment platform to create a simple, low-cost way for anyone to access real est ...… 101: Xero Shoes is Running by their Competition... Find out How w/ Shark Tank Contestant: Steven Sashen.1:04:48 Steven Sashen is the developer and CEO of Xero Shoes. Steven and his wife, Lena Phoenix, started the "Barefoot... PLUS!" sandal business in late 2009... To keep the show free, please visit our sponsors: Skillshare, & Fundrise. Skillshare is an online learning community with over 20,000 classes in business, marketing, technology, design, and mor ...… 100: How to Run a Business with your Ex-Husband... Lacy Starling of Legion Logistics 🚛...59:07 Lacy Starling is the Co-Founder of Legion Logistics. As the daughter of a truck driver and a part-time librarian, she grew up seeing first-hand how the logistics industry affects working-class Americans. It was that work ethic that drove Lacy to... To keep the show free, please visit our sponsors: Skillshare & Fundrise. Skillshare is an online ...… 099: Custom Doors for IKEA Furniture. How John McDonald built Semihandmade...48:48 John McDonald founded Semihandmade in 2011. The company makes doors that fit Ikea kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and media systems. As a former aspiring screenwriter, he... To keep the show free, please visit our sponsors... Skillshare, & Blinkist. Skillshare is an online learning community with over 20,000 classes in business, marketing, techno ...… 098: The Wheel that Lance Armstrong road to Victory (Anne Hed of HED Cycling)59:46 Anne Hed is a lifetime resident of Minnesota. Her history as a business owner began back in the 1980’s, when she raced as a professional triathlete. She completed eight Ironman Triathlons in Hawaii, and met her late husband, Steve, through the sport. He became one of her first sponsors... To keep the show free, please visit our sponsors... Squa ...… 097: Entrepreneur from Ukraine brings Tech 2⃣ Construction - Sergey Sundukovskiy54:22 Sergey Sundukovskiy is currently the Co-Founder and CTO of Raken, a project software management for the construction industry. Sergey has over 20 years of experience serving in capacities of Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Officer and Chief Product Officer. He specializes in... To keep the show free, please visit our sponsors... Squ ...… 096: Pictionary Inventor (Robert Angel) shares his Board Game Journey 🎲...58:42 Rob Angel was only 26 years old when he and his friends started the ground work for the phenomenally successful board game Pictionary. He was working evenings as a waiter with his future business partners. While spending days in his backyard with a paperback Webster’s Dictionary, a No. 2 pencil, and a yellow legal pad to work... To keep the sho ...… 095: SnapTravel makes traveling a... Snap (with Hussein Fazal) ✈58:27 Hussein Fazal is the CEO & founder of SnapTravel. The company allows you to find and book the best hotel deals over Facebook Messenger and SMS. SnapTravel advisors include the former CEO of Hotels.com and the CTO of Expedia. To keep the show free, please visit the sponsors of this episode... Square Payroll, StartEngine, & Blinkist. Square Payro ...… 094: Doctor turned Entrepreneur Prescribes some Zzzzs... 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__label__wiki	0.64563	0.64563	« Bertie Bassett Plebiscites for Plebs? » 11th hour probe launched into clichés amidst shocking revelations 29 March 2014 by Andy Gryce The French writer and poet Gérard de Nerval, who died in 1855, may have unintentionally defined a cliché when he said ‘The first man who compared woman to a rose was a poet; the second, an imbecile.’ Salvador Dalí, the Spanish surrealist painter, was reputed to have said ‘The first man to compare the cheeks of a young woman to a rose was obviously a poet; the first to repeat it was possibly an idiot’, though something like this was first coined by the French poet Gérard de Nerval. What Dali was getting at was that a phrase can be striking at first but when overused it loses its force. And when an expression or idea, which at some earlier time was considered meaningful or novel, is overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, then it becomes a cliché, a ready-made phrase. In private or informal conversation they are used all the time: ’24/7′, ‘absolutely’, ‘actually’, ‘at the end of the day’, ‘basically’, ‘I hear what you’re saying’, ‘if the truth be told’, ‘I’m not being funny but’, ‘it’s not rocket science’, ‘literally’, ‘no problem’, ‘the fact of the matter is’, ‘to be perfectly honest’, ‘you know what I mean’. Clichés pop up everywhere: in the supermarket, in soap operas, in fashion, in sport, on dating websites, on book covers, with art critics and travel writers. And in organisations, the close cousins of the cliché, the jargon and gibberish of ‘corporate speak’, is omnipotent. Though clichés should be avoided, in reality they’re not. The language of Britain is the language of cliché. The British people could speak in cliché till the cows come home. And it is in journalism where clichés stick out like a sore thumb. They may be part of a seemingly unchangeable news culture, and we may like them, and they can be descriptive, but clichés show a lack of originality. And they’re not just over-used phrases. They can be used to disguise a lack of information, as padding, or as a code or euphemism to imply something that can’t be said or which can be left to us to work out. They are often cynical, and sometimes comical. Above all journalists want their stories to be more exciting, meaningful or profound than they really are. So, cynical or not, here’s some reading between the lines … According to published reports We got scooped Allegedly We know he did it but we have to protect our backs Clamour We’ve written an editorial. If we write about it again, refer to a ‘growing clamour‘ Considering The all-purpose unfalsifiable policy story as in ‘the Minister is considering whether to ditch the policy’. No one will ever be able to convincingly deny that they’re considering something Couldn’t be reached for comment The reporter didn’t call until after 5pm Deepened What happened to people’s difficulties last night Exclusive We were the only ones who returned the press office calls Exclusive neighbourhood/school/club The reporter couldn’t get in Influential Any group that can get a letter printed in a national paper, or someone who has appeared on television twice in one week Informed source Reads the newspaper Momentum is building The story hasn’t changed since last night Mystery surrounds Tomorrow the mystery might ‘deepen‘ but right now, we don’t have a clue what’s going on Outpouring of support, emotion We are with them, so long as things don’t get out of hand Reportedly We stole this bit of information Set to Might mean ‘will’, but if it turns out the story is wrong, you can say it only actually means ‘may’ Shocking revelation Leaked on a slow news day Special investigation A normal investigation, but with a picture by-line for the reporter Stunned Couldn’t give a decent quote Uncertain, unclear, unknown No one will tell us Uproar The reaction of the ‘Great British Public‘ to a mindless tweet Well placed source Someone who will talk to us About turn Any change of mind. May be followed by ‘it’s back to the drawing board‘ Activist Will talk to the press Acolytes Supporters of someone with whom we disagree. Arcane rules Ones we can’t be bothered to explain Bolthole Place where a disgraced MP (or rock star) seeks refuge from the media. Never a house, flat or hotel room Brutal dictator One who kills his opponents slowly. If he just had them all shot, use ‘ruthless dictator‘. If our government could easily ‘topple him‘, but can’t be bothered, use ‘tinpot dictator‘. Concerned residents Residents usually are Draconian The Government is proposing something with which we disagree Embattled He/she should quit Family values Right wing idiot (also Progressive Left wing idiot) Hard-working people As opposed to everyone who hasn’t a job, except pensioners of course Humiliating U-turn Any adjustment in policy, especially over parking charges Landmark decision Not sure why, but that’s what the other papers are saying Moderate Fence-sitter Parking expose Editor got a parking ticket Raft The standard unit of ‘measures‘. Under the imperial system, a ‘cocktail of measures‘ Red-faced What council ‘bosses‘ usually are after a ‘humiliating U-turn‘ Troubled Small country currently enjoying a lull between civil wars Trusted source An MP out for revenge or a government stooge, but often someone vaguely connected with politics in a Westminster bar Venerable Should be dead but isn’t Celebrity He/she has a publicist (also Superstar He/she has a publicist and an agent) Intensely private Not promoting anything right now (also Rarely interviewed Promoting something right now) Screen legend Reporter is too young to remember his/her movies Teen idol Reporter is too old to have heard of him/her Legendary About to die She cut a lonely figure Runs away from the paparazzi Supermodel Her picture was printed somewhere Tearful Could have been crying Weeping A tear in one eye Crime & Tragedy Bubbly How friends described the victim. She may also have ‘loved life‘ Close knit community A small town or village where there’s been an incident and where everyone is in shock Drunken yobs Men who go on ‘booze-fuelled rampages‘ Facing charges They haven’t been charged with a crime, they may never be charged with a crime, but they might possibly be charged with one. Hushed courtroom Any courtroom when the judge is sitting Ill-fated Anything that ‘started as an innocent day out‘ is bound to have ‘ended in tragedy‘ Inferno What was a fire in the first paragraph, is a blaze in the second, becomes an inferno in the third Innocent bystanders The people who look on in horror when bad things happen. If injured themselves, they become ‘innocent victims‘, to distinguish them from the victims who pretty much had it coming Loner No one predicted he’d go on a killing spree. According to neighbours he ‘kept himself to himself‘ (also a Jekyll and Hyde character) Potentially fatal A peanut is potentially fatal Probe launched Not NASA but something the police do when there’s been an embarrassing leak Rushed The only way anyone gets to hospital, typically after ambulances ‘raced to the scene‘ Savagely murdered Murdered Scandal-plagued Definitely guilty Split second It happened quickly Troubled youth Arsonist Work & Business Boffin Anyone with a science job or who wears a lab coat Budding Someone under 20 who’s good at something Champagne lifestyle As in someone who ‘plundered bank accounts to fund‘ Coffers Where organisations of which we disapprove keep money Eleventh hour The time at which one should start expecting ‘last-ditch‘ negotiations Entrepreneur Hasn’t made it yet, but we’re doing a nice story about him Green shoots What appears first in an economic recovery, but make sure someone else says it first Mogul Has made it, and we’re doing a hatchet job (also Mega-Mogul Has made it, and is in process of losing it) Olympic proportions Quite large State-of-the-art Quite new, no possible use, had lunch with the creator/inventor Beloved Been around so long no one can stand them any more Big personality Envied by some but we think they’re obnoxious (also ‘larger than life‘) Bon viveur Drunk Clash Two people disagreeing Calculated snub The worst possible kind of snub (also Snub A polite refusal) Carnival atmosphere A few people were jolly, and the sun came out Controversial We don’t know why it’s so long ago, but if they’re harmless use ‘colourful‘ character Dapper He hasn’t bought new clothes in 20 years Effervescent She won’t shut up Highbrow Boring Long-time companion They had sex Outspoken Rude man Strident Rude woman Prestigious award An award Self-styled Phony, as in guru Street-wise Hasn’t been hit by a bus so far Unsung heroes Never heard of them until they were spotted in a local paper Britain hit by Arctic Blast It is cold because it is winter Britain braced for We are unprepared as usual and it will be chaos (also ‘gritting its teeth‘) Transport chaos Slight difficulty on the roads due to the weather. Not the same as congestion which can be far worse. Widespread disruption What happens when commuters to Woking are delayed at Waterloo for forty minutes (also ‘passengers stranded‘) Misery What disruption on the railways causes Perfect storm Two bad things have happened at the same time River are bursting their banks Rivers never just overflow After an earlier accident As opposed to the accident which has yet to happen? In an article on The Independent website in June 2011, here, John Rentoul listed 100 banned clichéd words and phrases, and invited readers to send in their own suggestions. At the end of the article, Rentoul says that the original Banned List was George Orwell’s, referring to his essay Politics and the English Language published in 1946, here. In the essay Orwell listed his banned words, as well as six rules, the first of which was: Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print Is it still possible today to follow this rule? I think it would be very difficult. Orwell said of his rules that to follow them would ‘demand a deep change of attitude in anyone who has grown used to writing in the style now fashionable’. Robert Fisk, the Middle East correspondent for The Independent rails against clichés and jargon every so often. But they have a more sobering effect when used by journalists in reporting about war and its impact, as Fisk explains here. Posted in Newspapers, Phrases \| Tagged cliché, corporate speak, euphemism, gérard de nerval, george orwell, gibberish, jargon, john rentoul, journalism, newspaper, robert fisk, salvador dalí, the independent \| 1 Comment on 18 August 2014 at 7:57 PM \| Reply Anonymous Andy, you have made me smile this morning! I have just read your new piece and thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep up the good work!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1612988
__label__wiki	0.51279	0.51279	The Sales Tax Rules 2006 Uploaded by Hassan Raza saveSave The Sales Tax Rules 2006 For Later Case Digests Tax 2 10 Professional Tax Software Must-Haves White Paper Abid Co. Book Keeping July-16 to Sep-16 chap5EX kelkarreport Tally Sample Exercise - 4 2551Ma.doc Case 1 - If You Need Love Get a Puppy -Canvas Gst CA Article. i SMEL Daily Issue CIR v Pilipinas Shell Kerala Financial Code Notice: Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals 170140268863 NOV - 17 tax 1st set TVSE HTC Bhubaneswar Report California Tax Board: 95 3563 234-CIR v. Menguito G.R. No. 167560 September 17, 2008 Sarneshwar Enterprises The Sales Tax Rules, 2006 List of Chapters REGISTRATION, COMPULSORY REGISTRATION AND DE-REGISTRATION FILING OF RETURNS CREDIT AND DEBIT NOTE AND DESTRUCTION OF GOODS APPORTIONMENT OF INPUT TAX SPECIAL AUDIT ZERO-RATING OF SUPPLIES AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TENDER FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES SUPPLY OF ZERO-RATED GOODS TO DIPLOMATS, DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS, PRIVILEGED PERSONS AND PRIVILEGED ORGANISATIONS TAXPAYER’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR ACCESSING THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM Chapter XIII ELECTRONIC INTERMEDIARIES Chapter XIV SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE OF ELECTRONIC SALES TAX INVOICES BETWEEN BUYERS AND Chapter XV GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN REVENUE DIVISION [FEDERAL BOARD OF REVENUE] Islamabad, the 5th June, 2006. (Sales Tax) S.R.O. 555(I)/2006.— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 4 and section 40 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, section 219 of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), section 50 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, read with sub-section (2) of section 8 2 [, clause (ii) of sub-section (2) of section 8B], section 9, 10, 14, 21 and 28, clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 22, section 26, sub-section (6) of section 47A, sections 48, 3 [50A, 52, 52A] and 66 thereof, the 4 [Federal] Board of Revenue is pleased to make the following rules, namely:- 1. Short title, application and commencement.—(1) These Rules may be called the Sales Tax Rules, 2006. (2) They shall be applicable to such persons or class of persons as are specified in the respective chapters. (3) They shall come into force on the first day of July, 2006. 2. Definitions.— (1) In these Rules, unless there is anything repugnant to the subject or context,--- (i) “Act” means the Sales Tax Act, 1990; (ii) "accountant" means— (a) a Chartered Accountant within the meaning of the Chartered Accountants Ordinance, 1961 (X of 1961); or (b) a Cost and Management Accountant within the meaning of the Cost and Management Accountants Act, 1966 (XIV of 1966); Substituted for “Central Board of Revenue” vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Inserted vide SRO 307(I)/2008 dated 24.03.2008. Substituted for “52” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Substituted for “Central” vide SRO 307(I)/2008 dated 24.03.2008. (c) a member of any association of accountants recognized in this behalf by the Federal Government; (iii) "adjudicating authority" means any officer appointed to adjudicate and decide cases under section 179 of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), section 45 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and section 31 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005; (iv) "Agreement" means the agreement executed between the Board and the Bank for the purposes of payment of tax and submission of tax returns; (v) “attachment officer" means an officer, not below the rank of Principal Appraiser or Superintendent or Senior Auditor, authorised by the Recovery Officer to perform any of the functions under these rules; (vi) "Bank" means the National Bank of Pakistan or any of its branches designated, by notification in the official Gazette, for the purpose of filing of returns and payment of sales tax; (vii) “Board” means the 5 [Federal Board of Revenue]; (viii) “claimant” means any registered person who files a claim for refund of sales tax under these rules; (ix) “Collector” means the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction; (x) “Collectorate” means the office of the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction and includes the Large Taxpayers’ Unit (LTU) and the Regional Tax Office (RTO), where the offices of Income Tax, Sales Tax and Federal Excise are co-located; (xi) “commercial exporter” means a person registered as 6 [an] exporter, who does not have his own manufacturing facility and is exporting the goods, whether in the same state or after getting them processed or manufactured from one or more registered persons, and holds a valid sales tax invoice for such processing, manufacturing or conversion; (xii) ”committee" means a committee constituted under sub-section (2) of section 47A of the Act; (xiii) “Computerized Payment Receipt” means a computer generated receipt showing payment of tax to the designated branch of the National Bank of Pakistan; Substituted for “a commercial” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. [(xiii-a) “CREST” means “Computerized Risk-based Evaluation of Sales Tax;] (xiv) “CRO“ means Central Registration Office established for the purposes of centralized sales tax registration; (xv) ‘CSTRO’ means Centralized Sales Tax Refund Office to be established in the 8 [Federal Board of Revenue] for disbursement of refund of sales tax; (xvi) "defaulter" means a person mentioned in the demand note, who has failed to discharge his liabilities in payment of Government dues; (xvii) "demand note" means a note received by the Sales Tax Recovery Officer from the referring authority specifying the details regarding the defaulter and the Government dues; (xviii) [*] (xix) "diplomat" means a person entitled to immunities and privileges under the Diplomatic and Consular Privileges Act, 1972 (IX of 1972); (xx) "diplomatic mission" means a mission recognized as such under the Diplomatic and Consular Privileges Act, 1972 (IX of 1972); [(xxi-a) “e-declaration administrator” means an officer not below the rank of an Additional Collector of Sales Tax, authorized by the Collector for the purpose of administration of the scheme envisaged under these rules; (xxi-b) “electronic data interchange (EDI)” means a system of secure transmission of electronic information, based on an agreed and internationally accepted standards and can be understood and treated automatically without human intervention; (xxi-c) “electronic invoicing” means electronic transmission and storage of sales tax invoices, without the delivery of paper documents;] Clause added vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Substituted for “Central Board of Revenue” vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. It read as under: “(xviii) “Digital Certificate Request Form” means a form to be downloaded from NIFT website and filled for obtaining NIFT Class 2 Digital Certificate as required under sub-rule (2) of rule 18;” Omitted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Clauses (xxi-a), (xxi-b) and (xxi-c) inserted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. (xxi) "dispute" means, a case where, for evidently valid reasons, a registered person is aggrieved in connection with the order of the sales tax officer passed in any matter of sales tax specified in sub-section (1) of section 47 A of the Act and prima facie deserves relief for the elimination of possible hardship; (xxii) “Electronic Sales Tax Return Form” means a form of sales tax return available on the 11 [Federal Board of Revenue]’s website to be filled in and filed in terms of sub-rule (4) of rule 18; (xxiii) "execution" means steps taken for the recovery of Government dues in pursuance of a demand note; (xxiv) ‘Fast Track Channel’ means automated risk based system for processing of claims filed by the registered persons covered under clause (b) of rule (xxv) ”foreign currency” means foreign currency as defined in clause (c) of section 2 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 (VII of 1947); (xxvi) "Government dues" means recoverable amounts of sales tax, default surcharge, penalty or any other tax, duty or other levy being collected, in the same manner as sales tax is collected, an adjudged penalty or fine or any amount unpaid which may be payable under any bond, guarantee or instrument executed under the Act or such other laws or the rules made thereunder and against the recovery of which there is no bar or valid stay order from the competent court; (xxvii) "ICRC" means International Committee of the Red Cross; (xxviii) "immovable property" has the same meaning assigned to it in clause (20) of section 3 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 1897); (xxix) “LRO“ means Local Registration Office established in the Collectorate of Sales Tax or Regional Tax Office (RTO) having jurisdiction; (xxx) “LTU” means the Large Taxpayer Unit having jurisdiction; (xxxi) "misconduct" means conduct prejudicial to good order, unbecoming of a gentleman and includes any act on his part to bring or attempt to bring outside or any sort of influence, directly or indirectly, to bear on the officer of Customs, Federal Excise and Sales Tax in respect of any matter relating to discharge of his duties under the relevant Acts, or creating hindrance in discharge of such duties or impersonation or submission of fake documents; (xxxii) "movable property" means a property which can be taken into custody for removal without physically knocking it down and includes currency and coin, shares, documents and instruments; (xxxiii) [] (xxxiv) [] (xxxv) "nil return" means a return indicating that no sales tax is payable by the registered person in respect of the tax period to which the tax return relates; [(xxxv-a)] [] (xxxvi) “PACCS” means Pakistan Automated Customs Clearance System; (xxxvii) "privileged organization" means United Nations and the organisations working under it and shall include organisations which the Board may, by notification in the official Gazette, recognise to be a privileged organization; (xxxviii) "privileged person"--- (a) for the purpose of rule 53, means a person covered by United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1948 (XX of 1948), and shall include persons entitled to concessions and exemptions under the Model Rules for customs concessions to privileged personnel arriving under various foreign aid programmes or projects issued by the Board, under C. No. 10(34)-Cus-III/58, dated the 18th April, 1963; and (b) for the purpose of rule 54, means the person so declared under the President’s Salary, Allowances and Privileges Act, 1975 (LVIII of 1975) and the Prime Minister’s Salary, Allowance and Privileges Act, 1975 (LIX of 1975); Clause (xxxiii) omitted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. It read as under: “(xxxiii) “NIFT” means the National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd.;” Clause (xxxiv) omitted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. It read as under: “(xxxiv) “NIFT Class 2 Digital Certificate” means a certificate to be obtained, filled and used in the manner specified under sub-rule (2) of rule 18;” Clause inserted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Clause (xxxv-a) omitted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. It read as under: “(xxxv-a) “Nil Return Receipt Counter” means a counter set up in the concerned Collectorate of Sales Tax for the purpose of receiving nil returns;” (xxxix) “Processing Officer” means audit staff authorized to process a refund claim; (xl) “RCPS” means the Refund Claim Preparation Software prescribed by the (xli) "receiver" means a person appointed by the Recovery Officer to manage, run and account for any attached business or property; (xlii) "Recovery Officer" means an officer of Sales Tax as appointed by the Collector to exercise powers as contained in sub-section (2) of section 48 of the Act, who shall not be below the rank of Assistant Collector; (xliii) “reciprocity” means extension of the same privileges and facilities to a diplomat or diplomatic mission of a country in Pakistan as are extended by such country to diplomats and diplomatic mission of Pakistan in that (xliv) "records" means the records as provided under section 22 of the Act; (xlv) "referring authority" means an officer, not below the rank of an Assistant Collector, desiring to recover government dues through Recovery Officer; (xlvi) “Relevant Acts” means the Act, the Federal Excise Act, 2005 and the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969). (xlvii) "residual input tax" means the amount of tax paid on raw materials, components and capital goods being used for making taxable as well as exempt supplies but does not include the input tax paid on raw materials used wholly for making taxable or exempt supplies. [*] (xlix) “RTO” means the Regional Tax Office having jurisdiction; (l) ”same-state-goods” means goods purchased by a commercial exporter against tax invoice for export as such; (li) "share" means share in a corporation and private limited or public limited company and includes stock, debenture stock, debentures or bonds; Clause (xlviii) omitted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. The same read: “(xlviii) “RRAS” means Risk- based Refund Analysis System for processing the refund claim as per risk parameters approved by the Board;” (lii) “Special Auditor” means a Chartered Accountant or a Cost and Management Accountant appointed under section 32A of the Act; (liii) “STR form” any of the sequentially numbered forms as annexed to these rules; (liv) “supportive documents”, in relation to sales tax refund, means the documents as mentioned in rule 38 of these rules or such other documents as may be prescribed by the Board; (lv) "taxpayer" means any person who is required, or liable, to pay, or is paying duty, or tax, or any sum under any or all of the relevant Acts, or the rules and includes any person, other than a government employee, who is assigned any duty or responsibility under any of the relevant Acts or the rules; (lvi) "terms of reference", in relation to special audit, means the terms of reference as specified in the appointment letter issued by the Board to the special auditor regarding his appointment; (lvii) “transmit” also means to transmit data or documents through electronic means. (lviii) “UNDP” means the United Nations Development Program; (lix) “UNHCR” means the United Nations High Commission for Refugees; (lx) “UNICEF” means the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund; [(lx-a) “unique user identifier” means a unique identification name, number or password allotted by the Board to the authorized user of the computerized system under section 50A of the Act;] (lxi) “WFP” means the World Food Program; (lxii) “WHO” means the World Health Organisation. (2) Other terms or expressions used but not defined here shall have the same meaning as are assigned to them in the Act. 3. Application.—The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the following persons, namely:— (a) a person required to be registered under the Act; (b) a person required, under any other Federal law or Provincial law, to be registered for the purpose of any duty or tax collected or paid as if it were sales tax under the Act; (c) a person who is subject to compulsory registration; (d) a person who is already registered and requires a change in the name, address or other particulars of registration; (e) a person who is blacklisted or whose registration is suspended; and (f) a person who is required to be de-registered. 4. Requirement of registration.—The following persons engaged in making of taxable supplies in Pakistan (including zero-rated supplies) in the course or furtherance of any taxable activity carried on by them, if not already registered, are required to be registered in the manner specified in this chapter, namely:— [(a) a manufacturer not being a cottage industry] (b) a retailer whose value of supplies, in any period during the last twelve months exceeds five million rupees; (c) an importer; (d) a wholesaler (including dealer) and distributor; [] (e) a person required, under any other Federal law or Provincial law, to it were a levy of sales tax to be collected under the Act; 20 [and] [(f) a commercial exporter, who intends to obtain sales tax refund against his zero-rated supplies.] Clause (a) substituted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Earlier it read as under: “(a) a manufacturer whose annual turnover from taxable supplies, made in any tax period during the last The word “and” omitted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Semi-colon and word “; and” substituted for full stop vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. There was no full stop at the end but already a semi-colon. 5. Application for registration.— (1) A person required to be registered under the Act shall, before making any taxable supplies, apply to the CRO, through electronic means as provided by the Board or otherwise, through owner, member or director, as the case may be. Such application shall be made in the form STR-2, as annexed to these rules, transmitted to the CRO electronically or through registered mail or courier service. Such application will specify the Collectorate in whose jurisdiction the registration is sought, as per criteria given below, namely:— (a) in case of a corporate person, that is, a listed public limited company or an unlisted public limited company or a private limited company, the area where the registered office is located; (b) in case of a person not incorporated, the area where the business is actually carried on; and, (c) in case of a person not incorporated, having a single manufacturing unit, whose business premises and manufacturing unit are located in different areas, shall apply for registration in the Collectorate of the area in whose jurisdiction his manufacturing unit is located: Provided further that a corporate person shall have the option to apply for transfer of registration to the Collectorate having jurisdiction where the place of business is located. (2) Where an applicant has unsold or un-used stocks of tax-paid inputs on which he desires to claim the benefit of section 59 of the Act, he shall declare such stocks in a statement in the form set out as STR-4, to be appended with his application for registration. (3) On completion of such verification or inquiry, through LRO or otherwise, as the CRO deems necessary, it may register the applicant and issue a certificate of registration containing the registration number of the applicant in the form as set out in the form 0, or reject the application within fifteen days from the date complete application is received in the CRO, under intimation to the applicant, specifying the reasons for such rejection. [(4) A person who has applied for registration as manufacturer shall be registered after LRO has verified his manufacturing facility.”; (5) In no case, a person required to be registered under the Act shall be issued more than one registration number.] Sub-rules (4) and (5) added vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. 6. Compulsory registration.—(1) If a person, who is required to be registered under this Act, does not apply for registration and the LRO or any other office as may be authorized by the Board or the Collector, after such inquiry as deemed appropriate, is satisfied that such person is required to be registered, it shall issue notice to such person in the form set out in the form STR-6. (2) In case the LRO receives a written reply from the said person within the time specified in notice, contesting his liability to be registered, the LRO shall grant such person opportunity of personal hearing, if so desired by the person, and shall thereafter pass an order whether or not such person is liable to be registered compulsorily. Copy of the said order shall invariably be provided to that person. (3) Where the person to whom a notice is given under sub-rule (2), does not respond within the time specified in the notice, the LRO shall transmit the particulars of the person to the CRO, which shall compulsorily register the said person and allot him a registration number which shall be delivered to the said person either in person through LRO or through registered mail (acknowledgement due) or through courier service. (4) A person registered compulsorily as aforesaid, is required to comply with all the provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder from the date of compulsory registration, and in case of failure to do so, the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction may issue notice under section 25 of the Act for production of records or documents and appearance in person to assess the amount of sales tax payable under section 11 of the Act, and take any other action as required under the law against such person. Provided that if it is subsequently established that a person was not liable to be registered but was wrongly registered under this rule due to inadvertence, error or misconstruction, the CRO, shall cancel his registration. In case of such cancellation of registration, such person shall not be liable to pay any tax, default surcharge or penalty under the Act or rules made there-under, subject to the conditions, limitations and restrictions prescribed under section 3B of the Act. 7. Change in the particulars of registration.— (1) In case there is a change in the name, address or other particulars as stated in the registration certificate, the registered person shall notify the change in the prescribed form STR-2 23 STR-2 to the CRO, within fourteen days of such change. [(2) The change of business category as ‘manufacturer’ shall be allowed after LRO has verified the manufacturing facility and confirmed the status as industrial consumer of the electricity and gas distribution companies.] SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008 substituted “form STR-1” for “prescribed form STR-2” in sub-rule (7). It should have said sub-rule (1). Sub-rule substituted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007 for “(2) The change of business category as ‘manufacturer’ shall be allowed after verification by LRO.” (3) In case of approval of the change applied for, the CRO shall issue revised registration certificate, which will be effective from the date the concerned person has applied for the change. 8. Transfer of Registration.—(1) The CRO may, subject to such conditions, limitations or restrictions as it may deem fit to impose, by an order, transfer the registration of a registered person from the jurisdiction of one Collectorate to another Collectorate or, as the case may be, to the LTU or RTO. (2) On transfer of registration,— (a) all the records and responsibilities relating to such registered person shall be transferred to the Collectorate or, as the case may be, to the LTU or RTO, in whose jurisdiction the registration has been so transferred; 25 [] (b) notwithstanding the actions already taken, being taken or otherwise pending immediately before the transfer in respect of such registered person under any of the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder in the Collectorate from where his registration has been transferred, the Collectorate, or as the case may be, the LTU or RTO, in whose jurisdiction the registration is so transferred shall exercise the jurisdiction over such person in the manner as if it always had such jurisdiction 26 [; and] [(c) the return for the tax period in which the registration is transferred shall be filed in the Collectorate from where the registration is transferred.] (3) In case of transfer of registration, the CRO shall issue intimation letter to the registered person along with copy to concerned Collectorates, or as the case may be the Large Taxpayers Unit or RTO. (4) In case a registered person intends to shift his business activity from the jurisdiction of one Collectorate to another, or he has any other valid reason for such transfer, he shall apply to the CRO for transfer of his registration along with form STR-2. The CRO shall follow the procedure as per sub-rules (2) and (3). 9. Option to file application with LRO.-- The person applying for registration, changes in particulars of registration or transfer of registration, may, in exceptional cases where he is not able to send such application directly to CRO, file the prescribed application in LRO, instead of filing the same in CRO. In such case LRO Word “and” omitted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Substituted for full stop vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. shall forward the same to CRO within three days and the Collector concerned shall ensure that such application is transmitted to CRO within the stipulated period. 10. Cancellation of multiple registrations.— (1) In case a person holds multiple sales tax registrations, he shall retain only one registration and surrender all other registrations under intimation to CRO. Alternatively, such registered persons shall file only one return for the tax period July 2008, and onwards, against the registration number they wish to retain and all other registration numbers shall be cancelled by CRO. (2) The tax liabilities against the registrations cancelled in the aforesaid manner shall be transferred against the registration retained and in case of such registrations being in different Collectorates, the Collector having jurisdiction over cancelled registrations shall ensure that tax arrear files are transferred to the Collectorate having jurisdiction over the registration so retained.] 11. De-registration.—(1) Every registered person who ceases to carry on his business or whose supplies become exempt from tax, shall apply to the LRO for cancellation of his registration in form STR-3, and the LRO, 29 [on such application or on its own initiative] may recommend to the CRO to cancel the registration of such person from such date as may be specified, but not later than three months from the date of such application or the date all the dues outstanding against such person are deposited by him, whichever is the later. (2) A registered person whose total taxable turnover during the last twelve months remains below the limit specified in rule 4, may apply to the LRO for de- registration in form STR-3 or the Collector may, on his initiative, start proceedings for his de-registration. (3) The Local Registration Office, upon completion of any audit or inquiry which may have been initiated consequent upon the application of the registered person for deregistration, shall direct the applicant to discharge any outstanding liability which may have been raised therein by filing a final return under section 28. Rule 10 substituted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Earlier it read as under: “10. Revised registration certificate.—In case of multiple registrations, the registered person A[shall] apply on form STR-1 for single registration to the CRO which after ascertaining tax liabilities from the concerned Collectorate shall issue revised registration certificate in which previous registration number shall be merged.” Substituted for “may” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Inserted after word and coma “LRO”, occurring for the second time, vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. (4) If a registered person fails to file tax return for six consecutive months, the LRO may, without prejudice to any action that may be taken under any other provision of the Act, after issuing a notice in writing and after giving an opportunity of being heard to such person, recommend to the CRO for cancellation of the registration after satisfying itself that no tax liability is outstanding against such person. (5) The obligations and liabilities of the person whose registration is cancelled under sub-rule (1) relating to the period when he conducted business as a registered person shall not be affected by the fact that his registration has been cancelled or that he has ceased to be a registered person. 12. Blacklisting and suspension of registration.—(1) Where the Collector has reasons to believe that a registered person is found to have committed tax fraud or evaded tax or has failed to deposit the tax due on his supplies despite having recovered it from the respective buyers or recipients of such supplies, he may suspend his registration through an order in writing and initiate such inquiry, as deemed appropriate. (2) After such inquiry and investigation to confirm the facts and veracity of the information and after giving an opportunity to such person to clarify his position, the Collector, if satisfied that such person has committed any of the offences as aforesaid, may blacklist such person through an order in writing, and such blacklisting shall be without prejudice to any other action that may be taken against such person under the Act and the rules made thereunder. (3) The inquiry in such cases shall be completed within ninety days, and show cause notice for recovery of any evaded amount of tax and for contravention of the provisions of the Act may be issued within the period specified under section 36 of the Provided that where the records required for completion of the inquiry are not produced by the blacklisted person or a person whose registration has been suspended or by the suppliers of such person, the period of ninety days for completion of the inquiry shall be deemed to have been extended by a further period of ninety days. (4) The order for blacklisting or suspending the registration of a registered person shall be communicated to such person, the CRO and to the Central Sales Tax database provided for this purpose. (5) During the period of suspension of registration, the invoices issued by such person shall not be entertained for the purposes of sales tax refund or input tax credit, and once such person is blacklisted, the refund or input tax credit claimed against the invoices issued by him, whether prior or after such blacklisting, shall be rejected through a self-speaking appealable order and after affording an opportunity of being heard to such person. 13. Application.—The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all registered persons required to file a return under section 26 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. 14. Filing of returns.—(1) Every person registered under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, or the Federal Excise Act, 2005, shall file the return as specified in the form STR- 7, along with all its annexures provided therein, in accordance with the instructions given therewith, in the manner as specified in rule 18. (2) Where a registered person operates in different sectors for which different dates of filing of return have been prescribed in any rules made under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, or the Federal Excise Act, 2005, such person shall file a single 14. Filing of Returns.—(1) Every registered person, whether under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, or the Federal Excise Act, 2005, shall file the return as specified in the STR-7, in triplicate, in accordance with the instructions given therewith, in a Bank located in the jurisdiction of the Collectorate where he is Provided that a registered person may also file the return electronically, in the manner specified in rule 18: [Provided further that the registered persons working under a special procedure notified under section 71 of the Act by the Federal Government, shall also file the part of the return as prescribed for them:] Provided also that a person registered in the jurisdiction of a LTU, shall at the time of filing his return, legibly and conspicuously indicate the expression "LTU" on the top right corner of the return: (2) The registered person shall deposit the amount of sales tax due for the tax period at the time of filing of return in the Bank. [(3) Where a registered person operates in different sectors for which different dates of filing of return have been prescribed in any rules made under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, or the Federal Excise Act, 2005, such person shall file a single return for all such sectors by the due date applicable to his major activity in terms of sales tax or federal excise duty payable.] [] Proviso substituted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007 for “Provided further that registered persons working under a special procedure notified under section 71 of the Act by the Federal Government, wherein a separate return form is prescribed, shall file returns in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed therein:” Substituted vide SRO 307(I)/2008 dated 24.03.2008 for “(3) In case no amount of sales tax is payable by the registered person, he may file a nil return in accordance with chapter I of the Sales Tax Special Procedures Rules, 2006.” Sub-rule (4) omitted vide SRO 824(I)/2007 dated 16.08.2007. It read “(4) Notwithstanding anything in sub-rule (1), a registered person operating, whether exclusively or otherwise, as dealer, distributor or wholesaler of the goods mentioned in the Third Schedule to the Act, shall file the return in triplicate, in the format set out at STR-9, in respect of such goods, and in case of other goods, if any, he shall file a separate return for those goods, in the form mentioned in sub-rule (1).” return for all such sectors by the due date applicable to his major activity in terms of sales tax or federal excise duty payable.] 14A. Omitted [] 15. Receipt of return by the Bank.—(1) The Bank official shall ensure that the particulars entered in all the three copies of the return are identical and that the amount deposited by the registered person tallies with the amount indicated as "TOTAL SALES TAX PAYABLE" in the return, and shall thereafter sign and stamp the return indicating the date of payment of tax and submission of tax return. (2) The Bank shall forward the original copy of the return to the concerned Collectorate of Sales Tax or the LTU, as the case may be. The second copy thereof along with the computer generated receipt shall be delivered to the registered person as a token of receipt of payment of sales tax and filing of return and the third copy shall be retained by the Bank for its record. (3) In case of payment through cheque, pay order or bank draft, the Bank will receive the return in triplicate along with the instrument of payment for the amount of tax payable indicated in the return and issue a provisional acknowledgement receipt to the registered person. (4) On clearance of the instrument, the Bank official shall sign and stamp the return indicating the date on which payment is received by the Bank. In cases where the payments are received through pay order or bank draft, the bank shall affix two stamps on the return indicating the date on which the pay order or bank draft was received for clearing and the date on which the pay order or bank draft was cleared for payment by (5) The date of payment, in case of payment through cash or cheque, shall be treated as the date on which the payment is received by the bank. In case of payment through pay order or Bank draft, the date on which the pay order or Bank draft is tendered at the Bank counter shall be treated as the date of payment and where the pay order or Bank draft, so tendered at the Bank counter, is not cleared on its first presentation for Bank clearing before the due date, the registered person shall, without Rule 14A omitted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. It read as under: “14A. Option to file Nil Return in the Collectorate.—(1) Every registered person intending to file a nil return under section 26 of the Act may file the nil return, in duplicate, not later than the due date, at the counter set up in the Collectorate for the purpose. (2) The person receiving the nil return shall ensure that the particulars mentioned in both the copies tally with each other and shall then sign and stamp the two copies and also endorse the date of submission thereof. (3) The person receiving a nil return shall forward the original copy thereof to the Computer Section and return back the duplicate copy, duly signed, stamped and indicating the date of submission, to the registered person in token of receipt.” Rule 14A was inserted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. prejudice to any other action, be liable to pay default surcharge and penalties prescribed under the Act for late payment of sales tax. 16. Payment of service charges to the Bank.—(1) The Bank shall charge ten rupees per return (including nil returns) as service charges from the Collectorates having jurisdiction in the area where the bank branches are located. (2) For the purpose of claiming service charges referred to in sub-rule (1), the Manager of the main branch of the Bank shall submit the claim to the Assistant Collector, Assessment and Processing Division of the concerned Collectorate in the first week of the following month supported by a statement indicating date, number of returns received, number of returns submitted to the Collectorate, amount of sales tax collected and amount of sales tax deposited in the State Bank of Pakistan. (3) The Assistant Collector, Assessment and Processing Division, shall verify the statement submitted under sub-rule (2) from the Accounts Section of the Collectorate and from his own record. If the claim is found to be in order and the Assistant Collector is satisfied that the Bank has fulfilled its responsibility under clauses (iv), (vi), paragraphs a and b of the Agreement, he shall sanction the claim and issue a cheque within a week from the date of submission of the claim, provided that in case of delay by the Collectorate, it shall pay a penalty at the rate of fifteen percent per annum for the amount late sanctioned. (4) If the Bank fails to fulfil the conditions specified in clause (iv), clause (vi), paragraph a, or paragraph b of the Agreement, the Assistant Collector shall deduct the amount of penalty leviable thereunder on the Bank at the rate of 15% per annum against the amount late deposited in the State Bank of Pakistan from the service charges admissible to the Bank. (5) If the returns are not submitted to the Collectorate within forty-eight hours of the receipt thereof returns in the designated branches of the Bank, the service charges in respect of the returns submitted late shall also be deducted and the remaining amount, if any, shall be sanctioned by the Assistant Collector and cheque therefore will be issued to the Bank. (6) For deduction of any amount under sub-rule (4), the Assistant Collector shall intimate the Bank the reasons thereof within seven days of deduction. (7) Where it is not clear as to whether deduction should be made, the Assistant Collector shall require the Bank for clarification before taking a decision. (8) All public holidays and the number of days the Collectorate is prevented from functioning, due to the factors beyond its control, shall be excluded while calculating delay in sanctioning the claim for service charges. (9) Where the Assistant Collector requires any clarification from the Bank, the time taken by the Bank for this purpose shall be excluded from the time specified for sanctioning the service charges claim. 17. Filing of Annual Sales Tax Return.--- As stipulated in second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 26 of the Act, every registered person, being a private or public limited company, shall file annual sales tax return, in the form as set out in STR- 10, for a financial year by the 30th September of the following financial year, with the Collector having jurisdiction. 18. Electronic filing of Sales Tax Return.— 33 [(1) Every registered person required to file return or other statement as prescribed under section 26 or section 27 of Rule 18 substituted vide SRO 49(I)/2008 dated 15.01.2008. At the time of substitution it read: “18.Electronic filing of Sales Tax Return.— (1) The registered persons, as noted below, instead of filing paper copies of the return as stipulated hereinbefore, shall file returns electronically, in the manner described hereinafter: (a) the registered persons falling in the jurisdiction of the Large Taxpayers Units, Karachi and Lahore; and (b) the private and public limited companies registered in other Collectorates of Sales Tax. Provided that a registered person, other than those mentioned above, may also opt for electronic filing of sales tax return in the same (2) The aforesaid registered persons shall obtain NIFT Class 2 Digital Certificate from NIFT by downloading and filling the Digital Certificate Request Form from NIFT Website i.e. www.nift.com.pk. (3) The NIFT certificate shall be installed by the registered person in his computer. (4) The registered person shall download the relevant electronic sales tax return, as set out in form from the Central Board of Revenue’s website and fill the information about the purchases and supplies made during a tax period, the tax due and paid and other applicable information as stated in the filling instructions. (5) Payment of the amount of sales tax, if any, shall be made in any of the designated online branches of the National Bank of Pakistan on the prescribed payment challan as specified in the STR-11. (6) Reference number of the Computerized Payment Receipt and other required information shall be duly mentioned in the relevant columns of the electronic sales tax return. (7) The duly filled Electronic Sales Tax Return including a ‘Nil return’ shall be transmitted to the Central Board of Revenue’s e-mail address i.e. salestax.returns@cbr.gov.pk, through a digitally signed e-mail A[or in any other manner as required by the Board]. (8) The Electronic Sales Tax Return and its relevant attachments, if any, shall be kept in the electronic record of the registered person and shall be produced to the officer-in-charge on demand along with the supportive documents. (9) The Board shall send a digitally signed e-mail acknowledging the receipt of Electronic Sales Tax Return. [(10) The Board may, through a General Order, prescribe any other manner of filing returns electronically.] Sub-rule (10) added vide SRO 824(I)/2007 dated 16.08.2007. Sub-rule (1) substituted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Earlier it read as under: “(1) The registered persons, as noted below, instead of filing paper copies of the return or other statements prescribed under section 26 and 27 of the Act or any notification issued thereunder, shall file such returns and statements electronically, in the manner as specified by the Board through a general order, namely:– (a) the registered persons falling in the jurisdiction of any of the Large Taxpayers Units; and (b) the private and public limited companies: Provided that a registered person, other than those mentioned above, may also opt for electronic filing of aforesaid sales tax returns and statements in the same manner.” the Act or any notification issued thereunder shall file such a return or, as the case may be, statement, electronically in the manner as specified by the Board through a general order.] (2) A registered person filing returns electronically as stipulated above, shall make payment of the amount of sales tax due, if any, in any of the designated branches of the National Bank of Pakistan on the prescribed payment challan as specified in the STR-11 or through electronic payment system devised for this purpose.] [(3) In cases where due date has been prescribed as 15th of a month, the tax due shall be deposited by the 15th and the return shall be submitted electronically by 18th of the same month.] 19. Application.–The provisions of this chapter apply where a registered person has issued a tax invoice in respect of a supply made by him and as a result of any of the events specified in section 9 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, the amount shown in the tax invoice or the return needs to be modified. 20. Cancellation or return of supply.–(1) Where a registered person has made a supply, and such supply or part thereof is cancelled or returned, the buyer or the recipient shall issue a Debit Note (in duplicate) in respect of such supply or part thereof, indicating the quantity being returned or the supply of which has been cancelled, its value determined on the basis of the value of supply as shown in the tax invoice issued by the supplier and the amount of related sales tax paid thereon, as well as the following, namely:-- (i) Name and registration number of the recipient; (ii) name and registration number of the supplier; (iii) number and date of the original sales tax invoice; (iv) the reason of issuance of the Debit Note; and (v) signature and seal of the authorized person issuing the note. (2) The original copy of the debit note shall be sent to the [supplier] and the duplicate copy shall be retained for record. (3) In the case of cancellation of supplies made to, or return of goods by, an unregistered person, the supplier shall issue a credit note providing the same particulars as are specified in sub-rule (1) and keep a copy for record. Sub-rule (3) added vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Substituted for “buyer” vide 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. 21. Change in Value of Supply or amount of sales tax.-(1) Where for any valid reason the value of supply or the amount of sales tax mentioned in the invoice issued has increased, the supplier shall issue a Debit Note (in duplicate), with the following particulars, namely:-- (i) name and registration number of the supplier; (ii) name and registration number of the recipient; (iv) the original value and sales tax as in original invoice; (v) the revised value and sales tax; (vi) the difference of value and sales tax adjustable; (vii) the reason for revision of value; and (viii) signature and seal of the authorized person issuing the note. (2) Where, for any valid reason, the value of supply or the amount of sales tax mentioned in the invoice issued has decreased, the supplier shall issue a Credit Note (in duplicate), with the same particulars as specified in sub-rule (1). (3) The original copy of the note as referred to in sub-rules (1) and (2), shall be sent to the recipient and the duplicate shall be retained for record. In respect of a case falling under sub-rule (2), the recipient shall issue a Debit Note with reference to the Credit Note issued by the suppliers as an acknowledgment of the receipt of the same providing therein the same details as in the corresponding Credit Note. 22. Adjustment of input and output tax.–(1) The buyer shall not be entitled to claim input tax in respect of the supply which has been cancelled or returned to the supplier or in respect of which the amount of tax was reduced. (2) Where the buyer has already claimed input tax credit in respect of such supplies, he shall reduce or increase the amount of input tax by the corresponding amount as mentioned in the Debit Note or Credit Note, as the case may be, in the return for the period in which the respective note was issued. (3) Where the supplier has already accounted for the output tax in the sales tax return for the supplies against which Debit Note was issued subsequently, he may increase or reduce the amount of output tax by the corresponding amount as mentioned in the Debit Note, in the return for the period in which the respective note was issued: Provided that in case of return of supplies by an unregistered person, the adjustment as aforesaid can be made against the Credit Note issued by the supplier. (4) The adjustments as hereinbefore noted which lead to reduction in output tax or increase in 36 [input] tax can only be made if the corresponding Debit Note or Credit Note is issued within one hundred and eighty days of the relevant supply: Provided that the Collector may, at the request of the supplier, in specific cases, by giving reasons in writing, extend the period of one hundred and eighty days by a further one hundred and eighty days. (5) Where the goods relating to a returned or cancelled supply are subsequently supplied to the original buyer or some other person with or without carrying out any repairs, the supplier shall charge sales tax thereon in the normal manner and account for it in his return for the period in which these goods were supplied. 23. Destruction of goods.–Where any goods are returned by the buyer on the ground that the same are unfit for consumption and are required to be destroyed by the supplier, the goods shall be destroyed after obtaining permission from the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction, and under the supervision of an officer of Sales Tax not below the rank of an Assistant Collector as may be deputed by the Collector for the purpose 37 [and the input tax credit in respect of goods so destroyed shall not be admissible]. 24. Application.—The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the registered persons who make taxable and exempt supplies simultaneously. 25. Determination of input tax.—(1) Input tax paid on raw materials relating wholly to the taxable supplies shall be admissible under the law. (2) Input tax paid on raw materials relating wholly to exempt supplies shall not be admissible. (3) The amount of input tax incurred for making both exempt and taxable supplies shall be apportioned according to the following formula, namely:— Residual input tax credit Value of taxable supplies = x Residual input tax on taxable supplies (Value of taxable + exempt supplies) Substituted for “output” vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Added vide SRO 830(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. (4) Monthly adjustment of input tax claimed by a registered person under this chapter shall be treated as provisional adjustment and at the end of each financial year, the registered person shall make final adjustment on the basis of taxable and exempt supplies made during the course of that year. (5) Any input tax adjustment claimed wrongfully on account of incorrect application of formula set out in sub-rule (3) shall be punishable under the respective provisions of law irrespective of the fact that the claim was provisional. 26. Application.-- This chapter shall apply to all refund claims filed by–– (a) registered manufacturer-cum-exporters and commercial exporters who zero rate all or part of their supplies under section 4 of the Act; (b) registered persons who acquire tax paid inputs for use 38 [ 39 [thereof in the manufacture of goods chargeable to sales tax]] at the rate of zero per cent under the Act or a notification issued there-under 40 [: [(c) registered persons claiming refund of the excess amount of input tax as referred to in sub-section (2) of section 8B and first proviso to section 10 of the Act;] (d) registered persons who acquire tax paid inputs used in the export of goods, local supply of which is exempt under the Act or any notification issued there-under; 43 [] (e) persons claiming refund of sales tax under section 66 of the Act [; Substituted “in the manufacture of goods which are supplied to registered persons” for “thereof in the manufacture of goods chargeable to sales tax” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Substituted “thereof in the manufacture of goods chargeable to sales tax” for “in the manufacture of goods which are supplied to registered persons” vide SRO 907(I)/2007 dated 07.09.2007. Colon substituted for semi-colon and proviso added vide SRO 831(I)/2007 dated 18.08.2007 w.e.f. 1st July 2007. Proviso omitted vide SRO 907(I)/2007 dated 07.09.2007 which read “Provided that the registered manufacturers of zero-rated stationery and dairy products shall be entitled to refund of input tax paid on the raw materials and other inputs used in the manufacture of goods supplied to registered as well as unregistered persons;” Clause (c) substituted vide SRO 307(I)/2008 dated 24.03.2008 for “(c) registered persons claiming refund of the excess amount of input tax which could not be consumed within three months;” “(f) diplomats, diplomatic missions and privileged persons and organizations who purchase goods or services on payment of tax and are otherwise entitled to receive zero-rated supply as provided under Chapter X of these rules.] 27. Establishment of Refund Division and posting of officers.--(1) There shall be established a CSTRO under the 45 [Federal Board of Revenue] for centralized payment of refund amount to such claimants and from such date as the Board may specify. (2) There shall be established a Refund Division in each Collectorate of Sales Tax to receive, process and settle the refund claims filed under these rules. (3) There shall be posted an officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of Sales Tax, as nominated by the Collector to be the officer-in-charge of the Refund Division, herein after referred to as the officer-in-charge in this chapter. (4) There shall be established a Post Refund Division in each Collectorate of Sales Tax headed by an officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of Sales Tax to audit the refund claims processed and sanctioned by the Refund Division. 28. Filing of refund claim.--(1) Monthly sales tax return filed by a claimant shall be treated as a refund claim once all the supportive documents including the requisite data in the format or software (RCPS), has been received: Provided that no refund claim shall be entertained if the claimant fails to furnish the claim on the prescribed software (RCPS) along-with the supportive documents within 46 [one hundred and twenty] days of the filing of return. Provided further that the period of 47 [one hundred and twenty] days as aforesaid, in case of a commercial exporter, shall be reckoned from the date when the BCA is issued to him by the concerned bank 48 [: Provided also that if a claimant is exporting goods manufactured by him as well as the goods purchased in the same state, in the same tax period, the period of 49 [one hundred and twenty] days shall be reckoned from date of filing of return or the date of issuance of BCA, whichever is later.] “; and” substituted for full stop and clause (f) added vide SRO 307(I)/2008 dated 24.03.2008. Substituted for “sixty” vide SRO 830(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Colon substituted for full stop and proviso added vide SRO 307(I)/2008 dated 24.03.2008. [(1A) The manufacturer-cum-exporters, who are registered as limited companies, having annual turnover more than one hundred million rupees and whose refund claim on inputs consumed in zero-rated supplies excluding building material and utilities is less than one per cent of the value of exports and local zero-rated sales, shall have the option to file refund claim electronically provided their suppliers are also filing return along with details of sale and purchases electronically.] (2) In cases where such supportive documents are not submitted to the officer in-charge within the time specified under sub-rule (1), the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction may, on a written request from the claimant justifying the reasons for delay in submission of such documents or data on RCPS, extend the time limit for a further [sixty] days. (3) The Board may, through a General Order or otherwise, prescribe the date, manner and procedure for electronic filing of sales tax refund claims by the registered persons filing their monthly returns electronically. 29. Scrutiny and processing of refund claim.--(1) On submission of a refund claim, the Refund Receipt Section shall confirm that the claim is complete in all respects, after which it shall be loaded in the system for assigning the claim a unique identification number. (2) After assigning the unique identification number, the 52 [CREST] shall cross-match the data on soft copy with the data available in the system and process the claim by applying the risk parameters and generate analysis report indicating the admissible amount as well as the amount not validated on the basis of automated risk criterion along-with the objections raised by the system. (3) The processing officer shall forward the claim file along-with the analysis report referred to in sub-rule (2) to the officer in-charge for further necessary action. (4) Where the Processing Officer or the officer-in-charge is of the opinion that any further inquiry or audit is required in respect of amount not cleared by the [CREST] or for any other reason to establish genuineness and admissibility of the claim, he may make or cause to be made such inquiry or audit as deemed appropriate, after seeking approval from the concerned Additional Collector and inform the refund claimant accordingly. Sub-rule added vide SRO 830(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Substituted for “thirty” vide SRO 830(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Substituted for “RRAS” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Sub-rule (5) omitted vide SRO 830(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Earlier it read as under: “A (5) CREST shall generate refund payment order for admissible amount in respect of refund claimed by manufacturers for export in zero rated sectors.” 30. Sanction and payment of refund claim.— 55 [(1) On receipt of analysis Report and refund payment order for the amount verified by CREST and found admissible by the processing officer, the officer in-charge shall sanction the amount so determined and issue the Refund Payment Order (RPO).] (2) The officer in-charge shall transmit the Refund Payment Order electronically and 56 [, in respect of claim filed manually,] forward the original copy thereof to the treasury officer of the Collectorate. The treasury officer shall make payment of refund through a cross cheque in favour of the refund claimant indicating his declared account number and bank name. The crossed cheque shall also be counter signed by an authorized co-signatory. (3) The Additional Collector shall reconcile the refund cheques issued by the treasury officer of the Collectorate during a month with the bank scrolls received from State Bank of Pakistan and record the outcome of such reconciliation in the system. (4) Where any cheque is returned back by the State Bank of Pakistan due to any reason, the treasury officer shall cancel such cheque, if required, and attach such cancelled cheque with the respective counter-foil of the cheque-book. (5) From such date to be notified by the Board, the officer in-charge shall electronically transmit the RPO to the treasury officer in the CSTRO under his digital signatures, and retain a copy thereof in the Refund Division for record. (6) The treasury officer in CSTRO and the co-signatory designated by the Board in this regard shall issue the cheque for the sanctioned amount as mentioned in the RPO. (7) The CSTRO shall also prepare a statement of payment advice for the concerned bank on a daily basis, for direct transfer of the refund amount to the declared bank account of the claimant, under intimation to the CSTRO, the concerned Collectorate of Sales Tax as well as the claimant. Sub-rule substituted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007 for “(5) Where a claim is filed electronically, initial scrutiny shall also be conducted by the RRAS on the basis of data already available in the system.” “(1) On receipt of analysis Report or RPO as specified at sub rule 5 of rule 29 above the officer in-charge shall sanction the validated amount and issue the Refund Payment Order (RPO) accordingly after issuing the show cause notice for the amount found not admissible.” Sub-rule substituted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007 for “(1) On receipt of analysis report, the officer in-charge shall sanction the validated amount and issue the Refund Payment Order (RPO) accordingly.” Substituted for “also” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. 31. Scrutiny and processing of refund claims filed by manufacturers of specified goods.—(1) Notwithstanding anything in rule 29, refund of sales tax paid inputs used in the manufacture of goods, local supply of which has been zero-rated, shall be processed and sanctioned through the Fast Track Channel within fifteen days from the date of filing of refund claim. (2) The refund of sales tax paid on utilities and the goods imported directly by the claimant and the input tax incurred on acquiring furnace oil from Oil and Gas Marketing Companies for power generation and consumption thereof in the manufacture of zero-rated goods, shall be sanctioned upon validation by the automated system. Refund of input tax paid in respect of other inputs, if validated by the [CREST], shall also be sanctioned in the same manner. (3) Subject to validation by the 58 [CREST], refund of tax paid verifiable inputs used in the export of goods, local supply of which is exempt under the Act or any notification issued there-under, shall be paid. 32. Scrutiny and processing of refund claims relating to commercial exporters.--Notwithstanding anything in rule 29, refund of sales tax paid inputs used in the exports made by commercial exporters, shall be sanctioned only after 59 [verification of supportive documents and approval through CREST]. 33. Extent of payment of refund claim.--Refund to the claimants under these rules shall be paid to the extent of the input tax paid on purchases or imports that are actually consumed in the manufacture of goods which have been exported or supplied at the rate of zero per cent. Substituted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007 for “processing through the RRAS and after verification of input tax payment on the basis of risk profiling and targeting of the claimant” Rule 34 substituted vide SRO 307(I)/2008 dated 24.03.2008. Earlier it read: “34. Refund of excess input tax.--(1) A registered person claiming refund of excess input mentioned in the adjustment advice and which could not be consumed or adjusted within the stipulated time, shall furnish copy of relevant adjustment advice(s) and a consolidated month-wise stock statement in respect of taxable inputs for the last three months in the following format: Tax Paid Inputs Inputs Consumed in Tax Paid Supplies Opening Balance Purchases During Total From Opening From Purchases During Total the Month Balance the Current Month (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Remaining Inputs To Be Carried Forward For Consumption In the Next Tax Period From Opening From Purchased During Total Refund of Unconsumed Taxable Input Tax Balance the Current Month Carried Forward From Preceding Three (7) (8) (9) (10) 34. Refund of excess input tax not relating to zero-rated supplies.— (1) The refund of excess unadjusted input tax relating to supplies other than zero-rated shall be claimed and sanctioned in the cases mentioned below, namely:─ (a) the manufacturers of fertilizers, electric power producers and electric power distribution companies may claim refund of excess input tax over output tax in any tax period; (b) registered persons in plastic, paper and steel sectors whose inputs are subject to sales tax at 20% or 17.5% ad valorem and their final product is subject to tax at 15% ad valorem may claim refund of excess input tax if the same is not adjusted within a minimum consecutive period of three months; (c) registered persons who are not able to adjust input tax in excess of 90% of output tax in view of restriction in section 8B of the Act, may file refund claim as under,— (i) in case of registered persons whose accounts are subject to audit under the Companies Ordinance, 1984, after the end of their accounting year; and (ii) in case of other registered persons, after the end of financial year; (d) all other registered persons, not covered by clauses (a) to (c) above, may claim refund of excess input tax, if the same is not adjusted within a minimum consecutive period of twelve months: Provided that the amount of refund claim in all such cases shall not exceed the excess of total input tax over the total output tax, as declared in the relevant returns, for the period in respect of which the claim has been filed and shall not include any excess input tax declared prior to the said period. (2) The registered person shall file application for refund claim along with data prepared through RCPS, providing the following information, namely:- (i) name and registration number of the claimant; (ii) period of claim; (iii) amount of claim; and (iv) a statement along with annual audited accounts as envisaged in clause (i) of sub-section (2) of section 8B of the Act, if applicable: (2) Refund of such excess input tax shall be sanctioned only to the extent of amount validated by the A[CREST].” “CREST” substituted for “RRAS” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Provided that the application for claim shall be filed within the period specified in rule 28 after the filing of return for the last month in the period of claim. (3) The refund of excess input tax under this chapter shall be filed, processed and sanctioned in the manner as provided in rules 29 and 30. (4) The refund of excess input tax provided in clauses (c) and (d) of sub- rule (1), excluding the cases of claims by registered persons, whose accounts are subject to audit under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), as referred to in section (2) of section 8B of the Act, shall be sanctioned as found admissible after a departmental audit of records maintained by the registered person and after a certificate is recorded by the sales tax officers auditing the records that actual value addition during the period involved was not found sufficient to require a net payment of tax for the reasons mentioned in the audit Provided that in case of refund claim falling in clause (b) of sub-rule (1), post-refund audit shall be conducted after the close of financial year and the auditors shall report on the aspect of value addition in their audit report. (5) The refund claimant shall ensure that the input tax involved in the refund claim is not shown as outstanding credit in the returns for the tax periods subsequent to the period of claim. (6) The refund of excess input tax under this rule shall not be claimed where the same has already been claimed or paid under any other notification issued by the Federal Government or the Board.] 35. Responsibility of the claimant.--The automated processing of refund claims shall be conducted on the basis of supportive documents and data on prescribed electronic format provided by the claimant. The claimant shall be responsible for any mis-declaration or submission of incorrect information and shall be liable for penal action besides recovery of the amount erroneously refunded along with default surcharge under the relevant provisions of the Act. 36. Post-sanction audit of refund claims.--1) After disposing of the refund claim, the officer In-charge shall forward the relevant file to the Post Refund Audit Division for post-sanction audit and scrutiny, which shall, inter alia, include verification of input tax payment by respective suppliers and compliance of section 73 of the Act. (2) The officer in-charge of Post Refund Audit Division shall send his findings to the concerned Refund Division for further necessary action, as required under the 37. Action on inadmissible claims.--Where the claim or any part thereof is found inadmissible 61 [or unverified], the officer in-charge shall, at the time of issuing RPO, issue a notice requiring the claimant to show cause as to why the claim or as the case may be, part thereof should not be rejected and as to why the claimant should not be proceeded against under the relevant provisions of the Act. 38. Supportive documents.--1) The refund claimant shall submit the refund claim in computer diskette in the prescribed format or software along-with the following documents, namely:- (a) Input tax invoices or as the case may be, goods declaration for import in respect of which refund is being claimed; (b) output tax invoices [and summary of invoices for local zero-rated goods]; (c) goods declaration for export (quadruplicate copy) indicating Mate Receipt number with date or airway bill or railway receipt or postal receipt besides the examination report endorsed on the reverse side thereof by the customs officers 63 [, in case of claims by persons other than manufacturer-cum-exporters of goods zero-rated in a notification issued under section 4 of the Act]: Provided that in case of imports or exports processed through PACCS, submission of goods declaration shall not be required and verification regarding import, or as the case may be export, in such cases shall be carried out by cross-matching of the declarations with the data available in the system. (d) copy of House and Master bill of lading and airway bill or as the case may be, railway receipt in token of verification of the goods taken out of Pakistan; and (e) statement of the tax paid inputs, in respect of which refund is claimed 64 [by the claimants other than the manufacturers of goods zero-rated for local supplies], in the format set out below: Description Opening Purchased Total Consumed Consumed Total Balance of input balance during the available for for export / in local consumption Substituted for “on account of discrepancies pointed out by the RRAS” vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Substituted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007 for “excluding zero-rated invoices”. goods month consumption zero-rating supplies (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (2) In addition to the documents specified in sub-rule (1), a commercial exporter shall submit bank credit advice issued by the concerned bank and copy of the duty drawback order, if issued by the customs authorities. (3) Where the refund claim is filed under section 66 of the Act, the claimant shall submit an application for refund indicating his name, address, registration number, the amount of sales tax refund claimed and reasons for seeking such refund along-with following documents, namely:-- (a) input tax invoices in respect of which refund is claimed; (b) proof of payment of input tax claimed as refund; and (c) copy of the relevant order on the basis of which refund is claimed. (4) The refund claimed under section 66 of the Act shall be sanctioned after verifying that no adjustment or refund of input tax has been claimed earlier and that the goods have been duly accounted for in the inventory records and the invoices claimed are validated by the 65 [CREST]. [(5) In case of claims by diplomats, diplomatic missions and privileged persons and organizations, they shall submit original exemption order or certificate or CBR Booklet as referred to in Chapter 67 [VIII] and original sales tax invoice. The refund shall be sanctioned after making necessary endorsements on these documents to the effect that the refund has been paid against the same.] 39. Miscellaneous and savings.--(1) In cases where refund has been found to have been paid in excess of the amount due, such excess paid refund shall be recovered along with default surcharge besides any other penal action that may be taken under the Act. (2) The refund claims of a registered person, who is found to have committed tax fraud, shall be finalized after detailed scrutiny of all partners in the supply chain to establish the forward and backward linkages and after verifying input tax payment by (3) The existing Sales Tax Treasury Offices functioning in the Collectorates shall continue to pay sales tax refund till such time the CSTRO is established and, accordingly, any reference to CSTRO, in this chapter, shall be construed as a reference to such existing Treasury Offices. Substituted for “X” vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. (4) The admissible refund claims received with supportive documents up to the date of commencement of these rules shall be sanctioned and paid in accordance with the provisions of the Sales Tax Refund Rules, 2002, or the Chapter V of the Sales Tax Rules, 2005, or the Sales Tax Refund on Zero-Rated Supply Rules, 2006, whichever is [39A. Processing of refund claims in LTUs,– (1) The refund claimant registered in a Large Taxpayer Unit, desirous of availing facility under this rule, shall file a refund application to the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction along with the following documents, namely:─ (a) an undertaking affirming the accuracy and genuineness of refund; (b) a revolving bank guarantee valid for at least one hundred and twenty days issued by a scheduled bank, to the satisfaction of Collector of Sales Tax (Large Taxpayers Unit), of an amount not less than amount of refund claimed. (2) Where the claimant has filed documents under sub-rule (1), the Collector shall allow the refund of input tax within three days of receipt thereof. (3) Within fifteen days of the sanctioning of refund, the claimant shall file a complete refund claim along with the supportive documents and soft copy on the prescribed format, which shall be scrutinized in the Large Taxpayer Unit and the objections, if any, related to the refund claim shall be conveyed to the claimant within seven days of the receipt of claim. (4) In case any amount already sanctioned and paid is found inadmissible or remains unverified after six month of payment of refund, the same shall be recovered within seven days by encashing the bank guarantee to the extent of inadmissible amount besides other legal action under the relevant provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder. (5) The Collector of Sales Tax shall notify an officer, not below the rank of an Assistant Collector, as focal person in the LTU to liaise with other Collectorates regarding the problems or objections encountered on account of purchases and supplies of the refund claimant for speedy solution thereof.] Rule 39A inserted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. persons who are subject to special audit in terms of section 32A of the Act. 41. Special Audit.—The Board may cause special audit by a special auditor, of the records, tax invoices and monthly returns required to be maintained, issued or furnished by any registered person, or class or classes of registered persons under sections 22, 23 and 26 of the Act. 42. Scope of special audit.—The scope of the special audit shall be the expression of professional opinion with respect to the following, namely:- (a) whether the records, tax invoices and monthly returns have been maintained, issued or furnished correctly by the registered person; (b) whether the monthly returns furnished by the registered person correctly reflect that— (i) all taxable supplies in the tax period as revealed by the records and tax invoices; and (ii) all input tax, output tax and the net amount of sales tax payable or refundable, as the case may be, are in accordance with the provisions of the Act and are duly substantiated by the records required to be maintained for the purpose. 43. Form of audit report.—The special auditor shall submit his audit report in the form as specified in the terms of reference. 44. Penalty.—(1) In case of violation of this chapter or any clause of the terms of reference, the payment of fee as specified therein shall be withheld forthwith, without prejudice to any action that may be taken under the provisions of the Chartered Accountant Ordinance, 1961 (X of 1961), the Cost and Management Accountants Act, 1966 (XIV of 1966) and bye-laws made thereunder, or the Act. (2) In case the payment has already been made in full or part thereof, to the special auditor, the same shall be returned within one week of issuance, by the Board, of a demand notice in this regard. ZERO-RATING OF SUPPLIES AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TENDER FOR AFGHAN 45. Application.—The provisions of this chapter shall apply to supplies of taxable goods made by registered persons against international tender to UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, WFP, UNHCR, EuronAid and ICRC for Afghan refugees. 46. Procedure and conditions for making zero-rated supplies.—In terms of clause (a) of section 4 read with serial No. 4 of the Fifth Schedule to the Act, supplies against international tender for Afghan refugees shall be charged to tax at the rate of zero percent subject to the following procedure and conditions, namely:— (i) the supply shall be made against international tender issued by UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, WFP, UNHCR, EuronAid or ICRC. The contract signed with the concerned organisation shall be retained by the supplier in his record along with a copy of the tender notice; (ii) payment for the supply shall be received in foreign currency which shall be surrendered to the State Bank and the supplier shall receive payment in Pak rupees as per State Bank procedure and foreign exchange regulations. A certificate from the respective bank or authorised dealer in foreign exchange to this effect shall be retained by the supplier in his record; (iii) a zero-rated invoice shall be issued for each supply, mentioning the full particulars of the buyer and the contract number, besides the particulars required in section 23 of the Act; and (iv) the goods shall be duly received by the organisation which signed the contract and a certificate to this effect shall be issued by the organisation which shall be duly attested by the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Afghan Refugees or as the case may be, by the ICRC Kabul or Herat, in which case ICRC Pakistan will also furnish relevant copies of Bill-of-Export. 47. Maintenance of records.—(1) The supplier shall maintain separate records of supplies of zero-rated goods and receipt of foreign currency under this chapter, indicating the number and date of the international tender, number and date of the contract, name of the organisation to whom goods were supplied, value of the goods, amount of foreign currency involved, and number and date of the certificates obtained under clauses (ii) and (iv) of rule 46. (2) The supplier shall retain the documents specified in rule 46 in his record in addition to those mentioned in section 22 of the Act. 48. Refund.—When filing a claim for refund of sales tax against supplies made under this chapter, in addition to the relevant supporting documents specified in chapter V of these rules, the claimant shall furnish the documents specified in rule 46 in original along with one set of legible photocopies. The original documents shall be returned to the claimant after comparing the same with copies thereof and endorsement of verification on the photocopies by a Deputy Collector or an Assistant Collector of the Refund Division. 49. Penalty.—In case the goods are found not to be supplied to the organisation specified in rule 48, or foreign exchange is not received within one hundred and twenty days of making the supply, the sales tax involved on such goods shall be recoverable from the supplier, besides legal or penal action under appropriate provisions of the Act. 50. Other International Tenders.— The provisions of rules 45 to 49 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply in case of supplies made against other international tenders subject to the condition that a certificate of the receipt and delivery of goods issued by the competent officer or authority of the organization, institution or department who has floated international tender shall be treated as a final proof of the supply having been made against such tender. SUPPLY OF ZERO-RATED GOODS TO DIPLOMATS, DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS, PRIVILEGED PERSONS AND PRIVILEGED ORGANISATIONS zero-rated goods and any other facility on the basis of reciprocity to diplomats, diplomatic missions, privileged persons and privileged organisations. 52. Supplies to diplomats and diplomatic missions.—(1) Any diplomat or diplomatic mission desirous of taking a zero-rated supply from a registered person shall apply to the Assistant Collector or Deputy Collector having jurisdiction for permission to this effect along with the exemption certificate, in original, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this behalf. (2) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue such exemption certificates on the following basis, namely:- (a) reciprocity shall be observed; and (b) minimum value of purchases for a transaction is ten thousand rupees or more. Provided that in case sales tax has been paid by a diplomat or diplomatic mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall forward such claims to the Board for refund, which fulfil the aforesaid conditions. (3) The Assistant Collector or Deputy Collector shall make entry of the goods being purchased by the diplomat or diplomatic mission on the original exemption certificate, keep the same for office record, and issue an "Authorization for Zero-Rated Supplies" in the form as in STR-12 to these rules, in the name of the said registered person. (4) The registered person shall make the zero-rated supply and shall keep record of the same for presentation to the sales tax department as and when required to 53. Supplies to privileged persons.—(1) A privileged person desirous of taking zero-rated supply from a registered person shall apply to the Assistant Collector or Deputy Collector having jurisdiction for permission to this effect along with the "CBR Booklet" issued in his name. (2) The Assistant Collector or Deputy Collector shall make entries of the goods intended to be purchased by the privileged person in the CBR booklet, keep a photocopy of the same for office record and issue an "Authorization for Zero-Rated Supply", as aforesaid, in the name of the said registered person. (3) The Assistant Collector or Deputy Collector shall ensure that the value of the goods to be purchased does not exceed the limit specified in the Model Rules as referred to in clause 0 of sub-rule (1) of rule 2. (4) The registered person shall make the zero-rated supply and keep record of the same for presentation to the sales tax department as and when required to do so. 54. Supply of POL products to privileged persons.— (1) Zero-rated sales tax invoices shall be issued by the registered oil companies for each supply of POL, products to the privileged person, mentioning that the said invoice is being issued under this rule, besides the particulars required in section 23 of the Act. (2) A monthly statement summarizing all the particulars of the supplies made in the month against invoices issued under rub-rule (1) shall be prepared in triplicate by the registered oil company making the zero-rated supplies and shall be signed by the authorized person of the registered oil company. All three copies of the said signed monthly statement shall be got verified by the registered oil company from the person authorized to receive the supplies in the secretariat of the privileged person, confirming that supplies mentioned in the monthly statement have been duly received. (3) After verification from the secretariat of the privileged person, original copy of the monthly statement will be retained by the registered oil company, duplicate copy will be retained by the secretariat of the privileged person and the triplicate copy shall be provided by the registered oil company to the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction, by fifteenth day of the month following the month in which zero-rated supplies under rub-rule (1) were made. (4) The registered oil company shall make the zero-rated supply and keep 55. Refund.— When filing a refund of input tax paid by the registered oil companies against the supplies made under rule 54 in addition to the relevant supportive documents specified in Chapter V of these rules, the claimant shall furnish the duly verified original copy of the monthly statement specified in sub-rule (2) of rule 54 along with one set of legible photocopies. 56. Supplies to the United Nations and organisations working under it.— (1) The United Nations or organisations working under it, desirous of taking a zero-rated supply from a registered person shall apply to the Assistant Collector or Deputy Collector having jurisdiction for permission to this effect along with an exemption order, in original, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this behalf. intended to be purchased on the original exemption order, keep the same for official record and issue an "Authorization for Zero-rated Supply", as aforesaid, in the name of the said registered person. 57. Supplies to Privileged Organisations other than the United Nations.— (1) Any privileged organisation desirous of taking a zero-rated supply from a registered person shall apply to the Assistant Collector or Deputy Collector having jurisdiction for permission to take delivery of goods along with an exemption order, in original, duly issued by the Economic Affairs Division of the Government of Pakistan. intended to be purchased by the privileged organisation on the original letter of the Economic Affairs Division, keep the same for office record and issue an "Authorization for Zero-Rated Supply", as aforesaid, in the name of the said registered person. 58. Application.—The provisions of this chapter shall apply to persons authorized by a taxpayer to represent him or appear on his behalf before the Appellate Tribunal or any other adjudicating authority. 59. Persons authorized to represent a taxpayer.—For the purpose of this chapter, only the following persons are authorized to represent a taxpayer before the adjudicating authority and Appellate Tribunal, namely:— (a) a person in the employment of the taxpayer working on a full-time basis and holding at least a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Higher Education Commission provided that such person shall represent only the taxpayer in whose employment he is working on full-time basis; (b) an advocate entered in any rolls, and practicing as such, under the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973 (XXXV of 1973); (c) a person holding a Bachelor or Masters degree in Commerce; (d) a person who has retired or resigned after putting in satisfactory service in the Sales Tax Department or Customs Department or Federal Excise Department for a period of not less than ten years in a post or posts not inferior to that of an Assistant Collector: Provided that no such person shall be entitled to represent a taxpayer for a period of one year from the date of his retirement or resignation, or in a case in which he had made, or approved, as the case may be, any order under the relevant Acts; and (e) an accountant. 60. Disqualifications.—The following persons shall not be entitled to represent a taxpayer under this chapter, namely :— (a) any person who has been convicted as a result of any criminal proceedings under any law for the time being in force in Pakistan; (b) a person who has been dismissed or compulsorily retired from service; (c) a person who is an undischarged insolvent; and (d) a person who has been found guilty of misconduct as defined in clause (xxxi) of sub-rule (1) of rule 2. 61. Procedure to appoint authorized representative.—To appoint his authorized representative, a taxpayer shall issue a Letter of Authorization, in the form specified in STR-13, duly signed by proprietor, partner or director of the company or business concern, which shall be submitted by the authorized representative before the adjudicating authority or Appellate Tribunal. The authorized representative will use the Letter of Authorization for a single hearing, or till final decision of the case, by the adjudicating authority or the Appellate Tribunal as the case may be. 62. Power to disqualify.—On receipt of a complaint against any authorized representative for misconduct from the Appellate Tribunal or, as the case may be, an adjudicating authority, the Board may, after affording such representative an opportunity of being heard, disqualify him from representing the taxpayer. 63. Application.-- The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all cases of dispute brought or specified for resolution under section 47A of the Act. 64. Application for alternative dispute resolution.-- Any registered person interested for resolution of any dispute under section 47A may submit a written application for alternative dispute resolution to the Board, stating inter alia, the following namely:- (a) the Collectorate of Sales Tax and the office of the Sales Tax with whom a dispute has arisen. (b) the particulars of the case; (c) the grounds on the basis of which a resolution of a dispute is being sought by the applicant duly supported with relevant documents; (d) the extent or the amount of sales tax, default surcharge and penalties, which the applicant agrees to pay, if any; (e) details of amounts already paid, if any; and (f) the particulars of any person who will represent the applicant. 65. Appointment of Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.— (1) The Board, after examination of the contents of an application by a registered person and facts stated therein and on satisfaction that a dispute deserves consideration for resolution for the removal of hardship under section 47A of the Act, may constitute a committee for examination of the issues involved in the dispute and for taking other actions as provided under sub-section (3) of section 47A of the Act. (2) The Board may appoint one of the members of the committee, other than a public servant, to be its chairman. (3) The Board shall require the committee to submit its report within [sixty] days of its appointment. Provided that the time so specified may, if requested by the Chairman of the committee for reasons to be recorded in writing, be extended by the Board to such extent and subject to such conditions and limitations as it may deem proper. 66. Working of the Committee.— The committee shall hold all its meeting in the office of the Collectorate of Sales Tax. The Collectorate shall be responsible to provide the requisite staff and material for the smooth functions of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat in the Collectorate. The Chairman of the Committee shall be responsible for deciding the procedure to be followed by the committee which may, inter alia, include the following, namely:- (a) to specify date and time for conducting proceedings by the committee; (b) to supervise the proceedings and ensure maintenance of record of proceedings of the committee; (c) to issue notices by courier, registered post or electronic mail to the applicant; (d) to requisition and procure relevant records or witnesses from the Collectorate or other concerned quarters; (e) to ensure attendance of all concerned; (f) to co-opt any other technical, professional or legal expert or tax consultant; (g) to consolidate recommendations of the committee and submission of the conclusive report to the Board; and (h) for any other matter covered under this chapter. 67. Recommendations of the Committee.-- (1) The committee may determine the issue and may thereafter seek further information or data or expert opinion or make or cause to be made such inquiries or audit as it may deem fit. The committee shall formulate its recommendations in respect of any matter mentioned in the sub-section (1) of section 47A of the Act. Substituted for “forty-five” vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. (2) The Chairman of the committee shall send a copy of the recommendations of the committee to the Board, applicant and the concerned Collector simultaneously. 68. Reconsideration by the committee.-- (1) The Board of its own motion, or on the request of the applicant, may refer back the recommendations of the committee for rectification of any obvious error or for reconsideration of the facts not considered earlier. (2) The committee after rectification of the error or reconsideration of the facts as aforesaid shall furnish to the Board its fresh or amended recommendations within such period, as may be specified by the Board. 69. Decision of the Board.-- (1) The Board, after examining the recommendations of the committee, shall finally decide the dispute and make such orders, as it may deem fit for the resolution of the dispute under intimation to the applicant, the Chairman of the committee and the concerned Collectorate. (2) On receipt of the Board’s order as aforesaid, the concerned Collectorate shall implement the order issued by the Board in the manner provided for in sub-section (5) of section 47A of the Act. (3) A complete record of all proceedings of the cases dealt with under the alternate dispute resolution scheme shall be maintained by the concerned Collectorate and the concerned Collector shall ensure that proper arrangements are made for the purpose of maintaining such records in appropriate manner. PART - I 70. Application.—The provisions of this chapter shall apply to recoveries made under section 48 of the Act. 71. Initiation of recovery action.—(1) On expiry of thirty days from the date on which the Government dues are adjudged, the referring authority shall deduct the amount from any money owing to the person from whom such amount is recoverable and which may be at the disposal or in the control of such officer. (2) In case the government dues are not fully recovered under sub-rule (1), the referring authority may,⎯ (a) serve a notice to the Sales Tax, Customs, Federal Excise and Income Tax officers in the form as set out in STR-16 to deduct the Government dues from any money owing to the defaulter which may be under their control; and a copy of such notice shall be endorsed to the defaulter; (b) require by notice in writing, any person or organization who holds, or may subsequently hold, any money for or on account of the defaulter, to pay to such officer the amount specified in the notice; (c) require, by notice in writing, the customs officers to stop the clearance of any goods imported by the defaulter; and (d) attach the bank accounts of the defaulter: Provided that either before or after the initiation of recovery proceedings, the Collector may, if so requested by the person concerned, recover the dues in such instalments as he may deem proper. Provided further that in case a registered person pays the amount of tax less than the due tax as indicated in his return, the referring authority may directly proceed to recover the short-paid amount by attachment of the bank accounts of the defaulter or through stoppage of clearances from the business premises, as provided in the following rule, after serving a notice for payment of the short-paid amount in three days. 72. Stoppage of clearances and sealing of business premises.—(1) In case the government dues are not recovered in the manner prescribed in rule 71, the referring authority shall serve upon the defaulter a notice as set out in STR-17, informing him that removal of any goods from his business premises shall be stopped with effect from the date specified in the notice till such time the dues are paid or recovered in full: Provided that if the government dues still remain unpaid, the referring authority shall seal the business premises of the defaulter till such time the dues are paid or recovered in full. (2) If the referring authority is satisfied that the defaulter is likely to conceal, remove or dispose of the whole or any part of such of his movable or immovable property, as shall be liable to attachment in the process of recovery, and that the realization of government dues in consequence be delayed or obstructed, he may at any time after the issue of the notice under sub-rule (1), direct, for reasons to be recorded in writing, execution of the notice by ignoring the specified time limit. (3) The referring authority may, if he deems fit, publish such notice as mentioned in sub-rule (1), in one or more newspapers circulated in the district of normal residence of the defaulter. 73. Demand note.—In the event of failure of recovery measures taken by the referring authority under rules 71 and 72, the referring authority, shall issue a demand note, in the form set out in STR-14, to the Recovery Officer, specifying therein the details of Government dues meant for recovery and shall also certify that the formalities under clauses (a), (b), (c), (ca), (d) and (f) of sub-section (1) of section 48 of the Act have been completed and there exists no bar or stay order against the proposed recovery. 74. Attachment and sale of property.—The Recovery Officer, on receipt of the demand note, shall serve upon the defaulter a notice as set out in STR-18 and his movable and immovable property shall stand attached and subsequently shall be sold if the recovery is not otherwise effected. 75. Master registers to be maintained by the referring authority and the Recovery Officer.—(1) The referring authority and the Recovery Officer shall maintain master registers in the form set out in STR-15 and every notice, order and demand note shall be entered in this register serially, and they shall authenticate all entries by affixing their signatures and seal thereon. (2) The referring authority and the Recovery Officer shall exchange their information for completion of corresponding entries in the master registers of both offices in the form of a monthly return which shall be the exact replica of STR-15, after filling the respective columns by the concerned office. 76. Power to require information to be furnished.—The referring authority or the Recovery Officer may, by requisition in writing, require any person or organisation, whether registered under the Act or otherwise, to furnish any information, required for the proceedings under this chapter. 77. Mode of service of notice.—All notices or orders served under this chapter, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be served — (a) by tendering the notices or orders or sending by registered post or courier service, to the person for whom these are intended or to his agent, at his last known address; or (b) if the notice cannot be served in the manner as provided in clause (a), by affixing it on the notice board in the office of the Recovery Officer. 78. Disposal of proceeds of execution.—(1) Whenever Government dues are realized, by sale or otherwise, in execution of a notice of recovery, they shall be applied to the following purposes in their respective order, namely:— (a) first to pay the expenses of the sales; (b) then to pay the freight or other charges, if any, payable in respect of goods, if notice of such charges has been given to the person holding the goods in custody; (c) then to pay the Government dues; and (d) then to pay the charges due to the person holding such goods in custody. (2) After making all payments under sub-rule (1), the balance, if any, shall be paid to the owner of the goods, provided that he applies for it within six months of the sale of the goods or shows sufficient cause for not doing so. 79. Ruling regarding disputed matters.—Save as otherwise expressly provided in the Act or this chapter, any question arising between the referring authority and the defaulter or their representatives, relating to the execution of a notice or discharge or satisfaction of a demand note duly issued under this chapter, or relating to the confirmation or setting aside by an order under this chapter of a sale held in execution of such notice, shall be determined by the Recovery Officer, before whom such question arises. 80. Property liable to attachment and sale in execution.—The following is liable to attachment and sale in execution of a notice, namely: lands, houses or other buildings, goods, bank notes, Government securities, bonds or other securities for money, cheques, bills of exchange, hundies, promissory notes, shares in corporation and, save as hereinafter mentioned, all other saleable property, movable or immovable, belonging to the defaulter, or over which, or the profits of which, he has a disposing power which he may exercise for his own benefit, whether the same be held in the name of the defaulter or by another person in trust for him or on his behalf: Provided that the following particulars shall not be liable to attachment or sale, (i) the necessary wearing apparel, cooking vessels, beds and bedding of the defaulter, his wife and children, and such personal ornaments, as, in accordance with religious usage, cannot be parted with by any woman; (ii) tools of artisan, and, where the defaulter is an agriculturist, his implements of husbandry and such cattle and seed grain as may, in the opinion of the Recovery Officer, be necessary to enable him to earn his livelihood as such; (iii) stipends and gratuities allowed to a pensioner of a Government or payable out of any service or family pension fund notified in the official Gazette by the Federal Government or the Provincial Government in this behalf, and political pensions; (iv) the wages of labourers and domestic servants, whether payable in money or in kind; (v) salary to the extent of first hundred rupees and one half of the remainder; (vi) all compulsory deposits and other sources in or derived from any fund to which the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (XIX of 1925), for the time being applies, in so far as they are declared by the said Act not to be liable to attachment; (vii) any allowance forming part of the emoluments of any servant of the Government or local authority which the Federal Government or Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare to be exempt from attachment, and any subsistence grant or allowance made to any such servant while under suspension; (viii) any expectancy of succession by survivor-ship or other merely contingent or possible right or interest; and (ix) a right to future maintenance. 81. Objections and investigations, thereof.—(1) When any objection is raised to the attachment or sale of any property in execution of a notice, on the ground that such property is not liable to such attachment or sales, the Recovery Officer shall proceed to investigate into it. (2) If the Recovery Officer is satisfied that the objection is raised to delay the proceedings, he shall reject the objection summarily. (3) Pending investigation, the Recovery Officer may adjourn recovery proceedings, upon such terms as to security or otherwise as he may deem fit. (4) The objector shall produce evidence to prove the legitimacy of the objection, failing which the Recovery Officer shall reject the objection. 82. Removal of attachment on satisfaction of cancellation of a demand note.—When the Government dues are paid to the Recovery Officer or the demand note is cancelled, the attachment shall be deemed to be withdrawn and the withdrawal shall, if the defaulter so desires, be proclaimed at his expense, and a copy of the proclamation shall be affixed in the manner provided by this chapter for a proclamation of sale of immovable property. 83. Officer entitled to attach and sell.—The attachment and sale of movable and immovable property may be made by such officer as the Recovery Officer may direct in each case of recovery. 84. Adjournment or stoppage of sale.—(1) The Recovery Officer may adjourn any sale proceedings to a specified day and hour, and an officer conducting any sale may adjourn any sale hereunder to a specified day and hour by recording his reasons for such adjournment. (2) Every sale shall be stopped if, before the lot is knocked down, the amount due is tendered to the officer conducting the sale or proof is given to his satisfaction that the amount has been paid to the Recovery Officer, who ordered the sale. 85. Defaulter not to interfere with attached property.— Where a notice has been served on a defaulter under rule 74, the defaulter or his representative in interest shall not sell, mortgage, charge, lease or otherwise deal with any property belonging to him except with the permission of the Recovery Officer. 86. Prohibition against bidding or purchase by officer.— No officer or other person having any duty to perform in connection with any sale under this chapter shall, either directly or indirectly, bid for, acquire or attempt to acquire any interest in the property being sold. 87. Assistance for action.—(1) An officer authorised to attach or sell any property or charged with any duty to be performed may take along with him a contingent of sales tax staff and sepoys, armed or otherwise, for any assistance he may require in the performance of his duties. (2) In addition to sub-rule (1), such officer may apply to the officer in charge of the nearest police station for such assistance as may be necessary in the discharge of his duties. PART - II ATTACHMENT AND SALE OF MOVABLE PROPERTY 88. Warrant of attachment.—Where any movable property is to be attached, the Recovery Officer shall furnish a warrant, in the form prescribed in the form STR-19, to the attachment officer, in writing and signed with his name along with official seal, specifying therein the name of the defaulter and the Government dues to be realized. 89. Service of copy of warrant.— (1) The attachment officer shall cause a copy of the warrant to be served on defaulter or his agent in person. (2) If service of a copy of warrant in terms of sub-rule (1) is not immediately possible, the same shall be considered to be served when affixed on the notice board in the office of the Recovery Officer. 90. Attachment.—If, after service of copy of the warrant, the amount is not paid forthwith, the officer shall proceed to attach the movable property of the defaulter: Provided that the standing crops or the agricultural produce lying in the field or stored in or near the dwelling house of the defaulter or stored on the land owned, leased or cultivated by the defaulter, which represent the agricultural produce of the land owned, leased or cultivated by the defaulter, shall not be attached. 91. Property attached how to be dealt with.—(1) Whether the property to be attached is movable property in the possession of the defaulter or in the possession of any other person on behalf of the defaulter, the attachment shall be made by actual seizure. (2) When anything is seized, the attachment officer, as soon as may be, inform in writing the person from whose possession the things are seized, of the grounds of such seizure. 92. Search how to be made.—All searches shall be carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898). 93. Seizure after search of a building or premises.—(1) The attachment officer, if he has reasons to believe that any movable property liable to seizure is hidden, concealed or stored in any building or premises, he may break open any inner or outer door or window of the building or premises in order to seize such movable Provided that the officer shall notify his authority and intention of breaking open if admission is not given. He shall, however, give all reasonable opportunity to women to withdraw. (2) The attachment officer shall, after seizure of moveable property, prepare an inventory of the property in the presence of two or more persons who shall witness the process and sign the inventory. 94. Seizure between sunrise and sunset.— The attachment by seizures shall be made after sunrise and before sunset and not otherwise. 95. Seizure not to be excessive.— The attachment by seizure shall not be excessive, that is to say, the property attached shall be as nearly as possible, proportionate to the recoverable Government dues. 96. Attachment of movable property which cannot be removed due to certain reasons.—Where it is not practicable to seize any movable property, the attachment officer may serve on the owner of goods or any person holding them in his possession or charge an order that he shall not remove, part with, or otherwise deal with the goods except with the previous permission in writing of the Recovery Officer: Provided that the attachment officer shall inform the Recovery Officer, in writing, of the reasons due to which the movable property could not be seized. 97. Storage of seized movable property.— (1) All things seized for the purposes of attachment under this chapter shall, without unnecessary delay, be delivered into the care of the officer of sales tax authorised to receive the same, unless otherwise specifically provided by the Act or rules made thereunder. (2) If there be no such officer at hand, such things shall be carried to and deposited at the Custom House nearest to the place of seizure. 98. Attachment of negotiable instrument.—When the property to be attached is a negotiable instrument not deposited in a court, nor in the custody of a public officer, the attachment shall be made by actual seizure, and the instrument shall be brought before the Recovery Officer and held subject to his orders. 99. Attachment of property in custody of public officer.—When the property to be attached is in the custody of any public officer, the attachment shall be made by a notice to such officer requesting that such property and any interest or dividend becoming payable thereon, may be held subject to the further orders of the Recovery Officer by whom the notice is issued. 100. Attachment of share in movable property.—(1) Where the property to be attached consists of an interest of the defaulter in movable property belonging to him and others as co-owners, the attachment shall be made by a notice to the defaulter prohibiting him from transferring such share or interest or subjecting the same to a charge in any manner. 101. Attachment of property in partnership.—(1) Where the property be attached consists of an interest of the defaulter, being a partner, in the partnership property, the Recovery Officer may make an order charging the share of such partner in the partnership property and profits, with payment of the amount due under the notice, and may by the same or subsequent order, appoint a receiver of the share of such partner in the profits, whether already declared or accruing, and of any other money which may become due to him in respect of the partnership, and direct maintenance of accounts and enquiries and make an order for the sale of such interest or may make such other order as the circumstances of the case may require. (2) The other partners shall be at liberty at any time to redeem the interest charged or, in the case of a sale being directed, to purchase the same. 102. Sale.—(1) The Recovery Officer may direct that any movable property attached under this chapter or such portion thereof as may seem necessary to satisfy the notice shall be sold. (2) The sale shall be made in one or more lots, as the Recovery Officer may consider desirable and, if the Government dues to be realized by sale are satisfied by the sale of a portion of the property, the sale shall be only with respect to that portion of the property and the sale of the remaining property shall be stopped. 103. Proclamation of sale.—(1) When any sale of movable property is ordered by the Recovery Officer, he shall issue a proclamation of the intended sale, specifying therein the time, place and whether the sales is subject to confirmation or not. (2) The proclamation shall be made in writing in Urdu, English and language of the Province where sale is intended and shall be publicized by – (a) affixing a copy thereof at the notice board in the office of the Recovery (b) affixing copy thereof at such places as the Recovery Officer may direct; (c) publishing in one or more newspapers through auctioneer appointed under the Act and rules made thereunder. 104. Sale after fifteen days.—Except where the property is perishable or if the expenses of keeping it in custody is likely to exceed its value, no sale of movable property under this chapter shall be ordered without the consent, in writing, of the defaulter, until after the expiry of at least fifteen days from the date on which a copy of proclamation of sale was affixed in the office of the Recovery Officer. 105. Sale by public auction.—Sale by public auction shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter V of the Customs Rules, 2001. 106. Sale by tender or sealed bids.—The Recovery Officer may, if he deems fit, order sale by tender or sealed bids. 107. Preference for the co-owner.—Where the movable property to be sold is share belonging to the defaulter and one or more co-owners, and the bid of such co- owner and some other person is the same, the bid of co-owner shall have preference. 108. Transfer of title.— On completion of sale proceedings the Recovery Officer shall grant to the purchaser a certificate specifying therein the property purchased, the price paid and the name of the purchaser, and the sale shall thereupon become absolute. 109. Irregularity not to vitiate sale.—Any error or irregularity in publishing or conducting the sale of movable property shall not vitiate the sale if the provisions of this chapter have been substantially complied with. 110. Negotiable instrument or share in a corporation.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter, where the property to be sold is a negotiable instrument or a share in a Corporation, the Recovery Officer may, instead of directing the sale to be made by public auction, authorise the sale of such instrument or share through a broker. 111. Order for payment of coin or currency notes to the Referring Authority.— Where the property attached is coins or currency notes, the Recovery Officer may, at any time during the continuance of the attachment, direct that such coins or notes, or part thereof, sufficient to satisfy the demand note, to be paid over to the referring authority. ATTACHMENT AND SALE OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY 112. Attachment of immovable property.—Attachment of the immovable property of the defaulter shall be made, by the Recovery Officer, by an order prohibiting the defaulter from transferring or subjecting the property to a charge in any manner and prohibiting all persons from taking any benefit under such transfer or charge. 113. Service of order.—A copy of the order of attachment shall be served on the defaulter in the same manner as of service of notices laid down in this chapter. 114. Proclamation of attachment.—The order of attachment shall be proclaimed on or adjacent to the property attached by affixing a copy of order of attachment at a conspicuous place and a copy of the same shall also be affixed at the notice board in the office of the Recovery Officer. 115. Sale and proclamation of sale.—(1) The Recovery Officer may direct that any immovable property, which has been attached, or such portion thereof, as may be necessary to satisfy the demand note, shall be sold if the amount due is not otherwise recoverable. (2) Where an immovable property is ordered to be sold, the Recovery Officer shall cause a proclamation to be made in the same manner as provided in rule 104. 116. Contents of proclamation of sale.—(1) A proclamation of sale of immovable property shall be drawn after proclamation of attachment and shall specify therein the time and place of sale and also specify— (a) the location of property to be sold; (b) as fairly and accurately as possible, the revenue or rent, if any, assessed upon the property or any part thereof; and (c) the Government due for the recovery of which the sale is ordered. (2) The proclamation may also specify any other thing which the Recovery Officer considers material for a purchaser to know in order to judge the nature and value of the property. 117. Time of sale.—No sale of immovable property under this chapter shall, without the consent in writing of the defaulter, take place until after the expiration of thirty days from the date on which copy of the proclamation of sale was affixed on the property or in the office of the Recovery Officer, whichever is later. 118. Sale to be by public auction or tender.—The sale shall be made by public auction or tender and shall be subject to confirmation by the Recovery Officer. 119. Deposit by purchaser and re-sale in default.—(1) On every sale of immovable property, the person declared to be the purchaser shall pay immediately, after the declaration, a deposit of twenty-five per cent of the amount of his purchase money to the officer conducting the sale; and in default of such deposit the property shall forthwith be re-sold. (2) The full amount of purchase money payable shall be paid by the purchaser on or before the fifteenth day from the date of sale of the property. 120. Procedure in default of payment.—(1) In default of payment within the time mentioned in sub-rule (2) of rule 119, deposit made vide sub-rule (1) thereof shall be kept as deposit to be dealt with as mentioned in rule 122. (2) The immovable property shall be re-sold and the defaulting purchaser shall forfeit all claims to the property or to any part of the sum for which it may be subsequently sold. 121. Amount recoverable from purchaser in default.—Any deficiency of price which may happen on a re-sale by reason of a purchaser's default including all expenses attending such re-sale, shall be recoverable from defaulting purchaser up to the maximum of deposit money and if there is any surplus, after meeting the deficiency, the same shall be refunded to the defaulting purchaser. 122. Authority to bid.—All persons bidding at a sale shall be required to declare if they are bidding on their own behalf, or on behalf of their principals and, in the later case, they shall be required to deposit their authority to bid and in default their bid shall be rejected. 123. Application to set aside sale of immovable property.—(1) Where immovable property has been sold in execution of a notice, the defaulter, or any person whose interests are affected by the sale may, at any time within thirty days from the date of sale, apply to the Recovery Officer to set aside the sale on his depositing— (a) for payment to the Referring Authority, the Government dues specified in the proclamation of sale as that for the recovery of which sale was ordered with a surcharge thereon at the rate of ten per cent per annum, calculated from the date of the proclamation of sale to the date when deposit is made; and (b) for payment to purchaser, a sum equal to ten per cent of the purchase (2) Where a person makes an application under rule 124 for setting aside sale of his immovable property, he shall not, unless he withdraws that application, be entitled to make an application under sub-rule (1). 124. Application to set aside sale of immovable property on ground of non-service of proclamation or irregularity.—Where immovable property has been sold in execution of a demand note, the referring authority, the defaulter, or any other person whose interests are affected by the sale, may, at any time within thirty days from the date of sale, apply to the Recovery Officer to set aside the sale on the ground that proclamation of attachment or proclamation of sale was not made in the prescribed manner and he could not pay the Government dues or on ground of a material irregularity in publishing or conducting the same: Provided that - (a) no sale shall be set aside on any such ground unless the Recovery Officer is satisfied on the basis of evidence produced before him that the applicant has sustained losses by such reasons; and (b) an application made by defaulter under this rule shall be disallowed unless he deposits the amount recoverable from him in execution of demand 125. Setting aside of sale where defaulter has no saleable interest.—At any time within thirty days of the sale, the purchaser may apply to the Recovery Officer to set aside the sale on the ground that the defaulter had no saleable interest in the property sold. 126. Confirmation of sale.—(1) Where no application is made for setting aside the sale under this chapter or where such an application is made and disallowed, the Recovery Officer shall, if the full amount of purchase money is paid, make an order confirming the sale and there upon the sale shall become absolute. (2) Where such application, is made and allowed or in case of an application to set aside the sale on deposit of amount and penalty and surcharge the deposit is made within thirty days of sale, the Recovery Officer shall set aside the sale: Provided that no such order shall be made unless notice of the application has been given to the persons affected thereby. 127. Return of purchase money in certain cases.—Where a sale of immovable property is set aside, any money paid or deposited by the purchaser on account of the purchase, together with the penalty, if any, deposited by him, shall be paid to the purchaser. 128. Sale Certificate.—(1) Where a sale of immovable property has become absolute, the Recovery Officer shall grant a certificate specifying therein the property sold and the name of the person who at the time of sale was declared to be the purchaser. (2) Such certificate shall state the date on which the sale became absolute. 129. Postponement of sale to enable defaulter to raise amount due under notice.—(1) Where an order or proclamation of sale of immovable property has been made and the defaulter satisfies the Recovery Officer that there are reasons to believe that amount of the note can be raised by mortgage or lease or private sale of such property, or some part thereof, or of any other movable or immovable property, the Recovery Officer may, on the application of the defaulter, postpone the sale on such terms and for such period as he thinks proper, to enable defaulter to raise the amount. (2) In such case, the Recovery Officer shall grant a certificate to defaulter authorizing him, within a period to be mentioned therein and notwithstanding any thing contained in this chapter, to make the proposed mortgage, lease or sale: Provided that all money payable under such mortgage, lease or sale shall be paid not to the defaulter but to the Recovery Officer: Provided further that no mortgage, lease or sale under this rule shall become absolute until it has been confirmed by the Recovery Officer. 130. Issue of fresh proclamation before re-sale.—Every re-sale of immovable property, in default of payment of purchase money within the period allowed for such payment, shall be made after the issue of a fresh proclamation in the same manner as provided for the proclamation of sale. 131. Bid of co-owner to have preference.— Where the property sold is a share of undivided immovable property of two or more persons, of whom defaulter is a co-sharer and the bid of the co-sharer and some other person is the same, the bid of the co-sharer shall have preference. PART - IV APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER 132. Appointment of receiver for business.—(1) Where the property of defaulter consist of a running business, the Recovery Officer may attach the business and appoint a person as receiver to manage the business. (2) Attachment of a business under this rule shall be made by an order prohibiting the defaulter from transferring or subjecting the business to a charge in any manner and prohibiting all persons from taking any benefit under such transfer or charge and intimating that the business has been attached under this rule. (3) Proclamation of attachment under this rule shall be made in the same manner as provided for proclamation of sale under rule 103. (4) Where the Recovery Officer so directs, such order shall also be published in newspapers. 133. Appointment of receiver for immovable property.—Where immovable property is attached, the Recovery Officer may, instead of directing a sale of the property, appoint a person as receiver to manage such property. 134. Qualification for receiver.— (1) Any person from the general public can be appointed as receiver upon having sufficient knowledge of the kind of business or the property for which he is to be appointed as receiver. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), any officer of Customs, Federal Excise or Sales Tax, not below the rank of Principal Appraiser or Superintendent or Senior Auditor, may be appointed as receiver of the attached business and property. 135. Manner of working of receiver.— (1) Where it appears to the Recovery Officer to be just and convenient, he may by order— (a) remove any person from the possession or custody of an attached business or property; (b) commit the same to the possession, custody or management of the receiver; and (c) confer upon the receiver all such powers, as to bringing and defending suits and for the realization, management, protection, preservation and improvement of the property, the collection of the rents and profits thereof, the application and disposal of such rents and profits, and the execution of documents as the owner himself has or such of those powers as the Recovery Officer thinks fit: Provided that nothing in this rule shall authorise the Recovery Officer to remove from the possession or custody of business or property any person whom any party to the recovery proceedings has not a right to remove. (2) The Recovery Officer may, by general or special order, fix the amount to be paid as remuneration for the services of the receiver but a Government officer appointed as receiver shall not be entitled to such remuneration. (3) Every receiver appointed by the Recovery Officer, except Government officers, shall— (a) furnish such security, if any, as the Recovery Officer deems fit, to account duly for what he shall receive in respect of the business or property; (b) submit his accounts as such periods and in such forms as the Recovery Officer directs; (c) pay the amount due from him as the Recovery Officer directs; and (d) be responsible for any loss occasioned to the business or property by his wilful default or gross negligence: Provided that the Government officer appointed as receiver shall furnish all such information as desired by the Recovery Officer regarding the progress of recovery along with accounts of proceeds after such intervals as prescribed by the Recovery Officer. (4) The profits or rents and profits of such business or property shall, after deducting the expenses of management, be adjusted towards discharge of the Government dues and the balance, if any, shall be paid to the defaulter. 136. Withdrawal of management.—The attachment and management under aforesaid rules may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the Recovery Officer, or if the Government dues are realized by receipt of such profits and rent or are otherwise paid. PART - V 137. Offences and penalties.—(1) All cases relating to confiscation of goods or imposition of penalty with reference to operation of this chapter shall be adjudicated under Chapter VIII of the Act. 138. Continuance of proceedings.—(1) No proceedings shall cease to be in force by reason of the death of the defaulter. (2) If, at any time before or after the issue of a demand note to the Recovery Officer, the defaulter dies, the proceedings under this chapter may be continued against the legal heirs of the defaulter, who shall be liable to pay, out of the properties left by the deceased defaulter to the extent to which the properties are capable of meeting the outstanding Government dues, and provisions of this chapter shall apply as if the legal heirs were the defaulter. 139. Recovery from surety.—When any person has, under this chapter become surety for the amount due by the defaulter he may be proceeded against under this chapter as if he were the defaulter. 140. Receipt to be given.—If any amount is received by any officer or other person in pursuance of this chapter, he shall issue receipt of the amount so received. 141. Delivery of property in occupancy of defaulter.—Where the immovable property sold is in the occupancy of the defaulter, or of some person on his behalf or of some person claiming under a title created by the defaulter subsequent to the attachment of such property and a certificate in respect thereof has been granted under rule 128, the Recovery Officer shall, on the application of the purchaser, order delivery to be made by putting such purchaser or any person whom he may appoint to receive such delivery on his behalf, in possession of the property and, if need be, by removing any person who refuses to vacate the same. 142. Delivery of property in occupancy of tenant.— Where the immovable property sold is in the occupancy of a tenant or other person entitled to occupy the same and a certificate in respect thereof has been granted under rule 128, the Recovery Officer shall, on the application of the purchaser, order delivery to be made by affixing a copy of the certificate of sale at some conspicuous place on the property, and proclaiming to the occupant that the interest of the defaulter has been transferred to the 143. Resistance or obstruction by defaulter.—Where the Recovery Officer is satisfied that resistance or obstruction was occasioned without any just cause by the defaulter or by any person at his instigation, he shall direct that the applicant be put into the possession of the property, and where the applicant is still being resisted or obstructed in obtaining possession, the Recovery Officer may also, at the instance of the applicant, order the use of force. 144. Resistance or obstruction by a bonafide claimant.—Where the Recovery Officer is satisfied that the resistance or obstruction was occasioned by any person other than the defaulter, claiming in good faith to be in possession of the property on his own account or on account of some person other than the defaulter, the Recovery Officer shall make an order dismissing the application. 145. Dispossession by certificate holder or purchaser.—(1) Where any person other than defaulter is dispossessed of immovable property by the holder of a certificate, issued under rule 128, for the possession of such property or where such property has been sold in execution of demand note, by the purchaser thereof, he may make an application to the Recovery Officer, complaining of such dispossession. (2) The Recovery Officer shall fix a day for investigating the matter and shall summon the party against whom the application is made to appear and answer the 146. Bonafide claimant to be restored to possession.—When the Recovery Officer is satisfied that the applicant was in the possession of the property on his own account or on account of some person other than defaulter, he shall direct that the applicant be put into possession of the property. 147. Rules not applicable to transferee pendente lite.—Nothing in rules 144 and 145 shall apply to resistance or obstruction in execution of a certificate for the possession of a property by a person to whom the defaulter has transferred the property after the institution of proceedings in which the order was passed or to the dispossession of any such person. 148. Delivery of moveable property, debts and share.—(1) Where the property sold is moveable property of which actual seizure has been made, it shall be delivered to the purchaser. (2) Where the property sold is moveable property in the possession of some person other than the defaulter, the delivery thereof to the purchaser shall be made by giving notice to the person in possession prohibiting him from delivering possession of the property to any person except the purchaser. (3) Where the property sold is a debt not secured by a negotiable instrument or is a share in a corporation, the delivery thereof shall be made by a written order of the Recovery Officer prohibiting the creditor from receiving the debt or any interest thereon, and the debtor from making payment thereof to any one except the purchaser, or prohibiting the person in whose name the share may be standing from making any transfer of the share to any person except the purchaser, or receiving payment of any dividend or interest thereon, and the manager, secretary, or other proper officer of the co-operation from permitting any such transfer or making any such payment to any person except the purchaser. 149. Execution of documents and endorsement of negotiable instruments.—Where any endorsement or execution of documents is required to transfer a negotiable instrument or any share to purchaser under this chapter, such document shall be executed or endorsement shall be made thereon by the Recovery 150. Form.—Any notice, proclamation, certificate or order to be issued under this chapter shall be in such Form as may be prescribed by 70 [Federal Board of Revenue], in annexes to these rules or otherwise. In case the 71 [Federal Board of Revenue] has not prescribed any of such Forms, it shall be in such form as adopted by the Recovery Officer. 150A. Application.— The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to persons authorized as users of the computerized system under section 50A of the Act. 150B. Authorization.—(1) A person desirous to be authorized as user of computerized system under this Chapter may apply to the Board, 73 [by visiting the website https://e.fbr.gov.pk.] (2) Upon scrutiny of the information provided by the applicant, the Board may grant authorization to the applicant or refuse the application after giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity of being heard. (3) No person shall access the computerized system for transmission to or receipt of information therefrom, unless authorized as aforesaid. 150C. Unique User Identifier.— Every person authorized as user of computerized system shall be allotted a ‘Unique User Identifier’ for his identification in relation to accessing the computerized system for transmission to or receipt of information therefrom. 150D. Access to computerized system.— Subject to the conditions, restrictions and limitations, as may be prescribed by the Board, the authorized user shall access the computerized system for transmission to or receipt of information therefrom: Provided that the Board may impose any additional conditions upon any authorized user or class of authorized users for accessing the computerized system or to maintain confidentiality or security thereof: Chapters XII, XIII and XIV added vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. Substituted for “at such time and in such manner, as may be prescribed” vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. Provided further that the Board may require an authorized user or class of authorized users including their accredited agents to use any additional electronic security including digital certification for electronic filing of return or any other 150E. Responsibility of the user.— The authorized user shall be responsible for security and confidentiality of the ‘Unique User Identifier’ allotted to him and where any information is transmitted to the computerized system using a ‘Unique User Identifier’, the transmission of that information shall be sufficient evidence that the authorized user to whom such ‘Unique User Identifier’ has been issued has transmitted that information. 150F. Cancellation of registration.— (1) Where the Board is satisfied that any user authorized to use the computerized system has– (a) failed to comply with any of the conditions prescribed by the Board; or (b) acted in contravention of any of the provisions of the Act or this Chapter; or (c) failed to take adequate measures for security and confidentiality of the ‘Unique User Identifier’; or (d) been convicted in an offence under this Act or any other law for the time being in force; the Board may cancel the authorization of that user after affording him an opportunity of (2) Pending consideration whether an authorization be cancelled under sub- rule (1), the Board may suspend the authorization. 150G. Recording of transmissions.— The Board shall keep record of each transmission sent to or received from an authorized user, for a period of five years from the date of such transmission or receipt. 150H. Scrutiny of records.— An officer or officers of Sales Tax, authorized by the Collector in this behalf, may examine records maintained by an authorized user, whether electronically or otherwise, in relation to a specific transaction or to verify adequacy or integrity of the system or media on which such records are created and stored. 150I. Application.– This Chapter shall apply to the persons appointed as e-intermediaries by the Board under sub-section (1) of section 52A of the Act to electronically file return and such other documents as may be prescribed from time to time, on behalf of a person registered under section 14 of the Act. 150J. Appointment of e-intermediary.– (I) A person having sufficient information technology infrastructure and professional experience in the field of providing taxation services, desirous of being appointed as e-intermediary, shall apply to the e-declaration administrator on the format prescribed in STR-20: Provided that for the purposes of this rule, the ‘professional experience’, shall mean any of the following, namely:- (a) a firm or sole proprietorship approved to practice by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Pakistan or Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan; or (b) a person appointed as authorized representative under Chapter IX of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, (c) a person or firm approved to practice as Income Tax Practitioner under the Income Tax Ordinance, 1979; or (d) any other person approved by the Board. (3) The e-declaration Administrator, after receipt of application for appointment as e-intermediary, and after verification, as aforesaid, shall forward the application along with his specific recommendation to the Board for appointment of the applicant as e-intermediary. (4) The Board, after receipt of the recommendations from the e-declaration Administrator, may appoint the applicant as an e-intermediary and issue him a unique user identifier, subject to such conditions, restrictions and limitations, as may be prescribed: Provided that the Board may refuse to entertain an application for appointment as e-intermediary for reasons to be recorded and conveyed in writing. (5) In case of any change in the particulars or information provided by the e- intermediary in the application for registration, he shall immediately inform the concerned e-declaration Administrator about such change. 150K. Cancellation of appointment. – (1) Where the Board is satisfied that the e-intermediary has- (a) failed to comply with any of the conditions prescribed by the Board; or (b) acted in contravention of any of the provisions of the Act or these rules; or (c) failed to take adequate measures for security and confidentiality of the Unique User identifier; or (d) been convicted in an offence under the Act or any other law for the time being in force; the Board may cancel the appointment of such e-intermediary after affording him an opportunity of being heard. (2) Pending consideration whether the appointment of the e-intermediary be cancelled under sub-rule (1), the Board may suspend the appointment. (3) An e-intermediary who intends to surrender his appointment, shall file an application to this effect to the Board. (4) The Board may, on receipt of an application referred to in sub-rule (3), cancel the appointment of the e-intermediary after necessary inquiry, as it may deem proper to conduct. 150L. Procedure to be followed by registered persons. – (1) A registered person, may authorize an e-intermediary, duly appointed by the Board, to furnish e- -declarations on his behalf, under intimation to the e-declaration Administrator having (2) The e-intermediary shall generate hard copy of the declaration in duplicate which shall be signed and retained by both the registered person and the e- intermediary. 150M. Procedure to be followed by e-intermediary. – The e-intermediary shall digitize the data of e-declaration, duly signed by the registered person and electronically transmit the same to the computerized system in the manner prescribed under Chapter XII of these Rules. 150N. Responsibilities of e-intermediary.– (1) The e-intermediary shall be responsible for security and confidentiality of the ‘Unique User Identifier’ allotted to him, and where any e-declarations is transmitted to the computerized system by using his ‘Unique User Identifier’, transmission of that e-declaration shall be deemed to have been transmitted by the e-intermediary to whom such ‘Unique User Identifier’ has been allotted. (2) The e-intermediary shall retain the data relating to all e-declarations transmitted by him electronically on behalf of a registered person, for a period of five years following the date of such declarations. [(3) Where an e-intermediary has retained a printed copy of the return electronically transmitted by him duly signed by the representative of the registered person as stipulated in rule 150M, he shall be deemed to have transmitted the return in good faith and the provisions of sub-section (5) of section 52A of the Act shall not be applicable.] 150O. Responsibility of e-declaration Administrator.– Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions, an e-declaration Administrator shall ensure compliance by e- intermediary operating within his jurisdiction including the verification about their credentials, any complaints received against the e-intermediaries and such other matters as he may deem fit and inform the Board wherever required. 150P. Scrutiny of records. – (1) An officer of Sales Tax, authorized by the Collector in this behalf, may examine records maintained by an e-intermediary, whether electronically or otherwise, in relation to a specific transaction or to verify adequacy or integrity of the system or media on which such records are created and stored. (2) In case any discrepancy or irregularity is committed by the e-intermediary, he shall be liable to imposition of penalty prescribed under the Act or rules made thereunder. SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE OF ELECTRONIC SALES TAX INVOICES BETWEEN BUYERS AND SELLERS 150Q. Application.— The provisions of this Chapter shall apply for electronic transmission of sales tax invoices by the registered persons who opt to do so in the manner specified hereunder. 150R. Eligibility to use electronic invoicing system.— Every registered person who is engaged in making supply of taxable goods or providing or rendering taxable services and wishes to use electronic invoicing system shall seek prior authorization, in writing, from the concerned Collector before issuing electronic invoices. 150S. Issuance of electronic invoice and record.— (1) The registered person shall issue an electronic sales tax invoice for every taxable supply made by him, containing such information as required under section 23 of the Act. The registered person shall also retain the record and documents for a period of five years on electronic media as provided under section 24 of the Act. (2) A sales tax invoice may be generated and transmitted electronically where the authenticity of the origin and integrity of the invoice data are guaranteed by means of either an advanced electronic signature or electronic data interchange (EDI) or by any other means as approved by the Collector. 150T. Transmission of electronic invoice to the Collector.— The registered supplier making supplies under this Chapter shall simultaneously transmit a copy of all such electronically issued invoices to the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction. 150U.Use of formats and controls over transmission of electronic invoices.— (1) The registered person may use any electronic invoice message format provided it contains all the information specified under section 23 of the Act. (2) The invoice shall be transmitted in a secure environment, using industry- accepted security technologies in respect of messages as well as communication links and networks over which the invoice is transferred. (3) During the transfer of invoice data between the supplier and the buyer, the registered person shall ensure— (a) completeness and accuracy of the invoice data; (b) timeliness of processing; (c) usage of necessary security measures for authenticity and integrity of data; and (d) prevention of duplication of processing by the recipient. (4) The registered person shall invariably maintain a back-up data to overcome any possible system failure or loss or corruption of data. 150V. Conditions for electronic storage.— (1) The registered person shall ensure the authenticity and integrity of the data during and after application processing and use all electronic or procedural means to prevent loss and corruption of data during the storage. (2) The invoice data shall be stored in such manner that information at the time of original transmission of invoice is re-created at the time of departmental audit. 150W. Audit.— (1) The registered person shall allow access to the record and documents maintained in electronic form as and when required by an officer of Sales Tax as provided under section 25 of the Act. (2) The officer of Sales Tax shall have access to— (a) the operation of any computer system which generates or receives sales tax invoices; (b) supporting documentation including file structures, etc., operational and technical manuals, audit trail, controls, safe keeping and information on how the accounting system of the registered person is organized; and (c) business intelligence tools to scrutinize the information available on the system. (3) The officer of Sales Tax shall be allowed to obtain any information from the system in any format, and for this purpose the registered person shall provide,— (a) physical access to system at his premises; and (b) indirect access providing information on electronic media, or possibly via remote access. 150X. Same conditions to apply in respect of buyer for receiving electronic invoices.— (1) The registered buyer who receives electronic invoices from the registered supplier shall fulfil the same criterion and conditions for storing them, as are specified for the supplier in this Chapter. (2) In case the buyer wishes to store the electronic invoices received from the supplier in a paper-based system, he can do so after obtaining necessary approval from the Collector of Sales Tax having jurisdiction. 150Y. Failure to meet the conditions for electronic invoicing system.— If the registered person has issued and stored invoices electronically but has failed to meet the conditions relating to the prescribed procedure, besides other legal actions which may be taken for such failure, he shall be required to issue paper invoices till such time the Collector is satisfied that the electronic system of the registered person is capable of doing the job. 150Z. Provisions of Electronic Transactions Ordinance, 2002, to apply.— All the provisions of Electronic Transactions Ordinance, 2002 (LI of 2002), relating to the recognition of documents, records, information, communication and transaction in electronic form, accreditation of certification service providers and for matters ancillary thereto, shall apply.] 151. Repeal. –The Sales Tax Rules, 2005, the Electronic Filing of Sales Tax Return Rules, 2005, and the Sales Tax Refund on Zero-Rated Supply, Rules, 2006, are hereby repealed.] Substituted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007 for “151. Repeal.—(1) The Sales Tax Rules, 2005, the Electronic Filing of Sales Tax Return Rules, 2005, and the Sales Tax Refund on Zero-Rated Supply, Rules, 2006, are hereby repealed.” Government of Pakistan "STR-1 Federal Board of Revenue [See Rules 5(1) and 7(1)] Form of Application for Sa les Tax / Federal Excise Regsitration/ Change in Pa rticulars 1 She e t No. of Application No. N° 2 Application Type New Regis tration Tax Of f ice/ Collectorate w here registration requried Change in Particulars NTN - 3 Category Company Company Type Pvt. Ltd. Public Ltd. Sm all Com pany Trus t AOP NGO Society Other (pl s pecify) 4 Status Resident Non-Resident Country of Non Resident 5 CNIC/PP No. [f or Individual only , Non-Residents to w rite Passport No.] Gender Male Female 6 Reg./ Inc. No. [f or Company & Registered AOP only] Birth/ Inc. Date 7 Nam e Name of Registered Person (Company, Individual or A OP Name) 8 Addres s () Regis tered Office Addres s for Com pany and Mailing Addres s for Individual & AOP House /Flat /Plot No Street/ Lane/ Plaza/ Floor Block/ Mohala/ Sector/ Road/ etc Province District City/Tehsil A rea/Tow n District Code Activity Code 9 Principal Activity 10 Regis ter for Sales Tax Federal Excise S.T W/H Agent N° for official use 11 Self CNIC of Rep. Name Address House /Flat /Plot No Street/ Lane/ Plaza/ Floor Block/ Mohala/ Sector/ Road/ etc Province District City/Tehsil A rea/Tow n Distt. Code 12 Phone Mobile Fax 13 E-Mail e-Mail address f or all correspondence 14 Total Dir e ctor s /Shar e holde r s Pleas e provide inform ation about top-10 Directors /Shareholders Total Capital Directors/Shareholders 15 NTN/CNIC Nam e of Dire ctor /Shar e holde r Shar e % Capital 16 All Other Shareholders / Directors (in addition to 10) 17 Activity Code Business Activity (upto a maximum of three (3) in addition to the Principal Activity given above) 18 Please provide details of all business / branches / outlets etc. 19 Details Business/ Branch 1 Business/ Branch 2 Business/ Branch 3 20 Business/ Branch Name Type (see instructions) Business/ Branches House/ Flat/ Plot No. Street/ Lane Plaza Block/ Mohalla/ Sector Area/ Town/ City District/ Province/ District Code 21 Electricity Connection No. Gas Connection No. 22 Start date (dd/mm/yyyy) Closing date (dd/mm/yyyy) 23 Please provide details of all bank accounts. 24 De tails Ba nk Account 1 Bank Account 2 Bank Account 3 25 A/C No. BankAccounts Account Title 26 Bank City/ Town I, the unders igned s olem nly declare that to the bes t of m y knowledge and belief the inform ation given above is correct and com plete. It is further declared that any notice s ent on the e-m ail addres s given above will be accepted as legal notice s erved under the law. 29 __________________________ Date CNIC/ Passport No. Name of Applicant SIGNATURES Official Area 30 Regis tration Nr. - - - - Us er Id. (User Id, Passw ord and Pin code w ill be e-mailed) 31 Date - - Tax Office Signature of Issuing Officer STR-1 substituted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. (Contd:) FILLING INSTRUCTIONS FOR STR-1 1 Sheet No. Usually only one sheet of this form is sufficient. However more sheets will be needed if the space provided is insufficient. If 2 additional sheets are attached then the first will be Sheet 1 of 3, and so on up to Sheet 3 of 3. If no sheet is attached, then write Sheet 1 of 1. Application No. This field is for official use. All the grey fields are for official use and should be left blank by the applicant. 2 Application Type Check (√) the relevant box. If the box for change in particulars is selected the current NTN should also be provided. Grey box is for check digit. In case of change in particulars only that information should be provided which is added or which requires change. 3 Category Check (√) the relevant box showing the Person Category as Company, AOP or Individual. If Category is selected as Company then one of the types of companies should also be checked (√). 4 Status Check the Status as Resident or Non-Resident . In case of Non- Resident the Country of Non-Resident Person should also be written. 5 CNIC/ PP No. All Resident Individuals should write CNIC Number and Non-Resident Individuals should write Passport (PP) Number in this column. In case of Company and AOP this column should be left blank. Gender Gender is required only for Individual, Company and AOP should leave this column blank 6 Reg/ Inc. No. In case of Company, write SECP incorporation number. In case of AOP write the registration number of AOP if available, otherwise leave it blank. Birth/ Inc. Date Individual should write the Birth Date and Company/AOP should write the date of incorporation/formation 7 Name Name of Registered Person. Individual should write the name as appearing in the CNIC, Company should write the name as appearing in SECP and AOP should write the name as shown in the AOP Agreement. 8 Address Company should write the address of Registered Office, Individual and AOP should write Mailing Address. 9 Principal Activity Principal Activity of the Person being registered should be written here, in case of multiple business activities the Principal Activity at the time of registration should be determined on the basis of major revenue generating business activity. Detailed list of Business Activities can be accessed from FBR's web site http://fbr.gov.pk or https://e.fbr.gov.pk. Individuals having only salary income should write Salary Income as Principal Activity. Activity Code Activity Code can be left blank if applicant does not know the same. 10 Register for Tick (√) the relevant boxes. All the relevant boxes should be checked. N° This is for official use, and should be left blank by the applicant. 11 Representative Particulars of the Representative, as defined 77 [in section 58A of the Act], of the person being registered should be provided here. This information must be provided by Company and AOP. However the Individual may opt for Se .lf as representative. 12 Phone, Mobile, Fax Phone, Mobile and Fax number of the Representative or Individual (in case of Self) should be written. Fax number is optional. 13 E-Mail E-Mail address of the representative should be written here, which will be used to serve legal notices and correspondence Directors/ Shareholders 14 Total No. of Directors Total Number of directors/shareholders in the business. Total Capital Total Capital of the business, director/shareholder wise share to be provided in the following lines. 15 NTN/CNIC NTN/ CNIC of the directors. Particulars of all the directors should be provided in this portion. More sheets should be added for more than 5 Name of Director Name of Director/Shareholder. Share % Share in terms of percentage of the owner up to two decimal places, e.g. Capital Share of owner in terms of capital amount 16 Others Others Share of owner in terms of capital amount 17 Activity Code Activity Code can be left blank if applicant does not know the same. Business Activity Detailed list of Business Activities can be accessed from FBR's web at site http://fbr.gov.pk or http://e.fbr.gov.pk. Do not re-write the Principal Activity given at Sr-9. Hence if there is no activity other than the Principal Activity, then this portion should be left blank. More activities can be added later through the Change Request as explained at Sr-2 above. 18 Total Total Number of Businesses/ Branches, details of which should be Business/branches provided in the following columns. Businesses/ Branches 20 Business/ Br. Name of Business/ Branch Substituted for “u/s 172 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001” vide SRO 761(I)/2008 dated 19.07.2008. Branch Type Write the location type, e.g. Branch, Godown, Outlet, Sub-Office, Factory, Show Room, etc. 21 Electricity Cons No. Electricity Consumer number of the connection installed at the business/ branch premises Gas No. Gas Consumer number of the connection installed at the business/ branch premises, where applicable 22 Bus/Br. Start Date Start Date of the Business/ Branch, date should be written in the format of DD-MM-YYYY. Bus/Br. Close Date Closing Date of the Business/ Branch. This is applicable only when Close Business/ Branch is selected as Action Requested 23 Total Bank Accounts Total Number of Bank Accounts, details of which should be provided in the given columns 24 Account Sr. Serial Number of the Bank Account. Separate sheets are required to provide information about each additional bank account Action Requested Check (√) the relevant box as Add Account, Change Particulars or Close 25 A/C No. Bank Account No. as allotted by the bank A/C Title Title of Account Type Check (√) the relevant box showing Account Type such as PLS or Current as the case may be. 26 Bank Name Write bank name in abbreviated form, e.g. MCB for Muslim Commercial Bank, NBP for National Bank of Pakistan, City Bank for City Bank City Name of the City in which bank branch is located Branch Name of the bank branch with branch Code 27 Start Date Start Date of the bank Account, date should be written in the format of Close Date Close Date of the bank Account, in case the account is closed. This is applicable only when Close Account is selected as Action Requested 28 Declaration Declaration to be signed by the applicant or his/her authorized representative. 29 Date Date of signing the application, in the format of DD-MM-YYYY. CNIC/Passport No. CNIC/Passport No. of the applicant. Applicant can be the Person him/her self or his/her authorized representative having written Authorization. Name of Applicant Name of Applicant as appearing in the CNIC/Passport. Signatures Signatures of the applicant. Tax Registration Form can be submitted as follows: 1) Duly completed application form along with copies of required documents can be submitted at any of the (13) Regional Tax Offices. 2) Online application can also be prepared by visiting the FBR website https://e.fbr.gov.pk. After completing this application in online mode. 3) NTN Certificate should be received in person at RTO by the applicant or his authorized representative, after one working day of applying. At the time of receiving the NTN Certificate, Original CNIC should be shown. If an authorized representative is to receive the NTN Certificate then Original Authority Letter and original CNICs of both the Individual as well as the authorized person should be shown at the RTO Counter. 4) Request for Change in Particulars is also processed as described in para 1-3 above. Attachments A) Individual 1) Copy of CNIC/ Passport B) Company 1) Copy of CNIC of Applicant 2) Copy of SECP Incorporation Certificate 3) Applications of all owners, if not already NTN holder C) AOP 1) Copy of CNIC of Applicant 2) Copy of AOP Agreement 3) Applications of all owners, if not already NTN holder.] [See rule 11(2)] Federal Board of Revenue Form of Application for De-registration for Sales Tax/ Federal Excise Application No. N° 1 Sales Tax Reg. No. 2 NTN [for Company & Registered AOP only] 3 NIC No. [for Individual only , Non-Residents to w rite Passport No.] Name of Registered Person (Company, Individual or AOP Name) 5 Address Registered Office Address for Company and Mailing Address for Individual & AOP 6 Phone - Mobile - Fax - 7 Reasons for De-registration (Please check (√)the appropriate box): (i) Ceased to carry on business Reasons for De-registration (ii) Supplies have become exempt (Give details) (iii) Taxable turnover during the last 12 months has remained below the threshold (a) Please give the value of taxable supplies you made in last 12 month Rs. (b) Please give reason(s) for reduction in your taxable turnover (attach sheet, if necessary). (iv) Transfer or sale of business (Attach proof) (iv) Merger with another person (Attach proof) (v) Other (Please give detail on separate sheet) 8 I, the undersigned, declare that the information given in this form and in any accompanying documents is true and complete. I understand that incorrect information can lead to penal action. 9 __________________________ Date CNIC/ Passport No. Nam e of Applicant SIGNATURES 10 Registration Nr. - - - - is de-registered with effect from Date - - 11 Request regretted. Letter issued vide no. Dated - - 12 Signature of Registration Officer 13 Before you begin to fill in the application, please refer to Chapter – I of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006. 14 Please attach proof where required. 15 Write clearly in black ink and use capital letters. 15 Additional sheets may be attached if required. 16 Do not write anything in grey areas. These are for official use. 17 In case of any problem, please contact your LRO or call the CRO. STR-2 omitted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008. [See rule - 5(2)] STOCKS DECLARATION FORM Name: _____________________________ Date: _____________________ Description of Name and Sales Tax invoice Value Sales taxable goods registration No. and date or (exclusive of Tax available in number of the name of customs Sales Tax) involved stock. supplier * station of clearance vessel name, IGM No. and date, index No. BE, cash No. & * In case of local goods, mention name and registration number of the supplier from whom such taxable goods were purchased during a period of 30 days prior to the date of application for registration. In case of goods imported during a period of 90 days prior to the date of application for registration, mention the exporter’s name and [STR-5 [See rule (4)] (Revenue Division) Sales Tax Registration Certificate NTN 1234567-8 Sales Tax Reg. No. 12-34-5678-980-12 [Date of dd/mm/yyyy] Category Company/ AOP/ Individual Status Resident/ Non-resident CNIC / Passport ─ Reg. / Inc No. ─ Name ─ Address ─ Business Name 1) ─ 2) ─ Principal Activity 1234 – Other Activities 1) 1234 – 2) 1234 – Representative’s CNIC 12345-6789012-3 Tax Office ─ Note: 1) The registered person must charge sales tax on taxable supplies and federal excise duty on excisable goods and services under law. 2) File a return by due date as prescribed. 3) File a Nil Return if no taxable or excisable sales have been made or services provided in a tax 4) Abide by the provisions of Sales Tax Act, 1990, and the Federal Excise Act, 2005, and rules made 5) This Certificate shall be prominently displayed at a conspicuous place of the premises in which business or work for gain is carried on. NTN number is also required to be indicated on the signboard. 6) The Registration numbers must be written on all returns, payment challans, invoices, letter heads, advertisements, etc. and all correspondence made with the tax departments. Central Registration Office] Entry inserted vide SRO 761(I)/2008 dated 19.07.2008 [See rule-6(2)] C.No. ______________________ Date_____________ M/s. ______________________________ SUBJECT: COMPULSORY REGISTRATION Whereas it has been ascertained that you are liable to be registered under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, for the reason that: ___________________________________________________________________; Whereas you have not yet got yourself registered; therefore, you are hereby given an opportunity to apply for registration in the form attached with this notice. You may also declare the stocks in hand, if any, in terms of section 59 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, read with rule 5(2) of Chapter I of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006 in the form at STR-4 to the Sales Tax Rules, 2006. 2. Kindly note that in case you fail to apply for registration by ___________ (date),-- (a) you shall be compulsorily registered under section 14 of the Act, read with rule 6 of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, without any further notice; (b) you shall render yourself liable to penalty under clause 7 of section 33(1) of the Sales Tax Act,1990; and (c) you shall also render yourself liable to arrest and prosecution in terms of section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. Encl. Registration From (STR-1) Local Registration Officer [[ [See rule 0(1)] Sales Tax & Federal Excise Return-cum-Payment Challan NTN CNIC (in case of Individual) STRN (Sales Tax Registration No.) Name Normal Revised Monthly Quarterly Tax Period (MMYY) Description Gross Value Taxable Value Sales Tax SALES TAX CREDITS 1 Domestic Purchases (excluding fixed assets) Annex-A - - - 2 Imports excluding fixed assets (includes 2% on commercial imports) Annex-B - - - 3 Capital/ fixed ass ets to be credited at 1/12 th of accum ulated amount - 4 (-) Inadm iss ible input tax relating to exem pt s upplies / non-taxed services etc. - 5 Input Tax for the month (1 + 2 + 3 - 4) - 6 (+) Previous month credit brought forward - 7 Accumulated Credit (5 + 6) - 8 Supplies Made & Services Rendered Annex-C - - - 9 Exports Annex-D - 10 Extra Tax charged under Chapter XIII of ST Sp. Procedure Rules '07 Annex-C - 11 Output Tax (8 + 10) - SALES TAX DEBITS 12 Retail Turnover - for the Quarter 0 Turnover - - 13 Electricity supplied to steel sector KWH - x Rs. 6.00 - 14 Re-rollable scrap sold by ship breakers M Tons - x Rs. 4,848 - 15 Re-meltable scrap sold by ship breakers M Tons - 16 Less: Sales Tax deducted by withholding agent @ 1/5th of tax invoiced - 17 Debit for the month (11 + 12 + 13 + 14 - 16) - 18 Sales Tax withheld by the return filer as withholding agent (STWH) - 19 Sales Tax Arrears including Principal, Def Surch. & penalty - 20 Whether excluded from Section 8B(1), under SRO 647(I)/2007 (Yes / No) PAYABLE/ REFUND 21 Admissible Credit - if 20 = Yes then 7; if 20 = No, then leas t of 7 or "90% of 11" or 17 - 22 Payable ST - if 17 > 21 then (17 - 21 + 18 + 19); otherwise 18 + 19 - 23 Excess Unadjusted Credit - if 20 = Yes and if 21 > 17 then (21 - 17); otherwise zero; if 20 = No then (7 - 21) - 24 Refund claim i.e. input consumed in zero-rated or excess of input tax as per rules - 25 Balance Credit to be carried forward - if 24 < 23, then (23 - 24); otherwizero zero - 26 Federal Excise Duty (FED) Payable / (FED Drawback) Annex-E - 27 Goods chargeable to Special Excise Duty (SED) Annex-C - 28 (-) SED on inputs used in manufacturing of Goods supplied for domestic consumption 29 (-) SED paid on goods used in manufacturing of Goods exported (drawback) 30 Net SED Payable (27 - 28 - 29) - 31 SED Arrears 32 Net FED Payable If 26 + 30 > 0 then (26 + 30 + 31), else 31 - 33 FED/ SED Drawback if 26 + 30 < 0 then -(26 + 30), else zero - 34 PDL - Petroleum Development Levy - 35 Total Taxes Payable (22 + 32+ 34) - 36 Tax paid on normal/ original return (applicable in case of revised return) - 37 Balance Tax Payable/ (Refundable) (35 - 36) - 38 Bank Account for payment of refund A/C Bank Branch I,_______________________________________________________________________, holder of CNIC No. _______________________________________ In m y capacity as self/mem b er or partner of association of persons/principal/ officer / trustee/ representative of nam ed ab ove, do solemnly declare that to the b est of m y k nowledge and b elief the information given in this return is correct and complete in Date_______________Stamp________________________________Signature____________________________ Head of Account Amount CPR No. Amount B02341 - Sales Tax - - HEAD OF ACCOUNTS B02366 - Sales Tax on services - - For Bank Use B02367 - FED in VAT mode - - B02485 - Federal Excise Duty - - B03041 - PDL - Total Amount in Figures - Am ount Received in words: Bank Officer's Signatures, Date & Stamp Form STR-7 substituted vide SRO 761(I)/2008 dated 189.07.2008. Earlier it was substituted vide SRO 530(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008, SRO 1000(I)/2007 dated 29.09. 2007 and SRO 824(I)/2007 dated 16.08.2007. Annex-A SUMMARY OF DOMESTIC PURCHASES NTN 99999999-9 STRN xx-xx-xxxx-xxx-xx Tax Period MM-YY Name of Registered Person S. Particulars of Suppliers No. of Value of Sales Tax 1% SED Extra tax (paid Nr. Invoices/ Purchases under Chapter Debit/ Excluding XIII of ST Sp. Credit S/Tax Procedures Notes Rules, 2007) Name NTN STRN CNIC Total (Net after incorporating the Debit/ Credit Notes, if any) CATEGORY WISE SUMMARY: Value Sales Tax Taxable Goods @ 16% (excluding fixed assets) - @ 18.5% (excluding fixed assets) - Third Schedule Goods - Taxable Services purchased (including provincial tax and FED in Sales Tax mode) @ 16% - Others (Pl. specify) Zero-rated DTRE Other local zero-rated Exempt domestic purchases/services Steel Sector: Tax paid at Rs. 6/KWH on electricity bill KWH CNG Dealers: Natural gas purchased Tax paid at 25% Notes: 1) Supplier-wise summary should be provided for all taxable (excluding zero-rated) purchases made from registered persons. 2) Supplier-wise summary is not required to be submitted by retailers and CNG dealers and in respect of those purchases on which registered persons operating under special procedures are not entitled to claim input tax credit. 3) 'Others' category also covers purchases made from unregistered persons and should also include purchases for which no separate column is provided. Annex-B SUMMARY OF IMPORTS S. Particulars of GD Imports Sales Import Value for Sales Tax 2% Sales 1% SED Nr. (Machine No.) Tax Type Sales Tax paid at Tax on Rate import commer- C ollectorate stage cial G D T ype G D D ate G D N o. Total - - - - GD Types Collectorates Import Rate/ Type-wise summary Value Sales Tax EB KAPR Types Imports @ 16% (excl. fixed assets) - HC KOIL General Imports @ 18.5% (excl. fixed assets) - ST Rates KAFU Commercial Imports @ 21% (excl. fixed assets) - 0% LDRY Fixed Assets Zero Rated 16% PDRY Edible Oil Imports at other rates - 18.5% MDRY Ship for Fixed Assets - 21% QDRY breaking Exempt Imports Exempt (Also see Ship for breaking LDT instructions) Note: If there are if items of different rates and types are imported on a single GD, separate line for each type/ rate may be entered in GD-wise summary Annex-C SUMMARY OF DOMESTIC SALES S. Particulars of buyers No. of Value of Sales Tax 1% SED Extra tax Nr. Invoices/ Supplies (charged Debit/ Excluding under Chapter Credit S/Tax XIII of ST Sp. Notes Procedures Rules, 2007) All supplies to unregistered persons Taxable Goods & services @ 18.5% - @ 25% (Natural Gas supplied to CNG dealers) - Taxable Services rendered (including provincial tax and FED in Sales Tax mode) Others (Pl. specify) - Exempt supplies/services Invoices issued under special procedures Tax invoiced Notes: 1) The buyer-wise summary should be provided for all taxable sales (excluding zero-rated) to registered persons. 2) The buyer-wise summary is not required to be submitted by retailers and CNG dealers. 3) 'Others' category covers supplies for which no separate column is provided. 4) 'Invoices issued under special procedures' reflect sales tax for which sales tax liability is discharged under special procedures and tax on invoice does not form part of output tax. (Cond:) Annex-D SUMMARY OF EXPORTS S. Particulars of GD Exports (Machine No.) Value of Exports in Pak Rupees Nr. Collectorate GD Type GD No. GD Date Annex-E FEDERAL EXCISES NTN 99999999-9 STRN 9999999999999999 xxxxxxxxx Name of Taxpayer xxxxxxxxxxx Tax Period MM-YY Value/ Quantity Rate FED 1 Excisable goods supplied/ services provided (a) 5 (e) 6 (f) 7 Excisable goods exported 8 Zero-rated supplies 9 Exempt supplies 10 (-) FED paid on goods used in manufacturing of Goods supplied for domestic consumption 11 Payable FED - Add 1 to 9 minus 10 (ignore negative value) - 12 (-) FED paid on goods used in manufacturing of Goods exported (drawback) 13 Total FED (11 - 12) FED Arrears FED liability due to late filing 14 Principal amount 18 Default surcharge 15 Default surcharge 19 Penalty 16 Penalty 20 Surcharges 17 FED (ARR) (Add 14 to 16) - 21 FED (SUR + PEN) (Add 18 to 21) - 22 Net FED Payable / (Net FED Drawback) (13+ 17 + 21) Annex-F HOW TO FILL UP THE RETURN 1. These instructions are illustrative only and have no effect upon the provisions of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 or the Federal Excise Act, 2005. 2. This return is required to be filled by all persons registered under the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and the Federal Excise Act, 2005. 3. Instructions relating to different parts of the return are given below, namely:- CNIC. The registered person having the status of ‘individual’ or ‘proprietor’ is required to mention his Computerized National Identity Card number. In all other cases this information can be skipped. Normal/ Revised. Normal return means the first return filed for any specific tax period. A revised return can be filed under sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 26 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. While filing the revised return, the taxpayer shall check the relevant box and fill in all the relevant data for the month including the columns which were correctly filled in the normal return. Monthly/ Quarterly. All registered persons are required to file return on monthly basis, except retailers, CNG dealers and dealers of specified electric goods operating under special Tax Period. The tax period has to be mentioned in the format “mm yy”. For example, July 2008 is to be mentioned as “0│7│0│8”. The persons filing the quarterly return shall mention the last month of the quarter. For example, in case of quarter July to September 2008, the month of September 2007 should be mentioned as “0│9│0│8”. Col 1. Domestic Purchases (excluding fixed assets). All purchases should be mentioned here. Gross Value means total value of all purchases including taxable and otherwise. Value of taxable purchases would come under ‘Taxable Value’. In case of electronic filing, these fields would be automatically filled based on summary of purchases in Annex A of the return. Col 2: Imports (excluding fixed assets). This column would also be filled on the basis of details of imports as provided in Annex B. Col 3. Capital/ fixed assets to be credited at 1/12th of accumulated amount. The ‘accumulated amount’ is the admissible input tax paid on fixed assets during the relevant tax period and previous eleven tax periods. This amount should be divided by 12 to obtain the input tax deductible during the relevant tax period. Col 4. Inadmissible input tax relating to exempt supplies/ non-taxed services The input tax which is attributed to exempt supplies or to non-taxable services is to be mentioned here. Any other input tax which is not admissible as credit is also to be included. If any part of input tax relates to both taxable and exempt supplies or services, inadmissible input tax is to be calculated in accordance with Chapter IV of these rules. Col 6. Previous month credit brought forward. This is the amount of tax which could not be adjusted in previous month and should strictly be the amount mentioned in the column ‘Balance Credit to be carried forward’ in the return for the preceding tax period. It is to be noted that previous month’s refund claim should not be included in this column. Col 7. Accumulated Credit. This is the total input tax available for adjustment against output tax. This is the sum of total admissible Input tax for the month plus credit brought forward from the previous month. Col 8. Supplies Made & Services Rendered. Value of sales and services shall be based on entries made in Annex C. It may be noted that the services chargeable to sales tax under provincial ordinances and the services subject to FED in VAT mode are to be included in the said Annex. For example courier services and domestic air travel services etc. Col 10. Extra Tax. The manufacturers and importers charging extra tax under Chapter XIII of the Sales Tax Special Procedures Rules, 2007, or otherwise, shall mention the same in Annex C and the total figure shall appear against this column. Col 12. Retail Turnover - for the Quarter. The registered persons operating retail outlets are required to pay sales tax on total turnover of such retail outlets. The retailers shall discharge their liability through quarterly return as per formula given in Chapter II of the Sales Tax Special Procedures Rules, 2007. However, for the purpose of exemption the turnover of last twelve months as specified in Sixth Schedule to the Act shall be relevant. Col 13. Electricity supplied to steel sector. The electricity distribution companies shall mention the units supplied to steel sector as covered under the Sales Tax Special Procedures Rules, 2007, on which sales tax is payable at the rate of Rs. 6.00 per unit. Col 16. Less: Sales Tax deducted by withholding agent @ 1/5th of tax invoiced. This column allows a registered person to subtract the sales tax which has been deducted by a withholding agent from his output tax liability. Only the amount actually deducted needs to be mentioned. Col 18. Sales Tax withheld by the return filer (STWH). If a registered person is also withholding sales tax under the Sales Tax Special Procedure (Withholding) Rules, 2007, he shall mention the tax deducted during the tax period from the amounts payable to suppliers. Col 19. Sales Tax Arrears. Outstanding sales tax arrears can be deposited against this column. Col 20. Whether excluded from Section 8B(1), under SRO 647(I)/2007. The registered person should say yes, if they fall in any of the categories specified in above said notification. The formula given in next column shall determine admissible credit based on the reply in this column. Col 23. Excess Unadjusted Credit. This is the excess of input tax which is available either for carry forward or for claiming refund under rules. This is worked out with the help of formulae provided. Col 24. Refund claim. The persons making zero-rating supplies can claim refund of excess input tax relating to inputs actually consumed in zero-rated supplies. The balance excess can be carried forward. Persons making supplies other than zero-rated can claim refund of excess input tax in the manner as provided in Chapter V of these rules. Col 27. Goods chargeable to Special Excise Duty. Information in respect of SED under S.R.O. 655(I)/2007 is to be provided in Annex C and the same shall also appear in this column. Col 28. SED on inputs used in manufacturing of Goods supplied for domestic consumption. SED on inputs used in goods supplied during the tax period is to be given here. It is to be noted that SED paid on inputs which are still in inventory, as raw materials or as finished goods, cannot be adjusted here. Such SED amounts can be carried forward in the accounts of the registered person and adjusted when relevant goods are supplied. Col 36. Tax paid on normal/ original return. In case the return is being revised, the credit of the amount paid on the normal/ original return can be availed by mentioning the said amount. Col 37. Balance Tax Payable / Refundable. Balance payable is the amount to be deposited on the return. Declaration. Declaration can be filled in by any person duly authorized to file the return. CNIC mentioned here should belong to the person making the declaration. Head of Accounts. The break-up of tax being payable on the return is to be provided. If the taxpayer is dealing in more than one type of taxes he should provide the head-wise break up of the total amount payable for the month i.e. the amount mentioned in the column “Total Taxes Payable (Net ST Payable + Net FED Payable + PDL)”. The amount falling in FED and PDL can easily be determined. However, the problem may arise while providing break-up of sales tax, provincial sales tax and FED payable in VAT mode because of common inputs involved. In case the registered person is not conveniently able to determine such break-up, then the total payable amount for such heads can be apportioned on the basis of value of supplies/ services relating to a particular head of account. Annex-A and Annex C:- Purchase and Sale Summaries. The supplier/ buyer wise summaries are required in respect of all taxable items other than zero-rated, in relation to transactions with registered persons. In case of sales, sales to unregistered persons, the totals may be mentioned in the last row. Previous exceptions provided under S.R.O. 559(I)/2006 or any other circular or letter are not valid for these summaries. Annex-B and Annex D:- Import and Export Summaries. The Collectorate codes for various customs stations are given below: Sr. Customs Station Import Export No. Code Code 1 Appraisement Collectorate, Karachi KAPR ─ 2 Lahore Dry Port LDRY LEXP 3 Lahore Air Freight Unit LAFU LAFE 4 Karachi Air Freight Unit KAFU KAFE 5 Karachi Oil Section KOIL ─ 6 Sialkot Dryport SDRY SEXP 7 Faisalabad Dry Port FDRY FEXP 8 Rawalpindi Dry Port RDRY ─ 9 Hyderabad Dry Port HDRY HEXP 10 Peshawer Dry Port PDRY PEXP 11 Multan Collectorate/ Dry Port MDRY MEXP 12 Gujranwala Dry Port GDRY ─ 13 Port Qasim Karachi KPQI KPQE 14 Quetta Dry Port QDRY QEXP 15 Karachi Export Processing Zone KEPZ ─ 16 Railways (Karachi) KRLY ─ 17 Lahore Thoker Niaz Baig LTNB LTEX 18 Islamabad Airport Freight Unit IAFU ─ 19 Peshawar Airport PAFU PAFE 20 Peshawar Torkham PTOR PTRE 21 Rawalpindin Air Freight Unit RAFU RAFE 22 Sust Dry Port SUST SUSE 23 Chaman Dry Port QCHM QCHE 24 Karachi Air Frieght Unit (ICG) KAFI ─ 25 Export Processing Zone Karachi KEPI ─ 26 Islamabad Dry Port Import IDRY IDRE 27 Faisalabad Air Freight Unit FAFU FAFE 28 Lahore Air Freight Sialkot LAFS ─ 29 Sialkot EPZ Imports SIPZ SEPZ 30 Multan Air Freight Unit MAFU MAFE 31 Quetta Railway Station QRLY QRLE 32 Quetta Air Port Unit QAFU QAFE 33 Model Custom Collectorate Karachi KMCC ─ 34 Sialkot Air Freight Unit SAFU ─ 35 Karachi Export Collectorate ─ KEXP Annex E Federal Excise Duty. Col 1 to 6. Excisable goods supplied/ services provided. Space has been provided for six excisable goods/ services to cater to situations where a person is supplying or providing more than one good or service. Following nomenclature should be adhered to while specifying the goods, namely:- 1 Concentrates for aerated beverages 2 Aerated waters 3 Aerated waters with sweetener etc. 4 Aerated waters made from pulp/juice etc. 5 Unmanufactured tobacco. 6 Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes 7 Cement 8 Clinker 9 Solvent oil (non-composite) 10 Other petroleum oils 11 Other fuel oils 12 Lubricating oils 13 Lubricating oil in bulk 14 Lubricating oil if manufactured from reclaimed oils 15 Mineral greases 16 Base lube oil 17 Transformer oil 18 Other mineral oils 19 Waste oil 20 Petroleum gases in liquefied state 21 Natural gas in gaseous state and other petroleum gases 22 Carbon black oil etc 23 Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MBTE) 24 Flavours and concentrates 25 Perfumes and toilet waters: 26 Beauty or make-up preparations etc. 27 Preparations for hair 28 Pre-shave, shaving or after-shave preparations etc. 29 Greases 30 Organic composite solvents and thinners 31 Other solvents excluding thinners 32 Motor cars and other motor vehicles 33 Facilities for International air travel 34 Insurance Services 35 Non-fund banking services 36 Franchise services 37 Services of development of land into plots 38 Services of construction of residential or commercial Col 9. Exempt supplies. All supplies of exempt excisable goods as in the Third Schedule to the Federal Excise Act, 2005, or under any notification issued thereunder should be mentioned Col 10. FED paid on goods used in manufacturing of Goods supplied for domestic consumption. FED on inputs used in goods supplied during the tax period is to be given here. It is to be noted that FED paid on inputs which are still in inventory, as raw materials or as finished goods, cannot be adjusted here. Such FED amounts can be carried The FED amount mentioned in this column has to be less than excise duty payable on finished goods supplied. It would be greater only in case where the rate of excise duty on inputs is higher. In such cases no refund of higher duty on inputs is admissible.] Form STR-8 omitted vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. STR-10 [See rule 17] 1. Type of Return Annual Sales Tax Return (Please mark 9 in the relevant box) Original Revised (As required under section 26 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 read with Rule 17 of Sales tax Rules, 2006) 2. Tax Year Ending 3 0 - 0 6 - 3. NTN Please mark 9 in the relevant box 4. Sales Tax Reg. No. 5. Federal Excise Reg. No. 6. Status Ind AOP Coy 7. Taxpayers Name (As per Sales Tax 8. Taxpayers Address Certificate) 9. Turnover/Sales (a) Supplies made, services rendered/provided including utilities and Value excluding Sales Tax Rate Output SalesTax goods & services subject to excise duty in VAT mode (i) Taxable - Supplies - Local (ii) Zero-rated - Supplies - Local Supplies - DTRE Supplies - Export (iii) Exempt - Supplies - Local (iv) Others - If any, specify (v) Total supplies/services & Output Sales Tax as per Monthly Returns [Add 9(a)(i) to 9(a)(iv)] (b) Adjustments in Supplies/Services to arrive at Turnover/Sales (i) Rebates / duty draw backs (ii) Advances against sales outstanding at the begning of the year included in the supplies/services of the preceeding year (iii) Any other, specify ________________________________ (iv) Sub-Total [Add 9(b)(i) to 9(b)(iii)] (v) Commission and brokerage (vi) Advances against sales outstanding at the end of the year included in the supplies/services of the current year (vii) Any other, specify ________________________________ (viii) Sub-Total [Add 9(b)(v) to 9(b)(vii)] (c) Turnover/Sales and Output Sales Tax [9(a)(v) plus 9(b)(iv) minus 9(b)(viii)] 10. Summarry of Sales Tax Paid, Refund, Adjustment, Etc., claimed in monthly Sales Tax Returns (a) Opening balance of: (i) Un-paid refunds claim (ii) Un-adjusted adjustment notes (b) Sales tax paid during the year Month Year Amount Month Year Amount Month Year Amount Jul Nov Mar Aug Dec Apr Sep Jan May Oct Feb Jun (c) Sales Tax refundable for the year (Add refundables for each of the months) (d) Sub-Total [Add 10(a) and 10(c)] (e) Sales Tax refunds received durring the year (f) Balance carried forward [10(d) minus 10(e)] (f) Represented by closing balances of: (iii) Total [10(f)(i) plus 10(f)(ii)] I, , holder of CNIC No. in my capacity as Self/Member or Partner of Association of persons/Principal Officer/Trustee/Representative* of the Taxpayer named above, do solemnly declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information given in this Return, is/are correct, complete and in accordance with the provisions of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Rules and Notofications issued thereunder. * As defined in section ___ of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Section ___ of the Federal Excise Act, 2005 (The alternative in the verification, which is not applicable, should be scored out) Date (dd/mm/yyyy) Stamp Signature For Assistance - Call Help line Center at Tele: 0800-00-227, 051-111-227-227, Fax 051-9205593 and E-mail at helpline@cbr.gov.pk Part-I SALES TAX PAYMENT CHALLAN INPUT FORM Sales Tax Reg. No. NTN Name Tax Period HEAD OF ACCOUNT Amount in Pak Rs. B-02341 Sales Tax B-02366 Sales Tax on Services B-02367 Federal Excise Duty in VAT Mode Amount in words I hereby declare that the particulars mentioned in this challan are correct. CNIC of Depositor Name of Depositor Date Stamp & Signatures Note: This is an input form and should not be signed/stamped by the Bank. However, a CPR sholud be issued after receipt of payment by the Bank. Form STR-11 substituted vide SRO 840(I)/2008 dated 13.08.2008. Earlier it was substituted vide SRO 824(I)/2007 dated 16.08.2007. STR-11 (Contd:) Part-II FEDERAL EXCISE PAYMENT CHALLAN B-02485 Federal Excise Duty B-03041 Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) [See rules 52, 53, 56 and 57] AUTHORIZATION FOR ZERO-RATED SUPPLY S.No. _______ Date:___________ Messrs. ___________________________________ (name of buyer) have applied for zero-rated supply under Chapter VIII of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, on the basis of the following documents: 1. CBR Booklet No. ________________________________________________ 2. M/o Foreign Affairs Exemption Order No. _________________ dated _______ 3. Other__________________________________________________________ The claim for zero-rating has been found in order and the formalities specified in the said Rules have been fulfilled by this office. M/s. ______________________________________ (name & registration No. of registered supplier) are, therefore, authorised to deliver the following goods to the said applicant against a zero rated invoice:- S. No. Description Quantity and/or value Assistant / Deputy Collector (Signature, name, and official seal) LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION I, _________________________________________, Proprietor/Partner/Director of M/s_____________________________________________, hereby authorize Mr._____________________ s/o Mr.___________________________________ N.I.C. No.______________________ to represent before the adjudicating authority or the Customs, Excise and Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal, _________ Bench on behalf of M/s. _________________________________________ Sales Tax/Federal Excise Registration No. _____________________________ for single hearing on ____________________ (date) / till the decision of the case. (cross out whichever is not applicable) or till withdrawal of this authorization, whichever is earlier. I also affirm and certify that he fulfils the conditions of an authorized representative as prescribed in Chapter IX of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006. Dated:__________ Signature: _____________________________ Name: _______________________________ (Proprietor/Partner/Director) N.I.C. No._____________________________ Company or business Seal/Stamp__________ FORM OF DEMAND NOTE C. No_______________ Dated_______________ SUBJECT: ______________________________________________________ Reference _______________ (e.g. Order-in-Original No., Bank Guarantee No., Insurance Guarantee No., etc.) WHEREAS a sum of Rs____________ (Rupees_____________________only), as Government dues (as per Schedule attached) is outstanding and needs to be recovered from the following; M/s. _______________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ Phone No. __________________________________________________ Sales Tax Registration No. _____________________________________ N.T.N. No __________________________________________________ Known properties:____________________________________________ 2. The above-mentioned Government dues are on account of Sales Tax and other levies under the Sales Tax Act, 1990. It is certified that all other formalities under the Act and rules made thereunder have been completed as follows, and there exists no bar or stay order against recovery: (a) Action taken under clause (a) of sub-section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 (b) Action taken under clause (b) of sub-section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 (c) Action taken under clauses (c) and (ca) of sub-section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and (d) Action taken under clause (d) of sub-section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 3. You are, therefore, requested to recover the above-mentioned Government dues in terms of section 48 of the Sales Tax, 1990 and rules made thereunder. The Government dues may be remitted to the undersigned as soon as the same are recovered. Referring Authority (Name) Assistant/ Deputy Collector of Sales Tax Seal __________________________ The Sales Tax Recovery Officer, S. No. Description Amount 1. Serial No. ________ 2. File No.__________ 3. Sales tax Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 4. Default surcharge Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 5. Federal Excise duty Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 6. Customs duty Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 7. Fines Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 8. Penalty Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 9. Personal Penalty Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 10. Surcharge Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 11. Penal surcharge Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 12. License fee Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 13. Income Tax Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 14. Other Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) (i) Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) (ii) Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) (iii) Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) (iv) Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) TOTAL Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) FORM OF MASTER REGISTER 1. Sr. No._______________________________________________________ 2. Defaulters Name, Address and Phone No.____________________________ 3. Referring Authority._______________________________________________ 4. (i) No. and date of issue and date of receipt of Demand Note___________ (ii) Reference Nos.____________________________________________ 5. Details of Government dues________________________________________ 8. Surcharge Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 9. Penal surcharge Rs. ____(Rupees __________________ only) 6. Date of issue of notice under rule 71_________________________________ 8. Date of issue of notice and action taken under rule 74____________________ 9. Known properties of the defaulter (i) Movable_______________________________________________ (ii) Immovable_____________________________________________ 10. Name and designation of Attachment Officer___________________________ 11. Details of movable properties attached (i) _____________________________________________________ (ii) _____________________________________________________ (iii) _____________________________________________________ 12. Date of proclamation of attachment of immovable properties (i) ______________________________________________________ (ii) ______________________________________________________ 13. Details of immovable properties attached. (iv) _____________________________________________________ (v) _____________________________________________________ 14. Date of appointment of receiver, name of receiver and details of business or properties. (i) ____________________________________________________ 15. Date of sales of properties and their details. (i) ___________________________________________________________ (ii) ___________________________________________________________ 16. Amount of sale proceeds or amount of profits along with mode of receipt. 17. Disposal of sale proceeds________________________________________ 18. Date of recovery and details of Government dues shown in column recovered along with the manner of recovery. (See rule 71(2)) FORM OF NOTICE TO SALES TAX, CUSTOMS, FEDERAL EXCISE AND INCOME TAX AUTHORITIES C.No____________________________ Dated_____________ SUBJECT:________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Government dues amounting to Rs. __________________ (Rupees ______________________________________ only), are outstanding against M/s. ____________________________________________________________ (Name and Complete Address), having Sales Tax Registration No. ______________________ which they have failed to pay so far. 2. Now, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub section (1) of section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, I do hereby require all Customs, Federal Excise, Sales Tax and Income Tax Authorities that with immediate effect and till further (a) to deduct the aforesaid amount from any money owing to the said M/s _______________________________ which may be under the control of respective authorities; and (b) the Government dues so recovered should be sent to the undersigned immediately. Assistant/Deputy Collector of Sales Tax (i) M/s__________________________________________(defaulter). (ii) M/s_______________________ (clearing agent or representative). (iii) All other concerned. FORM OF NOTICE OF RECOVERY C.No._____________________________ Dated:______________ SUBJECT: Notice for Recovery under section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. WHEREAS Government dues amounting to Rs. _______________ (Rupees ____________________________ only), are recoverable from you (M/s. ________________________________________________) on account of ________________________________________________________________. 2. AND WHEREAS, you have failed to deposit the above said Government dues recoverable from you and it is believed that the outstanding Government dues cannot be recovered from you in the manner so far followed; 3. Now, THEREFORE, you (M/s. _________________________________) are hereby served with this notice in terms of section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 to pay the amount within fifteen days from the date of service of this notice, failing which following proceedings under section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 will be initiated without any further notice: - Removal of goods from your business premises shall be stopped and the business premises sealed after fifteen days of issue of this notice till such time the amount of tax is paid or recovered in full. 4. You are also directed not to directly or indirectly, sell, mortgage, charge, lease or otherwise deal with all movable and immovable property belonging to you except with the permission of the undersigned. Assistant Collector of Sales Tax (iv) M/s__________________________________________(defaulter). (v) M/s_______________________ (clearing agent or representative). (vi) All other concerned. FORM OF NOTICE FOR ATTACHMENT AND RECOVERY WHEREAS, Government dues amounting to Rs. __________________ (Rupees____________________________________ only) are recoverable from you, M/s. ________________________________________________________ on account of ________________________________________________________________________. 2. AND, WHEREAS, you have failed to deposit the above said Government dues recoverable from you and no recovery could be made in terms of clauses (a), (b), (c), (ca), (d) and (f) of sub-section (1) of section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. 3. AND WHEREAS, it is believed that the outstanding Government dues cannot be recovered from you in the manner so far followed. 4. NOW, THEREFORE, you are hereby served with this notice in terms of Section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 to pay the amount within fifteen days from the date of service of this notice, failing which following proceedings under Section 48 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and the rules made thereunder shall be initiated without any further notice:- (a) attachment and sale of moveable and immovable property; and (b) appointment of receiver for the management of the movable or immovable 6. You are also informed that all your movable and immovable properties shall stand attached on the expiry of 15 days of the service of this notice. 7. Such attached properties can be seized/sold under chapter XI of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, or a receiver can be appointed to manage them. To avoid such a situation it shall be in your own interest to pay the Government dues within fifteen days from the date of service of this Notice. Sales Tax Recovery Officer (ii) M/s______________________________ (agent or representative). (iii) M/s. __________________________________ (other concerned). FORM OF WARRANT OF ATTACHMENT C. No._______________________________ Date: ___________ Subject: _________________________________________________________. WHEREAS Mr. ___________________________________ (Designation ______________) has been appointed as Attachment Officer in terms of the chapter XI of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, to attach the movable properties of M/s. ______________________________ for the recovery of outstanding Government dues amounting to Rs. _______________ (Rupees ____________________ only), recoverable from the above-mentioned defaulter. THEREFORE, Mr. ________________________________ (Designation _____________) is hereby directed to seize the movable properties belonging to the defaulter while observing the provisions of chapter XI of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, save exceptions as provided under the above said rules. He is also directed to report to the undersigned about the completion of attachment formalities as soon as these are completed. (i) The Attachment Officer, __________________, along with a copy to be served on the defaulter or his agent. (ii) Notice Board. [STR-20 [See rule 150J(1)] Application for appointment as e-intermediary Collectorate _______________________________ (where registration desired) (1) Business Name (2) NTN # (3) Business Status (4) Address of Registered Head Office (i) City (ii) Post Code (iii) Premises (Tick √) Self Owned Rented (iv) Phone No. (v) Fax No. (vi) E-mail address (vi) Bank Account No. (vii) Bank name & address I, , the undersigned, hereby, certify that the information above is true and correct and furhter that the applicant has not been involved in any case of tax fraud. Signature & Stamp: [C.No.3(1)ST-L&P/06] (Abdul Hameed Memon) Secretary (ST L&P) Form STR-20 added vide SRO 470(I)/2007 dated 09.06.2007. 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__label__wiki	0.607075	0.607075	Renishaw.com - Resource centre - News release: Renishaw appoints dental technology specialist for its Nordic operation News release: Renishaw appoints dental technology specialist for its Nordic operation (docx) File size: 95 kB Language: English The Nordic office of Renishaw plc, global specialists in industrial metrology and precision healthcare solutions, has announced the appointment of Martin Wadman as a System Support Engineer for its rapidly expanding dental business. Wadman has more than 15 years experience in the dental industry with Nobel Biocare, and in his new role at Renishaw AB, in Järfälla, near Stockholm, Sweden, he will be responsible for helping to support the company’s growing base of dental CAD/CAM products. This type of file requires a viewer, freely available from Microsoft Latest videos - General EMO Hannover 2019 teaser video A punchy teaser video to showcase our presence at EMO Hannover 2019. To appear on our EMO Hannover 2019 media hub and to be used in social media posts. [1920 x 1080] [97.3MB] Global support video An overview of Renishaw's global after-sales support services Benefit from the factory of the future, today Renishaw’s smart factory technologies provide automated and intelligent process control. They enable manufacturers to benefit from the factory of the future, today. Learn more about how speed, ease o… Exhibition video: AugustaWestland's Wildcat Supplier case study To help win and maintain its preferred supplier status to one of the world’s top aerospace manufacturing companies, Tods Aerospace Ltd invested in a CMS five-axis router, a Renishaw RMP600 wireless… Latest items - General News release: Super Science competition winners improve STEM education Global engineering company, Renishaw, has awarded £10,000 of prize money to six local schools who won its Super Science competition, held in collaboration with the Bristol Post and BristolLive. The… News release: ATOM DX™: Performance in miniature Renishaw, a world-leading metrology company, will launch its smallest incremental optical encoder with digital output direct from the readhead, eliminating the need for bulky interfaces. News release: Renishaw hosts CBI Innovation Conference at New Mills headquarters In May 2019, global engineering company, Renishaw, hosted the CBI’s Innovation and Technology conference for South-West England at its Innovation Centre near New Mills, Gloucestershire. Held in… News release: Renishaw reflects on 50 years of British innovation In 2019, engineering companies throughout the UK are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the prestigious MacRobert Award, the country’s longest running prize for engineering innovation. As a… Renishaw plc Applicant Privacy Notice This privacy notice explains how and why Renishaw plc including each of its operating entities (also referred to as “Renishaw”, “we”, “our” and “us”) uses personal data about individuals who apply…	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613007
__label__wiki	0.538716	0.538716	Unusual: Author uses a reference list to accuse a paper of plagiarism Here’s an unusual way to allege plagiarism: Do it in the reference list. That’s what Brian Levine, a professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, did when he came across a paper he wanted to cite but suspected of plagiarism. When Levine published his 2017 paper, he cited the paper in question as: R.Rajan, “ Feasibility, Effectiveness, Performance and Potential Solutions on Distributed Content Sharing System [plagiarized],” Intl. J. Engineering and Computer Science, 5(1):15638–15649, Jan 2016 http://www.ijecs.in/ issue/v5- i1/30%20ijecs.pdf. Levine’s paper, which explores a way of identifying perpetrators of online child pornography, provides no further details about the nature of the plagiarism or from what source the paper allegedly plagiarized. Levine told Retraction Watch that the 2016 paper, which he found during a literature search (and which the journal has since removed), “appears to be an exact copy” of a 2013 paper, published at a conference and which Levine also cites in his 2017 paper. Levine explained that he labeled the 2016 paper “[plagiarized]” as “a way of calling out the problem:” While plagiarism is not nearly as horrific as the topic of our paper itself, it’s a serious issue for academia. … Given that papers are regularly published to the web and indexed by search engines, it’s brazen to plagiarize as a professional. We tried reaching Rajavelu Rajan, the sole author on the 2016 paper Levine is accusing of plagiarism, and a research scholar at the University of Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu, India, but he did not reply. Miguel Roig, a professor of psychology at St. John’s University who has written about plagiarism and duplication in academic writing, told us he has never seen a plagiarism allegation of this type before: Given that plagiarism comes in many forms and varies in the seriousness of the offense, citing a paper and just marking it as ‘plagiarized’ is not enough for readers….Especially in this case, the reader needs to know the exact role the plagiarized work played in support of the newer work. (Roig is a member of the board of directors of our parent non-profit organization.) Anupam Datta, who ran the IEEE International Workshop on Privacy Engineering that published Levine’s 2017 paper, told us that the reviewers and editors had not noticed the “[plagiarized]” note in reference 12, but have followed up with the authors and reviewed the situation: In our assessment, reference #12 indeed appears to be a plagiarized version of reference #7 in the paper. An examination of the two papers reveal direct copying of large blobs of text. Datta said it was the first time the editors of the conference had seen an author alert readers to potential plagiarism in this manner; he added that the editors are not planning to take any action to remove the “[plagiarized]” note. Levine told us that he had not contacted the authors or editors of the 2016 paper he believed plagiarized, nor the authors or editors of the original 2013 paper. We asked Levine whether he had considered posting his concern to PubPeer, but he said he had not heard of it. We asked Levine if he had considered adding a note in his 2017 paper, “Statistical Detection of Downloaders in Freenet,” explaining the nature of the alleged plagiarism. Levine said: Some tag other than “[plagiarized]” might have been more specific, but I didn’t think of that at the time. Matthew Wright, a professor and director of the Center for Cybersecurity at Rochester Institute of Technology, and a co-author on the 2017 paper, also told us: It is necessary to discuss and cite any closely related work to your own, which this paper is … We don’t want a reviewer’s search to find this work and cause them to say that our work is not novel because they found a related paper that addresses our problem. Rather than including that discussion in the related work section, the label “plagiarized” covers it, saying implicitly that our discussion of why our work is novel in light of Tian et al.’s contributions also applies to this plagiarized version. This shows how plagiarism can harm future authors as well as past ones, since it makes writing related papers harder. Like Retraction Watch? You can make a tax-deductible contribution to support our growth, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, add us to your RSS reader, sign up on our homepage for an email every time there’s a new post, or subscribe to our daily digest. If you find a retraction that’s not in our database, you can let us know here. For comments or feedback, email us at retractionwatchteam@gmail.com. Posted on February 5, 2018 February 5, 2018 Author Victoria SternCategories computer science, Int J Engineering Comp Sci, plagiarism, united states 5 thoughts on “Unusual: Author uses a reference list to accuse a paper of plagiarism” gs says: Labelling the reference with the term ‘[plagiarized]’ is ambiguous. Is this reference the plagiarizer or the plagiarizee? In other words, has the reference been plagiarized itself or has it plagiarized another (or others)? Lee Rudolph says: Given the stringent page-length requirements imposed by IEEE journals/conferences (the paper in question appeared in Proc. IEEE International Workshop on Privacy Engineering), I doubt the author(s) would have liked to use an appendix. An alternative that occurs to me (which also addresses the ambiguity issue) would be to add text at the end of the reference item (rather than bracketed inside the item’s title) along the lines of “Plagiarized from” (or perhaps “Apparently plagiarized from”) followed by the bibliographic information for the source (or, if space is very short, just the reference number in the reference list—as the author points out above, whenever a reference that is known to be plagiarized is cited so should its source be, for both practical and ethical reasons). Narad says: An alternative that occurs to me (which also addresses the ambiguity issue) would be to add text at the end of the reference item (rather than bracketed inside the item’s title) along the lines of “Plagiarized from” (or perhaps “Apparently plagiarized from”) followed by the bibliographic information for the source I realize that conference proceedings aren’t edited, but with my old editorial hat on, this strikes me as a plausible approach. I’d have to look at the IEEE bibliographic format to see whether it could be tweaked, but that’s not happening. Stephen Alexander says: I like this strategy, but I think the criticism is fair – detail must be given about the nature of plagiarism. As Roig notes above, “the reader needs to know the exact role the plagiarized work played in support of the newer work”. Perhaps an appendix would be an appropriate means to resolve this tension. bq says: Just compare Rajan’s paper https://doi.org/10.18535/ijecs/v5i1.30 (reference 12 in Levine’s paper) to https://doi.org/10.1109/TDSC.2015.2453983 , a paper that is reference 10 in Levine’s paper. Levine cites the Rajan paper on the last page of his article as “Tian et al. [7 10 12]”, even though Rajan does not mention Tian as an author. Previous Previous post: The RW Week In Review: Anti-gay bias, an authorship lawsuit; misconduct in industry vs. academia Next Next post: MD Anderson: No, we did not co-sponsor this cancer conference	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613008
__label__wiki	0.589054	0.589054	Charles Wilson with his daughter. Christine. Courtesy of Christine Robinson. This crew flew on BLACK THURSDAY in Lancaster JB312, Z-ZEBRA – they landed at Bourn with some damage.The crew were uninjured but were lost without trace on 29 January 1944; they are commemorated at Runnymede. CREW AT TIME OF LOSS Pilot: F/L Charles Thomas Wilson, DFC Flight Engineer: F/S Terence Walter Smith Navigator: F/L George Wilson Syme Borthwick, DFC Bomb Aimer: F/L George Alfred Watling W/Op: F/S Lawrence George Jones Mid-Upper Gunner: F/S Geffrey Kelvin Harper Rear Gunner: F/S Horace John Pleydell BLACK THURSDAY: On Black Thursday, Wilson’s aircraft landed just before midnight, at ten to twelve, and seriously damaged its starboard pin and rudder on landing. The plane was too far down the runway when it touched down, but Wilson somehow managed to turn the aircraft aside just as it ran out of landing space. The Lancaster hit a transformer violently, sideways on, the point of impact being just above the tail wheel. The rear gunner, Sergeant Pleydell, narrowly escaped injury when the tail section was ripped off on the port side and twisted back at right angles to the main fuselage. By the time the aircraft had finally jolted to a halt, Pleydell had decided that enough was enough. In his hurry to get out of the Lancaster, no doubt thinking with good reason it was likely to catch fire, he used his axe to hack his way out of the gun turret. George Borthwick. Courtesy of George Rennie. GEORGE WILSON SYME BORTHWICK Borthwick completed his Navigator training in Canada. He was posted to 97 Squadron at Bourn, in the rank of F/O, from No. 664 Conversion Unit, at Winthorpe, together with his pilot F/O Charles Thomas Wlison and his Bomb Aimer P/O George Alfred Watling, with effect from 4 August 1943. He was married to Robina Borthwick, nee Rennie, and lived in Edinburgh where prior to the war he had been a Maths teacher. He was 33 years old when he died, which was old in aircrew years. His DFC award was gazetted posthumously on 11 February 1944. Above: Charles Wilson’s family after receiving his posthumous DFC at Buckingham Palace. The young girl on the right is his daughter, Christine, and the lady next to her is his mother, Alice. He had married a girl from Lincolnshire, possibly having met her while stationed there, but she too died young and their daughter was brought up by Alice. Charles Wilson was 33 at the time of his death, making him and George Borthwick, the navigator, atypical of the wartime RAF.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613019
__label__wiki	0.744064	0.744064	Category Archives: Mount Airy Parish Los Gatos Priest Beating Case Trial Date Now Changed to June from the link: http://losgatos.patch.com/articles/los-gatos-priest-beating-case-trial-date-now-changed-to-june Pretrial motion Friday postponed until May 3, with jury selection taking place May 14 and presentation of evidence June 19. By Sheila Sanchez April 7, 2012 Friday’s scheduled pretrial motions in the case against a San Francisco man accused of beating a priest at the Los Gatos Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in May of 2010 have been postponed until 9 a.m., May 3. William Lynch, 44, has been arraigned on one count of felony assault with intent to cause great bodily injury and one count of elder abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm or death. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges. The scheduled hearing was changed since presiding Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge David Cena is tied up with a homicide trial that is running longer than expected. The pretrial motions hearing, a time for any legal issue that will arise during the high-profile trial to be addressed by the prosecution and the defense, will be followed by jury selection May 14 The presentation of the evidence is expected to start on or around June 19, instead of the earlier reported date of May 29, said Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Gemetti. Jury selection will be performed using jury questionnaires with potential jurors being called in to court and given the document to fill out and then reviewed by the attorneys. Counsel will then meet and discuss which jurors need to be questioned for so-called “cause,” necessary in every trial to weed down the full veneer of potential jurors to the 12 jurors and alternates who will sit on the case, explained Gemetti. Attorneys will question the jurors for any biases or any impediments to sit for “cause,” such as someone having been convicted of a similar crime or who may have a family member working in the DA’s office or law enforcement and their objectivity is compromised. After the panel has been passed for cause, meaning there are no legal reasons why the jurors can’t sit on the case, each attorney will have 10 pre-emptory challenges that can be exercised and they’ll go back and forth to determine which jurors will be sworn in, Gemetti added. The proceedings are taking place in Judge Cena’s courtroom, department 34 of the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose. “Once we’ve sworn the jury in … we’re going to stick to that schedule to the best of our abilities,” Gemetti said about the delays in the trial start date. “Obviously trials are fluid and things may change and emergencies do happen, but … once we have those 12 people and they’re told the dates, things won’t change too much.” The questionnaire presented to the jurors will probably be several pages long containing a list of questions and topics, some inquiries from the court and some submitted by the defense and the prosecution. Lynch is being represented by Pat Harris and Mark Geragos, with the Los Angeles-based law firm of Geragos & Geragos. Authorities say he walked into the center’s reception area the afternoon of May 10, 2010 and asked to speak to Father Jerold Lindner. He said he had a death notification about a member of the priest’s family and then allegedly assaulted him. The case is being closely watched by critics of the Roman Catholic Church who allege Lindner raped and sodomized Lynch and his brother when they were small boys in the ’70s while on camping trips. If a jury convicts Lynch, he’s could serve a maximum of four years in state prison. The court, however, could grant him probation and give him up to one year in county jail, Gemetti said. “We have been ready for trial for quite some time,” Gemetti said. “I’m quite anxious to get the matter proceeding.” Posted in Altoona Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archdiocese of Boston, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bellarmine College Prepatory, Bill Donohue, Bishop Bill Wright, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John Magee, Bishop John McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Michael Malone, Bishop Richard Malone, Bishop Robert Finn, Brenden Smyth, Brother Samuel Martinez, california Province of the Society of Jesus, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cathedral High School, Catholic League, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, Child Sex Abuse, Christianity, Christians, Clergy Abuse, Clergy Sex Abuse, Cloyne Report, Congregation for the Clergy, Darwin Schauer, De La Salle Christian Brothers Provincials, Defrocked Priest Edward V Avery, Diocese of Cloyne, Diocese of El Paso, Diocese of New York, Dominican Fr. Thomas Doyle, El Paso Catholic Diocese, Father James Nadeau, Father Tony Flannery, Fort Kent Maine, Fr Charles Leonard Connor, Fr Ciro Benedettini, Fr Federico Lombardi, Fr Francis Lundy, Fr George Bredemann, Fr James Chevedden, Fr Joseph D. Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr Thomas Daly, Fr Thomas Doyle, Fr Thomas Smolich, Fr Tom Brennan, Fr. John Tulipana, His Unholiness The Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict, Holy Cross Retreat Center, Homosexuality, Hunter Catholic School, James Salt, Jesuit Priest James Chevedden, Jesuit Priests, Kansas City diocese, KC diocese, Las Cruces Catholic Diocese, Los Gatos Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester NH Diocese, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, Mt Airy Parish, National Catholic Reporter, National Survivors Advocates Coalition, New York Diocese, Our Lady of Health Parish, Papal Nuncio, Pedophile, Pedophile Priest Charles Leonard Connor, Pedophile Priest Francis Lundy, Pedophile Priest Tom Brennan, Pedophile Priests, Perverted Priests, Pope Benedict, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, Priest Brenden Smyth, Priest Charles Leonard Connor, Priest Child Sex Abuse, Priest George Bredemann, Priest Jerold Linder, Priest Santiago, Ratzinger, Religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev Don Fondow, Rev James J Bernnan, Rev James L Nadeau, Rev John P McGarry, Rev Shawn Ratigan, Reverend John B. McCormack, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland Maine, Sacred Heart Nativity School, Salesian Priests, Sangre de Christo Retreat Center, Santa Clara County Sheriff Office, Santa Clara University, Shame, SNAP Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, St Andrews Church, St Charles Catholic Church of St Francis Maine, St Jerome, St Jerome Parish, St John Vianney Parish, St John Vianney Parish Council, St Joseph Catholic Church of Soldier Pond Maine, St Louis Archbishop, St Louis Catholic Church, St Louis Catholic Church of Fort Kent, St Mary Catholic Church of Eagle Lake Maine, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, The Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, Togher Parish Drogheda County Louth, Vatican, William A Donohue, William Lynch Tags: Fr Jerold Lindner, Los Gatos CA, Priest Jerold Lindner, The Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, William Lynch Victim Advocates Question Security Around Defrocked Jesuit Brethren from the link: http://losgatos.patch.com/articles/victims-advocates-question-security-around-defrocked-jesuit-brethren-at-local-center Head of Jesuit order says men are under strict supervision at center in Los Gatos. By Sheila Sanchez January 10, 2011 The main building of the Los Gatos' Sacred Heart Jesuit Center. Credit: Sheila Sanchez The Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. One of its defrocked priests was beaten in May 2010. The alleged attacker appeared in court in December and will face a judge on Feb. 7 for a preliminary hearing in a case that will probably go to trial. Santa Clara County prosecutors are accusing 44-year-old William Lynch of mauling Jesuit priest Jerold Lindner with his fists, said Lynch’s attorney Pat Harris. Lynch has said Lindner sodomized and raped him and his brother as young boys. Lynch’s supporters, who include members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), plan a news conference after the hearing at the Santa Clara County Superior Court building on Hedding Street in San Jose and a march in Los Gatos, according to Harris. The supporters are taking this opportunity to complain about the security measures at the center, which houses Lindner, 65, and five other retired priests or brethren who have faced charges of sexual abuse. They claim the men can leave the compound at any time and that the supervision plans aren’t strict enough. One of them, Charles Leonard Connor, 89,who was never an ordained priest, pleaded no contest in 2001 to a lewd act on a man who suffered from mental retardation who worked at the center. The two, along with three other men, whom the order will not identify, live in the large Jesuit compound at 300 College Ave. The center includes a retirement home, an assisted-living facility and a skilled nursing infirmary. Here, 75 elderly priests live out the rest of their lives after serving in the elite order of priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. John P. McGarry, the provincial of the California Province of the Society of Jesus, said the concerns about the five men who live at the center are exaggerated. McGarry is head supervisor at the center and leader of the 375 Jesuit priests who work in California. He said none of the men is under investigation right now. Connor is housed in the center’s skilled nursing facility, is confined to a wheelchair and has severe dementia, McGarry said. “He’s totally incapacitated,” he said. “Better that we take care of them there than having them be out on their own in the community.” Lindner, said McGarry, is under a strict security plan that prevents him from leaving the center unsupervised. “He didn’t drive himself to the hospital,” he said, referring to newspaper reports that said he had done so, which triggered victims’ protests. He explained that nursing staff at the center attended to him, and that either one of the Jesuits in the community or one of the nurses on duty drove him to the hospital. “He wouldn’t have been able to drive … He was badly beaten up. His head was bleeding,” McGarry said. Dan McNevin, a San Francisco SNAP volunteer, is skeptical and upset the Catholic Church hasn’t found another location to house clergy charged, accused or investigated of abuse. “Why are they living there and not in a more secure location?” said McNevin. The deep distrust against the order, McNevin said, is caused by numerous incidents that indicate that the Jesuit hierarchy has covered up incidents to protect the order’s reputation. “A priest who has abused should be behind bars and not living in a retreat center,” said McNevin. McGarry has an answer to that. “If I had any concern that the men living here, who have allegations against them and who are on safety plans, were a risk to the larger community or a risk for reoffending, I would not have them living here,” he said. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office handled the Lynch incident in May because of jurisdiction issues regarding where the center is located. If something were to happen in the center’s parking lot, however, the Los Gatos Monte Sereno police department would step in, said police spokesman Sgt. Kerry Harris. But he said the center has never given the town any problems. “We’ve never had any issues with them,” Harris said. For those looking for assurances, McGarry points to the fact that the center has been accredited by the Austin-based Praesidium risk management group, which has established criteria regarding the prevention of and response to sexual abuse of minors by Jesuit authorities. He added that Praesidium had renewed the center’s certification in July 2010. The five men who live at the center have served at one time or another in Jesuit schools such as Bellarmine College Preparatory, Sacred Heart Nativity School and Most Holy Trinity Parish in San Jose and Santa Clara University in Santa Clara. McGarry said the order’s policy continues to be to turn over to criminal and civil authorities allegations of priestly misconduct with minors. The province provides pastoral care and counseling to any person that comes forward and makes an allegation of sexual abuse, he said. He said he’s met often with people who have made allegations. Joey Piscitelli, Northern California director for the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests, isn’t buying it. “They have aided, abetted, shuffled, protected and promoted known child rapists for decades, and that’s criminal behavior,” he said. Piscitelli, who says he was molested by a Salesian priest, won a $5 million settlement award against the order after a jury trial in 2006. Piscitelli has protested outside the center several times, along with John Chevedden, whose brother, Jesuit priest James Chevedden, killed himself when he jumped from the sixth floor of the Santa Clara County Courthouse’s parking garage in 2005. Chevedden accused the Jesuits of negligence in his brother’s death and in 2007 and settled with the order for $1.6 million. He said the Lynch case is another example of how victims of abuse suffer for a long time. “It’s disturbing to see how long-lasting and traumatic the abuse is to the victims … that after 35 years it still has a strong impact,” Chevedden said. What I also found interesting was one of the comments posted under this article: Fr. Thomas Smolich, promoted to be the # 1 Jesuit in the USA, said a Jesuit priest and resident at the Los Gatos Center, Fr. James Chevedden committed suicide. The Jesuit Order even issued a news release claiming Fr. Chevedden’s suspicious death was a suicide. Fr. Smolich also told Fr. Chevedden’s family that the Jesuit Order would keep Fr. Chevedden’s body. Fr. Chevedden had earlier reported to Fr. Smolich that he was the victim of Jesuit sex abuse at Los Gatos by a Jesuit Religious Brother, Br. Charles Connor. Br. Connor and Fr. Jerold Lindner were friends. Lindner helped Br. Connor with computers and both sat at the same small meal table. Ironically or worse, the last Jesuit to see Fr. Chevedden alive was Fr. Lindner, with $2 million paid out in sex abuse settlements. The Jesuit Order did not tell the police that Fr. Lindner was the last Jesuit to see Fr. Chevedden alive. Fr. Lindner was scheduled to testify about his being the last Jesuit to see Fr. Chevedden alive in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Fr. Chevedden’s Dad. The Jesuit Order paid $1.6 million to settle the lawsuit. Thus Fr. Lindner avoided explaining his being last Jesuit to see Fr. Chevedden alive. Posted in Bellarmine College Prepatory, Bill Donohue, Bishop Bill Wright, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John Magee, Bishop John McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Michael Malone, Bishop Richard Malone, Bishop Robert Finn, Brenden Smyth, Brother Samuel Martinez, california Province of the Society of Jesus, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, Child Sex Abuse, Christianity, Christians, Clergy Abuse, Clergy Sex Abuse, Congregation for the Clergy, De La Salle Christian Brothers Provincials, Defrocked Priest Edward V Avery, Diocese of Cloyne, Diocese of El Paso, Diocese of New York, Dominican Fr. Thomas Doyle, El Paso Catholic Diocese, Father James Nadeau, Father Tony Flannery, Fort Kent Maine, Fr Charles Leonard Connor, Fr Ciro Benedettini, Fr Federico Lombardi, Fr Francis Lundy, Fr George Bredemann, Fr James Chevedden, Fr Joseph D. Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr Thomas Daly, Fr Thomas Doyle, Fr Thomas Smolich, Fr Tom Brennan, Fr. John Tulipana, His Unholiness The Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict, Holy Cross Retreat Center, Homosexuality, Hunter Catholic School, James Salt, Jesuit Priest James Chevedden, Jesuit Priests, Kansas City diocese, KC diocese, Las Cruces Catholic Diocese, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester NH Diocese, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, Mt Airy Parish, National Catholic Reporter, National Survivors Advocates Coalition, New York Diocese, Our Lady of Health Parish, Papal Nuncio, Pedophile, Pedophile Priest Charles Leonard Connor, Pedophile Priest Francis Lundy, Pedophile Priest Tom Brennan, Pedophile Priests, Perverted Priests, Pope Benedict, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, Priest Brenden Smyth, Priest Charles Leonard Connor, Priest Child Sex Abuse, Priest George Bredemann, Priest Jerold Linder, Priest Santiago, Ratzinger, Religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev Don Fondow, Rev James J Bernnan, Rev James L Nadeau, Rev John P McGarry, Rev Shawn Ratigan, Reverend John B. McCormack, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse, Roman Catholic Church teachings on homosexuality, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland Maine, Sacred Heart Nativity School, Salesian Priests, Sangre de Christo Retreat Center, Santa Clara County Sheriff Office, Santa Clara University, SNAP Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, St Andrews Church, St Charles Catholic Church of St Francis Maine, St Jerome, St Jerome Parish, St John Vianney Parish, St John Vianney Parish Council, St Joseph Catholic Church of Soldier Pond Maine, St Louis Archbishop, St Louis Catholic Church, St Louis Catholic Church of Fort Kent, St Mary Catholic Church of Eagle Lake Maine, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, The Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, Togher Parish Drogheda County Louth, Vatican, William A Donohue, William Lynch Tags: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, Bellarmine College Prepatory, Bishop Bill Wright, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop Elizondo, Bishop John B McCormack, Bishop John Magee, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Malone, Bishop Michael Malone, Bishop Richard Malone, Bishop Robert Finn, Bishop Robert McManus, bishops, California Province of the Society of Jesus, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Cardinal Law, Cardinal Ratzinger, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, child, child abuse, child molestation, child molesters, child rape, child rapists, child sex, child sex abuse, child sexual abuse, children, Conference of Catholic Bishops, crimes against children, Fr Charles Leonard Connor, Fr James Chevedden, Fr. Thomas Smolich, Jesuit Priest James Chevedden, Jesuit Priests, Most Holy Trinity Parish, pedophile, Pedophile Priest Charles Leonard Connor, pedophile priests, pedophille, pedophilles, pope, pope abuse, pope benedict, pope benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, Priest Charles Leonard Connor, Priest Jerold Linder, priest pedophile, priest pedophilles, rape priest pedophiles, Rev John P Mcarry, roman catholic, roman catholic church, roman catholic church sex scandal, roman catholics, Sacred Heart Nativity School, Salesian Priests, Santa Clara County Sheriff Office, Santa Clara University, sexual assault of a child, sexual battery of a child, St Louis Archbishop, St Thomas More, St Thomas More Durham NH, St Thomas More Parish, The Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, U.S. Conference of Bishops, William Lynch A Catholic’s Easter lament: Dogmatic, tone-deaf bishops from the link: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/connelly/article/A-Catholic-s-Easter-lament-Dogmatic-tone-deaf-3465228.php By JOEL CONNELLY, SEATTLEPI.COM Published 04:00 p.m., Saturday, April 7, 2012 The 2010 installation of Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain at St. James Cathedral. Sartain is using parishes as signature gathering centers for Referendum 74, which would roll back same-sex marriage. Photo: Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com / SL A painful truism of this Holy Week, Christianity’s most important days of the year: Moral leadership in America’s Catholic Church is starting to flow from lay persons in pews and priests who deal with human problems, not prelates on thrones wearing white, red and purple hats. Just look around to events from Rome to Berlin, and from Worcester, Mass., to Seattle. In the Archdiocese of Seattle, our bishops issued a letter saying parishes will become signature-gathering centers for Referendum 74, a ballot measure designed to roll back same-sex marriage. But the state’s marriage equality law was sponsored by a Catholic state senator and signed into law by a Catholic governor. Archbishop Sartain and Bishop Elizondo talk about treating all persons with “respect, sensitivity and love,” but then urge support for a campaign put together by the National Organization for Marriage — an outfit that wants to “drive a wedge” between blacks and gays, “sideswipe” President Obama and make opposition to marriage equality “an identity marker” for young Latinos. A Q-and-A, just put out by the Washington State Catholic Conference, tells the faithful: “The Catechism of the Catholic Church does teach that homosexual ACTS are intrinsically disordered, not persons.” A question to Archbishop Sartain, who does not seem to want to take questions: How do I, as a layperson, treat my friends who are gay and lesbian? When with a telltale, sheepish grin a friend says he/she is seriously in love, my standard refrain is along the lines, “Why you lucky dog! Have you kids set a date?” Friends take pleasure in other friends’ happiness. What’s, then, the approved party line for gay friends in love? a) Sorry, the church says what you are doing is “disordered,” or b) I love you as a sinner but I hate your sins, or c) My bishops have written: “For all unmarried persons, chastity means that they refrain from sexual relations.” Do purple skullcaps dull the mind? The Jesus of the Gospels preaches human decency, not dogma. Life experience teaches us that the essence of marriage is the same whether people are straight or gay. Two people affirm their love and make a commitment to each other. Lots of gay and lesbian couples are raising children: Should they be denied the right to raise those children as legally married couples? Catholic governors in Washington, Maryland, New York and California have not submitted to church dogma, or the hierarchy’s convoluted reasoning. And a vast majority of young people — including Catholic young people — want the happiness of friends whatever their age or race or sexual preference. The hierarchy is tone deaf in many ways and places, be it in heavy-handed attacks on contraception coverage in health insurance or cruel treatment of Catholics who are not docile and do not submit to discipline. A small Catholic college in Massachusetts was forced during Holy Week to rescind its invitation to Vicki Kennedy, widow of Sen. Edward Kennedy, to be this year’s graduation speaker. She was to speak as co-founder and president of the group Common Sense About Kids and Guns. The order came from Worcester Bishop Robert McManus, whose spokesman told National Catholic Reporter that McManus acted because of Kennedy’s “positions on pro-choice versus pro-life and the sanctity of marriage.” What a cruel, vindictive action, and what a reflection on the kind of men running the church. “I am a lifelong Catholic and my faith is very important to me,” Kennedy said. “I am not a public official. I hold no public office, nor am I a candidate for public office. I have not met Bishop McManus nor has he been willing to meet with me to discuss his objections. He has not consulted with my pastor to learn more about me or my faith.” The bishops don’t learn. They may think of themselves a shepherds, but America’s Catholics are not sheep. They may not consult people in the pews — or meet with those, like Kennedy, that they are judging — but laypersons (and many priests) are consulting their consciences. A key lesson: Moral authority is earned. It is not simply acquired when a bishop/cardinal/Pope is installed. The American (and Irish, and Dutch, and Belgian , etc.) hierarchy has forfeited a lot of that authority through its handling of the priest sex-abuse scandal. The despair is mitigated by the good works and wise words from those in the pews. As Pope Benedict XVI used a Holy Thursday sermon to tell priests to obey orders, Medina, Wash., lay Catholic Melinda Gates was speaking from conscience about contraception at a conference in Berlin. Contraceptives are not a code for abortion, she said, nor an invitation to promiscuous sex. “We are talking about giving women the power to save their own lives and their children’s lives — and to give their families the best possible future,” said Gates, talking of the need for birth control in the developing world. Gates discussed the instruction in faith she received from sisters in a Catholic high school: “In the tradition of great Catholic scholars, the nuns also taught us to question received teachings. One of the teachings most of my classmates and I questioned was the one saying birth control was a sin.” She didn’t question lessons on service, and giving back, and social justice, worthy grounding for the future co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The bishops will just have to deal with conscience-driven Catholics. In fact, they could listen and learn. Posted in Mount Airy Parish, Religion Tags: American Catholics, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, Archdiocese of Seattle, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, Bisexual, Bishop Elizondo, Bishop Robert McManus, child abuse, child rape, child rapists, child sex abuse, crimes against children, Fr Joseph D Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr. John Tulipana, Fr. Thomas Cronin, gay, homosexuality, lesbian, Marriage Equality, Melinda Gates, National Catholic Reporter, National Organization for Marriage, pope, pope abuse, pope benedict, pope benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, President Barack Obama, President Obama, Referendum 74, religion, roman catholic church, roman catholic church sex scandal, roman catholics, St James Cathedral, St Thomas More, St Thomas More Durham NH, St Thomas More Parish, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Transgender, vatican, Washington State Catholic Conference Vatican announces silencing of Irish liberal priest Father Tony Flannery From the link: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Vatican-announces-silencing-of-Irish-liberal-priest-Father-Tony-Flannery-146402545.html Criticisms of Vatican on abuse, birth control, women priests, leads to inquiry ANTOINETTE KELLY, IrishCentral Staff Writer Published Friday, April 6, 2012, 6:09 AM Updated Friday, April 6, 2012, 6:59 AM Father Tony Flannery, a Catholic priest who has been outspoken in his criticism of the abuse crisis in Ireland, has found himself under investigation by the Vatican for his liberal views. Founder of the Association of Irish Priests, Father Flannery told TheJournal.ie that the Vatican has contacted him to inform him of the investigation. The effect of the investigation was immediate. This week The Irish Catholic newspaper reports that Father Flannery had to cease writing his monthly column in the Redemptorist Reality magazine in response to news of the investigation. The Irish Catholic writer Michael Kelly reported that, “It is understood that while Fr Flannery has the support of his superiors in the Redemptorist Order, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome has expressed disquiet about some of his articles and publications. “It is believed that the views which have come under most scrutiny are Fr Flannery’s opposition to the Church’s ban on artificial birth control and his support for the ordination of women.” Last year, Father Flannery welcomed Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s hard hitting criticism of the Church’s decades long mishandling of the child sex abuse scandals in Ireland. The investigation is seen by critics as a crackdown on the association, which has been described as a ‘dissident group’ by more conservative members of the Church. In recent months, the association has called for changes in the Church, including its theology on sexuality. Some of the association’s priests contend that priests should be allowed to marry and that the Church should permit the ordination of female priests. A Redemptorist, Flannery is a native of Attymon, Athenry in County Galway, Ireland. He is the youngest in the family of four. He has two brothers: Peter, who is a fellow Redemptorist at Esker Monastery in Athenry, and Frank, the Fine Gael Director of Organisation and Strategy. The crackdown comes on the heels of the Vatican ordered Apostolic Visitation, which found evidence of what it called a ‘certain tendency’ for Irish priests to hold opinions that conflict with those of the orthodox Magisterium, the Catholic Church’s teaching authority. In a sign of hardening attitudes, the Visitation participants underlined that any dissent from the formal teachings of the Church were ‘not the authentic path towards renewal.’ Under the current circumstances, Father Flannery has been effectively silenced, with no indication of how long it will last. On Holy Thursday Pope Benedict issued a very direct statement which slammed those priests who refuse to conform to church teachings. Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Vatican-announces-silencing-of-Irish-liberal-priest-Father-Tony-Flannery-146402545.html#ixzz1rGtNiuN6 Posted in Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bill Donohue, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Richard Malone, Bishop Robert Finn, Brenden Smyth, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Child Pornography, Child Sex Abuse, Clergy Abuse, Clergy Sex Abuse, Darwin Schauer, Defrocked Priest Edward V Avery, Dominican Fr. Thomas Doyle, Father James Nadeau, Father Tony Flannery, Fort Kent Maine, Fr Joseph D. Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr Thomas Doyle, Fr. John Tulipana, Hans Kung, His Unholiness The Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict, James Salt, John Ratzinger, Kansas City diocese, KC diocese, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester NH Diocese, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, Mt Airy Parish, National Survivors Advocates Coalition, Pedophile, Pedophile Priests, Perverted Priests, Pope Benedict, Priest Brenden Smyth, Priest Child Sex Abuse, Ratzinger, Religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev Don Fondow, Rev James J Bernnan, Rev James L Nadeau, Rev Shawn Ratigan, Reverend John B. McCormack, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland Maine, SNAP Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, St Andrews Church, St Charles Catholic Church of St Francis Maine, St Jerome, St Jerome Parish, St John Vianney Parish, St John Vianney Parish Council, St Joseph Catholic Church of Soldier Pond Maine, St Louis Archbishop, St Louis Catholic Church, St Louis Catholic Church of Fort Kent, St Mary Catholic Church of Eagle Lake Maine, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, William A Donohue Tags: abuse, Bill Donohue, bishops, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, child abuse, child porn, child pornography, child rape, child rapists, child sex abuse, christ, christianity, christians, church, clergy abuse, crimes against children, Father Tony Flanery, jesus christ, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, pedophile, pedophille, pedophilles, perverted priests, perverts, pope, pope abuse, pope benedict, priest pedophilles, priest rape, priest sex abuse, priests, rape, rapists, religion, roman catholic church, roman catholic church sex scandal, roman catholics, sex abuse, victims of rape, William A Donohue Sex Crimes and the Vatican Documentary Created in 1962, a now infamous document was issued in secret to bishops. Called Crimen Sollicitationis, it outlined procedures to be followed by bishops when dealing with allegations of child abuse, homosexuality and bestiality by members of the clergy. It swore all parties involved to secrecy on pain of excommunication from the Catholic Church. This document was reissued in 2001 by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and sent to all bishops. Yet rather than ordering more openness and cooperation with the authorities as demanded by both law enforcers and the victims, he reiterated its policies and ensured that the Code of Silence be applied to all cases of child abuse involving a priest. Cardinal Ratzinger also instructed that all cases should now be referred to his office directly and that he would maintain ‘exclusive competence’ over the handling of allegations. This is the Catholic Church’s policy to this day and Cardinal Ratzinger is now Pope Benedict XVI. The policy laid out in the above document has led to systemic failure by the result that a significant number of priest have, in effect, been allowed to abuse again, and further children have been put at risk. As the documentary explores, Colm O’Gorman is the man responsible for breaking open decades of abuse by Catholic Priests in Ireland in the BAFTA award-winning BBC special Suing the Pope. He links international ‘systemic evidence’ to argue the Vatican has a policy to cover up the sexual abuse of thousands of children across the world. In Sex Crimes and the Vatican O’Gorman explores four separate cases internationally of widespread clerical abuse, putting the Roman Catholic Church on trial for the reckless endangerment of children. O’Gorman raises the question, ‘Is the Church in default of its obligation as a signatory to the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child?’ A link to the documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MwOV8QF9d88 Posted in Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bill Donohue, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Richard Malone, Bishop Robert Finn, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Child Sex Abuse, Christianity, Christians, Clergy Abuse, Clergy Sex Abuse, Darwin Schauer, Defrocked Priest Edward V Avery, Dominican Fr. Thomas Doyle, Father James Nadeau, Fr Joseph D. Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr Thomas Doyle, Fr. John Tulipana, Hell, His Unholiness The Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict, James Salt, John Ratzinger, Kansas City diocese, KC diocese, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester NH Diocese, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, Mt Airy Parish, National Catholic Reporter, National Survivors Advocates Coalition, Pedophile, Pedophile Priests, Perverted Priests, Pope Benedict, Priest Child Sex Abuse, Ratzinger, Religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev Don Fondow, Rev James J Bernnan, Rev James L Nadeau, Rev Shawn Ratigan, Reverend John B. McCormack, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland Maine, SNAP Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, St Andrews Church, St Charles Catholic Church of St Francis Maine, St Jerome, St Jerome Parish, St John Vianney Parish, St John Vianney Parish Council, St Joseph Catholic Church of Soldier Pond Maine, St Louis Archbishop, St Louis Catholic Church, St Louis Catholic Church of Fort Kent, St Mary Catholic Church of Eagle Lake Maine, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, William A Donohue Tags: benedict, Cardinal John Ratzinger, child abuse, child rape, child rapists, child sex abuse, crime, crimes, crimes against children, felony, John Ratzinger, perverted priests, pope, pope abuse, pope benedict, priest abuse, priest pedophilles, priest rape, priest sex abuse, priests, rape, rape priest pedophiles, rapists, Ratzinger, religion, roman catholic church, roman catholic church sex scandal, roman catholic clergy, roman catholics, sexual assault, sexual assault of a child, sexual battery, sexual battery of a child, vatican, victims of rape With church abuse trial set to open, tensions abound http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120325_With_church_abuse_trial_set_to_open__tensions_abound.html?viewAll=y&c=y By John P. Martin Inquirer Staff Writer Sun, Mar. 25, 2012, 6:45 AM Msgr William J Lynn accused of cover ups in priest abuse scandals. The neighborhood that rings St. Jerome’s Church in Northeast Philadelphia is flush with cops and firefighters, reliable Catholics in brick homes with tidy lawns, backyard slides, and a few front-door crucifixes. That was the backdrop last year for one of the more sordid clergy sex-abuse allegations to emerge in years. A grand jury report described a 10-year-old altar boy being confronted in St. Jerome’s sacristy after Mass, ordered to strip, and engage in sex. Not once, but three times – by two different priests – over a year in the late 1990s. On Monday, a Philadelphia jury is scheduled to start hearing about those accusations and one that looms larger: that leaders of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia could have predicted, or prevented, the attacks but instead followed a long-held practice of protecting the church and abusers within it. The trial of Msgr. William J. Lynn, who for 12 years led the office that recommended priests’ assignments and monitored their conduct, marks the first in the nation for a church supervisor accused of covering up child sex abuse. His arrest last year on child-endangerment charges, along with two priests and one defrocked cleric accused of molesting boys in the 1990s, stirred fresh outrage among Catholics and led officials of the 1.5 million-member archdiocese to suspend 26 priests, reexamine past claims, and vow to institute its second wave of reforms in six years. The case has stoked national interest not because of who Lynn is but what his trial signifies. As hundreds of priests worldwide have been accused or convicted of molesting children, church leaders have consistently avoided prosecution, casting the crisis as an individual epidemic, not an institutional one. Late last week, an eleventh-hour guilty plea from one of the defendants threatened to upend the trial. Defrocked priest Edward V. Avery admitted that he sexually assaulted the St. Jerome’s boy in 1999 and that he conspired with Lynn and others to endanger minors. Avery is not cooperating with prosecutors, but lawyers for Lynn and the third defendant, the Rev. James J. Brennan, said widespread publicity about the plea might have tainted the jury. Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina said she will rule Monday on their request for a delay to pick a new jury. If it does go forward, the trial promises more, and potentially more jarring, revelations for Catholics, with implications beyond one cleric or one diocese. The prospective witness list includes a deceased cardinal, Anthony J. Bevilacqua, forced from a reclusive retirement for a videotaped interrogation weeks before his death; two former Philadelphia bishops implicated in the shredding of an incriminating memo; and two men who say they were plunged into years of drug abuse and crime after being raped as boys by their parish priests. Jurors are likely to hear a drumbeat of testimony about clerics molesting children and could see thousands of pages of never-released documents about their sexual misconduct, including personnel records so sensitive that they were locked away for years in filing cabinets known as “the secret archives.” For more than a decade, Lynn was the keeper of those files and a key officer in the local church hierarchy. Now 61, he was suspended last year from St. Joseph Church in Downingtown, where he was pastor. A guilty verdict could mean years in prison and a victory for those who have faulted the church’s handling of sex-abuse allegations. “Did a lot of bishops do very stupid things for which they should have been held accountable and they were not held accountable? Yes, absolutely,” said the Rev. Thomas Reese, a scholar at Georgetown University’s Woodstock Theological Center. “Now this is a chance again to send the church, to send the bishops, a message by prosecuting somebody.” Lynn’s lawyers have used the same theory to argue his innocence. They say the monsignor was a middle manager unfairly “hung out to dry” by prosecutors eager to blame someone for years of unchecked abuse and by bosses who scrambled, or flat-out lied, to save themselves. They say an objective review shows Lynn used “good judgment” and tried to isolate abusers from children. Bound by a gag order, the attorneys, Thomas Bergstrom and Jeffrey Lindy, have not outlined their trial strategy or said if Lynn will testify. But at one pretrial hearing, Lindy assured the judge: “Monsignor Lynn has a story to tell.” Simply that a trial is taking place might be more significant than its outcome, said Patrick Wall, a former priest turned lawyer and victims advocate. Since Lynn’s arrest, prosecutors in seven jurisdictions from California to New York have started exploring charges against priests’ superiors, according to Wall. “Any time I’ve talked to a prosecutor and I’ve brought up Philadelphia, it gives them greater moral authority to do this,” he said. “Because most D.A.s were afraid to take on the Catholic Church.” The trial comes seven years after another Philadelphia grand jury delivered a searing 418-page report that faulted archdiocesan leaders for their handling of sex-abuse claims. But that panel said it was hamstrung by laws that limited who could be charged and required sex crimes to be reported within a few years of occurring, despite advocates’ assertions that victims often wait decades to come forward. For the latest investigation, District Attorney Seth Williams relied on an expanded statute of limitations and a 2007 amendment that made supervisors in child-care settings criminally culpable for abuse. Lynn, the subject of withering criticism by the previous grand jury, became the primary target of the next one. “We believe that legal accountability for Msgr. Lynn’s unconscionable behavior is long overdue,” its report said. While secretary for clergy between 1992 and 2004, prosecutors say, Lynn endangered children by recommending abusive priests for assignments that gave them access to children. They built their case around claims by two accusers, and with help from the archdiocese itself. In January 2009, church officials forwarded to prosecutors a complaint that its victims’ assistance office received from the former St. Jerome’s altar boy. He was in the fifth grade in 1998, he said, when the Rev. Charles Engelhardt caught him drinking wine in the sacristy, began talking about sex, and told the boy they would soon have “sessions” on how to be a man. Engelhardt assaulted him a week later, he said. The boy kept silent, but the cleric might not have. Prosecutors say Avery, who also lived at the parish, told the boy months later that he had heard about the “sessions” with Engelhardt and planned his own. Twice, Avery allegedly molested the boy in the church. According to the grand jury, Lynn knew Avery had been removed from a Mount Airy parish over a sex-abuse allegation in 1992 and sent for treatment at St. John Vianney, a church-owned hospital. Prosecutors say the monsignor had recommended that Avery live at St. Jerome’s and work at nearby Nazareth Hospital, and was supposed to be monitoring Avery. Now 69, Avery was defrocked in 2006. At least two more accusers have come forward since his arrest and could testify at the trial. Engelhardt, 65, who belongs to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, an independent religious order, faces a separate trial. So does Bernard Shero, a 49-year-old former teacher at St. Jerome’s parish school accused of raping the same boy a year after the priests. Both argued they could not be part of an archdiocese conspiracy because they weren’t under Lynn’s supervision. Brennan, 49, is charged with raping a 14-year-old boy while on leave from the archdiocese in 1996. Brennan allegedly targeted the boy after meeting him when both were at St. Andrew’s Church in Newtown, Bucks County. Prosecutors say the assault occurred after Lynn failed to act on complaints about Brennan’s misconduct with minors. Defense lawyers are expected to hammer at the alleged victims’ accounts. The accusers, whose names are being withheld by The Inquirer, have histories of drug use, petty crime, and mental-health treatment. Both also have lawsuits pending against the archdiocese. Brennan’s lawyer, William Brennan, who is unrelated, said Friday that his accuser had convictions for fraud, forgery, and theft – including stealing from his own family. Lynn’s attorneys have targeted the law. In one of their many bids to derail the charges, and one that could seed an appeal, they contended Lynn can’t be guilty of endangering children in the 1990s because the statute didn’t apply to supervisors like him until 2007. They also have challenged a pivotal February ruling by Sarmina, the judge, who said prosecutors can tell jurors about nearly two dozen other archdiocesan priests accused of sexual abuse over the last 40 years. None of the others is charged in the case. But prosecutors, led by Assistant District Attorneys Patrick Blessington and Mariana Sorensen, have maintained that jurors can’t properly weigh Lynn’s recommendations for Avery and Brennan without considering what he and other church leaders knew – and how they reacted to other complaints. “It’s always been our position that this was an archdiocese-wide policy, which in and of itself was criminal in nature,” Blessington said. The archdiocese is paying for Lynn’s defense team of four lawyers because the accusations involve his job. Still, it is not clear if the church’s and the monsignor’s interests coincide or conflict. Last week, Lynn’s lawyers said the archdiocese had refused to turn over decade-old letters that they said could show its lawyers guided church policy and Lynn’s decisions on sex-abuse allegations. The defense team also pounced on what it portrayed as the closest thing to a smoking gun in the case: notes found in a locked safe that suggest Bevilacqua ordered aides in 1994 to shred a memo identifying 35 area priests suspected of sexual misconduct. The lawyers say the memo, written by Lynn, proves that his bosses – the cardinal and his top assistants, Bishops Edward Cullen and Joseph Cistone – lied when they told grand jurors that Lynn made the key decisions about what to do with predatory priests. Bevilacqua, who ran the archdiocese from 1988 until 2003, died in January after years of failing health. Still, he could be a crucial witness. In November, Sarmina ruled him competent to testify, and let lawyers grill him for seven hours during a private deposition that jurors might see. In court filings, Lynn’s attorneys portrayed the prelate as a weary, sometimes confused witness. But he also is said to have clearly denied any wrongdoing and instead implicated his former secretary for clergy. With white hair, glasses, and a stout frame, Lynn has been the only defendant to attend nearly all the pretrial proceedings. He typically comes with his sister, with whom he has lived since being suspended. While Avery and Brennan occasionally chat or joke with their lawyers, Lynn’s somber visage almost never changes. His last public comments on the scandal came after the 2005 grand jury report, one that cited him hundreds of times, usually in a critical way. “I would never put a child in harm’s way,” Lynn told his parishioners from the altar. “I’m going to leave that to your judgment.” Last September, six months after his arrest, Lynn drew a standing ovation during a dinner that the archdiocese’s newly installed leader, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, hosted for priests. That same month, Chaput told an interviewer: “It’s really important to me, and I think to all of us, that he be treated fairly and that he not be a scapegoat.” Lynn does evoke a certain amount of compassion in church circles, according to Nicholas Cafardi, a canon lawyer in Pittsburgh and author of a book about the U.S. bishops’ response to clergy sex abuse. “My read of the compassion is basically, ‘He did what he was asked to do, or what he was told to do.’ ” Still, Cafardi said, the monsignor faces long odds of getting compassion from a jury. “There is no sympathy,” he said, “for the person in the dock in child-abuse cases.” Posted in Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Child Pornography, Child Sex Abuse, Clergy Abuse, Clergy Sex Abuse, Defrocked Priest Edward V Avery, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, Pedophile, Pedophile Priests, Perverted Priests, Pope Benedict, Priest Child Sex Abuse, Religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev James J Bernnan, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse, Separation of Church and State, St Andrews Church, St Jerome, St Jerome Parish, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH Tags: abuse, abused, archdiocese, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, benedict, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop Joseph Cistone, catholic, catholic church, child, child abuse, child molestation, child molesters, child rape, child rapists, child sex, children, christ, church, churches, clergy abuse, crimes against children, diocese, dolan, Fr Edward V Avery, jesus, molestation, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, pedophile, pedophille, pedophilles, perverted priests, pope, pope abuse, pope benedict, priest pedophilles, priest sex abuse, religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev James J Brennan, roman catholic, sexual abuse, St Andrews Church, St Jerome Parish, Timothy Dolan, vatican, victims of rape The Evil of the Roman Catholic Church Leaders His Unholiness, the Papal Bullshitter, Pope Benedict, said he wanted to do all he could to make sure the church took care of us victims. Yet he is full of shit plain and simple. He is more concerned with protecting his own damn ass and the church than he ever was protecting children from the perverted priests he has running his churches. By his own damn words he convicts himself as one of the true perverts of the Roman Catholic Church. I am copying this report directly from http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/popersquos-child-porn-normal-claim-sparks-outrage-among-victims-15035449.html#ixzz1p7tlkhj3 and I am going to make comments as the sections go. Victims of clerical sex abuse have reacted furiously to Pope Benedict’s claim yesterday that paedophilia wasn’t considered an “absolute evil” as recently as the 1970s. In his traditional Christmas address yesterday to cardinals and officials working in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI also claimed that child pornography was increasingly considered “normal” by society. How dare you, you sick and disgusting pervert leader of the Roman Catholic Church to claim that child pornography was considered “normal” by society. Which freaking society are YOU living in you sick and twisted pervert? I don’t know about you, but in the United States of America, you possess child pornography, YOU GO TO PRISON FOR IT, so is that normal to YOU, your Unholiness? “In the 1970s, paedophilia was theorised as something fully in conformity with man and even with children,” the Pope said. This just goes to show this pope more than likely molested children himself. He protects his child molesting priests, so what makes me think, with his reasoning and his words, that he himself does not molest children? How in the hell can he even call himself a man of god when he agrees that child porn and sex between an adult and children as normal and in full conformity? You are one sick and twisted individual Pope to be saying this crap out of your pie hole. “It was maintained — even within the realm of Catholic theology — that there is no such thing as evil in itself or good in itself. There is only a ‘better than’ and a ‘worse than’. Nothing is good or bad in itself.” REALLY? You scream how abortion, contraceptives, homosexuality, etc is evil all the damn time. Yet Your Unholiness the Papal Bullshitter thinks that child molestation and child pornography is not EVIL????? The Pope said abuse revelations in 2010 reached “an unimaginable dimension” which brought “humiliation” on the Church. The ONLY humiliation that has been bought on the church is us victims. You could give two shits less about the victims, your Unholiness. You only care about protecting your ass, the asses of your pedophile priests and the billions the church has. You do not care one iota about us victims of your sick and twisted priests. Asking how abuse exploded within the Church, the Pontiff called on senior clerics “to repair as much as possible the injustices that occurred” and to help victims heal through a better presentation of the Christian message. First off how did this abuse explode within the church? Because the leaders knew about it and they freaking hid it. When they knew a priest was sexually abusing a child, what did they do? Did they turn them into the police department for prosecution like they should have? NO. Did they defrock the priest? NO. Did they bend over backwards to help the victim? HELL NO. What they did, these marvelous church leaders, including the present perverted Papal Bullshitter Benedict, was transfer these priests to other parishes so they could continue raping and molesting other children. The leaders fought any and all attempts to bring this to light and they did everything they could to avoid prosecution of these priests and the leaders who covered it all up. They still are doing this. Yeah for about one year when this really broke out, they worked with the victims, mostly offering them as recompense for the horrors we went through, to pay for therapy and if the victim was lucky, they got about 20 grand for their ruined lives. N.H. is a prime example of this. There was a Bishop named McConnell who actually cared about the victims and did what he could for them. Yet the Pope and all the other officials hate these kinds of Bishops. They want them to settle with the victims as little as possible. Yet what price do you put on the pain and suffering we victims have been through? I know what I am demanding. $25,000.00 per year for pain and suffering for 37 years of horror and nightmares, For all the suicide attempts and my undying hatred towards the christians and the christian god. I am also demanding $15,000.00 per year for 34 years for lost wages. Plus they are going to pay my lawyers fees and any and all money paid back to Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare for all the money they spent thanks to my insanity caused by the priest raping me. I am also demanding that the Roman Catholic Church set up at least six half way houses for abused men. Abused women have all the help they can get, but abused men have no where to turn to for real help. Well the RCC is going to help me rectify this at least in the state of NH. Either they settle for what I want or I will take their sorry asses to court and let a jury award me ten times this amount. What better presentation will be the christian message? That the Papal Bullshitter, his bishops and priests can get away with raping children, covering it up, torturing us victims with your false bullshit? I do not want to hear a better presentation of the Christian message because as far as I am concerned, your Christian message is that you are special in that you can rape children with no punishment at all and think your god and jesus christ can protect you and when you die you are going to spend an eternity in heaven???? Bullshit, Papal Bullshitter, you, your bishops and your perverted priests will burn in hell for what you did to us children. “We cannot remain silent about the context of these times in which these events have come to light,” he said, citing the growth of child pornography “that seems in some way to be considered more and more normal by society” he said. Again, BULLSHIT from the professional Papal Bullshitter. You are trying your damnest to say this is normal and this is in no way freaking normal at least by real society. Child pornography is a horror. Children ripped off the streets and made to prostitute themselves, forced to appear in child porn movies and pictures. Why do YOU consider this normal unless you yourself, Papal Bullshitter is sitting in your damn bedroom each and every night jerking off your tiny little dick over pictures of naked little boys and girls eh? I will even bet with your own words, you are not looking on the internet for child porn, but you, your bishops and your perverted priests are prime producers of child pornography. Maybe you Unholiness Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict, should be gang raped so you know the horror that we victims of your sick and twisted perverted priests put us through…..but I actually think you would love it myself. Posted in Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bill Donohue, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Robert Finn, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Child Pornography, Child Sex Abuse, Christianity, Christians, Clergy Abuse, Clergy Sex Abuse, Defrocked Priest Edward V Avery, Dominican Fr. Thomas Doyle, Fr Joseph D. Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr Thomas Doyle, Fr. John Tulipana, Guilt, Hans Kung, Hatred, Hell, His Unholiness The Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict, James Salt, Kansas City diocese, KC diocese, Kristine Ward, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester NH Diocese, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, Mt Airy Parish, National Catholic Reporter, National Survivors Advocates Coalition, Nightmares, Pedophile, Pedophile Priests, Perverted Priests, Pope Benedict, Priest Child Sex Abuse, Religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev James J Bernnan, Rev Shawn Ratigan, Reverend John B. McCormack, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse, Roman Catholic Church teachings on homosexuality, Separation of Church and State, Shame, SNAP Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, St Andrews Church, St Jerome, St Jerome Parish, St Louis Archbishop, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, suicide, William A Donohue Tags: (Fr. Connor, abuse, Bill Donohue, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John B McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Robert Finn, bishops, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Catholics United, child abuse, child porn, child pornography, child rape, child rapists, child sex abuse, christ, christianity, christians, church, crimes against children, devil, durham new hampshire, durham nh, evil, Fr Joseph D Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr. Edward Thomas Burke, Fr. James Urbanic, Fr. Jerold Lidner, Fr. John Tulipana, Fr. Mariano, Fr. Thomas Cronin, Fr. Thomas Ford, Fr. Thomas Smolich, James Salt, jesus christ, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester Diocese. New Hampshire Diocese, pedophile, pedophile priests, pedophille, pedophilles, perverted priests, perverts, pope, pope abuse, pope benedict, pornography, priest abuse, priest pedophile, priest pedophilles, priest rape, priest sex abuse, rape, rape priest pedophiles, rapists, religion, roman catholic church, roman catholic church sex scandal, roman catholic clergy, roman catholics, scandal, sex abuse, sex scandal, st thomas moore parish, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, victims of rape, William A Donohue, William Donohue The Evil Pope only cares about himself and his perverts This month is sort of an anniversary for me, one in which I wish with all of my heart I could forget. When I was 14 years old I ran away from an abusive foster home I was at and was taken by the police to the St Thomas Moore Church in Durham N.H. That night, the priest who was supposed to protect me from all harm raped me. That night, the sick and twisted pervert destroyed my heart, my soul, my life. He drilled into my young mind, over and over again, if I told anyone I would burn for an eternity in hell. He also told me no one would believe me in the first place. He raped me orally and anally. He raped my mind and my soul, my heart and my body for about an hour or more then cuddled with me like I was a consenting lover. Yet, His High Unholiness the Papal Bullshitter and his freak bishops and pervert priests do not care one iota about us victims. But what do you expect from these low life perverts? These are the Papal Bullshitters very own words about child rape and pornography. So here is this sick and twisted freak, who is supposed to be the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and leader of the Christians, stating that child porn and sex between a child and an adult is right? What is the matter with this evil prick? In New Hampshire, we are fighting a battle. They once had a Bishop named McConnell who stood up for the victims of priest rape. Yet the Vatican and the Pope along with others had him removed and another put in his place who will better protect the interests of the Roman Catholic Church than the victims of their sick and twisted perverted priests. I wonder how the Papal Bullshitter and his gang of perverts would feel if they were raped like this? Oh I know, they would more than likely love it, seeing the very words of this sick and twisted Pope hangs him. It shows just how much of a pedophile he is and how he stands behind his fellow pedophiles. I will actually bet he goes to bed not reading his bible, but jerking off to child porn on a puter or one of the many his fellow pedophile priests downloaded. This Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict and his perverted priest MUST PAY for the horror they bought to us victims. It is time for this Pope and his perverted priests to feel the pain of us victims, to feel the horror we have had to deal with. To feel out destroyed lives, our destroyed souls, our destroyed hearts and minds. They MUST PAY for their crimes against children. Posted in Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bill Donohue, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Robert Finn, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Child Pornography, Child Sex Abuse, Clergy Abuse, Clergy Sex Abuse, Defrocked Priest Edward V Avery, Fr Joseph D. Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr Thomas Doyle, Fr. John Tulipana, Guilt, Hans Kung, Hatred, Hell, His Unholiness The Papal Bullshitter Pope Benedict, James Salt, Kansas City diocese, KC diocese, Kristine Ward, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester NH Diocese, Mount Airy Parish, Msgr William J Lynn, Mt Airy Parish, National Catholic Reporter, National Survivors Advocates Coalition, Nightmares, Pedophile, Pedophile Priests, Perverted Priests, Pope Benedict, Priest Child Sex Abuse, Religion, Rev Charles Engelhardt, Rev James J Bernnan, Rev Shawn Ratigan, Reverend John B. McCormack, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse, Separation of Church and State, Shame, SNAP Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, St Andrews Church, St Jerome, St Jerome Parish, St Louis Archbishop, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, Uncategorized, William A Donohue Tags: Bill Donohue, Bishop Edward Cullen, Bishop John B McCormack, Bishop Joseph Cistone, Bishop Robert Finn, bishops, Br. Charles Leonard Connor, Br. John Moniz, Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Law, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, child abuse, child porn, child rape, child rapists, child sex abuse, christ, christianity, christians, church, crimes against children, devil, durham new hampshire, durham nh, evil, Fr Joseph D Ross, Fr Michael Tierney, Fr. James Urbanic, Fr. John Tulipana, Fr. Thomas Cronin, Fr. Thomas Ford, Fr. Thomas Smolich, jesus christ, Manchester Diocese, Manchester Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Manchester Diocese. New Hampshire Diocese, pedophille, pedophilles, perverted priests, perverts, pope, pope abuse, pope benedict, pornography, priest abuse, priest pedophilles, priest rape, priest sex abuse, priests, rape, rape priest pedophiles, rapists, religion, Rev James J Brennan, roman catholic church, roman catholics, serial predator Br. Charles Leonard Connor, sex abuse, st thomas moore parish, St Thomas Moore Parish Durham NH, victims of rape, William A Donohue	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613026
__label__cc	0.595936	0.404064	Scandalous! Shameless! Bloomberg & Africa Confidential Undermining Zambia Economy – State House RAZOR! Reporter \| May 3, 2019 May 3, 2019 \| Featured, Scandalous! Amos Chanda Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda says the “extreme preposterous allegations” being peddled by Bloomberg and Africa Confidential are aimed at strangulating the economy by stopping Foreign Direct Investment. At a media briefing today, Chanda lamented that the lies being peddled by the two media institutions were putting Zambia in bad light in the eyes of the international financial market. “The second matter (for which I called this briefing), is the concerted attacks on the currency, on the country’s economy clearly by elements that have been paid to peddle lies about the state of the economy. Once the President acknowledges the general difficulties of the times, he is stressing that government is taking strides to address certain issues but State House finds that it is extremely unfortunate that publications such as Africa Confidential and Bloomberg have dedicated the past week peddling lies about our economy to undermine the country in the eyes of the financial market by insisting on non existent default,” Chanda said. “So Zambia is in the financial market, it has borrowed money so if you begin to hint on the default, you are actually trying to incite the markets to be nervous about the Zambian economy and therefore ultimately what you hope to achieve is to strangulate the economy by stopping Foreign Direct Investment. Fortunately, the Minister of Finance and Treasury team are competently dealing with the difficulties that are in the economy.” Asked who he thought was paying Bloomberg and Africa Confidential to peddle lies about Zambia, Chanda declined to give names, but said government was doing something about it. “We can only go as far as saying we have brought these issues to the attention of the editors at Bloomberg because we still have confidence that that is a respected outfit, we are no longer engaging with Africa Confidential, suffice to say that when their lies extend beyond a certain level, we will tell the nation, we don’t want a ping pong with a publication whose agenda is well known. But just a caution on Bloomberg that they mustn’t fall prey to the very cheap and malicious media propaganda that is being put there,” Chanda said. “Again, because there is a government to run, the affairs of state cannot be reduced to debating as to whoever is doing it. Government is aware and is doing something about it. Suffice to say that they are not reflective of the true picture because you cannot go and hint that the government will this year default without saying the reasons why it will default, when there’s no record of a default. This country has not defaulted on its obligation, even when Dr Kaunda printed mealie meal coupons, the country still didn’t default on its debt obligation. It would be naïve for anyone to deny the general difficulty of the times but that is not to say there has been a default.” He insisted that government had not defaulted on any loans. “The government is not in default of any loans whatsoever. It is meeting its foreign service obligations, it is meeting its domestic obligation, of course, it has to be acknowledged that with the attendant difficulties which you may have seen in delayed salaries in some of the months but I can tell you, and civil servants can confirm that steps are being undertaking that is why sometimes, actually in the months of March and April, actually salaries in some cases were paid one week ahead of time so we find the recent publications, one by Bloomberg, making very preposterous, extreme preposterous allegations; drawing a parallel between Zambia and Venezuela, for lack of a better term, that makes Bloomberg unrecognisable to us, this is a respected wire firm that cannot descend into quoting fictitious analysts and putting them across,” he said. Chanda said government had opted to stop engaging Africa Confidential but to respond to their lies if they breached a certain limit. “For Africa Confidential, our views are very known, it’s no longer a publication that it was, it is a formerly respected tabloid that has willingly transformed itself into a scandal sheet and that is very regrettable. What we find extremely puzzling is the agenda we have seen in the past weeks where Bloomberg would pitch a story on fictitious analysts hinting at the default (on loans). The Minister of Finance will continue to update the nation. She is so transparent, the debt servicing mechanism is so transparent, she tells the nation where we are,” said Chanda. “All of you who have any doubts can get in touch with the Treasury and you’ll get the updated information. There’s no default, the commitment to meeting the obligation is there, the difficulties the economy is encountering are being undertaken, the Minister of Finance regularly briefs the President and the President has full confidence in the Treasury and monitoring team at the Bank of Zambia, that they are intervening correctly to address that problems that may be attending the economy but all this is put (aside) in a calculated attempt to put the country in a bad light in the eyes of international markets because markets react in the same way banks operate. If you continuously tell lies about a bank running out of money, eventually there will be a run on the bank.” Veep Recuperating Farmers, Others Welcome Zesco Tariffs Freeze Latest Cuts! Pathetic! I’M A Mother Of Armies – Mampi Featured, Sexy! Lovely: The Mampi Pose With Ze Bige Mampi Shares Are Weekend Feel Lovely: Mampi Shows Up Alleged Vedanta ‘Agent’ Irks State House Aide Most Wanted: Zambian Banker On Interpol List Viewpoint: Between PF & UPND Conman: Man Nabbed For Attempting To Sell Land To Owner Now Kambwili Says KCM Take Over A Disaster Miles Sampa: No WiFi, No Shave © 2019 RAZOR!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613027
__label__cc	0.69624	0.30376	search filter Books & JournalsAll JournalsFrench Historical Studies About French Historical Studies Cultural Studies (2) Food Studies (2) European Studies (145) Middle East Studies (3) Postcolonial and Colonial Studies (3) Pre-Modern Studies (114) Theory and Philosophy (2) French Historical Studies (151) Research Article (114) French Historical Studies (1 February 2019) 42 (1): 151–153. Recent Articles on French History Jean-Pierre Hérubel Recent Books and Dissertations on French History Sarah Sussman French Historical Studies (1 October 2018) 41 (4): 745–771. French Historical Studies (1 April 2018) 41 (2): 364–365. French Historical Studies (1 August 2017) 40 (3): 537–538. French Historical Studies (1 April 2015) 38 (2): 343.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613029
__label__cc	0.680839	0.319161	Artemis by Andy Weir December.1.2017 December.1.2017 Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulderAdult, Andy Weir, Science Fiction Hey Jared, I’m finally getting out of my holiday slump to write some reviews and check in on how everything has been. I partially blame it on all the Black Friday Sales I was combing through but honestly I was just vegging out. Although I’ve now got all the pieces to build myself a decent PC so there’s that. Title: Artemis Author: Andy Weir ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Hard Scifi Synopsis: Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you’ve got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she’s stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first. Recommendation: Definitely recommended. Teen or older, with mild language and references to sex and drugs. I was honestly a bit nervous heading into this book and I’ve very glad that I was. It made me slow down a bit and focus on what’s actually on the page. What I found was a solid novel with good characters and decent plot. Jazz, the main character, grew up on the moon and the bizarre societal culture that had developed there. It’s got a small town feel but with intense divisions just like the environment in which it exists. I enjoyed the quirks in her personality and found her to be layered and textured in all the most interesting ways while still having points of relatabilty. Other reviews I read said that she knew things she shouldn’t, but I found her character to be meticulously detailed. She wasn’t an expert on everything but she was a hyper-competent person and given time she could be above average at pretty much anything. Those times in which an expert was actually needed she went to the expert and had them do it. Really, she was an amazing character even if I wouldn’t have liked her on a personal level. I’d also like to address the comparisons to Mark Watney, the MC of Andy Weir’s first novel The Martian. There are similarities but I’d venture that their mostly due to association than them actually being the same. The snarky attitudes while superficially similar are actually almost polar opposites. Watney has a professional quality to his sarcasm, as if it’s just a single minor aspect to his overall personality but when put under intense stress it comes to the forefront. Jazz is extremely casual with her sarcasm and it feels like it’s a major aspect of her personality that developed as an almost defense mechanism due to the extremes she’d had to grow up with. Again, their both extremely intelligent but one used that to get where they are and the other is using it to do the least amount of work to get by. So the same but opposite. I had been concerned that Mr. Weir was just going to reuse and adapt his first character to fit this but Jazz is very much her own person and the similarities are probably mostly due to Mr. Weir’s own personality than anything else. As for the setting, it’s way more complex and interesting than the summaries or synopses conveyed. The plot is decent but not absolutely amazing. The plot didn’t pull me out of the experience and all the sciency bits were just amazing. (In fact, I’m reading another book set on the moon, by accident, and it’s making all the inaccuracies standout. Curse you, Andy Weir, for your accurate portrayal of living on the moon!) In summary, I really enjoyed myself and I can’t wait hear what Mr. Weir is up to next. Andy Weir’s Official Website ← Available Dec.5.2017 – Persepolis Rising by James S. A. Corey November Book Haul →	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613030
__label__wiki	0.844251	0.844251	Home Business NSE, others launch mutual funds platform to facilitate electronic transactions NSE, others launch mutual funds platform to facilitate electronic transactions THE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in partnership with some market participants on Friday launched Mutual Fund trading and distribution platform. The participants are the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN); Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc. The platform will bring together market participants to facilitate electronic transactions with seamless interaction between NSE, CSCS, Fund Managers and Brokers Dealers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mutual Fund is a pool of funds brought together by a professional fund manager from several investors to invest in selected underlying securities. Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Mr Olumide Bolumole, Head of Listing Business Division, NSE, said that the exchange was delighted to provide a solution that would enhance visibility for the listed mutual funds. “We are delighted to provide a solution that will enhance visibility for the listed mutual funds and promote financial inclusion, while stimulating retail investor participation in our market. “This reinforces our commitment to provide market professionals, issuers, fund managers and investors with a reliable, efficient and an adaptable exchange hub in Africa, to save and to access capital. “Through this platform, investors can pool funds into chosen basket of securities which have proven to be a veritable means to optimise returns and reduce risks”, Bolumole said. Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, CSCS Managing Director, described the launch as a milestone for the Nigerian Capital Market. “This marks yet another milestone for the Nigerian capital market and we believe that it will serve as a step towards improving the level of financial inclusion in Nigeria by giving investors varieties of investment products,” Jalo-Waziri said. He said that CSCS had invested heavily in technology that would provide seamless post-trade services to a wide range of financial instruments, including collective investment schemes. Jalo-Waziri said that fund managers can now augment their product distribution strength using the brokerage communities’ network. “We believe this will also contribute towards increasing secondary market participation whilst growing funds under management for Asset managers”, Jalo-Waziri added. Mr Dayo Obisan, FMAN President, said that it was a great pleasure to see the platform launched and become operational. Obisan said that one of initiatives in the FMAN five-year road map was to develop and implement a nationwide distribution/trading platform for mutual funds. He said that NSE, CSCS, ASHON and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) worked closely with FMAN over the past 18 months to attain the great milestone. Also, the ASHON Chairman, Mr Patrick Ezeagu, in his remarks, said that the association was delighted to be part of the project. “We in the ASHON are highly delighted to have been a part of the development and emergence of the Memorandum Trading Platform. “The project was directed at reawakening the small savers in order to take advantage of investing via mutual fund to have the synergistic benefit of a better return in the market”. “We cherish the relationship we have built in the course of this project with the FMAN and the NSE, we have the firm belief that this success story will transcend to other areas of the capital market. “The Memorandum Trading Platform will facilitate the ease of doing business in trading and distribution of Mutual Funds as well as inspire small savers, thereby promoting financial inclusion, which is an important focus of our members. “We congratulate everyone that contributed to the success of this initiative and encourage all operators to embrace this new aspect of deepening of our market which is a formidable incursion into an erstwhile grey sector”, Ezeagu said. (NAN) – Feb. 22, 2019 @ 18:45 GMT \| others launch mutual funds platform to facilitate electronic transactions Previous articleToshiba Memory Corporation develops new bridge chip using PAM 4 to Boost SSD speed and capacity Next articleINEC completes movement of election materials to 23 LGAs in Rivers	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613032
__label__cc	0.661881	0.338119	Publish listing Add Newly listed Sort Select sorting Home For Rent In Pawtucket, Ri Studio, 650 sqft, $780 Adorable studio located on Arthur Street. The livingroom- dining is an open concept between the living space and kitchen. This apartment is moments away from all major highways, 45 min drive to Boston and a 7 minute drive to Providence. Rent: $780.00 Deposit: Call for details.... For rent\| 1 baths \| 650 Sq Ft Pawtucket in Rhode Island, 02860 Published by Sharon Kelley view Homes published 1 day ago Flat For Rent In Pawtucket, Ri Pawtucket 1BR apartment with HHW included! - $825 SCHEDULE A SHOWING ONLINE AT: showmojo.com/lh/0f78e0b089 Utilities: heat and hot water included!com/600ea4500d/listings/mapsearch NOTE: most showings will be group showing format To apply online go to: peregrine.twa.rentmanager.com/applynow (Note: ea... For rent \| 1 beds \| 1 baths Published by Brett Read view Flats published 2 days ago 3 bed, 1000 sqft, $1,395 available now! walk to blackstone blvd.this first floor apt has 3 good size bedrooms,around 1000 sq of living space bright and sunny living room.side porch..parking for two cars..coin op laundry in basement.. tenant pays electricity and heat..tenants need a credit background... For rent \| 3 beds \| 1 baths \| 1000 Sq Ft Published by John M Perez 1,395 US$ 2 bed, $975 Available August 1st! Recently renovated 2 bedroom apartment in the Fairlawn neighborhood of Pawtucket. Right off of Smithfield Ave! Close to highways, Lincoln Woods/Twin River,Downtown Providence, and more! Hardwood and tile floors. Stainless steel appliances. Private entrance in front.... Published by Brendan 2 bed, 1100 sqft, $1,050 Situated in beautiful Oak Hill, one of Pawtucket's most desired areas. Few minutes from Blackstone Boulevard and Hope area. Minutes from I-95. Quiet street, relaxing neighborhood. Lease Details: Tenant pays for electricity and heat, owner pays for water and sewer. No pets pl... Published by Eddie Reyes 2 bed, $825 First floor two-bedroom apartment with refinished hardwood floor in the living room and bedrooms, with plenty of cabinet space and closets. Coin-Operated washer and dryer in the basement, and Off-Street. The rent is $825.00, and the security deposit is $500.00. First month and security d... Published by Mones Casimir Single Family Home For Sale In Pawtucket, Ri Quite Darlington Newly renovated 3 bed 2 bath ranch with large master suite Jacuzzi [email protected] off master bed to private deck with pool large kitchen with new stainless steel appliance, new windows, hardwood flooring, finished basement. great location just minutes from highway, train school and par... For sale \| 3 beds \| 2 baths \| 1132 Sq Ft Pawtucket in Rhode Island Published by Jason Saphire 239,900 US$ view Homes published 4 days ago 3 bed, 1000 sqft, $1,400 Renovated 3 bedroom apartment with large bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom with dishwasher and private entry from front in desirable quality hill section of Pawtucket. Published by Anu Darlington Presents - The Brookdale! This charming Colonial has been completely renovated inside and out. First level showcases an open concept with New kitchen cabinets, new counter-tops, all new SS appliances, New hardwood floors, eat in kitchen, Great room and half bath. Second level features - a... For sale \| 3 beds \| 1.5 baths \| 1700 Sq Ft Published by Robin Adams Pinecrest For Sale In Pawtucket, Ri Welcome home to 15 Bart Drive, in Pawtucket's sought after Pinecrest Neighborhood. A commuters dream, this home sits on a beautifully landscaped lot, minutes to the Attleboro Train "T" station and Routes 95 and 295. Many improvements have been made by the current owner including, a brand new kitchen... Published by Manny Menezes Pawtucket, Rhode Island Real Estate Listings For Sale and For Rent on RealtyWW p. 0 Select a categoryResidential homes Houses Apartments Flats Rooms Condos Townhouses Units Studios Villas Cottages Bungalows Homes Foreclosed HomesLand lots Residential Land Agricultural Land Industrial LandGarages and parking places Parking garages Parking spacesCommercial Real Estate Hotels Office spaces Business Premises Rooms of catering Buildings of free appointment Industrial premises Warehouse spacesEcological Housing Ecological Housing Log HomesAll Others Real Estate All Others Real Estate Extraterrestrial Real Estate Space PropertiesBusiness Directory Financial Service Providers Moving Companies Home Improvement Contractors Home Inspection Services Construction Companies Cleaning Contractors Design Services Pest Control Landscaping Companies Furniture Companies Insurance Services Photography Services Web DirectoriesReal Estate Agent Directory Real Estate Agents Real Estate Brokers Real Estate Analytics Property Managers Appraisal Service Property Surveyors Real Estate Consultancy Real Estate Schools Type country, region or city Any transaction Choose transaction type Any number of rooms Choose number of rooms Any number of bathrooms Choose number of bathrooms Size (Sq Ft) Lot Size (Ac) 1 week old Only listings with picture Subscribe to alert You have successfully subscribed to alert! You will recieve notification to your email once there is new listing that match your search criteria. There was error during subscription process! You have entered email address in incorrect format or you did not entered email address. You have already subscribed to this search. You can find alerts you have subscribed for in your account. Clean fields Pawtucket may refer to: Pawtucket, Rhode Island Pawtucket Falls (Massachusetts), Lowell, Massachusetts Pawtucket tribe 2 ships named USS Pawtucket Pawtucket Brewery, fictional brewery on the television series Family Guy The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country comprising 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km2), the United States is the world's third or fourth largest country by total area and is slightly smaller than the entire continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles (10.1 million km2). With a population of over 327 million people, the U.S. is the third most populous country. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York City. Forty-eight states and the capital's federal district are contiguous in North America between Canada and Mexico. The State of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west. The State of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, stretching across nine official time zones. The extremely diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries.Paleo-Indians migrated from Siberia to the North American mainland at least 12,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century. The United States emerged from the thirteen British colonies established along the East Coast. Following the French and Indian War, numerous disputes between Great Britain and the colonies led to the American Revolution, which began in 1775, and the subsequent Declaration of Independence in 1776. The war ended in 1783 with the United States becoming the first country to gain independence from a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, with the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, being ratified in 1791 to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. The United States embarked on a vigorous expansion across North America throughout the 19th century, acquiring new territories, displacing Native American tribes, and gradually admitting new states until it spanned the continent by 1848.During the second half of the 19th century, the Civil War led to the abolition of slavery. By the end of the century, the United States had extended into the Pacific Ocean, and its economy, driven in large part by the Industrial Revolution, began to soar. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the country's status as a global military power. The United States emerged from World War II as a global superpower, the first country to develop nuclear weapons, the only country to use them in warfare, and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Sweeping civil rights legislation, notably the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, outlawed discrimination based on race or color. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union competed in the Space Race, culminating with the 1969 U.S. Moon landing. The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the world's sole superpower.The United States is the world's oldest surviving federation. It is a federal republic and a representative democracy. The United States is a founding member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States (OAS), and other international organizations. The United States is a highly developed country, with the world's largest economy by nominal GDP and second-largest economy by PPP, accounting for approximately a quarter of global GDP. The U.S. economy is largely post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge-based activities, although the manufacturing sector remains the second-largest in the world. The United States is the world's largest importer and the second largest exporter of goods, by value. Although its population is only 4.3% of the world total, the U.S. holds 31% of the total wealth in the world, the largest share of global wealth concentrated in a single country.Despite income and wealth disparities, the United States continues to rank very high in measures of socioeconomic performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP, and worker productivity. The United States is the foremost military power in the world, making up a third of global military spending, and is a leading political, cultural, and scientific force internationally. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/ Home About Blog Pricing Sitemap Unsubscribe Contact Property descriptions and related information displayed on this page, are marketing materials provided by advertiser, and do not constitute property particulars. Please contact advertiser for full details and further information. 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__label__cc	0.511419	0.488581	Heart of Europe Startup City Brain City Living in Berlin Suchen Sie hier: How to make the most of your Berlin summer - Part I Summer in Berlin reveals the most beautiful and exciting side of this historic city. Every summer here has its own story - between warm nights and city lights, make sure you get the most out of every available ray of sunshine. Here are some of the best ideas how to spend your time during Berlin summer. Picnic, bbq, or dance in a park More than a third of Berlin is made up of green space - with over 2,500 public and recreational areas like Treptower Park, Körnerpark, Gleisdreieck, Tiergarten, and much more. Every space has something unique to offer, so don’t limit yourself to those mentioned here. Once summer hits, everyone wants to be outdoors - the shade of leafy trees offers an accessible refuge from the stifling summer heat. What’s better than lounging in the sun or shade on the grass after grabbing snacks and beers at your local Späti (small late-night shop). A favourite spot among the locals is Insel der Jugend, a small island within Treptower Park with exceptional views of the water and surrounding landscape. Perfect for a picnic by the water, plus the park is completely dog-friendly. Hanging out on Insel der Jugend © Berlin Partner - FTB-Werbefotografie Several public parks around the city allow you to have BBQs and some even provide the equipment, too (so you don’t have to bring the gear yourself). Some of the best barbecue spots in the city include Mauerpark and Tempelhofer Feld. Right behind Monbijou Park is Strandbar Mitte, a tiki-style beach bar, located just off Museum Island with exotic cocktails, palm trees, and over 200 comfortable beach lounge chairs. In summer, the place comes alive with people dancing on the open-air platform set up alongside the river Spree. Try out blues on Monday, ballroom on Tuesday, tango on Wednesday, salsa on Thursdays and swing on Friday. Best of all - no ticket needed for the fun dancing nights under a sky full of stars. You want to know more about what it's like to live in Berlin? Discover more stories, tips and insights on Reason Why Berlin and find even more information on our Talent Berlin website. Venture out to the lakes Berlin has far more than 30 lakes nearby that are suitable for swimming, hence the city has a website where you can check the current water quality and features. Dotted around and just outside Berlin, these local water holes offer a chance to cool off, relax, or enjoy some water sports. Wherever you wind up, consult friends for the scoop on which lakes are filling up each weekend. The adventurous types can explore secluded swimming spots on the lakes where most tourists and newbies wouldn’t dare to venture. There is only one way to see what all the lakeside hype is about: grab a towel and go find out. Krumme Lanke Bathing spot berlin © The Gentle Temper Independent Publishing Berlin Krumme Lanke, taking its name from the lake’s curved shape, is a city favourite. Similar to the neighboring Schlachtensee, it is convenient to reach and therefore tends to get crowded at times: Sitting in the Grunewald forest area south-west of the city and still within the Berlin 'AB' ticket-zone, you can reach it easily by U-Bahn line U3. Featuring a boardwalk that circuits the entire lake, lots of greenery and little coves, Krumme Lanke, is a popular spot for walkers, joggers and swimmers alike. And for those who fancy going skinny dipping, the beach at Fischerhüttenstraße is open to nudists. To get to Bernsteinsee in Ruhlsdorf, just past the town of Bernau, takes a bit more effort – though it’s certainly worth it. The lake has two big sandy beaches: one on the East side with a waterski facility, cafe, big parking place and camping site, and one in the South that is secluded and can only be reached by a hike through the woods. Germans are always on the look-out for the mythical perfect lake, and Liepnitzsee fits the bill with its amazing crystal-clear waters and tiny island in the middle. Found in the North of Berlin near Bernau, it is one of the classic Berlin lakes. Although it has long ceased to be an insiders' tip, there are still some unofficial bathing spots around the lake invites you to swim in totally unspoilt nature – you can even go camping! The best route to reach it is by S-Bahn or regional train. Cool off in a pool Any Berliner would agree that the only way to combat long stints of stifling heat is to find a spot by the waterside. When a trek to one of the city’s surrounding lakes feels like too much, these pools are here to cool you. © Berlin Partner - FTB Werbefotografie The Badeschiff floating public swimming pool right inside the Spree began as an art installation. There is really nothing more ‘Berlin’ than Badeschiff, in that the people behind the pool decided to infuse it with techno music and clubby vibes. Visitors can take a dip in the water while catching views of some of Berlin’s most famous sights - including the TV Tower, Molecule Man, and Oberbaumbrücke. Or why not wind your way through the river on a stand-up paddleboard, a nifty cross between surfing and canoeing. You can rent a board from Stand Up Club, which is located inside the property. The Haubentaucher, an urban outdoor pool in a very hip Cote D’Azur style, offers a shady garden lounge and a 7,000 sqm state-of-the-art indoor event space. Located in the former maintenance area of the German railway and on the premises of RAW, a famed nightlife site - Haubentaucher feels like a Mediterranean oasis in the midst of Berlin's concrete jungle. If there can be such a thing as a cult swimming pool, it’s Kreuzberg’s Sommerbad. Known more commonly as Prinzenbad because of its proximity to U-Bahn Prinzenstrasse, it was featured in the much-admired documentary Prinzessinnenbad (Pool of Princesses), directed by Bettina Blümner (Germany, 2007). Its huge popularity with local Berliners rests on its easy accessibility and people watching. Chill by the spree One definition of summer in Berlin: sitting on the banks of the River Spree. Many Berliners love nothing more than hanging out by the waterside during the summer - it’s the place to be! Float down the canal What better way to enjoy the Spree than floating down a canal? Some locals opt for buying their own inflatable boats to cruise down the river or one of the smaller canals. Cruising the Spree becomes a pleasurable and sought-after pastime. Get your hands on a blow-up boat, rent your own house boat for a weekend or sign up for a day river cruise on a bigger boat. Board a cruise ship at Treptower Hafen © Berlin Partner - FTB Werbefotografie Sip on a drink at a canal bar Sip a cocktail on a wooden terrace under the shade of a willow tree and gaze out over the water or unwind with beer and friends by the river. Ditch Berghain for an open-air club like Katerblau or explore Holzmarkt25, a beautiful riverside bohemian artists’ playground on the Spree. Continued in How to make the most of your Berlin summer - Part II Text: Melissa Embury Header Image: Felix Kayser To complete the registration, please click on the link in the email we have just sent to you. Your registration has been successful. Thank you for signing up. Sorry to hear that! You have successfully unsubscribed. Don't miss out on any reasons why berlin, sign up to our monthly newsletter and get our most recent articles delivered to your inbox. How to make the most of your Berlin summer - Part II Watch a movie in the open air, discover the countryside by bicycle and eat your way trough Berlin's ice cream shops! Part II of our summer-special. Mitte: Hip and historical Berlin’s birth cradle, hipster heart, startup hotspot and home to the most popular and oldest sights and attractions in the capital. Neukölln: Location of diversity It's the Berlin equivalent to NYC's Brooklyn with young professionals, creatives and burgeoning businesses from all over the world. Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf: The heart of West Berlin Berlin’s western center, home to one in ten Berlin residents, the capital’s most majestic palace and more companies than any other district. © Reason Why Berlin About Reason Why Berlin	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613034
__label__wiki	0.621804	0.621804	Tag Archives: Tambovapparat Not OK in the OPK Posted on April 3, 2016 \| 14 comments OAO Radiopribor Recent news reports indicate all is not well in Russia’s defense-industrial complex (OPK). This despite several years of budgetary largesse in the form of an ever-increasing state defense order (GOZ). Exhibit No. 1 Defense plant OAO Radiopribor in Vladivostok is officially bankrupt, but some remnant will be preserved in an 11th hour deal turning the company into a subsidiary of OAO Dubna Machinebuilding Plant (DMZ) in Moscow Oblast. How effectively DMZ can operate a money-losing business 6,500 km to the east is anyone’s guess. Local press indicates that labor authorities in Primorskiy Kray are already working to place or retrain some Radiopribor employees (i.e. not all of them have a future at the old plant). The industrial holding company AFK Sistema and its electronics subsidiary OAO RTI own DMZ. DMZ makes components for military aircraft including external fuel tanks. Radiopribor’s 1,500 workers hadn’t been paid in eight months, and the enterprise’s wage arrears amounted to 224 million rubles along with general debt of 3.5 billion rubles. The figures on the salaries are interesting — the average employee may have been making a little more than 18,000 rubles per month. That was probably about two-thirds of average pay in Vladivostok last year. Russia’s sole manufacturer of infantry fighting vehicles — BMPs, Kurganmashzavod (KMZ) in the Urals recently defeated a Moscow-based creditor’s attempt to have it declared bankrupt for failing to pay on 41 million rubles of arrears on its leasing contracts. It defeated the effort because, as a subsidiary of Kontsern Tractor Plants, KMZ is a “strategically important enterprise” and can’t be bankrupt according to a longstanding presidential decree. KMZ apparently also owes its gas supplier. It has a state order for 200 BMPs in 2015-17 which should help it some. It’s been a big supplier of civilian heavy equipment in the past, but that must not be going too well either. Press from late March described OAO United Instrument-building Corporation’s effort to come up with an “anti-crisis” plan for its enterprises in Tambov Oblast southeast of Moscow. OAO OPK is itself part of Rostekh. OAO OPK’s Revtrud factory has 1 billion rubles worth of debt. Revtrud’s wage and tax arrears come to about 150 million rubles. It makes communications and electronic warfare systems. OAO OPK says it plans to amalgamate affiliates Revtrud, Oktyabr, Tambovapparat, and Efir into a single production complex. It will spend 4 billion rubles to recapitalize and reequip these enterprises. Tambovapparat doesn’t seem to be doing too well either. Efir is doing the best; the MOD is buying its Borisoglebsk-2 jamming system. On 22 March, TASS quoted Jan Novikov, general director of S-400 maker Almaz-Antey, who indicated he was considering a 30 percent cut in his workforce for economic reasons. A week later, he walked this back saying savings might come through other means, according to a TASS report of an interview he gave Rossiyskaya gazeta. Novikov stated that cost-cutting is needed to pay the bills for financing and starting up production at new plants in Nizhegorod and Kirov. This from what is arguably Russia’s best-performing arms producer. On top of these reports from various corners of the Russian OPK, we have interesting news from important characters in Moscow. They seem to agree that the GOZ is turning downward, and taking the fortunes of these companies with it. On 5 March, Deputy Defense Minister Tatyana Shevtsova, who oversees the military’s budget, said its financing would be trimmed by 5 percent this year, but claimed weapons procurement would be untouched. A week later, Rostekh Chief Sergey Chemezov told The Wall Street Journal that the GOZ could be slashed by 10 percent in 2016. On 26 March, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitriy Rogozin — tsar of the arms sector — told TASS that Russia needs “patriots of industry” ready to do everything necessary to renew not just the armed forces but industry too. He continued: “Then we won’t depend on the oil and gas needle, because we’ll rely on industry.” President Putin’s administration chief Sergey Ivanov traveled to Tula on 29 March to preach about a time when the GOZ will decline and defense enterprises will have to diversify. On 31 March, the chairman of the Federation Council’s Defense and Security Committee Viktor Ozerov admitted there could be problems financing military procurement in 2017, but insisted the Defense Ministry would not abandon its goal of 70 percent modern weapons and equipment by 2020. At the outset of the armaments program in 2011, more than one or two wise observers said Russia’s industrial obsolescence and its reliance on hydrocarbon rents needed fixing before making heavy investments in defense industry. Why? Defense industrial investment has a smaller multiplier effect in the overall economy. The time and money to make these changes has been wasted, and now is an inauspicious time for them. Posted in Defense Industry Tagged Almaz-Antey, Borisoglebsk-2, DMZ, Dubna Machinebuilding Plant, РЭБ, Efir, EW, Jan Novikov, KMZ, Kurganmashzavod, Oktyabr, OPK, Radiopribor, Revtrud, S-400, Tambov, Tambovapparat, United Instrument-building Corporation, Vladivostok	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613040
__label__cc	0.549537	0.450463	Tag Archives: LBGT Social Class in the Twenty-First Century Posted in Academic Stuff, Call for Papers, Conferences, Critical Education, Critical Education Policy Studies, Critical Theory, Cultural studies, Economic History, Marxism, Political Economy, Sociology Tagged Critical Education, Cultural studies, Culture, Economic History, gender, LBGT, Marxism, Precarity, sexuality, social class, Sociology AMSTERDAM RESEARCH CENTER GENDER AND SEXUALITY Conference: ‘Social Class in the 21st Century’ See: http://arcgs.uva.nl/news-events/events/social-class-conference/social-class-conference/content/folder/social-class-conference.html Intersections between class, gender and sexuality revisited The question of social class has re-emerged as a central concern for the analysis and politics of gender and sexuality in the public sphere in many societies worldwide. The ascent and subsequent crisis of global neoliberalism have been deeply implicated in growing inequalities, which have affected the shape of gender and sexual meanings and relations in fundamental ways. Confirmed keynote speakers: Professor Cecilia Ridgeway and Professor Anoop Nayak + Roundtable by Professor Gloria Wekker Whereas some women have emerged as highly successful agents in the new global economy, their ascent to wealth and power is almost always contingent upon the labor and ongoing exclusion of other – the working classes, the poor, migrants, and/or women of colour. Similarly, with the introduction of some openly lesbian women and gay men into the cosmopolitan-managerial and so-called ‘creative’ global classes, very particular articulations of LGBTQ identity and culture – mostly middle-class and ‘homonormative’ – have become more visible. At the same time alternative and marginalized expressions of LGBTQ identity have increasingly disappeared from public view. Among other factors, social class has played a key role in these dynamics. While institutional sexism and homophobia have perhaps lessened for social upper classes, the social exclusion of others has increased as the result of growing inequality and precarity. These dynamics call for greater attention to the interconnections between social class, race and ethnicity, and gender and sexuality. Focus on Class Contemporary global developments exemplify what has long been seen as a central topic of scholarly inquiry: class and other social and cultural divisions have affected lived experiences and have had an impact on people’s abilities and opportunities, as well as on their constructions of gender and sexual identities, categories, and politics. A focus on ‘inclusion’, equal rights and democratic citizenship runs the danger of obscuring growing structural inequalities. Inside and outside of the academy, intersectional and other new forms of critical analysis have gone a long way in accounting for such inequalities, as well as for the divergent social positioning of actors. Nonetheless, these new approaches have not been productive on all levels of social relations and dynamics. Partly as the result of the crisis of Marxism and the theoretical problems associated with overtly reductive class analyses, the effects of class on gender and sexuality remain under-theorized and have suffered from insufficient empirical investigation. The dominance of white, middle-class, homonormative, and cisgender LGBTQ cultures and identities in scholarly debates conceals class differences and the dominance of a particular ontology. A focus on class and its interconnection with race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality enables scholars to take seriously the complexities of contemporary gender and sexual dynamics in a global world. Class analysis not only unveils inequality but brings to light difference, distinction and dissent, both between and within social groups. Such an analysis questions the dominance of particular identities, but does not satisfy itself with explanations attributing alternative experiences to essentialized or depoliticized notions of cultural difference. Dominance of global Western ontologies A major question that needs to be addressed is the dominance of global Western ontologies in the study of social class. North–south comparisons (as well as comparisons unsettling this binary) will bring fresh insights into the way in which global dynamics have reconfigured relations between classes or the concept of class itself. For instance, class identification in many parts of the world is a matter of how well connected one is transnationally, resulting in specific forms of gender inequality. Transnational migration also reveals class dynamics in configuration with sexuality, from exploitation and labour rights in migrant sex work to examples of successful transgender migration patterns. Neo-liberalisation is often and rightly so critiqued for creating (more) inequalities, but for some groups in the global South it also implies new opportunities. Recent studies on the global middle classes, for instance, have also emphasized the symbolic meaning of class. Eventually, such studies point out the necessity of questioning how the material and cultural dimensions are dialectically intertwined in the generation of gendered class subjectivities and relations. Exploring the class dynamics of gender and sexuality in and from the global South thus brings new understandings. Interconnected developments Four interconnected developments background our call for a focus on class: Gender and sexuality are often largely absent from class analysis. Class since the 1980s has increasingly been abandoned as a theoretical tool in feminist theory, even though Marxism had informed feminist theory and practice until the 1980s. The central role that queer approaches to social and cultural analysis attributes to choice, change, and the destabilization of categories comes at a cost, namely the lack of attention to more enduring power relations and inequalities. Taking a transnational standpoint will help further theorise the questions of social classes in the 21st century. Unpacking the concept of class – aim of this conference The way forward, we suggest, is to start unpacking the concept of class. Interestingly, while most of us recognise immediately the notion of class, definitions of it remain elusive and differ tremendously in their reach and implications. During this conference we intend to explore various routes to unpack the formulation of class through the prism of gender and sexuality: The first question is the matter of scale: from day-to-day interaction, via various levels to the state, and the transnational level: when does class matter? Hence, what makes class matter? What are the material and/or symbolic characteristics of class and how do they matter? Which social, political or cultural ideas, practices and institutions ‘form’ social class? Last but not least, how can class analysis shed light on gender and sexual relations, and how does gender and sexuality analysis shed light on class? We invite papers from the wide range of social sciences, including social history, to take up these questions and engage in an interdisciplinary debate. Please send: Name of panel for which you are submitting Author name and email address Abstract (up to 250 words) Please use the online form below to submit paper proposals for the conference Social Class in the 21st Century. Submission is open from April 15, 2015 until May 29, 2015 Authors will be notified of the decision by mid-June 2015. Submission of Papers: http://arcgs.uva.nl/news-events/events/social-class-conference/social-class-conference/content/folder/call-for-papers/call-for-papers/call-for-papers/cpitem-2/link/papers.html Registration and Fees: http://arcgs.uva.nl/news-events/events/social-class-conference/social-class-conference/content/folder/registration/registration.html New Publications from Bookmarks – Summer 2010 Posted in Books, Literature, Marxism, News and Politics, Politics, Socialism Tagged Alex Callinicos, Art, Bookmarks, Books, Capitalist Crisis, Chainmakers' Strike, Chris Harman, Gay Liberation, Great Unrest 1911, Hannah Dee, Karl Marx, LBGT, Lenin, Leninism, Liberation, Marxism, Mary Macarthur, New Books, Politics, Russia, sexuality, Shostacovich, Simon Behrman, Socialism, Stalin, Stalinism, Tony Barnsley, Tony Cliff, Tsarism, Zombie Capitalism The Red in the Rainbow: Sexuality, Socialism and LGBT Liberation, by Hannah Dee. £7.99 SPECIAL OFFER £7 www.tinyurl.com/getrainbow This inspiring story of the fight for LGBT liberation travels across continents and centuries uncovering the radical struggle for sexual freedom. It should be read by every activist who aspires to live in a world where we can all be free to love and live as we choose, free from oppression and persecution. Chris Harman – Selected Writings. £16.99 SPECIAL OFFER £15 www.tinyurl.com/selectedwritings As well as writing a whole number of important books and pamphlets, including A People’s History of the World (Verso 2008) and Zombie Capitalism (Bookmarks 2009), Chris Harman produced a steady flow of commentary, journalism and major articles on a very wide range of topics – from economics to philosophy, from the contemporary state of the class struggle to cultural theory, from the history of world development to the history of the workers’ movement in many parts of the world, from women’s liberation and Islam to the defence and development of revolutionary strategy. Here we reproduce just a selection of his articles. Read, and learn. Breaking their Chains: Mary Macarthur and the Chainmakers’ Strike of 1910 by Tony Barnsley. £6.99 SPECIAL OFFER £5 www.tinyurl.com/chainmakers For two months in the autumn of 1910 hundreds of women chainmakers in the Black Country struck for a minimum wage that would double their incomes – and won. Tony Barnsley tells the largely forgotten story of the strike, a prelude to the Great Unrest which would sweep the country in 1911. Redwords Revolutionary Portraits Shostakovich: Socialism, Stalin and Symphonies by Simon Behrman. £9.99 SPECIAL OFFER £8 www.tinyurl.com/portraitshostakovich The life and career of Dmitri Shostakovich, more than any other classical composer of the 20th century, has provided the most hotly debated meeting point between politics and art. Simon Behrman recounts his struggle to maintain artistic integrity as the Revolution was replaced by a cruel dictatorship, making Shostakovich a tragic figure, but also a hero to his contemporaries, fellow musicians and audience alike. Back in print: The Revolutionary Ideas of Karl Marx by Alex Callinicos. £9.99 SPECIAL OFFER £8 www.tinyurl.com/revideas The classic introduction to Marx’s life and politics – a crucial reference for any student of revolutionary Marxism. Lenin: Building the Party, 1893-1914 by Tony Cliff. £16.99 SPECIAL OFFER £15 www.tinyurl.com/leninvol1 Lenin’s fight to build a revolutionary organisation capable of leading the struggles to come is analysed by Cliff, who shows both the historical specifics of Russia in the death throws of Tsarism and the lessons we can learn as revolutionaries today. TO ORDER ANY OF THESE TITLES go to http://www.bookmarksbookshop.co.uk or call Bookmarks Bookshop on 020 7637 1848 or visit us at 1 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QE	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613047
__label__cc	0.593375	0.406625	Fun Things To Do Scuba Diving Roatan Fishing Guided Tours Little French Key Roatan Snorkeling Roatan Rum Company Animal Excursions Live Music Scene Roatan Freediving Gumbalimba Park Sloth Tours Sky Swing SeaTrek SNUBA Upcoming Events Resorts Top Accommodations Top Scuba Diving Resorts Top Rental Properties Top Tour Operators Top Dive Operators Top Naturism Resort Villages Isla Roatan Isla Guanaja Isla Utila About West Bay About West End About East End French Harbour St. Helene Island Big French Key Top Destinations Download Maps About About Roatan About Bonacca About Honduras About Coral Reefs About the Weather About Los Garifuna About Ethnic Groups About Roatan Online About Roatan Expats About The Bay Islands About Medical Services About Roatan's Power Grid About Roatan Marine Park About Local Taxi Rates About Volunteering About Port of Roatan More Roatan Tourism Bureau ™ Community Forum Contact Us Roatan Jobs Mahogany Bay Roatan Sotheby's Hyperbaric Chamber Travel Check List Roatan Real Estate Real Estate Newsletter Investment Outlook Bitcoin Travel Roatan Annual Events Video Gallery Taxi Services Subscribe Blog Fun/ Roatan Fishing Little French Key Roatan Snorkeling Roatan Rum Company Animal Excursions Live Music Scene Roatan Freediving Gumbalimba Park Sloth Tours Sky Swing SeaTrek SNUBA Resorts/ Top Accommodations Top Scuba Diving Resorts Top Rental Properties Top Tour Operators Top Dive Operators Top Naturism Resort Villages/ Isla Roatan Isla Guanaja Isla Utila About West Bay About West End About East End French Harbour St. Helene Island Big French Key Download Maps About Roatan About Bonacca About Honduras About Coral Reefs About the Weather About Los Garifuna About Ethnic Groups About Roatan Online About Roatan Expats About The Bay Islands About Medical Services About Roatan's Power Grid About Roatan Marine Park About Local Taxi Rates About Port of Roatan Roatan Tourism Bureau ™ Roatan Jobs Mahogany Bay Roatan Sotheby's Hyperbaric Chamber Travel Check List Roatan Real Estate Real Estate Newsletter Investment Outlook Bitcoin Travel Roatan Roatan Online Community Roatan is an island off the northern coast of Honduras and formed by the Bonacca Ridge, an underwater mountain range. Roatan is 40 miles long, 3 miles wide, with highs of 89.6°F (32°C) and lows of 77°F (25°C). ROATAN is an island off the northern coast of Honduras and formed by the Bonacca Ridge, which is an underwater mountain range. Located in the western Caribbean, The island is approximately 40 miles long, 3 miles wide and has annual temperatures with highs of 89.6°F (32°C) and lows of 77°F (25°C). The Bonacca Ridge is responsible for the formation of several small islands and Keys in the surrounding areas including the Island of Utila and Guanaja. Roatan is home to the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere. There are three major coral reef formations in the waters around the island of Roatan. Also, the Cayman trench is located just west of the island bringing with it rich nutrients which feed a variety of species and give way to one of the worlds riches marine ecosystems. Search Roatan: Roatan (At-A-Glance) MUST WATCH VIDEO tours provide viewers with highlights of things to do in Roatan. The video tours showcase main attractions around the island and provide our viewers with ideas of places to visit and things to do while on their next visit to our beautiful island. WATCH MORE VIDEOS → HOTELS EVENTS REAL-ESTATE ACTIVITIES MAPS SCUBA There are many good places to choose from, some better than others. Here is a short list of locations for you to consider. Things to Do? There are many things to do on the island. And not every choice is that obvious. We help you plan and reserve your activities. Where to Dive? Roatan offers world-class scuba diving. Not all dive shops are made equal. Here are the 5-star operators we recommend. Roatan Real-Estate Roatan's Real Estate market is as mature as ever. Buying or selling a property is nearly as formal as doing a trade in a first world economy. There are definitely a few places (and towns) worthy of a visit. Here we'll unpack the top features of the most popular destinations on the Island. Popular Activites As you would expect, some activities are more popular than others. Price points vary as well. What follows is a break down of the most popular attractions. In West Bay In West End In East End A RESORT FOR EVERYONE Hotels come in all sizes. But few are large establishments like what you might find in Jamaica or Cozumel or any other major touristic hub in the Caribbean. And there is a good reason for the general size and design of the hotels on the island. Historically, the electricity on the island has been centralized. This combined with the fact that that the source of power has come from diesel-powered plants has driven the cost per kilowatt up. Large hotels on ROA™ would struggle to turn a profit with such high energy cost. Central cooling is also cost prohibitive. Another important factor is that cruise ships have not always had Roatan as a port of call. Many of the island's resorts catered primarily to the Scuba Diving community. In days past, the island simply has not had the volume of visitors to offset the high energy cost. Scuba Diving Resorts NON-DIVING RESORTS There are many non-diving resorts. And the ones that do exist, inevitably have a relationship with a dive shop nearby. Scuba Diving is too large of a touristic attraction not to have a scuba offering for incoming tourist. Most of the non-diving resorts are small and privately held. Many resorts which do not have a dive center, are not located near the waterfront, so they focus on customer service and offer scuba diving through an affiliate or a referral relationship with a nearby dive shop. Roatan Resorts Airport (RTB) Juan Manuel Galvez International Arriving in RTB has its charm as passengers of all major airlines still deplane onto the tarmac. The short walk from the aircraft to the small airport provides the first aroma of the island through gentle (and salty) winds. The sound of the jet engines, the breeze, and the waterfront views from the airport are all reminders that your fun is just beginning. Depending on your arrival time, it might take 20 or 30 minutes to clear customs. Passengers are fingerprinted, and a photo is made of all incoming visitors. Past immigration, is luggage claim, and then passengers exit the passenger area into the airport lobby and the passenger pickup areas. You'll know you are in the airport lobby whenever you reach a mob of drivers holding signs for their respective resorts or signs with customer names. The airport has a nice bar/snack area in the main lobby which can accommodate a small group of travelers who might need to wait for their transportation. Seating is in high demand, so keep your head on a swivel. Airport Specs Roatan Honduras Population: 45,000 (2015) Capital: Coxen Hole (10,500) WHERE IS ROATAN? The island is located 32 miles off the northern coast of Honduras. Regarding size, The island is approximately 40 miles long and over 3 miles wide. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, just north of Honduras. The island is part of a chain of islands known as the Bay Islands. Roatan is the largest of these islands, and it is home to some of the world's best scuba diving. Until recently, cruise liners started to port on the island. Before crew ships the island was not visited by large amounts of tourist outside of the diving community. The island has a very "local" feel to it, and you're more likely to find yourself around locals than you are around tourist from other countries. Now, things are changing quickly in that visitors outside of the diving community are growing in numbers. ROA™ now offers a variety of vacation rentals, water sports and onshore excursions to satisfy even the most well-traveled tourist. The bottom line is this: ROA™ is an easy island to get around, People are friendly and customer centric, Scuba diving is world-class, andROA™ offers excellent onshore and beach activities to entertain even the toughest of critics. So let's take a moment to dive deeper into the ins and outs of Roatan. Currency: Lempira & US Dollars Popular Areas: West End, West Bay Transportation: Water Taxi, Taxi, & Bus Ethnic Groups: Garifuna, Latino Islander Cruise Ports: Mahogany Bay & Port of Roatan BEST KNOWN FOR: Calm Sheltered Water Great Snorkeling Not to be confused with West End, West Bay is repeatedly voted as a top beach in the Caribbean. There are many reasons why West Bay has received this recognition, but the most important reason has to do with its geography. West Bay faces west. The sunsets are dead ahead and picturesque. The beach is also located on the northern tip of Roatan, which means it is on the leeward side of Roatan. The formation of the island makes key and provides for sheltered water. The water in West Bay is like glass. It is still and has little (I mean very little) waves. The beach is shallow and makes for a great place for kids to swim. Snorkeling is also excellent inside the reef wall, and the on the other side of the reef wall the diving is among the most popular. Mary's Place, a dive site, is located in this area. It is no accident that the annual world championships for freediving are held in West Bay. Most hotels in West Bay located along the beach are pricey. The cheaper alternatives are behind the waterfront hotels. And there are excellent choices, but instead of a waterfront few, you'll have a view of a lush green landscape. 3 ISSUES WITH WEST BAY If we had to identify a few drawbacks to West Bay they would be these: Lack of oversight and a lack of policies by urban developers has lead to the hotel line along the entire beach to be too close to the water's edge. This is great when the crowd sizes are small. It is also very intimate as your room or restaurant can be just a few steps away from pristine water. But when the crowds arrive, either on a cruise ship or from the mainland on holiday, it is brutal. During spring break, crowds are walking knee deep in the water as they look to move up and down the beach. There is little "public" nightlife. Now West End is only a 5 minutes Taxi ride away (via a water Taxi), so this is not a total negative. But if you're staying in West Bay and decide to take a stroll in search of nightlife, or shopping, you may be disappointed. Your options will be limited by activities put forward by the various hotels. Shopping is limited. There is a shopping area which is walking distance from most hotels in West Bay, but you'll be done with it in a few minutes. And if you're there for a few days, you'll need to travel to West End. "West Bay Beach is repeated listed as a top Caribbean destination." S.C.U.B.A (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) Many of the most established scuba resorts on the island have survived because of a steady supply of scuba divers who visit Roatan Honduras all year round. Most dive centers in ROA™ are affiliated with PADI. ROA™ does have a few top notch dive resorts affiliated with SSI. Scuba Diving centers in Roatan offer full gear rentals. It's is always a good idea to call in advance or visit the Scuba shop's website. But, most scuba shops offer enriched air (Nitrox) and dive computers and equipment for rent. Scuba divers dive at their own risk. For this reason, they travel with their equipment and depend on the dive center for their air tanks. But certified divers, often visit the island on a cruise or for short periods and choose to travel light. In these cases, they lean on the dive center for gear rental. Scuba Diving Roatan is an amazing experience. It is undisputed; the diving in ROA™ is world-class. For years, Isla Roatan has been a top destination for scuba divers. The island has been visited by diving aficionados for years and long before cruise ships started to arrive on the island with non-diving tourist. CHECKOUT DIVE Many Dive Operators require a "checkout dive" before taking Scuba Divers out to open water. The main reason for a checkout dive is to gauge the experience of the individual diver. Divemasters and Instructors are interested in know which divers have issues with buoyancy and which divers might be a little anxious in the water. Checkout dives help Diver operators match a dive site to the skill set of the visiting Scuba diver. Wind Patterns WINDWARD vs. LEEWARD SIDES The Island is long and narrow, and it has an east/west orientation. ROA™ has a windward and a leeward side. Most of the time (depending on weather) the wind flows from the south. This makes the southern shore more dramatic. The wind impacts the environment above, below, and at the surface. Above the surface, the wind is constant. This reduces the presence of flies and makes it pleasant to sit outside. The wind on ROA™ has an impact below the surface as well. Water is more turbulent, and the currents are stronger. This makes the coral life and marine species different than those found off the northern shore. The coral is bolder and more dramatic along the southern shoreline of Roatan. The southern shore also has fewer beaches, which means less sand, which means, fewer sand flies. And with the added wind, it is no wonder why so many prefer to invest in properties on the southern side of Roatan Island. AVERAGE TEMPERATURES & RAIN The weather on ROA™ varies only ten degrees from average lows to average highs. Rainy season is considered to be between September and January. On the average Roatan expects to see 100 inches of rain each year. Roatan Weather High-end Listings Top Realtors MATURE REAL-ESTATE INDUSTRY For years, buying a property on Roatan was synonymous with a bad title or deed experience. The real estate market was dangerous and risky and especially to the foreign buyer and investor. But the arrival of the cruise ships drove demand for property up, and it forced the maturity in the real estate decorum and practices. Today, Roatan's real estate is stable and formal. Large, well-known brokerage firms have established themselves on the island and offer agents, realtors, and brokerage services to anyone in the market for a new property on Roatan. Borrowing money from a local bank in Honduras is generally not a good idea. Interest rates are high, very high. Further still, many loans require collateral along with a high-interest rate. One of the most common ways to finance a property in Roatan is the take a second mortgage on a property you own in the US. Buyers prefer to use the equity in a US-based property to purchase a home or land in Roatan. Most purchases are cash deals. However, it is not uncommon to see owner finance components on small balances. Despite its recent popularity, Roatan remains an affordable island. This continues to be the case for property values. ISLAND COMMUNITY While ROA™ is not a large island, it’s made of myriad communities with their own distinct flavor. Roatan Island has long been a lure for travelers, residents, investors, missionaries, environmentalist, athletes, divers, photographers, scientist, and explorers from all over the world. Our websites aim to present the realness of Roatan through online content and our various social media platforms. We are doing this so that all who visit can come away with the best Roatan experience possible. We love our island, its people, and our visitors. May we be the first to say, welcome to Roatan. Perhaps one the most attractive qualities of ROA™ is its proximity to the U.S. and Canada. ROA™ enjoys amazing air travel options that take visitors directly to the island in as little as one hour. "Only Companies and Honduran residents can own property in Honduras." Port of Call THE ARRIVAL OF CRUISE SHIPS was a deal changer for the residents of ROA™. Cruise ships sparked an economic boom and gave way to a rise in Roatan's popularity. Few knew where Roatan was, or what it means until it became a port of call for the major cruise ships. You don't have to look far to find someone who's visited the island, is getting ready to go to ROA™ or has just returned from the Island. First came the cruise ships. On it came non-diving tourist. This gave way to a boom of onshore tours and activities and a thirst for Roatan real-estate. Today, tourist can enjoy a wide range of things to do in ROA™ which extend well beyond fishing and Scuba Diving. CRUISE SHIP ARRIVALS Cruise travelers visiting our island will reach one of two ports of calls. Cruise liner will either dock in our Town Center (Port of Roatan) or will dock in Mahogany Bay which is located in Dixon's Cove. Mahogany Bay is the official welcome center for Carnival Cruise. Both ports are near Coxen Hole and only a few miles apart. "Mahogany Bay, is one of the best cruise ship ports in the Caribbean. Travel and enjoy your stay!" The Bay Islands of Honduras Cayos Cochinos ROATAN ISLAND Roatán (pronounced: [ro.a.ˈtan]) is the most popular and largest of the Bay Islands. Roatan sits between Guanaja and Utila. ROA™ is the gateway to the Bay Islands with an international airport (RTB) and two international cruise ports. Historically, Roatan was formally called Rattan and Ruatan. Roatan has two municipalities: The east end of the island is the Jose Santos Guardiola municipality. Roatan's west end is the municipality of Roatan. GUANAJA ISLAND Guanaja is arguably the most remote and most exotic of the Bay Islands. Known as the "Venice" of the Bay Islands because of its waterways and canals, Guanaja is also the only island with a natural waterfall. Guanaja is only 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) from Roatan's east end. Most of Guanaja's residents live on "little Guanaja," also known as Bonacca, Low Cay, Guanaja, or just "The Cay." Approximately 10,000 people live on Bonacca. It is a densely populated Cay just off the coast of the main island of Guanaja. Savannah Bight and Mangrove Bight are the two most populated settlements on Guanaja. Guanaja's main industry is fishing. Fly fishing on Guanaja is among the best fly fishing in all of the Caribbean. UTILA ISLAND Utila is the smallest of big three islands comprising the Bay Islands. Like both of its larger siblings (Guanaja & Roatan) Utila also sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Pumpkin Hill is the official highest point on Utila Island, rising 243 feet (74 meters) above sea level. Utila has been part of our recorded history since the days of Christopher Columbus. Columbus first wrote about Utila on his fourth voyage to the area. Utila is knows for its whale shark sightings, its large PADI hub, and for the large amounts of backpackers that visit the island year round. Utila locals are primarily of Dutch, English, and African (Garifuna) decent. BARBARETA ISLAND Barbareta Island is a small island located east of ROA™. The island can be seen from Roatan's East end, but it is not open to tourism as it is private property. Barbareta is about 3 miles long, and it is the fourth largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras. Scuba Diving off of Barbareta is among the best there is inside of the Bay Islands. Barbareta Wall (also called Morat Wall) is a drift dive which is sure to take your breath away. Scuba Diving Barbareta Wall is for experienced divers as the current is noticeable and the site does not have a mooring. SANTA HELENA (St. HELENE) ISLAND Santa Helena (also known as St. Helene) is adjacent to Roatan, on its eastern tip. The eastern most point of ROA™ is comprised of large mangrove forest which bridges Roatan to Santa Helena Island. From the air, Santa Helena and Roatan appear to be one contiguous island. But, in fact, these are two separate islands. There are several canals through the mangrove forest which connect the northern and southern shores of Roatan and Santa Helena. Some of the most interesting mangrove tunnels are located in between the island of Roatan and the island of Santa Helena. MORAT ISLAND Further to the east of Santa Helena Island is Morat Island. Unlike the divide between Roatan and Santa Helena (which is covered by a mangrove forest), the divide between Santa Helena and Morat Island is clear blue Caribbean water. PIGEON CAY Pigeon Cay is located on the southeastern side of Barbareta Island in the Bay Islands. It is a small inhabited but often visited little Cay. The snorkeling around Pigeon Cay is excellent. Roatan Maps Roatan Topography Island Formation Cayman Trench THE BONACCA RIDGE (What forms the Bay Islands?) The Bonacca Ridge is an underwater mountain range which at its highest points pierces the surface to form the three main Caribbean islands known as the Bay Islands of Honduras. Roatan is the largest of the keys and islands piercing the surface. THE CAYMAN TRENCH Roatan sits right off the edge of the Cayman Trench, which provides clear water at depth. These waters form a habitat for pelagic animals like turtles, dolphin, rays, and one of the most popular residents; the Whale Shark. Utila is world class destinations for spotting and swimming with Whale Shark. The Cayman Trench is located just off the west end of Roatan. For this reason, the deepest tourist submersible operates out of Half Moon Bay, next to West End, Roatan. Beneath interested in a ride of their lives can ride onboard a submarine to a depth of 3,000 feet. CORAL REEF FORMATION The Coral reef forms a ring around the individual islands of the Bay Islands. Viewed from the water's edge, the Reef Wall can be right on the shoreline (Iron Shore), or it can be a few yards away. When the Reef Wall is away from the shoreline, it forms a lagoon between the shore and the Reef Wall. This area makes for excellent snorkeling as it provides sheltered water and motor boats are not allowed inside this area, except of course to enter and exit a certain dock or pick up point. Lagoons vary in depths but are 30 feet deep, and many have sandy bottoms. On the other side of the Reef Wall is a large drop-off or steep decline into deep blue water. The barrier reef forms some of the most interesting formations under the surface. Scuba Divers and Snorkelers enjoy crevices, caves, chimneys, and other interesting formations as they explore what lies beneath the surface. Mesoamerican Barrier Reef HEALTH OF THE REEF Without a doubt, ROA™ is the most visited of the Bay Islands. But that is not to say, that the reef is in bad condition. Roatan established a marine reserve early on, and today the reef around the island is as good or better than reef colonies elsewhere in the Caribbean. The reef around the Bay Islands and in other parts of the Caribbean are damaged and show bleaching. Bleaching is caused by natural environmental and climate changes. There are also signs of man-made damages from moorings. But by in large, the reef and the marine life in Roatan is worthy of its global recognition and popularity. REEF PRESERVATION Scuba Divers cause some damage and generate pollution. But Scuba divers by in large are a responsible bunch and often remove debris when they see it. It is also part of a Scuba divers training to keep off the reef. One of the main reasons why divers damage the reef has to do with their buoyancy control or lack thereof. Buoyancy control is arguably one of the most difficult things for a Scuba Divers to master. And whenever they get too close to the barrier reef, they can come into contact with the reef. This is preventable in most cases by establishing a dive profile which keeps divers well above the bottom depth of the reef. Planning dives where the entry point is above a sandy bottom can also help as divers will have the opportunity to calibrate their buoyancy on their initial decent. CORAL SPECIES Roatan is surrounded by a majestic living coral on all sides. Almost every single coral species growing around the Caribbean today is found in the waters around the Bay Islands. This includes the famous Black Coral and a variety of sponges of all colors, shapes, and sizes. The east end of ROA™ has some of the largest barrel sponges in the area which grow to sizes of large refrigerators. Roatan's coral reef is at the center of the island's attractions. It attracts Scuba Divers from all over the world and thousands of fish species. Stoplight parrotfish, Goliath Grouper, Barracuda, Billfish, Queen angelfish, & Seahorses inhabit the shallow and deep waters around the Bay Islands. SIZE OF REEF The biggest Barrier Reef (in the western hemisphere) surrounds ROA™. The Mesoamerican Reef System is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in northern Australia. Types of Corals "The island is rich in fauna & flora. The coral reef surrounds the lush green mountainous terrain while turquoise waters hug the shoreline." Some Scuba resorts offer their services using small panga boats. Other, resorts, have larger boats in their fleet. Broadly speaking, Scuba operators on the northwest side can get away with using smaller boats because of the water and wind conditions. But Scuba operators along the southern shore or on the east side of the island use larger boats because of natural wind and weather patterns in these areas. Scuba centers that operate in waters that are fewer shelters may also need to travel greater distances to find suitable conditions for diving and larger boats make this commute over water more enjoyable. Water Visibility & Temperature One of the main variables in attracting Scuba Divers to ROA™ is the water visibility around the Bay Islands. Roatan, Guanaja, and Utila all enjoy 100 feet or more of water visibility almost all year round. During Roatan's rainy season, visibility drops to 80 feet or so on a bad day. The water temperature in Roatan is constantly in the low 80's during the summer months and high 70's during the cool season. Single dives can be done comfortably with a rash guard or a 1 mm shorty. Multiple dives over multiple days can be sustained wearing a 3 mm Scuba suite. POWER GRID ON ROATAN Electricity is expensive on ROA™ because power is generated via diesel turbines. Roatan's population is too small to justify a large energy investment. You won't find large hotel chains in Roatan island because the energy supply is limited. But what you'll find instead are hotels and bungalows which are privately held and offer excellent customer service to visiting tourist. The Island is on Central Standard Time (CST) for the entire year and does not observe the daylight savings time changes seen in the US and other parts of the world. ROA™ has one main road which runs the length of the entire island. The road is in good conditions, and it takes you all the way to the West End of the island. Traveling east, it only takes you as far as Punta Gorda, and from there the road deteriorates and or it turns into a gravel road. Much of the island's East end is still scarcely populated and remote. Much of the islands population density is on the west side of the island. This is also where the airport and the cruise port are located. Once you leave the main road, many of the artery roads are dirt or gravel roads. We've seen improvement in road conditions as the island grows. But like any 3rd world country, infrastructure is lacking. "Let's make the most of your time. Our goal is to promote Roatan. We love our island and we'll do what we can to ensure that you do to. Welcome to Roatan." Many of ROA™ villages and towns reflect the British heritage and colonization over Roatan. ROA™ is small with several fishing settlements. Here we'll cover the main villages and towns in Roatan. COXEN HOLE Coxen Hole is Roatan's capital. It is named after a pirate, John Coxen. It is rumored that John Coxen is berried in the cemetery adjacent the Port of Roatan. Coxen hole has a downtown area which gets heavily visited while cruise ships are docked in Roatan. Coxen Hole is home to one of the main public hospitals on Roatan. It is also home to Eldon's, one of Roatan's more excellent grocery stores. Coxen Hole is the most populated town. City hall and the post office are in Coxen Hole. You'll be surprised to learn that Bojangles has three stores on the island, two in Coxen Hole and the third in French Harbour. Coxen Hole has a local market (Mercado), which makes for an interesting shopping experience. The market is just a few blocks off the main street. The shopping in Coxen Hole is very local. You'll come across fruit carts and street vendors as you walk the sidewalks from one storefront to the next. Many established business people call French Harbour home. New developments in and around French Harbour are quickly turning it into a formidable destination in Roatan. French Harbour is home to Roatan's Yacht Club and the Buccaneer. One of the Caribbean's largest fishing fleet sails out of the French Harbour, making it a strong industrial player ROA™. French Harbour is known as the economic center for Roatan. Because of its centralized location on Roatan, French Harbour is home to many banks, resorts, hotels, a newly remodeled Eldon's grocery store, and several prominent eateries as well. French Harbor is located at the halfway point between the west and east side of ROA™. It has access to a Yacht Marina. French Harbor is home to Eldon's Grocery Store which is one of the most reputable grocery stores in Roatan Island. French Harbor is an operation and working harbor. Many of the shipping and fishing boats dock and sail out of French Harbor. The Harbor also provides excellent shelter for larger ships when the weather turns bad. French Harbor is not a tourist town. It is a working town with local commerce. Fun to visit, but aside from a few restaurants, the town is more of a local attraction that it is a tourist attraction. Who are the Locals? THE CARIBS, THE INDIGENOUS, or THE EXPATS? If you ask the Caribs, they are. If you ask the indigenous, they are. And if you ask the expats, they are. So who is right? - The answer may surprise you; they are all right, sort of. There is no doubt, some of the earliest settlers in Roatan where the Caribs, or Garifuna's. But the fact remains, they got there on British and Spanish ships. Roatan's history reveals a long-standing tradition and pattern of visitors from all over and with a very diverse background. Each group was claiming their piece of Roatan while impacting the local culture in one way or another. Some early settlers brought industry; others brought festivity, some innovation, and others agriculture & farming. But regardless of the contributions by each of the settling groups, what is clear is that Roatan has long been visited and occupied by a diversity of cultures and ethnics groups. Historically, and this is still true today, there are peaceful relationships among the various groups, and there are animosities as well. So don't let anyone tell you that one group does not get along with another or that everyone gets along just fine all the time. Both statements are partially true, both somewhat false. What is true, for ever everyone living on the island, is that tourism and visitors are a source of economic prosperity. The island depends heavily on its visitors as a source of income. Tourist needs locals. Locals need tourist. Simple. ROA™ Population PEOPLE: Roatan's population is concentrated on the western side of the island. Some of its oldest residents, the Garifuna people, have settled in smaller villages throughout ROA™ island, including Punta Gorda. ROA™ sits on the second largest Barrier Reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The island can be fished year around, and Scuba Diving is done year around. Things To Do in Roatan ACTIVITIES: ROA™ is a Mangrove Paradise. Tours are available whereby a local guide will navigate you through narrow waterways in crystal waters and Mangroves on each side. Roatan island also offers some of the world's best snorkeling because its northern shores (West End & West Bay) are protected from the wind, and its waters are tranquil and clear. It is no accident why the skin-diving world championships are routinely held in Roatan. “Roatan was the perfect vacation destination. The folks at Roatan.Online offer unparalleled service. Thank you for making our vacation a spectacular memory!” Some of Roatan's most popular destination include: West Bay, West End, Coxen Hole, Punta Gorda, Jonesville, Sandy Bay, French Harbor, Flowers Bay, Mahogany Bay, Oak Ridge, Port Royal, Morat/Barbareta, Camp Bay, Milton Town Roatan Footnotes Roatan was first a fishing town. It then became a scuba capital of the Caribbean. Its always offered its guest rum based drink called "Gifity" found only in ROA™, and its always been a memorable and special island. Come join us. You've come to the right place to learn all there is to know about Roatan Island and its beautiful people. Sloth Sanctuary Snorkeling & Sightseeing Tour Roatan Fishing Tour Roatan Zipline Tours Little French Key Packages GET SCUBA CERTIFIED IN ROATAN Discover Scuba Course Open Water Refresher Roatan Blog RSS REDDIT FEED SEARCH OUR WEBSITE: Advertiser List Roatan.Online™ - Copyright 2017 - All Rights Reserved [sitemap] Sponsor of Roatan Tourism Bureau™	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613049
__label__wiki	0.733737	0.733737	Topic BPM and microservices Managing architectures SubTopic Process modeling and design Process modeling and design BRMS Cloud and iBPM Dynamic case management, SPAs EDA, CEP and operational intelligence HP SOA strategy leans toward runtime governance HP announced an SOA strategy for governance, quality and management that integrates the technology it acquired from Mercury/Systinet last summer with its own OpenView product and plays to its strength in platform agnostic consulting, analysts say. Hewlett-Packard Corp. announced a service-oriented architecture (SOA) strategy this week that plays to its unique strengths in providing products for governance, quality and management, along with platform agnostic consulting services, analysts say. We think other vendors that play in the space have a bias to either a dev stack or an integration technology or an app portfolio. Tom Hogan Senior Vice PresidentHP Software HP executives stressed their agnostic approach to SOA, which allows the company's products and consultants to work in both the Java and .NET worlds. It is an approach to the heterogeneity of SOA that several analysts say is unique among the major vendors including, IBM, Oracle Corp., BEA Systems Inc., SAP AG, Sun Microsystems Inc. and Microsoft. All of those companies have major investments in development platforms. In a Web conference announcing the strategy, Tom Hogan, senior vice president HP Software, championed his company's agnosticism. "We think other vendors that play in the space have a bias to either a dev stack or an integration technology or an app portfolio," he said. "We think the key to nailing SOA is to be the poster child of heterogeneity, which is what HP is all about." As unveiled this week, the HP SOA strategy focuses on a combination of products integrating HP OpenView integrated with the technology acquired from Mercury/Systinet to provide governance, quality and management, along with services and education. With a strong and historic reputation in testing, quality control and consulting services, this strategy plays to HP's strengths, said Ron Schmelzer, senior analyst with ZapThink LLC. "Consulting has always been a strength for HP and they have a lot of experience," Schmelzer said. "They've been doing things both on the Java side and the .NET side. HP has a very robust .NET practice, as well as on the SAP and Java side. That is unique. IBM is not really going to offer companies .NET consulting. People mistakenly think of HP as being in the Java camp, but they are much more heterogeneous. They support .NET and Java equally." Dana Gardner, principal analyst of Interarbor Solutions LLC., agreed that runtime management across heterogeneous platforms could be a plus for HP. "They said there is also a benefit of being neutral," Gardner said. "While on the one hand they've said they have strengths in software, we also recognize that SOA is by definition heterogeneous, that there are going to be widely differing sets of products in place at different accounts and different enterprises that they'd like to support and manage and help with their professional services." Schmelzer applauded HP's plan to focus its consultancy on creating SOA centers of excellence within organizations seeking to adopt the architecture, which is in line with the ZapThink position that IT cannot implement SOA simply by buying tools. "What they're acknowledging is that the technology part can only help companies so much in their drive to adopt service-oriented architecture," Schmelzer said. "If you give someone a bunch of technology and say, 'Go build SOA,' the rate of success is not that high. HP is not offering an implementation. They are saying, 'We're going to help you set up an organizational structure that helps you build your own services.' It's a mentorship. It's helping companies establish a real enterprise architecture group." In this sense, Schmelzer said criticism from other vendors that HP is hampered by not having SOA developer tools misses the point. "I don't see that as a negative," Schmelzer said. "Why should HP get into the development picture? They don't have a runtime environment. They don't have integration middleware. They don't have a programming language or a development environment. If you're HP you don't care about what runtime environment customers are using. In the context of HP not having development tools is very consistent. If they had something it would actually be very inconsistent. It would be inconsistent for HP to prefer one development environment over another." The software for governance, quality and management finally provided analysts with a view of how HP has integrated the technology it acquired with Mercury, which had previously acquired Systinet, which had been a pioneer in the SOA registry/repository space. Avrami Tzur, vice president for SOA at HP, summarized the integration in the Web conference. "Mercury acquired Systinet and that's a crucial part of what we see needed in the market today," Tzur said. "Our SOA governance solution is the Systinet solution. So that's the first element. Second, you hear us talking about quality and the importance of quality. The whole portfolio of quality products came from the Mercury acquisition. We extended that portfolio to provide SOA capabilities and Web services capabilities. Lastly, through the integration with Mercury and HP OpenView, we now have a comprehensive solution on SOA management that includes everything from monitoring the services from end user experience to identifying problems at the infrastructure level or network level. So overall it is the elements that came from Mercury and Systinet, but also elements that came from OpenView." Anne Thomas Manes, research director at Burton Group Inc., said that while the integration of OpenView with the Mercury/Systinet technology was not discussed in specific detail this week "HP has aggressive plans to execute the integration." "It plans to integrate the products reasonably quickly and in the future you won't be able to say that this product is OpenView while that other one is Mercury," she said. Manes said HP is now packaging its SOA Manager with what was formerly the Systinet2 repository into its new SOA Center product. This appears to be more of a branding issue than a technology one as she said "these systems were reasonably well integrated before." In terms of technology in HP's announcement this week, Tony Baer, principal, onStrategies, said the attempt to bridge the gap between systems management and SOA stood out among the re-packaged technology. HP buys Mercury, positions itself for SOA management SOA governance defined "Probably the highlight is that the old Mercury Business Availability Center product, which provided Mercury's view of application management, has added an SOA management component," Baer said. "It has linked in some functionality that had been part of the old OpenView Application Management tool, which marks one of the first attempts to bridge the systems management and SOA worlds." Baer said this is important because systems management is key to providing acceptable SOA service levels. Now that HP has placed its bets on a trifecta of platform agnostic governance, quality and management products, only time will tell if it's a winning bet, said Gardner. "SOA by no means is so mature that we can say here's the set that will win or here's the approach that's going to win," he said. "There is more than one way to skin the SOA cat and HP is saying, we think we can do it our way pretty well." Dig Deeper on Business process modeling and design How to pick the right application wireframing tool Understand business logic to fortify microservices design Why digital process automation is now essential to BPM DevOps is key to low-code BPM, digital process automation New JBoss BPM middleware aims to increase role of microservices Red Hat reveals vision for more architecture-driven BPM models B2B integration: Now on your smartphone? Gartner BPM Summit: Transform processes to drive business benefits Get up to speed with BPM news, apps, tools and strategies Quiz: Enterprise apps and the business planning process Holistic management: BPM drivers shouldn't affect processes Editors' Choice: Package Track software gets a collegiate thumbs-up Modernizing EA models for big data Advanced and value-driven practices in BPM governance DevOps adopts BPM best practices to build apps Business process change depends on leaders, experts say How to simplify how you outsource software development Workflow management software hits all the right notes with record company Enterprise BPM: Fit processes to align with goals, not personalities HP buys Mercury, positions itself for SOA management – SearchMicroservices SOA a big deal for IBM and HP – SearchMicroservices Details lacking in HP's SOA role – SearchITChannel	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613054
__label__cc	0.744143	0.255857	Clive Roux Clive Roux, an industrial designer and former CEO of the Industrial Designers Society of America, was named SEGD's new CEO in 2012. As CEO, Clive Roux is responsible for running SEGD and collaborating with the SEGD Board of Directors to ensure the organization is producing the best value for the profession. Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) Read more about Clive Roux Moira Gemmill Moira Gemmill works at the Royal Trust Collection having moved into this position after serving as the Director of Design and FuturePlan at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) where she led the planning and implementation of FuturePlan – the V&A’s on-going programme of restoration, refurbishment and redesign of its galleries and public spaces. Read more about Moira Gemmill Anna Crider Anna Sharp is Vice President of the 2019 SEGD Board and Creative Director of Two Twelve in New York. Anna brings a commitment to the development of meaningful and impactful user-centered designs, evident in her strategic and collaborative approach. Two Twelve Read more about Anna Crider Clifford Selbert Educated as a Landscape Architect at the Rhode Island School of Design and expanding his talents to encompass graphic design, product design, and environmental communications, Clifford Selbert has successfully developed a multidisciplinary approach to design and strategic marketing-based design process, branding him a reputation for design excellence. Selbert Perkins Design Read more about Clifford Selbert Robin Perkins As a co-founder of Selbert Perkins Design, Robin Perkins has developed a visionary approach to art, design and communications in the built environment as well as brand strategy development and corporate communications systems. Read more about Robin Perkins Richard Poulin Richard Poulin is a Principal of Poulin + Morris Inc., an award-winning, multidisciplinary design consultancy, where he has created visual communications programs for an extensive range of clients. Poulin + Morris Read more about Richard Poulin Dimensional Innovations Dimensional Innovations has been creating amazing experiences for brands for more than two decades and it hasn’t been easy. And it certainly hasn’t been a get rich scheme. It takes tons of patience, lots of curiosity, and a talented team of people who are obsessed with storytelling and finding ways to improve it. And there is no finish line. You are never done creating an experience that continues to delight and engage its audience. Read more about Dimensional Innovations Corbin Design Corbin Design was established in Traverse City, Michigan in 1976. Since then, we have earned a reputation as a leader in wayfinding and signage design throughout North America. We employ 12 people, including seven designers and three project managers. In 2002, we became employee-owned, giving each staff member an increased stake in the success of our firm and its clients. Our wayfinding clients include 110 medical centers, 60 cities and towns and 40 colleges and universities. Read more about Corbin Design Design360 was renamed AIRSPACE in May 2015. It is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary graphic design firm founded in 1999. Originally an in-house division of Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, DEsign360 now AIRSPACE has evolved into an independent firm with a client base that includes corporate, educational, cultural, healthcare and civic clients along with developers, architecture and interior design firms. AIRSPACE brings diverse backgrounds to the table including graphic design, industrial design and interactive design. Read more about AIRSPACE fd2s was founded in 1985 Founding principal Steven Stamper and fellow principal Curtis Roberts, lead a talented team of designers, strategists, and project managers. For more than 30 years the firm has been creating wayfinding programs, donor recognition exhibits, and experiential graphics that change the way people experience the world around them. Read more about fd2s Managing Director, Creative Services Bill Thiemann Laura McCoy Lea Schuster Vince Gratton Ben Jett Damien DeMenno	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613062
__label__wiki	0.550061	0.550061	Hide No Harm Would Establish Criminal Penalties for Corporate Executives Sen. Blumenthal’s Bill Would Close Loophole That Lets General Motors Officials Avoid Jail Time in Recall Scandal Contact: Amit Narang, anarang@citizen.org, (202) 454-5116 Sabrina Williams, swilliams@foreffectivegov.org, (202) 683-4883 David Rosen, drosen@citizen.org, (202) 588-7742 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer safety, public health, environmental and other groups in the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards lauded “Hide No Harm,” a new bill introduced today by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), which would hold corporate officers criminally accountable if they knowingly conceal serious dangers that lead to consumer or worker deaths or injuries. Penalties could include jail time. The bill is in response to the General Motors (GM) recall scandal, in which an ignition switch defect was linked to 124 deaths. Documents released by a congressional committee showed that GM officials knew about problems with the device as early as 2001. Despite this, last week, the U.S. Department of Justice agreed to settle criminal charges with GM through a “deferred prosecution agreement,” which includes a fine but no criminal charges for any individual GM corporate officers and no explicit admission of criminal culpability from GM. Even the prosecutor in the GM case admitted that “there are gaps in the law,” which prevented him from prosecuting corporate executives. Hide No Harm would give prosecutors the tools they need to go after corporate executives who hide the truth about dangerous products. Other notable cases where corporate officers withheld information about dangerous products include: Merck withheld information on the risks of the arthritis drug Vioxx from doctors and patients for more than five years, resulting in up to 139,000 heart attacks; Simplicity Cribs sold products company officials knew were defective, leading to the deaths of at least 11 babies and many injuries; and Toyota officials knew that millions of cars it sold had a defective gas pedal mechanism that could cause unintended acceleration – which led to numerous fatal collisions – yet the company failed to tell the public or federal regulators, the company later admitted in a federal settlement. Statements from the CSS leadership: “Our current fines and penalties are not tough enough to ensure that every business is playing by the same rules. We have to make sure that the businesses that are willing to put the health of the American people at risk face heavy sanctions. The bad actors should not have a competitive advantage over responsible businesses that adhere to health and safety standards.” Katherine McFate, president and CEO, Center for Effective Government (CSS co-chair) “After the disgraceful GM settlement, it’s imperative that the Hide No Harm Act be made law. We need to make clear to corporations and corporate executives that they will face criminal prosecution if they hide product and workplace dangers from government regulators and the public. And we need to make it clear to prosecutors that they have no excuse to let giant corporations off the hook with cost-of-doing business fines that fail to punish, deter or provide justice to victims of corporate crime.” Robert Weissman, president, Public Citizen (CSS co-chair) “Countless numbers of workers and citizens have suffered and died because companies withheld and hid information on the dangers of products and exposures like asbestos. This bill would hold corporate officials personally responsible for their role in these deaths and injuries, help stop corporate concealment and save lives.” Peg Seminario, safety and health director, AFL-CIO “This bill will provide an important deterrent to companies and their executives who knowingly sell and distribute unsafe products to consumers. The consequences to consumers can be dire while the consequences for companies may be negligible. This legislation seeks to ensure that the consequences of selling an unsafe product are significant.” Rachel Weintraub, legislative director and general counsel, Consumer Federation of America “Access to information is the cornerstone of our democracy. This legislation sends a clear message that corporations have a serious responsibility to inform the public, including disclosure of information crucial to protecting public health.” Celia Wexler, senior Washington representative, Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists “For too long, powerful CEOs have looked at the penalties for corporate wrongdoing – even wrongdoing that threatens or harms the health or safety of workers or consumers – as mere costs of doing business. The Hide No Harm Act changes that paradigm to substitute significant criminal penalties, including jail time, for the loophole-ridden laws that result in wrist-slaps for companies and executives that hide health and safety harm. Besides punishing wrongdoers, Hide No Harm will lead to safer workplaces and a safer marketplace.” Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director, U.S. PIRG “For too long, responsible corporate officers at car companies and other manufacturers of consumer products could knowingly sell products that had fatal defects without fear of being subject to meaningful criminal accountability. The Hide No Harm bill brings a long overdue change to criminal enforcement by making this kind of conduct a felony – giving prosecutors a new tool to punish corporate officers for malfeasance with the best deterrent available, the threat of significant jail time.” Rena Steinzor, member scholar, Center for Progressive Reform Steinzor is the author of Why Not Jail? Industrial Catastrophes, Corporate Malfeasance and Government Inaction. The Coalition for Sensible Safeguards is an alliance of more than 150 consumer, labor, scientific, research, faith, community, environmental, small business, good government, public health and public interest groups — representing millions of Americans. We are joined in the belief that our country’s system of regulatory safeguards should secure our quality of life, pave the way for a sound economy and benefit us all.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613065
__label__cc	0.748965	0.251035	Tag: Employment Real Time Economics: The Fed Is Going to Cut, Inflation Says Hello and Trump Knocks Bitcoin This post is by Jeffrey Sparshott from Real Time Economics No one supports tighter monetary policy anymore, the budget deficit is growing and growing, and President Trump has something to say about cryptocurrencies. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell completed two days of testimony on Capitol Hill this week. The WSJ’s Nick Timiraos says this is what we learned: Mr. Powell is ready to cut interest rates. He largely downplayed positive news while highlighting worries about global growth and trade uncertainty, alongside soft inflation. Congress supports Mr. Powell. Democrats encouraged him to stand firm against President Trump’s sustained criticism and Republicans did not join Mr. Trump in pressing any critique. Continue reading “Real Time Economics: The Fed Is Going to Cut, Inflation Says Hello and Trump Knocks Bitcoin” Real Time Economics: Fed Signals a Rate Cut, Markets Rejoice A Fed rate cut later this month looks like a slam dunk, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell heads to Capitol Hill for a second day of testimony, and tariffs aren’t driving factories back to U.S. shores. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. A Little Insurance Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled the central bank is ready to cut interest rates later this month to cushion the U.S. economy against the risks of slower global growth and trade-policy uncertainty, Nick Timiraos reports. Bottom line: Mr. Powell told lawmakers the economic outlook hadn’t improved in recent weeks despite the strong June jobs report and recent U.S.-China trade Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Fed Signals a Rate Cut, Markets Rejoice” Real Time Economics: Powell to Testify, Boeing Falters and China’s Factories Confront Deflation Fed Chairman Jerome Powell heads to Capitol Hill, there are more U.S. job openings than unemployed and Boeing is losing its spot as the world’s biggest airplane manufacturer. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. Clues You Can Use Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s appearance on Capitol Hill will be watched closely for clues on interest rates. The central bank leader has a prime opportunity to either reset or ratify market expectations for a cutduring two days of testimony before lawmakers. The WSJ’s Nick Timiraos tells us what to watch: Fed officials in June cited three reasons for a weaker outlook and potential rate cuts: softer global growth, Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Powell to Testify, Boeing Falters and China’s Factories Confront Deflation” Real Time Economics: U.S. and China Try Again on Trade, Odds of a Recession Rising The U.S. and China will chat by phone this week, a higher minimum wage would boost incomes but could cost jobs, and lawmakers aren’t echoing President Trump’s criticism of the Fed chairman. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. Top American and China negotiators are set to speak this week in an effort to revive stalled trade talks, William Mauldin, Josh Zumbrun and Chao Deng report. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed last month to formally resume negotiations. Yet people following the process say that the issues that snagged talks two months ago remain. Among the sore spots: U.S. Continue reading “Real Time Economics: U.S. and China Try Again on Trade, Odds of a Recession Rising” The Puzzle in the Labor Data This post is by Barry Ritholtz from The Big Picture The U.S. Labor Market Isn’t all That Healthy Underemployment is a problem that isn’t measured well by the official data. Bloomberg, July 1, 2019 By most measures, the U.S. is at or very close to full employment. The unemployment rate today is 3.6%, the lowest since 1969. And yet, there is a sense that… The post The Puzzle in the Labor Data appeared first on The Big Picture. Real Time Economics Special Edition: U.S. Hiring Rebounds U.S. employers added 224,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.7% in June as more workers joined the labor force. Jeff Sparshott and Greg Ip here to take you through the key numbers in the latest jobs report. Slowing, Not Sinking The June jobs report has eradicated for now fear of imminent recession. But the robust headline gain masks some troubling signs beneath the surface. The number of private-sector workers is growing, but the hours they work less so: Total private hours worked grew just 0.2% in June and were lower than in January. Coupled with decelerating manufacturing and service activity signaled by purchasing managers indexes, this points to growth downshifting from 3% over the previous year to around 2%. The case for lower Continue reading “Real Time Economics Special Edition: U.S. Hiring Rebounds” Real Time Economics: What Will the June Jobs Report Tell Us About the Economy? It’s jobs day! Jeff Sparshott here to walk you through key economic developments ahead of the June employment report. We’ll be back with a special edition of the newsletter after the numbers are released. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. Summer Job or Summer School? Teenagers aren’t working like they used to. They are, in fact, one of the big reasons the U.S. labor-force participation rate is depressed. “If teens had still participated in the labor force at their 2000 rates, aggregate 16-64-year-old participation would be more than 1.3 percentage points higher,” the Hamilton Project says in a new blog post. That’s about one-third of the aggregate drop in labor-force participation among the working-age population. They’re lazy, right? Nah. The Hamilton Project Continue reading “Real Time Economics: What Will the June Jobs Report Tell Us About the Economy?” Real Time Economics: Jobs, Central Banks and Lawyers The U.S. labor market is looking pretty average, President Trump has two new picks for the Fed and the European Central Bank is about to get a new leader. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. The American Jobs Machine Real Time Economics is taking the Fourth of July off. So here’s an early peek at what to expect from Friday’s jobs report—before we dive into central bank news: Job creation in the U.S. appears to be cooling off to pre-tax cut levels. In the three month’s ended in May, employers added an average of 151,000 jobs per month. That’s the slowest pace since late 2017, just before Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Jobs, Central Banks and Lawyers” Real Time Economics: Americans Still Love the Suburbs, Factories Falter and Home Builders Sputter Millennials are a lot like every other generation, U.S. factories are slowing but not out of the fight, and surprise surprise, infrastructure spending surged early in 2019. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. Back to the ‘Burbs American suburbs are swelling again. Millennials priced out of popular big cities are flocking to Frisco, Texas, Nolensville, Tenn., Lakewood Ranch, Fla., and Scottdale, Ga.—not exactly household names but among the fastest-growing destinations in the U.S. Suburbs now account for 14 of the 15 fastest-growing U.S. cities with populations over 50,000, Valerie Bauerlein reports. Millennials, the generation now ages 23 to 38, are no longer Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Americans Still Love the Suburbs, Factories Falter and Home Builders Sputter” BBRG: The U.S. Labor Market Isn’t all That Healthy The post BBRG: The U.S. Labor Market Isn’t all That Healthy appeared first on The Big Picture. Real Time Economics: Trump and Xi Call a Truce, China Factory Activity Contracts There’s a trade truce, the U.S. expansion is now the longest on record, closely watched factory data is out today, Americans celebrate Independence Day on Thursday and then boom we get the June jobs report on Friday. Buckle up and good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. Cease-Fire President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China managed to get trade talks back on track this past weekend. Now an even tougher job lies ahead: appeasing hard-line factions within their own governments demanding they give no quarter, Bob Davis and Lingling Wei report. Simply relaunching the talks took a lot. In return for getting China back to the Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Trump and Xi Call a Truce, China Factory Activity Contracts” Whats Up With the Labor Market? I started doing some research for a new column involving the very low unemployment rate, why wages are lagging (Still), and what is being called full employment. I am finding lots of things that are confusing, if not outright conflicted. Consider these factoids: 3.6% U3 Unemployment rate is considered full employment — but wage gains… The post Whats Up With the Labor Market? appeared first on The Big Picture. Real Time Economics: The U.S. and China Are Fighting About More Than Just Trade Good morning. This week brings key manufacturing, consumer spending and inflation data, remarks from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, and a meeting between President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. Jeff Sparshott here to help you get ready for another busy week of economic news. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. It’s Not Just a Trade Fight The Trump administration is examining whether to require next-generation 5G cellular equipment used in the U.S. be designed and manufactured outside China. The move could reshape global manufacturing and further fan tensions between the countries, Stu Woo and Dustin Volz report. Washington has already essentially banned telecom equipment from Chinese companies. The new proposals could force Finland’s Nokia and Sweden’s Ericsson, to move major operations out Continue reading “Real Time Economics: The U.S. and China Are Fighting About More Than Just Trade” Real Time Economics: The Fed Didn’t Cut…Yet The Fed didn’t give President Trump an interest-rate cut, women are working more and sleeping less, and investors are squeezing first-time buyers out of the housing market. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. An Ounce of Prevention Federal Reserve officials held interest rates steady but suggested they would cut them in the months ahead if the economic outlook doesn’t improve, Nick Timiraos reports. Chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed was prepared to react aggressively to any weakness, drawing from research that says when rates are historically low, officials should move faster and sooner because they have less room to cut. “In other words, an ounce of prevention is Continue reading “Real Time Economics: The Fed Didn’t Cut…Yet” Get a Job! My Bloomberg column on Monday was headlined, “How to Invest and Profit in the Next Recession. I discussed 4 things you should do in anticipation of whenever the next economic contraction happens to come along: 1. Clean out your portfolio 2. Pay down debt 3. Be ready to buy when stock prices plunge 4. Check… The post Get a Job! appeared first on The Big Picture. Real Time Economics: Trump Eases Tensions with China, Ratchets Up Pressure on Fed It’s Fed day! The central bank is under unusal pressure as it considers cutting rates, U.S.-China trade talks are back on track and American employers are getting stingier with bonuses. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. Trump and Xi to Meet President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to meet in Japan next week, lifting financial markets and spurring hopes for a trade truce, Vivian Salama, William Mauldin and Josh Zumbrun report. Both sides are under pressure to get back to the bargaining table. The Trump administration’s plan to levy new tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese goods has generated stiffer resistance than the introduction Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Trump Eases Tensions with China, Ratchets Up Pressure on Fed” Real Time Economics: U.S.-China Tensions Spread Across the Economy U.S. inflation numbers are out today, Chinese money is suddenly toxic in Silicon Valley, and students in Jersey City are getting a chance to earn free college and a $70,000 a year job. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. U.S.-China Tensions Hitting Silicon Valley The Chinese cash that powered Silicon Valley is suddenly toxic. Since late last year, venture firms with China ties have been dialing back their U.S. investments, structuring deals to avoid regulators or shutting their U.S. offices. Some American venture firms are dumping their Chinese limited partners and some U.S. startups are trying to push their Chinese investors out to Continue reading “Real Time Economics: U.S.-China Tensions Spread Across the Economy” Real Time Economics: Just How Tight Is the Labor Market? The number of U.S. job openings has outpaced the number of unemployed for 14 straight months, the Fed is trying not to listen to the president, and gasoline prices are falling just in time for a trip to the beach. Good morning. Jeff Sparshott here to take you through key developments in the global economy. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by replying to this email. The number of job openings exceeded the number of unemployed Americans by the largest margin on record in April, signaling difficulty finding workers in a tight market, Sarah Chaney reports. The actual number of openings, however, fell a little. The takeaway: “Labor demand is strong [and] employers are still finding it relatively difficult to fill jobs,” said Nick Bunker, Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Just How Tight Is the Labor Market?” Real Time Economics: Employers Tap the Brakes The May employment report wasn’t pretty. The U.S. added just 75,000 jobs and the prior two months were revised down by a combined 75,000. Investors may expect the softer jobs data, alongside some other so-so economic indicators and heightened global trade tensions, to push the Federal Reserve toward cutting interest rates. Jeff Sparshott and Greg Ip here to take you through some of the numbers. A Reason to Worry, a Little May’s surprisingly soft 75,000 rise in nonfarm payrolls is, fundamentally, fine: it’s about what the U.S.’s slow-growing population can sustain over the long run. Claims for unemployment insurance and confidence surveys point to solid labor demand inconsistent with a recession. Yet there are reasons to worry, a little: May’s downshift in job creation is echoed by Continue reading “Real Time Economics: Employers Tap the Brakes”	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613066
__label__cc	0.506331	0.493669	Trench Map DVDs – latest additions For anyone who has purchased our Trench Map DVDs – prior to the most recent additions – we now have a separate DVD available containing new maps / sketches. 16 new maps /sketches were added on 1 September 2018. Purchases made since then up to 1 December 2018 will include these maps / sketches; however, 8 more maps / sketches were added on 11 December 2018. The full list of 24 additional maps / sketches can be found here. The cost of the additional 24 maps / sketches is £7.50, including postage and packing. The price of the extended DVD set has not changed and remains at £40.00, including postage and packing. Please contact scsmembership@outlook.com to order the DVD or for further information. Please read the terms and conditions on use of the DVDs carefully.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613068
__label__cc	0.569811	0.430189	The Revolution of the Dialectic As the human being precipitated himself downwards on the path of devolution and degeneration, as he became more and more materialistic, his senses also became deteriorated and degenerated. It comes into our memory a school in Babylon that was dedicated to the study of everything related to the olfactory sense. They had a motto that stated, “Seek the truth in the shades of aromas obtained between the moments that something is in the act of becoming frozen and the moment that something is in the act of becoming decomposed.” That school was persecuted and destroyed by a very terrible chief. This chief had very dishonest business matters and he was soon indirectly accused by those affiliated to that school. The sense of smell developed extraordinarily. It permitted the students of this school to discover many things which were not convenient for government officials. There was another very important school in Babylon. This was the school of painters. The motto of this school was, “Discover and elucidate the truth, only by the tonalities which exist between white and black.” During that time, those affiliated with such a school could normally utilize, without difficulty, nearly one thousand five hundred shades of the color gray. From the Babylonian period to these sad days in which we live, the human senses have been degenerating frighteningly due to the materialism which Marx justifies in his own manner with the cheap sophistry of his dialectic. The “I” continues after death and perpetuates itself through our descendants. The “I” complicates itself with materialistic experiences and becomes robust at the expense of the human faculties. As the “I” has become invigorated throughout the centuries, human faculties have been degenerating more and more. Sacred dances were authentic informative books which were deliberately transmitting certain transcendental cosmic teachings. The Whirling Dervishes do not ignore the mutually equilibrated seven temptations of living organisms. The ancient dancers knew the seven independent parts of the body and knew very well what the seven different lines of movement are. The sacred dancers knew very well that each of the seven lines of movement possesses seven points of dynamic concentration. The dancers of Babylon, Greece, and Egypt did not ignore that all of this crystallized in the whirling atom and on the gigantic planet that dances around its center of cosmic gravitation. If we could invent a machine that would imitate with exactness all the movements of the seven planets of our solar system around the sun, we would then discover with amazement the secret of the Whirling Dervishes. Indeed, the Whirling Dervishes perfectly imitate all of the movements of the planets around the Sun. The sacred dances in the times of Egypt, Babylon, Greece, etc., go even further. They transmitted tremendous cosmic, anthropogenetic, psychobiological, mathematical truths, etc. When the first symptoms of atheism, skepticism, and materialism began to appear in Babylon, the degeneration of the five senses accelerated in a frightening manner. It is perfectly demonstrated that we are what we think. Therefore, if we think as materialists, we degenerate and fossilize ourselves. Karl Marx committed an unforgivable crime. He took away the spiritual values of humanity. Marxism has unleashed religious persecution. Marxism has precipitated humanity to its total degeneration. Materialistic Marxist ideas have infiltrated everywhere, in schools and in the home, in the temple and in the office, etc. The artists of each new generation have become true apologists of dialectical materialism. Every breath of spirituality has disappeared in ultramodern art. Modern artists no longer know anything about the Law of Seven. They no longer know anything about the cosmic dramas. They no longer know anything about the sacred dances of the ancient mysteries. The tenebrous ones have stolen the theatre and the stage. They have miserably profaned it. They have totally prostituted it. The Sabbath, the day of the theatre, the day of the mysteries, was very popular in the ancient temples. Marvelous cosmic dramas were then presented. Drama served to transmit valuable teachings to the Initiates. Different ways to experience the Being and the manifestations of the Being were transmitted to the initiates by means of drama. Among the dramas, the most ancient one is that of the Cosmic Christ. The Initiates knew very well that each of us must become the Christ of such a drama if we indeed aspire to the Kingdom of the Superman. The cosmic dramas are based on the Law of Seven. Certain intelligent deviations of such law were always utilized in order to transmit transcendental teachings to the neophyte. In music it is well known that certain notes can produce happiness in the thinking (intellectual) center, other notes can produce sadness in the sensitive (emotional) center and other notes can produce religiosity in the motor center. Indeed, the old Hierophants never ignored that integral knowledge can only be acquired through the three cerebrums. A single cerebrum cannot give complete information. The sacred dance and the cosmic drama, wisely combined with music, served to transmit tremendous archaic teachings of a cosmogenetic, psychobiological, psychochemical, metaphysical type, etc., to the neophytes. In addition to this, it is suitable here to mention sculpture. The latter was grandiose in bygone times. The allegorical beings chiseled on hard rock reveal to us that the ancient Masters never ignored the Law of Seven. Let us remember the Sphinx of Giza, in Egypt. The sphinx depicts for us the four elements of nature and the four basic conditions of the Superman. After the Second World War, existentialist philosophy and art were born. When we have seen the existentialist actors on stage, we have arrived at the conclusion that they are truly maniacal and perversely sick people. If Marxism continues to be disseminated, then the human being will end up totally losing his five senses (which are in the process of degeneration). It is already proven by observation and experience that the absence of spiritual values produces degeneration. The paintings of this day and age, as well as the music, the sculptures, etc., are nothing but the product of degeneration. The initiates of ancient times, the sacred female dancers, the true artists of ancient great times, no longer appear on the stage. Now, only sick automatons, degenerated singers, rebels without a cause, etc. appear on the stage. Ultramodern theatres are the antithesis of the sacred theatres of the great mysteries of Egypt, Greece, India, etc. The art of this day and age is tenebrous; it is the antithesis of Light. Modern artists are tenebrous as well. Surrealistic and Marxist painting, ultramodern sculpture, Afro-Cuban music and the modern female dancers are the outcome of human degeneration. The young men and women of the new generations receive by means of their three cerebrums data which is sufficient to convert them into swindlers, thieves, assassins, bandits, homosexuals, prostitutes, etc. No one does anything to put an end to this bad art and everything marches towards a final catastrophe due to the lack of a revolution of the dialectic. The Teachings The Didactic for the Dissolution of the “I” The Struggle of the Opposites The K-H The Requisite Psycho-astrology The Rhetoric of the Ego The Permanent Center of Consciousness Super-individuality 1. Integral Well-being 2. Self-reflection 3. Psychoanalysis 4. Mental Dynamics 5. The Laconic Action of the Being Ahimsa: Nonviolence Gregarious Conduct Deformation of the Word Knowing How to Listen The Exactness of the Term The Psychological Robot The Personality Cathexis Mystical Death Dissolving the Loose Cathexis The Particular Characteristic Psychological Feature Methodology of the Work Sophisms of Distraction The Fallacy of the Ego Exertion Psychological Slavery The Kalkian Personality Contumacy The States of the Ego Blue Time or Rest Therapeutics The Corpses of the Ego Psychogenesis The Transformation of Impressions Mental Stomach The System for the Transformation of the Impressions of the Day Image, Values, and Identity Self-criticism Self-image Self-adoration Self-judgment The Auto-idea Mo-Chao Dispersed Mind and Integral Mind The Revolution of Meditation Mechanical Association The Dominion of the Mind Probationism Enlightened Intellection A Bet with the Devil Sexual Super-dynamics The Mercury Fundamental Education Ultramodern Music Solioonensius Religious Principles The Fourth Unit of Reasoning Materialistic Science The Ex-personality and the Quantum Theory Super-discipline The Mystery The Avatar The Individual and Society Most readed chapters The Virgin of Carmel: Ave Maria, Hail Mary The Virgin of Carmel: The Gnostic Church The Perfect Matrimony: The Great Battle The Major Mysteries: Ceremonial Procedures of High Magic The Perfect Matrimony: The Son of Man	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613071
__label__cc	0.691934	0.308066	If you look at the stories that have rooted themselves into cultural consciousness, starting a story in medias res – the middle of things – is understood in a very particular way. But is it how you understand it? There’s a huge difference in the way great writers begin stories and the way it’s done by the rest of us. Let’s have a look at how we poor amateurs approach the middle of things. A writer has a story idea in mind and wants to find a really good place to begin. The sweet spot. The heat, as it were. Say the story is about an aging spy who is called on to undertake one final mission. Today’s writer might start the story with the protagonist (a Daniel Craig type, of course, buff, gruffly suave, in control) waking up beside some hot dumb-as-bricks supermodel, contemplating in detail his predicament so the reader knows exactly what’s going on. There might be some flash-backing to signal the danger yet to come. Some might have him already in the middle of the caper, with all the stakes pressing in on him. Or right in the middle of/after a shoot-out. What’s the problem, you might ask? Isn’t that in the middle of the action? Isn’t that what any creative writer would do? Not John Le Carre. Le Carre knows the difference between plot and development. In The Spy Who Came In From The Cold he starts his story developmentally at a point where Alec Leamas is on the verge of his biggest screw-up yet but doesn’t know it. He’s no Daniel Craig. Mid 50-ish, he’s not fit or buff. He’s unkempt. And he’s a problem drinker (that’s a nice way of suggesting “drunkard”). There are no heroics. He’s just washed-up, waiting at a heavily guarded East-West German checkpoint for his contact to come across, trying to salvage this one Cold War assignment (of many that have gone sideways on him). In this moment he has nowhere left to go personally or professionally. He’s in the middle of a major disaster in the making. It’s already happening but Leamas refuses to see it or the entire scope of what’s happened to his career. Everything rides on his man coming down that road. Where they are physically and geographically is symbolically significant. The chapter is called “Checkpoint”. He’s at the checkpoint of his career and life. See what Le Carre did there? Checkpoint? Get it? Le Carre starts the story, not in the middle of the plotting action or the most exciting or dynamic part of the story. That would be closer to the end when he’s being held by the East Germans and attempts to escape. Rather, he starts in the middle of things. The lens is pulled back from the action of the story – the spy action and the plot action – to make the opening circumstances reflect the developmental context of Leamas’ life situation, the very conditions that have brought him to this point, and which will drive him straight into the mess he will find himself in later. But none of it can happen without this opening snafu. None. What happens on that bridge t-bones what’s left of Alec’s life, sending it on its collision-course. The place where he begins is more than just the middle of an action or the story. It’s the crossroads of every facet of his life. Note: He’s a screw up but it’s not all his fault. He’s surrounded by screw-ups and betrayal. The weight of this impregnates the opening scene, but becomes more apparent and consequential as the story unfolds, driving Leamas to the final scene. This is especially obvious when his true lack of control over the situation is revealed. He’s not only hamstrung by the fools and liars who surround him, but what they’ve done to him has put him in the exact position to be used, manipulated, and inevitably betrayed. Middle-aged. His youth and strength are gone. All he has left is gut-level instinct. And even that is questionable. This is the precise vulnerability that makes him easy prey for his handlers as well as his targets. Had Leamus been younger he might not have invested so much in Liz Gold, which would have changed the outcome in which Gold becomes pivotal; any older and he would have been unable to handle what his controllers knew would be facing him in East Germany, making his placement in that mission unlikely and unsurviveable. A loner. His life in duplicity has made it impossible to live as a normal human being, but built into that is a deep sense of his lifelong lack of connection to anything – that whoever he was before becoming a spy was exactly what made a life of espionage possible. He never had anything (or anyone) to lose, and this is what inevitably makes Liz Gold so important to the story. Le Carre accomplishes this sense of Leamas’ past with master strokes – Leamas’ transience, his comfort with squalor and rough living, drink, bad neighbourhoods, no mention of family or friends. He was an expendable cog from one system that became an expendable cog in another system, only with higher stakes. A life of too much dissimulation, too much absence (in more ways than one) is the life a loner who comes from dissimulation and absence gets. Yet his loner status and how he musters everything he has left in him as a human being just to embrace love is exactly what leads to the tragic outcome. It’s used against him, but it also becomes the final heartbeat of his humanity. It saves him on the only level left that matters to him. A drunk. Le Carre evokes a strong sense that this was written into Leamas’ very DNA, but given his age and what’s become of his life and career it’s the only way left to cope. It’s also what makes him right for the ruse necessary for his final mission. The line between Leamas and the role he is required to play as a disaffected agent ripe for Eastern-bloc harvesting is barely visible, thus making the ruse credible. He thinks he knows what’s going on. Leamas prides himself on his ability to get the lay of the land, but somehow the landscape has changed under him without his having been aware of it. This peril in knowing is what turns everything inside-out. Everything rides on his work. Until it doesn’t, and then, in the end, he realises that what matters rides on the choice he makes on that wall. He can choose the agency, himself, or Liz, but whatever choice he makes presents a dire double-bind that will cost him dearly. To choose Liz is to lose his life. To choose anything else is to lose his humanity. That the story begins on a bridge and ends on a wall is incredibly astute use of metaphor. Everything about this story mirrors what we already intuitively and instinctively understand about the human experience. We might understand nothing at all about being a middle-aged alcoholic agent but when Le Carre makes a move everything in our gut tells us it’s exactly as it is in the part of the human story where we are all participants. All the internal cogs fit together, meaningfully, and because they do, the machinery powers up and runs on its own momentum. All because of what goes into that opening scene. This is what opens the door through which we and Leamas must enter the story. In this opening Le Carre pulls off the other definition of true: bring (an object, wheel, or other construction) into the exact shape, alignment, or position required. As writers we should all aim for that kind of true in fiction. It’s not an inert noun, but a verb. It’s dynamic. It requires something of us, writer and reader alike. Readers care because we recognise in this story and other masterpieces the exact shape, alignment, and position required to communicate human beingness back to us. Leamas’ moral victory, the most important of his life, must come at the cost of his world (and life), the very conditions set up right at the beginning of the novel. Smiley and The Circus get what they want. Mundt gets what he wants. All this comes at the cost of Leamas and Gold, but even they, too, get what they want: to know love in one another. What’s so beautiful about it all is that while it’s inevitable, it’s neither predictable nor prescriptive. Writers – especially those who have come up in the age of narcissism – haven’t figured out how to get much past themselves to offer readers something about themselves. Writer and reader connect when the writer expresses something that also communicates meaning for the reader. Because that moment – that perfect, beautiful set-up at the beginning of the story, the in medias res – ? That’s the writer preparing us, not just the story. It’s saying: this is what true looks like. Buckle up. The next time you’re done reading a novel, go back to the opening scene and check out how contextually relevant it is to what went on in the story. If it’s a particular genre, compare it to a masterpiece of that genre, and how those stories open. Guaranteed the masterpiece is the set-up of a world at a collision point, out of which the character has evolved and the destruction of which proves the test of everything the character had understood about Life and her/his own life. It’s that in medias res set-up that determines how the character will face it, and what the outcome must be. It’s all interdependent. If it isn’t, nobody will want to read your story because it simply won’t be true. So how will you create in your in medias res the exact shape, alignment, and position to tell a true story? Filed under Creative Writing, Editing, Fiction, Sandra Chmara, Writing, Writing Advice Tagged as Creative Writing, Fiction, Good Writing, narrative, storytelling, Writing, Writing Advice If you’re using writing prompts to help fire up the creative synapses, they are likely doing more harm than good, especially if you don’t understand why. Confession: I hate prompts, if you haven’t already guessed. I despise everything about them. And because I google the term for research, the gods of algorithm think I must like them a whole lot because suddenly they appear in all my feeds, and not being all that tech savvy I have no idea how to cull them. Seeing them makes my teeth hurt. Prompts make me want to use the F word. Normally I reserve the F word for unique situations prompting my raging, blood-coloured wrath. And now, prompts. There. I said it. (Please don’t think less of me). I’ve increasingly become of the mind that writers must be zealously protective of their own voice, and defiant about outside influence to the point of phobia. For that reason, prompts are like one of those amoebic brain diseases you get when you’re minding your own business enjoying your tropical vacation. Then – BAM! – half your brain is gone and suddenly you can’t do your own taxes anymore. It changes who you are. Prompts come from someone else’s mental space, someone else’s story, someone else’s experiential and perceptual scaffolding. Someone else’s voice. As soon as you start answering to a prompt, no matter how benign it might be, you’re moving away from your own voice and individuality, your own originality, your own story, your own possibilities. Next thing you know you’re Star Trek‘s USS Voyager lost in the Delta Quadrant and, like the hapless Federation vessel, while it took nothing to get pushed tens of thousands of light years from home it will require a potential lifetime, a series of improbable misadventures, luck, and a major con job perpetrated by Future Old You against the Borg Queen just to get back to where you started, and if some unsuspecting redshirt ensign has to die along the way, it’s going to be you. Writing is not like a parade where some clown broadcasts fistfuls of candy while we toddle around like drooling idiots hoping to get more than the next kid. We’re bloodhounds on a scent trail. That scent trail represents the stories that are in us to tell. Prompts act like some perp planting false scents to take us off the trail so we never find our mark. If you’re unable to find anything to write about unless someone prompts you, you need to ask yourself if this is the right road for you. Any teacher who thinks prompts are actually helping (because any writing is good writing, right?) is probably not very knowledgeable about issues around Voice and originality. Writers should be following our own instincts, our own storylines. Everything that exists to pour into a story should well up from within our own internal resources and personal inspirations. It’s the only hope we have to earn Voice, and thus our uniqueness and originality. Try picturing Graham Greene responding to this: Tell the story of Hallowe’en from the perspective of a piece of candy. (Thanks, writingprompts.tumblr.com). Having said that, if you must use them here’s my take on how to avoid allowing them to become developmental poison to you as a writer as well as your projects. Never use anything but a neutral, non-intrusive prompt. If you have a teacher trying to strong-arm you into anything but, refuse. Don’t do it. A neutral prompt is one that introduces minimal outside influence or undesirable voice, ideas, style, or tone into the writer’s work. These would mostly be one word prompts, and are so nondescript they can be easily inserted into any story idea. Bread. But. BUT… Even that seemingly innocent prompt could take you away from the story that’s waiting inside you to be told anyway. That prompt could end up being a creative McGuffin, a false lead that takes you on the wrong scent trail, the wrong conclusions. That’s not even the scariest part. Most of the time there’s a prompt list made available as though giving you an option among many is the good part. Outside the Window The Unrequited love poem The Rocket-ship Dream-catcher (courtesy of thinkwritten.com) That. That right there is a narrative brainworm. All those specific words – together – came from someone else’s subconscious core, biases, and perceptions. Those words have a deeply subconscious meaning to the prompt creator, not you. They will never be about you or your own originality and Voice. Prompts are always about the prompt creator. As a result your mental space has just been subconsciously hijacked by someone else. Whatever your story is, this annoyance is now in your way whether you like it or not, whether you’re conscious of it or not. Say you’re writing about your expedition into the Amazon in search of your grandparents’ story after they died of gullibility in the great mythic rubber fields of Fordlandia. But say you’re all bunged up creatively and you enroll in some writing class hoping to git ‘er done. So you sit down eagerly rubbing your hands together awaiting instruction. Teacher says, “I want five hundred words on the writing prompt he suffered from personal anarchy. Go.“ (taken directly from @writingprompt on Twitter). Personal. Anarchy. Oh, I’d go all right. Straight out the door. I mean, seriously, people? (Serenity now, serenity now.) That’s not just an intrusive prompt, it’s patently awful. It’s highly suggestive of someone else’s (very questionable) voice, thinking, ideas, and tone. No prompt should ever take you away from the possibility of telling your story your way. As soon as you let someone else’s voice dictate anything in your work, you’re doomed. And what if it is a simple prompt like bread? What if it starts you thinking about food symbolism, and you go off on this tangent about the body of Christ and breaking bread with someone? What effect does that have if a circle metaphor would have worked far better to support your story and characters? Deep down, those are very different symbols with different allusions. Getting it wrong could throw the context of your entire story off kilter. Readers have a gut instinct for wrongness even if they can’t pinpoint its sources. It’s so easy to lose your voice, and so very, very hard to regain it. If you need inspiration, trust your own gut and your own developing Voice. Just look around your world, what matters to you. Use anything that speaks to you when you’re stuck. It’s that speaking part that’s coming from the core of who you are that matters most, and it will lead you on your own journey. Because then, what you’re writing about – whatever it is – has already begun taking you to the next part of your journey, and because you’re bringing that speaking part along with you, it will add itself as a vital part of the whole, assuring that not a single step in your personal journey as a writer has been wasted. Do that, and the story inside you will begin to emerge right alongside your authentic Voice. Trust you. Tagged as Creative Writing, Fiction, Good Writing, narrative, prompts, storytelling, Writing, Writing Advice Before you can tell a character’s story, you have to understand how context creates that particular kind of individual with the specific power to influence the world they inhabit, and thus drive narrative. Take a look at the list below, then try to identify the novel it describes: Alluring, dark-haired protagonist born into the best of society goes against her culture’s conventions Tall, dark, handsome, and charming narcissist opens the door to ruin in the name of love With his encouragement she becomes an outcast when she decides to live on her own terms, by her own rules She refuses to see any unpleasant reality for what it is An act of brazenness and defiance at one particular social function outrages society They have one daughter together The end of a pregnancy almost kills her Their love is mutually destructive in ways they never seem to understand Influential people in their social circle turn their backs on them She has only one genuine friend who stands by her side Others pay a heavy price for their choices His spirit is broken by the ruin of their love In the end they face a terrible reckoning for their choices Now, with a few tweaks on the details this could describe just about any romance novel out there. But this isn’t just any novel out there. In fact, it’s not even just one novel, it’s two very distinct narratives, one occupying the literary end of the spectrum, the other genre. How can this be? How can a single, very specific summary fit two totally unique novels? And get away with it. And produce two masterpieces. If you haven’t already guessed, the two novels are Anna Karenina and Gone With The Wind. How did this happen and still work? Context. Every single detail of both novels bears specific and perfect working agency for each particular narrative. Agency is a kind of inherent power to influence, in this case in a fictional context. So how does context work in fiction? Say you took the same narrative summary and superimposed it into Hollywood circa, oh, just now. How would those summary details muscle through? For laughs, let’s call our fake novel Anna Kardashian and take on context point by point. Alluring, dark-haired protagonist born into the best of society goes against her culture’s conventions: … so, um … going against Hollywood’s conventions would take our Anna into the realm of .. morals? and sexual decency? Okkaay, sssure. Tall, dark, handsome, and charming narcissist opens the door to ruin in the name of love: Let’s call him Brhatt Pittsky. He’s an amoral/immoral frat boy she meets at a kegger. Brhatt’s been with some whores in the past but he doesn’t really need them because he can always find girls willing to do the same things for free, so he saves a ton of money that way. To complicate things, one of the girls he uses for booty calls loves him and might/might not already have a child with him. Brhatt’s sole objective is to take Anna’s virginity even though she’s in love with a narcissistic rapper, Kanyley Welkes, who she thinks is totally fabs because of his pseudo-religious prosperity rap message. Unfortunately, although Kanyley is hot for Anna, he doesn’t really love her and wants to marry his cousin to keep it in the family. Brhatt goes after Anna with everything he’s got. With his encouragement she becomes an outcast when she decides to live on her own terms, by her own rules: Ooh, this is getting sticky already. So Brhatt does everything possible to get Anna to let her guard down, showing up at parties and getting friends to manipulate contact until she responds to his intense pressure. He super wants to video himself taking her virginity and gets her alone unchaperoned one night and convinces her that anything that feels so goooood has to be approved by God. When he goes to tape it, he accidentally presses the wrong button on his smartphone and instead of taking a video he ends up with a very blurry nightvision image of his butt crack. She refuses to see any unpleasant reality for what it is: Her motto is: WTF? LOL! An act of brazenness and defiance at one particular social function outrages society: she goes clubbing and, unlike everyone else, is not taking obscene selfies of public sex acts, nor snorting mountains of coke. Once their social circle finds out she’s a virgin, from then on that’s all anyone posts about on FB. Brhatt’s friends make up some pretty funny memes about it too, using Photoshop to superimpose Pepe the Frog’s face over hers to show how virgins have to be ugly to be virgins. None of the memes go viral, though. They have one daughter together: Of course, she gets pregnant her first time, and of course he denies he’s the babydaddy and demands a paternity test. And of course because the Bible says once you fornicate with someone you’re bonded to them for life, she realises she loves him and dedicates herself 100% to the relationship. The end of a pregnancy almost kills her: When her latest pics of the nursery and her mason jar crafts on Pinterest do not go viral she can’t deal and goes on clonazepam. Guys, it was super, super hard. Their love is mutually destructive in ways they never seem to understand: Because they’ve already fornicated, she moves in with him figuring it’s as good as marriage in God’s eyes. She tries to withhold sex so she doesn’t feel bad about herself for continuing to fornicate but he pressures her to do gross stuff that makes her puke and also causes such severe sphincteral atrophy that she needs rectal surgery to prevent excrement from continuously leaking out, but at least it’s not technically fornication. Her frigidity drives him to shag (that’s what the cool kids are calling it these days, right?) his booty-call buddy more regularly, and Anna starts getting paranoid about how much Brhatt truly loves her. Influential people in their social circle refuse to receive them: Obvs! She smells like feces all the time. His rapey frat-boy friends hate her guts more because she thinks they’re a bad influence and won’t let them in the house, thus preventing them from gang-raping her for a rape-fantasy porno they want to post to PornHub. She has only one genuine friend who stands by her side: A mousy sister-in-law whose only interest is children and housekeeping. She doesn’t actually so much as stand by her side as just not get all judgey. Others pay a heavy price for their choices: Her friends say she makes them feel bad and guilty and shameful about all their out-of-wedlock pregnancies with different babydaddies and the drug use, and they wish she would stop being so high and mighty. And also do something about the rectal leakage. His friends are sick of them both for getting in the way of their viral-porn careers. His spirit is broken by the ruin of their love: After trying for too long to undermine her morals and get her to finally do that porno his friends think they can sell on PornHub, he finally does rape her in earnest, then sends pics out in an act of revenge porn. She finally realises that even though they’ve fornicated God will forgive her if she breaks up with him. Probably. But then in an epic turnaround Brhatt realises he likes Anna a little. It makes him sad, but not really. In the end they face a terrible reckoning for their choices: she requires years of therapy and corrective rectal surgery but otherwise just coasts along, eventually getting ultra-religious and distributing L. Ron Hubbard tracts for Scientology. He never finds fame and fortune with his revenge porn which, buried in an ocean of horrific, galling sexual imagery, never, sadly, goes viral. He blames her for his failure. She spends the rest of her life and her family’s fortune hiring lawyers to get the revenge porn images off the net but even after years and decades somehow they always manage to surface. The guy she’s living with, though, is super, super supportive and so sweet. LOL! Yeah, pretty much the same, no? The worlds from which Tolstoy and Mitchell drew not only created their particular heroines and all the bit players, those worlds made it possible to drive powerful narrative through context. The characters have agency because the contexts have agency and thus provide it to them. In a Hollywood context – morally, spiritually, politically, economically – Anna Kardashian could not have been created in a way that might have driven her to Anna Karenina’s particular end. Hollywood has no moral or spiritual or social power to realistically or even hypocritically control, ostracize, and destroy one of their own over an extramarital affair and having a child out of wedlock, or for a defiant need for autonomy when that’s the accepted norm. This strips away the agency of any possible suicide, as well as its power as an end. Oh, Anna Kardashian might still have committed suicide but not with the same causal agency derived from the institutional pressures that snuffed out Anna Karenina’s freedom to choose as a human being and as a woman. Her world had her completely boxed in to an impossible corner, out of which suicide was the only truly autonomous choice she had left, and the only freedom. That’s not within the realm of Anna Kardashian’s story at all, and couldn’t be. You could try working the morality/sexual decency angle against the business-as-usual moral degeneracy of LaLa Land but a socialite with money in today’s Hollywood has more power to turn away from that influence than anyone else in this life. She is not trapped anywhere by anyone, even if her parents or a trust controls the purse strings. If she finds degeneracy too overwhelming she can find belonging and a moral home elsewhere. Anna Karenina, on the other hand, kept ignorant and uneducated by her society, was powerless to survive alone without her husband’s or her lover’s wealth, nor the isolation of a social world that rejected her absolutely. Now, make her a Muslim woman in ISIL-controlled Mosul or Saudi Arabia and we can start talking about the power social, economic, and cultural conditions have to control a woman’s autonomy when that woman isn’t even allowed to set foot in the street without a related male chaperone, nor drive a car, nor hold her own passport. Not in Hollywood, though. Similarly, the contrast between the decadent antebellum South and the Civil War’s brutality (as well as its devastating economic and social effects) create then drive Scarlett and all the others in the story toward their outcomes. Just as the combination of her low Irish and aristocratic coastal French lineages provide her with the “gumption” that allows her to both understand and navigate her rarified world then survive when it falls, the inbred Southern aristocracy of Ashley and Melanie makes it impossible for them to survive on their own when their world is stripped of its beauty and grace. Rhett, too, as a reject of that world, becomes detached from its value and autonomously survives on his own terms, allowing him to manipulate Scarlett into doing the same except with consequences he doesn’t foresee (because she is not entirely like him, and he is not as entirely unlike his world). Not even the LA Riots visited the total destruction of a way of life represented in GWTW to provide a modern equivalent of Mitchell’s complex statement about character and survival. It’s the conflicted pressures of those contexts that propel Anna to her final scene. The antebellum/post-Civil-War South contexts created Scarlett O’Hara, and for the same reasons Anna is driven toward her suicidal end, context makes that same ending for Scarlett impossible. In fact, in great fiction the opening lines and scene become the absolute nexus point of all those contexts, out of which the story runs like a torrent on its own power. Take context away and the only power a story has left is plot and writing style, and those are almost never enough to carry a narrative without leaving the reader feeling like they just ate a meal that was mostly carbs and empty calories. Why is context so important? Because it’s the way life works, and the best stories tell us the most about ourselves and our world in the best possible ways. Every single experience we have, our history, our culture and social/familial conditions create the context from which our very being arises. And because they create us, they create the directions in which we’re pushed and pulled, and they create within us the agency (or lack of it) to either react from basic animal instinct or respond as conscious beings to whatever happens to us. Get context wrong or ignore it, and you signal to readers that you don’t understand much about life or people, or that you’re a simple-minded fool. Take a look at how context has worked in your life and in the lives of the people you know. How are you giving your stories the contextual substance necessary for the kind of agency and self-propelling momentum that can get readers truly engaged with your story? Filed under Creative Writing, Fiction, Sandra Chmara, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing Advice Necessary parts? Check. Snazzy image of what it’s supposed to look like in the end? Check. Tools? Check. Handy-dandy instruction manual? Check. Armchair generals? Check. Know-how (you’ve used a hammer before) – aaand check. Yet somehow it’s not working. Where’s the disconnect between the job you think you’ve done and the one you actually did? Where does it all go wrong to make publishers’ veins pop, and drive readers straight to Netflix? COMPONENTS: Having all the necessary parts is not the same as understanding what they’re for and how they all fit together. Most writers are task literate (composition) but process illiterate (narrative), which makes getting from beautiful image to beautiful finished product extremely challenging if not impossible. Putting a story together doesn’t make the bits and pieces mean something developmentally, whether the plotting dominoes seem to all line up or there’s minimal plot. That’s what writers get so wrong. But don’t feel bad. Most published fiction demonstrates the same process illiteracy (yes, even famous writers), which is why a novel might tank; the writer’s high-level task literacy blinds publishers to the novel’s deeper infrastructural deficits. Sometimes, the publisher mistakes a pile of random garbage for a highly experimental and non-linear work of art. Readers know otherwise, though. In the aggregate, they know the difference between a pile of random garbage and, say, The Sound And The Fury. PERSPECTIVE: You don’t have the right perspective to understand how the image in your head will become the thing itself. This is not your fault. You came to the project impeded by the notion that as long as you had tools and instructions you could get results, but nobody taught you how to see holistically and strategically like an architect and engineer instead of just a putterer or, at best, a builder. TOOLS: The best tools in the world mean nothing if you don’t know what you’re doing or how to get them to work for you. But what if the project calls for tools you didn’t even know existed: you don’t know what they are, where you can get them, or how to use them. How can any project come to fruition with such an impediment? Most possess only the most rudimentary tools. For writers the toolbox might contain lexical, syntactical, scenic, and symbolic tools. What you really need in order to do well, though, is not even on the radar or in your budget (because, believe it or not, projects of this nature require a certain amount of investment). So you end up taking a short cut trying to use a Phillips head when you really need a spline drive, with all the expected results. For writers, that means having minimal (but mostly zero) developmental or narrative tools available. INSTRUCTIONS: Instructions are always torture because they’re generalized and have been filtered through the mind of someone who isn’t you, therefore your specific process and task illiteracy are contaminated and obstructed by their general process and task literacy. In the end this difference will cost you in terms of excess or missing parts and a poor quality outcome. And why wouldn’t it? Truly, the project isn’t really yours anyhow, is it? ARMCHAIR GENERALS: What armchair generals see is based on what they know, not on who you are or what your project is about. Unlike instruction-makers, the problem with armchair generals is that they likely don’t know more than you, and possibly less. They’d be shouting the same things from the comfort of their armchairs no matter what, so any advice will not likely help you be more knowledgeable or produce a more meaningful outcome. KNOW-HOW: Maybe this is about skill, maybe it’s about talent. Or both. Take a look at some of the DIY web sites out there (I’m looking at you Hometalk, you endless click-baity letdown) and you’ll notice some people who put an excruciating, unconscionable amount of effort and time into creating something awful. All the know-how is there but what they do with it and the direction they take it is just mind-bogglingly senseless, adding nothing to the sum of things for anyone but themselves. Well, writing isn’t a project hanging on the rec room wall for personal pleasure. Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as long as that eye is yours and yours alone – or the five people in the world with your exact aesthetic sensibilities or sufficient pity for your dedication and passion. No. Writers must share, and relate, and make others see the worth and meaning of what they see and what they’ve created. If you can’t do that, if you’re the only one who sees it or you can’t make anyone else see it, maybe you’re just not made for this work. You should not be making this dang thing in the first place. So just slowly back away before someone gets hurt. Chances are, it’ll be you. Filed under Creative Writing, Fiction, Publishing, Sandra Chmara, Writing, Writing Advice Tagged as Creative Writing, Fiction, narrative, storytelling, Writing, Writing Advice When we go to the grocery store we can never really tell if the fruit or vegetables are bad until we sink our teeth into dry, pulpy disappointment. We all have books on our shelves we’ve loathed, books that make us mourn the trees sacrificed for nothing and that we’ve judged not worth the time stolen to read them. If you believe this Nielsen data graph (courtesy of ingenta.com) on the performance of fiction in the marketplace, you have to know it represents people increasingly becoming disappointed in fiction. And yes, that’s a nearly 50% drop you see there in General Fiction over the course of a mere decade. You also have to know that the true statistic would be far worse if they included readers who keep buying books that keep on disappointing but there’s no way to count disgust or disinterest after good money has already been laid down. Just for funsies, how many of you out there have ever returned a novel because it stunk? It would be interesting to find out. But more importantly it would be interesting to find out why readers don’t return terrible books, so in the comments section tell us why you don’t treat rotten fiction like rotten fruit. Should we be sending that message to the industry and to writers for failing readers? Filed under Fiction, Publishing, Sandra Chmara, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged as books, critique, Fiction, Good Writing, narrative, Writing A few posts back I published 10 Non-Negotiable Qualities Of A Timeless Story. Here’s another ten. 11. Narrative before writing In the writing paradigm, writing comes first. Most often, it’s the only consideration. It’s a symptom of our narcissistic age where anything that serves the Self supersedes anything that serves the Other. So naturally we’ve moved away from any narrative approach that puts the reader’s interests on the radar. You see it a lot at the higher levels of literary writing: the complex or experimental pieces submitted to a group for review, which everyone else feels too inferior or stupid to critique. Silence feeds the writer’s hubris about his/her own intellect rather than serving as proof of the work’s utter failure to reach the reader on any level. After all, everyone knows that if it’s incomprehensible the writer must be extra-extra smart and, well, there’s not much we doofus types can add. Incoherence does not equal smart. If you’re a writer who thinks stream-of-consciousness means just yakking out whatever comes to mind until the last yellow drop of literary bile has drained out, then you don’t understand that stream-of-consciousness is just fiction that’s been left to the reader to approach archaeologically or forensically. But it’s still narrative and there’s still has to be something there for the reader. If you’re not reaching the reader through narrative, none of the fancy tricks of writing will help. The best writers know that communicating with the reader comes before the way you use the language. If you don’t have a story to tell, then all the lovingly crafted language and lyricism or from-the-hip adjectiveless, adverbless plainwriting in the world might as well be left in a journal where you can admire yourself whenever you like. Narrative is for the reader. Writing is for the writer. How does this matter? Because as soon as the reader starts noticing the writing, the writer has failed. This has nothing to do with whether or not a writer produces quotable writing or beautiful passages. It means the writing can’t be an intrusive force. Writing should serve as invisible an element beneath the story as breathing, no matter the style. The greats have always known this. 12. Narrative over ideology Most writers use fiction as a platform through which their worldview can be realized. Often, they don’t even know this is what’s happening but even if they do they usually lack the objectivity or critical thinking to be bigger than their own perspective. They just want their characters to tell the world how it should be. First-rate writers do this, of course, but they also simultaneously hold their ideals out at arm’s length, then brutally test them within the confines of their story world. They are able to boldly cope with moral, ethical, religious, political realities that are in direct and painful conflict with their own. They remorselessly call their own ideals to task. Great fiction is never an ideological screed or manifesto even when it takes a powerful stance for or against something personally meaningful to the writer. Ultimately, nothing is more important than creating the most honest kind of story, and the born writer knows that’s impossible if it’s filtered through a skewed and rigid ideological lens. The truth within belief systems comes and goes. The truth that lies beyond that is forever. That’s what great writers aim for. Like a martial arts master aiming toward a point on the other side of a concrete block. 13. Humanity over ideology Having said that, the best novels serve as public demonstrations of intensely personal values. That’s not a contradiction of the above point. The first concern is always the human story, not the screed that will be masked by a story. In fact, the human story is usually so richly expressed, and with such complexity, that even if there’s a position involved it just doesn’t seem like the important part for readers. That’s because great storytellers don’t pit a particular Me against a particular You, even though the conditions of the story may be highly particularized. They do this by making sure that all their characters are threaded into the larger human tapestry, not just the ones that serve the writer’s value system. Villains exist (they must) but powerful writers approach Other without dehumanizing, demeaning, or demonizing. Or by turning them into caricature. Similarly, the characters representing the writer’s values don’t get the kid glove treatment either. The writer has the magnanimity to make their ideal pitiful, ridiculous, mock-worthy, or even contemptible, all without losing their purpose. Strong writers write from – and to – an essential humanity against which no particulars of any ideology are able to survive. There is no Me and You. It’s just Us. 14. Reader before writer Similar to Story Before Writing, but not quite. A good host makes sure their guests have the best time possible – even if the host has spent the entire party serving canapes and topping up drinks and whisking away dirty dishes. Writers are inviting readers to a narrative party. Writers who put their own needs and ego ahead of the reader’s engagement is like inviting a bunch of people over then serving rain juice and sawdust crackers (because converting your guests over to your dietary morals was your true ulterior motive), and spending the entire time making sure you’re the one having the best time. A really great host (even if not a great human being) will make an effort to give guests something worth coming for – and hopefully worth coming back for next time. Otherwise, don’t have a party. Sit at home with your rain juice and sawdust crackers and enjoy them the way they’re meant to be enjoyed – solo. Give the reader something more important than what you want. 15. The second glance This is a quality that adds longevity to a story. It’s a deep complexity that makes the story somehow different the next time you read it. And there always is a next time when a story is among the best. Read this post for a more detailed look at what goes into giving readers a chance at the second glance. 16. Writing Clarity. It doesn’t matter whether it’s lyrical or the flattest prose possible, writing that lacks clarity, control, and confidence is like listening to a third rate actor butcher an Australian accent. The agonizing effort and lack of skill and overconfidence scream out from the text. The best writing just disappears into narrative. How and when to use punctuation, vernacular, switching back and forth between voices and times and points of view – all happens like a great conversation that veers from news to the utterly private to politics and religion without awkward pauses or anyone even noticing the switch. Don’t know if you have clarity, confidence, or control? Let’s give’er a go. This sample has everything I usually seen in manuscripts. Lots of adjectives and adverbs, time flips, over-the-top actions, digressions, regressions, unbelievable dialogue/vocalizations, odd metaphors. Kimmie trudged her way heart-breakingly across the dark and creepy room screaming and crying, so hard it was like her heart had exited her body and was now in the room and it was going to beat her to death with its throbbing pulse. She trudged on, her feet like lead torpedoes, a fist in the air, her mouth in a hideous, malformed grimace, saliva slathering down her chin, tears pouring like a water spout. “No, No, NOOOOoooo,” she kept crying. With shoulders shaking with every heaving sob, she shook her clenched fist and lamented grievously, “DAMN YOU!!!!”, and when she reached the fireplace mantle she let out an animalistic “RRRRrrrr!” as she beat the fireplace mantle with both fists, screaming wildly and painfully, then sweeping the candlesticks and remote controls and vases off. They start falling around her sobbing shoulders in a rain of glittering glass and flashing metal and glowing plastic, and as her perceptions gear down into slo-mo, she stupefyingly watches the candlesticks fly by like existential nunchuks, end over end, their brass glinting in the twinkling light of the hot, searing sun. The remote controls make contact with the gleaming marble of the old Victorian fireplace mantle made of hard wood, and split open like rectangular electronic skulls, their brain matter exploding off in every direction like the shrapnel that had hit Joe back in ‘Nam in the MeKong Delta when he served as a gunner in the Brown Water Navy and they used to patrol through snipers and booby-trapped sampans, and he’d tell her the mosquitoes and leeches were almost worse than the war itself. Suddenly she sees the vase spinning through the air toward her, the beautiful, gorgeous yellow bohemian art glass vase in mint condition with hand-painted white roses that he’d bought for her at a flea market in Sacramento back in ’78 when they were still young and in love and he still thought about all the little things that make a relationship worthwhile, and it was such a good deal at forty five dollars and some change and went perfectly with her decor, so she reached out one hand like a ninja and saved the vase. Then she crumpled to the ground, still clutching the vase, and sobs incoherently, “why me, why me, why me? WHYYYY?” You’re welcome. Indeed, why any of us? If this sounds like you, start asking yourself if each word, sentence, phrase, paragraph, and scene answers to clarity (are you communicating something that serves the purpose of your story?), control (are you using only the most value-added words, sentences, phrases, paragraphs, and scenes?), and confidence (do your words, sentences, phrases, paragraphs, and scenes represent your authenticity and mastery as a human being as well as a writer?) Just like memorable, effortless conversations are a rarity in life, it’s a rarity in fiction. 17. Voice Writing is the expressed You. Voice is just you. If you were standing with a group of people at a party and you started talking like your writing, would people start inching away backwards, then spend the rest of the night avoiding eye contact with you, and every time you came near they’d hide out in the washroom until the coast was clear? When you know who you are you have a voice. When you have a voice, you have the control and confidence to make powerful use of it. When you make the most powerful use of your voice you don’t need tricks to impress anyone. A writer able to write from his/her own authenticity and mastery is a writer with a powerful voice. 19. Authenticity is internal Related to voice, but not quite. You won’t find out how to become your most authentic self as a writer by letting other writers tell you what that should look like. If you need prompts to write or you have to look to others for ideas, the road toward your own true voice will be a lot more difficult. First-rate writers have the opposite problem: too many ideas and not enough time to make them all happen. That’s not to say there’s no writer’s block, but that’s something completely different. The only way you can become authentic is by staring yourself down in your own existential mirror to find out what you’re truly made of, because this is where all writing starts. It’s not good ideas. It’s not using the latest software or joining the hottest group or enrolling in the best writing program. You are It. The Source. The Root. The Cause. It’s all in there, and you’re the one who has to get it out. Nobody else. That’s where authenticity comes from, and it’s where you’ll find your voice. 19. Allowable Input The more serious/credible the writer, the fewer people they allow into their creative world. First rate writers do not expose themselves or their writing to third rate talent. Or second-rate, for that matter. Sometimes not even first-rate, because who is worthy or not is so personal and subjective. That’s because first rate writers protect their voices and their ideas with a jealousy bordering on pathological. There will usually be one or two people they can entrust with their work and their voices. Take a page from their behaviours. Choose carefully who you let influence the kind of work you produce, your ideas. Ask yourself: can this person help your writing become the most you – or the most them? It’s your voice. 20. Mastery is all DIY Nobody can make you a better writer than you are willing to be – and it all comes from inside you, not from being around the right people or getting a hand-up. Even opened doors and knowing the right people won’t help if you don’t show up prepared with the goods. It’s something you have to do for yourself.The learning curve is yours, it’s steep, and there’s no short-cut. There is never a short cut. Filed under Fiction, Sandra Chmara, Writing, Writing Advice Tagged as Fiction, how to master writing, how to write well, narrative, Sandra Chmara, Secrets of Great Writing, storytelling, Writing, Writing Advice A follower of this blog brought up an excellent point about an earlier post quoting John Irving: Know the story—as much of the story as you can possibly know, if not the whole story—before you commit yourself to the first paragraph….If you don’t know the story before you begin the story, what kind of a storyteller are you? She confessed that while she appreciated – aw, heck, I’ll just let her say it herself: I appreciate the quote, but I have to say it does make me feel badly about myself. What kind of a storyteller am I? Is “beginner” allowed? How do you get to know the whole story if you don’t commit yourself to writing it down? -pierrmorgan For some insight on what John Irving meant and the difference between writing and storytelling, read the commentary on that post. The Know Your Story series that will begin with this post will be strictly to help writers find their way toward what Irving meant by knowing the story before you start writing the story. In other words, narrative – the part you’re delivering to the reader. Seinfeld famously proclaimed to be a show about nothing. But we all know it was anything but. It was a canny satire on our society and on what we’ve become within it. Had the show come into existence out of Soviet Russia, it would have been its own canny satire on their society. I mean, let’s face it, Kramer being picked up off the street in broad daylight by the internal police of the US Postal Service has a very different tenor than a Kramerski being picked up off some Moscow street by anyone. We’re different societies but what would have stayed the same is our fundamental take on our own in/humanity and how we can frame our responses. But to say that it was about “nothing” is about the most gutsy way to make fun of human stupidity. It’s absurdly existential, almost “nothingness”, but not quite. Because we can’t take ourselves that seriously, after all. What if their one word hadn’t been “nothing”? What if it had been “friendship”? Or “absurdity”? Doesn’t it totally take the wind out of the show’s sails to lose that winking consciousness? It’s because the show nailed it with “nothing” that it somehow dug itself deep inside our perceptions of our own time, allowing us to laugh at ourselves in a different way from, say, Friends, which was about almost the same things – a pack of disconnected NY idiots living rectum-deep inside each others’ lives and doing stupid things all the time. Difference? One took itself seriously, the other knew it couldn’t possibly. Seinfeld knew we’re the sideshow. Friends played the sideshow straight. There is a knowingness about “nothing” that will put Seinfeld on a completely different map than Friends when we’re looking back at some of the most important shows of that time. What one thing is your story about? This must be a moral, psychological, philosophical, spiritual, or emotional point, because we respond viscerally to the roiling mess that defines our very humanity, which distinguishes us from animals. Find that one apt, incisive word to encapsulate the story you want to write. This is so hard it hurts, because really, no story is ever about one thing, right? Except they all are. Well, the best are. If we were to divide storytelling into two categories – For The Writer and For The Reader – this would be a strategic device mainly for the writer, the bull’s eye whose center the writer aims for every time, with every word and paragraph and chapter, with that one idea in boldface across its middle. The benefits of getting this right serve the reader too, yes, in the long run. But only if it serves the writer first. Whenever a word, sentence, paragraph, scene, character trait or choice ceases to serve the one word, it is no longer the story you intended to communicate. Try. Here are some of my best guesses: Misery: possession Anna Karenina: genuineness Gone Girl: self-deception Middlesex: identity The Quiet American: treachery Yes, Anna Karenina is about adultery, love, romance, society, but what brings the story to its awful boil is the way Anna’s need to be genuine to her own ideals – in opposition to all those other things – plays out. Levin’s story is pushed through the same sieve. As is Kitty’s. If it were not about genuineness, it would not be much of a story. Just stuff happening. Find that human center of your story. Name it. This is so important that if you get it wrong, it will bruise the delicate reader like a pea under a pile of mattresses. S/he will know you are claiming to be Seinfeld but delivering Friends, or vice versa. Or worse, the not-Seinfeld kind of nothing without the sly wink. If it doesn’t click with our moral, emotional, psychic cores it will have no pull for the reader. Or the wrong pull. Tap into human need, fear, anxiety – Think about it. Would you rather read a story about alcoholism, or one about disintegration? The Shining knows. Someone wrote a very promising supernatural story – I won’t name it because its quality doesn’t justify free promotion – in which a quirky, phlegmatic stranger appears in the protagonist’s life. Spoiler: turns out he’s an angel with a miracle earmarked for the end of the story because the protagonist is so deserving in his goodness. Deserving was clearly the story’s one word. It was practically horse-whipped onto each page. What did the protagonist do to deserve a forthcoming miracle? He spun a zany cast of friends around him who kept up several unrelated and pointless running subplots. He let his Alzheimer’s dad live with him and didn’t complain. He didn’t hate his ex-wife. Took care of his son. With every chapter the steam just drained out of this story as it darted between wacky sitcom schtick and the everyday toils of the Everyman to build up to … absolutely nothing. When the miracle is finally delivered (spoiler: the protagonist’s only child is saved from drowning and his wife comes back to him when she realizes she made an oopsie.) the reader is left to ask what part deserving had in anything. The focus on deserving had this effect: it made the miracle mysterious but the deserving unearned – if the miraculous can even be deserved to begin with. It’s the deserving/earning thing that’s suspect. The idea that anything in the realm of the mysterious can be earned or deserved (over all others striving for same) suggests something very dark and horrifying and categorical about our individual worth in the world. The truth is, like the ordinary, the miraculous just happens. There’s no scale measuring our worth that triggers its dispensation. Go to Lourdes and pray, and if anything were to happen it would not be based on how much anyone deserved it. There’s always someone who can claim to deserve it more. If we deserve a miracle it pits our worth as human beings against the randomness of the human experience. We deserve cancer? We deserve to be T-boned into oblivion on our vacation? Deserving is the wrong one word. It cannot be sustained in any way that makes sense in reality, even factoring in the divine. Who decides? God? Then why bother with a story attempting to justify why this person and not that one deserves the miracle more? It’s something that absolutely cannot be justified by people sporting more than one brain cell. Let’s change the one word. Putting the story’s focus on miraculous would make human ordinariness miraculous and the miraculous mysterious, even if nothing else in the story changes. The protagonist is still an Everyman. There could still be a suggestion of something magical about the stranger, except it can now be written in such a way that it’s never overt, and left to the reader – or protagonist – to interpret. How the boy was saved and how the wife came back can be left open-ended, subject to the personal frame of reference of each reader. Now that’s a story with the potential to pack a real punch. Oh, plus the pointless sitcom schtick has got to go. Got to. It doesn’t serve the one word. So ask yourself what would be your one word; better still, ask what would be the best, most apt one word to help you know your story before you even start writing it. Think about how different your story would be if your one word was slightly off, or wrong, or … … perfect. Tagged as Creative Writing, Fiction, how to write well, Sandra Chmara, Secrets of Great Writing, storytelling, Writing, Writing Advice	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613074
__label__wiki	0.58386	0.58386	Save the Lagoon Indian River Lagoon is in Crisis Sign & Share to Stop Lake Okeechobee Discharging Tag Archives: lake okeechobee Water Quality equal to Boston Harbor’s RAW SEWAGE dumping Posted on August 12, 2013 by Piaffe and Prosecco Source: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/aug/11/move-over-fertilizer-septic-tank-drainage-also/ Investigation: Move over fertilizer; septic tank drainage also contaminating Indian River Lagoon Study found nutrient levels in Indian River Lagoon as high as Boston Harbor’s when raw sewage was dumped there By Scott Wyland Posted August 11, 2013 at 4 a.m. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU TC Palm for writing this article and making it front page news on Sunday. But let’s lead with the big fact – Harbor Branch has concluded that the contamination levels in Indian River Lagoon are comparable to that of Boston Harbor/Storrow River when the city was dumping RAW SEWAGE into the water. Does this not freak anyone else out?? I lived in Boston for eight lovely years, I boated about in the Storrow. Any time the water splashed on you – you panicked. You immediately dried yourself off. I remember advertisements for volunteers for harbor and fens clean up – one looking for volunteers to help clean up the “human debris” aka bodies. We’re comparable to that????? Hello freak out button. I can’t even explain how horrible the water conditions were there. It’s also alarming that we’re polluting on the level of one of the largest cities in the US (note: they’ve made major efforts for clean up, kudos Boston). The population in Okechobee is 5600. The affected towns along the river are also clearly not Boston si An angler launches a boat from his Sebastian waterfront home and zooms across the Indian River Lagoon to where his favorite sea grass bed was once teeming with fish he could almost grab with his bare hands. But the sea grass and fish are gone. Clumps of algae now mottle the sandy bottom in the nearly barren, tea-colored water. Harlan Franklin glances at several dolphins frolicking in the distance, a majestic sight for many people but a frustrating one for him. He would rather see fish. Franklin, a former fishing columnist, blames the runoff funneled through canals into the lagoon for killing the sea grass. Septic tanks that leach into canals, groundwater and the lagoon contribute to the pollution, he said, though he’s not sure how much. “I moved here to fish,” said Franklin, who has lived near the lagoon since 2006. “It’s a major disappointment.” Researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce have found sewage contaminating the entire 156-mile lagoon. Indian River County’s levels are comparable to Boston Harbor’s when raw sewage was dumped there, a new water analysis shows. Despite growing evidence that septic tanks play a role in the lagoon’s degradation, most elected leaders are hesitant to tackle this part of the problem, largely because many property owners oppose increased septic regulations, a Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers investigation found. Some scientists and regulatory agencies point to fertilizers as the main source of the nutrient runoff generating heavy algae in the lagoon. But Harbor Branch professor Brian LaPointe believes sewage carries more of the nutrients spurring algae growth. “It’s really unclear how much fertilizer is reaching the lagoon,” LaPointe said. “But one septic tank on 4 acres — that’s enough to create a nutrient problem.” Algal blooms block sunlight that sea grass needs to thrive. As the algae decompose, they deplete oxygen, which can suffocate sea grass and fish, turning clear, biodiverse waters into a murky dead zone. Local treatment plants discharge some effluent, though most wastewater in the lagoon comes from septic tanks, said LaPointe, who has studied sewage impacts on waterways for 30 years. There are about 120,000 septic systems on the Treasure Coast, the newspaper investigation found. As many as half were installed before stricter regulations were enacted in 1983, making them more likely to drain sewage into groundwater that ends up in the lagoon, according to data from the counties and Harbor Branch. No one knows how many systems affect the lagoon, and recordkeeping is sketchier on older septic tanks that could cause the most harm. One thing is certain: sewage taints the estuary. LaPointe’s research team took a total of three lagoon-wide samples in 2011 and 2012 and found nitrogen isotopes in the algae, an element directly linked to sewage. Elevated levels of ammonium and nitrate also were detected, LaPointe said, noting anything above 3 parts per million indicates sewage. He called the findings a smoking gun. All three counties on the Treasure Coast showed at least 5 parts per million. Indian River County had as much as 9 parts per million, putting it on par with troubled water bodies such as Boston Harbor, according to the research. “I was taken aback by that,” LaPointe said. “We don’t just have a problem, we have a serious problem.” OWNERS RESIST North America’s most biodiverse estuary is losing some of its wildlife. Much of the red algae, known as gracilaria, has a toxic residue LaPointe and other researchers think might have killed 145 manatees, more than 50 dolphins and about 300 pelicans in the lagoon earlier this year in Brevard County. Manatees munched on the stringy algae when it overtook sea grass, their normal dietary staple. Dolphins and pelicans eat fish that ingest the algae. Sea grass is a vital part of the lagoon’s food web, feeding small fish and mussels larger creatures eat. An estimated 47,000 acres of sea grass has died north of Fort Pierce since 2007, experts say. In areas where it has vanished, most manatees and many fish species have left in search of better pickings, creating dead zones. Aside from nutrients — such as nitrogen and phosphorous — sewage also contains coliform bacteria, viruses, prescription drugs and anything else flushed down the toilet, LaPointe said. A conservationist criticizes what he says is public leaders’ reluctance to impose measures to keep septic sewage from harming the lagoon’s ecosystem. “They have been neglecting, ignoring these septic systems,” said Richard Baker, president of the Pelican Island Audubon Society in Indian River County. “It’s very frustrating that we don’t see more actions taking place. There’s a lot of evidence that groundwater is carrying sewage into the lagoon.” One option would be to install public sewer lines in areas that don’t have them and order nearby septic tank users to hook in, Baker said. Another would be toughening codes to require faulty systems to be fixed or scrapped. Property owners are some of the staunchest opponents to government telling them what to do with their septic systems, especially if the changes cost money. Elected leaders tend to align with their constituents. Replacing a tank and drainfield costs between $5,000 and $7,000 depending on the size of the home, according to vendors. If soil must be replaced, the cost of trucking in sand can bump the price to $10,000 or more. “You start telling people they got to pay that, they’re going to tell you to stuff it,” said Franklin, who’s hooked to county sewer but is sympathetic to neighbors with septic tanks. In 2003, Indian River County attempted to connect residents in Wabasso and Pine islands to county sewer and water lines. County officials backed off when residents complained they couldn’t afford the costs, estimated at $5,000 or more. SEEKING SUBSIDIES Indian River County Commissioner Tim Zorc, who wants to restore the lagoon’s health, believes a surgical approach — targeting subpar septic tanks — is less divisive than trying to overhaul an entire area such as the barrier island. “We want to be practical,” Zorc said. “You have to prioritize your areas. Not all systems have to be replaced.” Newer septic tanks have better filtration and funnel less solid waste to underground drainfields, which means less sewage would leach into groundwater and the lagoon, said Zorc, a longtime builder. Still, even well-functioning systems can pollute the lagoon if they were built too close to the water, Zorc said. In that case, the household should connect to a central sewer. The main snag is cost, Zorc said. Baker said there are loan programs that let people pay for sewer connections over time at a lower interest rate. So fees should not be a barrier, he said. County and city programs differ. County residents close enough to sewer lines to hook up would pay could pay the $2,800 connection fee over five years at a 5.75 percent interest rate, said Cindy Corrente, county utilities manager. About 3,000 households in Vero Beach’s service area are on septic, but only 10 have access to city sewer, so the rest would need to pay $15,000-plus to have new lines installed, said Rob Bolton, the city’s water and sewer director. These customers could spread the payments throughout 20 years while paying interest at about the prime rate, Bolton said. Grants also might be available to help homeowners pay for upgrades or to hook to a municipal sewer if it protects a major water resource, Zorc said, adding he will ask water management officials, state lawmakers and congressional leaders about possible grants. However, state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he’s not inclined to change people’s methods for sewage disposal or pursue state and federal grants to pay for the changes. He said he voted to repeal the state law requiring septic tank inspections, believing it was undue government intrusion. Negron, who spearheaded a state Senate committee to study the lagoon’s ills, said he wants to concentrate on restoring the Everglades and countering the harmful effects of Lake Okeechobee releases. Still, he is willing to listen to LaPointe, whom U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, invited to speak about septic pollution at the committee’s Aug. 22 meeting in Stuart. AGING SYSTEMS Septic systems installed before 1983 cause the most concern. Aside from aging, the systems can be 25 feet from waterways — some are closer — and the drainfields that hold waste can be 6 inches above groundwater. State codes enacted in 1983 require the systems to be set back at least 50 feet from a waterway and the drainfield to be at least 2 feet above groundwater. However, the old systems — some of them installed in the 1960s — were grandfathered in. Even if they’re replaced, the owners can keep the 25-foot setback from surface water, said Cheryl Dunn, Indian River County’s environmental health director. If well-maintained, the average septic system works properly for about 18 years, Dunn said. Dunn said her health agents don’t look at a septic system unless someone complains, usually because of a stench. A failing system leaks long before it emits foul odors, she said. “That’s the problem with septic systems,” Dunn said. “They’re put into the ground and forgotten.” SEWAGE BUILD-UP Lagoon sewage is the worst in Indian River County, especially during the rainy season. Heavy storm runoff funneled through the main relief canal combined with a lack of incoming saltwater cause sewage levels to swell, experts say. Tests show the nutrients that feed algal blooms were the highest when salinity was the lowest, and it coincided with water control districts releasing a high volume of stormwater, LaPointe said. Dumping stormwater here has a similar effect, though on a smaller scale, as Lake Okeechobee’s freshwater being released into the St. Lucie River, LaPointe said. Increased stormwater carries more sewage, he said, noting the nitrogen isotopes — a chief sewage indicator — spiked to 9 parts per million during the wet seasons. Another lagoon researcher said the water is often stagnant, allowing nutrients to build up. Much of the lagoon north of Fort Pierce is enclosed, and the Sebastian Inlet is too small to flush it out adequately, said Grant Gilmore, senior scientist for Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, a Vero Beach research firm. The county also has thousands of septic systems in low areas near the lagoon, which itself is troublesome, LaPointe said. In the coming year, a Harbor Branch student will trace the sources of the lagoon’s sewage. That will include looking at canals that link the lagoon to areas with septic systems. LaPointe and Franklin both say urbanization has dealt a double blow to the lagoon. Marshes that captured and filtered runoff were replaced with subdivisions that drain more waste into the lagoon, they say. Franklin slows his boat as he cruises through a manatee protection zone not far from his house. He grumbles that the slow zone is pointless because there are no more manatees here. “I’m 84, and they’re not going to fix this in my lifetime,” he said. Click here to see a graphic showing dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels, which feed algae blooms in the lagoon. Click here for a chart showing nitrogen isotopes in microalgae from sewage impacted coastal waters. Click here for a chart that represents the amount of macroalgae recorded in the Indian River Lagoon during 2011 and 2012. It also shows the amount of macroalgae represented when when sewage is present. Factoids: SEPTIC SYSTEM PERMITS Indian River County:37,000, roughly half issued before 1983. Of the 900 systems on the barrier island — where they’re more likely to be near waterways — 747 are more than 30 years old St. Lucie County:45,000, about 18,000 date back before 1983 Martin County: 40,000, officials didn’t know how many predate 1983 OLDER VS/ NEWER SEPTIC SYSTEMS Before 1983: • Septic systems could be 25 feet from waterways, and some were allowed to be closer. • Drainfields that hold waste can be 6 inches above groundwater at seasonal high. • Roughly half of Florida’s 2.7 million septic systems were installed before 1983. 1983 and later: • Septic systems must be at least 50 feet from a waterway • Drainfields must be at least 2 feet above groundwater at seasonal high. • Pre-1983 systems grandfathered in. Source: Florida Department of Health A law passed in 2010 required homeowners to inspect septic systems at their expense every five years and called for health officials to ensure all 2.7 million systems statewide were checked every five years. If serious flaws were found, such as leaky tanks, the owners would have to repair or replace the systems. The law stirred an outcry. Homeowners, tea party leaders and other critics pressured the Legislature into repealing the law in 2012. Counties were put in charge of inspections and can choose not to do them. Indian River and St. Lucie counties do no routine inspections. Martin County inspects about 120 systems yearly, a fraction of its inventory. Posted in Research Tagged boston, dumping, fort pierce, indian river, indian river lagoon, intracoastal, jensen beach, lake okeechobee, pollution, raw sewage, septic tanks, storrow river, stuart, tc palm, vero beach, water quality Leave a comment Malcom “Bubba” Wade can suck our infected water. JENSEN BEACH — If Malcolm “Bubba” Wade felt a twinge of sympathy for the dumped-on St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon, his glib tone did a fine job of masking it. “Another red letter day for the Sugar Barons,” he said, apparently joking, during Thursday’s meeting of the Water Resources Advisory Commission, where his industry was booed by fed-up locals in the audience. Wade, a vice president with U.S. Sugar Corp., then proceeded to criticize the one idea that advocates believe could bring real relief from the massive discharges of Lake Okeechobee water: The construction of a “flow way” south. “Just be careful about using as your No. 1 tactical weapon your flow way. I think it could backfire on you,” the mustachioed sugar exec said during the meeting at Indian RiverSide Park, where signs are posted warning of blue-green algae in the lagoon. Mark Perry, another commission member and executive director of Florida Oceanographic Society, recently renewed the push for a flow way from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades. He and other river advocates say it offers a remedy to the releases that have prompted toxic algae blooms in the St. Lucie River. But Wade didn’t want to give the concept any traction. He claimed the idea — specifically the modified “Plan 6” proposal that would require buying 53,000 acres south of the lake — “didn’t make sense” when it was proposed years ago “and it makes no more sense today.” He offered no alternative, just deflection of blame for the St. Lucie River’s current crisis. “Your problem with that water is not us,” Wade told the commission, which advises the South Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. “It’s north of the lake.” His position of opposition shouldn’t surprise anyone. U.S. Sugar and the state’s other giant sugar company, Florida Crystals, have sweet deals in the Everglades Agricultural Area. They get prime irrigation for their crops, and their industries are propped up by federal price supports in the Farm Bill. What was surprising was how little pushback Wade got from the majority of the Water Resources Advisory Commission. Kevin Powers, a Martin County native, is vice chair of the commission and of the water management district’s Governing Board. He lives on the St. Lucie River in Stuart, and his late father, Timer Powers, was a well-respected leader who helped broker landmark water deals. Kevin Powers has an opportunity to emerge as a leader in this crisis, but he was largely silent Thursday. As a start, he could help by reviving talks about buying more land south of the lake. The South Florida Water Management District has six years remaining on an option to buy 107,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee from U.S. Sugar. Perry said the district should “absolutely” be talking about exercising the option. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it would take time to figure out how to use the land for a flow way. But the toxic conditions in the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon are exacting a toll throughout the local economy. It’s expensive, too. And there’s no end in sight. Charter fishing guide Mike Conner, who attended Thursday’s meeting, said he’s driving clients more than 100 miles south in search of cleaner water. During the past month, he has guided three paid trips. Last year, the number was 13. He has tried to bill the South Florida Water Management District and Army Corps of Engineers for his lost income. He’s still waiting for a response. Wade may not think a man-made flow way makes sense. Letting the damage to the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon continue is even more nonsensical. Eve Samples is a columnist for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. This column reflects her opinion. Contact her at 772-221-4217 or eve.samples@scripps.com. Posted in Research Tagged #indianriverlagoon, big sugar, crisis, indian river lagoon, lake okeechobee, malcolm wade, protest, stuart, vero beach Leave a comment Human Chain to Protest Lake O Discharges So so so so proud of all these folks. Will it be enough to get our voices heard? Thousands of protesters stretched across Jensen and Stuart beaches Sunday as part of a rally against discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Estuary. And they say they won’t stop protesting until they win the fight. According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, between 2,000 to 2,500 people showed up to create the human chain across the Martin County shoreline, but organizers Evan Miller and Clint Starling estimates more than 5,000 took part. “We connected the chain all the way to Jensen,” Miller said at Stuart Beach. It was the second protest put on by Miller and Starling to challenge millions of gallons of water being discharged daily from the lake and local runoff into the Indian River Lagoon. A South Florida Water Management District official said last week there’s a good chance the lake releases will continue at some level through the winter and possibly into the spring. Protesters arrived at the beaches wearing costumes and wielding signs expressing their displeasure with the state of the waterway. More than 5,000 gathered at the first protest Aug. 3 at Phipps Park in Stuart. “This is a remarkable event showing broad-based community support to demand cleaning up our waterways,” said Martin County Commissioner John Haddox at the Sunday rally. Miller said another rally was in the works, but an exact date and time had not been set yet. “I’m glad that people are coming out to show their support to save the lagoon,” said Mike Schneider of Hobe Sound. “It needs to be done. Change needs to happen now.” Posted in Research Tagged crisis, discharge, estuary, human chain, indian river lagoon, lake okeechobee, manatee, politics are corrupt, protest, save our lagoon, save our river Leave a comment Higher levels of bacteria in Indian River Found here: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/aug/12/harbor-branch-higher-levels-bacteria-found-indian/ FORT PIERCE – There is an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the Indian River Lagoon according to a new study released by FAU Harbor Branch scientists. A check of water samples taken over the past year there indicates a sizable increase in bacteria, according the the study. Water testing has taken place where Taylor Creek feeds into the lagoon as well as near the FAU Harbor Branch campus. Both agricultural and urban runoff have contributed to higher bacteria levels in the Taylor Creek samples, according to scientists. FAU Harbor Branch says that antibiotics are used extensively in medicine to prevent infections in humans and animals as well as in agriculture to promote the growth of livestock. Scientists have found that antibiotics are being released into the environment and have been detected in waste water, surface water, ground water and sediments. FAU Harbor Branch says that the antibiotics in the environment are contributing to the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. HARBOR BRANCH NEWS RELEASE FORT PIERCE, Fla. (August 12, 2013) – Preliminary research from FAU Harbor Branch scientists has uncovered an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the Indian River Lagoon. The study compared water samples taken from two locations in the lagoon in June 2011, 2012 and 2013. Data indicates a sizeable increase in the amount of bacteria present this year as compared to the two years prior. “It is important to remember that these findings are preliminary,” said Peter McCarthy, Ph.D., an FAU Harbor Branch research professor who oversees the study. “Our goal is to continue to pursue this work, but funding will play a critical role in our ability to do so.” The testing sites included where Taylor Creek feeds into the lagoon, as well as a second site close to the FAU Harbor Branch campus. Research showed that levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria were much higher in the Taylor Creek samples, a waterway which is impacted by agricultural and urban development and receives discharges from the C-25 canal as well as the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District C-1 canal. In a previous FAU Harbor Branch study, antibiotic-resistant bacteria had been detected in samples taken from Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon (Schaefer et al. 2009). These findings are what led to this water sampling research in 2011 and additional sampling of local dolphins is ongoing. Results from both projects, along with environmental data will provide a comprehensive overview of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the lagoon. Antibiotics are used extensively in medicine to prevent and treat microbial infections in humans and animals, as well as in agriculture to promote the growth of livestock. As a result, antibiotics are released into the environment through disposal and excretion and have been detected in waste water, surface water, ground water and sediments. Exposure to these large quantities of antibiotics can lead to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic strains of bacteria. For more information, contact Carin Smith at 772-242-2230 or carinsmith@fau.edu. Posted in Research Tagged bacteria, crisis, estuary, FAU, harbor branch, indian river lagoon, lake okeechobee, manatee, pollution, research, taylor creek Leave a comment Reader Comment: Committee Meeting Another concerned citizen, Pam, sent in this info about a committee meeting on August 22. The committee members will be discussing how to address the Okeechobee dumping and we can send in our comments. See Pam’s note below on how to do so. Thanks so much, Pam!! #savethelagoon ! In case you do not yet have this info: go to http://www.flsenate.gov and click on “Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin” for info on the August 22 workshop being held 1pm – 9pm at the Charles & Rae Kane Center, 900 SE Salerno Rd, Stuart. The public may attend, and there will be time at the end of the meeting for “Public Testimony”. Sen. Joe Negron is the Chair of this Select Committee, along with 7 other FL Senators. When you go to the webpage, you can also click on the link “Workshop List of Participants” to see the names of those on each Panel, the agenda, invited officials and speakers. Their outline states “Specifically, participants will be asked to discuss the short term options or alternatives to reduce or eliminate the current releases from Lake Okeechobee”. On this site, there is a form to submit your comments to the Select Committee. Another website for info on members of the Select Committee: http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/SIRO Thanks for the great work you are doing to help save our Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River, marine life and wildlife. I read that Sanibel Island beaches are also being dumped on from Lake Okeechobee, via the Caloosahatchee River. The Mayor & City Coucil of Sanibel have written a letter to the Senate Select Committee, urging them to include the Caloosahatchee River with the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee issue. I hope this info helps. It would be great if you could pass on this info, so people can make their voices heard to the committee before the hearing on Aug. 22. Keep up the good work and keep the faith! Together, we can make a difference! Pam Muse, Casselberry, FL Posted in Research Tagged crisis, estuary, florida, indian river, indian river lagoon, jensen beach, lake okeechobee, pollution, protest, savethelagoon, senator negron, stuart, vero beach Leave a comment Save the Lagoon! The 156-mile-long lagoon, one of the richest marine environments in North America, has suffered extensive blooms of microscopic algae in recent years that have in turn triggered mass die-offs of seagrass, dolphin, manatee, pelicans and turtles. We are responsible and we need to restore the river to health. Currently, I am unaware of any implemented plans to do so. So I urge everyone to come together and demand that a change be made before the river is beyond repair and the Treasure Coast loses it's most valuable asset. BlondeLA on Marine Biologist Dr Grant Gilm… jim hill on Marine Biologist Dr Grant Gilm… Bob Markey II on Lagoon Rally Recap + Second Ra… BlondeLA on Wired.com: Mysterious Manatee… Caitlin Mitchell on Wired.com: Mysterious Manatee… Join the Cause	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613076
__label__cc	0.600451	0.399549	Singing the Lord’s Song Today’s post is by Tilden Edwards “By the rivers of Babylon—there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion….There our captors asked us to sing one of the songs of Zion. How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137) Like those Israelites forced into exile in Babylon, I sometimes am overwhelmed by the oppressions and conflicts that capture the world around me and that rise up inside me as well. I am struck mute with sadness and near despair. How can I sing the Lord’s love song when so much of the world seems to be screaming in pain, anger, fear and hate? Only singing the blues and laments makes sense when I feel this way. And yet we see St. Paul and Silas giving us a different example (Acts 16:25). After being unjustly sentenced, tortured and thrown into prison, they didn’t give in to despair or pain. Instead, we find them up at midnight praying and singing hymns to God, bringing comfort to the other prisoners, and in the end bringing the jailer himself to God. Paul trusted that nothing could separate them from the most substantial reality there is: the creative, reconciling love of God that Jesus’ proclaimed. Paul asserted that we all live and move and have our being in that deepest reality. It finally trumps every evil, ignorant, and narrowly self-serving force in the world, including such forces within us. That inclusive divine love can be hidden, but it can’t be destroyed. So we find God’s song erupting again and again in scripture, congregations, community groups, and in our own lives, even in the face of endless conflicts. Many religious and social movements in this country and around the world break out into songs of Zion, songs of God’s call to love justice, freedom, peace, and communion. Paul says in Ephesians 5:18: “…be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God at all times and for everything.” Our singing not only rises from our overriding trust that the bottom line is eternal Love; the singing itself strengthens that trust. It takes us beyond the grip of fear and hopelessness. As a contemplative practice, singing can carry our desire to embrace the Spirit’s empowering presence and visionary leadership. It can lighten the power of our fight/flight temptations, and our too limited thinking and compassion, in the face of serious conflict. Spiritual songs and repetitive chants draw us into our open spiritual hearts. They turn our hard boundaries into permeable-to-the-Spirit dotted lines. They can transcend our anxieties, linear minds, attachments, and differences. Such singing can penetrate the fragmentation that conflict creates with an underlying sense of unity. Singing can energize our confidence in the Spirit’s liberating and reconciling presence amidst our conflicts. Finally, it can help us bear conflicts with acceptance and compassion in those times when we are shown no way through them to resolution. Such motivated singing, followed by silent listening from the shared sacred ground of our spiritual hearts, can leave us ready to engage a conflict situation from a deeper, freer place. We’re more ready for a new and maybe risky song to be sung through us. In a social conflict situation, everyone may not be open to such singing and silence, but it at least might be invited when there is any hint of openness. We can sing not only with others but also alone. Lately I find myself singing some of my prayers rather than saying them; singing draws my whole being into the prayer more fully. Beethoven and maybe Bach also said that when we sing we pray twice. To me the “twice” means bringing mind and heart together into one flowing expression of praise, intercession for all sides in a conflict, and open, available-to-God presence. A version of this was presented at Shalem’s Society Gathering in October 2010. February 02, 2019 by Tilden Edwards Categories: Community, Contemplation in Action, Contemplative Spirituality, Loss, Prayer, and spirituality in community. Formats: Article, Article by Shalem Staff, and Friday Blog. Interest Areas: Friday Blog.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613080
__label__cc	0.520429	0.479571	DeepDive Kaqexeß Know Why You Believe Sharing the Joy of Personal Discipleship Tag Archives: american church history David Barton’s “Creative” Re-Interpretation of the Founding Fathers By Clarke Morledge I had a great Fourth of July weekend. How about you? On the 4th itself, I spent a great afternoon with Christian friends, complete with hotdogs, hamburgers, corn hole games, and watermelon seed spitting contests, and we even gathered for a moment of prayer, with a young man, who is serving his first year as a United States Marine, defending a country that we Americans love so dear. The fireworks got rained out, but that was okay. It was a great day to remember the freedoms that all Americans share. At the top of the list, as a Christian, I am most grateful to live in a country that values the freedom of religion, that allows me to worship freely, and celebrate the life we believers have in Christ, without fear of government interference or reprisals. Amen! It is a freedom that Americans, of all worldview backgrounds, should never take for granted. I do wonder if it was as hot as it was back in the summer of 1776, when the Founding Fathers met together, as compared to the Virginia heat of the past weekend! So, I was intrigued to learn that David Barton, of Wallbuilders, a popular Christian speaker, who goes around to various churches, to talk about America’s Founding Fathers, was recently interviewed by popular conservative talk show host, Ben Shapiro. Let me say something right up front about David Barton. I admire his enthusiasm for American history and his concerns about how so many people have forgotten about the Christian roots of American society. He is an excellent communicator, and I do hope that his excitement in learning about history will become contagious, for the next generation. Barton has had a number of critics on the secular left. Books with titles like The Godless Constitution have prompted many to dismiss the Christian heritage of the United States, and in many ways, David Barton has been right to try to correct that misunderstanding of history. However, David Barton has proven to be a controversial figure. In 2012, Barton’s book The Jefferson Lies was pulled from publication, by his Christian publisher, due to criticism from other evangelical Christian historians and other leading scholars, regarding certain misrepresentations of history. As Jay Richards put it, Barton’s books and videos are full of “embarrassing factual errors, suspiciously selective quotes, and highly misleading claims.” The Museum of the Bible has had to correct years of misinformation propagated by David Barton, surrounding the so-called Aitken Bible. David Barton has issued confusing statements about whether or not Mormons can hold orthodox beliefs about Christianity, prompting a Christian radio outlet to cancel Barton’s radio show in 2011. In 2016, David Barton made the claim that he had an “earned doctorate,” only to retract that claim a day later, when he was challenged by at least one other scholar, with an earned PhD. Nevertheless, David Barton must have some type of teflon coating, as he still manages to bounce back from the controversies. He was able to find another Christian publisher to republish his book on Jefferson. Popular Christian actor Kirk Cameron made a movie that featured an interview with David Barton, without addressing any controversy. Even one of my (otherwise) favorite Christian authors, Eric Metaxas, featured David Barton in a book Metaxas wrote, a few years ago, without mentioning Barton’s troubles. Like Lazarus, David Barton manages to rise again. It is enough to drive conscientious, but otherwise less entertaining, evangelical Christian historians and scholars bananas. Because David Barton has no doctoral training in history, he is not part of any peer-reviewing, scholarly community, that can double-check his work. Why Christian leaders still promote Barton, while simultaneously failing to encourage him to submit to peer-review, and thereby correct some of his errors, is baffling. I actually enjoyed meeting David Barton, when he came to my church to speak, about 14 years ago. We had a pleasant conversation, and I got the sense that he is a sincere man, with a desire to serve God and honor our nation’s Christian heritage. But two weeks of fact checking his presentation, and finding glaring errors, made me rather leery of what he is doing. I just wish he would fess up to making such mistakes and correct them, instead of dismissing all of his critics as secular, left-leaning liberals. This is hard to quantify. But if I had to ballpark it, roughly about 80% of what David Barton says is reliable. The other 20% is pure bunk. The Gospel Coalition has a very helpful blog post covering some of David Barton’s problems in detail, with a fantastic interview with prominent evangelical historians, George Marsden and Mark Noll, to help set the record straight, regarding The Search for Christian America. The strange thing about this is that most Christians would never knowingly tolerate reading or listening to someone, who got 4 out of 5 things right. Christians are supposed to be people committed to the TRUTH, more than anything else. Right? How would you know what 80% to trust, and what 20% to distrust? But hey, that is apparently the world we live in today. So, in the interest of setting the record straight yet again, here are some reflections on Ben Shapiro’s interview with David Barton: first, from Warren Throckmorton, the author of Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims about Our Third President, and then secondly, a running commentary of the Shapiro interview by Messiah College historian, John Fea, the author of Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? Revised Edition: A Historical Introduction. Last count, there were over 120,000 views of David Barton on Shapiro’s show on YouTube. So, we somehow have to get the word out to at least 120,000 people that maybe there is more to the stories that David Barton is telling. 1 Comment \| tags: american church history \| posted in Topics Feel free to share our book… Follow Veracity We will not share your email address with anyone, and we don't send 'newsletters' or other broadcast emails. 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Irresistible, by Andy Stanley, A Review The Septuagint and the Original Old Testament? Does the Prophet Amos Predict a Literal Rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem?	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613081
__label__cc	0.523301	0.476699	The Comics Shelf The Top 100 Comics Issues The Telly Shelf Shelfdust Comics, The Long Halloween Batman The Long Halloween: Independence Day Date: July 4, 2019Author: Steve 0 Comments Holiday gets his business out the way early this month, shooting and killing the Gotham City Coroner right on the first page of the issue. If you’re a long-term reader of Jeph Loeb stories, you’ll probably have an idea why the killer would want to silence the man who knows which bodies are or aren’t currently in the morgue – but the citizens of Gotham have no idea what’s going on. Batman and Jim Gordon meet at the scene of the crime to try and establish why somebody would kill a civilian. Whilst there, Gordon quietly raises his suspicions about Batman, and in return Batman asks questions about Harvey Dent. These three characters came together at the start of the story, but now they don’t trust each other at all anymore, and their teamwork has collapsed into suspicion and accusation. Note how the series has stopped putting all three of them in the same room at once for any substantial period of time – instead we get a scene with Batman and Harvey Dent, and then a scene with Batman and Jim Gordon. They’ve fragmented, and it’s highlighted by their inability to even get in the same room anymore. When Harvey lights the Bat-Signal a few moments prior to them finding out about the coroner’s death, the reluctance from both men in their conversation is fascinating. Harvey stumbles into an apology of sorts, but he reinforces it with declarations that he will personally make things right and sort everything out. In turn, Batman has a huge sulk on, and he’s unable to mask his fury at Harvey’s dead-end investigation into Bruce Wayne. Having a long story like this means that we get to see a little bit of continuation for the characters, and it’s entertaining to see Batman continue to hold a grudge against the people who ruined his Mother’s Day. On that track, the issue ends with Batman getting his first victory in quite some time, as he takes out both The Mad Hatter and Scarecrow with the assistance of Catwoman. It’s a cathartic moment for the reader… but that’s nothing compared to how much relief and joy Batman takes from getting some measure of revenge specifically on Scarecrow, who dosed him with fear toxin months ago and caused him to hallucinate about his parents. These little reminders of previous issues help raise the stakes, because we’re getting to witness cause and effect within a single whole narrative. Batman was “violated”, and now months later he gets to punch Scarecrow up a bit. It also ties both the villains to Falcone, as they’re caught after bombing Gotham Bank and physically taking the money out. That’s not a scheme which plays to either of their strengths (unless they used explosive tea bags?) and quite rightly they’re soundly beaten and captured by the heroes as a result. It speaks to the idea that they’re being mishandled by a rich benefactor – Falcone – who doesn’t grasp the real power balance in Gotham. He wants money from the bank, and so they just go along with whatever plan he cooks up for them. They act like freelancers, distracted from doing what they actually want to do, so it’s no surprise that they don’t put up much of a fight when they’re found by Batman and Catwoman. Last month I said that it was disappointing how Catwoman only gets some development when Batman is around, and this issue pointedly demonstrates it. There are a pair of scenes here where both Selina Kyle and Catwoman make the same offer to their romantic interest, only to get shrugged off. Near the start of the issue, Selina suggests the Bruce that they could drop everything else that’s been going on, and all they’ve each been through, and invest in each other instead. The offer is as good as rejected as soon as Bruce sees the Bat-Signal over her shoulder, though. Then, at the end of the issue, Catwoman makes the same offer to Batman, who this time sticks around long enough for her to realise he’s never going to be distracted from his work as a vigilante. She’s playful and open; he’s one-minded and closed-off, and it’s what attracts them to each other and means this just isn’t something that can work at this point in time. It’s hard to work out if this is a reaction she’d had since Father’s Day, when she saw Falcone reject Sofia’s present, and if that’s just made her tired of all the subterfuge and drama of Gotham. It could be that she’s lying to both Bruce and Batman, but one defining point of character for her in The Long Halloween is how often she’s told the truth. If DC ever published a series telling this story from her perspective, it could be fascinating. Another lost perspective is that of Barbara Gordon and Gilda Dent, who get a scene here which literally intrudes on their private conversation about their husbands. Tim Sale starts by sneaking us in through their kitchen window, where we see the two women discussing their lives – or lack of. Loeb tries to turn their lack of development INTO their development, to mixed effect, but at least it means we get some kind of character arc for them both. Gilda, especially, gets a lot more personality and spark than she’s had before, where she seemed to just be the meek wife to Harvey Dent. Here she’s aware that Harvey’s crusade is damaging him, and she starts stoking that same fear in her friend. A little independence is a good thing, perhaps, and it’s a concept which the characters obviously keep returning to. Selina and Harvey both suggest just leaving Gotham for a while, and escaping from the place. Gilda questions her loyalty to her husband, and the trio of Harvey, Bruce and Jim all seem to be distancing themselves from one another throughout the course of the year. The only twist is with Sofia Fatale, who visits Maroni in prison and kisses him – revealing that they’re a couple. She asks Maroni why he chose to break away from her and betray her father like this, and tries to convince him to do something to Dent in order to help the Falcone family. Given that August doesn’t have a major holiday, the only major event coming next month is Carmine’s birthday party – the scene between Maroni and Fatale leaves you wondering what kind of presents he might receive. For an issue which is all about characters drifting from one another, it’s interesting that the gangsters seem to be trying to reconcile and get closer together. So I’ll see you in August for Carmine Falcone’s birthday! Batman The Long Halloween #10: Independence Day Written by Jeph Loeb Art by Tim Sale Colours by Gregory Wright Letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft This post was made possible thanks to the Shelfdust Patreon! To find out more, head to our Patreon page here! BatmanDC ComicsGregory WrightJeph LoebRichard StarkingsThe Long HalloweenTim Sale Previous Previous post: Amazing Spider-Man #524: The Best and Worst of Peter Parker Next Next post: Women Watch The Watchmen: Kayleigh Hearn on Watchmen #10 shelfdust owned by Steve Morris. Created 2017 © 2019 Shelfdust	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613083
__label__cc	0.705006	0.294994	US20040225603A1 - System and method for web access to financial data - Google Patents System and method for web access to financial data Download PDF Laurie Allen Steve Atkins Pat Callahan Sean Hagan Norm Hanevich Greg James Cheryl Kabrud Andy Nicholls Daniel Parks Brenda Rowley Elias Serrano Ken Sheehan Toshiba Corp Liberty Peak Ventures LLC American Express Travel Related Services Co Inc 2003-06-27 Application filed by American Express Travel Related Services Co Inc filed Critical American Express Travel Related Services Co Inc 2003-11-19 Assigned to AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. reassignment AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ALLEN, LAURIE, ATKINS, STEVE, BABCOCK, DAVE, CALLAHAN, PAT, HAGAN, SEAN, HANEVICH, NORM, JAMES, GREG, KABRUD, CHERYL, NICHOLLS, ANDY, PARKS, DANIEL, ROWLEY, BRENDA, SERRANO, ELIAS, SHEEHAN, KEN, WILLIAMS, TONY 2004-01-06 Assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA reassignment KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KITAGAWA, NOBUTAKA, TAKADA, SHUICHI, SASAKI, NOBUYUKI 2014-02-21 Assigned to AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. reassignment AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATES FOR TWELVE OF THE INVENTORS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 014141 FRAME 0378. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Assignors: KABRUD, CHERYL, JAMES, GREG, NICHOLLS, ANDY, ROWLEY, BRENDA, PARKS, DANIEL, ALLEN, LAURIE, WILLIAMS, TONY, ATKINS, STEVE, BABCOCK, DAVE, CALLAHAN, PAT, HAGAN, SEAN, HANEVICH, NORM, SERRANO, ELIAS, SHEEHAN, KEN 2014-03-24 Assigned to AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. reassignment AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. DECLARATION TO CORRECT AN ERROR MADE IN A PREVIOUSLY RECORDED DOCUMENT THAT ERRONEOUSLY AFFECTS THE IDENTIFIED APPLICATION Assignors: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. 2014-04-21 Assigned to III HOLDINGS 1, LLC reassignment III HOLDINGS 1, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. 2018-03-16 Assigned to LIBERTY PEAK VENTURES, LLC reassignment LIBERTY PEAK VENTURES, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: III HOLDINGS 1, LLC G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes G06Q40/02—Banking, e.g. interest calculation, credit approval, mortgages, home banking or on-line banking G06Q20/08—Payment architectures G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems G06Q30/0207—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons, rebates, offers or upsales G06Q30/0235—Including timing, i.e. limited awarding or usage time constraint G06Q30/0238—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons, rebates, offers or upsales at point-of-sale [POS] G06Q40/12—Accounting A web application that enables access to a client's specific account transaction detail. The charge transaction detail can include anything related to charge or credit card transactions including travel transaction detail, corporate card detail and corporate purchasing card detail. The transaction detail can be captured from many sources and can include third party data. The clients can use a web application and web page to access the account data and create report views of the information. The system can also includes a create a report capability, which allows users to add filters and data elements to an existing report format and create a report specific to their needs and data. REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/468,495, filed on May 6, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.[0001] FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention generally relates to providing data to customers on-line, and more particularly, to a system and method to enable charge card holders and others with a web application to access charge card detail on-line via a network. [0002] Previous options for clients to view and receive certain reports (e.g., Management Information Reports) were to, for example, receive the reports on paper each month, receive the reports as a data file, or receive data on diskette and/or a CD which was loaded into PC based applications for viewing and reporting. However, these delivery mechanisms were slow (in some cases 90-days after the close of a quarter) and costly. As such, a need existed for an on-line capability to replace or enhance the distribution options. However, available on-line tools, for example, were not able to be sufficiently developed because of the complexity of data capture and conditioning from multiple sources, the excessive volume of transaction level detail needed to provide the full functionality required and the lack of technology options to create solutions. [0003] An apparatus and method consistent with the present invention provides on-line financial account data to users. In response to an on-line request from a user for account data, the method and apparatus retrieve data on-line from multiple sources to compile the account data. The account data is then conditioned and sent on-line to the user, typically in a report format.[0004] The accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification and, together with the description, explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, [0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system for providing on-line account data; [0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of exemplary components of computers and servers used in the system; [0007] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method to provide on-line account data; [0008] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary web page for submitting an on-line request for account data; [0009] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary web page for providing on-line account data; [0010] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web page for a user to log into the system; [0011] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed web page for submitting an on-line request for account data; and [0012] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web page for providing on-line account data.[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview Exemplary embodiments include a web application that enables access to a client's specific account transaction detail for the purposes of, for example, vendor negotiation and card program management. The charge transaction detail includes, for example, travel transaction detail, corporate card detail, loyalty information detail and corporate purchasing card detail. In one embodiment, the transaction detail is global in nature (e.g., data captured from all regional systems) and can include third party data regarding both card and travel, as well as reference data which can be purchased from multiple industry vendor sources. The term “charge card” is intended to include credit cards, debit cards, stored value cards, and non-card based financial instruments. [0014] The web application and web page access that clients use to access the data and create report views of the information can be implemented with, for example, a third party software package from a company called MicroStrategy. The product enables clients to manage their corporate program with a host as the card provider, along with their own travel management performance and policies. In addition, the product enables the clients to negotiate purchase opportunities with key vendors (airlines, hotels etc). [0015] The system can also include a “create a report capability” which allows users to add filters and data elements to an existing report format and create a report specific to their needs and data. The system includes access for the clients to individual market level detail, along with LAC, EMEA, and JAPA (Latin America/Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Japan, Asia, Pacific, Australia) transaction detail. The system also allows report generation wherein the reports include LID (line item detail) data from the clients° Corporate Purchase Card (CPC) purchases, thereby allowing the user to view specific detailed transactions from their selected vendors. This feature includes full hierarchy information and enhanced reporting capabilities. The system also includes Corporate Purchasing card data in its warehouse, which allows clients to view their total program with the host. It also allows clients to combine the data sets and have a single report generated on both CPC and Card spend. The functionality and access allows faster delivery of information to clients which results in, for example, increased client loyalty. [0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the web application eliminates or reduces the need for any ‘helper’ applications on the web browser, provides a more scalable application and allows clients to access certain data and create report views of the information. Removal of the ‘helper apps’ (e.g., Active-X or Java Applets), in one embodiment, allows greater market penetration since these applications have been shown in some instances to be security risks. The invention also eliminates the need for a separate security log-in function and allows implementation of a single sign-on capability. As such, clients can log into a single portal and are automatically logged into applications within the portal without having to re-authenticate. [0017] A product implementing an exemplary embodiment is a combination of function, features, data and support service. More particularly, in one embodiment, the product is accessed via a web site which is specifically focused on corporate accounts, the program administrator and the corporate card member. The database is a combination of charge card information (transactions) from every region and country that the host operates as a wholly owned organization or as a franchise or partnership. The collection, consolidation, data management and conditioning of that data are unique in several areas. The database adds and conditions data with proprietary information relating to the host supplier network. This allows the clients using the product to view and report on their corporate spend in key categories (e.g., industries). The data conditioning process for the database captures and consolidates multiple data sources from industry providers. There are also multiple airline data feeds and computerized reservation system (CRS) data feeds providing additional enriched data such as air sectors (travel itinerary) fare basis codes, etc. Many of these data feeds can be purchased by the host on behalf of the client and the data is integrated with their account data. [0018] The client can report on this data in multiple views, either an individual country, a region, or on a global basis. The reporting functionality is also a combination of unique products and services. The tool provides a single sign on capability which allows the client to sign on once at the central web site and then access multiple services and functions, wherein one of these functions is the enhanced reporting capability. The client has the ability to view their spend via a web browser while no software is required to be loaded on the client PC. The clients have access to a set of standard reports or have the ability to develop a view of the data (report) that they request and create on-line. The reports can be viewed on-line, printed or exported into other software formats such as Excel at the client site. The charge card information is provided in, for example, two forms such as billed and unbilled; and the client can view either through the reporting tool. Additionally, the client can view their Corporate Purchase Card data and their Corporate Card charges as separate sets of data or on a combined report. [0019] Examples of problems solved with this product: [0020] A person who is responsible for supplier management and vendor negotiations can ask, ‘What was the total number of transactions and spend my company put on American Express Corporate Cards on all flights between Rome and Sydney? I want to compare 1Q 2003 to 1Q 2002 for Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.’[0021] A person managing a cost center can ask, ‘Where have my folks used their American Express Cards over the past month?’[0022] Portfolio Web Network [0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system [0024] 10 for providing on-line account data. In system 10, a user at a user computer 12 can submit an on-line request to a server computer 16, via a network 14, for charge card transaction details. Server computer 16, via a network 18, can access multiple data sources 20, 22, and 24 to obtain the charge card transaction detail for the user. Once it obtains the data, server computer 16 can condition the data, as it often will be retrieved from multiple disparate sources (including any combination of internal or external data sources), and format the data into a report. Server computer 16 can then send the report to user computer 12 via network 14 in, for example, a web page or other format. Networks 14 and 18 can include any wireline or wireless network for data communication. The communication across the network may be achieved using web services technology, including but not limited to Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Web Services Description Language (WSDL), or Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI). Three data sources are shown for illustrative purposes only; embodiments can include more or fewer data sources depending upon a particular implementation. The data sources 20, 22, and 24 represent any source of data such as, a local or remote memory or database, possibly in conjunction with an associated computer. It will be appreciated, that many applications of the present invention could be formulated. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the network may include any system for exchanging data or transacting business, such as the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, WAN, LAN, satellite communications, and/or the like. It is noted that the network may be implemented as other types of networks, such as an interactive television (ITV) network. The users may interact with the system via any input device such as a keyboard, mouse, kiosk, personal digital assistant, handheld computer (e.g., Palm Pilot®), cellular phone and/or the like. Similarly, the invention could be used in conjunction with any type of personal computer, network computer, workstation, minicomputer, mainframe, or the like running any operating system such as any version of Windows, Windows NT, Windows2000, Windows 98, Windows 95, MacOS, OS/2, BeOS, Linux, UNIX, Solaris or the like. Moreover, although the invention is frequently described herein as being implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, it will be readily understood that the invention could also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI or any number of existing or future protocols. Moreover, the system contemplates the use, sale or distribution of any goods, services or information over any network having similar functionality described herein. [0025] The computing units may be connected with each other via a data communication network. The network may be a public network and assumed to be insecure and open to eavesdroppers. In the illustrated implementation, the network may be embodied as the internet. In this context, the computers may or may not be connected to the internet at all times. For instance, the customer computer may employ a modem to occasionally connect to the internet, whereas the bank computing center might maintain a permanent connection to the internet. Specific information related to the protocols, standards, and application software utilized in connection with the Internet may not be discussed herein. For further information regarding such details, see, for example, [0026] DILIP NAIK, INTERNET STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS (1998); JAVA 2 COMPLETE, various authors, (Sybex 1999); DEBORAH RAY AND ERIC RAY, MASTERING HTML 4.0 (1997). LOSHIN, TCP/IP CLEARLY EXPLAINED (1997). All of these texts are hereby incorporated by reference. The systems may be suitably coupled to network via data links. A variety of conventional communications media and protocols may be used for data links. Such as, for example, a connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) over the local loop as is typically used in connection with standard modem communication, cable modem, Dish networks, ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or various wireless communication methods. Merchant system might also reside within a local area network (LAN) which interfaces to network via a leased line (T1, D3, etc.). Such communication methods are well known in the art, and are covered in a variety of standard texts. See, e.g., [0027] GILBERT HELD, UNDERSTANDING DATA COMMUNICATIONS (1996), hereby incorporated by reference. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computer [0028] 30 illustrating typical components of the computers and server shown in FIG. 1 for the system. Computer 30 may include a connection with a network 46 such as the Internet or communications networks through any suitable network connection using, for example, TCP/IP for data transmission. Computer 30 typically includes a memory 32, a secondary storage device 40, a processor 42, an input device 36 for entering information into computer 30, a display device 38 for providing a visual display of information, and an output device 44 for outputting information such as in hard copy or audio form. Memory [0029] 32 may include random access memory (RAM) or similar types of memory, and it may store one or more applications 34 for execution by processor 42. Applications 34 may include programming to perform the methods discussed herein. Secondary storage device [0030] 40 may include any hardware and/or software for storing data such as, for example, a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drive, or other types of non-volatile data storage. Processor 42 may execute applications or programs stored in memory 32 or secondary storage 40, or received from the Internet or other network 46. Although computer 30 is depicted with various components, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer may contain different components. Computer [0031] 30 may include local or remote databases for storing and retrieving information for processing transactions. Any databases discussed herein may be any type of database, such as relational, graphical, hierarchical, object-oriented, and/or the like. Common database products that may be used to implement the databases include UDB by IBM (White Plains, N.Y.), any of the database products available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, Calif.), Microsoft Access or MSSQL by Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Wash.), or any other database product. The database may be organized in any suitable manner, including as data tables or lookup tables. Association of certain data may be accomplished through any data association technique known and practiced in the art. For example, the association may be accomplished either manually or automatically. Automatic association techniques may include, for example, a database search, a database merge, GREP, AGREP, SQL, and/or the like. The association step may be accomplished by a database merge function, for example, using a “key field” in each of the manufacturer and retailer data tables. A “key field” partitions the database according to the high-level class of objects defined by the key field. For example, a certain class may be designated as a key field in both the first data table and the second data table, and the two data tables may then be merged on the basis of the class data in the key field. In this embodiment, the data corresponding to the key field in each of the merged data tables is preferably the same. However, data tables having similar, though not identical, data in the key fields may also be merged by using AGREP, for example. For the sake of brevity, conventional data networking, application development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical electronic transaction system. [0032] The system, as shown in FIG. 1, may include a host server or other computing systems including a processor for processing digital data, a memory coupled to said processor for storing digital data, an input digitizer coupled to the processor for inputting digital data, an application program stored in said memory and accessible by said processor for directing processing of digital data by said processor, a display coupled to the processor and memory for displaying information derived from digital data processed by said processor and a plurality of databases, said databases including client data, merchant data, financial institution data and/or like data that may be used in association with the present invention. As those skilled in the art may appreciate, user computer may typically include an operating system (e.g., Windows NT, 95/98/2000, Linux, Solaris, etc.) as well as various conventional support software and drivers typically associated with computers. User computer may be in a home or business environment with access to a network. In an exemplary embodiment, access is through the Internet through a commercially-available web-browser software package. [0033] Communication between the parties to the transaction and the system of the present invention may be accomplished through any suitable communication means, such as, for example, a telephone network, Intranet, Internet, point of interaction device (point of sale device, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.), online communications, off-line communications, wireless communications, transponder communications and/or the like. One skilled in the art may also appreciate that, for security reasons, any databases, systems, or components of the present invention may include any combination of databases or components at a single location or at multiple locations, wherein each database or system includes any of various suitable security features, such as firewalls, access codes, encryption, decryption, and/or the like. [0034] The computers discussed herein may provide a suitable website or other Internet-based graphical user interface which is accessible by users. In one embodiment, the Internet Information Server, Microsoft Transaction Server, and Microsoft SQL Server, are used in conjunction with the Microsoft operating system, Microsoft NT web server software, a Microsoft SQL database system, and a Microsoft Commerce Server. Additionally, components such as Access or SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, Informix MySQL, Interbase, etc., may be used to provide an ADO-compliant database management system. [0035] Portfolio Web Methods [0036] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method [0037] 50 to provide on-line account data, which may include card data. Method 50 may be implemented in, for example, software modules for execution by user computer 12 and server computer 16. Although the steps of method 50 are shown in a particular order, they may alternatively be executed in other orders and more steps may be added or steps removed, if necessary or desired. The present invention may be described herein in terms of functional block components, screen shots, optional selections and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, the present invention may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the software elements of the present invention may be implemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, COBOL, assembler, PERL, [0038] Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures, extensible markup language (XML), with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Further, it should be noted that the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like. Still further, the invention may be used to detect or prevent security issues with a client-side scripting language, such as JavaScript, VBScript or the like. For a basic introduction of cryptography and network security, the following may be helpful references: (1) “Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, And Source Code In C,” by Bruce Schneier, published by John Wiley & Sons (second edition, 1996); (2) “Java Cryptography” by Jonathan Knudson, published by O'Reilly & Associates (1998); (3) “Cryptography & Network Security: Principles & Practice” by William Stalling, published by Prentice Hall; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. [0039] As may be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method, a data processing system, a device for data processing, and/or a computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely software embodiment, an entirely hardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining aspects of both software and hardware. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROM, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and/or the like. [0040] The present invention is described herein with reference to screen shots, block diagrams and flow chart illustrations of methods, apparatus (e.g., systems), and computer program products according to various aspects of the invention. It may be understood that each functional block of the block diagrams and the flow chart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams and flow chart illustrations, respectively, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flow chart block or blocks. [0041] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flow chart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow chart block or blocks. [0042] Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flow chart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It may also be understood that each functional block of the block diagrams and flow chart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams and flow chart illustrations, may be implemented by either special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or suitable combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. [0043] In method [0044] 50, server computer 16 receives a request from a user at user computer 12 for account data (step 52). The “account data” can include any data related to transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, or other financial cards. User computer 12 may include, for example, a software application to help facilitate the user's communication with server computer 16. The request may be received from a user or other person, for example, at the requesting entity. As used herein, the term “end user”, “consumer”, “customer”, “supplier”, “cardmember”, “business” or “merchant” may be used interchangeably with each other, and each shall mean any person, entity, machine, hardware, software or business. The card issuing institutions may include credit card companies, card sponsoring companies, or third party issuers under contract with financial institutions. It is further noted that other participants may be involved in some phases of the transaction, such as an intermediary settlement institution, but these participants are not shown. FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary screen [0045] 70 for a user to enter a request for account data and submit it to server computer 16. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate examples of more detailed screens for a user to log into the system and submit an on-line request for account data. Screen [0046] 70 can be implemented in, for example, a web page for network transmission. The term “web page” as it is used herein is not meant to limit the type of documents and applications that might be used to interact with the user. For example, a typical website might include, in addition to standard HTML documents, various forms, Java applets, Javascript, active server pages (ASP), common gateway interface scripts (CGI), extensible markup language (XML), dynamic HTML, cascading style sheets (CSS), helper applications, plug-ins, and the like. A server may include a webservice which receives a request from a browser which includes a URL and an IP address (e.g., 127.0.0.1). The webservice retrieves the appropriate web pages and sends the web pages to the IP address. In screen [0047] 70, a user can enter a user name or other identifier in a section 72 and a password in a section 74. A section 76 allows a user to enter a particular query, which can include a request for account data within certain parameters, examples of which are provided above. The user can select a section 78 to submit the request or select a section 80 to cancel the request. The request may optionally include an account number. An “account number”, as used herein, may include any device, code, number, letter, symbol, digital certificate, smart chip, digital signal, analog signal, biometric or other identifier/indicia suitably configured to allow the consumer to interact or communicate with the system, such as, for example, authorization/access code, personal identification number (PIN), Internet code, other identification code, and/or the like which is optionally located on a rewards card, charge card, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, telephone card, smart card, magnetic stripe card, bar code card, transponder, radio frequency card and/or the like. The account number may be distributed and stored in any form of plastic, electronic, magnetic, radio frequency, wireless, audio and/or optical device capable of transmitting or downloading data from itself to a second device. A customer account number may be, for example, a sixteen-digit credit card number, although each credit provider has its own numbering system, such as the fifteen-digit numbering system used by American Express. Each company's credit card numbers comply with that company's standardized format such that the company using a sixteen-digit format may generally use four spaced sets of numbers, as represented by the number “0000 0000 0000 0000”. The first five to seven digits are reserved for processing purposes and identify the issuing bank, card type and etc. In this example, the last sixteenth digit is used as a sum check for the sixteen-digit number. The intermediary eight-to-ten digits are used to uniquely identify the customer. [0048] After receiving the request, server computer [0049] 16 polls or otherwise contacts data sources 20, 22, and 24 to obtain the account data for the user's request (step 54). Server computer 16 conditions the data and can store it (step 56). Server computer 16 can use, for example, metadata in order to determine how to locate and retrieve the account data. In particular, a relationship can be defined between the query (request) attributes and metrics, and target data sources to assure the integrity of the account data report returned to the user. Server computer [0050] 16 also determines if the user's request includes a query, as represented in section 76 of screen 70 (step 58). If the request does not include a query, server computer 16 can format the conditioned data into a standard or default report (step 60). If the request included a query (step [0051] 58), server computer 16 processes the query to extract the relevant data satisfying the query parameters (step 62). A query, as submitted by a user, can include a request for account data satisfying certain parameters. Processing the query can include parsing the natural language submitted query to generate search parameters. Those parameters can be used to obtain the relevant data using, for example, the metadata. Server computer 16 can format the extracted data into a custom report (step 64). Once the report is compiled and formatted, server computer 16 can send the standard or custom report to user computer 12 via network 14 (step 66). FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary screen [0052] 82 for providing on-line account data. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a more detailed screen for providing on-line account data. Screen 82 can be implemented, for example, in a web page for network transmission. Screen 82 can include a section 84 for providing the report details and can optionally include a section 86 to repeat the user's query, if one was submitted. Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims or the invention. As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, no element described herein is required for the practice of the invention unless expressly described as “essential” or “critical”. [0053] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings and pictures, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. [0054] 1. A method for providing on-line financial account data to users, comprising: receiving an on-line request from a user for account data; retrieving data on-line from multiple sources to obtain the account data; conditioning the account data for transmission to the user; and sending the account data on-line to the user. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: the retrieving step includes retrieving the data from the multiple sources in disparate formats; and the conditioning step includes converting the data from the disparate formats into a single format. 3. The method of claim 1, further including formatting the account data into a report. 4. The method of claim 1, further including: receiving from the user a query associated with the request; processing the retrieved data to extract the account data satisfying parameters of the query; and sending the extracted account data on-line to the user. 5. The method of claim 4, further including formatting the extracted data into a report. 6. A method for a user to obtain on-line financial account data, comprising: submitting an on-line request by the user for account data; having data retrieved on-line from multiple sources to obtain the account data; having the account data conditioned for transmission to the user; and receiving the requested account data on-line. the retrieving step includes having the data retrieved from the multiple sources in disparate formats; and the conditioning step includes having the data converted from the disparate formats into a single format. 8. The method of claim 6, further including receiving the account data formatted into a report. submitting from the user a query associated with the request; having the retrieved data processed to extract the account data satisfying parameters of the query; and receiving the extracted account data on-line. 10. The method of claim 9, further including receiving the extracted data formatted into a report. 11. A system for providing on-line financial account data to users, comprising: a module for receiving an on-line request from a user for account data; a module for retrieving data on-line from multiple sources to obtain the account data; a module for conditioning the account data for transmission to the user; and a module for sending the account data on-line to the user. 12. A system for a user to obtain on-line financial account data, comprising: a module for submitting an on-line request by the user for account data; a module for having data retrieved on-line from multiple sources to obtain the account data; a module for having the account data conditioned for transmission to the user; and a module for receiving the requested account data on-line. 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ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNORS:ALLEN, LAURIE;ATKINS, STEVE;BABCOCK, DAVE;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20030728 TO 20030818;REEL/FRAME:032325/0278 Free format text: DECLARATION TO CORRECT AN ERROR MADE IN A PREVIOUSLY RECORDED DOCUMENT THAT ERRONEOUSLY AFFECTS THE IDENTIFIED APPLICATION;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:032511/0102 Owner name: III HOLDINGS 1, LLC, DELAWARE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:032722/0746 Owner name: LIBERTY PEAK VENTURES, LLC, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:III HOLDINGS 1, LLC;REEL/FRAME:045611/0193	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613084
__label__wiki	0.62873	0.62873	US20060198941A1 - Method of coating a medical appliance utilizing a vibrating mesh nebulizer, a system for coating a medical appliance, and a medical appliance produced by the method - Google Patents Method of coating a medical appliance utilizing a vibrating mesh nebulizer, a system for coating a medical appliance, and a medical appliance produced by the method Download PDF mesh nebulizer medical appliance Niall Behan David McMorrow Timothy O'Connor Boston Scientific Scimed Inc 2005-03-04 Application filed by Boston Scientific Scimed Inc filed Critical Boston Scientific Scimed Inc 2005-06-03 Assigned to BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC. reassignment BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MCMORROW, DAVID, BEHAN, NIALL, O'CONNOR, TIMOTHY B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers B05B17/0638—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers spray being produced by discharging the liquid or other fluent material through a plate comprising a plurality of orifices B05B17/0646—Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials B05D1/02—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by spraying A61L2420/00—Materials or methods for coatings medical devices A61L2420/02—Methods for coating medical devices A method of coating a medical appliance is provided that includes contacting a coating material with a first side of a mesh nebulizer. The mesh nebulizer includes at least one aperture. The method also includes vibrating the mesh nebulizer and arranging the medical appliance in a region of a second side of the mesh nebulizer. The second side is opposite the first side. A medical appliance is provided having a coating applied by a method. A system is provided for coating a medical appliance that includes a coating source, a mesh nebulizer, an arrangement for vibrating the mesh nebulizer, and an arrangement for holding the medical appliance. A method is provided of coating a medical appliance that includes directing at least two small aperture tubes at a collision region and forcing a coating material out of the apertures of the tubes. The method also includes arranging the medical appliance in another region adjacent to the collision region. The present invention relates to medical appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of coating a medical appliance using a vibrating mesh nebulizer to produce a mist of coating material, a system for coating a medical appliance, and a medical appliance produced by the method. Medical devices may be coated so that the surfaces of such devices have desired properties or effects. For example, it may be useful to coat medical devices to provide for the localized delivery of therapeutic agents to target locations within the body, such as to treat localized disease (e.g., heart disease) or occluded body lumens. Localized drug delivery may avoid some of the problems of systemic drug administration, which may be accompanied by unwanted effects on parts of the body which are not to be treated. Additionally, treatment of the afflicted part of the body may require a high concentration of therapeutic agent that may not be achievable by systemic administration. Localized drug delivery may be achieved, for example, by coating balloon catheters, stents and the like with the therapeutic agent to be locally delivered. The coating on medical devices may provide for controlled release, which may include long-term or sustained release, of a bioactive material. Aside from facilitating localized drug delivery, medical devices may be coated with materials to provide beneficial surface properties. For example, medical devices are often coated with radiopaque materials to allow for fluoroscopic visualization while placed in the body. It is also useful to coat certain devices to achieve enhanced biocompatibility and to improve surface properties such as lubriciousness. Metal stents may be coated with a polymeric coating that may contain a dissolved and/or suspended bioactive agent. The bioactive agent and the polymeric coating may be dissolved in a solvent mix and spray coated onto the stents. The solvent may then evaporate to leave a dry coating on the stent. Conventional spray-coating technology may require nitrogen gas in order to produce a spray plume. This may result in a very high velocity spray plume. Because of the high velocity spray plume, long distances between a spray nozzle and a stent may be used in order to deliver a good coating finish. This may result in poor material efficiency, sometimes on the order of 1%. Furthermore the use of nitrogen gas may increase manufacturing costs. Webbing may be a problem with two-fluid gas atomisers, particularly when coating large vessel coronary stents. In the manufacture of a drug eluting stent, there are a number of challenges. Goals in the manufacture of coating stents include precise coating weight and complete encapsulation of stent struts, with minimal webbing between struts. Additionally, a stent may preferably be coated with a uniform coating on the inside and the outside of the stent and may be required to meet a product specification for kinetic drug release (KDR). Medical appliances may be coated using spray technology. This may entail the use of a two-fluid atomiser, or spray nozzle. The atomiser may be supplied with coating solution and nitrogen gas. The nozzle may be configured so that the coating solution forms a thin film on the pre-filming face of the nozzle, and droplets may then be sheared off the film by the flow of atomising gas. Spray coating may have a number of limitations. In a spray coating operation, droplet size and droplet velocity may be inextricably linked. It may not be possible to control either of these factors without impacting the other. Additionally, droplet size may only be controlled within a relatively large window due to the gas atomization process. Atomization energy is provided by the nitrogen gas stream. This may result in a very high velocity with a correspondingly high energy spray plume, which is a significant contributor to difficulty in fixturing stents during the coating process. Droplet size may be a critical factor in controlling kinetic drug release. Precise control of droplet size may be important in order to develop a high degree of control of KDR. Furthermore, it has been shown that the high velocity spray plume produced by two-fluid atomisers may cause stents to get blown out of alignment on the stent coating fixtures. This has led to difficulty in controlling coat weight, and has led to coating bare spots due to uncontrolled interaction between a stent and a coating fixture. One approach to counter this issue has been to significantly increase the nozzle-to-stent distance. While this reduces the movement of the stent on the coating fixture, it may result in low coating material efficiencies, perhaps on the order of 1%. A further disadvantage of two-fluid atomisers is that many of the droplets may bounce off the object to be coated, which may further limit the material efficiency. The coating of flexible, self-expanding stents and/or longer stents may create a further difficulty whereby the stent is moved, flexed and/or bent on a fixture during coating. There is therefore a need for reducing coating defects in medical appliances. Each of the references cited herein is incorporated by reference herein for background information. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a zoomed-in view of an exemplary embodiment of a nebulizer. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including a coating chamber. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a nebulizer. FIG. 5 is another schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a nebulizer. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method according to the present invention. A method of coating a medical appliance is provided that includes contacting a coating material with a first side of a mesh nebulizer. The mesh nebulizer includes at least one aperture. The method also includes vibrating the mesh nebulizer and arranging the medical appliance in a region of a second side of the mesh nebulizer. The second side is opposite the first side. The mesh nebulizer may form droplets of the coating material. The method may include transporting the droplets from the mesh nebulizer to the medical appliance. The transporting may be performed by a gas source. The transporting may be performed by gravity, and the mesh nebulizer may be positioned above the medical appliance. The method may include providing an electrostatic potential between the mesh nebulizer and the medical appliance. The mesh nebulizer may impart an electrostatic charge to the droplets of the coating material. The method may include selecting a size of the at least one aperture of the mesh nebulizer. The size of the apertures may determine the size of the droplets. The size of the at least one aperture may be between about 0.1 μm and about 200 μm, may be between about 3 μm and about 20 μm, and may in particular be about 10 μm. The method may include selecting a frequency of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. The method may include varying the frequency of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. The method may include selecting an amplitude of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. The method may include varying the amplitude of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. The coating material may include at least one of a protein and a peptide. The method may include selecting a location of the at least one aperture on the mesh nebulizer and/or a quantity of the at least one aperture on the mesh nebulizer. The method may include fixturing the medical appliance to allow the coating material to contact about all of a surface of the medical appliance. A medical appliance is provided having a coating applied by a method. The method includes contacting a coating material with a first side of a mesh nebulizer. The mesh nebulizer includes at least one aperture. The method also includes vibrating the mesh nebulizer and arranging the medical appliance in a region of a second side of the mesh nebulizer. The second side is opposite the first side. A system is provided for coating a medical appliance that includes a coating source, a mesh nebulizer, an arrangement for vibrating the mesh nebulizer, and an arrangement for holding the medical appliance. A method is provided of coating a medical appliance that includes directing at least two small aperture tubes at a collision region and forcing a coating material out of the apertures of the tubes. The method also includes arranging the medical appliance in another region adjacent to the collision region. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention proposes the use of nebuliser technology in the coating of medical devices, in particular drug eluting stents. Nebulisers are medical devices used to vaporise medications for inhalation, specifically to convert liquid drugs into fine droplets for inhalation. Small, controllable droplet size, with typical size ranges in the order 1 to 5 microns, may be achievable with a nebulizer. A low energy droplet cloud may be desirable and therefore converting a solution into small droplets without imparting high velocities to the droplets may be desired. Additionally precise control of a delivered drug volume may be desirable. A component of some nebuliser designs is a convex mesh which may have numerous, precisely-sized holes. The drug to be administered may be placed in the concave side of the mesh, and the mesh may be vibrated at high frequency using a piezoelectric drive. This may result in the drug being converted into a cloud of small droplets, which may be delivered on the lower (convex) side of the mesh. Use of nebulisers instead of two-fluid atomisers may offer several advantages in coating drug eluting stents, or any other medical device. Extremely precise droplet size may be possible with a nebulizer. Precise droplet size control may be advantageous since it has been demonstrated that droplet size correlates directly to kinetic drug release (KDR). Precise control of KDR may be achievable with precise control of droplet size. Additionally, droplet size may be programmable. In particular, geometric changes may be made to the nebuliser to provide a specific desired droplet size. Additionally, droplet size may be controlled independently of droplet velocity. Due to the low velocity of the plume coupled with fine droplet size, very small stent features may be coated without webbing. No atomisation gas may be required. Use of this method of atomisation may offer several advantages. The size of the droplets may be extremely precise because it may be determined by the size of the holes in the mesh (which may be tailor-made to suit the application). This may contribute to precise control of KDR and an ability to coat complex geometries with small feature dimensions. Due to the absence of atomisation gas, the droplets may fall away from the mesh under the force of gravity at low velocity. The volume of liquid atomised, and the droplet velocity, can also be precisely controlled by adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the mesh vibration. Furthermore, the number of holes in the mesh and their layout on the mesh can be tailored. This could enable greatly increased coating material efficiency, as the atomised cloud could be sized to suit the stent being coated. Furthermore, fixturing of stents during the coating process can be greatly simplified, as there is no longer a need to hold the stent securely to prevent it getting blown away by the atomisation gas. This may be particularly important for future generation stents which may be longer and more easily damaged during handling. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, an electrostatic system may be integrated with the nebuliser. This may enable higher material efficiency while retaining precise droplet size. No atomisation gas may be required in the exemplary method, and consequently stent fixturing may be greatly simplified. Therefore, the coating process may be well controlled. An electrostatic system may be accomplished by attaching a power source to the nebuliser mesh and providing a grounding contact to the stent. This may deliver higher material efficiency. An alternative nebuliser design may atomise fluids using two capillary tubes, which may be oriented at an angle to each other. The fluid to be atomised may be pumped through the tubes. Small droplets may exit the ends of the tubes, and the size of these droplets may be determined by the diameter of the tube. Due to the angular arrangement, the droplets from each tube may collide, leading to further break-up of the droplets. The droplet size produced by this type of nebuliser may be approximately 5 microns. A nebuliser using two capillary tubes in angular arrangement may be configured in a number of ways. In particular, capilliary tube size, diameter, angle, fluid flow rate are key parameters. Since nebulizers may not require a propellant gas, there may be fewer factors controlling the aerosol properties. However, the aerosol plume may require a gas current to entrain the plume so that it flows in the direction of the stent. This gas flow may be directed and accelerated towards the stent by means of a venturi type baffle arrangement. A nebuliser may be configured in a number of ways to facilitate stent coating. In particular, mesh hole size, location and quantity may be altered. Vibration frequency and amplitude may also be tailored. Materials may be changed to facilitate use with solvent-based coatings. The stent may be rotated and/or moved axially, or alternatively may remain fixed, depending on the size of the atomised cloud. Stent fixturing may be accomplished by supporting the stent on a pair of wires, possibly without the need to pass a wire through the center of the stent. This may accelerate the stent fixturing process, and substantially improve the quality of the stent coating, particlarly on the stent internal surface. Furthermore, this method may enable the coating of more delicate stents with increasingly complex feature details. The design of the nebuliser may facilitate the delivery of more than one fluid to the rear surface of the mesh, thus enabling coat mixing at the point of application. This may offer benefits where short shelf-life materials are used in coating, or in the use of coating materials which are not suitable for long-term storage when pre-mixed. This approach may also be used to alter coat composition during the application of coating, thus enabling creation of products where KDR or coat composition can be altered for different areas of the product being coated. Arrays of pores may be designed in various shapes, including rectangles and lines. Pores may be of different sizes to accommodate different materials and may be separated on the concave side of the nebulizer by walls or other barriers. Different materials may mix in the plume after being nebulized through different sized pores. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system according to the present invention. Stent 100 is shown positioned below nebulizer mesh 110. Nebulizer mesh 110 is positioned between vibration inducers 120, 121. Alternatively, there may be more or fewer vibration inducers 120, 121. Vibration inducers 120, 121 may induce vibration in a direction parallel and/or perpendicular to nebulizer mesh 110, and may induce a complex vibration. Nebulizer mesh 110 includes one or more pores that may be between about 0.1 μm and about 200 μm, may be between about 3 μm and about 20 μm, and may be about 10 μm. The pores in nebulizer mesh 110 may be of uniform size or may be variably sized. Additionally, the pores in nebulizer mesh 110 may be frustoconical, vortex-shaped, and/or any other appropriate shape. Coating source 130 provides a coating material in the direction of arrow 131 to nebulizer mesh 110. After passing through the pores of nebulizer mesh 110, the coating material may form plume 160, which may consist of droplets. Droplets having a diameter of about 5 microns may be produced by a pore size of 3 microns in nebulizer mesh 110. The droplets in plume 160 may have a very narrow size distribution, and therefore may produce a uniform coating on stent 100. Processor 140 coupled to memory 150 may contain and/or execute instructions for operating coating source 130, vibration inducers 120, 121, and/or voltage source 170. Voltage source 170 may be connected to stent 100 and/or nebulizer mesh 110 and may impart an electric potential that provides a charge to the droplets in plume 160 that is opposite to the charge on stent 100. Plume 160 may be directed to coat stent 100 by gravity, by an additional gas source, and/or by an electrostatic potential. FIG. 2 is a zoomed-in view of an exemplary embodiment of nebulizer mesh 110. Nebulizer mesh 110 includes pores 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, which in this exemplary embodiment are vortex-shaped. Alternatively, pores 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 of nebulizer mesh 110 may be frusto-conical or any other appropriate shape. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including coating chamber 310. Nebulizer mesh 110 is situated at an upper portion of coating chamber 310. Coating chamber 310 encloses stent 100. Coating chamber 310 includes gas intakes 320, which may allow a gas to enter coating chamber 310. Gas intakes 320 may also provide a flow of gas under pressure to coating chamber 320. Gas exhaust 330 may remove gas and or excess material (for instance, coating material that has not adhered to stent 100) from coating chamber 320. Alternatively, coating chamber 310 may be airtight and/or evacuated, or may enclose an inert gas. When a coating material is arranged on mesh nebulizer 110, and mesh nebulizer 110 is vibrated, cone plume 300 of coating material in coating chamber 310 may be formed. Cone plume 300 may settle on stent 100 arranged in cone plume 300 by gravity, or may be assisted in moving toward stent 100 by a gas flowing from gas intakes 320 to gas exhaust 330. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of mesh nebulizer 110. Mesh nebulizer 110 includes pores 200, 201 and lateral barriers 400, 401. Alternatively, there may be more or fewer pores 200, 201, and/or more or fewer lateral barriers 400, 401. Coating material 410 is situated on a top side of mesh nebulizer 110, and is situated in a vicinity of pores 200, 201. Lateral barriers 400, 401 and/or another element may impart a vibration to mesh nebulizer. The vibration may correspond to sinusoid 420, and may consist of a vibration in a direction of double arrow 421. Alternatively or additionally, a lateral vibration in a plane of nebulizer mesh 110 may be induced. The vibration of nebulizer mesh 110 may induce coating material 410 to pass through pores 200, 201 to create plume 160. FIG. 5 is another schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of nebulizer mesh 110 showing a zoomed in view of pore 200. Pore 200 is frustoconical, though alternative shapes may be possible. Coating material 410 flows through pore 200 when nebulizer mesh 110 is vibrated to form plume 160, which may be composed of droplets of a small diameter. The droplets of plume 160 may have a narrow size distribution, and may be between about 0.1 μm and about 200 μm, or may be between about 3 μm and about 20 μm. In one exemplary embodiment, pore 200 may be about 3 microns in diameter and the droplets in plume 160 may be about 5 microns in diameter. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method according to the present invention. The flow in FIG. 6 starts in start circle 600 and proceeds to action 610, which indicates to select a size, a location, and/or a quantity of pores of a mesh nebulizer. From action 610, the flow proceeds to decision 620, which asks whether a source of electrostatic potential is available. If the response to decision 620 is affirmative, the flow proceeds to action 630, which indicates to provide an electrostatic potential between the mesh nebulizer and the medical appliance so that the mesh nebulizer imparts an electrostatic charge to the droplets of the coating material opposite the charge of the medical appliance. From action 630, the flow proceeds to action 640, which indicates to contact a coating material with a first side of the mesh nebulizer. From action 640, the flow proceeds to action 650, which indicates to select a frequency and an amplitude of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. From action 650, the flow proceeds to action 660, which indicates to vibrate the mesh nebulizer to form droplets of the coating material. From action 660, the flow proceeds to action 670, which indicates to fixture the medical appliance in a deposition region to allow the coating material to contact a surface of the medical appliance. From action 670, the flow proceeds to end circle 680. If the response to decision 620 is negative, the flow proceeds to action 640. As used herein, the term “therapeutic agent” includes one or more “therapeutic agents” or “drugs”. The terms “therapeutic agents”, “active substance” and “drugs” are used interchangeably herein and include pharmaceutically active compounds, nucleic acids with and without carrier vectors such as lipids, compacting agents (such as histones), virus (such as adenovirus, andenoassociated virus, retrovirus, lentivirus and α-virus), polymers, hyaluronic acid, proteins, cells and the like, with or without targeting sequences. The therapeutic agent may be any pharmaceutically acceptable agent such as a non-genetic therapeutic agent, a biomolecule, a small molecule, or cells. Exemplary non-genetic therapeutic agents include anti-thrombogenic agents such heparin, heparin derivatives, prostaglandin (including micellar prostaglandin E1), urokinase, and PPack (dextrophenylalanine proline arginine chloromethylketone); anti-proliferative agents such as enoxaprin, angiopeptin, sirolimus (rapamycin), tacrolimus, everolimus, monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking smooth muscle cell proliferation, hirudin, and acetylsalicylic acid; anti-inflammatory agents such as dexamethasone, rosiglitazone, prednisolone, corticosterone, budesonide, estrogen, estrodiol, sulfasalazine, acetylsalicylic acid, mycophenolic acid, and mesalamine; anti-neoplastic/anti-proliferative/anti-mitotic agents such as paclitaxel, epothilone, cladribine, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, cyclosporine, cisplatin, vinblastine, vincristine, epothilones, endostatin, trapidil, halofuginone, and angiostatin; anti-cancer agents such as antisense inhibitors of c-myc oncogene; anti-microbial agents such as triclosan, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, nitrofurantoin, silver ions, compounds, or salts; biofilm synthesis inhibitors such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, O,O′-bis(2-aminoethyl)ethyleneglycol-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid and mixtures thereof; antibiotics such as gentamycin, rifampin, minocyclin, and ciprofolxacin; antibodies including chimeric antibodies and antibody fragments; anesthetic agents such as lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine; nitric oxide; nitric oxide (NO) donors such as lisidomine, molsidomine, L-arginine, NO-carbohydrate adducts, polymeric or oligomeric NO adducts; anti-coagulants such as D-Phe-Pro-Arg chloromethyl ketone, an RGD peptide-containing compound, heparin, antithrombin compounds, platelet receptor antagonists, anti-thrombin antibodies, anti-platelet receptor antibodies, enoxaparin, hirudin, warfarin sodium, Dicumarol, aspirin, prostaglandin inhibitors, platelet aggregation inhibitors such as cilostazol and tick antiplatelet factors; vascular cell growth promotors such as growth factors, transcriptional activators, and translational promotors; vascular cell growth inhibitors such as growth factor inhibitors, growth factor receptor antagonists, transcriptional repressors, translational repressors, replication inhibitors, inhibitory antibodies, antibodies directed against growth factors, bifunctional molecules consisting of a growth factor and a cytotoxin, bifunctional molecules consisting of an antibody and a cytotoxin; cholesterol-lowering agents; vasodilating agents; agents which interfere with endogeneus vascoactive mechanisms; inhibitors of heat shock proteins such as geldanamycin; angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; beta-blockers; bAR kinase (bARKct) inhibitors; phospholamban inhibitors; and any combinations and prodrugs of the above. Exemplary biomolecules include peptides, polypeptides and proteins; oligonucleotides; nucleic acids such as double or single stranded DNA (including naked and cDNA), RNA, antisense nucleic acids such as antisense DNA and RNA, small interfering RNA (siRNA), and ribozymes; genes; carbohydrates; angiogenic factors including growth factors; cell cycle inhibitors; and anti-restenosis agents. Nucleic acids may be incorporated into delivery systems such as, for example, vectors (including viral vectors), plasmids or liposomes. Non-limiting examples of proteins include serca-2 protein, monocyte chemoattractant proteins (“MCP-1) and bone morphogenic proteins (“BMP's”), such as, for example, BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6 (Vgr-1), BMP-7 (OP-1), BMP-8, BMP-9, BMP-10, BMP-11, BMP-12, BMP-13, BMP-14, BMP-15. Preferred BMPS are any of BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6, and BMP-7. These BMPs can be provided as homdimers, heterodimers, or combinations thereof, alone or together with other molecules. Alternatively, or in addition, molecules capable of inducing an upstream or downstream effect of a BMP can be provided. Such molecules include any of the “hedghog” proteins, or the DNA's encoding them. Non-limiting examples of genes include survival genes that protect against cell death, such as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family factors and Akt kinase; serca 2 gene; and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of angiogenic factors include acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α and β, platelet-derived endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, tumor necrosis factor α, hepatocyte growth factor, and insulin like growth factor. A non-limiting example of a cell cycle inhibitor is a cathespin D (CD) inhibitor. Non-limiting examples of anti-restenosis agents include p15, p16, p18, p19, p21, p27, p53, p57, Rb, nFkB and E2F decoys, thymidine kinase (“TK”) and combinations thereof and other agents useful for interfering with cell proliferation. Exemplary small molecules include hormones, nucleotides, amino acids, sugars, and lipids and compounds have a molecular weight of less than 100 kD. Exemplary cells include stem cells, progenitor cells, endothelial cells, adult cardiomyocytes, and smooth muscle cells. Cells can be of human origin (autologous or allogenic) or from an animal source (xenogenic), or genetically engineered. Non-limiting examples of cells include side population (SP) cells, lineage negative (Lin−) cells including Lin−CD34−, Lin−CD34+, Lin−cKit+, mesenchymal stem cells including mesenchymal stem cells with 5-aza, cord blood cells, cardiac or other tissue derived stem cells, whole bone marrow, bone marrow mononuclear cells, endothelial progenitor cells, skeletal myoblasts or satellite cells, muscle derived cells, go cells, endothelial cells, adult cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, adult cardiac fibroblasts +5-aza, genetically modified cells, tissue engineered grafts, MyoD scar fibroblasts, pacing cells, embryonic stem cell clones, embryonic stem cells, fetal or neonatal cells, immunologically masked cells, and teratoma derived cells. Any of the therapeutic agents may be combined to the extent such combination is biologically compatible. Any of the above mentioned therapeutic agents may be incorporated into a polymeric coating on the medical device or applied onto a polymeric coating on a medical device. The polymers of the polymeric coatings may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Non-limiting examples of suitable non-biodegradable polymers include polystrene; polyisobutylene copolymers and styrene-isobutylene-styrene block copolymers such as styrene-isobutylene-styrene tert-block copolymers (SIBS); polyvinylpyrrolidone including cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone; polyvinyl alcohols, copolymers of vinyl monomers such as EVA; polyvinyl ethers; polyvinyl aromatics; polyethylene oxides; polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate; polyamides; polyacrylamides; polyethers including polyether sulfone; polyalkylenes including polypropylene, polyethylene and high molecular weight polyethylene; polyurethanes; polycarbonates, silicones; siloxane polymers; cellulosic polymers such as cellulose acetate; polymer dispersions such as polyurethane dispersions (BAYHDROL®); squalene emulsions; and mixtures and copolymers of any of the foregoing. Non-limiting examples of suitable biodegradable polymers include polycarboxylic acid, polyanhydrides including maleic anhydride polymers; polyorthoesters; poly-amino acids; polyethylene oxide; polyphosphazenes; polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and copolymers and mixtures thereof such as poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(D,L,-lactide), poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), 50/50 (DL-lactide-co-glycolide); polydioxanone; polypropylene fumarate; polydepsipeptides; polycaprolactone and co-polymers and mixtures thereof such as poly(D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) and polycaprolactone co-butylacrylate; polyhydroxybutyrate valerate and blends; polycarbonates such as tyrosine-derived polycarbonates and arylates, polyiminocarbonates, and polydimethyltrimethylcarbonates; cyanoacrylate; calcium phosphates; polyglycosaminoglycans; macromolecules such as polysaccharides (including hyaluronic acid; cellulose, and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose; gelatin; starches; dextrans; alginates and derivatives thereof), proteins and polypeptides; and mixtures and copolymers of any of the foregoing. The biodegradable polymer may also be a surface erodable polymer such as polyhydroxybutyrate and its copolymers, polycaprolactone, polyanhydrides (both crystalline and amorphous), maleic anhydride copolymers, and zinc-calcium phosphate. Such coatings used with the present invention may be formed by any method known to one in the art. For example, an initial polymer/solvent mixture can be formed and then the therapeutic agent added to the polymer/solvent mixture. Alternatively, the polymer, solvent, and therapeutic agent can be added simultaneously to form the mixture. The polymer/solvent/therapeutic agent mixture may be a dispersion, suspension or a solution. The therapeutic agent may also be mixed with the polymer in the absence of a solvent. The therapeutic agent may be dissolved in the polymer/solvent mixture or in the polymer to be in a true solution with the mixture or polymer, dispersed into fine or micronized particles in the mixture or polymer, suspended in the mixture or polymer based on its solubility profile, or combined with micelle-forming compounds such as surfactants or adsorbed onto small carrier particles to create a suspension in the mixture or polymer. The coating may comprise multiple polymers and/or multiple therapeutic agents. The coating can be applied to the medical device by any known method in the art including dipping, spraying, rolling, brushing, electrostatic plating or spinning, vapor deposition, air spraying including atomized spray coating, and spray coating using an ultrasonic nozzle. The coating is typically from about 1 to about 50 microns thick. In the case of balloon catheters, the thickness is preferably from about 1 to about 10 microns, and more preferably from about 2 to about 5 microns. Very thin polymer coatings, such as about 0.2-0.3 microns and much thicker coatings, such as more than 10 microns, are also possible. It is also within the scope of the present invention to apply multiple layers of polymer coatings onto the medical device. Such multiple layers may contain the same or different therapeutic agents and/or the same or different polymers. Methods of choosing the type, thickness and other properties of the polymer and/or therapeutic agent to create different release kinetics are well known to one in the art. The medical device may also contain a radio-opacifying agent within its structure to facilitate viewing the medical device during insertion and at any point while the device is implanted. Non-limiting examples of radio-opacifying agents are bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxychloride, bismuth trioxide, barium sulfate, tungsten, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of medical devices according to the present invention include catheters, guide wires, balloons, filters (e.g., vena cava filters), stents, stent grafts, vascular grafts, intraluminal paving systems, implants and other devices used in connection with drug-loaded polymer coatings. Such medical devices may be implanted or otherwise utilized in body lumina and organs such as the coronary vasculature, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, urinary tract, prostate, brain, lung, liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, bladder, intestines, stomach, pancreas, ovary, cartilage, eye, bone, and the like. While the present invention has been described in connection with the foregoing representative embodiment, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the representative embodiment is exemplary in nature and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection for the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 1. A method of coating a medical appliance, comprising: contacting a coating material with a first side of a mesh nebulizer, the mesh nebulizer comprising at least one aperture; vibrating the mesh nebulizer; and arranging the medical appliance in a region of a second side of the mesh nebulizer, the second side opposite the first side. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mesh nebulizer forms droplets of the coating material. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising transporting the droplets from the mesh nebulizer to the medical appliance. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the transporting is performed by a gas source. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the transporting is performed by gravity, the mesh nebulizer being positioned above the medical appliance. 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing an electrostatic potential between the mesh nebulizer and the medical appliance, the mesh nebulizer imparting an electrostatic charge to the droplets of the coating material. 7. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting a size of the at least one aperture of the mesh nebulizer, the size of the apertures determining the size of the droplets. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the size of the apertures is between about 0.1 μm and about 200 μm. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the size of the apertures is between about 3 μm and about 20 μm. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the size of the apertures is about 10 μm. selecting a further size of at least one further aperture of the mesh nebulizer; wherein the size of the at least one aperture is adapted to atomize the coating material; and wherein the further size of the at least one further aperture is adapted to atomize a further coating material. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: arranging the at least one aperture in a first area of the mesh nebulizer; arranging the at least one further aperture in a second area of the mesh nebulizer; and contacting the further coating material with the first side of the mesh nebulizer in the second area; wherein the contacting of the coating material with the first side of the mesh nebulizer is in the first area. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the coating material and the further coating material mix on the second side of the mesh nebulizer. 14. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting a frequency of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising varying the frequency of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. 16. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting an amplitude of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising varying the amplitude of the vibration of the mesh nebulizer. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating material includes at least one of a protein and a peptide. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting at least one of: a location of the at least one aperture on the mesh nebulizer; and a quantity of the at least one aperture on the mesh nebulizer. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the location of the at least one aperture on the mesh nebulizer is selected; the at least one aperture is a plurality of apertures; and the apertures are arranged in one of a line and a rectangular array. 22. The method of claim 1, further comprising fixturing the medical appliance to allow the coating material to contact about all of a surface of the medical appliance. 23. A medical appliance having a coating applied by a method, the method comprising: 24. A system for coating a medical appliance, comprising: a coating source; a mesh nebulizer; an arrangement for vibrating the mesh nebulizer; and an arrangement for holding the medical appliance. 25. A method of coating a medical appliance, comprising: directing at least two small aperture tubes at a collision region; forcing a coating material out of the apertures of the tubes; and arranging the medical appliance in another region adjacent to the collision region. 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__label__cc	0.569554	0.430446	US20100235201A1 - Booking System and Method - Google Patents Booking System and Method Download PDF Dean McEvoy Mcevoy Dean 2010-05-10 Application filed by Mcevoy Dean filed Critical Mcevoy Dean G06Q10/00—Administration; Management G06Q10/02—Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events A method enabling owners of websites to monetize their local listings by implementing online bookings, reservations or orders using an interactive voice recognition (IVR) system. A user of a web-based interface requests a booking or order by entering parameters, for example, name of the restaurant, number of people, date and time. The software of the present invention calls the restaurants telephone using the IVR and confirms or rejects (refuses) the booking. The invention allows for the payment of commissions for originating or facilitation of bookings or orders or the registration of participating restaurants. The booking service is paid by the restaurant for successful bookings. Credit is made for cancelled or no-show bookings. The invention includes a loyalty points system that rewards frequent users of the booking service. The present United States patent application is a continuation-in-part from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/990,474. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. The present invention relates generally to computerized booking and order systems, including customer loyalty programs. More specifically, the present invention relates to using an interactive voice recognition system connected to the Internet for making a booking or order. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART The present invention is disclosed with reference to making reservation bookings at a restaurant. It will be understood that this is provided by way of example and that the invention may be applied to any industry or target businesses where appointments, bookings or orders are made. Examples of such industries include hairdressers, hotels and other forms of accommodation, doctors and dentists, and retail outlets having little or no Internet presence or who don't already have e-commerce capabilities. The Internet has a large number of web sites, search engines, and directories of information regarding restaurants. The information may include location, type of cuisine, cost, atmosphere, or a rating by customers or a critic. While these support Internet users in selecting a desirable restaurant, none of these sites, engines, or directories has a satisfactory way of facilitating online bookings. Instead, restaurants are approached by a number of advertising proposals for various promotional or business-building media. These include preferred listing in search engines or directories, links to and from related sites, banner advertisements in web browser screens, and others. These media, however, provide no guarantee to the restaurant of the return they will receive. There have been some attempts to provide on-line booking systems for restaurants. These systems, however, have relied on e-mail or fax communications with the restaurant except for a few US and UK sites (such as opentable.com or toptable.co.uk) that have convinced the restaurants to invest in specialised and sometimes expensive hardware and software that allows them to take fully automated online bookings. The other method requires that the restaurant frequently check for booking requests, a situation which is a change for most restaurants that rely on telephone, answer machine or fax machine messages. E-mail and fax systems are also not well set up to communicate back to the customer either to confirm or refuse the booking request. At least one on-line booking web site requires a restaurant to allocate a certain number of seats per night to be filled by on-line bookings. This, however, has proven to be impractical for many businesses, and has been adopted only by large restaurants that can allocate a regular number of tables. What is needed is an online booking system that allows the customer to make booking requests on-line and receive an immediate confirmation. In the case of a booking rejection, the system would allow the customer to select alternate parameters (date, time, etc.) for the same restaurant to accept as an alternative, or to select another restaurant. The system would communicate with the restaurant using the telephone, and integrates with the existing booking systems already established at the restaurant. Finally, the restaurant would pay the booking service only for (at least) successful bookings. OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an on-line booking system allowing Internet users to request a booking and receive a confirmation while on-line or via email. It is a further object to allow a restaurant to register for the service and pay for successful bookings through the service. It is a further object of the present invention to use an IVR system for communication with the requested restaurant to allow the restaurant to accept or refuse the user's booking request. It is another object to provide alternative communication pathways (such as a call centre) to the restaurant and to the user in the event the IVR pathway is not available. It is an alternate object of the present invention to provide a value-add proposition for web sites that assist in the deployment of the Booking Angel system, allowing web sited to retain users, build content, and increase volume. It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a loyalty system for regular customers of the service. It is an additional object of the present invention to allow customers to provide feedback to the restaurant, possibly in exchange for loyalty points or product or service coupons or other consideration. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method for a web-site to enable a user of the web-site to make a reservation request, for the benefit of the user, the web-site coupled to a database having one or more data records each indicative of a venue, the method comprising the steps of: (a) identifying, within a web-page, a first candidate reference to a first venue; (b) querying the database for obtaining a first data record indicative of the first venue; (b) if the first data record is obtained, updating the web-page to have a first web-link associated with the first venue for requesting a reservation; (c) when the first web-link is selected by the user, prompting the user for reservation data indicative of a reservation request at the first venue; (d) transmitting the reservation data to a remote booking server that is coupled to interactive voice response facility; and wherein the booking server is adapted to retrieve contact information of the first venue, create a voice message from the reservation data and contact information, the voice message indicative of the reservation request, enabling transmission of the voice message via the interactive voice response facility for communicating the voice message to an operator at the venue, receiving from the operator acceptance or rejection of the request, and informing the user of the operator acceptance or rejection. Preferably, the remote booking server is adapted to perform the steps of: (a) combining the reservation data with venue information from a booking database; (b) creating a voice message from reservation data and venue information, the voice message indicative of the reservation request including preferences; (c) transmitting the voice message by calling the business using an interactive voice response facility coupled to the booking server; (d) communicating the voice message to a human operator using the interactive voice response facility; (e) receiving from the human operator, via the interactive voice response facility, confirmation or refusal of the reservation request; (f) informing the user of the confirmation or refusal of the reservation request; (g) storing, to the booking database, information regarding completed bookings attributable to the venue; and (h) collecting a payment from the business. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a user access interface for a processor device, the processor device being couplable to a database having one or more data records each indicative of a venue; the processor device being adapted to render a web-page; the interface comprising a control module adapted to: identify, within the web-page, a candidate reference to a first venue; query the database for obtaining a first data record indicative of the first venue; if the first data record is obtained, render the web-page having a first web-link associated with the first venue for requesting a reservation; and when the web-link is selected by the user, the user is prompted for reservation data indicative of a reservation request for the first venue. Upon publishing the web-page in response to the user requesting the web-page, the web-page is preferably updated dynamically by a web-server to incorporate the first web-link. Alternatively, in response to the user requesting the web-page, the web-page is preferably dynamically rendered by a web-browser to incorporate the first web-link. Preferably, the first candidate reference to the first venue is a telephone number including area code or reference ID. More preferably, the first candidate reference is maintained within an accessible dataset (or database). Preferably, if the first data record is obtained, the web-page is updated automatically to have a first web-link associated with the first venue for requesting a reservation. Preferably, the web-page is dynamically parsed and amended by a code module operatively associated with the web-page, thereby to incorporate the first web-link. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a system to enable a user of a web-site to make a reservation request, for the benefit of the user, the system comprising: a database having one or more data records each indicative of a venue; a plurality of web-sites each having a web-page the includes one or more candidate reference to a venue; a web-server for publishing a web-page having a first candidate reference that is indicative of a first venue and corresponding first data record, wherein the web-page includes a web-link associated with the first venue for requesting a reservation; a booking module for the user to provide reservation data indicative of a reservation request for the first venue a booking server adapted to receive the reservation data from the booking module, to retrieve contact information for the first venue, create a voice message from the reservation data and contact information, the voice message indicative of the reservation request, and enabling transmission of the voice message via the interactive voice response facility for communicating the voice message to an operator at the venue, receiving from the operator confirmation of acceptance or rejection of the request, and informing the user of the operator acceptance or rejection. Updating the web-page is preferably performed dynamically by a web-server when publishing the web-page, in response to the user requesting the web-page. Alternatively, updating the web-page is preferably performed dynamically by a web-browser when rendering the web-page, in response to the user requesting the web-page. Preferably, the reservation data comprises a name of the venue, a date and time of requested reservation, a name of the user and contact details of the user. More preferably, the reservation data pertains to an order and the reservation data comprises details of an item ordered. Preferably, the database comprises register records each indicative of a registered user. More preferably, the reservation data further comprises personal information of the user for checking against register records for confirming registration of the user. Preferably, the database stores payment and billing information relating to each venue. Preferably, the user is rewarded according to a customer loyalty scheme. Preferably, reservation request includes any one or more of the following: a meeting request, booking request and an order request; Preferably, the user is enabled to make restaurant bookings. Preferably, a commission is paid by an operator of the booking server to an operator of the web-site. Preferably, the database has one or more data records each indicative of a venue including any one or more venues: registered in respect of the web-site, whereby the registration has been communicated to the booking server by an operator of the web site; registered in respect of the booking server; identified as a unregistered venue. Under directions communicated by the telephone connection from the IVR facility, a telephone keypad is preferably used for providing confirmation of acceptance or rejection of the request. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program product stored on a computer usable medium, the computer program product adapted to provide a method of for a web-site to enable a user of the web-site to make a reservation request, as herein described. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable medium for operation with a processor device, the computer readable medium comprising computer code for executing a method comprising the steps of: a method of for a web-site to enable a user of the web-site to make a reservation request, as herein described. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an on-line booking method, herein referred to as the “Booking Angel”, which allows an Internet user, after selecting a restaurant, to request a booking, enter desired date, time, number and other information. The booking request is communicated to the restaurant using an interactive voice response (IVR) system, and booking confirmation or refusal is input by using the keys on the phone. This is communicated back to the user while still on-line or sent via email or SMS. The restaurant registers for the Booking Angel service and pays for successful reservations booked through the service. Booking Angel has a customer relationship management system attached to it that manages all customer interactions from sign up, ongoing maintenance through to billing and reporting. The system integrates with a call centre and allows communication with restaurants and users via fax, email, phone, SMS, post and IVR. For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the Booking Angel service; FIG. 2 illustrates the detail of the Booking Angel reservation process; FIG. 3 illustrates the use of user and restaurant databases; FIG. 4 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the Booking Angel billing process; FIG. 5 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the commission payment process; FIG. 6 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the loyalty points process; FIG. 7 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the ratings process; FIG. 8 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the sign up process; FIG. 9 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the cancelled bookings process; FIG. 10 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the No-show booking process; FIG. 11 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of the promotional bookings process; FIG. 12 illustrates the detail of one embodiment of booking commissions process; FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method according to the present invention; FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a tabular data format indicative of opening times for this restaurant; FIG. 15 is an embodiment implementation of an online XML schema; FIG. 16A is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention; FIG. 16B is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention; FIG. 17 is an embodiment implementation of an Java script applet; FIG. 18 is an embodiment flowchart for a method to the present invention; FIG. 19 is an embodiment flowchart for a method to the present invention; and FIG. 20 illustrates the detail of an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention is a computerized services implemented to assist businesses in attracting and communicating with customers. While the description below uses restaurants as an example, the invention can also be used to assist other retail and service business types. The invention, or “Booking Angel”, is a subscription booking service for restaurants. The registration process may include the payment of a one-time or subscription fee. Once registered, the restaurant will receive on-line booking requests via IVR telephone and will pay a fee for successful bookings. The Booking Angel interacts with an Internet user who desires to make a booking with a subscribed restaurant. The user may reach the Booking Angel web site in a number of ways. These include going directly to the Booking Angel web site or by clicking on a link to the Booking Angel web site The links to the Booking Angel web site may be placed in another web site, for example, web sites for “city search” type services, restaurants, newspapers and magazines; or in general search engine web sites such as YAHOO or GOOGLE. Referring now to FIG. 1. This illustrates an overview of Booking Angel processing 100. A web site for a partner web site is shown 102 as the starting point for a restaurant booking. The Internet user of this web site selects parameters for a list of possible restaurants based on location, cuisine, price, etc. The list of matching restaurants 104 is displayed to the user for selection. Each entry 106 gives information about the listed restaurant such as restaurant address and phone number. It also includes hyperlinks to additional information about the entry. For example, links to the restaurant's web site 108, to send an e-mail to the restaurant, to show a map and directions, etc. For subscribed restaurants, a link “Book a table” is available 114, which when clicked prompts the user for requested date, time, number of people, and other information 116. This data is sent to the Booking Angel system 120. The Booking Angel combines this data with information contained in a database 122 and creates a voice message 128. This voice message is used by the IVR 124 to call the selected restaurant's reservation phone number 126. The staff at the restaurant answers the phone 126 and hears the voice message 128, and is prompted to accept or refuse the booking by touching keys on the phone's keypad. The staff response is received by the Booking Angel system 120 and sends information back to the user in the form of data streams and preferences 130. The users must be registered in order to use the Booking Angel. Registration typically is at no cost to the user. During registration, the Booking Angel will collect personal and preference data from the user and store it in a database. A registered user will be assigned a user name and a password that will be used for all bookings made by the user. The personal data collected includes contact name, phone numbers, e-mail address and booking preferences, for example the name of favourite restaurants, and parameters for booking such as time, day of week, and number in the party. The database of registered users may also be used to record an accumulation of “loyalty points” which reward users for making booking using the Booking Angel. Trend data may also be extracted from the information collected. By analysing where people are booking, the system will be able to infer the most popular restaurants in any geographical region. This can be combined with the user ratings to give an indication of the best restaurants in an area or of a particular cuisine style. By looking at individual booking trends you may be able to make suggestions of restaurants that a user is likely to enjoy. For example trend data may show that people who visit restaurants A and B also visit restaurant C. So if an individual has already visited restaurant A and B you may be able to suggest restaurant C. The Booking Angel is a web site providing reservation services. Links to the Booking Angel are located in other web sites. For example, a web site providing “city search” type functions, e.g., locating theatres, events, clubs, as well as restaurants, would include links to the Booking Angel on web pages detailing one or more restaurants matching the search criteria. FIG. 2 illustrates the details of one embodiment of the Booking Angel 200. A user using a computer system with a web browser navigates to the Booking Angel web site and indicates a desire to make a booking at a particular restaurant. The user inputs booking and contact information 202. If the user is a current registered user 204, the e-mail address and password of the user as registered is entered. This is checked against the database of registered users 208 and if valid, information about the user is retrieved from the database 208. The database of registered restaurants 220 is checked for the times the restaurant booking telephone is available for booking requests. If the restaurant is not open for booking requests, the user is notified that an attempt will be made to make the booking offline. This is done by holding the information regarding the booking in a queue that is activated when the restaurant is open. If the restaurant is open for bookings 212 and the restaurant is registered 218, the restaurant is called using the interactive voice response (IVR) 222. If the phone line is engaged or no answer 224, the booking request is added to the offline queue for a later attempt and the user is notified. If the phone is answered by a human operator, an IVR message containing the booking details are played and the human operator is given choices to accept, reschedule, or refuse the booking. This is done by touching keys on the telephone keypad in response to prompts from the IVR. If the booking request is accepted 226, the user is notified 216. If the user is still online viewing the Booking Angel web page, the user is given a confirmation message. If the user is no longer online at the Booking Angel web site, the user is notified by e-mail, sms or telephone message, using contact information contained in the database of registered users 208. The details of the booking are entered into the database of registered users 208 for later processing. If the booking request is accepted with a new date or time 228, the user is notified 216 as above. If the booking request is refused, the user is notified 216 as above. The database of registered users and the database of registered restaurants are used to record the results of the booking, calculate and award loyalty points for the user, and calculate and bill the restaurant. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of these uses of the databases 300. The database of registered users 302 may be used to send the user 306 a booking reminder 308. At the time of making the booking, the user may request a reminder a number of days or hours before the booking, by e-mail or telephone message (IVR or short messaging service, SMS). The reminder requests are stored in the database of registered users and are triggered at the requested time. The restaurant notifies the Booking Angel, for example, by phone, fax, or e-mail, of the result of the booking. If the booking was successful, that is, the user came to the restaurant at the time of the booking and ordered, then the user may earn loyalty points which are stored in the database of registered users. These loyalty points may be exchanged for goods or services according to the loyalty program details. Loyalty points may also be used in exchange for Booking Angel services, for example, expedited bookings, reminder messages, or preferential seating. The user may also be sent by e-mail a satisfaction or comment survey 316 for the restaurant. Loyalty points may be given the user when they complete the survey. If the restaurant reports that the user failed to show for the booking 312, the user is notified and a record is made in the database of registered users. This record may be used to penalize or disqualify the offending user, for example, deducting loyalty points or refusing to permit future booking request based on a number of no-show results. If the restaurant notifies the Booking Angel that the user has cancelled the booking, the database of registered users is updated accordingly. The Booking Angel service is paid by the restaurant for each successful booking. This process is illustrated in FIG. 4. For each booking, cancellation, or dispute 402, the restaurant is notified by e-mail. If there is not e-mail address for the restaurant 404 in the database of registered restaurants, nothing is sent. If the restaurant balance is below a threshold, say $7.00, the restaurant is billed a fixed amount, say $29.50. The threshold is set by the Booking Angel and is typically the same for all registered restaurants. The fixed billing amount may be different for different restaurants. For example, a restaurant with a large number of Booking Angel bookings may wish to have a higher fixed amount. The Booking Angel bills the restaurant's credit or debit card or direct debit out of a bank account 408, the fixed amount. If the payment is rejected 410, the Booking Angel call centre will follow up with the restaurant for payment, or may remove the restaurant from the list of registered restaurants preventing future bookings. If the payment is authorized, 412, a confirmation is sent 414 by fax or e-mail, if available. Each quarter, 416, a detailed report of all booking and billing transactions is sent to the restaurant. The restaurant may also receive other reports, for example, the distribution of bookings by post code. The Booking Angel may also pay commissions for people or web sites that refer users to the Booking Angel. FIG. 5 illustrates the process of paying commissions. A fixed number of days after the end of a month, say 10 days, which allows time for disputes to be resolved, the successful bookings for the month are extracted from the database of user or restaurants 502. These transactions are examined to determine which site or person referred the user to the Booking Angel. A commission is calculated for each referring person or web site 504. Taxes on the commissions are calculated 506 and withheld or paid to the taxing authority. If the commission amount is less than a threshold, say $10, then the commissions are held until the threshold is reached 508. Commissions more then the threshold, including accumulated held amounts, are paid by a batch payment facility 510. Notification of payment is sent by e-mail to the referring person or web site 512. The Booking Angel may also award loyalty points to users. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of this process. Loyalty points are earned when bookings are made 602 and are made available five days after the booked date, to allow the restaurant to report if the user kept the booking or not. If the user returns the satisfaction or comment survey, points are awarded and available immediately on receipt of the survey. A number of points may be fixed, say five points for the survey, or may vary based on criteria such as number of questions answered or comments included. The user may redeem loyalty points for goods or services at a restaurant 606. In this case, the restaurant puts together an offer and assigns a number of points needed. Points may also be used for reminder messages or other extra services 608. The number of loyalty points earned may also be used by the Booking Angel to give a user additional privilege, access, authority, or priority 610. One embodiment of the use of restaurant satisfaction or comment survey is illustrated in FIG. 7. A fixed time, say 1 hour, after the booking time, an e-mail is sent to the user requesting completion of a survey 702. The user confirms that the booking took place 704, and a fixed number of loyalty points, say 25, are immediately awarded. (If the restaurant reports that the user did not appear for the booking, the loyalty points may be retracted, depending on the resolution of the dispute.) A fixed number of points, say 25, is offered for completion of the survey. The survey asks the user to rate the restaurant on a scale for categories such as “food”, “service”, “atmosphere”, “value”, etc 706. The survey includes a place to provide comments if desired 708. The comments and ratings are returned to the Booking Angel and they may be made available to the restaurants 710. The number of loyalty points for each user may be made available 712. In addition, the survey form may include comments about the Booking Angel service. These comments may be used to improve the service, or to provide testimonials on the Booking Angel web site 714. The Booking Angel is paid by the restaurants based on the number of bookings made using the Booking Angel service. Restaurants must be registered and agree to pay for each booking made. FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of this process. A user may request a booking at a restaurant that is not yet registered. To allow this, each restaurant is granted a fixed number, say two, free bookings 802. When a second booking is made for an unregistered restaurant 804, the Booking Angel call centre contacts the restaurant for registration and payment details 804. If unable to contact the restaurant, a follow up for the day after the booking is scheduled 806. Once the free bookings are exhausted, a last booking is allowed 808, for example to allow for the case where the owner is not available. After the last free booking is used 810, the restaurant is taken off the system until registration is complete. If the registration is not completed, or if the restaurant declines to be registered, no further actions with the restaurant is taken or allowed 812. If the restaurant is registered, 814, they pay by credit card 816 or direct debit 818, a fixed one-time fee, say $10, and a credit balance amount, say $29.50, which is debited to pay for each successful booking. If the payment is declined, the call centre will follow up 824 and two more bookings will be permitted 826. If the payment is approved 822, the restaurant is registered and available for bookings. Each booking call is recorded and billed according to a schedule, for example, no charge for a call not answered, $1.00 for a call answered by a machine, $1.00 for a call answered and the booking is refused, $5.90 for a booking accepted. There is no charge for an incomplete call. At the end of each call, tax is added to the call charge and subtracted from the credit balance. When the credit balance is below a threshold, the restaurant credit card or direct debit is charged a fixed amount added to the credit balance. If the booking is cancelled by the user or restaurant, the restaurant is credited the amount charged for the booking. FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of this process. If the booking is cancelled by the user using the web site 902, the restaurant is called using the IVR 904. If successful, the amount charged for the booking, say $5.90, is credited 912, including any tax amount 914. If the IVR message was not delivered, for example, engaged or no answer 908, the call is re-queued 904. If re-queued a number of times, say four times 910, the restaurant is credited the booking fee 912 including tax 914. A record is made of the cancellation so any dispute can be resolved. If the booking is cancelled by the restaurant through the call centre 916, a confirmation e-mail is sent to the user 918. The user may confirm the cancellation or after a number of days, say three, the booking fee 912 and tax 914 are credited. FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a failure of the user to show up for the booking. In this case, the restaurant contacts the Booking Angel call centre or sends and e-mail 1000. The user is notified by e-mail 1002. Five days are allowed for the user to dispute the no-show status of the booking 1004. If not disputed or if disputed and resolved as no-show, the booking fee 1006 and tax 1008 are credited to the restaurant. The user is notified by e-mail 1010, including any warnings or penalties. For example, a user who is a no-show three times is prohibited from using the Booking Angel in the future, or any loyalty points given are retracted. The Booking Angel also allows for promotional bookings. FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of this process. These are credits given to restaurants as rewards for continued service, when a threshold of bookings is reached, etc. These credits are used before any charges are debited from the restaurant credit balance 1102. Promotional bookings are not included in the calculation for any commissions 1104. Commissions are paid as a percentage of fess paid to the Booking Angel service. FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of this process. The percentage paid may vary depending on the customer or organization originating or facilitating the booking 1204. Web sites may be paid a commission for bookings made through links from their web site to the Booking Angel web site 1206. Web sites may also be paid a commission for originating or facilitating the registering of a restaurant 1204. The Booking Angel provides a web-based, interactive booking system for the customer, and an IVR telephone interface for the restaurant. This is an advantage over current art. In an embodiment, implementing a Booking Angel system can be made relatively easily and hassle free by a website owner. Referring to FIG. 13, The steps involved implementing a Booking Angel system can include the following: STEP 1310: Receiving data indicative of one or more restaurants to be enabled; STEP 1320: Providing a web link for booking web site; STEP 1330: Receiving data indicative of booking access; and STEP 1340: Providing access to data indicative of active and/or inactive restaurants for enabling the web link. Site owner typically provides Booking Angel system with data indicative of one or more restaurants to be activated. Data indicative of a restaurant to be activated can include: restaurant name, restaurant address, restaurant phone number. More details can be provided if available, including website URL, contact name, restaurant website URL, restaurant email address, restaurant fax, restaurant opening hours etc. Preferably, the data format is ‘csv’ or other standardised tabular format. Opening hours can be provided in separate fields that can be queried by a database. Appropriate hours for calling a restaurant can also useful, particularly if these times are different form their opening hours. Typically, fast food chains and restaurants known to not take reservations are excluded. By way of example, Restaurant A may be open for breakfast on weekends, lunch Monday through Friday and dinner every night except Monday. A tabular data format 1400 indicative of opening times for this restaurant can be represented as best shown in FIG. 14. Alternatively, if opening hours are not provided it may be inferred that the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day. Site owner can further provide data indicative of which restaurants have an existing billing relationship with the website. A restaurants can be activated within the booking angel systems and a web link provided for bookings. The web can be provided in a format that a web site developers can include in a web page, wherever a link may be required. A calendar widget or other suitable way of linking to a booking page can be developed. A branded reserve now button or calendar can be developed and provided to fit in with the look and feel of a respective web site. In this example a link can be identified by the restaurants telephone number including country code and area code, whereby a restaurant in America with the phone number (310) 456 7890 may have a book now link in the form of: “service.bookingangel.com/book/restaurants/referralID=?/supplier=13104567890” Receiving data indicative of booking access can be achieved by using a tracking ‘.gif’ image file and/or asynchronous JavaScript. This can be implemented on each page where the booking link appears, to enable monitoring of click through rates for maximize/improve the number of bookings. The ‘.gif’ image file can also have a link identifier related to the phone number. To reduce any effect of caching the link identifier may further include a number indicative of date and/or time. By way of example only, a ‘.gif’ image file link identifier can include: “getimage.php/1/13104567890/20080109”. In an embodiment, after receiving data indicative of one or more restaurants, and enabling the restaurants within the booking system, access can be provided to data indicative of activated restaurants. By way of example only, an xml feed of phone numbers of all the restaurants activated within the booking system can be provided. This xml feed or web service can further comprise variables associated with each phone number, including an one or more of signed, active, and/or inactive. A website developers can set up a process for updating the data at regular interval, preferably at least every 24 hours or more preferably as often as practical. Based in the content of this feed, selected booking links can be activated and inactivated for particular restaurants. Typically the web server IP addresses is required to enable access to the feed. In an embodiment, signed up restaurants can be given priority over other restaurants. It will be appreciated that signed up restaurants can provide direct commission upon each booking. It will be appreciated that a trial booking system can be implemented and tested on a staging environment to confirm the updating process is operating correctly and that the integration is acceptable. In an embodiment, customized branding can also be provided. A Booking Angel system is typically branded with “BookingAngel.com”. Booking Angel can further provide customized branding can across various areas of the restaurant web site. In an embodiment, confirmation emails sent to users and/or restaurants are sent from a Booking Angel system. Co-branding can also be included in these emails. The e-mails sent by a Booking Angel system may further include cross-promotional advertising material. In an embodiment, when a booking angel system server makes an outbound call to a restaurant and receives an answering machine, it leaves a message advising the restaurant that someone has attempted to make a reservation and to call back on a specific phone number to retrieve the information. When the restaurant calls Booking Angel the reservation request is relayed to the restaurant for their acceptance and or rejections. A customized number can also be setup with various options branded with details of a web site company, but managed by Booking Angel. In an embodiment, a centralised call centre can be operated—24 hours a day and 7 days a week. This call centre can provide support to restaurants receiving calls that hang up on a call or opt to speak to a live agent. The agents can be setup to answer the phone and to capture information from the restaurant. This can involve a setup fee, a monthly fee and/or a per minute per call fee. Some customization of a call script can also be made. In an embodiment, a booking angel system can further provide administration web pages. Restaurant can access and update their profile, including opening hours, contact details, special notes etc. In an embodiment, a booking angel system server can also authenticate new “sign-ups” to a listing sits. When a restaurants claim (or registers) a new listing, the booking angel system server can be provided (or informed of) the restaurants details and include validation step that automatically call the restaurant phone number provided to validate the phone number matched the restaurant. When a restaurants initiates a listing in a web site or updates a profile, the booking angel system server can process the data by automatically calling the restaurants phone number provided to confirm details. In an embodiment, a booking angel system can be integrated with a customer relationship management system. By way of example only, the booking angel system can be integrated with Sales force. Access to the management system can be organized by customized logins for each agent, IP address or via email. By integrating with particular phone numbers, hot leads can be delivered and restaurants can be immediately signed up upon receiving a booking. In an embodiment, a booking angel system can provide an automated marketing system. This system can send auto responders to restaurants upon the occurrence of particular events, including a first reservation, a third reservation in certain areas etc. In an embodiment, a booking angel system can provides an API development for reporting, billing or integration with existing systems. Referring to FIG. 15, an embodiment implementation of an online XML schema 1500 can be integrated with a website directory. A website can download the XML feed (or schema) of restaurants that are enabled and matching the XML records with listings in their website (typically based upon phone number) and using the appropriate reservation web link This step of matching and selecting links enable the directory to directly ‘monetize’ (or derive income) from a directory listings website through commissions' earned and leads closed. The example XML schema 1500, includes: Field ‘signed’ 1502—wherein when ‘signed’ is assigned true, the restaurant is either a registered or on a 30 day free trial. Preferably a credit card has been validated; Field ‘display’ 1504—wherein when ‘display’ is assigned true, the booking link should be displayed with a booking option. It will be appreciated that web links can be displayed for restaurants that are not signed up; Field ‘bookinglink’ 1506—includes a copy of an allocated link to the booking page for a respective restaurant; Field ‘imagelink’ 1508—includes a copy of a link to an allocated image for displaying on a respective restaurants web page to track the click through rate of bookings; and Field ‘primary’ 1510 a and 1510 b—enables setting a contact as a nominated primary contact (identified by ‘true’ 1510 b). In an embodiment, a plurality of links to respective XML schema can be provided or published. Access to any XML schema can be restricted to on the basis of the IP address of the requesting server. It will be appreciated that a plurality of XML schemas can be published. By way of example, it is possible to access restaurant data by an XML schema by any combination of country, state and time since you last fetched the xml data. For example: http://service.bookingangel.com/tools/restaurants.php/date/20080212 can provide access to an XML file incorporating any changes since the date specified YYYYMMDD; http://service.bookingangel.com/tools/restaurants.php/country/Australia can provide access to an XML file incorporating all restaurants from a specific country, such as Australia; http://service.bookingangel.com/tools/restaurants.php/country/Australia/state/New+South+Wales can provide access to an XML file incorporating all restaurants from a specific region, such as Australia—New South Wales http://service.bookingangel.com/tools/restaurants.php/unzip/true can provide access to an XML file rather than a ZIP file. In an embodiment, by way of example only, an initial import (or manual download) of an XML schema, the file can be reconciled automatically or manually with business rules associated with the web site. An automatic process can fetch updates to the XML data. It will be appreciated that dates and times associated with the XML feed can be server local time, for example are Australian Eastern Standard Time. If accessing a ‘change’ file, any record accessed has been amended in some way. Local rules can be implemented to update the site database with more up-to-date data. It is preferably that a site updates whether the restaurant should be displayed based upon the <Display> XML Tag, or possibly promoted based on a <signed=true> tag (indicating as these restaurants can directly earn income of the site). In an embodiment, by way of example only, a web service can also be provided. For example, “http://service.bookingangel.com/ws/RestaurantList.php?WSDL”. This has the following public method available: public function getRestaurants(country, state, lastRetrievedTime). Wherein, @param string country is the full name of the country, @param string state is the full name of the state, @param string lastRetrievedTime is an SQL compatible date time and @return Restaurant[] is an array of objects. Each Restaurant object can be defined as having: @var string name, @var string phone, @var string phoneAreaCode, @var string phoneCountryCode, @var string email, @var string website, @var boolean signed, @var boolean display, @var string bookingLink, @var string imageLink, @var RestaurantContact[] contacts, @var RestaurantAddress[] addresses. Wherein RestaurantAddress is an array of objects, each comprising: @var string streetAddress, @var string suburb, @var string state, @var string country, @var string postcode. Wherein, RestaurantContact is an array of objects, each comprising: @var string type, @var boolean primary, @var string firstName, @var string lastName. Referring to FIG. 16A, a system 1600 can comprise a first server 1610 including a storage device 1612, a web server 1614 for publishing pages having details of one or more venues, and first program module 1616 for providing access to an online booking. The server is coupled to a data network 1620. It will be appreciated that the first server 1610 can be a distributed computing device. A client 1630 is coupled to the data network 1620 and is adapted to execute a web browser program 1632 for requesting and displaying a web page 1634. By way of example, access to an online booking is provided via the client displayed web page 1634. In an embodiment, the program module can query an a data store 1612 comprising data records indicative of venues, query an external database 1640 comprising data records indicative of venues. Online booking can be accessed by way of a predetermined web link, or an associatable web application (or applet). The web server (or automatic process) can use the first program module 1616 to pre-parse and update web pages, or dynamically parse and update web pages at publication of the page. In an embodiment, the first candidate reference to the first venue is a telephone number including area code or reference ID, wherein the first candidate reference is maintained within an accessible dataset (or database). If the first data record is obtained, the web-page is updated automatically and/or dynamically to have a first web-link associated with the first venue for requesting a reservation. In an alternative embodiment, as a client 1630 web browser program 1632 fetches a web page 1634, the first program module 1616 is operative associated with the published page to dynamically providing access to an online booking as the page is rendered at a client. Upon fetching a page, the first program module 1616 parses the page for candidate references to venues (e.g. phone numbers) and then queries a database to retrieve relevant data records indicative of the venue. Upon confirmation that a candidate reference is a venue to be displayed, the first program module 1616 can display a booking link in place of the respective reference. The booking link can be accessed by way of a predetermined web link, or an associatable web application (or applet). In an embodiment, access to an online booking can be provided via the client displayed web page 1634 by accessing a web link to a predetermined booking page. This booking page can be published by the web server 1614, or more preferably by a remote booking server 1650 via a respective web server 1651. Alternatively, the displayed web page 1634 can be operatively associated with a web application (or applet) that enables the user to directly enter booking details. The web application receives data indicative of the booking details and transmits the data (via a data network) to the booking server 1650. In an embedment, the booking server 1650 is adapted to receive data indicative of a requested booking. An interactive voice response (IVR) module 1654 used to communicate 1656 with a venue 1660 via a telephone 1666 to arrange (or confirm) a booking. Upon acceptance (or rejection) of the booking request, the client is advised. Typically the client is advised via email or telephone. By way of example, the booking server 1650 can calculate 1658 and store 1659 analytic data associated with each booking. Referring to FIG. 16B, a customer relationship management (CRM) server 1660 can be coupled to the data network 1662. The booking server 1650 can provide analytic data to the customer relationship management server 1660 for managing and nurturing interactions between venues and/or clients in respect of sales and marketing prospects. In this example, a venue can include a computer 1652 to retrieving analytic data or interacting with the customer relationship management server 1660. Referring to FIG. 17, by way of example only, first program module 1616 can include a java script applet 1710. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a dynamic implementation can be employed. A code module operating in conjunction within the web page (for example Javascript or other forms of DHTML). In this example, the website associates (or inserts) a code module with (or within) a published web page. The code module can be executed in conjunction with publishing the web page or by the browser when displaying the web page. As this example code module is associated with the publication or presentation of a web page, it can also be used in calculating or collecting real time analytic data from one or more websites. This real time data can be further used to deliver sales leads, validate user reviews and infer user preferences. It will be appreciated that, integration of the system is made relatively easier for a website owner (or developer) by associating a code module with a web page publication, thereby enabling reservations to be booked online via a centralised IVR system. Dynamic integration also facilitates up-to-date information being presented. By integrating an applet with a published web page, an identified and enabled link can initiate execution of the applet to receive and/or collect booking information data from within the website. The collected booking data can be sent to a centralised IVR enabled booking system. It will be appreciated that this web page presentation provides and online reservation system via It will be appreciated that this can provide a method and systems for monetizing business listings on the internet. Secondary benefits can include: The systems allows integration between the website listing and restaurant without the website or restaurant requiring additional equipment; the system may be used to deliver reservations to businesses for used as leads in the sales process; preferences on bookings can be inferred, for example if you like A you probably like B and/or C; validated ratings and/or review can be obtained from a person (who is verified to have been to a venue) after they have visited a particular venue. It will be appreciated that many of the benefits are further accentuated by the system centralising booking functions across a plurality of websites or web based internet directories. Further, by being accessible to a plurality of websites or web based internet directories, more reservations and validated ratings can be processed. It will be appreciated that the disclosed system can be used for booking reservation and order items at or from venues. FIG. 18 shows an embodiment flowchart for a method 1800 of integrating a booking system to a web site. This method comprises the steps of: STEP 1810—Presenting a directory listing website comprising one or more venues for generate additional revenue by enabling users to make bookings online; STEP 1812—Incorporating a first program module into each web page across the website; STEP 1814—parsing the page, by the first program module, for candidate venue references (such as venue names and/or phone numbers)—typically the first program module parsed the page as it is rendered at the client. STEP 1816—Query database for matching candidate venue references with active venue; STEP 1820—If reference is in the database, insert booking button in respect of venue into the rendered web page; STEP 1821—If reference is not in the database, ascertain venue details and add details to database (this can be performed offline); STEP 1822—Preferably, program module maintains viewing activity data for a venue associated with each websites; STEP 1830—Preferably, program module enables Providing of real time analytics about what venues are being viewed; STEP 1832—Preferably, real time analytics includes providing users with information about popular venues; STEP 1834—Preferably, real time analytics includes providing a customer relationship management entity with data about popular venues. It will be appreciated that a website, blog and/or directory style website which lists venue (or business) information—for example like Citysearch.com or YellowPages.com can enable an online booking/reservation functionality Already having business names, addresses and phone numbers listed on the site, in order for them to enable a booking system on their site, a first program module 1616 in the form of java script applet can be incorporated into each web page across the site. This java script code parses the page to identify candidate phone numbers. These candidate phone numbers are matched against numbers enabled within the booking system as accepting reservations. This can be achieved by querying a database for matches against one or more candidate phone numbers. The JavaScript is adapted to, upon confirming a match, displaying a “book now” button (or link) on the page next to (or over) the phone number. An API's can be provided to customising integration of the website with the booking system. It will be appreciated that billing arrangements associated with each venue can be maintained within the database. A venue may be associated with many billing arrangements. For example, a venue may have a billing relationship with one or more web sites and/or the billing server. Alternatively, the venue may have no current (or recorded) billing arrangement. These venues may be entered into the billing system by obtaining (or maintaining) a listing of all known venues within a class. These venues can be confirmed upon entry into the system or upon first direct exposure to the booking system. The class of venue may also be recorded such that upon display of booking information, a different booking form may be displayed. FIG. 19 shows an embodiment flowchart for a method 1900 of taking a booking and receiving a commission. This method comprises the steps of: STEP 1902—‘book now’ link is selected for making a reservation; STEP 1904—Data indicative of a reservation is received from a user; STEP 1906—Data indicative of a reservation is transmitted to the venue and response sent to user (typically via email). Confirmation may also be sent to the venue; STEP 1908—Identify billing agreement for venue? STEP 1912—If billing agreement for venue is with a booking system, the booking system can bill the venue and shares commission with the website directory; STEP 1914—If billing agreement for venue is with a web directory, the website directory can bill the venue and shares a commission with booking system STEP 1916—If billing agreement for venue is not with either the booking system or web directory, the venue can be introduced to the website directory as a CRM lead. Preferably, the website directory pays a commission to the booking system per lead. If website directory has no associated CRM the lead can be auctioned to the highest bidder. It will be appreciated that a user navigating to a web page can select (click on) a book now button, which without opening a new browser window, displays a booking form, thereby enabling the user to stay at the original website. The booking form can allowing the user to select a desired time, date, number of people and any other booking preferences. This information can then be transmitted by an Application Programming Interface (API) via a data network to the booking server. The booking server received the data indicative of a booking details and employs an Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) to call the desired venue, deliver the reservation details and receive a acceptance/rejection to the reservation via pressing keys on their phone or speech recognition. The user who made the reservation request can then informed of the reservation outcome via email or SMS. It will be appreciated that benefits to the website can include any one of the following: Website owners can implement and provide the users of their website the feature of online reservations at any business in the world with a telephone, without implementing a private IVR system and/or online reservation system. Website owners are not required to understand IVR system and/or online reservation system. Website owners may receive revenue from each reservation that is made, by way of commission sharing with the owners/operators of the booking server. Website owners may also use the reservation as a lead. For example if a booking request is selected from a website where there is no existing billing arrangement between the website and the venue. For such venues, when a user requests a reservation. The business receives a phone call and can be told the reservation came from a particular website, and a booking request can be made as set out herein. As there is no existing relationship between the website and the venue, the “lead” is valuable to the website and can be billed for each lead. At a later time, a sales person for the website can be passed the lead for contacting the venue. Using this reservation as proof the website suitability, the salesperson will be able to bring value to that particular venue. Some venue listing within the billing system can have an existing billing relationship with the billing system, whereby the venue can be charged for each reservation. This commission can be shared with the website. Some venues have a billing relationship with the website, whereby the booking server may pay a commission for bringing us a new user, or the booking server may share the commission received by the website. A user who made the reservation can be contacted after the reservation, to obtain feedback on the venue 2002. This can be used to validate a review. The user reviews are validated and can be distributed to partners and displayed by the hooking server (e.g. 2004). Comparisons and preferences can be inferred based upon actual booking trends 2006. Preference information for a websites can be provided about trends in bookings, for example that a user who liked restaurant A also liked restaurant B or C 2008. It will be appreciated that the disclosed method enables owners of a websites to monetize their local listings by implementing online bookings, reservations or orders using an interactive voice recognition (IVR) system. It would be appreciated that, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “computing”, “calculating”, “determining” or the like, can refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities. In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computer” or a “computing machine” or a “computing platform” may include one or more processors. The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken is included. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “coupled”, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 1. A method for a web-site to enable a user of the web-site to make a reservation request, for the benefit of the user, the web-site coupled to a database having one or more data records each indicative of a venue, the method comprising the steps of: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the remote booking server is adapted to perform the steps of: 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein updating the web-page is performed dynamically by a web-server when publishing the web-page, in response to the user requesting the web-page. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein updating the web-page is performed dynamically by a web-browser when rendering the web-page, in response to the user requesting the web-page. 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the reservation data comprises a name of the venue, a date and time of requested reservation, a name of the user and contact details of the user. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the reservation data pertains to an order and the reservation data comprises details of an item ordered. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein he database comprises register records each indicative of a registered user. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the reservation data further comprises personal information of the user for checking against register records for confirming registration of the user. 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the database stores payment and billing information relating to each venue. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the user is rewarded according to a customer loyalty scheme. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein reservation request includes any one or more of the following: a meeting request, booking request and an order request; 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method enables the user to make restaurant bookings. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein a commission is paid by an operator of the booking server to an operator of the web-site. 14. The method of claim 2, wherein the database has one or more data records each indicative of a venue including any one or more venues: 15. A user access interface for a processor device, the processor device being couplable to a database having one or more data records each indicative of a venue; the processor device being adapted to render a web-page; the interface comprising a control module adapted to: 16. The user access interface according to claim 15, wherein upon publishing the web-page in response to the user requesting the web-page, the web-page is updated dynamically by a web-server to incorporate the first web-link. 17. The user access interface according to claim 15, wherein in response to the user requesting the web-page, the web-page is dynamically rendered by a web-browser to incorporate the first web-link. 18. The user access interface according to claim 17, wherein the web-page is dynamically parsed and amended by a code module operatively associated with the web-page, thereby to incorporate the first web-link. 19. The user access interface according to claim 15, wherein the user is enabled to make restaurant bookings. 20. A system for enable a user of a web-site to make a reservation request, for the benefit of the user, the system comprising: a booking server adapted receive the reservation data from the booking module, to retrieve contact information for the first venue, create a voice message from the reservation data and contact information, the voice message indicative of the reservation request, and enabling transmission of the voice message via the interactive voice response facility for communicating the voice message to an operator at the venue, receiving from the operator confirmation of acceptance or rejection of the request, and informing the user of the operator acceptance or rejection. US12/776,426 2003-11-21 2010-05-10 Booking system and method Active 2025-10-23 US9324083B2 (en) US10/990,474 US20050114167A1 (en) 2003-11-21 2004-11-18 Booking system and method US12/776,426 US9324083B2 (en) 2004-11-18 2010-05-10 Booking system and method US10/990,474 Continuation-In-Part US20050114167A1 (en) 2003-11-21 2004-11-18 Booking system and method US12/776,426 Active 2025-10-23 US9324083B2 (en) 2003-11-21 2010-05-10 Booking system and method US20100117010A1 (en) * 2007-06-20 2010-05-13 Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corp. 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__label__wiki	0.812391	0.812391	US5352202A - Non-reusable syringe with removable plunger usable as a needle guard - Google Patents Non-reusable syringe with removable plunger usable as a needle guard Download PDF Roy Hammett Eric J. Sundsvold ICP Inc Sundsvold Eric J 1993-04-02 Application filed by Roy Hammett, Sundsvold Eric J filed Critical Roy Hammett 1999-03-29 Assigned to I.C.P., INC reassignment I.C.P., INC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HAMMETT, ROY, SUNDSVOLD, ERIC J. A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests A61M5/50—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests having means for preventing re-use, or for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile A61M5/5066—Means for preventing re-use by disconnection of piston and piston-rod A61M5/178—Syringes A61M5/31—Details A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles A61M5/321—Means for protection against accidental injuries by used needles A61M5/3216—Caps placed transversally onto the needle, e.g. pivotally attached to the needle base A61M2005/3103—Leak prevention means for distal end of syringes, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle A61M2005/3107—Leak prevention means for distal end of syringes, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle for needles A61M2005/3109—Caps sealing the needle bore by use of, e.g. air-hardening adhesive, elastomer or epoxy resin A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms A61M5/31511—Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/31513—Piston constructions to improve sealing or sliding A61M5/31515—Connection of piston with piston rod A61M5/3213—Caps placed axially onto the needle, e.g. equipped with finger protection guards A disposable hypodermic syringe having a barrel with an adapter on one end for attachment of a needle, and a piston and plunger reciprocable in the barrel. The plunger has a longitudinally extending hollow bore therein and is removable from the barrel and lockable on the adapter in enclosing relationship to the needle to serve as a needle guard. In one form of the invention, the piston and plunger are automatically separable upon use to prevent reuse of the syringe. This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 07/985,301, filed Dec. 4, 1992, entitled Non-Reusable Syringe With Needle Guard, now abandoned which is, in turn, a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/802,628, filed Dec. 5, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,912, issued Jan. 26, 1993, and entitled Non-Reusable Syringe. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to hypodermic syringes, and more particularly, to a hypodermic syringe that is capable of use only once, and which has a part that is removable after use to serve as a needle guard. It is frequently necessary to use hypodermic syringes for intravenous administration of fluids, or to withdraw fluids from the veins of a person during the course of treatment of an illness, or in routine diagnostic examinations. Hypodermic syringes used for this purpose are generally disposable, and are intended to be discarded after a single use by trained medical personnel. Unless they are properly disposed of, these used syringes present a health hazard. One of the more serious concerns of health care workers is the danger of becoming accidentally infected with HIV-infected blood or other materials. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is now recognized as an epidemic of global proportion. In addition, there is an increasing recognition of a broad spectrum of severe HIV-associated diseases, including pneumonia, endocarditis, and pulmonary tuberculosis. Medical and rescue personnel are aware of these risks, and when possible, take precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure or contact with infectious materials. However, if a used syringe has been left intact and not properly disposed of, medical and rescue personnel, custodial workers, and others, are exposed to the danger of being accidentally pricked with the contaminated needle in spite of the precautions that they might normally take. Such a needle could be mingled with soiled linens, bandages or other materials, and when these materials are gathered for disposal, the needle has the distinct potential of penetrating the skin of anyone handling the materials. The used syringe could also fall into the hands of a drug addict or other person who may be inclined to reuse the syringe. Such persons typically reuse a syringe many times and share it with other addicts. If the syringe has been used to make an injection or to withdraw body fluid from a person having an infectious disease, all of those persons subsequently using the contaminated needle are at risk of acquiring the infectious disease. Intravenous drug use is believed to account for most AIDS-related diseases in heterosexual men and women. This disease may also be transmitted to the children of infected adults, and to the sex partners of the infected persons, or to others, such as medical workers and rescue personnel, who may be inadvertently exposed to the blood of the infected person. As AIDS-related diseases continue to grow, it is becoming increasingly more important to control the means by which these diseases are transmitted. Medical personnel should have reasonable assurance that they can perform their procedures without unnecessary risk of exposure to such infectious diseases, and without requiring time-consuming steps to render used syringes safe for subsequent handling. To prevent such accidents from occurring, the needles should be broken from the used syringes, and/or encased in a protective sheath, and devices have been provided in the prior art for accomplishing this. For instance, needles have been joined to the syringe body through frangible connections so that the doctor, nurse or other medical personnel can easily break the needle from the syringe after it is used. Unfortunately, this is not always done during the urgency of medical treatment, or if it is, there still remains an exposed needle body. Similar shortcomings exist with respect to guards or sheaths that have been provided to encase the used needle. Such guards generally comprise separate sleeves or cap members that enclose the needle before it is used and which must be removed and set aside during use of the syringe. It is intended that after use of the needle, the guard will again be placed over the needle. However, the guard may become misplaced during the medical procedure being performed and therefore not available for reuse. Even if it is not misplaced, the person responsible for safe handling of the syringe may not have the time, or take the time, to retrieve the guard and place it over the needle. Further, even if such a conventional guard is placed on the needle, it is capable of being removed, whereby the syringe could again be rendered capable of use. In addition to an effective needle guard for used syringes, a means is needed to prevent sharing and reuse of syringes by intravenous drug abusers, and thereby to prevent the spread of infectious diseases caused by use of contaminated syringes. Since the major cause of spread of HIV, Hepatitis and similar diseases is through the repeated and/or shared use of contaminated hypodermic syringes and needles, a significant preventive measure would be the elimination of the ability of intravenous drug abusers to acquire syringes that could be used more than one time. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a disposable hypodermic syringe that is reliable in operation, simple and economical in construction, and in which a part of the syringe assembly itself is adapted as a needle guard after the syringe has been used for its intended purpose. It would further be desirable to provide a disposable syringe that is not capable of being reused after a single use. The disposable syringe of the invention comprises a cylindrical syringe barrel of substantially conventional construction, having an open end and a suitable conventional fitting on the other end, such as a Luer lock adapter, or other means, for attaching a needle. A plunger or stem is reciprocable in the barrel and carries a piston on its inner end for developing vacuum or pressure, depending upon the direction of reciprocation of the piston and plunger in the barrel. An essential feature of the present invention is the use of the plunger, itself, as a guard for the needle after the syringe has been used. To this end, the plunger has a cavity formed in it, shaped to receive the needle and to remain securely attached to the syringe after it has been placed over the needle. In use, the plunger is simply removed from the barrel after the syringe has been used, and placed over the needle. There is no separate member which must be retrieved and used for this purpose. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, an entry slot is formed through the side of the plunger at the open end, through which the needle may be initially laterally placed prior to being axially fully inserted into the plunger, to thereby minimize the risk of pricking the finger of the person placing the guard over the needle. Additionally, a small quantity of glue is positioned in the plunger/guard to permanently adhesively secure the plunger/guard to the needle after it is placed in operative position on the needle, thereby rendering the needle incapable of reuse. Further in accordance with the invention, the syringe is automatically rendered inoperable after a single use, so that it cannot be used again. In a conventional syringe, the piston is attached to the end of the plunger so that it will not become displaced from the plunger during use, even though the plunger and piston may be reciprocated many times in the barrel of the syringe. However, in the present invention, the piston is releasably attached to the end of the plunger by movable latch arms and a collar. The collar moves into a position to release the latch arms when the plunger and piston are reciprocated through one cycle rearwardly and then forwardly in the barrel. A subsequent reciprocal movement of the plunger rearwardly in the barrel results in the piston becoming separated from the plunger so that it cannot be reattached to the plunger without the use of a special tool used during its manufacture, thus rendering the syringe incapable of further use. In the present invention the piston is preferably made of a synthetic plastic material, whereas in conventional syringe constructions the piston is normally made of a rubber material. To prevent set or "cold creep" of the seals of the plastic piston, a relief area is formed in the inner surface of the syringe barrel in the position occupied by the piston when it is in its at-rest, stored position fully inserted into the syringe barrel. In an alternate construction, however, the piston used in the system of the invention may be made of rubber and still incorporate the novel features of the invention. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first form of plunger and piston assembly incorporating the features of the invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the collar used to hold the latch arms engaged with the plunger, showing the collar in its "as molded" condition; FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2, showing the collar in its compressed condition after assembly in the barrel to hold the latch arms engaged with the plunger; FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a syringe incorporating the plunger and piston assembly of FIG. 1, showing the components in their normal, at-rest condition at the bottom of the barrel; FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the plunger and piston being withdrawn or moved rearwardly in the barrel; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the plunger and piston being moved forwardly in the barrel; FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing the plunger again being moved rearwardly in the barrel, and depicting how the collar and latch arms have become disengaged to release the piston from the plunger; FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a modified syringe incorporating the features of the invention, with parts broken away and parts shown in section; FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view on a reduced scale, with portions broken away and portions shown in section, of the syringe assembly of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is an end view of the syringe of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a further modified plunger and piston assembly, shown on the right hand side of the figure in operative, engaged position, and shown on the left hand side of the figure in disengaged, inoperative position; FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 of another modified plunger and piston assembly; FIG. 13 is a somewhat schematic, fragmentary, exploded perspective view of the syringe of the invention, showing how the needle is initially laterally positioned in the slot in the plunger so that the point of the needle is shielded before it is moved axially into a fully seated position in the plunger; and FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view, with portions broken away, depicting the relationship of the plunger and needle when the needle fully is seated in the plunger/guard. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring more specifically to the drawings, a syringe in accordance with the invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-7. In this form of the invention, a cylindrical syringe barrel 11 has a forward end 12 with a suitable means, such as a Luer lock adapter 13, for attachment of a needle 14, and an open rearward end 15. A plunger 16 is reciprocable in the barrel, and carries a piston 17 at its forward end for drawing material into the plunger and discharging it through the needle. The piston 17 is releasably connected to the plunger so that it is rendered inoperable after a single use. To this end, the piston has a plurality of rearwardly projecting latch arms 18 that are molded with a radially outwardly oriented bias, so that they assume the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 when they are unrestrained. The free end of each latch arm has a radially inwardly directed detent 19 that is adapted to engage behind a retaining ring 20 on the forward end of the plunger to hold the piston to the plunger when the latch arms are urged inwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The latch arms are held in this position by a retaining collar 21 engaged in encircling relationship over the free outer ends of the latch arms. As seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3, the collar 21 comprises a split ring, and, as shown in FIG. 2, is molded with an outwardly biased configuration. When compressed and inserted into the syringe barrel, however, the collar assumes the position shown in FIG. 3. The piston 17 may be made of any suitable material, but in the form shown is made of plastic, and has two oppositely oriented, outwardly flared sealing rings 22 and 23 for sliding engagement against the inner surface of the syringe barrel. The inner surface of the barrel adjacent the end 12 is slightly diametrically enlarged at 25 to provide a relief area for the piston 17 when it is inserted fully into the barrel. This relief area prevents set of the piston seals 22 and 23 which might otherwise occur when the piston is made of plastic material and is stored in this position. The plunger 16 is reciprocable in the barrel between a forward position inserted fully into the barrel, and a rearward position retracted or withdrawn in the barrel, and has a forward end 26 that telescopically engages with a central post 27 on the rearward side of the piston 17. The rearward end 28 of the plunger has a radially enlarged operating flange 29 which may be gripped with the fingers and used to reciprocate the plunger in the barrel. In this form of the invention, the plunger may have a generally X-shaped transverse cross-section, with a central body 30 and oppositely extending flanges 31, 32, 33 and 34 along diametrically opposite sides of the body to slidably support the plunger in the barrel. An essential feature of the present invention is the construction of the plunger body 30 so that it is hollow and has a stepped configuration, including a larger tapered entry portion 30a adapted to receive the tapered portion 13 of the Luer adapter on the syringe barrel, an intermediate cylindrical portion 30b adapted to lock onto the cylindrical portion of the Luer Lock fitting of the syringe barrel, and a reduced diameter tapered portion 30c adapted to closely receive the needle 14. After the syringe 10 has been used, it is a simple matter for the doctor, nurse or other medical personnel to simply withdraw the plunger 16 from the barrel 11 and place the plunger over the needle, with the portions 30a and 30b locking onto the Luer Lock adapter 13 of the syringe barrel, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. There is no need for the doctor, nurse or other person using the syringe to search for and retrieve a separate needle guard, as is presently necessary in the prior art. To facilitate placement of the plunger over the needle and to reduce the danger of accidentally pricking oneself with the needle while accomplishing this, an elongate slot 40 is formed through the side of the plunger body, leading from the end 28 and terminating at the end of the tapered portion 30a. Thus, the needle may be laid sideways into the slot and then slid lengthwise to fully seat the needle in the plunger/guard. This eliminates the danger of missing the relatively small opening in the end of the plunger when attempting to insert the needle lengthwise into the guard. A small envelope 50 containing an adhesive 51 is located in the hollow bore portion 30c of the plunger in a position to be pierced by the needle 14 as the plunger is placed over the needle. The envelope 50 is roughly the size of a BB and is located at a point in the bore where small openings 52 and 53 are formed during the molding process. When the needle pierces the envelope, the adhesive 51 escapes and flows into the space surrounding the needle and into the two small openings 52 and 53, thereby forming a mechanical lock between the needle and the plunger and preventing removal of the plunger after the adhesive has cured. It should also be noted that it is anticipated that a small quantity of the adhesive will enter the end of the needle as it passes through the envelope of adhesive, plugging the needle and preventing its use even if access to it should be gained. A second form of the invention is indicated generally at 60 in FIGS. 8-10. The plunger 61 in this form of the invention also has a hollow central body 30, as in the previous form of the invention, with stepped diameter portions 30a, 30b and 30c for the same purposes as described in connection with the previous embodiment. However, rather than the X-shaped cross-section as previously described, the plunger in this form of the invention has a pair of laterally projecting webs 62 and 63 with oppositely directed circumferentially extending flanges 64 and 65 on their outer edges. In all other respects, this form of the invention functions the same and has all the advantages of the previous form of the invention. A modified plunger and piston assembly is indicated generally at 70 in FIG. 11. In this form of the invention, the piston 71 is much shorter and disc-like than in FIG. 9, for example, and includes a pair of relatively closely axially spaced sealing beads or rings 72 and 73, a shallow, conically shaped nose portion 74, and a flat rear surface 75. A plurality of latch arms 76 on the rear surface of the piston are constructed and function the same as the latch arms described in connection with the first form of the invention. The plunger 77, in turn, has an annular retaining flange 78 for cooperation with the latch arms, and a flat tip 79 on its forward end that engages the surface 75 on the piston. A split retaining collar 21 identical to that previously described is adapted to normally encircle the free ends of the latching arms to retain them in engaged position behind the flange 78, as shown on the right hand side of FIG. 11, and is movable to an unlatched position, as shown on the left hand side of FIG. 11, when the plunger and piston are manipulated as described in connection with the previous form of the invention. A further modified plunger and piston assembly is indicated generally at 80 in FIG. 12. In this form of the invention, the piston 81 is essentially disc shaped, with a flat rear surface 82 for cooperation with the flat tip 83 of the plunger 84. A plurality of latching arms 85 are carried by the piston for cooperation with a retaining flange 86 on the forward end of the plunger to hold the piston assembled to the plunger when the split retaining collar 21 is in encircling relationship around the free ends of the latching arms. The collar and latch arms are releasable when the plunger and piston are manipulated as described previously. During assembly of the syringe of the invention, the syringe barrel, plunger, piston and collar are positioned in relation to one another as shown in the left hand side of FIGS. 11 and 12, for example, the collar is compressed around the free ends of the latch arms, and the assembly is then inserted into the barrel through the open rearward end thereof. While the piston has been described herein as made of plastic, it should be understood that it may equally as well be made of rubber, as described in copending application Ser. No. 07/802,628. In such event, the piston itself may be constructed differently in the area where it seals with the barrel, but the latching mechanism is substantially identical to that previously described, and the hollow body for encasing the needle is the same as before. The syringe of the invention is simple and economical in construction, and yet it provides an entirely different structure and function as compared with a conventional syringe, i.e., the plunger doubles as a needle guard after the syringe has been used, and the piston is connected to the plunger through a latched construction that automatically disables the syringe after a single use. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. 1. A non-reusable syringe having a built-in needle guard, comprising: an elongate cylindrical barrel having adapter means on one end for attachment of a needle, and an open other end; a needle secured to said adapter means on said one end of the barrel; an elongate plunger reciprocable in the barrel between a forward position in the barrel and a retracted position, said plunger having a forward end in the barrel and a rearward end accessible exteriorly of the barrel for operating the plunger; a piston carried on the forward end of the plunger for effecting a sliding seal with the barrel to draw material into the barrel and discharge it therefrom through said one end upon reciprocating motion of the plunger and piston in the barrel; said plunger having a hollow bore formed longitudinally through a central portion thereof, said bore including a first portion for cooperative locking engagement with the adapter means on the barrel and a second portion for receipt of the needle, whereby the plunger may be withdrawn from the barrel and placed in shielding relationship over the needle after the syringe has been used for its intended purpose; said plunger having an elongate slot formed in a side wall thereof, communicating with said bore and extending from said plunger open end toward the forward end, so that the plunger may be initially positioned laterally over said needle and then moved axially with respect thereto to fully seat the needle in the plunger; and a small ampoule containing a liquid adhesive that cures in the presence of oxygen located in the second portion of the hollow bore in position to be pierced by the needle when the plunger is removed from the barrel and placed over the needle, whereby the needle and plunger are adhesively secured together. 2. A syringe as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the bore is formed in the plunger from the rearward end thereof, and terminates in a distal, closed end of the second portion. the piston is detachably connected to the plunger by releasable latch means that automatically disengages when the piston and plunger are reciprocated through one complete cycle of operation rearwardly and forwardly in the barrel. the bore is formed in the plunger from the forward end thereof, and terminates in a distal, closed end of the second portion, and wherein detachment of said piston from said plunger exposes said bore so that the plunger may be used as a needle guard. a quantity of adhesive is contained within the bore in a position to be pierced by the needle when the plunger is placed over the needle, said adhesive serving to fix said plunger on said barrel in shielding relationship to said needle. the releasable latch means comprises a plurality of latching arms carried by the piston, said latching arms having free ends with detents thereon for engagement behind a retaining ring on the plunger to hold the piston to the plunger, said arms being molded with a normal, at-rest position spaced away from the retaining ring; and a split retaining collar normally engaged around the free ends of the latching arms, in encircling relationship thereto, to urge the latching arms inwardly toward the retaining ring on the plunger so that the detents on the latching arms normally engage behind the retaining ring on the plunger. the piston is made of plastic and has outwardly biased yieldable seals thereon for sealing, sliding engagement with an inner surface of the syringe barrel; and the syringe barrel has an enlarged diameter inner surface portion at its forward end, defining a relief area for the piston when it is in a stored position to prevent set or creep of the seals, whereby an effective seal is maintained between the piston and barrel. 8. A non-reusable syringe, comprising: an elongate plunger reciprocable in the barrel between a forward position in the barrel and a retracted position, said plunger having a forward end in the barrel and a rearward end accessible exteriorly of the barrel for operating the plunger; said piston being releasably connected to the plunger by releasable latch means comprising a plurality of latching arms carried by the piston, said latching arms having free ends with detents thereon for engagement behind a retaining ring on the plunger to hold the piston to the plunger, said arms being molded with a normal, at-rest position spaced away from the retaining ring; a split retaining collar normally engaged around the free ends of the latching arms in encircling relationship thereto to urge the latching arms inwardly toward the retaining ring on the plunger so that the detents on the latching arms normally engage behind the retaining ring on the plunger to hold the piston to the plunger, but said collar becomes disengaged from the free ends of the latching arms upon forward motion of the plunger and piston in the barrel, whereby said latching arms move away from the retaining ring and the piston becomes disengaged from the plunger upon subsequent rearward movement of the plunger in the barrel; and the plunger has small openings in a sidewall thereof adjacent the location of the ampoule of adhesive, whereby when the ampoule is pierced the liquid adhesive will flow into the openings prior to curing and thereby form a mechanical lock between the adhesive, needle and plunger after the adhesive cures. 10. A syringe as claimed in claim 9, wherein: said plunger has an elongate slot formed in a side wall thereof, communicating with said bore and extending from said plunger open end toward the forward end, so that the plunger may be initially positioned laterally over said needle and then moved axially with respect thereto to fully seat the needle in the plunger. US08/042,386 1991-12-05 1993-04-02 Non-reusable syringe with removable plunger usable as a needle guard Expired - Fee Related US5352202A (en) US07/802,628 US5181912A (en) 1991-12-05 1991-12-05 Non-reusable syringe US08/042,386 US5352202A (en) 1991-12-05 1993-04-02 Non-reusable syringe with removable plunger usable as a needle guard AU57367/94A AU5736794A (en) 1992-12-04 1993-12-03 Non-reusable syringe with needle guard PCT/US1993/011716 WO1994013336A1 (en) 1992-12-04 1993-12-03 Non-reusable syringe with needle guard US08/042,386 Expired - Fee Related US5352202A (en) 1991-12-05 1993-04-02 Non-reusable syringe with removable plunger usable as a needle guard AU (1) AU5736794A (en) WO1997011728A1 (en) * 1995-09-25 1997-04-03 Roy Hammett Non-reusable syringe with removable plunger usable as a needle guard US6530903B2 (en) 2000-02-24 2003-03-11 Xiping Wang Safety syringe US6752789B2 (en) * 2000-07-20 2004-06-22 Acist Medical Systems, Inc. Syringe plunger locking mechanism US20080210890A1 (en) * 2005-05-16 2008-09-04 Fago Frank M Radiopharmaceutical Container Having a Syringe Capper US7985216B2 (en) 2004-03-16 2011-07-26 Dali Medical Devices Ltd. Medicinal container engagement and automatic needle device US8376998B2 (en) 2003-09-17 2013-02-19 Elcam Medical Agricultural Cooperative Association Ltd. Automatic injection device DE19954373B4 (en) * 1999-11-11 2011-01-27 Helvoet Pharma Belgium N.V. Protective cap for a cannula AUPQ867900A0 (en) 2000-07-10 2000-08-03 Medrad, Inc. Medical injector system AU2004261185B2 (en) * 2003-07-30 2009-12-24 Becton, Dickinson And Company Syringe assembly having disabling mechanism US7399293B2 (en) 2003-07-30 2008-07-15 Becton, Dickinson And Company Syringe assembly having disabling mechanism with tamper resistance features US7331934B2 (en) 2003-07-30 2008-02-19 Becton Dickinson Co Syringe assembly having disabling mechanism US7666169B2 (en) 2003-11-25 2010-02-23 Medrad, Inc. Syringe and syringe plungers for use with medical injectors JP4738420B2 (en) 2004-12-21 2011-08-03 ベクトン・ディキンソン・アンド・カンパニーＢｅｃｔｏｎ，ＤｉｃｋｉｎｓｏｎＡｎｄＣｏｍｐａｎｙ The syringe assembly having a disabling mechanism USD847985S1 (en) 2007-03-14 2019-05-07 Bayer Healthcare Llc Syringe plunger cover US8926569B2 (en) 2006-03-15 2015-01-06 Bayer Medical Care Inc. Plunger covers and plungers for use in syringes and methods of fabricating plunger covers and plungers for use in syringes US9174003B2 (en) 2012-09-28 2015-11-03 Bayer Medical Care Inc. Quick release plunger US9480797B1 (en) 2015-10-28 2016-11-01 Bayer Healthcare Llc System and method for syringe plunger engagement with an injector US2578394A (en) * 1947-12-04 1951-12-11 Premo Pharmaceutical Lab Inc Hypodermic syringe US2725057A (en) * 1951-11-23 1955-11-29 Compule Corp Aspirating hypodermic syringe structures of the piston type featuring means facilitating blood showings US5084027A (en) * 1991-07-19 1992-01-28 Bernard Daniel H Needle cover with safety disposal chamber US5149323A (en) * 1991-04-08 1992-09-22 Colonna John P Self destruct double syringe US5171303A (en) * 1990-04-20 1992-12-15 Decamp Dennis M Hypodermic needle cannula guard 1993-12-03 AU AU57367/94A patent/AU5736794A/en not_active Abandoned EP2650033A2 (en) 2003-09-17 2013-10-16 Elcam Medical Agricultural Cooperative Association Ltd. Automatic injection device US6001080A (en) 1999-12-14 Intravenous catheter assembly EP1390090B1 (en) 2013-06-12 Needle tip guard for percutaneous entry needles US7500963B2 (en) 2009-03-10 Systems and methods for automatic medical injection with safeguard JP3946324B2 (en) 2007-07-18 Medical injection device having a lockable safety shield US7241275B2 (en) 2007-07-10 Intradermal needle EP0549382B1 (en) 1996-01-24 Safety syringe system JP2831371B2 (en) 1998-12-02 Syringe CA1268679A (en) 1990-05-08 Disposable hypodermic syringe and needle combination having retractable, accident preventing sheath AU640018B2 (en) 1993-08-12 Safety needle containers EP0240987B1 (en) 1992-12-16 Medical device US6179812B1 (en) 2001-01-30 Retractable needle medical devices US4810248A (en) 1989-03-07 Syringe with safety sheath and safety needle cap US4994046A (en) 1991-02-19 Needle guard for syringe US5354287A (en) 1994-10-11 Injector for delivering fluid to internal target tissue EP1092442B1 (en) 2005-11-23 Method of making a retracting needle syringe EP1323447B1 (en) 2006-05-31 Retracting needle syringe US5858000A (en) 1999-01-12 Safety syringe needle device with interchangeable and retractable needle platform EP2319556B1 (en) 2013-04-24 Needle tip guard for hypodermic needles US4919657A (en) 1990-04-24 Dental syringe having a medication filled carpule and a retractable needle cannula US4894055A (en) 1990-01-16 Needle guard assembly for use with hypodermic syringes and the like EP0381697B1 (en) 1993-12-01 Self-blunting needle assembly and device including the same CN1024894C (en) 1994-06-08 Syringe US5385555A (en) 1995-01-31 Lockable safety shield for hypodermic syringe US6638254B2 (en) 2003-10-28 Indwelling needle assembly Owner name: I.C.P., INC, FLORIDA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HAMMETT, ROY;SUNDSVOLD, ERIC J.;REEL/FRAME:009857/0719	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613087
__label__wiki	0.770215	0.770215	US8581778B2 - Pulse compression system and method - Google Patents Pulse compression system and method Download PDF Pat Sankar SCIDEA RESEARCH Inc SCIDEA RES Inc 2010-07-19 Application filed by SCIDEA RES Inc filed Critical SCIDEA RES Inc 2012-11-12 Assigned to Stream Power, Inc. reassignment Stream Power, Inc. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SANKAR, PAT 2012-11-19 Assigned to SCIDEA RESEARCH, INC. reassignment SCIDEA RESEARCH, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Stream Power, Inc. H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL H01S3/00—Lasers, i.e. devices using stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet wave range H01S3/05—Construction or shape of optical resonators; Accommodation of active medium therein; Shape of active medium H01S3/08—Construction or shape of optical resonators or components thereof G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target G01S13/08—Systems for measuring distance only G01S13/10—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse modulated waves G01S13/26—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse modulated waves wherein the transmitted pulses use a frequency- or phase-modulated carrier wave G01S13/28—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse modulated waves wherein the transmitted pulses use a frequency- or phase-modulated carrier wave with time compression of received pulses G01S13/282—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse modulated waves wherein the transmitted pulses use a frequency- or phase-modulated carrier wave with time compression of received pulses using a frequency modulated carrier wave G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications G01S13/89—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging G01S13/90—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging using synthetic aperture techniques, e.g. synthetic aperture radar [SAR] techniques G01S13/904—SAR modes G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems G01S15/02—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves G01S15/06—Systems determining the position data of a target G01S15/10—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse-modulated waves G01S15/102—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse-modulated waves using transmission of pulses having some particular characteristics G01S15/104—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse-modulated waves using transmission of pulses having some particular characteristics wherein the transmitted pulses use a frequency- or phase-modulated carrier wave G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques G01S15/895—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques characterised by the transmitted frequency spectrum G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems G01S17/02—Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves G01S17/08—Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only G01S17/10—Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse-modulated waves G01S17/102—Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted pulse-modulated waves wherein the transmitted pulses use a frequency- or phase modulated carrier wave, e.g. for pulse compression of received signals A61B8/52—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/5207—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data, e.g. for generating an image G01S13/885—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for ground probing G01S13/91—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control G01S13/92—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for traffic control for velocity measurement A non-linear FM pulse compression system includes a non-linear FM transmitter adapted to receive an input signal and transmit an output signal. The non-linear FM transmitter is adapted to modulate the frequency of the output signal by at least one of the following: increasing the frequency of the output signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of samples in the input signal; modulating the frequency of the output signal in inversely proportional relationship to the frequency of samples in the input signal; and modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of the frequency of the input signal. At least one antenna interfaces with the non-linear FM transmitter. A non-linear FM receiver interfacing with the at least one antenna. The non-linear FM receiver is adapted to auto-correlate the output signal with a return signal. The disclosure relates to high resolution RADAR, LIDAR and other applications. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a non-linear FM pulse compression system and method which enhances target resolution in RADAR, LIDAR and other applications. The word RADAR is an acronym derived from the phrase RAdio Detection And Ranging and applies to electronic equipment designed for detecting and tracking objects (targets) at considerable distances. The basic principle behind radar is simple—extremely short bursts of radio energy (traveling at the speed of light) are transmitted, reflected off a target and then returned as an echo. The RADAR system correlates the return signal (appropriately corrected for gain) with the transmitted pulse to indicate the location of the target within a two or three dimensional framework. Among the various radar processing techniques, pulse compression is a signal processing technique mainly used not only in radar but also in sonar and echography to enhance the range resolution as well as the signal-to-noise ratio. The rectangular pulse of an electromagnetic signal is given by [1] P r(t)=Aexp(−j2πf c t)T/2≦t<T (1) where fc is the carrier frequency. The linear FM chirp of an RF signal is given by P FM(t)=Aexp(−j2πf c t 2)T/2≦t<T (2) Various techniques for pulse compression of electromagnetic signals using variants of frequency modulation are known in the art. These include an AM-FM laser for improved accuracy of target range measurements and a LASER RADAR system which uses an optically linear modulated FM chirp signal. Another method proposes a random FM scheme for mobile radios including a non-linear FM modulation which is carried out by driving an FM modulator with random or chaotic sequences and deriving theoretical expressions for the spectral properties of the FM waveforms. The conventional FM chirp techniques mentioned above either use linear FM modulation or propose the use of random input sequences to create non-linear FM signals with the perfect auto correlation function properties. However, these techniques are either too complicated to implement in many applications or do not result in optimal pulse compression. Moreover, conventional pulse compression techniques may not result in a range resolution which is optimal for the application. Therefore, a non-linear FM pulse compression system and method which can result an order of magnitude improvement in pulse compression and hence dramatically improve the resolution as well as the precision of range of detected targets in RADAR, LADAR and other applications is needed. The disclosure is generally directed to a non-linear FM pulse compression system. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a non-linear FM transmitter adapted to receive an input signal and transmit an output signal. The non-linear FM transmitter is adapted to modulate the frequency of the output signal by at least one of the following: increasing the frequency of the output signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of samples in the input signal; modulating the frequency of the output signal in inversely proportional relationship to the frequency of samples in the input signal; and modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of the frequency of the input signal. At least one antenna interfaces with the non-linear FM transmitter. A non-linear FM receiver interfacing with the at least one antenna. The non-linear FM receiver is adapted to auto-correlate the output signal with a return signal. The disclosure is further generally directed to a non-linear FM pulse compression method. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes providing an input signal; forming an output signal by modulating the frequency of the input signal by at least one of the following: increasing the frequency of the output signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of samples in the input signal; modulating the frequency of the output signal in inversely proportional relationship to the frequency of samples in the input signal; and modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of the frequency of the input signal; transmitting the output signal against a target; receiving a return signal from the target; and auto-correlating the output signal with the return signal. The disclosure is further generally directed to a free electron laser system. An illustrative embodiment of the free electron laser system includes an undulator having a pair of spaced-apart parallel series of magnets having alternating poles; a laser cavity defined between the spaced-apart parallel series of magnets; and an electron source adapted to emit an electron beam through the laser cavity. The disclosure will now be made, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a graph which illustrates various types of pulse waveforms; FIG. 2 is a graph which illustrates autocorrelation functions of the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a graph which illustrates autocorrelation functions of the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1 with pulse compression factors; FIG. 4 is a line graph which illustrates theoretical estimates and computed pulse compression factors (y-axis) for non-linear FM signals for various values of the carrier frequency (x-axis); FIG. 5 is a graph which illustrates automatic gain control (AGC) corrected return echo signals for the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a graph which illustrates matched filter outputs for the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a graph which illustrates detected targets for the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the detected targets for the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram which illustrates theory of operation for frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) RADAR; FIG. 10 is a graph which illustrates FMCW RADAR for each of the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a non-linear FM pulse compression system; FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a non-linear FMCW laser; FIG. 13A is a block diagram of an inverse FM modulator pulse generator which is suitable for implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system; FIG. 13B is a block diagram of a random sinusoid pulse generator which is suitable for implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system; FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system in imaging targets on the ground from an aircraft; FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system in an ultrasonic imaging application; FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system in a high resolution sonar application; FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system in a high resolution synthetic aperture application; FIGS. 18A-18C are schematic diagrams which illustrate implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system in a high resolution ground penetrating radar application; FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system in a high resolution air traffic control system application; FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of a free electron laser system; FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an alternative illustrative embodiment of a free electron laser system; FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of another alternative illustrative embodiment of a free electron laser system; and FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of a free electron laser system. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. The disclosure is generally directed to a non-linear FM pulse compression system and method. Some embodiments may include non-linear mapping of the time sequence which results in a randomly frequency modulated signal. Some embodiments may accomplish the same result by random permutation of the carrier pulse signal. In some embodiments, the frequency of the output non-linear FM chirp signal increases as a logarithmic function of the frequency of the samples in the input signal and is given by: P LogFM(t)=Aexp(−j2πf c log2(t)T/2≦t<T/2 (3) In some embodiments, the frequency changes in the non-linear FM chirp signal are inversely proportional to the frequency of the samples in the input pulse signal and are given by: P InvFM(t)=Aexp(−j2πf c /t)T/2≦t<T/2 (4) In some embodiments, the frequency changes of the non-linear FM chirp signal are produced by a random permutation of the input pulse signal to create a random sinusoid: P RandomFM(t)=Random Permutation{Aexp(−j2πf c /t)}T/2≦t<T/2 (5a) In some embodiments, the random permutation may be performed on the input to the sinusoid rather than the output: P RandomFM(t)=Aexp(Random Permutation{−j2πf c /t})T/2≦t<T/2 (5b) For some applications, however, performing the random permutation on the output of the sinusoidal pulse may be simpler. Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, graph which illustrates various types of pulse waveforms is illustrated. The graph includes a square pulse waveform 1, a linear FM pulse waveform 2, a non-linear log FM pulse waveform 3, a non-linear inverse pulse waveform 4 and a non-linear random sinusoid FM pulse waveform 5. The non-linear log FM pulse waveform 3, the non-linear inverse pulse waveform 4 and the non-linear random sinusoid FM pulse waveform 5 have a near-random appearance, which is the fundamental reason why the auto correlation functions of the signals 21-23 which correspond to these waveforms almost resemble a delta function as shown in FIG. 3 whereas the auto correlation function of the signal which corresponds to the linear waveform 20 does not. Referring next to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a graph which illustrates autocorrelation functions of the pulse waveforms illustrated in FIG. 1 is illustrated. Reference numerals 10-14 illustrate autocorrelation functions of the square pulse waveform 1, the linear FM pulse waveform 2, the non-linear log FM pulse waveform 3, the non-linear inverse FM pulse 4 and the non-linear random sinusoidal FM pulse 5, respectively, in FIG. 1. When the auto correlation functions 11-14 in FIG. 2 are compared, it is apparent that the auto correlation signal corresponding to the inverse FM chirp pulse 13 and the random sinusoidal chirp pulse 14 most resemble the delta function, a desired property for the optimally-compressed pulse. FIG. 3 illustrates the auto correlation functions of the various non-linear chirp signals 20-23, respectively, with the corresponding pulse compression factors. It is possible to infer from FIG. 5 that the auto correlation function of the non-linear log FM pulse 42 and the non-linear inverse FM pulse 43 are compressed versions of the auto correlation functions of the linear square pulse 40 and linear FM pulse 41. If the compression ratio between the two sin c functions is 4T/fc where T is the pulse width in terms of the number of samples in the pulse, and fc is the base frequency of the FM modulation of the pulse, the plot of the theoretical and computed compression factors versus the various values of fc are shown in FIG. 6 and also in Table I. Theoretical Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Compression Compression Compression Carrier Compression Factor Factor Factor Frequency Factor Log FM Inverse FM Random FM 25 96 15.86 55.5 111 50 48 14.57 51 51 100 24 12.5 25 25 200 12 4 8 8 The analytical expression for the auto correlation of the linear FM modulated signal 41 (FIG. 5) is given by the following equation [5]: < s c ′ , s c ′ > ( t ) = T ⁢ ⁢ Λ ⁡ ( t T ) ⁢ sinc ⁡ [ πΔ ⁢ ⁢ ft ⁢ ⁢ Λ ⁡ ( t T ) ] ⁢ ⅇ 2 ⁢ i ⁢ ⁢ π ⁢ ⁢ f 0 ⁢ t ( 5 ) Where T is the width of the pulse, and Λ(t/T) is the triangle weighting function. The maximum of the autocorrelation function of sc′ is reached at 0. Around 0, this function behaves as the sin c term. The −3 dB temporal width of that cardinal sine is more or less equal to T ′ = 1 Δ ⁢ ⁢ f . Everything happens as if, after matched filtering, the resolution that would have been reached with a simple pulse of duration T′ is obtained. For the common values of Δf, T′ is smaller than T, hence the pulse compression name. Even though it cannot be rigorously proven, based on the comparisons of FIG. 3 and the non-linear vs. linear FM modulation of the random FM pulse compression the inverse FM pulse compression 31, the log FM pulse compression 32 and the theoretical pulse compression 33, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the autocorrelation function of the non-linear FM modulated signal is very similar to that of the linear FM modulated signal but with width of the main lobe further compressed as shown below: T nfm =T fm/(M/f c) (6) where M is the number of samples in the pulse and fc is the base frequency of the linear FM modulator and Tfm=T′. Since energy is conserved for all three types of pulse waveforms P r T r =P fm T fm =P nfm T nfm (7) Where Pr, Tr, Pfm, Tfm, Pnfm and Tnfm are the power required and the main lobe half width of the rectangular pulse, linear FM modulated pulse and the nonlinear modulated FM pulse. Hence, the power required to transmit the non-linear FM modulated signal is given by P nfm =P fm(T fm /T nfm)=P r(T r /T nfm) (8) The Radar range equation states that if τ is the time of travel of the pulse echo from the target, then the range r from the target is given by: R=(cτ)/2 (9) where c is the speed of light given by 3×108 m/s. As an example, a radar experiment may include four targets closely separated by distances 270, 300, 337.5, 360, 373.5, 390.0, 427.5 and 450 meters respectively. Assuming a sampling rate of 1 Giga Hertz, the echolocations of these targets will be approximately 1800, 2000, 2250, 2400, 2490, 2600, 2850 and 3000 respectively. In FIG. 5, the automatic gain control of corrected return signals in the presence of 0 dB background noise for all five types of pulse waveforms 40-44, respectively, is illustrated. The targets are buried in the return echo RF signal. In FIG. 6, the automatic gain matched filter output in the presence of 0 dB background noise for all the five types of pulse waveforms 50-54, respectively, is illustrated. A careful examination clearly demonstrates the advantages of the linear FM signal 51 over the rectangular pulse 50 and the higher resolution provided by the non-linear FM modulated signals 52, 53, 54 over the linear FM signal. In FIG. 7, the detected targets for each of the five signals 60-64, respectively, and a close-up of the same 70-74, respectively, are illustrated in FIG. 8. It is more clear from FIGS. 7 and 8 that the non-linear FM pulses (62-64, respectively, in FIGS. 7 and 72-74, respectively, in FIG. 8) provide the highest resolution in addition to improved accuracy for the targets over the rectangular pulse 60, 70 and the linear FM pulse 61, 71. If a continuous pulse waveform is transmitted at a base frequency of fc and the measured frequency of the received pulse is ft, then the Doppler shift fd in frequency is defined by f t =f c +f d for approaching targets (10) f t =f c −f d for receding targets (11) Radar Doppler shift frequency is a function of radar transmit frequency (fo), speed of wave (c=speed of light), and target velocity (vt). Note, vt is positive (+) for approaching targets and negative (−) for receding targets: f d=±2v t f o /c (12) v t =±cf d/2f o (13) It is also possible to use a CW radar system to measure range instead of range rate by frequency modulation, the systematic variation of the transmitted frequency. What this does in effect is to put a unique “time stamp” on the transmitted wave at every instant. By measuring the frequency of the return signal, the time delay between transmission and reception can be measured and therefore the range determined as before. Of course, the amount of frequency modulation must be significantly greater than the expected Doppler shift or the results will be affected. Referring next to FIG. 9 of the drawings, a schematic diagram which illustrates theory of operation for frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) RADAR system 80 is illustrated. A transmitted frequency 81 is emitted from a transmitter 82. A received frequency 84 is returned from the target 83. The simplest way to modulate the wave is to linearly increase the frequency such that the transmitted frequency 81 will change at a constant rate Δf, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The FMCW RADAR system 80 measures the instantaneous difference between the transmitted frequency 81 and the received frequency 84, Δf. This difference is directly proportional to the time delay, Δt, which is takes the radar signal to reach the target 83 and return. From this the range can be found using the usual formula, R=cΔt/2. The time delay can be found as follows: Δt=TΔf/(f 2 −f 1) (14) f2=maximum frequency f1=minimum frequency T=period of sweep from f1 to f2, and Δf=the difference between transmitted and received. Combining these equations into a single form for the range R=2cTΔf/(f 2 −f 1) (15) where Δf is the difference between the transmitted frequency 81 and the received frequency 84 (when both are from the same sweep, i.e. when it is positive). The linear FMCW pulse 90, the log FM FMCW pulse 91, the inverse FM FMCW pulse 92 and the random sinusoid FM FMCW pulse 93 are shown below in FIG. 10. Referring next to FIG. 11 of the drawings, a block diagram 100 of an illustrative embodiment of a non-linear FM pulse compression system, hereinafter system, is illustrated. The system 100 may include a non-linear FM transmitter 101 and a non-linear FM receiver 102. A duplexer or switching unit 103 may interface with the non-linear FM transmitter 101 and the non-linear FM receiver 102. An antenna 104 may interface with the duplexer 103. A synchronizer 106 may interface with the non-linear FM transmitter 101. A display 107 may interface with the non-linear FM receiver 102, the antenna 104 and the synchronizer 106. A power supply 105 may be connected to the non-linear FM transmitter 101, the non-linear FM receiver 102, the synchronizer 106 and the display 107. In some embodiments, the non-linear FM transmitter 101 may be adapted to modulate the frequency of an input pulse signal by increasing the frequency of the input pulse signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of the samples in the input pulse signal, as expressed by equation (3) herein above, to generate an output non-linear FM chirp signal 113. In some embodiments, the non-linear FM transmitter 101 may be adapted to modulate the frequency of an input pulse signal such that the frequency changes in the non-linear FM chirp signal 113 are inversely proportional to the frequency of the samples in the input pulse signal as expressed by equation (4) herein above. In some embodiments, the non-linear FM transmitter 101 may be adapted to modulate the frequency of the sinusoidal input pulse signal such that the non-linear FM chirp signal 113 is a random permutation of the output of the sinusoidal input pulse signal as expressed by equation (5a) herein above. In some embodiments, the non-linear FM transmitter 101 may be adapted to modulate the frequency of the input pulse signal such that the non-linear FM chirp signal 113 is a random permutation of the input to the sinusoidal input pulse signal as expressed by equation (5b) herein above. The non-linear FM transmitter 101 may be adapted to emit the non-linear FM signal 113 to the duplexer 103. Through the duplexer 103, the antenna 104 may be adapted to emit the non-linear FM chirp signal 113 which is generated by the non-linear FM transmitter 101 to a target (not illustrated). The non-linear FM receiver 102 may be adapted to receive a return signal 114 from the target through the duplexer 103. The synchronizer 106 may ensure that the return signal 114 is reliably interpreted by the non-linear FM receiver 102. The non-linear FM receiver 102 may additionally be adapted to auto-correlate the return signal 114 with the non-linear FM chirp signal 113 which is emitted by the antenna 104. The display 107 may be adapted to receive the auto-correlated return signal from the non-linear FM receiver 102 and display the image of the target which is generated from the auto-correlated return signal. Referring next to FIG. 13A of the drawings, in some embodiments, the non-linear FM transmitter 101 may include an inverse FM modulator pulse generator 101 a. The inverse FM modulator pulse generator 101 a may be adapted to modulate the frequency changes in an input pulse signal such that the frequency changes in the output non-linear FM chirp signal are inversely proportional to the frequency of the samples in the input pulse signal as expressed by equation (4) herein above. The inverse FM modulator pulse generator 101 a may include an inverter 126, a sinusoid generator 127 which interfaces with the inverter 126 and a digital to analog converter (DAC) 128 which interfaces with the sinusoid generator 127. An antenna 129 may interface with the DAC 128. The inverter 126 may be adapted invert the time sequence 125 of an input pulse signal and emit an inverter output signal 126 a having the inverted time sequence. The sinusoid generator 127 may be adapted to receive the inverter output signal 126 a from the inverter 126 and generate a sinusoidal pulse 127 a having the inverted time sequence. The digital to analog converter (DAC) 128 may be adapted to receive the sinusoidal pulse 127 a from the sinusoid generator 127 and convert the sinusoidal pulse 127 a from a digital signal to an analog non-linear FM chirp signal. The antenna 129 may be adapted to emit the non-linear FM chirp signal which is received from the DAC 128. Therefore, the frequency changes in the output non-linear FM chirp signal are inversely proportional to the frequency of the samples corresponding to the original time sequence 125 in the input sinusoidal pulse. Referring next to FIG. 13B of the drawings, in some embodiments, the non-linear FM transmitter 101 may include a random sinusoid pulse generator 101 b. The random sinusoid pulse generator 101 b may be adapted to produce frequency changes of the non-linear FM chirp signal by a random permutation of the input pulse signal to generate a random sinusoidal non-linear FM chirp signal as expressed by equation (5a) herein above. The random sinusoid pulse generator 101 b may include a sinusoid generator 132, a random permutation component 133 which interfaces with the sinusoid generator 132, a digital to analog converter (DAC) 134 which interfaces with the random permutation component 133 and an antenna 135 which interfaces with the DAC 134. The sinusoid generator 132 may be adapted to generate a sinusoidal input pulse signal 132 a having a time sequence 131. The random permutation component 133 may be adapted to produce a random permutation of the input sinusoidal pulse signal 132 a and transmit a random sinusoidal pulse signal 133 a to the DAC 134. The DAC 134 may be adapted to convert the digital random sinusoidal pulse signal 133 a into an analog non-linear FM chirp signal which is emitted by the antenna 135. Referring next to FIG. 12 of the drawings, a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a non-linear FM CW laser is generally indicated by reference numeral 110. The non-linear FM CW laser 110 may include a non-linear FM pulse compression system 100. Control and data acquisition circuits 116 may interface with the system 100. A laptop or other computer 117 may interface with the control and data acquisition circuits 116 for data processing and display purposes. A power divider 118 may also interface with the system 100. An RF amplifier 119 may interface with the power divider 118. A transmitting antenna 120 may interface with the RF amplifier 119. The non-linear FM CW laser 110 may also include a receiving antenna 120 a. An RF amplifier 119 a may interface with the receiving antenna 120 a. A frequency mixer 121 may interface with the RF amplifier 119 a and with the power divider 118. A low pass filter 122 may interface with the frequency mixer 121. An IF amplifier 123 may interface with the low pass filter 122. The control and data acquisition circuits 116 may interface with the IF amplifier 123. In operation of the non-linear FM CW laser 110, the oscillator of the system 100 emits a non-linear frequency-modulated sinusoidal wave signal 124. The power divider 118 divides the signal 124 into a transmitted signal 124 a which is received by the RF amplifier 119 and a reference signal 124 b which is received by the frequency mixer 121. After the RF amplifier 119 amplifies the transmitted signal 124 a, the transmitting antenna 120 transmits the transmitted signal 124 a to a target (not illustrated). The receiving antenna 120 a receives the reflected signal 124 c from the target. The RF amplifier 119 a amplifies the reflected signal 124 c, and the frequency mixer 121 receives the amplified reflected signal 124 c. At the frequency mixer 121, the reflected signal 124 c mixes with the reference signal 124 b. A mixed signal 124 d, which is a modulated low frequency sinusoidal signal the main frequency of which is equal to the frequency difference between the reference signal 124 b and the reflected signal 124 c, is obtained from the output of the frequency mixer 121 and passes through the low pass filter 122 and the IF amplifier 123, respectively. At the control and data acquisition circuits 116, the mixed signal 124 d is Fourier transformed into a frequency domain. The spectrum which appears on the laptop computer 117 displays all the reflection events and travel time delays between reflection events which can be calculated using the parameters such as the start and stop frequencies of the modulated oscillator of the system 100, the scanning time period and the frequency difference between reflection events. Referring to FIG. 14 of the drawings, a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the non-linear FM pulse compression system 100 in imaging targets on the ground 141 from an aircraft 140 via LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is illustrated. LIDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that measures properties of scattered light to find range and/or other information of a distant target. The prevalent method to determine distance to an object 142 or surface 141 is to use laser pulses 143. Like radar technology, which uses radio waves, the range to an object 142 is determined by measuring the time delay between transmission of a pulse 143 and detection of the reflected signal 144. A recent addition to a police officer's speed detection arsenal is LIDAR (Laser Infrared Detection And Ranging). To measure a vehicle's speed, LIDAR determines how long it takes a light pulse to travel from the LIDAR gun to the vehicle and back. From this information, LIDAR can quickly find the distance between the gun and the vehicle. By making several measurements and comparing the distance the vehicle traveled between measurements, LIDAR very accurately determines the vehicle's speed. LIDAR uses a laser beam of invisible infrared light. The beam reflects off any flat surface on the vehicle. Since the beam is very narrow, it is impossible for any laser detector to determine the distance between the LIDAR source and the vehicle. Just as there are two types of RADAR, there are also two types of lasers: Pulsed Lasers and Continuous Wave (CW) Lasers, which are used in LIDAR applications. The present disclosure includes use of the non-linear FM pulse compression system 100 for use in ranging and Doppler measurement applications. Referring next to FIG. 15 of the drawings, a high-resolution medical ultrasound system 150 which utilizes an illustrative embodiment of the pulse compression system 100 is illustrated. The system 150 may include an ultrasound transducer 152 into which the pulse compression system 100 is installed. A CPU 151 may interface with the ultrasound transducer 152. External devices may interface with the CPU 151. The external devices may include transducer pulse controls 156, a printer 157, a disc storage device 158, a keyboard/cursor 159 and a display 160, for example and without limitation. The pulse compression system 100 in the ultrasound transducer 152 transmits high frequency sound pulses 161 into a patient's body 162. The sound pulses 161 travel through the patient's body 162, passing through different types of tissue. Although the average speed of sound through human tissues is 1540 m/s, it does vary with exact tissue type. While the speed of sound through fat is 1459 m/s, it passes through bone at 4080 m/s. When sound encounters two adjacent tissue types with different acoustic properties, a proportion of the sound energy is reflected as reflected sound pulses 163. These boundaries between different tissue types are called acoustic interfaces. The amount of reflected sound pulses 163 reflected back from an acoustic interface depends on a property of the materials on either side of the interface called acoustic impedance. The acoustic impedance of a material is simply the density of the material multiplied by the speed at which sound travels through the material. Referring next to FIG. 16 of the drawings, a high resolution sonar system 164 which utilizes an illustrative embodiment of the pulse compression system 100 is illustrated. The pulse compression system 100 of the high resolution sonar system 164 can be used to power and drive the sonar beam generators 166 of the pulse compression system 100 to emit a sonar pulse 165 which may have a fan shape, as illustrated. The high resolution sonar system 164 uses sound propagation (usually underwater, as in submarine navigation) to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels. There are two types of technology which share the name “sonar”: passive sonar is essentially listening for the sound made by vessels; active sonar is emitting pulses of sounds and listening for echoes. Sonar may be used as a means of acoustic location and of measurement of the echo characteristics of “targets” in the water. Acoustic location in air was used before the introduction of radar. Referring next to FIG. 17 of the drawings, a high resolution synthetic radar system 170 which utilizes an illustrative embodiment of the pulse compression system 100 is illustrated. The pulse compression system 100 may be provided in a spacecraft 171 and emits a high resolution synthetic radar pulse 175 against a target 174. A reflected signal (not illustrated) is reflected from the target 174 back to the pulse compression system 100. A data processor 172 interfaces with the system 100 and auto-correlates the reflected signal and the emitted high resolution synthetic radar pulse 175. A high resolution image of the target 174 is shown on a display 173 which interfaces with the data processor 172. Beginning with the launch of SESAT in 1978, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) have provided a wealth of information on such diverse phenomena as surface waves, internal waves, currents, upwelling, shoals, sea ice, wind and rainfall. SAR is the premier sensor for such phenomena because it is sensitive to small surface roughness changes of the order of Radar wavelength (1 millimeter down to several centimeters). It is also independent of solar illumination and is generally unaffected by cloud cover. Most modern RADARs (including SARs) transmit a pulse 175 known as linear modulated waveform and use the standard RADAR principles of range resolution and Doppler shift. Hence the linear FM pulse generator can be replaced with the pulse compression system 100 to produce higher solution in SAR images on the display 173. Referring next to FIGS. 18A-18C of the drawings, a high resolution ground penetrating radar system 180 which utilizes an illustrative embodiment of the pulse compression system 100 is illustrated. Ground Penetrating RADAR (GPR) utilizes a very short burst of radio-frequency energy as a pulse 185 which is transmitted from the non-linear FM transmitter 101 via the transmit antenna 104 (FIG. 18B) of the pulse compression system 100 and radiated into the ground 181 to detect discontinuities in the ground 181. The scattered pulse 186 is reflected from the ground 181 and detected by a receive antenna 104 a. A signal processor and recorder 102 auto-correlates the scattered pulse 186 and the transmitted pulse 185 and records or displays a high-resolution image of the ground 181 or objects or discontinuities in the ground 181 on a display 107, as illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Alternative applications of the pulse compression system 100 in implementation of the high resolution ground penetrating radar system 180 are illustrated in FIG. 18C. The objects or discontinuities in the ground 181 can be cavities, voids, transitions between soil and rock, filled areas and/or buried objects. The performance of conventional GPRs is limited by attenuation of the transmitted pulse in moist soils, especially soils having high clay content. GPRs are used to detect a boundary between rock and air (a cave or cavity) or between one type of soil and another (for example undisturbed soil-to back-filled soil). The strength of the echo signal is dependent on the absorption of the signal to and from the radar to the target, the size and shape of the target, and the degree of discontinuity at the reflecting boundary. Referring next to FIG. 19 of the drawings, a high resolution air traffic control system 190 which utilizes an illustrative embodiment of the pulse compression system 100 is illustrated. The air traffic control system 190 may include a ground control 191 having a ground control tower 192. The pulse compression system 100 may be provided in the ground control tower 192. An antenna 104 of the pulse compression system 100 emits pulses 193 which are reflected from flying aircraft 194. Return pulses (not illustrated) reflected from the aircraft 194 are received by the antenna 104 and processed as was heretofore described with respect to FIG. 11 to generate a high-resolution image of the aircraft 194. Air traffic control systems are critically dependent on the use of RADAR technology for the safety of tens of thousands of aircrafts and millions of passengers every day. With the increase in air traffic, there is need for high resolution air traffic tracking systems. Currently, pulsed radars and FMCW radars are used for range measurement and Doppler measurements. With the use of the non-linear FM pulse compression system 100, the performance of the air traffic systems 190 can be significantly improved with more accurate estimation and detection of aircraft 194. In particular, the relative positions of those aircraft 194 which would otherwise come within dangerously close proximity to each other may be detected sufficiently early to prevent such close proximity and avert potential aviation accidents. A free electron laser (FEL) is a laser which shares the same optical properties as conventional lasers such as emission of an electron beam having coherent electromagnetic radiation which can reach high power but which uses some very different operating principles to form the beam. Unlike gas, liquid or solid-state lasers such as diode lasers, in which electrons are excited in bound atomic or molecular states, FELs use a relativistic electron beam as the lasing medium which moves freely through a magnetic structure (hence the term free electron). The free electron laser has the widest frequency range of any laser type and can be widely tunable, currently ranging in the wavelength from microwaves through terahertz radiation and infrared, to the visible spectrum, to ultraviolet, to X-ray. Referring next to FIG. 20 of the drawings, a free electron laser system 200 is illustrated. In the free electron laser system 200, an FEL oscillator in the form of a “wiggler” or undulator 207 includes two parallel series of permanent magnets 201 having alternating poles 201 a. A full-silvered mirror 202 and a half-silvered mirror 203 may be placed at opposite ends of the undulator 207. An electron source 205 is adapted to emit an electron beam 206 to almost light speed (relativistic speed) into a laser cavity 208 between the parallel series of magnets 201 and within a path of light 204 between the full-silvered mirror 202 and the half-silvered mirror 203. The array of magnets 201 of the undulator 207 forces the electrons in the electron beam 206 to follow a sinusoidal path. The acceleration of the electrons along the sinusoidal path of the electron beam 206 results in a release of a photon (synchroton radiation). Since the electron motion is in phase with the field of the light 204 already emitted, the fields add together coherently. Whereas conventional undulators would cause the electrons to radiate independently, instabilities in the undulators and the radiation they emit leads to bunching of the electrons, which continue to radiate in phase with each other. Referring next to FIG. 21 of the drawings, a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an alternative illustrative embodiment of a free electron laser system 210 is illustrated. In the free electron laser 210, each undulator 217 includes two parallel series of permanent magnets 211 each of which is a modified Halbach array (hereinafter referred to as a “Ronbach” array) in which the magnetic north pole 211 a and the magnetic south pole 211 b of alternating magnets face the same direction. A full-silvered mirror 212 and a half-silvered mirror 213 may be placed at opposite ends of the undulator 217. An electron source 215 is adapted to emit an electron beam 216 to almost light speed (relativistic speed) into a laser cavity 218 between the parallel series of magnets 201 and within a path of light 214 between the full-silvered mirror 212 and the half-silvered mirror 213. The Ronbach magnetic array of the undulator 217 may result in 71% increase of magnetic field as opposed to 41% increase of magnetic field for Halbach magnetic arrays. Referring next to FIG. 22 of the drawings, a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of another alternative illustrative embodiment of a free electron laser system 220 is illustrated. The undulator 223 of the free electron laser system 220 may include two parallel series of electromagnets with random phase distribution 221. A laser cavity 220 may be defined between the parallel series of electromagnets with random phase distribution 221. Accordingly, the magnetic polarity of the electromagnets with random phase distribution 221 is changed at random, inducing a random modulation of the electron beam 222 as it is emitted through the laser cavity 220. Referring next to FIG. 23 of the drawings, a schematic diagram which illustrates implementation of an illustrative embodiment of a free electron laser system 230 is illustrated. The undulator 234 of the free electron laser system 230 may include two parallel series of electromagnets with random phase distribution 231 and electromagnets with alternating north and south poles 232. A laser cavity 235 may be defined between the parallel series of electromagnets with random phase distribution 221. Accordingly, the free electron laser system 230 may be operated in a two-cycle operation in which the electromagnets with random phase distribution 221 are energized during the first cycle and the electromagnets with alternating north and south poles 232 are energized during the second cycle. This causes the electron beam 233 to undergo several oscillations, resulting in radiation of intense concentrated energy in narrow energy bands of the spectrum as it is emitted through the laser cavity 235. While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 1. A non-linear frequency modulation (FM) pulse compression system, comprising: a non-linear FM transmitter configured to receive an input signal and transmit an output signal, wherein the non-linear FM transmitter is configured to modulate the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of samples of the input signal; at least one antenna interfacing with the non-linear FM transmitter; and a non-linear FM receiver interfacing with the at least one antenna, wherein the non-linear FM receiver is configured to auto-correlate the output signal with a return signal. 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a display interfacing with the non-linear FM receiver and the antenna. 3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a synchronizer interfacing with the nonlinear FM transmitter and the display. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the non-linear FM transmitter comprises a sinusoid generator, a random permutation component interfacing with the sinusoid generator and a digital-to-analog converter interfacing with the sinusoid generator. 5. A non-linear frequency modulation pulse compression method, comprising: providing an input signal; forming an output signal by modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of samples of the input signal; transmitting the output signal against a target; receiving a return signal from the target; and auto-correlating the output signal with the return signal. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein forming an output signal comprises forming radar pulses and transmitting the output signal against a target comprises transmitting the radar pulses from an aircraft against ground targets. 7. The method of claim 5 wherein forming an output signal comprises forming sound pulses and transmitting the output signal against a target comprises transmitting the sound pulses from an ultrasound transducer against a human body. 8. The method of claim 5 wherein forming an output signal comprises forming sonar pulses. 9. The method of claim 5 wherein forming an output signal comprises forming high-resolution synthetic radar pulses. 10. The method of claim 5 wherein transmitting the output signal against a target comprises transmitting the output signal against a buried object. 11. The method of claim 5 wherein transmitting the output signal against a target comprises transmitting pulses against flying aircraft. 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If this situation persist, please contact us at Feedback&Contact 1. (US20190161132) SELF-BALANCING ROBOTIC MOTORCYCLE National Biblio. Data Note: Text based on automatic Optical Character Recognition processes. Please use the PDF version for legal matters Motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles typically employ one or more powered or driven wheels to facilitate rolling or otherwise linear movement in a generally horizontal direction. A power assembly (such as an electric motor or a combustion engine) typically controls (via, e.g., a drivetrain) rotation of a motorcycle wheel's axle, which may in turn control rotation of the wheel thereabout. Traditionally, at least a portion of a motorcycle's power assembly (e.g., the chain or belt that connects the wheel's axle to a combustion engine or electric motor, the motor itself, etc.), as well as its brake assembly, are disposed within the circumference of at least one of the motorcycle's wheels, near the wheel's hub, and adjacent to the wheel's axle. The placement of a power or brake assembly within the circumference of a wheel, however, can lead to various disadvantages. For example, when a component of a power or brake assembly (e.g., the chain or belt that connects the wheel's axle to a combustion engine or electric motor, the motor itself, brake pads, brake cabling, etc.) is disposed within the circumference of the wheel, this component may be exposed to whatever conditions the wheel moves through. This is particularly problematic for vehicles that are intended to move through treacherous conditions or water. In addition, when some or all of a power or brake assembly is located within the circumference of the wheel, the power or brake assembly may limit the maneuverability of the motorcycle since the wheel may be unable to rotate 360 degrees without entangling the engine's powertrain, electric motor wires, brake cabling, etc. This is particularly problematic for vehicles intended to perform highly maneuverable functions, such as autonomous motorcycles or other two-wheeled robots. Additionally, human drivers and robotic encoders often have difficulty balancing motorcycles, especially when the vehicle is moving slowly or is stopped. Difficulties associated with balancing motorcycles may become a particular concern for autonomous or driverless motorcycles. As such, the instant disclosure identifies and addresses a need for improved powered or driven wheels and balancing controls for motorcycles that make use of the same. As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosure describes a vehicular assembly, self-balancing robotic motorcycle, and method for assembling the same. In some embodiments, the robotic motorcycle may include a chassis, fore and aft driven wheel assemblies, and a control loop stabilizer. The fore and aft driven wheel assemblies may be mounted proximate to the fore and aft ends of the chassis, respectively. Each driven wheel assembly may include a wheel, a drive shaft, a steer shaft, and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to an axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a substantially vertical steering axis. The drive shaft may extend along the steering axis from a first drive shaft end to a second drive shaft end. The second drive shaft end may be connected to a drive assembly that controls rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis. The steer shaft may extend along the steering axis from a first steer shaft end to a second steer shaft end. The first steer shaft end may be connected to the axle and the second steer shaft end may be connected to a steer assembly that controls rotation of the steer shaft about the steering axis to steer the wheel about the steering axis. The bevel gear may connect the first drive shaft end to the axle such that rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis to drive the robotic motorcycle in a substantially horizontal direction. The control loop stabilizer may be configured to balance the robotic motorcycle. In one example, the control loop stabilizer may include sensors for detecting balancing input. The balancing input may include information indicative of the linear velocity and angular velocity of the robotic motorcycle, the linear velocity and angular velocity of each wheel, and/or the orientation of each wheel. The control loop stabilizer may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensors, drive assemblies, and/or steer assemblies. The controller may be configured to receive the balancing input from the sensors and, based on the same, determine drive and steer parameters for the drive and steer assemblies, respectively, to balance the robotic motorcycle. The controller may also be configured to cause the drive and steer assemblies to operate according to the determined drive and steer parameters. The control loop stabilizer may also include a gyroscope. In some embodiments, each driven wheel assembly also includes a brake that is connected to the second drive shaft end and configured to retard motion of the drive shaft to thereby retard motion of the wheel. The brake may, in some examples, represent a disc brake. The disc brake may include a disc arranged on the second shaft end and configured to rotate with the drive shaft about the steering axis and a pair of pads on top and bottom sides of the disc. The controller may be configured to cause the pads to compress against the top and bottom sides of the disc to retard rotation of the disc and thereby retard rotation of the drive shaft. In some embodiments, each wheel may freely rotate 360 degrees around its steering axis. In some embodiments, the chassis may include a base, a fore platform coupled to a fore end of the base, and an aft platform coupled to an aft end of the base. The fore driven wheel assembly may be mounted on the fore platform and the aft driven wheel assembly may be mounted on the aft platform. In some examples, the self-balancing robotic motorcycle may further include a suspension system. The suspension system may include a fore suspension mechanism for controlling the suspension of the fore platform relative to the base and an aft suspension mechanism for controlling the suspension of the aft platform relative to the base. In some embodiments, for each wheel assembly, the drive axis and the steering axis may together form an oblique angle such that the wheel is tilted relative to the steering axis and the wheel is steerable about the steering axis at a single point of rotation. In some embodiments, the second drive shaft end and/or the second steer shaft end may extend above the chassis. Similarly, the drive and/or steer assemblies may be mounted on top of the chassis. In addition, the drive shaft may be concentrically arranged inside of the steer shaft. Similarly, a vehicular assembly may include a chassis that includes a fore end and an aft end and fore and aft driven wheel assemblies mounted proximate to the fore and aft ends of the chassis, respectively. Each of the driven wheel assemblies may include a wheel, a drive shaft, a steer shaft, and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to an axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a substantially vertical steering axis. The drive shaft may extend along the steering axis from a first drive shaft end to a second drive shaft end. The second drive shaft end may be connected to a drive assembly that controls rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis. The steer shaft may extend along the steering axis from a first steer shaft end to a second steer shaft end. The first steer shaft end may be connected to the axle and the second steer shaft end may be connected to a steer assembly that controls rotation of the steer shaft about the steering axis to steer the wheel about the steering axis. The bevel gear may connect the first drive shaft end to the axle such that rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis to drive the vehicular platform in a substantially horizontal direction. In addition, a method for assembling a vehicular platform may include (1) mounting fore and aft driven wheel assemblies to fore and aft ends, respectively, of a chassis and (2) communicatively coupling, to the vehicular platform, a control loop stabilizer configured balance the vehicular platform. Each of the driven wheel assemblies may include a wheel, a drive shaft, a steer shaft, and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to an axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a substantially vertical steering axis. The drive shaft may extend along the steering axis from a first drive shaft end to a second drive shaft end. The second drive shaft end may be connected to a drive assembly that controls rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis. The steer shaft may extend along the steering axis from a first steer shaft end to a second steer shaft end. The first steer shaft end may be connected to the axle and the second steer shaft end may be connected to a steer assembly that controls rotation of the steer shaft about the steering axis to steer the wheel about the steering axis. The bevel gear may connect the first drive shaft end to the axle such that rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis to drive the vehicular platform in a substantially horizontal direction. Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used in combination with one another in accordance with the general principles described herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantages will be more fully understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of the instant disclosure. FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of a self-balancing robotic motorcycle, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a left-side view of the self-balancing robotic motorcycle of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a blown-up, left-side view of the self-balancing robotic motorcycle of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a blown-up, bottom view of the self-balancing robotic motorcycle of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a rear view of a portion of the self-balancing robotic motorcycle of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a method of assembling a self-balancing vehicle, according to an embodiment. Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While the exemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure is generally directed to self-balancing robotic motorcycles, vehicular platforms designed to support robotic motorcycles, and methods for assembling the same. As will be explained in greater detail below, embodiments of the instant disclosure may include a vehicular platform that includes a chassis, driven wheel assemblies, and a control loop stabilizer. The driven wheel assemblies may each include a wheel and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to an axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a substantially vertical steering axis. A steer shaft may connect the axle to a steer assembly that controls rotation of the steer shaft about the steering axis to steer the wheel. A drive shaft may have one end coupled to a drive assembly to control rotation of the shaft about the steering axis. The bevel gear may couple the other end of the drive shaft to the axle so that rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis. The control loop stabilizer may determine parameters for the drive and steer assemblies to balance the vehicular platform. In addition, a suspension system may improve the steering capabilities and stability of the vehicular platform. The devices, vehicles, and assemblies described herein may provide a number of features and advantages over traditional systems. For example, in some configurations, the entire power assemblies (e.g., drive and steer assemblies) of the driven wheels may be located distally from the wheels. As such, components of these power assemblies (e.g., electrical motors, combustion engines, wires, drivetrains, etc.) may be protected, for example, from environmental conditions that may surround the wheels. This may be particularly advantageous for vehicles intended to move through extreme weather conditions or through water. In addition, the configuration of the driven wheels may enable each wheel to freely rotate 360 degrees about its steering axis without becoming entangled by electrical wires, the drivetrain, or other components of the drive assembly. This may enable a vehicle to accomplish a variety of steering feats, such as moving linearly in a sideways direction. The driven wheels may also include a brake assembly that is disposed distally from the wheel (e.g., entirely above the chassis), which may similarly protect the brake assembly from impact and environmental damage. Furthermore, a control loop stabilizer system may help balance the vehicle. The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1-6, detailed descriptions of self-balancing robotic motorcycles and vehicular platforms that may support such vehicles. FIG. 1 is a left, perspective view of a vehicular platform 100 according to one embodiment. The vehicular platform 100 may include a chassis 120 having a fore end 121 a and an aft end 121 b. A fore drive assembly 106 a may be mounted proximate the fore end 121 a of the chassis 120 and an aft drive assembly 106 b may be mounted proximate the aft end 121 b of the chassis 120. Fore and aft driven wheel assemblies 101 a, 101 b may be mounted proximate the fore and aft ends 121 a, 121 b of the chassis 120, respectively. The term “drive assembly” may, in some examples, refer to any mechanism capable of generating torque sufficient to drive a wheel. Examples of drive assemblies include, without limitation, combustion engines, electric motors, and the like. In one example, the drive assemblies 106 a, 106 b may each include a drive motor 122 a, 122 b (as referenced in FIGS. 2 and 5) and, in some examples, a drivetrain (e.g., a chain, belt, etc.), such as the drive belts 124 a, 124 b (as referenced in FIGS. 2 and 5) controlled by the drive motor 122 a, 122 b. Although not illustrated, drive assemblies 106 a, 106 b may also include a variety of additional components, such as batteries, encoders, etc. While FIGS. 1-6 show and describe a vehicular platform with two driven wheel assemblies 101 a, 101 b, any suitable number of driven wheel assemblies 101 a, 101 b may be provided while remaining within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, while the following description at times refers to only one of the wheel assemblies (e.g., the fore wheel assembly 101 a), it should be understood that the description of a single wheel assembly may also apply to some or all of the other wheel assemblies (e.g., the aft driven wheel assembly 101 b). A more detailed description and discussion of the driven wheel assemblies described herein may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/828,349, titled “DRIVEN CASTER WHEEL AND ASSEMBLY,” filed on 30 Nov. 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the fore wheel assembly 101 a may include a wheel 102 a mounted to an axle 104 a, a drive shaft 108 a, and a bevel gear 114 a. The wheel 102 a may be mounted to axle 104 a for rotation about a drive axis D. In this example, the rotation of the wheel 102 a about the drive axis D may be controlled by a drive assembly 106 a, as shown in FIG. 1, that is located distally from the wheel 102 a and on the chassis 120. The drive shaft 108 a may extend substantially vertically from the drive assembly 106 a to the axle 104 a and rotate about a substantially vertically steering axis S. The bevel gear 114 a may connect the drive shaft 108 a to the axle 104 a to translate torque and power from the drive assembly 106 a to the wheel 102 a. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, the entire fore drive assembly 106 a may be located distally from the wheel 102 a, and the drive pulleys 126 a, 128 a and the drive belt 124 a may be disposed on top of the chassis 120, which may protect the vehicular platform from damage. For example, by positioning the drive assembly's electrical components distally from the wheel, the vehicular platform 100 may be able to drive through deep water or survive other environmental conditions. The drive assemblies 106 a, 106 b may each include a respective drive motor (e.g., drive motors 122 a, 122 b) and a respective drivetrain (e.g., drive belts 124 a, 124 b) that rotates about a drive motor pulley (drive pulleys 126 a, 126 b) and a drive pulley (e.g., drive pulleys 128 a, 128 b). The power of the driven wheel assemblies (e.g., driven wheel assembly 101 a) may be controlled by the drive pulleys (e.g., drive pulley 128 a) mounted to or integral with the drive shafts (e.g., drive shaft 108 a). In other examples, the drive assemblies may be mounted directly to the drive shafts, which may eliminate the need for the drive pulleys and/or the drive belts. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the drive motor 122 a may rotate about a substantially vertical drive axis D that extends substantially parallel to the steering axis S. Drive pulley 126 a may be mounted to the upper portion of the drive motor 122 a, and a respective drive pulley 128 a may be mounted to an upper portion of the drive shaft 108 a. The drive belt 124 a may extend between the drive pulleys 126 a, 128 a and within a plane substantially perpendicular to the drive axis D and steering axis S. Thus, the drive motor 122 a may cause the drive motor pulley 126 a to move about the drive axis D, which may in turn cause the drive belt 124 a to move about the drive pulleys 126 a, 128 a, thereby causing the drive pulley 128 a and the drive shaft 108 a to rotate about their steering axis S. As will be explained in greater detail below, the drive motors 122 a, 122 b may be controlled independently of one another to facilitate steering and balancing of the vehicle. Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the torque and power from the drive motor 122 a may be transferred from the drive shaft 108 a to the axle 104 a via the bevel gear 114 a. The drive shaft 108 a and axle 104 a may function as the shafts of the bevel gear 114 a. Mating gears 130 a, 132 a may be disposed on the lower portion of the drive shaft 108 a and axle 104 a. Thus, the bevel gear 114 a may transfer and change the direction of the power and torque from the drive shaft 108 a to the wheel 102 a. As shown in FIG. 5, the bevel gear 114 a may represent a miter gear and the mating gears 130 a, 132 a may provide a gear ratio of 1:1. The bevel gear 114 a can, however, have other suitable configurations and gear ratios while remaining within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the mating gears 130 a, 132 a may include any suitable number of teeth. Also, the intersection of the drive and steering axes can form any suitable angle while remaining within the scope of this disclosure. As described herein, drive power may be provided to the wheel 102 a by way of the substantially vertical drive shaft 108 a that extends along only one side of the wheel 102 a from the axle 104 a to a location entirely above the wheel (e.g., above chassis 120). As such, the wheel 102 a may be able to freely rotate 360 degrees about the steering axis S. This configuration may offer many advantages from a steering and maneuverability standpoint. For example, the configuration of the drive shaft 108 a and the bevel gear 114 a may result in a vehicular platform 100 that may be free of wires or other electrical components extending close to (or within the circumference of) the wheels 102 a, 102 b. In addition, since the drive shaft 108 a receives power at its upper end, and transfers power to the wheel 102 a at its lower end via the bevel gear 114 a, the drive assembly 106 a (including drive belt 124 a) may be located entirely above the wheel 102 a, with all electrical components disposed distally from the wheel 102 a, leaving a simple gearing configuration proximate the wheel 102 a. In some embodiments, a set of brakes 116 a, 116 b may be disposed entirely above the wheels 102 a, 102 b. The brakes 116 a and 116 b may each be disposed on respective upper drive shaft ends and configured to retard motion of its respective drive shaft about their steering axis, thereby retarding motion of its respective wheel 102 a, 102 b about their drive axis. Any suitable brake configuration may be used. In one example, the brake 116 a may represent a disc brake, including a disc 134 a arranged on the upper drive shaft end and configured to rotate about the steering axis along with the drive shaft 108 a. As shown in FIG. 3, the disc 134 a may be mounted to the upper drive shaft end by being mounted to the drive pulley 128 a. The disc 134 a may have top and bottom surfaces, with each extending in a horizontal plane that is substantially perpendicular to the steering axis. A retarding mechanism may be provided to retard motion of the disc 134 a. Any suitable type of retarding mechanism may be provided. In the embodiment herein described, the retarding mechanism includes top and bottom pads 136 a, 136 b disposed proximate the top and bottom surfaces of the disc 134 a, respectively. At least one of the pads 136 a, 136 b may be compressible towards the disc 134 a such that the pads 136 a, 136 b pinch the disc 134 a to thereby retard its motion about the steering axis. In the embodiment shown and herein described, a steer assembly 118 a, 118 b may be provided to control the steering of the wheels 102 a, 102 b about the steering axis S. The term “steer assembly” may, in some examples, refer to any mechanism capable of generating torque sufficient to steer a wheel. Examples of steer assemblies include, without limitation, combustion engines, electric motors, and the like. As with the drive assemblies described herein, the steer assemblies 118 a, 118 b may include a variety of additional components, including batteries, encoders, etc. For each driven wheel assembly 101 a, 101 b, a steer shaft (e.g., steer shaft 138 a) may extend along the steering axis from a bottom steer shaft end to a top steer shaft end. The bottom steer shaft end may be connected to the axle 104 a, and the top steer shaft end may be coupled to the steer assembly 118 a, such that the steer assembly 118 a controls rotation of the steer shaft 138 a about the steering axis S, which in turn steers the wheel 102 a about the steering axis. Referring to FIG. 6, the bottom steer shaft end may be mounted to the axle 104 a via a casting such that the axle 104 a rotates about the steering axis along with the steer shaft 138 a, thus causing the wheel 102 a to rotate about the steering axis. As described in further detail below, the wheel 102 a may be tilted with respect to the steering axis. In one example, the steer assemblies 118 a, 118 b may include a respective steer motor (e.g., steer motors 144 a, 144 b), steer belt (e.g., steer belts 146 a, 146 b), steer pulley (e.g., steer pulleys 150 a, 150 b, 148 a, 148 b), the operation of which may be similar to that of the drive assemblies 106 a, 106 b. The steer motors 144 a, 144 b and steer belts 146 a, 146 b may control the steer shafts of driven wheel assemblies 101 a, 101 b independent of one another. The steer motors 144 a, 144 b may extend substantially vertically, proximate respective drive motors 122 a, 122 b on the chassis 120. The steer belts 146 a, 146 b and steer pulleys 150 a, 150 b, 148 a, 148 b, may rotate within a plane that is substantially parallel to and below the plane in which the drive motors 122 a, 122 b, drive belts 124 a, 124 b, and drive pulleys 126 a, 126 b, 128 a, 128 b rotate. The steer pulley 148 a that is arranged on the steer shaft 138 a may be disposed beneath the drive pulley 128 a that is arranged on the drive shaft 108 a. In other examples, the steer assemblies may be mounted directly to their respective steer shafts, which may eliminate the need for steer pulleys and/or steer belts. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the steer shaft 138 a may be arranged concentrically with respect to the drive shaft 108 a. More particularly, the steer shaft 138 a and drive shaft 108 a may each extend along the steering axis, with the drive shaft 108 a being disposed within the steer shaft 138 a. As such, the drive shaft 108 a may be connected to the axle 104 a via the bevel gear 114 a, and the steer shaft 138 a may be mounted to the axle 104 a via a casting 152 a that is disposed around the bevel gear 114 a. A more detailed description and discussion of this concentric arrangement may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled “DRIVEN CASTER WHEEL AND ASSEMBLY,” filed on ______, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the bevel gear 114 a may be configured so that the wheel 102 a is tilted with respect to the steering axis. This tilt may reduce scrubbing action when the wheel turns, and thus improve the wheel's durability and steering capabilities. As shown in FIG. 6, the wheel's axis may extend along the length of the wheel, perpendicular to the drive axis D. In this example, the wheel's axis does not extend parallel to the steering axis S, but rather is tilted at an angle relative thereto. As such, while the drive shaft and steering axis extend in a substantially vertical direction, the axle and drive axis may extend in a direction that is not horizontal. In other words, the bevel gear 114 a may be configured such that the steering axis S and drive axis D form an angle that is oblique. In some examples, the wheel 102 a is tilted at an angle so that when the vehicular platform 100 is on a surface, the wheel 102 a rotates about the steering axis S at a point that is its center of mass. For example, for a wheel and tire configuration having a diameter substantially equal to 16 inches, the bevel gear 114 a may be configured so that the angle between the drive axis D and steering axis S is about 110 degrees and the angle between the steering axis S and the wheel is equal to about 20 degrees. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the entire chassis 120 may be arranged above the wheels 102 a, 102 b, and the drive and steer shafts (e.g., drive shaft 108 a and steer shaft 138 a) may extend from their respective axle (e.g., axle 104 a), through the surface of chassis 120, to a location at or above a top surface of the chassis 120. In addition, the drive and steer belts 124 a, 124 b, 146 a, 146 b and pulleys 126 a, 126 b, 128 a, 128 b, 150 a, 150 b, 148 a, 148 b, may be located at or above the top surface of the chassis 120. Also, the drive and steer motors 122 a, 122 b, 144 a, 144 b may be located distally from the wheels 102 a, 102 b. Thus, with the chassis disposed between the wheel and the drive and steer belts and pulleys, and the drive and steer motors 122 a, 122 b, 144 a, 144 b located distally from the wheels 102 a, 102 b, the drive and steer assemblies may be protected from environmental conditions that may surround the wheel. As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the chassis 120 may include a base 119, a fore platform 117 a connected to a fore end of the base 119, and an aft platform 117 b connected to an aft end of the base 119. The fore drive assembly 106 a, fore steer assembly 118 a, and fore wheel assembly 101 a may be arranged on the fore platform 117 a, and the aft drive assembly 106 b, aft steer assembly 118 b, and aft driven wheel assembly 101 b may be arranged on the aft platform 117 b. The vehicular platform 100 may include fore and aft suspension systems 158 a, 158 b for controlling the suspension of the fore and aft platforms 117 a, 117 b relative to the base 119. In some embodiments, vehicular platform 100 may include a control loop stabilizer system 160 that is configured to balance the vehicular platform 100. This control loop stabilizer system 160 may, in some examples, include sensors for detecting balancing input. Balancing input may include any type or form of information helpful or necessary to balance a vehicle, including information indicative of linear and angular velocity of the vehicular platform 100, the linear and angular velocity of each of the wheels 102 a, 102 b, and/or the orientation of each of the wheels 102 a, 102 b, among other information. The control loop stabilizer system 160 may further include a controller that is communicatively coupled to the sensors, the drive motors 122 a, 122 b, and the steer motors 144 a, 144 b. The controller may be configured to receive the balancing input from the sensors, and based on the balancing input, determine drive and steer parameters for the drive motors 122 a, 122 b and the steer motors 144 a, 144 b to balance the vehicular platform 100. The controller may also be configured to cause the drive motors 122 a, 122 b and steer motors 144 a, 144 b to operate according to the determined drive and steer parameters, respectively. In some embodiments, the control loop stabilizer system 160 may include a gyroscope. In some embodiments, the drive belt 124 a may be wrapped directly to the circumference of the drive motor 122 a or the drive shaft 108 a without a separate pulley component (e.g., the bottom portion of the drive motor 122 a and/or the top portion of the drive shaft 108 a may function as a pulley). Referring now to FIG. 7, also disclosed herein is a method 700 of assembling a vehicular platform, such as the vehicular platform 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6. In step 710, fore and aft driven wheel assemblies are mounted to fore and aft ends, respectively, of a chassis. For example, driven wheel assemblies 101 a, 101 b may be mounted to chassis 120. In step 720, a control loop stabilizer may be communicatively coupled to the vehicular platform. For example, control loop stabilizer system 160 may be communicatively coupled to the vehicular platform 100. As detailed above, this control loop stabilizer may be configured to determine parameters of the drive and steer assemblies of the vehicular platform 100 to balance the vehicular platform 100. While fore end 121 a is referred to herein as the fore end, and aft end 121 b is referred to herein as the aft end, the disclosed vehicle may move in multiple directions such that the aft end, right side, and left side may also be located at the front of the vehicular platform 100. For example, the disclosed vehicular platform may be capable of moving in all directions on a substantially horizontal surface. In one instance, the wheels 102 a, 102 b may both turn about the steering axis 90 degrees, such that the right side of the vehicular platform 100 becomes the front of the vehicle as it moves horizontally across a surface. This may be particularly advantageous when navigating the vehicular platform 100 between objects or barriers. For example, in order to “parallel park” the vehicular platform 100 into a space between two objects, the vehicular platform may not need to maneuver forwards and backwards in a traditional manner. Rather, the vehicular platform 100 may be positioned beside and parallel to a space, turn the wheels 102 a, 102 b so that they are directed to the space (e.g., turn the wheels 102 a, 102 b 90 degrees), and then simply move linearly (e.g., in a sideways direction) into the space. Also, the vehicular platform 100 may move in a backward direction without using a reverse gear. Thus, the vehicular platform 100 may be capable of moving in a backward direction with just as much speed as it moves in a forward direction. The term “wheel,” in some examples, generally refers to any suitable type of disc or other object that is rotatable about an axis. Examples of wheels include, without limitation, a disc-shaped object that is configured to roll along a surface (e.g., caster wheels), a propeller capable of converting rotational movement to thrust (e.g., to drive a boat through the water), or any other type or form of rotatable object. The vehicular platform described herein can have a multitude of applications. For example, the vehicular platform may, when integrated within a motorcycle design, provide an improved (and potentially autonomous) form of transportation for humans. This vehicular platform may also be used to support a robot that that is configured to navigate through extreme environmental conditions, perform surgery in a hospital, manage a data center, etc. As detailed above, the disclosed vehicular platform and self-balancing, robotic motorcycle may provide many advantages. For example, the motorcycle's power assembly (which may include both driving and steering assemblies) may be located entirely outside the circumference of its wheels, thus protecting the power assembly from forceful impacts as well as environmental conditions that may surround its wheels. Similar benefits may be achieved by disposing the motorcycle's brake assembly distally from its wheels. The robotic motorcycle disclosed herein may also be configured to allow its wheels to freely rotate 360 degrees about its steering axis without becoming entangled by electrical wires or other components of the drive assembly. The disclosed robotic motorcycle may also include a control loop stabilizer that autonomously balances the vehicle. The methods and sequence of the steps described and/or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed. The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Reference should be made to the appended claims and their equivalents in determining the scope of the instant disclosure. Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via other elements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including” and “having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613089
__label__cc	0.666826	0.333174	Gorebridge decisions for 'Food, Glorious Food' April 06, 2017 / Sam Jordan Local people in Gorebridge, Midlothian have voted in favour of funding ten projects, all aimed at promoting healthy eating. April 06, 2017 / Sam Jordan/ 1 Comment midlothian, midlothian council, gorebridge, healthy eating Participation of Midlothian June 16, 2016 / Andrew Paterson On Saturday 21st May 2016, 349 local residents in a disadvantaged area of Midlothian decided how to spend £30,000 on projects supporting people struggling financially. PB Scotland was there to capture the action. June 16, 2016 / Andrew Paterson/ Comment Reports & Ideas event report, event, pb, participatory budgeting, mayfield, easthouses, midlothian, scotland PB in Action: Midlothian September 29, 2015 / Sam Jordan Midlothian Council is working with Coalfields Regeneration Trust to deliver a Participatory Budgeting (PB) project in Woodburn and Dalkeith. September 29, 2015 / Sam Jordan/ Comment midlothian, dalkeith, midlothian council, pb in action, Coalfields Regeneration Trust PB in Action blog posts PB Scotland is featuring a series of updates from Scottish local authorities who have been supported to engage in PB activity by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government is part-funding PB consultancy support delivered by PB Partners during 2015/16 to twenty local authorities across Scotland signed up for PB activity in their area. You can read these updates below. pb in action, case study, examples, western isles, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, transport, procurement, public service PB in Action: Uist and Barra bus project As featured on the Innovation Exchange website, Western Isles Council has used PB to engage withcommunities in Uist and Barra around the redesign of the local public bus services. pb in action, east ayrshire, ayrshire, mauchline, darvel PB in Action: Participatory Budgeting comes to East Ayrshire! June saw 2 Participatory Budgeting events in East Ayrshite - Mauchline on June 5th and Valley Ventures, in Darvel on June 25th. kilwinning, ayrshire, north ayrhsire, north ayrshire council, young people, youth work, youth, pb in action PB in Action: Kilwinning’s young people decide! Kilwinning’s young people came out in force at the weekend to secure over £3500 for community projects in the town. glasgow, community budgeting, Glasgow city council, pb in action £210,000 given out in Glasgow Community Budgeting Each of Glasgow’s 21 Area Partnerships had access to £10k of the £210,000 pot for disbursal using Community Budgeting - read about how it happened in this report. north ayrhsire, pb in action, saltcoats, stevenson, ardrossan PB in Action: North Ayrshire Three Towns Pilot Event North Ayrshire's second PB event was held in the 3 Towns of Saltcoats, Stevenston and Ardrossan on the 21st May 2016 - read about the results of this PB process participatory budgeting, event, events, pb in action, edinburgh South Centra£ Decides on Saturday On Saturday the 30th APRIL 2016 (11am to 3pm), people in South Central Edinburgh will have the chance to decide how £200k is spent on housing, the environment and roads. pb in action, midlothian council PB in Action: Tackling disadvantage in Midlothian Local residents in a disadvantaged area of Midlothian are being supported to decide how to spend £30,000 to support people who are struggling financially pb in action, north ayrshire, kilwinning, north ayrshire council, ayrshire PB in Action: North Ayrshire PB event, Kilwinning, Sat 19th March The first North Ayrshire PB event will take place on Saturday 19th March 2016. The event will be a chance for local community members aged 8+ to vote on £12,000 of funds for community organisations, who can bid for up to £700. pb in action, edinburgh, south west edinburgh, grab a grant, grab a grand, young people, Carrickvale Community Centre PB in Action: South West Edinburgh Edinburgh South West Neighbourhood Partnership has run a PB process where young people have decided on £10,000 for local projects. pb in action, ayrshire, north ayrshire, east ayrshire, south ayrshire, information events, pb parnters, training PB in Action: Ayrshire Colleagues from Ayrshire have let us know about some of the developments taking place in the early part of 2016, including community information meetings and PB training. pb in action, fife, western isles, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Glasgow, GCC, Highlands, midlothian, angus, How	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613091
__label__wiki	0.817638	0.817638	How Timber Works by William Harris What is Forest Stewardship Council certification? How House Construction Works How Rainforests Work Can we replant the planet's rainforests? How Deforestation Works How Permaculture Works How Wildfires Work 5 Green Myths What's more sustainable, mass-produced or handcrafted furniture? More Great Links Abundant Forests Alliance Forestry on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Project Learning Tree A Guide to American Hardwood Species Weyerhaeuser Growing Ideas Microsite Alvarez, Mila. "The State of America's Forests." Society of American Foresters/Abundant Forests Alliance. January 2007. (Sept. 28, 2008) http://www.abundantforests.org/press.html Bowyear, Jim L. "Forest products." World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2004. Doyle, Rodger. "By the Numbers: Forest Density in the U.S." Scientific American. April 1998. Doyle, Rodger. "By the Numbers: Global Forest Cover." Scientific American. November 1996. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "Forest cover." (Sept. 28, 2008) http://www.fao.org/forestry/28808/en/ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "Forest and the economy." (Sept. 28, 2008) International Paper: Learning Center. "How Paper is Made." (Sept. 28, 2008) http://www.internationalpaper.com/Our%20Company /Learning%20Center/How%20Paper%20Is%20Made.html International Paper: Learning Center. "Sustaining Our Forests, Protecting Our Future." (Sept. 28, 2008) http://www.internationalpaper.com/Our%20Company /Learning%20Center/Sustaining%20Our%20Fores.html International Paper: Life of the Forest. "Waste Not." 2002. (Sept. 28, 2008) /Learning%20Center/Life%20Of%20The%20Forest/Downloads.html Johnson, James E. "Harvesting Your Timber? Factors to Consider to Ensure A Profitable and Healthy Forest." Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication Number 420-160. April 2004. (Sept. 28, 2008) http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-160/420-160.html Lillard, Richard G. "The Great Forest." Alfred A. Knopf. 1947. Logan, William Bryant. "Oak: The Frame of Civilization." W.W. Norton & Company. 2005. Maycock, Paul F. "Forest." World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2004. Parker, George R. "Forestry." World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2004. Shaffer, Robert M. "Farm Tractor Logging for Woodlot Owners." Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication Number 420-090. April 1998. (Sept. 28, 2008) Tudge, Colin. "The Tree." Three Rivers Press. 2005. USDA Forest Service. "America's Forests: 2003 Health Update." May 2003. (Sept. 28, 2008) www.fs.fed.us/publications/documents/forest-health-update2003.pdf USDA Forest Service. "An Analysis of the Timber Situation in the United States: 1989-2040." (Sept. 28, 2008) http://www.fs.fed.us/pl/rpa/timber89.htm USDA Forest Service. "2000 RPA Assessment of Forest and Range Lands." February 2001. (Sept. 28, 2008) http://www.fs.fed.us/research/rpa/pubs-supporting-2000-rpa -assessment.shtml U.S. Department of the Treasury/IRS. "Hardwood Timber Industry." February 1998. (Sept. 28, 2008) www.irs.ustreas.gov/pub/irs-mssp/hardwd.pdf Printing With Sound: The Wave of the Future Recycled Plastic Waste Creates Roads Smart Wallpaper Contains Fire Alarm How Cosmic Rays Revealed a Secret Void in the Great Pyramid Researchers Create Odor Wheel That Breaks Down the Smell of Old Books	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613100
__label__cc	0.629058	0.370942	Showing Collections: 91 - 100 of 233 Jamestown Festival Park Scrapbooks Scope and Contents Scrapbooks of newsclippings and some photographs about Jamestown Festival Park beginning in 1955 for the 350th anniversary of Jamestown. Japanese Cultural Association Records Scope and Contents The collection is composed of records of the College of William and Mary student organization the Japanese Cultural Association from 1999 to 2008. The material includes fliers, scrapbooks, programs, meeting minutes, attendance lists, the film "The Kuril Island" by Evin Haithcock, and other material. Most of the administrative records and the scrapbooks are from the period 2006-2008 with the group's earliest years documented mostly through fliers. The organization... Owen G. Jarboe Scrapbooks Identifier: Mss. Acc. 2009.145 Scope and Contents The following description was excerpted from a note by the seller: "Two scrapbooks, 1928-1948, of Owen Jarboe, General Traffic Supervisor of the Associated Telephone Co. and later of the US Army Signal Corps. Included are newspaper clippings, greeting cards, correspondence and photographs. There are original Signal Corp photographs that are duplicated in magazine articles, some of which include Owen Jarboe, who also wrote some of the articles. There are also Rotarian items in the books but... Joseph E. Johnston Papers Identifier: 01/Mss. 39.1 J63 Scope and Contents Papers of Joseph E. Johnston, C.S.A. General during the American Civil War, including correspondence which reflect his long military career and interest in his nephews, John Warfield Johnston and John Preston Johnston. The papers include a diary, 1857, of Johnston's survey of the southern boundary of Kansas and eighteen volumes of Civil War dispatches and telegrams. The collection also includes a diary, 1 May-31 July 1864, of Thomas B. Mackall; letters received by Louis... W. Melville Jones Papers Scope and Contents This collection documents activities and events at the College of William and Mary during the career of W. Melville Jones. It is primarily composed of material collected in scrapbooks. The first scrapbook was digitized and the original returned to the donor. For the digital scans of the first scrapbook, the papers are arranged as a model of the original volume. The papers are arranged chronologically with two loose photographs without a date filed at the end. Identification numbers... Joseph T. Miller Day Book Identifier: 01/Mss. MsV Ame94 Scope and Contents Day book, 1854-1861, of Joseph T. Miller, merchant, and of his estate, 1862-1863. Some pages were used as a scrapbook for newspaper clippings. Many entries for people living in Rockingham County, Virginia. Marilyn Kaemmerle Collection Identifier: 00/05/UA 5.058 Scope and Contents Contains a scrapbook and loose clippings about Kaemmerle's "Flat Hat" editorial on race relations, "Lincoln's Job Half-Done" (February 7, 1945). The editorial can be found online on page 8 of the February 7, 1945 Flat Hat at . Kappa Alpha, Alpha Zeta Chapter Records Identifier: 00/05/02/UA 7.001 Scope and Contents This collection includes photographs, fliers, scrapbooks, a dance card, programs, miscellaneous material, and a guest register of the Kappa Alpha, Alpha Zeta Chapter fraternity at the College of William and Mary. The fraternity is also known as Kappa Alpha Order. Many of the photographs document the fraternity's Old South Week and Old South Ball and are from the 1950s-1970. The earliest item in the collection is a dance card from 1915. The collection also includes three issues of the chapter's... J. Luther Kibler Scrapbooks Identifier: 01/Mss. MsV Ad84-97, Ad97A - 97B Scope and Contents James Luther Kibler was a historian, author, newspaper correspondent and secretary of the Socialist Party in Virginia. Scrapbooks, ca. 1920-ca. 1940, of James Luther Kibler, of Williamsburg, Va. Scrapbooks contains newspaper clippings of current events pasted onto magazine pages, mostly concerning Virginia and the history of the Williamsburg area. Includes some handwritten and typed notes as well as loose mimeographed copies of radio talks, 1942, given by Elwood Street, Director,... J. Wilfred Lambert Papers Scope and Contents The collection includes awards and certificates of appreciation from organizations such as the Alumni Society, Circle K, Omicron Delta Kappa; photographs of Lambert with staff and students, as well as many College events such as Commencement, Parents Day, and ROTC Summer Camp; and a copy of a Commencement program from 1927 when Lambert graduated from William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The collection also contains a scrapbook including photographs, clippings, and other publications... Subject: Scrapbooks X Williamsburg Historic Records Association (Williamsburg, Va.) 15 College of William and Mary. 8 College of William and Mary. Dept. of Theatre, Speech, and Dance 6 College of William and Mary. William and Mary Theatre 5 College of William and Mary 4 Graves, Thomas Ashley, Jr 3 Verkuil, Paul R 3 Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities 2 Barksdale, Martha, 1900-1974 2 Buchanan, James, 1791-1868 2 Choir and Chorus 2 College of William and Mary. Dean of Women 2 College of William and Mary. Dept. of English 2 College of William and Mary. Dept. of Home Economics 2 College of William and Mary. Dept. of Music 2 College of William and Mary. Office of the President 2 College of William and Mary. School of Education 2 Equal Suffrage League of Virginia 2 Fund for William and Mary 2 Lee Family 2 National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century. Virginia Society 2 National Society of The Colonial Dames of America 2 National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia 2 Office of the President 2 Order of the White Jacket 2 Oxrieder, Julia W. 2 Paschall, Davis Young, 1911-2001 2 Pomfret, John Edwin, 1898- 2 Society of the Alumni 2 Virginia Historical Society 2 William & Mary GALA (Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae), Inc 2 Williamsburg Baptist Church (Williamsburg, Va.) 2 Williamsburg Female Institute (Williamsburg, Va.) 2 Williamsburg Garden Club (Williamsburg, Va.) 2 Woman's Club of Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Va.) 2 Alexandria gazette 1 Alumni Band Organization. 1 American Association of University Women 1 American Fireside Club 1 American Historical Association 1 American Library Association 1 Anderson Seminary 1 Andrews, M. Carl 1 Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. Yorktown Branch 1 Barnard, Judith Fenner 1 Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893 1 Begg family 1 Belk, George Washington, III 1 Bell, Charles Heyer, 1798-1875 1 Beloit College 1 Bennett, Henry Eastman, 1873-1941 1 Berkeley Garden Club (Williamsburg, Va.) 1 Bernard Family 1 Bernardin, Joseph Buchanan, 1899-1987 or 1988 1 Bland, Ethel Heckman, 1902-1978 1 Bland, Richard, 1710-1776 1 Bohannan, Gordon W. 1 Bolling, Maurice Landon 1 Bowers, Rosina 1 Bozarth family 1 Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876 1 Bray, Benjamin F., b. circa 1926 and d. 2002 1 Breeze, Frances, 1919-2002 1 Breit, Mona Jean 1 Bryan, John Stewart, 1871-1944 1 Burrage, Guy Hamilton, 1867-1954 1 Bushnell, David Ives, Jr., 1875-1941 1 Buxton, Maud Miller, 1881-1985 1 Calkins, Emily Eleanor 1 Camp Peary (Va.) 1 Campbell family 1 Campbell, Charles, 1807-1876 1 Campbell, James Jr. 1 Carey family 1 Carlson, Lane, 1919-2010 1 Carter, Joan Worstell 1 Carter, Mary B. 1 Cary, Wilson Miles, 1838-1914 1 Casey, Carlton 1 Castaneda, Carlos Edwards 1 Catron, Louis E. 1 Caywood, James W., 1923-1995 1 Chamings, Dorothy Thurza Louise, d. 1958 1 Chandler, Alvin Duke 1 Chandler, J. A. C. (Julian Alvin Carroll), 1872-1934 1 Chapman, Harold 1 Chenery, Anne F. 1	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613104
__label__cc	0.683065	0.316935	John Bracken Papers Scope and Contents This collection consists of two documents. One is dated August 13, 1791 and signed by John Bracken. It is an agreement among William Griffin of King and Queen County, Corbin Griffin of York County, Cyris and Samuel Griffin of Williamsburg, and Richard Adams of Richmond. Bracken is mentioned twice in the document. The other document is dated October 26, 1792 and appears to be related to the first. Written and signed by Bracken, the document serves as a receipt of transfer/sale of stock and... Found in: Special Collections Research Center / John Bracken Papers Brafferton Estate Collection Identifier: UA 113 Scope and Contents This collection contains documents relating to the Brafferton Estate as it impacted the College of William and Mary such as accounts, decrees, correspondence, biographical material on Robert Boyle, 20th century material on the search for information about the Brafferton Estate, and other material. The collection includes both original documents and copies of documents. There is also material related to the Brafferton Estate and the early history of the College of William and Mary... Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Brafferton Estate Collection Carter Braxton Collection Identifier: SC 00197 Scope and Contents Receipt for land transfer from John R. Taylor to Carter Braxton, September 23, 1833. Ledger balance receipt for a day ledger. Obituary of Carter Braxton's son, Phillip Ludwell Braxton, [1835]. Handwritten eulogy entitled "Thoughts on the death of dear Ludwell" written by either Carter Braxton or his wife. Account by Carter Braxton of the sale of Mr. Robertson's estate, Providence, in Middlesex County, Virginia, 1837. Names of purchasers includeThomas Harrow, Benjamin Temple, George D. Pace,... Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Carter Braxton Collection Bright Family Papers Scope and Contents Papers of the Bright Family of Williamsburg, Virginia and Philadephia, Pennsylvania. Correspondence and business papers of Robert Anderson Bright of Williamsburg, Virginia and his son Robert Southall Bright, College of William and Mary class of 1891 and a Philadelphia lawyer. Personal and professional correspondence, bills and receipts, photographs and legal papers. Includes letters between Robert Southall Bright while a student at William and Mary to his father and letter... Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Bright Family Papers Britt Family Papers Scope and Contents Papers, 1801-1860, of the Britt family of Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Includes documents, deeds, accounts, and bills of sale for slaves and references to John Cartwright. First folder contains an admission ticket to the "La Fayette Ball Room" with a notation on the reverse, "card of invitation to the ball ... to be given for LaFayette at Yorktown...did not take place until afterwords and at Williamsburg." Signature illegible. Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Britt Family Papers J.B. Brock Promissory Note Scope and Contents Handwritten promissory note from J.B. Brock to William B. Massey for $150, dated January 9, 1861. Reverse side has handwritten note by W. B. Massey stating he paid $19.78 due Brock, dated December 2, 1865. Found in: Special Collections Research Center / J.B. Brock Promissory Note Charles Brown Papers Identifier: 01/Mss. 39.1 B84 Scope and Contents Letters, accounts, and legal papers of Dr. Charles Brown. Collection includes letters, 1813-1818, concerning patients (including slaves). Includes land signed by Henry Lee and John Tyler, items relating to "Actonplace" [Acton] English estate of William Jennings and plats of land in Albemarle County, Virginia; as well as letters of members of the Brown family. Charles Brown Papers 1792-1888, Albemarle County Virginia is available on microfilm in Swem Library’s microforms... Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Charles Brown Papers Charles Brown Bond Scope and Contents Sheriff's bond for $30,000 for Charles Brown as Sheriff of St. Ann's Parish, Albermarle County, Virginia signed by David M. Wingfield and others, March 7, 1842. Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Charles Brown Bond Brown, Coalter, Tucker Papers (I) Identifier: Mss. 65 B85 Scope and Contents Papers, 1780-1929, of the Brown, Coalter, Tucker families including the papers of John Coalter (1769-1838), Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, and John Thompson Brown (1802-1836), member of the Virginia House of Delegates.Among the correspondents are Maria (Rind) Coalter, St. George Tucker, William Munford, Frances Bland (Tucker) Coalter, St. George Tucker Coalter, Frances Bland (Coalter) Brown, the Rev. Moses D. Hoge, and Henry Peronneau Brown.This... Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Brown, Coalter, Tucker Papers (I) Brown, Coalter, Tucker Papers (III) Identifier: Mss. 65 B8555 Scope and Contents Papers and correspondence of three generations of the Brown Family of Virginia: Frances (Fanny) Bland Coalter Brown and her husband, Henry Peronneau Brown (1838-1888), J. Thompson and Cassie Tucker Brown (1890-1920) and Frances Bland Brown and Fleming Sanders (1921-1964). Found in: Special Collections Research Center / Brown, Coalter, Tucker Papers (III)	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613105
__label__cc	0.515379	0.484621	P.O.S - WDELH/MDS/RMX by rhymesayers Rhymesayers and P.O.S present WDELH/MDS/RMX, a Marijuana Deathsquads remix version of We Don’t Even Live Here, available for FREE exactly one year after the release of the original. The album includes new verses from P.O.S, Lizzo, Greg Grease, SIMS, Mike Mictlan and more! P.O.S describes the album by saying, "WDELH/MDS/RMX is We Don't Even Live Here, remixed and re-imagined by my dancy, noise band Marijuana Deathsquads.” Get the original Album: iTunes: http://bit.ly/WR6AHF CD or Vinyl: http://bit.ly/1bWOs9t Contains tracks P.O.S - Bumper by rhymesayers P.O.S - Fuck Your Stuff by rhymesayers P.O.S - How We Land feat. Justin Vernon by rhymesayers P.O.S - Wanted/Wasted feat. Astronautalis by rhymesayers P.O.S - They Can't Come feat. Sims, Lizzo, Cliff Rhymes, Chris Hooks, Jeremy Nutzman & Greg Grease by rhymesayers Albums from this user Playlists from this user Users who like P.O.S - WDELH/MDS/RMX Users who reposted P.O.S - WDELH/MDS/RMX	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613109
__label__wiki	0.802715	0.802715	MUBLCOM MUBLCOM [OSC] Less than three years after contract award, a prototype MUBLCOM (Multiple Path Beyond Line of Sight Communication) satellite is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD) of the Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) is the program manager for the MUBLCOM program. The satellite communications program is a Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP) sponsored and partially funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Using a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite as an extremely high relay tower in the sky, the project will demonstrate mobile, beyond-line-of-sight, netted communications among military forces. Another goal is to determine the feasibility of deploying a LEO constellation with up to 64 satellites that will enable worldwide communications for both commercial and government users. On 22 May 1996, a consortium led by Orbital Sciences Corporation entered an agreement, via the TRP program, to build and launch the satellite, build hand-held voice/data terminals and a ground control station, and support government demonstrations and experiments. The prototype system will address many Department of Defense needs for secure, mobile, netted, interference-resistant communications. Beyond the line-of-sight digital voice and data communications is supported via state-of-the-art hand-held terminals that are rapidly deployable, cost-effective, virtually terrain independent which can be used in all types of weather. MUBLCOM terminals employ multiple receivers, which select the strongest signal paths, even if the path is a reflection from a hillside. The MUBLCOM terminals also include features such as integrated Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) geolocation and a line-of-sight mode for off-loading local traffic from satellite relays. Space based MUBLCOM relays are installed inside a Microstar satellite bus, manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation. The completed satellite is very small, only 41" in diameter, 6.5" high, weighting less than 100 lbs. Eight MUBLCOM satellites can be launched at the same time using the Pegasus-XL HAPS rocket. Upon completion of the on-orbit satellite checkout, the satellite and terminals will be available for government demonstrations. The MUBLCOM system will provide a combination of coverage, performance, functionality and affordability that is unequaled by existing or proposed communications systems. MUBLCOM was used as a rendez-vous traget for NASA's DART mission. For this purpose, MUBLCOM carried some Laser-reflectors for the targeting system. During the rendezvous maneuver, the DART spacecraft bumped into the MUBLCOM satellite, but none of the spacecraft were damaged. Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) 769 km × 776 km, 97.7° MUBLCOM 1999-026B 18.05.1999 Va, L-1011 Pegasus-XL HAPS with TERRIERS Orbital Science Corporation: Orbital's MUBLCOM Satellite	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613111
__label__cc	0.542299	0.457701	Posted on July 9, 2019 July 9, 2019 by Religion Blogs Invocation Prayer For Graduation Program Invocation prayers that are appropriate for public meetings, yet are Christian based. Invocation Prayers with Warmth and Wisdom. These invocation prayers are appropriate for public meetings, yet they are Christian based.-This page is for those who are asked to pray a meeting prayer and want to construct a prayer that will not easily offend. Opening Prayer for a Baccalaureate Service May grace and peace be ours in abundance this. hear our prayers for these your children, and may this time of remembrance be a blessing to each one here. Iowa. Please also see Graduation & Baccalaureate Resources. Categories: Worship, Lectionary Calendar, Services and Liturgies, Occasional Rites High School’s graduation ceremonies parted. The letter didn’t address the traditional invocation given at commencement, but Greencastle-Antrim officials moved to also take it out of the program. HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Is it possible to give an invocation for a public group without it becoming a religious prayer. as I covered the graduation of 330 seniors from Lincoln County High School in. But despite his best efforts, the Irvington resident’s financial well ran dry a few credits short of graduation. "And then. Barber was invited to give the invocation by a sitting member of the House. there is a constitutional difference between excluding a would-be prayer giver from the guest chaplain program because. Northeast returned “invocation” to the program this year in its planning for commencement. the group has agreements for a moment of silence to replace prayer at the school’s graduation ceremony. The national spotlight — reporters representing Reuters and The Associated Press were among those present — was prompted by a a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May that allowed prayer before. Prayers that Rev. Williams continues to spread the word and. GRAD: Emily Conzett was one of five recently recognized during Graduation Recognition Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Planning to. Prayer for Graduating Students – An Example "Father God, we thank you for these graduating students. We pray that you will give them direction, purpose, and perseverance as they enter the next phrase of their lives. Give them clearness of mind to move forward into the. more graduation prayers. featuring an invocation prayer and several good benediction prayers for graduation ceremonies. prayers for students. featuring several prayers for those engaged in study at college or university, with prayers from the Catholic and Anglican traditions, as well as two modern day prayers. “To resolve this case, however, we need not decide whether there is a constitutional difference between excluding a would-be prayer-giver from the guest chaplain program because he. rules to. Complaint: College had ‘unconstitutional prayer’ at graduation A complaint has been filed against Muskegon Community College for including a religious invocation at its 2018 commencement ceremony. The. “God is not our servant,” but “prayer is worthy. explains that the completion of the Hilchata program does not signal any. Jan 14, 2017 · 12 Best Invocation Prayers for Meetings. Jan 14, 2017 Jun 13, 2016 by Crystal Ayres. Praying at a meeting is just one way to bring closure to your gathering and remind yourself that God is with each and every one of us. Giving worship to him and sharing love is just one way to pay homage through prayer. Here are a dozen examples of great. Presbyterian Hymns For Funerals Happy funeral songs will uplift friends and family at the funeral and celebrate the life of your loved one. Happy funeral songs can also summarize what we are feeling when we are having difficulty putting our emotions into words. The funeral songs you select can be played at the funeral, wake, or other memorial service. The Bellars also object to the sectarian prayer or invocation supposedly given by the School Board president before its monthly public meetings. In addition, the lawsuit said the graduation ceremonies. This page features a number of inspiring invocation prayers for various occasions, with a invocation for a worship service, an example invocation prayer, and a prayer suitable for reading at a banquet or wedding reception meal. There are also a number of other contemporary and traditional prayers appropriate for opening events such as. After graduation — Khan has degrees in business economics. described how difficult it was for Muslims to even find a place. Opening prayer for a high school graduation (an invocation prayer) Almighty God, Thank you for your love, risen from the grave and freely offered for us all. Featuring three short prayers for closing meetings, with a prayer for after a seminar, a sample program prayer, & a simple closing prayer for the end of worship. related film. Ultimately, the program’s goal is to break the cycle. and leading other members in prayer. After several testimonials. so we have attempted not to use invocations in the traditional sense–ones with prayer. Sure, they’re listed as invocations on (graduation) programs, but they’re actually just comments of welcome and. A Prayer for Graduation, for use as an opening or closing prayer during a graduation ceremony. A Prayer For Graduation – Invocation or Closing For use in all schools or educational institutions. Graduation is an important event for many students, and even teachers and parents. Even though it seems like a small part of the ceremony, a good. The complaint was filed with the Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists (MACRA) in response to a prayer delivered. adding that the prohibition of invocations at public school and college. Catholic Churches In Lubbock Texas What Is An Armor Bearer Duties In The Church But was your ancestor really a bodyguard for the Prophet? If so, what did being one of Joseph’s bodyguards entail? Does a list of these men exist in church records. Smith as Joseph’s armor bearer. Griffin explained how God’s commandment to preach the gospel to the What Is An Armor Bearer Duties In The Church But was your ancestor really a bodyguard for the Prophet? If so, what did being one of Joseph’s bodyguards entail? Does a list of these men exist in church records. Smith as Joseph’s armor bearer. Griffin explained how God’s commandment to preach the gospel to the Gentiles could be an application of the tribe of graduation prayer blessings This page features several inspiring prayers for high school and college graduation ceremonies. There is a short invocation prayer, a sample prayer suitable for a graduating student to read, and three closing blessings and benedictions.Further down there are also three encouraging quotes suitable for including in a graduation card or speech. Our Lady Of Good Studies Prayer May Our Lady, with her heavenly maternal care. for his episcopal ministry in Southwark and assure him of my prayers and good wishes.” Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. Noon Mass at Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage in the Seaport. My mother carved saints," Collins recalls. "I know my prayers in Spanish and The new suit, filed in federal court in Houston, says the Montgomery County judge’s program is an endorsement of Christianity that violates the establishment clause. According to a press release, Mack. dozens were there to debate if prayer. the program are not part of this year’s gradation. a statement from the school solicitor in part says. "it is our opinion that a student, or any other. Short opening prayer for a program (e.g. suitable for a school event or graduation program) Dear God, As we come together today, we give you thanks for the good gifts you give us. We ask for your guidance in our lives, And we pray that your love would live amongst us. Amen. CategoriesHistory of Faith Previous PostPrevious Catholic Churches In Lubbock Texas Next PostNext True Religion Zach Skinny Jeans	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613112
__label__cc	0.702789	0.297211	The first new quantum state in the family of hypercubes states shown in position, momentum space. It has been said that the internet exists chiefly to show videos of cats interacting with boxes. An international team of researchers led by The University of Queensland has extended cats and boxes into the quantum realm, discovering that Schrödinger’s famous dead-and-alive cat is just one of an infinite family of quantum states. Researchers verify 70-year-old theory of turbulence in fluid... Privacy & Terms of use \| Feedback \| Updated: 11 Jul 2019	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613116
__label__wiki	0.521011	0.521011	NEDL electricity workers show their power Up to 1,200 electricity workers in Newcastle could strike for ten days in a row over pay. The workers, members of the Unite and GMB unions, have failed to agree a new pay deal with their employer, private electricity provider NEDL. The unions say that the average pay deal for the industry is 5.1 percent, and NEDL have only offered 4.5 percent. Workers have refused to work overtime or out-of-hours since pay talks began. A strike could go ahead as early as September and could cause chaos to electricity supplies, leaving homes without power across the region. NEDL and sister company YEDL in Yorkshire provide electricity to around 3.7 million customers. Kevan Parker, a regional officer for Unite, said, “Although there was a new offer put on the table, an overwhelming 89 percent of staff were not in favour of accepting it. “We’re currently starting the balloting process for strike action. “We have figures that show NEDL and YEDL’s profits increased by £30 million, yet staff are the lowest paid in the industry with an average salary of around £22,000.” Workers are particularly angry over the rate for those who have to work on-call shifts – waiting by the phone for call outs. Workers are paid just £15 for a 15 hour on-call shift – or £1 an hour.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613120
__label__wiki	0.942585	0.942585	What is Hague up to? Published Sat 17 Jun 2000 Tory leader steers further right And why does New Labour let him get away with it? By Paul Mcgarr and Helen Shooter TORY LEADER William Hague has transformed himself in the eyes of the press and political commentators over recent weeks. Just a few months ago Hague was treated as a joke figure. Now the media present him as a serious politician who has got New Labour rattled. Hague's attempt to grab votes rests on lies or the most brazen hypocrisy. But New Labour is sometimes wrong-footed by Hague because on issue after issue it embraces the same rhetoric and the same right wing policies. THE TORIES have upped their attacks on New Labour, accusing it of encouraging elites who are running social institutions like education and welfare in their own interests. Hague is trying to play on ordinary people's feeling that Blair only listens to a tiny circle of people-"Tony's cronies"-while the hopes and feelings of millions are ignored. Yet of course the Tories have no right to criticise elitism. This is the party which celebrates the wealth and power of the tiny few over the mass of people. Thatcher's first cabinet in 1979 was 71 percent company directors. The rest were large landowners or lawyers. Some 86 percent of that cabinet went to public school. The Tories' current treasurer is tax exile Michael Ashcroft. He has made at least �1,000 million from business interests in Bermuda and Belize. He donated �3 million to the Tory party. Hague rewarded this generosity by campaigning for him to get a peerage. Hague's shadow cabinet also includes businessman and landowner David Heathcoat-Amery, and former boss of the giant Asda supermarket corporation Archie Norman. Tory governments have reduced tax for the rich and big business while attacking welfare provision and union rights for workers. New Labour should blow away the lie that the Tories would end elitism. Yet New Labour's trade secretary Stephen Byers admitted the government was becoming "vulnerable" and "defensive" in the face of Tory attacks. New Labour is disarmed when fighting the Tories because its pro-business policies mean it cuddles up to the fat cats. Blair has appointed businessmen to the cabinet such as Lord Sainsbury, the science minister who is pro GM food. Lord Simon, former head of British Petroleum, is minister for trade and competition. Blair has not "swept away the quango state" as he promised. He has transferred more power over to these unelected, unaccountable groups. There are over 500 extra taskforces and quangos since New Labour came into government. They control �100 billion-more than a third of public spending. Blair has created over 200 new lords. He has made even more people from privileged backgrounds into judges than the Tories did. Stephen Byers's comment last year that the party stood for "wealth creation not redistribution" means New Labour praises the rich instead of taxing them to fund services that the majority of people use. So Tony Blair has retreated in the face of the Tories' onslaught, saying, "Let's hear no more rubbish about class war." This can only give confidence to William Hague to continue his diatribes against "New Labour's elite", and New Labour will give in instead of nailing the Tories' lies. Prison fails CRIME AND "law and order" have been a key theme in Hague's rhetoric. He began by leaping to the defence of Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, demanding that the law should be changed to protect homeowners acting in self defence. Yet Martin was not acting in self defence. He shot an unarmed teenager in the back. Hague continued his law and order theme at the recent Police Federation conference. He claimed the "liberal establishment" was soft on criminals. He called for more and longer prison sentences. But England and Wales already lock up more people per head of population than China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, hardly countries known for being "liberal". The last Tory government claimed that "prison works". In fact every serious study shows that prison does not "work", and that people in jail are more likely to reoffend when they come out. The real causes of crime are poverty, lack of jobs and lack of hope for a decent future. Every study, including those carried out by the last Tory government, shows a direct link between the level of unemployment and the level of crime. Instead of exposing Hague's lies, New Labour's response is to ape them. Under New Labour the prison population has risen to new record levels and is set to rise further. Home secretary Jack Straw echoes Tory talk that "prison works" and denounces "liberals". He calls for giving young offenders "a taste of prison". This policy was tried under former Tory home secretary Michael Howard, and had to be abandoned as a disaster. Tony Blair, when in opposition, famously said he wanted to be "tough on crime" and "tough on the causes of crime". Yet his government has forgotten the second part of that couplet, and does nothing to give people the jobs and decent future that could really make a difference. Competing in cruelty THE TORIES have made repeated attacks on asylum seekers as they try to whip up a climate of scapegoating and hatred. Hague says the Tories would incarcerate every refugee, adults and children, in former army barracks. It's easy to expose the Tory lies about refugees. Yet we do not hear New Labour ministers taking every opportunity to smash the myths. This is because the government is also happy for refugees to be the target of ordinary people's frustration at the lack of services, housing and jobs. Disgracefully, this means echoing more and more of the Tory attacks on refugees. United on tests THE TORIES have attacked New Labour over education. Hague wants to turn parents' concern about their children's futures into an attack on comprehensive education. The Tories have always defended education for the chosen few. They back public schools, elitist grammar schools and universities for the rich. Over half the Tory shadow cabinet went to Oxford or Cambridge university. Meanwhile they show utter contempt for working class children. "We have paid the price in our schools with falling standards, poor discipline and children who can't even spell the word Oxford, let alone aspire to go there," said Hague last week. This is a disgusting attack on pupils, parents and teachers battling away in crumbling schools, starved of resources. Working class families expect New Labour to stand up for them. But education secretary David Blunkett attacks teachers who celebrate the gains comprehensive education has brought. New Labour has brought big business into schools to run them. It has pounded through more and more testing. By introducing tuition fees and ending grants New Labour has slammed the door on many working class students getting to any university. The cabinet is stacked with ministers who went to the privileged universities of Oxford or Cambridge, including: Geoff Hoon (defence minister), Andrew Smith (Chief Secretary to the Treasury), Peter Mandelson (Northern Ireland secretary), Paul Murphy (Welsh secretary), Baroness Jay (leader of the House of Lords), Lord Irvine (Lord Chancellor), Chris Smith (culture secretary), Lord Falconer (in charge of the Dome), and Tony Blair. Baroness Jay went to a posh independent fee-paying school as a child. Now she, along with other leading Labour figures such as Lord Falconer and Lord Irvine, sends her children to a private school. Sat 17 Jun 2000, 00:00 BST	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613121
__label__wiki	0.672959	0.672959	News Corpse IV: Phases of a crisis It’s been quiet — relatively quiet, anyway — on the Murdoch scandal beat for the last three-four days. The postmortems from last week and the week before are mostly in and settled; certain people have been cashiered (as expected), and life at Fortress Murdoch has gone into hunkering-down mode. Which probably makes sense. It makes sense because the Rupert/James Murdoch-News Corp scandal is destined to be one of those wave stories, a tidal news event, a series of revelations, each new one more problematic and incriminating than the one before. We got part of it, that first first wave, in the Select Committee parliamentary hearing last week, when Murdochs father & son were looking rather unprepared for what had already happened. That performance at Portcullis House, workmanlike but uninspiring, can’t augur well for what’s about to take place, what’s already lapping against the shores of the empire. Some of the blowback came last week from an unexpected place ... or maybe all too expected. John Bussey’s column last Thursday in the News Corp-owned Wall Street Journal lamented “The Missteps in Managing News Corp’s Hacking Crisis.” In a piece that was a generally mild brushback pitch, Bussey surveyed PR thought leaders on how News Corp had mismanaged the perception battle in the media. “If you look at it from both sides of the Atlantic, they’ve done everything wrong that one could possibly do wrong,” said Harris Diamond, the CEO of PR firm Weber Shandwick, who told Bussey that News Corp’s predicament is “a failure of Crisis Management 101.” Andrew Brimmer of crisis management concern Joie Frank told Bussey that “[m]anagement should have responded more thoroughly to the issues raised by the original hacking.” “What happens to a crisis deferred?” said Brimmer, getting his Langston Hughes on. “It typically explodes into the open at some point.” For another specialist in corporate disaster containment, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel that’s not connected to an oncoming train.* Michael Gordon of Group Gordon said he thought News Corp is now finding the strike zone, more recently “handling it correctly … You have to separate the initial bad acts that caused the crisis from how the company handled the crisis once the heat got turned up.” For any other company, that might be good advice. For News Corp, however, the one proceeds directly from the other. There’s not an inch of daylight between the attitude, the culture that precipitated this situation and the behavior News Corp has shown in handling it. Mostly, it’s the persistence of an arrogance, a divine right of plutocrats; it’s a duplicity, or a suspected duplicity, about the Murdochs’ dealings. James Murdoch, News Corp’s deputy maximum leader, may be compelled to go before another parliamentary hearing in the days or weeks to come, because he’s suspected by members of Parliament of having been, shall we say, less than forthright when he testified last week. When you’re accustomed to dealing with businesses, politicians, the media and the public in general as adversaries, if not outright enemies, getting the benefit of the doubt when you need it is a tough thing to do. Fortress Murdoch is shoveling money into the great furnace at an insane rate right now. Bussey reports that News Corp “has hired a phalanx of public relations and legal expertise ... to help it navigate the worsening mood of investors, regulators and law enforcement.” One might think that Team Murdoch might also invest some time online looking at a chart devised a few years back as a way of making graphical sense of the decline of the newspaper business. Team Murdoch should study it, for reasons only slightly different than those for which it was devised. Blogging on the newspaper industry in March 2010, I wrote: The American Press Institute held a conference of CEOs from various media concerns in November 2008. The conference had, among things, the mission of discussing survival options and timetables for the newspaper industry in a time of unprecedented challenge, and crisis, for print journalism. In a summary, ... the Institute entertained the advice of a business turnaround specialist and professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, who determined that companies under such stress “should start [course correction] by plotting their place on a ‘Phases of a Crisis’ chart. The earliest stage is indicated by a company essentially blind to eroding conditions undermining its business. This is followed by acknowledgement but inaction, followed by faulty action in hopes of a quick fix, followed by full-blown crisis and finally dissolution of the enterprise.” According to the specialist, “[F]ailure to take action at any point on the curve means the enterprise inexorably moves to the next point. As an organization moves down the crisis curve, it will find executing a recovery plan more difficult, and will have less time to do it.” What’s striking in this graph is its elegant simplicity and its versatility — as thoroughly adaptable to small businesses as it is to political parties, as applicable to oil superconglomerates as it is to a newspaper industry hurrying to pivot toward the future, as pertinent to an economy on the cusp of crisis as it is to a multinational media empire that’s already there. P4 and gaining speed. The story that’s always been a global story is about to become a Washington story. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that a Justice Department investigation is slowly getting under way, with subpoenas being prepared. A grand jury may be empaneled. And to one degree or another, the survival mode at the top of the food chain at News Corporation has certainly shifted, from the hopeful description of crisis management to what it really is right now, and has been for some time: crisis containment. What was true for the Republican Party in March 2010 and for the United States dealings with BP in the wake of the Gulf oil disaster in June 2010 is true for the Murdochs and News Corporation today: “Trying to get a sense of ‘rock bottom’ is hard to do when the rocks that are presumably at the bottom keep moving under your feet.” The second shift of cash shovelers has just punched the clock at Fortress Murdoch. The sound of waves against the shore outside may soon be almost deafening. Image credits: Rupert Murdoch 2011: David Shankbone. Wall Street Journal Online logo: © 2011 WSJ. James Murdoch: Getty Images. Crisis chart: Shein, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. \| * Thank you, Robert Lowell Labels: loss of News Corp credibility, News Corp crisis management, News Corp scandal, Phases of crisis, Rupert Murdoch Al-Qaeda: Future imperfect Newt's figment IV: Not made in America The last of Casey Cain’s dignified climbdown MSNBC weighs change in the starting lineup Shaping the debate, late Michele Bachmann’s resonating headache Herman Cain and The Other News Corpse III: The humbled buccaneer Deconstructing debt ceiling rope-a-dope on Capitol... News Corpse II: Scandal of the World	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613122
__label__wiki	0.982224	0.982224	King's Journalism King's Journalism Review Corrections & Requests to Alter Published Content Student Handbook of Professional Practice Tinder, Spotify team up to make musical matches Dating app, music streaming service showcase users' playlists By Teri Boates October 5, 2016, 1:49 pm ADTLast Updated: October 5, 2016, 1:49 pm Tinder users are able to listen to their matches ‘My Anthem’ within the app. Teri Boates Chad Alan, a music teacher for the Halifax Regional School Board, thinks music and love go hand-in-hand. “Love can inspire music as we know, and different kinds of music can illicit love along with all other kinds of emotions. Music is an art form that stems from our emotions, which certainly includes love,” he says. The mobile apps Tinder and Spotify think music and love go hand-in-hand, too, and last month announced they have “hooked up.” Users with accounts on both apps can now link their profiles, allowing them to showcase their most listened-to songs and artists on Spotify for other Tinder users. Tinder, launched in 2011, is a mobile dating app which allows users to match with potential partners in their area based on short profiles. Mobile streaming app Spotify allows users to make, listen and share music playlists. “Music is an important part of making new connections and getting to know existing ones,” Tinder CEO Sean Rad said in an online statement to TechCrunch. “Just like you go to the bar that plays your favorite music, you’re likely attracted to the people at that bar who enjoy the same music,” said Rad. “We want to do the same thing with the Spotify integration.” (Video uploaded by Tinder on Sept. 20) But Tinder users may be hesitant to build a relationship on musical taste alone. “I think that any interest a potential partner may have, musical or otherwise, is just one small sliver of what makes them who they are,” says 28-year-old graphic designer and Tinder user Josh Rooney of Dartmouth. “It’s a great way to open a door and start having a conversation, but it can’t be the only thing you build on. It’s a bit of a weak premise for anything long term.” Rooney also thinks joining the apps allows the two social media platforms to understand their customers more thoroughly. “I think a major part of the reasoning behind the addition of Spotify is a less romantic approach than people would like to believe …. The addition of the favourite music gives them two advantages. One: they can now see if music affects partner choice, and two: try can sell Spotify accounts,” he says. “But that’s the cynic in me.” [media-credit id=101090 align=”alignright” width=”726″] [/media-credit] Top Spotify artists and songs will be visible on Tinder users’ profiles. Along with displaying a favourite artist, Tinder users can choose “My Anthem”. This feature allows the user to pick one of their most listened songs on Spotify and associate it with their personality. Spotify is available in 60 countries and has over 100 million active users with a catalogue of over two billion playlists.Tinder has over 24 million members and has created over nine billion ‘matches’. Tinder is not the only dating app to team up with Spotify. Bumble, a dating app which allows women to make the first interaction, has also added Spotify playlists to its user profiles. Public auctions to sell foreclosed properties in Nova Scotia often attract few if any outside bidders. That's bad news for borrowers. By King's Investigative Workshop InvestigativeStreet clinic MOSH brings health care to people living on the streets, while Halifax faces HIV outbreak. By Jessica Sundblad InvestigativeThe problem with power Can the lights stay on in Nova Scotia? By Nicholas Frew InvestigativeImmigrants face challenges in Nova Scotia: so do their kids Second-generation Canadians make about 7.6 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population By Sonia Koshy InvestigativeSearching for the meaning of 'moderate livelihood' It's been 20 years since the Supreme Court's Marshall decision, but First Nations say fisheries rights still not fully recognized By Olivia Blackmore Spring cleanup begins at Public Gardens After winter, there's gardening, painting and other work to do By Natalie MacMillan Halifax Search and Rescue in ‘intensive’ need for more funding HSAR relies on donations, including $10,000 from 100 Women Who Care By Talia Meade ‘Who’s still in Yemen? The people who cannot leave’ Halifax woman recalls harrowing days in her home country By Cameron VanBuskirk The Signal is produced by senior students at the University of King’s College School of Journalism in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Copyright 2019 University of King's College School of Journalism Gold Award: Best Publication (Academic) 2018, Canadian Online Publishing Awards	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613125
__label__cc	0.636232	0.363768	Signature Wines Signature Wines is experienced in importing and exporting goods and has interests in the wines and spirits sector taking care to select only the most highly appointed and sought after brands; in line with Signature Global’s brand philosophy, to bring these new and exciting products to the discerning UK market in addition to opening up new export channels outside the UK. The Best Industry Experts Signature employs a select range of professionals who are qualified to source products and bring them to market, employing the best industry experts and marketing channels to represent the brands under the Signature umbrella. Signature uses its importing knowledge to expertly handle and store these products to enable UK retailers and consumers to access the new products with ease and on demand. Eastern Mediterranean Wines Signature supports and specilises in bringing new regions to the UK market including a specific interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region; with the aim to be a specialist wine importer to the UK, and exporter to the rest of the World, for this region of Eastern Europe. Signature also has the capabilities to source and select great wines for own brand labelling. Signature works hard to not only represent strong individual brands but also the country’s wine industry as a whole for a well-rounded and supportive approach to introducing new wines and indigenous varieties not yet explored by the UK market. Signature Wines Ltd. e: sales@signature-wines.co.uk w: www.signature-wines.co.uk	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613126
__label__wiki	0.668374	0.668374	By Dan Moren January 29, 2015 7:42 AM PT Wish List: Multiparty FaceTime video Steve Jobs and Jony Ive introduce FaceTime in 2010. Enough of last week’s negativity—for the moment, anyway—and let’s turn once again towards the aspirational. Last night, five of my friends and I defeated the Atheon in Destiny’s Vault of Glass raid; it was a suitably epic undertaking, hampered only by the fact that the voice chat on the Xbox 360 still sucks after all these years. So we turned instead to a Google Hangout, which unquestionably provided both better quality and more reliability. 1 But this got me thinking. In the book I recently co-authored with pal Jeff Carlson, we discuss keeping in touch with your family via video chat. While Apple’s FaceTime is great for one-on-one interactions, it doesn’t support multiparty video chats. So if you have many farflung friends or family who want to chat, you have to look elsewhere: Google Hangouts work pretty well, and Skype has begun to offer its formerly pay-only multiparty video chats to everybody (though it’s not currently available on every platform). Those are just two of the most popular options; there are plenty of others. But it’s one ring into which Apple hasn’t yet thrown its hat. “Add Call” lets you have a multiparty FaceTime Audio chat. Interestingly enough, FaceTime Audio does allow for multiparty connections, though it’s a little bit hidden. 2 And Mac users might remember that earlier versions of iChat (now Messages) actually had support for up to four people in a video chat; it was surprisingly high-quality and easy-to-use for the time. Still, it’d be great to see Apple bring the same simplicity and ease-of-use 3 to multiparty video chats that it has to the one-on-one model. I still prefer FaceTime for one-on-one conversations; in fact, I used it just yesterday, and this morning a friend suggested we FaceTime each other as we shovel out our respective cars. But anything more than that, whether it be a podcast, D&D session, or Destiny raid, means turning to the oft-finicky process of setting up a Hangout or Skype call. (Getting people’s contact info, inviting them, sending out URLs, and so on.) Of course, not all of my friends and family are iOS users, so it would also help immensely if FaceTime was indeed an open standard…but that’s another kettle of fish entirely. I can’t tell if this is purely anecdotal, but in my experience Xbox Live voice chat on the 360 has gotten worse and worse. We frequently get situations where people say things that just don’t come through. Or where only part of a sentence comes through. Which gets annoying fast: “Why’d you do that?!” “You said to!” “I said don’t do that!” ↩ You have to start a FaceTime Audio call, then tap the Add Call button and choose someone else to conference in. It’s an interface that was amazingly easy when the original iPhone used it for conference calling, but that’s because the alternative was typing arcane codes on a number pad. ↩ Amusingly, if you go back and watch the WWDC 2010 keynote where Steve Jobs introduces FaceTime, he brags that it requires no setup…and here’s the page on Apple’s site about how to set up FaceTime. Granted, it’s easy, but it’s not nothin’. ↩ [If you appreciate articles like this one, help us continue doing Six Colors (and get some fun benefits) by becoming a Six Colors subscriber.] [Dan Moren is a tech writer, novelist, podcaster, and the Official Dan of Six Colors. You can email him at dan@sixcolors.com or find him on Twitter at @dmoren.]	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613130
__label__wiki	0.923187	0.923187	ICYMI in NFL Week 10: Bowles' Jets bad; Norman knocks fans HOWARD FENDRICH (AP Pro Football Writer) The Associated Press November 12, 2018, 5:33 PM UTC Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) is congratulated by quarterback Matt Barkley (5) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Time to start the ''Which coaches are on the way out?'' watch in the NFL, and all eyes are on Todd Bowles of the New York Jets at the moment. How quickly it all fell apart for them. After going 10-6 in his first season there, the Jets are 13-29, a .310 winning percentage. How soon could Bowles be gone? Consider that the Jets now head into a bye week. So that might make sense as a time to make a change for a club that had zero fight in it during a 41-10 loss Sunday against the visiting Buffalo Bills and quarterback Matt Barkley, of all people. ''We stunk it up as coaches,'' Bowles said. ''We stunk it up as players.'' All true. Here's another comment that was rather telling: ''That's the first time I felt like somebody really smacked us,'' Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne said, ''and we didn't do nothing about it.'' Keep in mind that the Bills are nothing special. Barkley is worse than that - a has-been who never was, nearly two years removed from his most recent NFL start. But defensive guru Bowles couldn't come up with anything to stop the guy. Now the Jets are 3-7 and heading in the wrong direction, losers of four straight games. Bowles shouldn't stand alone in terms of questions about how much longer he will - or should - last in his current job. As embarrassing as the Jets suddenly are, Bowles is hardly the only coach whose club is looking unprepared and unable to compete lately: - Doug Marrone's Jacksonville Jaguars somehow immediately went from AFC runners-up to also-rans, dropping five consecutive games to fall to 3-6 after a 29-26 loss to the Indianapolis Colts; - Dirk Koetter's Tampa Bay Buccaneers somehow beat the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles in Weeks 1 and 2 but have lost six of seven games since to sit at 3-6 after a 16-3 setback against the visiting Washington Redskins; - Jon Gruden is not going anywhere anytime soon, of course, but his Oakland Raiders are as bad as it gets right now, going to 1-8 after losing five games in a row by at least 14 points each, the latest a 20-6 defeat at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. ''This will be a year that a lot of us will never forget,'' Gruden said. ''It's painful.'' Jets fans probably feel the same way about their season. In case you missed it, here are other top topics after the NFL season's 10th Sunday: ROAD, SWEET ROAD Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman celebrated a road victory by blasting the NFC East leaders' home fans, saying it seems like they ''just don't really care; they just boo everything and aren't really behind us.'' Washington is 3-1 in away games, 3-2 at home. ''We can play all the games on the road, if you ask me,'' said Norman, who had an acrobatic interception early, one of four turnovers forced by Washington's defense against the Bucs. Later, Norman sent out a tweet encouraging spectators to be more supportive and enthusiastic at home. After all, with a 6-3 record, a two-game division lead over the surprisingly so-so Super Bowl champion Eagles and the Cowboys (both 4-5 after Dallas beat Philadelphia 27-20 with the help of a hurdle by Ezekiel Elliott) and an easy schedule the rest of the way, the Redskins would host a playoff game if they avoid a collapse. This week's most original TD celebration - remember when the league tried to discourage all of those with penalties and fines? - came courtesy of Kansas City Chiefs speedster Tyreek Hill. After catching one of Patrick Mahomes' two TD passes in KC's 26-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Hill hopped into the stands and grabbed ahold of a TV camera, managing to record images of some teammates whooping it up, as well as the flag he earned for unsportsmanlike conduct. Chiefs coach Andy Reid was not exactly thrilled by that aspect of the charade. ''That was too much,'' Reid said. ''I'm all into the 'personality' thing, but he was ... out of character there.'' BETTER THAN OMAHA Give Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff credit for directing a potent offense that's helped his team get off to a 9-1 start. Give him credit, too, for quite an audible in LA's 36-31 victory against the Seattle Seahawks, name-checking Oscar winner Halle Berry. AP Pro Football Writers Dennis Waszak Jr. in East Rutherford, N.J., and Josh Dubow in Oakland, Calif., contributed to this report. Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613134
__label__wiki	0.650368	0.650368	The Sports Doctor Your second opinion on all things sports A few of my favorite links… Can’t get enough of the Doctor? Posted by: mdegeorge \| September 16, 2011 Starting XI Points: Champions League Matchday 1 Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League has come and gone, ushering in a new season of Europe’s premier club competition. Even the hopeful among us can’t believe they’ve garnered enough knowledge after 90 minutes to decide all eight groups. But several things have become blatantly obvious. So I present the Starting XI things learned about this year’s UCL field. We all should know who Mario Gotze is Cristiano Ronaldo may not be familiar with the diminutive German teen, but the Borussia Dortmund star is serving notice quickly. The German champions were only able to manage a draw against Arsenal despite dominating for large stretches. But the cohesive unit that features exciting attackers like Shinji Kagawa, Kevin Groβkreutz, Robert Lewandowski and goal-scorer Ivan Perisic could be a factor in the knockout stages, especially if it can get a favorable draw. And the guiding light in the quest will be Gotze, who scored six goals and had 11 assists in 33 league games a season ago. Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the soccer world should get acquainted with young Mario Gotze's skills. (Courtesy of Creative Commons) Barcelona is human This one may sting a little bit, especially among those of us who saw Barca on paper in the offseason and assumed they would win all sixty-some-odd matches this year. Back-to-back 2-2 draws with Real Sociedad and Milan tell otherwise, however. There are question marks. There will be growing pains in the midfield as Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez are integrated, exacerbated by Andres Iniesta’s absence for a month. And they’re riding the knife’s edge trying to subsist with a backline consisting of three defenders, the only role Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano seem to fill these days. It’ll take some time to figure out how all the pieces fit together. The group of death is living up to its moniker Group A is looking quite dangerous. We knew going in that Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Manchester City and Napoli would be a tough group to sort out. A reshuffling Villarreal got off to a poor start, losing at home to Bayern Munich behind Toni Kroos, Rafinha and the suddenly resurgent Franck Ribery. But for a team like Napoli to go into Manchester and draw the Citizens is some feat. This may be a group of death that actually elicits change since two teams from the continent’s four biggest leagues are guaranteed to be exiting the group stages. But at least it will provide some entertaining soccer for the next few months. Gasperini is not long for Milan at this rate The Gian Piero Gasperini era, well, it’s not off to a great start. A 2-1 loss to Milan in the Italian Super Cup in early August, eh, that’s excusable. A season-opening loss away to Palermo, 4-3, a little less. But a 1-0 loss to Trabzonspor, a team that learned they’d be in the Champions League only a few weeks ago after Fenerbache’s expulsion, no way. Gasperini is feeling the heat over his formation choices, and a tough schedule that has them play four games in the next 14 games, including a meeting with a desperate Roma club this weekend and Napoli Oct. 1, is anything but favorable. Serie A has been lost in September by would-be contenders each of the last two years (Juventus and Roma last season, Juve and Milan the year before), putting Gasperini on a short leash. Robin van Persie is among England’s elite forwards Ok, that’s not exactly news. But look at his numbers in the English Premier League the last three seasons. 2008-09: 11 goals, 10 rebounds in 28 matches 2009-10: nine goals, seven assists in 16 matches 2010-11: 18 goals, seven assists in 26 matches His goal against Dortmund, popping up against the run of play to sneak one for the Gunners, is quintessentially him. He’s been plagued by injuries for years. If he can get on the field for 30 games once – just once – you’ll see him put up numbers that over the last decade have only been rivaled by names like Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney. Ryan Giggs is still awesome There’s not much more that needs to be said, except that Sir Alex Ferguson’s ability to interchange pieces in the midfield has kept the Welshman evergreen on the downside of 35. Someone needs to buy Hulk and soon Ok, so he missed a penalty in Porto’s 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. But his free kick goal later in the first half was sublime. Last season, the credit for Porto’s Europa League-Portuguese Liga double was split between Hulk and Falcao on the field and wunderkind Andre Villas-Boas on the sidelines. With the latter player at Atletico Madrid and the manager having traded Porto for London, it’s Hulk’s time to shine … and receive the spotlight and commensurate payday. The Portuguese side would be well-advised to cash in on the 25-year-old soon; just ask Sevilla about the €20 million or so they lost holding onto Luis Fabiano too long. The rumors of Fernando Torres decline may have been premature The Spanish striker may only have one goal in 23 matches in a Chelsea shirt. But Torres had numerous opportunities against Bayer Leverkusen – and not just the ones created for him that he was unable to finish. Torres was able to make his own space, almost scoring a wonderful flicked-on goal before finding the free space that set up goals by David Luiz and Juan Mata. It’s safe to say that Drogba and Nicolas Anelka represent Chelsea forwards past, while Torres and Daniel Sturridge look comfortable as the strikers of the future. We’ll see how they combine in the present, but Torres should keep up his end of the bargain. The goals are bound to come. Is the 4-4-2 dead? That’s clearly an overstatement. But how many teams are really still rolling out this formation? By my reckoning, only 10 of the 32 teams in group play used it, most from smaller nations, the only exceptions being Villarreal, Manchester City, Milan and Valencia. It’s worth noting that of those four, three utilized a diamond formation in the midfield capped by a traditional trequartista. Napoli opted for its favored 3-4-2-1 with Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi supporting Edinson Cavani. As mentioned before, Inter took heat for using three at the back. Barcelona ostensibly had four at the back, but with Dani Alves constantly in an advanced position, it really was more of a 3-1-3-3. And Zenit St. Petersburg went conservative with five at the back. The most popular formation seems to be 4-2-3-1 – preferred by Bayern, Real Madrid and Dortmund – while others like Manchester United went more cautious in a 4-3-2-1. I think the formational shifts are indicative of how blurred the line between attacking midfielder and forward have become as well as a reliance on wide play. Slow start to season could help small countries Prior to their first Champions League matches, teams from Spain had two league matches under their belts after a players strike and strung around an international break. For Serie A clubs, that number was one. It’s possible the late start could cost them in Europe. Napoli looked none the worse for wear in Group A, but Villarreal could get left behind. Inter is a step slow out of the gate with precious little time to right the ship. And Valencia face a battle to get out of Group E. Could Apoel Nicosia be my team? In 2007, it was Norway’s Rosenborg (heady draw at Stamford Bridge and a win over Valencia in first three matches). In 2008, it was Romanian side CFR Cluj (group-opening win at Roma) and Cyrpus’ Anorthosis (draw with Werder Bremen and win over Panathinaikos to open group). In 2009, Romanian side Unirea Urziceni got the honors (4-1 win at Rangers). Last year, it again was Cluj (win over Basel and one-goal losses away to Roma and Munich). Each year, it seems I latch my rooting hopes onto a small club from an obscure nation to survive the group stages. It amounts to pretty much a death sentence for those clubs. This year’s unlucky victim is Apoel Nicoisa, the Cypriot club that opened their group with a 2-1 home win over Zenit St. Petersburg. Group G seems easy enough, with Porto the favorite and Shakhtar Donetsk an unconvincing second choice. Apoel may be able to escape, though to do so they’ll have to contend with daunting trips to Eastern Europe, never easy venues to escape with points. Should they falter, I’m prepared to shift my rooting interest toward Dinamo Zagreb, who were impressive in their attacking of Madrid at home, falling 1-0. Posted in Club Soccer, UEFA Champions League \| Tags: Alexis Sanchez, Andre Villas-Boas, Andres Iniesta, Anorthosis, Apoel Nicosia, Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Cesc Fabregas, CFR Cluj, Chelsea, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dani Alves, Daniel Sturridge, David Luiz, Didier Drogba, Dinamo Zagreb, Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Falcao, Fernando Torres, Franck Ribery, Gian Piero Gasperini, Hulk, Inter Milan, Ivan Perisic, Javier Mascherano, Juan Mata, Kevin Groβkreutz, Luis Fabiano, Manchester City, Marek Hamsik, Mario Gotze, Milan, Napoli, Nicolas Anelka, Porto, Rafinha, Real Mardid, Real Sociedad, Robert Lewan, Robin van Persie, Rosenborg, Ryan Giggs, Sergio Busquets, Shakhtar Donetsk, Shinji Kagawa, Sir Alex Ferguson, Toni Kroos, UEFA Champions' League, Unirea Urziceni, Villarreal, Wayne Rooney « A weekend retreat for failing soccer players (VIDEO) Another misfire by the NFL’s disciplinary talking heads (VIDEO) » […] that they were impressive in their opener, a hard-fought 1-0 draw at home against Real Madrid? 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__label__cc	0.634726	0.365274	Category Archives: Basketball Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors: The NBA heavyweight title fight is finally here The 2018 Western Conference Finals we all have been waiting for is finally here, the long awaited Houston Rockets-Golden State Warriors showdown, has been destined to be the NBA’s title fight since day one. The basketball world is elated to finally see the massive Western Conference Finals, arguably the premier two teams in the NBA are finally going toe-to-toe. The Rockets, are set to prove that they have the league’s best record for a reason, and that they can contend with the defending champs. Houston’s trip to the Western Conference Finals, answers the questions regarding if the regular season success will translate into the playoffs, which has so far. Now, the only thing left for them to completely silence the critics, is to give the Warriors a run for their money. Chris Paul and James Harden, are playing some of the best basketball of their lives, and are doing it with great chemistry. The Rockets’ two best players, under Head Coach Mike D’Antoni, have a figured out a game plan all year that has been working in harmony. Paul’s aggressiveness helps share the responsibility on offense with Harden, creating more opportunities for the team. These superstars will need to be creative in their attack against the Warriors, and making sure that Clint Capela is going to be apart of it. The Rockets went on a whopping 50-5 record during the regular season with a Capela/Paul/Harden starting lineup, according to Stephen A. Smith, ESPN. Capela is a key element to his to team for his potential on offense, but mainly his real strength at the defensive end. He is arguably one of the best defensive players in the league, averaging nearly two blocks a game. When Houston makes plays on the defensive end, they create chances in transition, which often lead to their signature 3-point shots. If they play a well-balanced game, they should have a shot against Golden State. At the end of the day, these Western Conference Finals are going to require each team’s best to be their best, all superstars going full-throttle. Charles Barkley, Hall of Famer, told the ‘NBA on TNT’ crew that Game 1 is a must win for the Rockets. I know that Barkley can be very outspoken at times, but I couldn’t agree with him more on this statement. The Rockets will need any sort of edge they can get in this series, especially since they have home court advantage. Trailing just one game will bring a great amount of pressure, giving them no room for error, because Games 3 and 4 at Oracle Arena will be the toughest road trip all year. I will be rooting for the Rockets this next week like no other, as if I was a Houston native or a die-hard fan, because it simply will be better for the NBA to see Golden State Warriors finally knocked off by someone other than LeBron James. It would be a great story for Paul, Harden, and even D’Antoni – elevating their NBA legacies, and show the league that their not just underdogs. While people say that fans love dominancy, dynasties in sports, they also root for parody and upsets. Photo by Puettmann [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons by Chrismarlin8 May 14, 2018 Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged Basketball, blog, chris paul, golden state warriors, houston rockets, james harden, nba playoffs, On Draft, steph curry, texas, thoughts Why the Conference Finals are really the NBA Finals in 2018 With the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors sleepwalking their way to the championship yet again, fans really need the Houston Rockets to provide some parody before the 2018 NBA Finals begin. After the Cavaliers embarrassed the Toronto Raptors with another series sweep, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference looked anything, but competitive Monday night. The overall impression was that this Raptors team just quit after Game 3. King James and his Cavs had been haunting the Raptors for years, as they have 10 consecutive playoff wins during the DeMar DeRozan-Kyle Lowry era. It is scary to see the Raptors, being one of the premier teams in the East, not even be a hurdle for the Cavaliers. The top seed in the east is set to blow up, and may become an entirely different team after failing expectations year after year. While some say the blame should be on Head Coach Dwayne Casey, the real sense is that DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lawry aren’t panning out for the Toronto Raptors. With all due respect to the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers, no one from the Eastern Conference will be a serious threat, if the Golden State Warriors make the 2018 NBA Finals. Even though The King is playing some of the best basketball in his life, this specific roster doesn’t have anywhere near the firepower the Warriors do. It is just simple, Golden State has too many weapons. Now that Steph Curry is healthy, and with his fellow four All-Stars playing at a high level, this Warriors team seems unstoppable. Yes, LeBron is playing light out, and his team is playing well (especially Kevin Love) – they still are no match for the Warriors. King James might have to average 50 points just to even be competitive with Golden State, because it will be very difficult for his team overall to match the score. It will be hard to see James lose another Finals, let alone embarrassed. I hope that this doesn’t happen, and think that you might agree: it’s time to see a different NBA Finals matchup. I guess it would be cool from a historic perspective, seeing LeBron make his way to eight consecutive NBA appearances, and a fourth Cavs-Warriors NBA Finals in a row. The mutual feeling of seeing a NBA title repeat though, once again, will not be so elated. This is why fans have long awaited the Rockets-Warriors matchup. Will the Rockets finally be the ones to challenge the Warriors? Rockets look to close out their 3-1 series over the Utah Jazz tonight, and more importantly, bring their A-game next round against the defending champs. Photo by Erik Drost (LeBron James vs. Steph Curry) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons by Chrismarlin8 May 8, 2018 Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged Basketball, cleveland cavaliers, golden state warriors, lebron james, nba finals, nba playoffs, On Draft Why a Rockets’ series loss might be a concern for the Western Conference With a surprising Game 2 loss at home to the Utah Jazz, all eyes remain on James Harden and the Houston Rockets to avoid another disappointing second-round playoff exit. The NBA’s best regular season team is not only in jeopardy of living up to expectations, but also falling short to the highly anticipated Rockets–Warriors showdown. The Rockets’ incredible 29-2 stretch left the league in complete awe, and thinking this team could really give the defending champs a run for their money. There still had been trepidation however with Rockets’ success during the regular season, for they still have to prove themselves in the playoffs. With momentum swinging back to Utah in Game 3, Harden and his team is yet again surrounded with uncertainty. The future 2018 MVP and his teammate Chris Paul, has to carry Houston in order to win these next two games on the road. Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, will be completely chaotic this weekend – hoping to boost their Jazz to another playoff upset. A loss this series could be a tale of two different halves for Harden, Paul, and this Rockets team overall. Another early playoff exit could really insinuate a dark cloud over the legacy of these superstars. Like Harden, Paul too has dealt with his fair share criticism based on his early round exits in the playoffs. This series will not only be huge for them to live up to expectations, but also to improve their playoff pandemonium. NBA fans need Houston to win this series because they are the best chance against Golden State, not Utah. Though they did not play like it in Game 2, the Jazz are truly the underdogs in this series. If the Rockets fall short once again, which Western Conference team can actually challenge the Warriors in the near future? This thought is scary if you look at the state of NBA’s Western Conference. There is beginning to be a lack of parody in the west actually, rather than the east, for the first time in years. Big questions remain for some of the “premier” teams in the west like: The Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs, and now the Houston Rockets. The Carmelo Anthony/Paul George experiment in OKC looks like it just will be a one-season trial, after the way things played out in the first round. The Thunder have a lot of questions to address this offseason and it starts with George. Rumors of Paul George leaving to join the Los Angeles Lakers is one of the league’s best kept secrets, as he has been open about his love for L.A. for quit some time now. With Anthony’s lackluster performance this season, and especially with a quick playoff exit, George is very likely to leave the Thunder coming this offseason. The next power team in the west, the Spurs, are about to be in serious rebuild. The once heavily contenders are now going to the be ones fighting for playoff position, specifically with their best player, Kawhi Leonard leaving next season. How will the Harden, Paul, and the Rockets handle adversity on the road against the Jazz? Photo by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (James Harden) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged Basketball, chris paul, james harden, los angeles, NBA, nba playoffs, On Draft, paul george, utah jazz Heat’s Homecoming with Wade is a great story for the NBA Dwyane Wade is going going, back back, to Miami Miami! The Miami Heat re-acquire Wade, the player of their franchise, and the move could not have come at a better time for the team with brinks of playoff contention. The Miami Heat surprised the league and Wade himself with requesting a trade for their all-time franchise player, officially reconstructing the Cleveland Cavaliers’ All-Star roster LeBron James helped assembled at the beginning of the season. By the time the NBA Trade Deadline concluded Thursday, the Cavs stunned the league with over 6 trades – including former All-Star/MVP caliber players. Initially the moves made by the Cavs were not understood or applauded, and to which I agree. I mean how could you let go of player like Isaiah Thomas for Jordan Clarkson, and oh, Larry Nance Jr.? No disrespect to the Lakers’ athletic young guns but Isaiah Thomas is a MVP caliber type of player. To say the Cavs reshaped their roster is an understatement, I mean they had basically cleaned house in a span of 18 hours, per ESPN. Cleveland’s dramatic change is surprising, but is good for the league in my opinion – especially with trading Wade back to Miami. Someone who is a believer of this trade, and coming back to one’s hometown, commented on the trade. “I’m excited as hell for him,” LeBron James, friend/teammate, said in a statement. “That’s how it should be.” James showed nothing but excitement for Wade, as he was likely reflecting on his decision back in 2014 when we returned to Cleveland. This is a good look for King James, and the NBA. Restoring Wade should make Heat and the Eastern Conference more of a road block for the Cavaliers, giving the league more parody in some aspects of experience vs. youth. Some critics of this trade believe the Cavs actually have a better chance to return to the NBA Finals now because “they are much younger” – which is ridiculous. Just because the have added a few more athletic players doesn’t necessarily give them an advantage in the postseason, experience is vita — especially in playoffs. Photo by Erik Drost (Dwyane Wade) [CC BY 2.0],via Wikimedia Commons by Chrismarlin8 February 9, 2018 Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged allstar, Basketball, cleveland cavaliers, dwyane wade, experience, lebron james, miami heat, nba playoffs, On Draft, usa basketball, young Jordan vs. James: Comparing modern NBA super-teams with the classic dynasty era After the Cleveland Cavaliers adopted half the Eastern All-Star roster, it is legitimate that LeBron James transcended the notion of super-teams in the NBA, and now everyone in the league is buying in except for Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan believes that the super teams are “hurting the NBA.” Whether this statement can be subject to a debate, there is for sure evidence that NBA teams are making roster moves to better their chances in winning a championship. The Cavaliers’ talent this year is throughout the roof, a team with so many weapons, it makes fans wonder how the hell it can be even possible. King James’ squad is even more deep than the other “super teams” in the league like Boston, Oklahoma City and the Houston. While teams in the Eastern and Western Conference have made great strides this 2017 offseason to build a competitive team, it is still no match for the proverbial monster that is Cleveland and Golden State. The Cavaliers have nearly 10 former All-Stars on their roster, over 3 MVPs’, and several star veterans. It is safe to say, this roster is deep. Now that the LeBron James Campaign has acquired Dwayne Wade off free agency, the Cavaliers are flooded with talent as well as experience. Starting from Wade, to Rose, and all the way to Isaiah Thomas – their guard talent is ridiculous. I mean, practically half their bench could be a starting-five on another team. Coming off his MVP Finals performance, Kevin Durant and his fellow MVP Steph Curry, has the NBA world convinced they are still the best team in the league, amidst of all the trades with other powerhouses. The Warriors have done a great job managing their cap space in order to keep their talented roster, even with paying Durant and Curry to max contracts. The belief the Warriors will be back to the Finals, and that they are still the best team in the NBA, is believable, because they still have all of their championship-caliber players. Besides the two former MVP’s mentioned on this Warriors’ squad, they still have their other star players: Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Draymond Green. Golden State’s bench is also loaded, starting with the athleticism of a Shaun Livingston to the veteran presence of a David West, this Warriors team is well-balanced. Durant’s mission to win the chip last year was scary; as the 6’10’’ PF scored against the opposing defense at will, and did it every way possible. I imagine KD to have a similar inspiration as he did last year, especially after signing a 2-year, $53M contract with the Warriors. After seeing these two powerhouses head to head in the Finals the past three years, the question comes into play – is it hurting the NBA? Following Jordan’s comments on the ‘era of NBA super-teams’, I imagine it is somewhat fair to question the domino effect in free agency led behind King James. LeBron James had influenced the notion of super-teams way back when he joined forces with my Miami Heat in 2010. He flew to South Beach to not just to simply enjoy the beautiful atmosphere in Miami, or hang with his buddy Wade, he went there to win a NBA title. Since things weren’t working out in his first time in Cleveland, he decided it was time to make a change if he really wanted to win his first ring. Summer of 2017 has been a record-breaking year for NBA Free Agency; jaw-dropping contract numbers and the amount of trades has gotten everyone’s attention – including legendary Michael Jordan. According to ESPN, Jordan believes the NBA super-teams are hurting the league. I agree that the essence of building super-teams is throwing off the balance in the NBA, but I don’t necessarily think it’s bad for the league. Jordan is definitely right when he said about the majority of the other teams in the league will be terrible compared to the six powerhouses. On the other hand, back in the “dynasty” era, the balance of the league was similar with only having six great teams in the league. Realistically, the most dominating teams identified in this era were: Lakers, Celtics, Jazz, Bulls, Pistons, and Knicks. While Jordan may have points in his perspective concerning super-teams, he is also somewhat subject to being hypocritical in his whole thesis because the dynasty era is very similar to what is gong on right now in the NBA. Both eras have made roster moves in a swift manner in order to win a title and only concerned a handful of dominant teams. Overall, I am excited to see all of the new players on several teams in the league and see how the powerhouses clash in the playoffs. Photo by Daydaydiscgolf (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons by Chrismarlin8 October 15, 2017 Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged Basketball, cleveland cavaliers, dynasty, golden state warriors, lebron james, michael jordan, NBA, nba playoffs, super team Why next season will be make or break for the Cleveland Cavaliers The 2017-2018 NBA offseason has been record-setting, and filled with tons of drama – especially for King James and his Cleveland Cavaliers. Since the devastating news of Kyrie Irving’s trade request, all and everything in Cleveland has been completely chaotic. With LeBron James’ sudden transition from feeling heartbroken to being extremely pissed off, his team is in serious limbo after reportedly having serious beef with Irving. The chemistry of James and Irving are vital to the Cavs’ success, which may be the detriment to their team with the likely scenario that the best two players will not be playing side to side. It’s hard to imagine Irving will remain the starting point guard for Cleveland, especially after hearing ESPN report, “Irving wants to be traded, doesn’t want to play with LeBron James.” Looks like Cleveland is going to have to start planning life without Kyrie, and they most certainly did. The Cavs acted swiftly just after hearing the news of Irving, picking up the next best available point guard in the open market. Derrick Rose, former MVP, shocked the league after signing veteran minimum 1-year, 2.1 million contract with the three-time defending Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Thankfully for the Cavs, they will now have two former MVPs and both of them are still in the prime of their careers. Since his “recent decline” with the Chicago Bulls, Rose just had one of his best season performances in years, averaging over 18 points with the New York Knicks – showing the NBA that he can still ball. Rose is not only on a mission to prove to himself, but to the basketball world, he is a championship-caliber point guard. Will Rose and Cleveland be revitalized this upcoming season? Photo by Keith Allison [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons by Chrismarlin8 July 27, 2017 Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged Basketball, chicago bulls, cleveland cavaliers, derrick rose, kyrie irving, lebron james, mvp, On Draft NBA free agency 2017: the money pit that is the NBA The 2017 NBA offseason shocked the world when it made it rain this summer, money pouring all over free agency, along with a surplus of stunning trades and record-breaking contracts. Just when the NBA world thinks it has seen it all with Steph Curry’s eye-opening $200M four-year contract extension, the Houston Rockets completely stupefy the league with offering James Harden the biggest contract extension in NBA history (4-year, $228M). Curry and Harden make history this offseason with becoming the richest men in the NBA, marking themselves as the franchise players. The rich keep just keep on getting richer. The Free agency frenzy has been a complete domino effect since day 1, influencing more money incentives with the latest signings. The Tim Hardaway Jr. signing is a great example of this. When the New York Knicks finally acknowledged that they will be planning for their future without Carmelo Anthony, they surprised the NBA world after shelling out a four-year, $71M deal to the former Atlanta Hawks starting point guard. Mad money that was being featured the signings of 2017 surprised everyone around the league, including players. “Even Tim Hardaway Jr. was surprised the Knicks offered him a $71M contract,” according to Colin Ward-Henninger, CBS Sports. Singings like these set the platform for the open market, setting the bar much higher for NBA contracts. This helps give role players and upcoming free agents more of a chance to get their money’s worth. Hardaway Jr. just happened to be a free agent at the right time, at the right place. With most of the premier players off of the open market, there is still the mutual feeling around the league that there is still some moves that could be made before the 2017-2018 NBA season begins. In the midst of more NBA trade rumors, via SB Nation, Carmelo Anthony to the Houston Rockets is getting closer to a reality. Will Melo be the next headline in free agency? Photo by Keith Allison (Flickr: Carmelo Anthony) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged carmelo anthony, james harden, nba free agency, steph curry, tim hardaway jr - google news The Super Team Syndrome: NBA chasing Golden State in free agency Time flies when you’re having fun, or when you’re a free agent in the NBA. Since opening day of free agency, the NBA has been a complete feeding frenzy as several teams across the league rush to scoop up top free agents for the upcoming 2017-2018 season. The 2017 NBA season has started off with a bang, as Chris Paul shocked the Clippers and the rest of the nation with signing to the Houston Rockets even before free agency began. Shortly after Paul signed with Houston, franchise players like Jimmy Butler and Paul George also surprised the league with trades to Minnesota and Oklahoma City. Minnesota is gradually becoming a building block with Tom Thibodeau recruiting Butler and Bulls teammate Taj Gibson (2-year /$28 mil), while OKC is living life in the fast lane signing Paul George to just a one-year rental. Many teams like Houston (Harden, Paul,) and now OKC (Westbrook, George), are looking to add another All-star to their lineup, making a run at the super team that is Golden State. While players like Carmelo Anthony, Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry, and company are yet to sign with the team. What a time to be alive if you’re a free agent. Meanwhile nothings changed with the defending champs, the Warriors continue to strive for greatness resigning Steph Curry and Andre Iguodola to blockbuster deals and Kevin Durant expected to return. Curry becomes the richest man in the NBA with a record setting 5-year, $201 million contract – not even Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson saw that kind of money. As the Clippers and Celtics are fighting to maintain relevance in their respective conference, there are also many other NBA teams that are in limbo following free agency. While the Clippers retain Griffin, teams like Miami, Phoenix, and Detroit have yet to make a splash this offseason. Who is going to be able to chase Golden State? Photo by SEAN M. HAFFEY / GETTY IMAGES by Chrismarlin8 July 2, 2017 Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged chris paul, golden state warriors, houston rockets, james harden, nba free agency, paul george Kevin Durant pulls up from 30, finishes off Cavs with the ultimate game winner Kevin Durant has proved everyone that he has ice in his veins after hitting a clutch pull-up 3 over LeBron James to give the Golden State Warriors a one-point lead late in the 4th quarter, pushing the series to a dramatic 3-0 swing. Durant showed nothing, but poise with his late-game dagger, especially during the most important possession of the game. He hit the biggest shot of the NBA Finals, and his entire career solidifying himself as one of the greatest in the world. Durant started the NBA Finals letting LeBron know that he’s coming, and now he’s ending it in the same fashion. Scoring 7 of the team’s final 11 points in the final 3 minutes, KD rallied the Warriors to victory. After carrying GSW to three straight wins, it is safe to say that Durant is the legitimate MVP of the NBA Finals. Not only Game 3 was heartbreaking for the Cavs, but it is also more demoralizing seeing the way their opponent win. Kevin Durant, once again, single handily dominated Cleveland. ESPN’s NBA Analyst Stephen A. Smith reacts to the Warriors’ Game 3 win over the Cavaliers, addressing KD’s dominance is something that simply cannot be ignored. “Take a look at the highlights, he starts off the series basically letting LeBron know that he’s coming, said Stephen A. Smith. “Kevin Durant has been saying I’m here since opening of these Finals.” KD’s clutch game last night at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, certainly has everyone’s attention. His mission this year to win the championship is scary not only for Cavs, but also the NBA. Who is going to stop him and this Warriors juggernaut in the next 4-5 years? Photo source from Cam Stein, via Flickr. by Chrismarlin8 June 8, 2017 Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged cleveland cavaliers, golden state warriors, kevin durant, nba finals, nba finals mvp Miami Heat are ‘playoff-less’, but not hopeless The Miami Heat’s 110-102 win over the Wizards should be a celebration rather than just a commemoration, for the team will miss the playoffs by a whisker in a tie-breaker with the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers. The Heat made history in their miraculous second-half effort of the 2016-107 regular season, rattling off a league-best 20 wins in 24 games just after starting 19 games below .500. They shocked the league with their incredible turnaround, finishing the regular season at 41-41. The Heat were eliminated with wins from Pacers and the Bulls, mainly accredited to the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawk’s controversial move to rest all of their starters. The ridiculous decision to rest the starters at the last game of the season left a black eye on the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks’ ‘forfeit’ negatively impacted playoff seeding, and could be an omen that this could be a future NBA trend. Heat fans may be upset, but should be proud of their team; for their resiliency should be respected, and Heat President Pat Riley felt mutual about this. Riley was greatly disappointed that his team missed the playoffs, but was pleased with the effort in their second-half turnaround of the season. “I love what we built,” said Riley. Riley and his Heat Nation can feel a great sense of optimism with the chemistry the team had built towards the last half of the season. The Heat’s momentum looks to stay a float when Dion Waiters makes his return. Waiters shined in big moments when he was in the lineup, averaging nearly 19 points and 5 assists during the two-month stretch before his injury. The Heat went 20-4 with him in the lineup, according to USA Today’s Adi Joseph. Miami was on pace to win 48 games with the momentum the team had built with the former OKC guard, which could’ve been enough to grab the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. The team immediately saw the impact Waiters left on the team during their miraculous turnaround of the second-half of season. The Heat organization have the mutual feeling that, if Dion Waiters was completely healthy, they make the playoffs easy. Now Miami has to put aside their playoff heartache and focus on the offseason, for they have many decisions to make. While the Heat have there building blocks set – Goran Dragić and Hassan Whiteside, they need to lock down key role players who will be free agents this offseason. Of those free agents, who will be getting paid big money this 2016-2017 season, is James Johnson. One of the most improved players of the year, James Johnson, has become a force to deal with at the power forward position. Johnson, just alike his teammate Waiters, impressed his peers with his strength and conditioning. Not only Waiters and Johnson have improved with their play, they have upgraded their fitness and overall health. Both Heat players have lost weight, and felt mutual it benefited their play. The work ethic of Erik Spoelstra and his players were certainly recognized this season, and will be even more renowned when they make damage in the playoffs next year. Miami will need to focus on keeping some of their key players on the roster this offseason, wether they have to make a trade or even release veteran players like Chris Bosh. Image • Posted in All Sports, Basketball • Tagged dion waiters, erik spoelstra, james johnson, miami heat, nba playoffs, pat riley	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613139
__label__wiki	0.790312	0.790312	‘Zero Credibility’: US Military Shoots Down Reports About Exiting Turkey, Qatar Bases US Central Command and US Air Force Central Command have denied reports that the US was in the process of liquidating its two largest air bases in the Middle East at Incirlik, Turkey, and Al-Udeid, Qatar. Yemen Through the Conflict: Three Years of the Mideast's 'Forgotten' War (VIDEO) Hundreds of thousands Houthi supporters took to the streets of the Yemeni capital Sanaa for demonstrations, marking the third anniversary of the Yemeni war. Till Daesh Does Us Apart: Women in Iraq Massively Seek Divorce From Terrorists Numerous cases of divorce have been registered in courts in the liberated city of Mosul against Daesh terrorists. US Strikes Al-Qaeda in Libya for 1st Time, Op Expands Beyond Daesh - Reports Despite the remaining chaos in the war-torn country, Libya has been ramping up its oil exports over the past year, and is close to dislodging Saudi Arabia as the third-largest exporter of seaborne oil to Europe, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Thousands of Civilians in Eastern Ghouta Freed From Prison by Syrian Forces In the largest city of the East Ghouta district, Douma, civilians and military personnel have been liberated from the “jail of repentance,” where they were kept prisoners for years by Jaish al-Islam terrorists. Israeli Government Lets Footballers Keep Saturday While football reigns supreme in the Holy Land, matches held on Shabbat have long been an apple of discord between secular Israelis and the country's ultra-Orthodox community. Israel to Receive Record $705Mln for Missile Defense From US in 2018 – Minister TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israel will receive a record $705 million from the United States in 2018 to finance its missile defense programs, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said. US 'Strongly Condemns' Missile Attacks Against Saudi Arabia - State Dept. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States strongly condemned the ballistic missile attack by Yemen's Houthis on several Saudi Arabian cities, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement on Monday. VIDEO Shows Alleged US Patriot Missile Mistakenly Falling on Residential Area Saudi Arabian air defenses have been on heightened alert following Sunday night’s missile attack from Yemen. Meet Iran's Schumacher: Female Race Champion Unafraid to Break Barriers (PHOTOS) Laleh Seddigh is known as the Iranian Schumacher and is set to represent Iran in the rally-raid of the Middle East and North Africa this year. In an interview with Sputnik, the racer shared her journey to success. Israeli Police Interrogate Netanyahu and His Wife Over Corruption Charges Israeli police have been investigating three corruption cases, namely Case 4000, Case 1000 and Case 2000, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since 2017. John Bolton Asked Tel Aviv to Attack Iran – Former Israeli Defense Minister Trump announced on March 22 that he replaced H.R. McMaster as National Security Adviser with the prominent “hawk” and former US ambassador John Bolton. Bolton is a well-known critic of Iranian nuclear deal and Israel supporter. Over 400 Civilians Leave E. Ghouta Since Monday Morning - Russian MoD EASTERN GHOUTA (Syria) (Sputnik) - More than 400 civilians have left Eastern Ghouta through the Muhayam Al-Wafedin humanitarian corridor, while the total number of those who evacuated has exceeded 114,000 people, the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian reconciliation said. Erdogan Vows Turkey Will Do 'What's Necessary' if Baghdad Government Op in Sinjar Fails Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the country's head of intelligence will meet an Iraqi official later in the day to discuss a potential operation in Sinjar. US Gave Israel Tacit Consent to Bomb Alleged Syrian Nuclear Reactor – Reports Last week, Israeli military officials revealed details of a secret operation, thereby confirming they had conducted an airstrike on a suspected Syrian nuclear facility in 2007. Thousands Protest in Sanaa on Third Anniversary of Yemen War (VIDEO, PHOTO) Tens of thousands Yemeni citizens gathered this Monday in the country's capital of Sanaa to mark the third anniversary of the war. New Swedish 'Migrant Party' Leader in Hot Water for Praising Saddam Hussein Hussam Alkoblawi has praised the dethroned Iraqi leader for his courage, alongside other controversial Arab leaders. False Alarm: Israel Mistakenly Fires Iron Dome Air Defense System Missiles in Gaza Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have reached an unprecedented level following US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state. Presidential Election in Egypt to Begin on Monday CAIRO (Sputnik) - Polling stations are set to open in Egypt on Monday, with voters having an opportunity to cast their ballots for their presidential candidates up to Wednesday. Almost 6,500 Militants Leave Syria's Irbin in Past 2 Days - Russian MoD MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Nearly 6,500 militants have left the Syrian town of Irbin in the past two days, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613140
__label__wiki	0.738049	0.738049	Hassan Shemshadi Iranian War Correspondent Dissolves Myth of American Military Power The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced that it was able to take control over US drones flying over Syria and Iraq and extract "first-hand" information from them. 'Cancerous Tumor': This is What Keeps Daesh Afloat As long as Daesh enjoys the support of those who need it, the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will not bring an end to the group’s campaign of terror, an Iranian military expert told Sputnik. Iran's Strikes on Daesh in Syria a 'Warning to Israel, US and Saudi Arabia' Commenting on the recent Iranian strikes on Daesh in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, Iranian diplomat Hossein Sheikholeslam and military journalist Hassan Shemshadi told Sputnik Persian that it is not only a direct message to terrorists but, primarily, to their sponsors and donors, namely Israel, the US and the ruling clan in Saudi Arabia. Claims That Assad Used Chemical Weapons Against Civilians are 'Political Ploy' Commenting on the leaked confidential report submitted to the UN Security Council on Friday which allegedly blames Syrian government forces for a toxic gas attack in Idlib governorate in 2015, Hassan Shemshadi, an Iranian Radio and Television correspondent in Syria and Iraq, told Sputnik Persian that these accusations are merely a political ploy. Aleppo – the 'Ultimate Ace Up the Sleeve' Ahead of Geneva Syrian Peace Talks Iranian correspondent Hassan Shemshadi, who is currently reporting from the ground in Syria, has told Sputnik Persian about the recent developments on the ground and explained why the battle of Aleppo is of particular importance to the ongoing Syrian crisis. Here is his first-hand account. Here to Stay: Western Media ‘Lied’ About Withdrawal of Iranian Soldiers From Syria Iranian correspondent Hassan Shemshadi, who is currently working in Syria, denied earlier claims by Western media that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps is pulling out of Syria. Violence Erupts as Islamic State Rises Tehran Convinced US-Led Coalition's Air War Against ISIL Just 'A Bluff' A scandal is brewing between the US and its Gulf allies over the latter's decision to shift their forces away from the air campaign against ISIL to focus on bombing the Houthis in Yemen instead. Sputnik asked Iranian journalist Hassan Shemshadi to comment on Iran's assessment of the effectiveness of the US-led anti-ISIL efforts up to this point.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613141
__label__wiki	0.685035	0.685035	Music. Movies. Manliness. Top 100 Albums of the ’90s Top 25 Movies of the ’00s Catching Up with Stephen King Tag / Blindspotting February 21, 2019 February 21, 2019 by sweensryche My Best Pictures Best Of, Best Picture Nominees, Movies, Oscars Blindspotting, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Daveed Diggs, Do the Right Thing, Hereditary, Mandy, Melissa McCarthy, My Best Pictures, Nicolas Cage, Olivia Colman, Oscars, Regina Hall, Spike Lee, Support the Girls, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, The Coen Brothers, The Endless, The Favourite, Toni Collette Here we are again, dear reader. Another Oscars is upon us. And you know what that means – I’m gonna nominate my own best pictures. Even though I’m a music critic. And even though I own the expanded editions of the Hobbit trilogy on Blu-Ray (there are two really good movies hidden in there!). Why? Because these eight films got to me in 2018, and I would like to share those feelings. What, you’re against SHARING now? The envelope, please… The Coen Brothers had been off their game this decade, mythologizing subjects that had already been beaten to death on film – e.g. white guys with guitars; the golden age of Hollywood. So the first time somebody is literally beaten to death in their existential Western anthology The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, it’s like welcoming home a nihilistic, hilarious old friend. 22 years after Fargo, these brothers are still unbelievably good at wringing poignancy from the casual depravity of human beings. Staring into the void like a grizzled old prospector, searching for gold. Within the boundaries of a small narrative window – the last three days of an Oakland man’s probation – Carlos López Estrada’s debut feature tackles issues of racism, police brutality, gentrification, corporate branding, gun control, and cultural appropriation. And it does so with a mixture of humor and high theater that underlines how little things have changed since the 1989 release of one of its clear inspirations, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. Daveed Diggs plays the mild-mannered Collin, a black man who works for a moving company with his white, hot-headed friend Miles (Rafael Casal). Their interplay, written by Diggs and Casal themselves, undulates between tension and release, hard-won bonds and deep-seated divisions. In other words, it’s American. In the most prominent antihero narratives of this century, we were given permission to cheer on the acts of violent men, thanks to contrived character devices – they need therapy; they have a disease; they only hurt bad people. Marielle Heller’s film Can You Ever Forgive Me? lets us root for a rule-breaker too, but this time it’s a real person, with nuanced motives, who isn’t hurting anyone but themselves. Melissa McCarthy gives a brilliantly layered performance as Lee Israel, the down-on-her-luck biographer who got busted for selling forged letters from literary greats in the early 1990s. As Heller shows how much the cards were stacked against a middle-aged lesbian writing about what interested her, McCarthy lets us feel the depth of Lee’s frustration, as much through humor as anything – her wit is so sharp, it hurts. With The Endless, filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead prove it’s possible to make a low-budget, high-concept sci-fi original that’s way better than a SyFy Original. And they do so by turning their limitations into assets. Because it was cheaper, they cast themselves as the leads – two brothers who decide to go back and visit the bizarre sky-worshipping cult where they were raised. They’re convincing as people trapped in an impossible situation, probably because they really felt that way. They successfully build a compelling, creepy atmosphere, using little more than intimations and clues –getting more scares from a scene with a rope than 1,000 CGI zombies. And the unexpectedly moving moral they lay on us, about the value of communicating with the ones you love? Priceless. Films about British monarchs are always Oscar favorites. But Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest makes The King’s Speech look like a box of stale crisps. It’s 1708, and Queen Anne (Olivia Colman, who should win everything) is in ill health, relying more and more on her friend, political advisor and lover, Sarah the Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz, not fucking around). When Sarah’s cousin Abigail (Emma Stone, convincingly conniving) arrives at court looking for work, the film becomes a no-holds-barred power struggle between the three women. Full of blood and dirt and shit-talk and hilarious parodies of cotillion dances, The Favourite almost feels like a spoof of prestige palace intrigue dramas. But the acting is too damn good for that. When we see the ache in Colman’s eyes as she explains why she owns 17 rabbits, we see human need. And the understanding that there will always be people lining up outside her chambers, waiting for their chance to exploit it. When I reviewed The Shining as part of my ongoing series about Stephen King, I was struck by something the novel did better than the movie – explore how horrifying the idea of heredity can be. In 2018, first-time director Ari Aster came along and picked up those threads that Stanley Kubrick ignored. Hereditary is an intense, visionary horror story about a family with inescapable darkness in its DNA. Anchored by a riveting performance from Toni Collette, who plays a mother torn apart by grief and haunted by ancestral evil, Aster is free to absolutely drench his movie in dread. Small things like candy bars, doormats and clucking noises become unforgettably corrupted. Even scenes that happen in broad daylight are not reprieves. And why would they be, when the call is coming from inside your genes? As a fan of Clive Barker, Ash Williams, and the most committed actor on the planet – Nicolas Cage – I probably would have enjoyed Mandy even if it was directed by some hack. But filmmaker Panos Cosmatos has made a psychedelic horror revenge spectacle, alive with mesmerizing, satanic-Lisa-Frank energy. In just one early scene where Red (Cage) and Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) are lying in bed, talking about their favorite planets, Cosmatos wholeheartedly establishes their deep, quiet love. So when disaster strikes at the hands of a druggy, demon-summoning cult, the stakes are real. The ensuing long take of Cage crying in his underwear is probably what Mandy is most famous for – but it’s not a moment to rubberneck at weird ol’ Nic. It’s genuinely heartbreaking. As Red sets out for revenge on humans and hellspawn alike, we get a full hour of the best kind of B-movie thrills, elevated by A+ artistry. Support the Girls may be officially categorized as a workplace comedy, but make no mistake – this is a superhero movie. Over the course of one workday as the manager of Double Whammies, a locally owned “breastaurant” mired in a thicket of Texas highways, we follow the unflinchingly optimistic Lisa Conroy (Regina Hall, nominated for Best Actress in an alternate dimension more just than our own), as she deals with one shitty situation after another – an attempted robbery, a cable outage, a racist boss, an alienated husband, a staff under constant threat of harassment. Writer/director Andrew Bujalski establishes a heartbreaking pattern: Lisa puts love out into the world, then the world throws it back in her face with onion-ring-slurping indifference. Each time, Hall’s smile slips just a little bit more. Until eventually, it’s Lisa’s turn to be supported. In the final scene, women that Lisa loved and protected help her process her outrage. Standing side by side, on a roof, as forces for good. Honorable Mentions: Apostle, Black Panther, Breaking In, Chappaquiddick, Crazy Rich Asians, Eighth Grade, Ghost Stories, Halloween, Minding the Gap, Mom and Dad, Proud Mary, A Quiet Place, Shirkers, Sorry to Bother You, Suspiria, Unsane	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613152
__label__wiki	0.880547	0.880547	Charlie Hewson, 'Where Are You Going, Elena?' Location Alamo Lamar 3 Links View Full Details & Meet Attendees → \| View Event Website About Elena is fed up with bringing people their food, but when she runs away from her waitressing job, the utensils chase her down. Will she escape forever, or will a tenacious pepper shaker win her back? Tags Music Video Chris Gordon & Dan Lubell, 'America, Let's Go' About Travel America, Agnieszka style. From New York to LA, Poland's brightest rising star hip-hops her way through a picture perfect postcard world of patriotic kitsch. America's newest pop sensation has arrived! Inspired by music and characters from Karen Odyniec's short film DEADLINE. Don McCloskey, 'Mister Novocaine' About In a fever dream where hands are people, one hand fights the pleasure of the bottle by telling his story through song. This classic tale of loss and woe features Pablo Ribba (illuminados para el fuego) as Adan the troubadour. Adan's innermost woe drives him from his lonely and tortured existence to the numbing satisfaction of the bottle. In this world, one can almost hear the tortured cry of a soul in despair as Adan plays the guitar from place to place, his head hung low, his spirits sagging. The weight of the world virtually rests on his small shoulders. Though, in this case, they are not only shoulders, but the most expressive fingers you have ever seen. Fleet Foxes, 'White Winter Hymnal' About Alone in a dark wood, 5 lonesome old men sit and ponder the meaning of their solitude. But they are not alone on this cold winter night. For a man older than time itself stands ready and willing to change everything with one swift motion. And he does, setting forth a chain reaction causing the world to spin wildly out of control, the forest grows and shrinks, snow lifts from the ground to the sky, dead mushrooms rise and shrink back to the earth, and the 5 lonely men grow slowly back to their young selves. This animated music video captures the cyclical nature of the Fleet Foxes tune in a magical, fantastically beautiful way. Gnarls Barkley, 'Going On' About A young man discovers how to travel to another dimension, but he has no idea what he will find when he gets there, or how he will get back. His friends all want to explore, but one by one, the fear of the unknown overwhelms them, and they are too scared to continue with him. Eventually finding another soul to brave the porthole with him, they jump throughÉ Javelin, 'Soda Popinski' About The Sea Floor Sea Urchin Dance Troupe dance to Javelin's "SODA POPINSKI." Kaki King, 'Pull Me Out Alive' About PULL ME OUT ALIVE is the music video for the lead single from Golden Globe-nominated musician Kaki King's album, Dreaming of Revenge. Co-directed by Edward Boyce & Doug Karr, with photography by Guy Godfree and animation design by Patrick Jasin, PULL ME OUT ALIVE was made without film camerasÑit consists of 5000 still photographs shot on Nikon D30s. There are no special effects; all of the light trails were created by hand, with up to eight individual light animators flashing LEDs and flashlights on and off over an eight second shot exposure. PULL ME OUT ALIVE follows Kaki as she travels through the city en route to a gig, collecting luminous experiences along the way. Featuring guest appearances by Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara and Hesta Pryne of Northern State. Krista Muir, 'Leave Alight' About With the flick of many switches, Krista Muir leads us out of the darkness with her powerful voice and resonant baritone ukulele. Light is the central character in this poignant performance piece. Megachurch, 'Hyper Gospel' About The members of Mega*Church invite you to join them for a hyper-colored take on religious pomp and circumstance--joy, life, love, fabric, neon, baptism, and cookies! About Yeasayer 'Wait for the Summer'Director: Mixtape Club Kaki King 'Pull Me Out Alive'Director: Doug Karr Temposhark 'Blame'Director: Motomichi Nakamura Terp 2 It 'F@ck This City'Director: Drew Baldwin The Hidden Cameras 'In the Na'Director: Joel Gibb The New Pornographers 'Myriad Harbor'Director: Marc Lemond Megachurch 'Hyper Gospel'Director: Lara Gallagher Talkdemonic 'Duality of Deathening'Director: Orie Weeks III Prefuse 73 'Aborted Hugs'Director: Jurassic Technology Roots Manuva 'C.R.U.F.F'Director: Jessica Lux Javelin 'Soda Popinski'Director: Ian McAlpin Thunderheist 'Jerk It'Director: That Go Charlie Hewson 'Where Are You Going, Elena'Director: Josephine Decker The Sword 'Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians'Director: Mike Colao Christopher Gordon 'America, Let's Go'Director: Karen Odyniec Don McCloskey 'Mr. Novocaine'Director: Peter Rhoads The Dirty Hearts 'Record Store'Director: Jose Jones Tycho 'Meridian'Director: Brian Levi Bowman The Saturday Nights 'Count it Off'Director: Travis Senger Fleet Foxes 'White Winter Hymnal'Director: Sean Pecknold Octopus Project 'An Evening With Rthrtha'Director: Phillip Niemeyer Krista Muir 'Leave a Light'Director: Kara Blake Gnarls Barkley 'Going On'Director: Wendy Morgan Oren Lavie 'Her Morning Elegance'Director: Oren Lavie Tags Shorts Program Oren Lavie, 'Her Morning Elegance' About The video animates the fantastic dream of a sleeping woman without ever leaving her bedroom, using her mattress as the canvas of the dream and her bed frame as the dolly of her journey. Prefuse 73, 'Aborted Hugs' About An Ingenue is tormented by a Gentleman Caller, and her own sexuality in this expressionistic music video about paranoia, jealousy, filth, and rage. Roots Manuva, 'C. R. U. F. F.' About A boy's journey through a nightmare toy war, set to a track by Roots Manuva. Talkdemonic, 'Duality of Deathening' About A robot lives alone in a tiny apartment. He's made a choice to be human, hoping that determination alone might allow him to make it so. He pretends to be a person, eating, laughing, talking with homemade dummies, all the while having no real idea why he's doing any of it. He figures there are just some things you do when you're human. He is given a vision. In the dream state he sees humanity for what it truly is, and realizes at once the error he's made. It isn't so bad, not being human. Temposhark, 'Blame' About The music track is about loneliness, frustration, anger and hope. The story in the animation evolves arounda boy who is trapped in the lonely inner city and he keeps on trying to stay strong with hope for a bettertomorrow.The song title is Blame from the debut album The Invisible Line, written by Robert Diament and Youth (Martin Glover) Distribution in USA through Defend Music Terp 2 It, 'F@ck This City' About Nerdcore rapper Terp 2 It hates the city of Orlando, Florida so much, he wrote the song 'Fuck This City' and then made a music video so everyone could feel and understand his hatred. Produced by internet comedy video group Studio 8, 'Fuck This City' turns the usual flashy hip hop music video conventions on their heads and smooshes you deep inside Terp's angry head. Yet lurking beneath the hearty mixture of no-holds-barred trash talk and abrasive imagery hides the goofy soul and wit of Terp 2 It. By the end of the video, you might find yourself wondering whether you should be more afraid for Orlando or for Terp, should the two ever cross each other's paths. 'Fuck This City' can be found on Terp 2 It's debut album The Freshest Dude from Studio 8 Records. The Dirty Hearts, 'Record Store' About Inside a Small Record Store, a teenager steals the new "Dirty Hearts" album, which leads to an over the top chase sequence, after a run in, with a local officer. The Hidden Cameras, 'In The Na' About Pairing the gestures of contemporary dance with an ecstatically high-energy pop song, In The Na depicts a scientific experiment in hypnotism and human behavior gone awry. The New Pornographers, 'Myriad Harbour' About Hairband as interpreted by Fluorescent Hill. The Octopus Project, 'An Evening With Rthrtha' About The music video "An Evening with Rthrtha" is a high-velocity psychedelic stop-motion animation made from thousands of photos on hundreds of layers using an eclectic array of analog animation techniques. The final result is a horrible/splendid array of bats, butterflies, that depicts "An Evening with Rthrtha". As the band explained to the directors, "Rthrtha" is a large ancient and convivial pink bat that could fight large beasts on the order of Godzilla and Cthulu, but actually prefers a wild night out with friends. The Saturday Knights, 'Count it Off' About In a distinct Sesame street style, The Saturday Knights reinvent the kids show as a hip-hop singalong with puppets, numbers, kids and more.Shot on vintage tube cameras and with hand-drawn animation, this video is a blast to the past. The Sword, 'Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians' About Under the light of a century old broken moon, a caravan of humanity's last survivors march through the civilized bones of wasteland earth to find one of "The Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians." Thunderheist, 'Jerk It' About Jerk it is our first music video, made for the band Thunderheist. It features skin giggling in slow motion, strobing animal prints, and a girl with a large rooster. After winning the band's contest, it premiered on pitchfork.tv. It has since received more attention than we ever imagined and for that we are humbled and truly grateful. We would like to thank Anna, Mike, Tristan, Caleb, Diana, Carey, Jennifer, Yoshiko, Eric, and Bronwyn for volunteering their time. Without them this video would not have been possible. We are also grateful to Grahm and Isis of Thunderheist and their manager Tash, and to all the bloggers and festival programmers who posted the video and took an interest in our work. Thanks! Tycho, 'Meridian' About The philosophy of materialism holds that the only thing that can be truly proven to exist is matter. Fundamentally, material composes all things and all phenomena are the result of material interactions; therefore, matter is the only substance and can neither be created or destroyed. Hence, we are all made of only what came before us yet discretely conceived through form; we are all made of earth and sky and stars. Meridian uses time lapse footage coupled with a live action environment to describe the material connection between the ethereal universe and human perception. Featuring the track "The Daydream" by the ambient artist Tycho, star-scapes intersect a city and a female protagonist in the process of discovery within the context of ordinary life. Yeasayer, 'Wait for the Summer' About Inspired by Yeasayer's polyphonic harmony and tribal sound, this video follows migrating beetles, cosmic apple orbits, and primal spirits through the cycles of the planets and seasons. Monsters From The Id About The 1950's was an idealistic time in American History. It was also the Atomic Age where new technology promised to both save humanity as well as destroy it. All of these factors gave birth to the most prolific genres in film history, 1950's Sci-Fi Cinema. More then just little green men, 50's Sci-fi Cinema provided inspiration for the generation who achieved one of the greatest accomplishments of mankind; Spaceflight. Monsters From The Id weaves the intersecting themes of over 30 films in order to tell the untold story of the Modern Scientist and his role in inspiring a nation. The film continues to explore the psychological and cultural impact of 50's Sci-Fi cinema in America and asks, 'where is science inspiration found today?' Tags Documentary Feature Died Young, Stayed Pretty About Died Young Stayed Pretty is the first feature documentary to take a candid look at the renaissance of North America's underground indie-rock poster movement spurred on by the launch of Gigposters.com. Picking up where punk left off, DYSP reveals a new breed of counter-culturists; artists that set out to destroy the mainstream through their controversial & intensely visceral design work. Yaghoobian travels across US & Canada to offer a look into to the world of some of the giants of this modern subculture who have worked on posters for groups like Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Sonic Youth, and the list goes on. Under the guise of advertising for rocks shows, these unheralded masters of the silkscreen carry on public discourses that range from hot button political issues to lewd inside jokes. Luckey About As this verite documentary film unfolds, viewers are drawn into an intimate family struggle. Tom Luckey is coping with recent and dramatic changes in his life. A sculptor, Tom was designing a three-story-tall climbable sculpture, the masterpiece of his career building interactive art, when he fell through a window and became paralyzed below his shoulders. Determined to finish his sculpture, Tom turned to his oldest son Spencer, an architect, for help. Spencer sees an opportunity to work with his father and to reclaim his boyhood relationship, which was interrupted by divorce and remarriage. As they try to forge a working relationship from a complex father-son relationship, Tom and Spencer find themselves reeling emotionally during the first year of Tom's paralysis, making working together explosive. Family dynamics are complicated by the fact that Tom's wife, Ettie, and Spencer don't get along. Stepmother and stepson, they become Tom's primary caretakers and companions, but can barely bring themselves to interact with one another. As Tom regains strength and ambition, but not mobility, enabling his artistic work while maintaining independence and sanity becomes a tricky balance for Tom, Spencer, and Ettie. LUCKEY is a portrait of a family in crisis and one man's efforts to create a new life in the wake of a devastating accident. It Came From Kuchar About IT CAME FROM KUCHAR is a hilarious and touching documentary about the legendary, underground filmmaking twins, the Kuchar brothers. As kids in the 1950s, George and Mike Kuchar began making no-budget epics in their Bronx neighborhood starring friends and family with their 8mm camera. In the 1960s the Kuchars became part of Warhol's New York, underground film scene. The Kuchar brother's films have inspired many prominent filmmakers, including John Waters, Buck Henry, Atom Egoyan, Guy Maddin and Wayne Wang (all interviewed in this film). IT CAME FROM KUCHAR interweaves the brother's lives, their admirers, a history of underground film and a 'greatest hits' of Kuchar clips into a hilarious and touching stream of consciousness tale. About A juncture in the lives of performance art revolutionaries, 'Sissyboy' explores the Portland-based gender-bending drag troupe that has served up their audacity, ambivalence and social commentary throughout the Rose City for over 3 years before hundreds of devoted fans. Go behind the scenes for a glimpse of Sissyboy's last year of existence through the eyes of 1st-time filmmaker Katie Turinski. The rehearsals, relationships, joys and heartaches experienced by this patchwork family of outcasts should be remembered not just as a performance art movement, but also an insight into the human condition. Please enjoy the hubris & humanity offered by this troupe of societal outsiders as you discover what it means to be a Sissy. Intangible Asset Number 82 About When Australian drummer Simon Barker hears a rare recording of Korean shaman Kim Seok-Chul - a grand master in his seventies playing with immense energy and complex technique Ð he knows immediately he must find and learn from the enigmatic shaman officially recognized as South Korea's 82nd Intangible Asset.Undeterred by years of setbacks and obstacles, and with the elusive Kim Seok-Chul now in his eighties, Simon returns to Korea for a seventeenth time. The journey becomes a rite of passage, as meaningful encounters with engaging and exotic characters prepare Simon for a fortuitous meeting with the shaman.Personal transformations result, and Simon and the artists who have become immersed in his search move naturally to collaboration, a testimony to the universal language of music. About Widely regarded as The Worst Movie Ever Made, TROLL 2 is unquestionably one of the most unintentionally brilliant accomplishments in cinema. Filmed by an Italian exploitation legend using an unwitting Utah cast, this is the hypnotically inept story of a boy joining his grandfather's ghost to battle a witch's army of vegetarian goblins. Crucial and irresistible. Tags Narrative Feature About "Ex-terminators" is a black comedy centering on Alex (Graham), a lonely accountant whose one act of rage results in her being sentenced to court ordered therapy. There she meets Stella (Coolidge), the owner of a small extermination business who uses her car as a weapon; and Nikki (Heard), a dental technician with the face of an angel and the mind of a sociopath. Together these women will form their own 'silent revolution', wrecking havoc on the men of Texas. About '45365' (pronounced: four, five, three, six, five) explores the congruities of daily life in an American town Ð Sidney, Ohio. Through a patient and inquisitive look at the lives and landscapes that make up this community of 20,000 people, it captures the complexities and ambiguities of their shared experience. Conclusions are left to the audience as the component characters speak and act for themselves, as themselves. These storylines eventually coalesce into a mosaic of faces, places, and events. It is an inquiring look at everyday life in middle America. About Three young Navy officers hit Sydney for one last testosterone-packed night on land before being shipped over to the Gulf to fight. Sam has been mistreated at sea and is going AWOL, Dean has a fiancée and the future in-laws to meet, and Harry just loves playing cards. Throughout the night the boys lose each other, find themselves, and along the way discover courage, friendship and redemption. Sorry, Thanks About Upon visiting her ex's to collect her belongings, Kira returns anxiously to dating and immediately collides with the disheveled Max. Disaster looms when Max (already taken) decides to dabble in two new pursuits: an obsessive-tending interest in Kira, and the mystery of whether he may in fact be an ass. Kira, meanwhile, fights to win a job she's far too smart for, then sabotages her only meaningful romantic prospect when a friend lays it on the line. Shot in San Francisco's Mission District, featuring the comic duo of Wiley Wiggins & Andrew Bujalski (who plays the best friend on the frontlines of Max's emotional shortcomings), and introducing newcomers Kenya Miles & Ia Hernandez. "Sorry, Thanks" charts turmoil, deep fallibility and the wreckage of self-delusion. In a laughy kind of way. Anvil! The Story of Anvil About At fourteen years old, best friends Lips and Robb Reiner made a pact to rock together forever. Their band Anvil, hailed as the 'demi-gods of Canadian metal,' influenced a musical generation including Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax. Though Anvil never made it, they never stopped playing or believing. Following a calamitous European tour, Lips and Robb, now well into their fifties, set off to record their thirteenth album, 'This is Thirteen,' in one last attempt to fulfill their boyhood dream. The Way We Get By About A captivating and intimate look at three senior citizens in America as they struggle with the losses that come with growing old and the uplifting ways they rediscover their reasons for living. By greeting nearly one million U.S. troops at a tiny airport in Maine, Bill Knight, Joan Gaudet, and Jerry Mundy find the strength to overcome their own personal battles and demonstrate the meaning of community at a time when most Americans have lost faith in their country. Garbage Dreams About Filmed over four years, GARBAGE DREAMS follows three teenage boys Ð Adham, a bright precocious 17 year old; Osama, a charming impish 16 year old; Nabil, a shy artistic 18 year old Ð born into the trash trade and growing up in the world's largest garbage village, a ghetto located on the outskirts of Cairo. It is a world folded onto itself, an impenetrable labyrinth of narrow roadways camouflaged by trash; it is the home to 60,000 'Zaballeen'(or 'Zabbaleen'), arabic for 'garbage people.' When their community is suddenly faced with the globalization of its trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices that will impact his future and the survival of his community. Artois the Goat About Lab technician Virgil Gurdies embarks on an epic quest to create the greatest goat cheese the world has ever known, and reclaim the heart of his beloved Angie. She has taken a new job in Detroit and to follow her means signing his life over to his soul-sapping career in artificial flavor additives. To stay behind and pursue his newfound passion for fine artisanal goat cheese, is to risk losing her forever. Despite his lack of resources, experience, or basic competency in the field of agriculture, Virgil heads for the hills (literally) with a felonious German baker, a grave-digging hermit, and a tiny white goat named Artois. With Angie awaiting his imminent return and a conference of the International Cheese Consortium just a few months away, he has no choice but to go for broke. Throw away everything he has on a gamble: That, before it is too late, he can craft a cheese that will change the world. A cheese that will buy him a new life. A cheese of destiny. About In a hip hop and R'n'B world dominated by men and noted for misogyny, the unstoppable female lyricists of Say My Name speak candidly about class, race, and gender in pursuing their passions as female MCs. This worldwide documentary takes viewers on vibrant tour of urban culture from hip hop's birthplace in the Bronx, to grime on London's Eastside and all points in between. Featuring interviews and performances from a diverse cast including Remy Ma, Jean Grea, Erykah Badu, Estelle and newcomers Choc Thai, Invincible and Miz Korona, this powerful doc delves into the personal stories of women balancing professional dreams with the realities of poor urban communities, race, sexism, and motherhood. These are women turning adversity into art. The Overbrook Brothers About Jason comes home for Christmas and his arch-rival brother, Todd, has a big surprise waiting for him -- but it's not a gift. It's secret information: The reason why Jason has always been the "least favorite" child, and it sends our hero on a hilarious cross-country journey to find out the truth about himself and his family. About Scorsese and friends are entertained by Steven Prince's stories about his middle-class Jewish childhood, his experience with drugs and guns, and his relationship with his father. American Prince About In 1978, Director, Martin Scorsese turned his cameras on his friend, Steven Prince. Best known for his role as the gun salesman in Taxi Driver, Steven was a true-life raconteur, an actor, an ex-drug addict, and road manager for Neil Diamond, Steven's life was to Scorsese more fascinating than what any screenwriter could dream up. The documentary that emerged, "American Boy"was to become one of Scorsese most compelling, but often overlooked projects. Now three decades later and in a new setting, Steven Prince recounts his days since American Boy and tells why he turned his back on the entertainment industry. Still, as he composes his latest chapter, his ability to grip an audience remains. From placating construction boss to rock-star-girlfriend pacifier; concrete bunker builder to Cannes festival guest, Steven, the American Boy, extends the epic, as the American Prince. American Boy will be screened immediately following American Prince. It was great, but I was ready to come home. About 'It was great, but I was ready to come home.' follows best friends Cam and Annie as they navigate their way through the mountains and coastal towns of Costa Rica, looking for old comforts amidst new experiences. By turns tender and critical in its approach to its characters, Kris Swanberg's debut feature is an intimate and introspective look at the ebb and flow of female friendship. About Abner Meecham, an aging Tennessee farmer discarded to a nursing facility by his lawyer son, flees the old folks' home and catches a ride back to his country farm to live out his days in peace. Upon his return, he discovers that his son has leased the farm to Abner's old enemy and his white trash family. Not one to suffer fools or go down easy, Abner moves into the old tenant shack on the property and declares that he won't leave until the farm is returned to his possession. But Lonzo Choat, the new tenant, has no intention to move out or give in to the old man's demands. This sets up a ruthless grudge match between Abner and Choat, each man right in his own eyes, each too stubborn to give an inch. Angered by his son's betrayal, and haunted by recurring dreams of his long-dead wife, Abner sets about his own path toward reclaiming his life. Lines are drawn, threats are made, and the simmering tension under the Southern sun erupts, inevitably, into savagery. About Eggshells, an American Freak Illumination Time & Space Fantasy of the exploding Austin inevitable. A crypto embryonic hyper-electric presence duels with itself as Vince Sobrosek goes to the bathroom yelling "listen to yellow dog, goddamn yellow dog!" while the uninvited dinner guests make love to the ghosts of Don Levy and Nic Roeg in a threesome with Carlos Casteneda in a bedroom that paints itself on its way to a wedding and your girlfriend and her lover dance out of the hemoglobin balloon forest as the writer-man takes an axe to the windshield and runs home naked to make love to the girl he loves for her breasts and they all grab seats under the transmogrifying hair dryers as Vince proclaims, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth will make you free." BYO Crude Independence About Crude Independence is a documentary film about the heartland in the process of transplanting itself, and its new heart is pumping oil. In 2006, the United States Geological Survey estimated there to be more than 200 billion barrels of crude oil resting in beneath western North Dakota, and now oil companies from far and wide are descending on small rural towns across the state with men and machinery in tow. First-time director Noah Hutton takes us to the town of Stanley (population 1300) and captures the change wrought by the unprecedented boom. Through revealing interviews and breathtaking imagery of the northern plains, Crude Independence is a rumination on the future of small town AmericaÑa tale of change at the hands of the global energy market and America's unyielding thirst for oil. About Six diverse and remarkable women, each grieving the loss of a child, travel to rural South Africa to work as volunteers in an effort to find some positive meaning in the wake of their tragedies. The group, strangers to each other before the trip began but bound by the painful experience they share, contribute to and learn from a culture that deals with mourning in a way very different from what they're accustomed to in America. For 17 days on the other side of the world, these women cry and laugh, grieve and celebrate, and talk more openly than ever before about the kids they adored. And for the first time since their children's deaths, together in the Motherland, each woman finds hope and healing in the company of others who truly understand her experience. About Detention of immigrant children in a former medium-security prison in Texas leads to controversy when three activist attorneys discover troubling conditions at the facility. This compelling film explores the role - and limits - of community activism, and considers how American rights and values apply to the least powerful among us. Brock Enright: Good Times Will Never Be The Same About Brock Enright, and his girlfriend Kirsten Deirup drive from Brooklyn, NY to her family's cabin in Mendocino, CA to prepare for his first solo show at a prominent New York gallery. As Enright struggles to produce what could be his most significant work, his relationship with Kirsten, her family, and the gallery is strained by his violent, explicit, and challenging creation. Daytime Drinking About After Hyuk-Jin gets dumped, he hangs around in a bar with his friends. Totally drunk, they decide to travel to console his broken heart. Next day, Hyuk-Jin arrives at the destination but he finds out he is alone because his friends can't come due to a terrible hangover. He encounters with strange couple and gets invited for a drink. Next morning, he opens his eyes on the middle of snowy way without his cell phone and wallet as well as his pants. A kind but somewhat weird driver offers him a drive and a drink again. Now Hyuk-jin has to find a way to get out of the world's worst hangover and to end his drunken odyssey. The Paranoids About An aspiring screenwriter from Buenos Aires, he lives in fear of success, STDs and -- especially -- his doorman. We meet Luciano during one of his typically awkward days: he has a narcoleptic attack on the job (he's a children's entertainer, to boot), obsessively calls an HIV helpline after a random sexual encounter and accidentally sends his best friend to the hospital after slamming a door in his face. Things become even more uncomfortable when Luciano's childhood friend Manuel returns to Buenos Aires from Madrid, where he is the producer of a successful television show called The Paranoids. Manuel is in town to make an Argentine version of the hit, and Luciano becomes especially perturbed when he discovers that he provided the inspiration for the show's main character, who even shares his name. When Manuel leaves on a business trip to Chile, his beautiful new girlfriend Sofia (JazmÌ n Stuart) decides to stay with Luciano, a turn of events that amounts to a nightmare for her fearful host. At first, Sofia sees Luciano superficially; to her, he is just the paranoid freak her boyfriend has described. After spending time with him, however, she begins to see Luciano for what he is -- a misunderstood, honest and genuine person. In sum, he is the complete opposite of Manuel. Rats and Cats About Darren McWarren was an Australian TV legend but fell from grace after an indiscretion with a young co-star. Now living in a backwater town his life is put under the microscope by a tabloid journalist researching a 'where are they now' piece. The Eyes of Me About An extraordinary look at 4 blind teens. The parallel stories of 2 freshmen and 2 seniors unfold over the course of one dynamic year at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin. EYES offers a fresh perspective on growing up and fitting in. Distilled from over 250 hours of footage, this experiential doc captures a textured portrait of its characters. Director Keith Maitland worked closely with the film's subjects to produce sequences of stylized rotoscopic animation to complement the film's observational aesthetic. Forced to confront the world without sight, they share their thoughts, their perceptions, their inner-visions of the outer world. You cannot understand their perceptions without challenging your own. How do you see yourself when you can't see at all? Still Bill About Bill Withers is an unexpected superstar. "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lean on Me," "Lovely Day," and "Just the Two of Us" are only part of a complex and fascinating character: an icon who left the industry behind but never gave up his soul. You know his songs. Now meet the man.Featuring a tribute concert, a soundtrack with previously unreleased tracks, and rare live performances. You Wont Miss Me About A kaleidoscopic film portrait of Shelly Brown, a twenty-three-year-old alienated urban misfit recently released from a psychiatric hospital. Starring Stella Schnabel, featuring Rene Ricard and introducing other notable New York personalities, the film gives pathos to the frenzy of the youthful desire for acceptance. Shot in a variety of styles and formats, YOU WONT MISS ME mixes non-actors with professionals, veritÃ© with staging, order with abstraction, to paint an evocative picture of a contemporary rebel. Pulling John About 'Pulling John' is the universal story of a champion, who after 25 years of success is now burdened with the inevitable transformation of aging. John Brzenk, the legendary armwrestler, who works as an airline mechanic by day must decide whether to leave the sport he was raised on or wait to be defeated by 2 up and coming titans. Voevoda from Russia, Bagent from West Virginia and Yoshi from Tokyo are the colorful characters who have been raised on the legend of John Brzenk. These men define themselves by not becoming champions but by defeating the legend that is known as Brzenk. In a philosophical and thrilling ride, 'Pulling John' culminates at the Zloty Tur Championship in Warsaw, where Bagent and Voevoda have the chance of their life, to dethrone the conflicted Brzenk. The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle About When Dory's life seems like it's going down the drain, a strange 'new life' takes shape inside him and he learns that sometimes you don't have to find meaning, it grows in you. Letters to the President About Exclusive access film about President Ahmadinejad of Iran, and what life is like under his regime. The film takes as its narrative thread the letters that supposedly ten million Iranians have written to the President. For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism About For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism is the first documentary to dramatize the rich saga of American movie reviewing. Directed by Boston Phoenix critic, Gerald Peary, this movie offers an insider's view of the critics' profession, with commentary from America's best-regarded reviewers, including Roger Ebert, A.O. Scott, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Kenneth Turan. We also hear from articulate Internet reviewers, including Harry Knowles and Karina Longworth. Their stories are entertaining, humorous, personal and also historic. From the raw beginnings of criticism before The Birth of a Nation to the incendiary Pauline Kael-Andrew Sarris debates of the 1960s and 70s to the battle today between youthful on-liners and the print establishment, this documentary tells all. De Ofrivilliga (Involuntary) About It's almost summer in Sweden and minor indiscretions and misbehavior abound. Leffe likes to show off his friends and play salacious pranks, especially when he's drinking. Meanwhile, a righteous grade-school teach doesn't know where to draw the line: she insists her fellow educators need a bit of instruction. Then there are two young teenage girls who like to pose for sexy photos and to party, but one night in a park, a complete stranger finds one of the girls passed out drunk. A humorous look at lessons to learn, lectures to give and lines not to cross. Make-Out with Violence About "MAKE-OUT with VIOLENCE" tells the story of twin brothers Patrick and Carol Darling, newly graduated from high school and struggling to come to terms with the mysterious disappearance of their friend, the bright and beautiful Wendy Hearst. When a drive through the countryside surrounding their posh suburban community leads to the discovery of Wendy's mysteriously animated corpse, the boys secretly transport the zombie Wendy to an empty house in hopes of somehow bringing her back to life. As the sweltering summer pushes on, they must maintain the appearance of normalcy for their friends and family as they search for ways to revive the Wendy they once knew, or, failing that, to satisfy their own quests for love amongst the living and the dead.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613154
__label__cc	0.605754	0.394246	Go To Artist Page MORE ALBUMS BY THIS ARTIST Recommended if You Like Chic Junior Vasquez Michael Jackson Weezie Productions MySpace Page More Artists From United States - NY - New York City Other Genres You Will Love Pop: Party Pop Urban/R&B: Disco (R&B) Moods: Mood: Party Music Not what your looking for? Use advanced search. Sell your music everywhere Listen to the CD Baby Music Discovery Podcast I'm Bumping To It / Good Times Remix by Donald Sheffey © Copyright - Donald Sheffey / Weezie Productions (885767507722) If you like dancing, then you love I'm Bumping To It. Bringing fun back to the dance floor I’m Bumping To It is a thumping, toe-tapping, get off your butt kind of song that takes you to a place where you just NEED to get up and dance. And the video:) Genre: Pop: Party Pop 1. I'm Bumping To It (Promonova extended mix) 2. Good Times (J. Persico "just in case" mix) 3. I'm Bumping To It (Original Promonova edit) Donald Sheffey’s voice is unlike any other on today’s dance music scene. Do you remember the dance called “The Bump?” There wasn’t an official song for the dance till now. Better late than never, right but we think it’s time to re-visit the dance; don’t you? A little physical, and sometimes dangerous and sexy, but FUN and the song ads a new 21st century twist to it. It was released 8 months ago and is still being played in clubs and on radio stations all over the US and UK. People who are unfamiliar with the actual dance “the bump”, have taken the “dance” to another level. The music video was shot last year by Italian film and video director Massimiliano Bertozzi and will be released in March 2011, We’re also excited to finally include it on the Between You And I, CD so check out our talent producer from Russia., Promonova and the extended mix that will be sure to get you bumping to it.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613159
__label__wiki	0.849588	0.849588	Head of Content Platforms Follow Andrew Fleming: What is “Moneyish” How does a pop culture moment tie into these financial education moments What drove Andrew into the world of astrophysics How does product work and scientific research equate to each other The challenges of journeying from freelancer at Conde Nast to senior-level staffer at Business Insider when it was just starting out Knob Creek Bourbon This episode brought to you by: We all have a lost feeling after college life, even astrophysicists! Andrew Fleming originally went to Michigan Tech for physics and then took it one level higher to study astrophysics at Columbia University in New York. He realized before he was officially done with al school that the prospect of him spending the rest of his days studying the stars and universe wasn’t in the cards if he didn’t commit himself to academia in perpetuity. So, he made a choice. Instead of the challenging and uncertain world of science and academia. He chose a totally different route: the challenging and uncertain world of media. He went on to work as a content strategist and senior producer at Conde Nast and, later, VP of Product for Business Insider. Now, Andrew is the Head of Content Platforms at Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal. Andrew loves his media world and wouldn’t trade it for all the stars in the universe. Keeping Up With The Cultural Zeitgeist Founder, Flavorpill Sr. Beauty Reporter, Racked	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613160
__label__cc	0.517528	0.482472	35% Campaign update – Verney Rd – yet another Old Kent Rd development Latest blog update on regeneration in Southwark. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Verney Rd – yet another Old Kent Rd development Third large application in a month goes to committee -The application for a mixed-use development at 6-12 Verney Rd, just off the Old Kent Rd, behind PC World, is due to be considered by Southwark’s planning committee this Monday (18 June). The proposal is for 3 blocks, the tallest of 17 storeys, comprising 338 residential units, office and workspace and associated open, green and amenity spaces. The application is recommended for approval. The application follows Malt St, approved less than two weeks ago, Southernwood Retail Park, Cantium Retail Park and Ruby Triangle and is the latest of the big developments being rushed through planning committee, in advance of the adoption of the Old Kent Rd Area Action Plan (AAAP. Verney Rd shares several characteristics with the other Old Kent Rd developments, although somewhat smaller. All have 35% affordable housing, in an approximate 70:30 social rent:intermediate housing split, compliant with the local plan (Ruby Triangle and Malt St have 40% affordable housing). All, though, are technically non-viable, according to their viability assessments, so should be unable, in theory, to meet this affordable housing requirement. Developer’s estimate of profit shortfall for Verney Rd scheme. Viability rules? This contradiction is reducing the consideration of viability into something of a ritual. The developer (in this case CB Acquisition London Ltd, (correspondance address, Cayman Islands)) says that the scheme will only make about half the profit needed to support the affordable housing required and the Council’s appraiser broadly agrees, with some caveats. Then, after ‘stand-back analysis’ or ‘sensitivity testing’ (and with the Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE) very much in mind) the developer graciously agrees to deliver the affordable housing, regardless. Extract from developer’s viability assessment This is different to what has been happening at the Elephant and Castle, where every major development used viability to refuse to deliver policy compliant affordable housing, so it must count as progress – but maybe not as much progress as it first appears. Homes and jobs Verney Rd is designated in the Mayor’s planning policy as a Strategic Industrial Location. Southwark Council and the Mayor have agreed to the release of such land for mixed use development, including housing, before the Old Kent Rd AAP has been adopted, much to the anger of the many Old Kent Rd businesses. Such developments, where the industrial land is lost, should provide 50% affordable housing, according the Mayor’s draft New London Plan. This was the case for Ruby Triangle and Malt St, as well as Verney Rd. The draft NLP is not yet adopted, so developers are getting in quick, before it takes full force. Second, while CB Acquisition Ltd are offering 35% affordable housing, they want any improvement in viability to ‘be used to bridge the current viability “gap” rather than for further planning obligations’ (ie affordable housing). This pre-empts the use of a late review mechanism, designed to capture any uplift in profits for affordable housing when the development is complete. (Malt St was passed without a late stage review mechanism, though both Ruby Triangle andCantium Retail Park have them). Denser and denser On top of this Verney Rd is a very dense development – 1180 habitable rooms per hectare – way above the London Plan range of 200-700 habitable rooms per hectare (hrh) for an Urban Density Zone. But even Verney Rd is not as dense as Ruby Triangle (2713 hrh) and Cantium and Southernwood Retail Parks (2353 hrh and 2522 hrh respectively), rendering the London Plan policy a dead letter, as far as the Old Kent Rd is concerned. Together the developments will deliver over 4,600 homes, with a gross development value above £2bn, with the potential for a big impact on profitability from any marginal improvements in the viability figures. All the Old Kent Rd developers have shown a marked reluctance to take advantage of the grant funding available from the Mayor – only Ruby Triangle and Malt St have done so and then only for 5% of the affordable housing. As the Southernwood Retail Park developer explains it, grant funding would have‘a significant negative impact on the viability of the scheme’. More or less affordable housing? So, the picture that emerges is that of a pact being struck – developers will deliver the affordable housing that the local plan requires, but not much more, regardless of the true profitability of the developments and of any ‘strategic’ target of 50% affordable housing, set by the Mayor. On the other hand, should, say, problems occur with the BLE, reducing the prices that can be charged for new homes, it is not hard to envisage developers returning to Southwark, reminding them that they always said their schemes were technically unviable, and looking for a reduction in the affordable housing. Indeed, this eventuality is even envisaged in the proposed small print of the planning consent. Paragraph 256 of the planning committee report. Delays and Delancey Delancey looks to escape blame for its own faults – In the face of a judicial review of their planning approval for the shopping centre demolition and redevelopment (now scheduled for 17 and 18 August), centre owners and developer Delancey showed a touching concern for the welfare of the traders, making noises about how the ‘timeline for starting on site will be pushed back’, affecting the traders’ hopes for ‘stability and certainty’. Delancey has not previously been in any hurry to settle the centre’s future, other than entirely on its own terms. This is amply demonstrated by the snail’s pace progress of their planning application. It is a story of constant deferment, caused by Delancey’s refusal to meet the minimum requirements of the Council’s own local plan. Delancey are culpable in 3 areas – the affordable retail offer, the relocation of the traders and the affordable housing offer. No affordable retail The application was lodged on the 28 October 2016 but did not include any affordable retail units, contrary to Southwark’s 10% requirement. Instead Delancey submitted a Retail Assessment which said ‘The Proposals do not include 10% affordable retail for the reasons outlined later. This would be unviable and inappropriate given the intention to create a strong retail/leisure anchor at the heart of the town centre’ (4.63). By Dec 2017 the affordable retail offer had inched up to the equivalent of 5.3%(para 88), including an in-lieu payment. The application was scheduled for a planning meeting on 18 Dec 2017, when Delancey, no doubt fearing a refusal, despite a recommendation to approve (para 1) asked for a deferral ‘to allow time for further negotiations in relation to the affordable retail proposal’ (para 2) . A fully policy compliant offer was not made until Jan 2018 – 15 months after the application was first made. No relocation strategy The relocation of shopping centre traders was even further down the list of Delancey’s priorities. A draft strategy, put together without any input from traders, appeared in August 2017, nearly a year after the planning application. The strategy did not include anywhere for the traders to move to during the building of the new development. This would have to wait another 5 months, until February 2018, when the Castle Square temporary facility for traders was proposed.The planning application for this wholly inadequate temporary space was made in June 2018, with approval in January 2019. No social rented housing Alongside this, similar delays plagued the affordable housing offer, which Delancey only slowly and reluctantly improved because of fierce campaigning opposition. It took Delancey over 2 years (Oct 2016 – Dec 2018) to progress from their initial offer to the final, approved proposal, while still falling short of the social rented housing requirement. There was a complete absence of social rented housing, or quantities for any kind of affordable housing in the initial offer. Delancey would only say that 35% affordable housing would be between 15% and 80% market rent, with a‘blended percentage’ of 57% (Para 6.3). This turned out to include a only a meagre 33 ‘social rent equivalents’, out of 979 total units. This went up to 74 units in February 2018, with 95 London Living Rent units and 161 affordable rent at 80% market rent. Five months later, in June 2018, the social rent was increased to 116 units, (with the promise that they would be ‘proper’ social rent), but the London Living Rent was reduced to 53 units to compensate, with 161 units remaining at 80% market rent (income thresholds of £80,000-£90,000 pa). This was too much for Mayor Sadiq Kahn who insisted on a top threshold of £60,000 pa. Three deferrals Delancey’s foot-dragging caused the application to be deferred three times (18 Dec 2017, 16 Jan 2018, 30 Jan 2018), while the planning committee, under intense pressure from campaigners, wrestled improvements into Delancey’s scheme, until final approval on 3 July 2018. This entailed 4 versions of an expanding officer’s report, which recapped the reasons for each successive delay and recounted the improvements wrenched from a reluctant Delancey. Each version recommended approval, on the basis that the deal offered, including affordable retail, trader relocation and the ‘maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing’ was the best that could be got, only for the next version to demonstrate that this was not the case. The delays did not end with the planning committee approval. Planning approval was also needed for the Castle Square temporary facility, as a condition of the shopping centre development approval. While the proposal was made in February 2018, Delancey came forward with this application at the end of June and it went to committee on 7 Jan 2019. The final decision notice for the shopping centre application was then published on 10 Jan 2019, nearly a full year on and there hasn’t been any progress since then. Castle Square showing no sign of works commencing on the temporary boxpark Where the fault lies… It might be argued that through this whole tortuous saga that Delancey ‘listening’ and responding to the community’s concerns. An alternative explanation is that it is a well-rehearsed developer tactic- offer as little as you can get away with, and then make only those improvements you are forced to concede. Delaying the delivery of the hard-one 116 social rented units for at least 9 years employs the same delaying tactic. To sum up, we have little doubt that had Delancey presented the improved scheme that it presented to the planning committee on 3 July 2019 at the very first scheduled planning committee meeting, back on 18 December 2017, it would have been approved and any legal challenge long resolved. Delancey could then have saved the crocodile tears it is currently shedding on behalf of the traders. hi sweetie I am Malt Street – the next big Old Kent Road development Southernwood Retail Park Delancey deals double blow to shopping centre traders 35% Campaign Posted in Advice & Information, Neighbourhood Development, Southwark Plan. Tagged 35% Campaign. Support Camberwell residents fight against developer Southwark Council recently refused planning permission to a large development just off the Old Kent Rd, by Burgess Park, after a campaign by local residents, who objected to its size and impact on the park. Now the developer is appealing against that decision and there will be a hearing before a government Inspector in August. Local residents have started a CrowdJustice appeal to get legal representation at the hearing and make sure that their voice is heard. The appeal is supported by Southwark Law Centre, Wells Way TRA, Friends of Burgess Park, Vital OKR and the Camberwell Society. The development, known as Camberwell Union, offers 35% affordable housing, but should be offering 50%, because it would be on industrial land. Mayor Sadiq Khan has promised 50% affordable housing on such sites in his new London Plan. Please support the Camberwell residents in their fight by donating and sharing their CrowdJustice link. Twitter link here Posted in Advice & Information, Neighbourhood Development Tagged Elephant Amenity Network 35% Campaign update – Malt Street – the next big Old Kent Road development Big questions for Berkeley Homes still unanswered – Southwark’s planning committee is to consider yet another major Old Kent Rd development on Monday, the fourth so far, after Ruby Triangle, Cantium Retail park and Southernwood Retail Park. Southernwood was unanimously approved by Southwark’s planning committee just last week, despite objections, including doubts about whether it that it will deliver the maximum reaonable amount of affordable housing. Serious concerns raised about the impact of the scheme on the proposed Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE), were allayed by a last minute letter to the Council from Transport for London (TfL). For Malt St, Berkeley Homes proposes a mixed use development, including 1,300 homes and 7,000 sqm of commercial space, on 1.9 hectares of land behind Asda. It is a ‘hybrid’ application of two parts, a detailed application for 420 homes, and an outline application for 880 homes. The total development comprises 11 blocks, including 39 and 44 storey towers, to be built in three phases, with completion by 2027. Berkeley Homes are offering 40% affordable housing in total across the whole scheme, with the detailed part of the scheme providing 83 social rented and 48 intermediate units, but leaving the exact number of affordable units provided by the outline part of the scheme to be determined later. Taking the ‘social’ out of social rent? As stated in the planning committee report, Berkeley propose 35% affordable housing, of which 25% would be social rent, 10% intermediate, with an additional 5% intermediate, supplied with the help of grant funding. However, the term ‘social rent’ does not appear anywhere throughout Berkeley’s planning application, with the documents eg the viability assessment, using the term ‘affordable rented’ or just ‘rent’ instead. Even the Mayor’s Stage 1 planning report avoids using the term ‘social rent’ and instead describes the proposed tenure as ‘low-cost rent’ (para 33) . This is yet another affordable housing label, newly introduced by the Mayor’s draft New London Plan, where it is defined to include London Affordable Rent, as well as social rent. The London Tenant’s Federationhas given evidence to the Mayor that there is a 43% difference between LAR and social rent, while the GLA has conceded during the Plan’s public examination that there is a 14% difference between new build LAR and social rent. The Malt St S106 draft heads of terms document says that the exact tenure of the affordable housing will not be decided until after the application is approved: We have seen before promises of social rent do no not necessarily guarantee that social rent will be delivered and we are still waiting for the promised audit of affordable and social rented housing, after a damning ombudsman investigation, which found that Southwark had not monitored or enforced the tenure requirements of its s106 affordable housing agreements. No late stage review Berkeley Homes’ viability assessment of the Malt St scheme says it will produce a ‘substandard return’ and it is technically unviable with 35% affordable housing (just as the developers of Ruby Triangle, Cantium Retail Park and Southernwood Retail did). Southwark’s consultant’s agree with this analysis, albeit they calculate that the scheme is slightly less unviable than Berkeley claim. In any event, Berkeley offer 40% affordable housing on the understanding that the viability will be improved by better transport links (ie the Bakerloo Line Extension) and the ongoing regeneraation of the area. There is an important proviso, however – that there will be no late stage review. This pre-empts any possibility that the amount of affordable housing will be raised to 50%, as required by the draft London Plan for Strategic Industrial land, such as the Malt St site – (the draft London Plan will be fully in force by the time Malt St is completed.) Applications can avoid a late stage review, if they take the Mayor’s Fast Track Route, by providing, 50% affordable housing, but the Mayor’s planning report makes it clear this is not happening in this case: “The application does not therefore follow the Fast Track Route with 35% affordable housing (as the threshold level would be 50% in this instance), and it must therefore be considered under the viability tested route.” (paragraph 32) A 35% Campaign objection on this point is appended to the end of this blogpost. Viability assessment flaw An important part of viability assessments is estimating a scheme’s likely revenue. This is done by using ‘comparables’ ie the revenues other similiar schemes have realised. Berkeley Homes commissioned Savills for this task and they estimated an average sales value of completed homes of £776 per square foot. Extract from the Savills report in Berkeley’s viability assessment (appendix 4a) In arriving at this figure Savills uses Elphant Park (formerly the Heygate estate) where the sales are currently achieving £1,247 per sqft. This is double the revenue estimate of £600 per sq ft Savills gave back in 2012, when it was commissioned for exactly the same task by Elephant Park developer Lendlease. Extract from the Savills report in Lendlease’s viability assessment for Heygate estate redevelopment The explanation for this big difference lies with the rule that viability assessments are based on current day values. This is a major problem in the viability testing method and is supposed to be mitigated by sensitivity analysis or scenario testing, where various increases in sales values are tested, but these tests are often inadequate. In the Heygate case the District Valuer Service, acting for Southwark, ran just one scenario, with a 5% increase in sales values, when the actual increase has proved to be just over 100%. In the case of Malt St, Berkeley’s hasn’t done any scenario testing. The Council’s independent review has done some, but only with a 5% increase in sales values. More comprehensive scenario testing should have been undertaken, for a major schemes such as this, likely to take a decade to complete and where values will be affected by such a major variable as the Bakerloo line extension. In the absence of this the very least the Council should do is secure a late stage review, which should ensure that any great rise in values does not solely benefit the developer’s profit, but is shared with local community, in the form of more affordable housing. 35% Campaign objection to no late stage review “I am writing on behalf of the 35% Campaign to object to the recommended approval of planning application ref: 17/AP/2773. The planning committee report for this application refers to the 40% affordable housing offer as exceeding the policy compliant level, stated as 35% (para 167). However, para 22 of the report also notes that the site is ‘designated Strategic Industrial Land (SIL), in the London Plan’; as such, the draft New London Plan requires a higher, 50% level of affordable housing under Policy H6, Para B(3). The planning committee report gives weight to the draft New London Plan and other emerging policy to justify the release of industrial land for residential and other development (para 145), in the first instance; therefore equal weight should be given to the 50% affordable housing requirement for housing built on such land and 50% affordable housing required. Without 50% affordable housing the application fails to qualify for the draft London Plan’s Fast Track route under the threshold approach to viability testing. Policy H6 is clear that applications that do not meet the 50% SIL threshold are subject to the viability tested route, which involves a Late Stage Viability review (Para E 2(b)). This is confirmed in the GLA Stage 1 report for the scheme (para 32), which states; A late stage review should therefore be required if 50% affordable housing is not offered. For these reasons and in the light of the Stage 1 report, we believe that the planning committee report is wrong when it states that the affordable housing offer ‘exceeds the 35% GLA threshold level’ and ‘re-provides the existing commercial floorspace’ and that therefore there need be no late stage review (para 171). (NB Nothing in Policy H6 says that the 50% threshold for SIL locations can be avoided if existing commercial floorspace is re-provided). As the application is a large phased development a mid-term review should also be required, according to Policy H6, Para E 2(c). 35% Campaign update – Southernwood Retail Park Third of big four Old Kent Rd developments goes to committee A proposal for the development of Southernwood Retail Park is due to be decided at Southwark’s planning committee this Tuesday evening. Developer Glasgow City Council, acting as trustees for its (Strathclyde) Pension Fund, wants permission for a mixed-use development of 725 residential units, with a hotel, cinema, shops, restaurants and offices. The proposed scheme has seven blocks, including a 48-storey tower. The site is currently occupied by Argos and Sports Direct, just opposite Tesco and over the road from Burgess Park. Southernwood offers, in round figures, 35% affordable housing; 25% of the total housing will be social rent, 10% intermediate, in line with the emerging New Southwark Plan’sminimum requirements, giving 219 units. Viability conundrum Viability assessments have become notorious as a way for developers to avoid their affordable housing obligations. Over the past few years housing campaigners and several high profile cases have managed to shed some light on this practice, leading to changes in policy and greater scrutiny of developer’s viability claims. In Southwark this had meant we are starting to get the 35% affordable housing that we have been denied until now. But while developers are offering 35% affordable housing, they continue to insist that their schemes are unviable. Southernwood Retail Park is a case in point. Here the developer (Glasgow City Council) claims that they will only make 2.24% (£8.4m) profit on Gross Development Value (GDV); Southwark’s consultants beg to differ and say 16.37% (£62.5m) can be made. Both figures fall short of Glasgow CC’s profit target (set by themselves) of 18.84% (£72m), so the development is technically deemed ‘unviable’. Glasgow CC’s 18.84% target profit exceeds its benchmark return of 10.4% set by its pension fund manager for real estate projects (DTZ), who manage Southernwood on its behalf (See DTZ, pg 97 in Strathclyde Pension Fund’s most recent annual report). Despite the Southernwood scheme being deemed ‘unviable’, Glasgow CC says that it will deliver 35% affordable housing, comprising 25% social rent and 10% intermediate, in line with minimum local policy requirements. The Council’s planning report accepts the 35% affordable offer, but without addressing the difference in the profit estimates or considering the difference in the profit target and the pension fund’s DTZ target benchmark. After so many major developments at the Elephant & Castle and elsewhere in Southwarkhave been allowed to flout affordable housing requirements, this can be counted as progress, but leaves the true viability of the Southernwood scheme unresolved. This is important, because as well as all the minimum affordable housing requirements, there is also a general requirement to produce the maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing, which obviously cannot be known, unless the real viability position is known. There is also the danger that the development proves to be ‘undeliverable’ and the developer returns to get the promised affordable housing reduced. The Southernwood scheme joins Ruby Triangle and Cantium Retail Park as an ‘unviable’ scheme that will deliver 35% affordable housing. Unlike Ruby Triangle, but like Cantium Retail Park, no ‘late stage review’ of viability is proposed for Southernwood. This is a comprehensive viability review where developers are required to disclose in detail actual costs and revenue received, to establish the scheme’s real profitability and enable the local authority to ‘claw back’ additional affordable housing, should the profit be greater than anticipated. Given the site’s position alongside the likely site of a new tube station should the Bakerloo line extension be built, this looks like a serious omission. Affordable housing – 35%, 40% or 50%? Two other features in the Southernwood application stand out – the first is that the applicant, Glasgow City Council, is reluctant to take advantage of any public funding, such as that available from the Mayor of London, which could raise the affordable housing to at least 40%, giving another 30 or so affordable homes. All schemes are expected to consider this, to maximise affordable housing, under the Mayor’s Housing policy. Glasgow CC’s surprising explanation for not applying for public funding is that it claims it will make the scheme less viable. As related in the planning committee report (Para 182,183), this is because the £28,000 per unit grant (for each of the 250 affordable homes) would not make up the full loss in value of converting 5% of the private market homes into affordable homes. It appears, however, that in reaching this conclusion Glasgow CC have used the highest values of the private flats in the 48-storey tower for comparison, rather than the lower-value private flats in the lower blocks, the difference being £600k per unit versus £500k per unit. Glasgow CC also say that they will not be in time for the current funding round, which requires a start on site before 31st March 2021, notwithstanding that Phase 1 of the scheme would commence in 2021, to be “open and operational by 2022/23” (Para 44); the report simply proposes a condition that this is reconsidered before the scheme is implemented. The second half of the scheme won’t commence until May 2030 and won’t complete until 2033 (See para 57 of planning committee report). The second feature is that the site is both owned by a local authority and is in an area marked as a Strategic Industrial Location and on both counts should deliver 50% affordable housing, according to the draft New London Plan, which would raise the number of affordable homes to around 360. Glasgow CC submitted its own legal opinion on this, arguing that the site should not be considered as public land because it would ” penalise the members of the [Pension] Fund simply for having worked as public servants” (see para 173 of planning committee report). There can be no dispute that the land is owned by Glasgow City Council, on behalf of its pension fund, as land Registry deeds show; nonetheless Southwark and the Greater London Authority (GLA) have accepted Glasgow CC’s argument. Southwark’s and the Mayor’s decision flies in the face of the Mayor’s planning policy, which has its own specific Guidance Note for determining what constitutes public land – Threshold Approach to Affordable Housing on Public Land (July 2018). This defines it as “Land that is owned or in use by a public sector organisation, or company or organisation in public ownership” (para 9). Anticipating disputes on the definition, the note goes on to say that these “will be determined with reference to the Public Sector Classifications Guide (PSCG) published by the Office for National Statistics“ and this guide lists Local Government Pension Funds as a public sector body, just as Glasgow CC is a public sector body. Notwithstanding this Southwark argues in the legal advice appended to the planning committee report that imposing the higher 50% affordable housing “would reduce the capital value of the site and therefore the Fund’s ability to pay pensions to retired workers”and that “It would be unfair on the retired workers if their pension expectation might possibly be impacted..” It might well be ‘unfair’ to pensioners if this happened, but it would also be ‘unfair’ to those who need affordable housing if it is not delivered when required by policy. It is also unfair on planning committee members who are recommended to approve this scheme without the detailed policy requirements or the alleged ‘impact’ on pensions having been properly explained in the planning report. As unedifying as it would be to see two local authorities fight over their respective shares of a development’s profit, one on behalf of pensioners, the other, on behalf of those who need affordable housing, Southwark and the GLA’s responsibility in this situation is to vigorously represent the interests of those in housing need and it has not done so, by giving way so easily. TfL gives scheme (many) red lights There also appears to be major issues, to say the least, with Transport for London (TfL), particularly around the impact of the development on plans for the proposed Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE). In its latest communication of barely a month ago, in which TfL urges Southwark not to approve the application, except for “the rear portion of the site”, until the Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE) is complete, for fear that it will be compromised. Extract from TFL’s Objection to the scheme TfL make the damning accusation that Southwark has ‘no joined-up thinking’, which must sting after several years of consultation and planning for the yet-to-be adopted Old Kent Rd Area Action Plan (AAP) and Opportunity Area. TfL examine eight aspects of the scheme for policy compliance – Strategic approach, Healthy Streets, Transport Capacity, Transport Assessment, Cycling, Car Parking, Deliveries, Funding – and gives the red light to six (meaning ‘Major changes/redesign required’), with amber for two, including ‘Funding’ (‘Further work required’)’. One of the more radical amendments TfL require for policy compliance is to move the proposed hotel, currently to face onto the Old Kent Rd, but overall TfL consider that it is ‘unlikely that the significant design changes and stringent management measures necessary to make the existing proposals workable can be made to address the issues’ raised. The planning committee report addresses TfL’s objections at length, over 14 pages (Para 524 – 602). While it acknowledges the critical importance of the BLE to the success of the whole Opportunity Area, much of the remedy the report proposes depend on future agreements between all parties, including rival developers Tesco/Invesco, to be secured by s106 and other legal conditions after consent is granted, when the common-sense response is surely to resolve these problems before consent is given. Southernwood provides the peculiar spectacle of one public authority building homes on land owned by another, but refusing to apply for public funding, because that would make an ‘unviable’ development more unviable, added to which it is promising to provide affordable housing the figures say the scheme cannot provide. As noted above, Ruby Triangle and Cantium Retail Park were also both declared technically non-viable and depend upon the rise in land values that the Bakerloo Extension will bring, so should the problems feared by TfL occur, they may well have consequences for their promises of affordable housing too. The TfL objections to Southernwood also adds weight to the argument that the whole Opportunity Area project is developer-driven, rather than plan-led and that the approval of major developments, such as Southernwood in advance of the adoption of the Area Action Plan is premature and rendering it redundant. Southwark should not be granting permission for a scheme in such a key location beforehand, especially when it is not due complete until 2033 and no late stage viability review is proposed. Posted in Advice & Information, Neighbourhood Development, Uncategorized Committee Meeting, 7pm Tuesday 21st May Posted in Events, Tabard North Tagged committee meeting Tesco petition up and running! Our petition to get Tesco back in the shopping centre is up and running and has collected over 70 signatures – thanks to all of you who have signed already! We need a lot more signatures though. Tesco has left traders in the lurch. They depend upon big stores attracting custom for their own business. We want Tesco back, so please sign today If you have already signed, please share with your friends. Links to Twitter and Facebook here PS We now have a court date for our judicial review – read more here. Keep Tesco at the Elephant! The independent traders in the shopping centre have suffered a blow with Tesco’s decision to close their Metro store permanently. Smaller traders depend on the ‘footfall’ big stores attract for much of their own business, so the closure will hit their trade too. We have started a petition to Tesco, asking them to reverse their decision. The store had been temporarily closed for a month to deal with a ‘pest problem’. We find it hard to believe the only solution to this is permanent closure. Tesco, Southwark Council and shopping centre owner, Delancey together can solve this problem without hurting the traders. PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE THE TESCO PETITION TODAY! Tagged Tesco Elephant & Castle	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613162
__label__cc	0.749187	0.250813	First, find out what isn't true… Israel, Antisemitism and Gerald Scarfe’s cartoons. Israel vs Palestine Filed under: Israel & the Palestinians — Tags: anti-semite, anti-semitic, antisemite, antisemitic, blood libel, cartoon, Gerald Scarfe, hasbara, Israel, Palestine, propaganda — talknic @ 5:08 am ShortLink http://wp.me/pDB7k-16z Antisemitism was coined by one Wilhelm Marr. It is specific to the hatred of Jews. (“Anti-semitism” is technically incorrect) Gerald Scarfe – Netanyahu depiction 27 Jan 2013 Sunday Times The day UK Sunday Times published the cartoon on the left happened to be the day set aside by the United Nations A/RES/60/7, 1 November 2005 as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of all victims of the Holocaust. The cartoon contains no Jewish symbols. It depicts Netanyahu building a wall. Israel IS building a wall outside the Internationally recognized extent of Israeli sovereignty. The cartoon depicts mortar tainted with blood. Thousands of Palestinian civilians HAVE been killed by Israel in its illegal acquisition of non-Israeli territory. Board of Deputies of British Jews appalled by Sunday Times Cartoon We immediately lodged a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission following the appalling cartoon by Gerald Scarfe in yesterday’s Sunday Times. It depicts Benjamin Netanyahu bricking up Palestinians and using blood for mortar, which is shockingly reminiscent of the blood libel imagery more usually found in parts of the virulently antisemitic Arab press. Its use is all the more disgusting on Holocaust Memorial Day, given the similar tropes levelled against Jews by the Nazis. This far exceeds any fair or reasonable criticism of Israeli policies. Last week’s Scarfe cartoon showed Bashir Al Assad, the architect of the killing of over 60,000 Syrians in little over a year, steeped in blood. If Scarfe and the Sunday Times think there is any comparison with Israel’s leadership, then they have lost all sense of proportion and reality. As well as having lodged a complaint with the PCC we have already contacted the Sunday Times. However, neither the the Sunday Times or Mr Scarf actually made “any comparison”. It’s just another nonsense statement common to the defense of Israel’s illegal policies, where the Board of Deputies of British Jews themselves attempted to make the comparison! However, if we do compare it with the Assad depiction and Mr Scarfe’s other work we can see both cartoons are in keeping with the criticism Mr Scarfe expresses of other world leaders. The Board of Deputies of British Jews have produced their own “trope” by A) leveling an accusation of Antisemitism against well deserved criticism of Israeli policies and; B) attempting a comparison accusation. Statement from Gerald Scarfe – January 29, 2013 First of all I am not, and never have been, anti-Semitic. The Sunday Times has given me the freedom of speech over the last 46 years to criticise world leaders for what I see as their wrong-doings. This drawing was a criticism of Netanyahu, and not of the Jewish people: there was no slight whatsoever intended against them. I was, however, stupidly completely unaware that it would be printed on Holocaust Day, and I apologise for the very unfortunate timing. Mr Scarfe ought not be apologizing, Israel didn’t bother to stop it’s illegal activities for Holocaust Day, despite the fact that the UN Charter, International Law and Conventions on human rights were in large part adopted because of what befell the Jewish people under the Nazis! Israel has been engaged in military activities “outside the State of Israel” for the last 64 years. Gerald Scarfe – Assad depiction I wonder if this is OK? Not tolerated here… th’ rules rule. OK. ABOUT – In the interests of well informed opinion The Laws / United Nations / Occupation Sovereignty, State, Entity. A Jewish homeland not a Jewish state. Palestine refugees, Right of Return. Why Israel refuses to recognize it. Putting down the Propaganda, Fallacies, Mis-conceptions, Myths and Lies Countering the Israeli propagandistas Abusive comments might be … UNSC Resolution 242 – did not call for negotiating borders between Israel and the Palestinians! Talknic was banned from CiF because… Global Zero Jewish Voice for Peace MuzzleWatch Orwellwasright's Talknic – Find out what isn\’t true, to see what is! fnlevit's forum Israel shared values with the US? It's Our World Too! The Guardian / CiF Desperately silencing talknic Lower case Syndrome 'a' for Arabs, 'p' for Palestinians The lies they willingly tell Watching CiFWatch watching CiF CiFWatch wear their shoes backwards The Hasbara – The world's most stupid propaganda WikIPedia Israel/Palestine	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613163
__label__wiki	0.734651	0.734651	G20 seeks ‘urgent action’ from US on budget impasse WASHINGTON - Finance chiefs of the G20 on Friday called for Washington to quickly resolve the political paralysis over its budget and debt ceiling. Singling the United States out in a statement on the issues confronting global finance, representatives of the world’s most powerful economies signalled worry about the stalemate that could potentially force Washington to default on its debt. “The US needs to take urgent action to address short-term fiscal uncertainties,” the G20 finance ministers and central bankers—including those fromt he United States—said in a statement. Meeting in Washington, the officials warned that there were still risks to global economic growth, and that many countries faced “unacceptably high unemployment.” Asked about the G20 views of the US political stalemate, Anton Siluanov, the Russian finance minister whose country holds the presidency of the group this year, said they were mostly optimistic about the US reaching a timely solution to the problem of passing a budget and increasing the debt ceiling. “We wish for this crisis to be resolved as soon as possible,” he said in a press conference. “No one benefits from... uncertainty,” he said, speaking through a translator. “That is because it has an impact on everybody... everybody has a stake in this matter.” Earlier, in an inadvertently broadcast portion of the closed meeting of the G20 officials, Siluanov was more direct: speaking for Moscow, he urged his US counterpart to resolve the political deadlock, which threatens to force the US to default on its debt, “as quickly as possible.” At that point he expressed doubts that the White House and congressional Republicans were close to a compromise. “There doesn’t seem to be a prospect for that,” he said. The G20 group met in Washington on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, where the threat to the global economy of Washington’s political paralysis overshadowed other issues. Worries were rampant that the US Congress would not pass a budget bill to fund the government, which has been partly shut down since the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1 -- or raise the country’s $16.7 trillion debt ceiling by October 17, when the government says it will run out of cash to pay its bills. “Based on what our American colleagues told us, we hope for a speedy resolution by the October 17 deadline,” Siluanov said in the press conference. A senior US Treasury official told journalists they were not opposed to the G20 statement, underscoring that they too see the urgent need for Congress to pass a budget and raise the debt ceiling. US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew also acknowledged in a statement to the IMF’s steering committee that the US reputation as a global financial safe haven was on the line. “With the deepest and most liquid financial markets, when risk rises, the flight to safety and to quality brings investors to US markets. But the United States cannot take this hard earned reputation for granted,” he said. Another key worry that the G20 had to address was the threat of monetary tightening—“policy normalization”—among the advanced countries as they pull away from recession. A surge in US dollar interest rates in the past six months has fired a pullout of capital from numerous emerging and smaller economies, sparking alarms and sinking their currencies. More turbulence is expected as the US Federal Reserve moves to “taper” its huge stimulus program -- $85 billion a month in bond purchases—over the next year. The G20 sought to assure the rest of the world that the group’s transition to “normal” monetary policies—which spells a rise in interest rates from the uncommonly low levels currently—will be “carefully calibrated and clearly communicated.” They said they recognize that volatile capital flows “continues to be an important challenge”, and promised to try to design domestic policies that also support global growth and financial stability and avoid hurting other countries. But they said emerging-market and poorer countries also need to take their own action. “Sound macroeconomic policies, structural reforms and strong prudential frameworks will address an increase in volatility,” they said. PM orders action against price spiral PM seeks traders’ role in tax collection SC seeks AGP’s help in judge video case Sarfraz asks PM to take stern action over team’s dismal World Cup show The PM has said no steps can be taken now against will of people I think by people he means his cabinet and his cronies Chauburji Dogs have owners, Cats have Staff Tallat Azim No dimwit can dim Malala N. Elahi (Dis)Claiming Responsibility How the US saved Israel in the 1973 war Enough already Polio cases in FATA Broken record Projects for Punjab Top ten in corruption! A game of death Check mate!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613168
__label__wiki	0.853874	0.853874	UN chief shows concern over LoC situation 12:44 PM \| November 25, 2016 The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over prevailing situation on the Line of Control (LoC). In a statement, the UN chief said that he was deeply concerned about the deterioration of the situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir in recent days. The UN chief called on all involved to prioritize the restoration of calm and stability in order to prevent any further escalation and loss of life. He said Pakistan and India can find common ground and work towards a sustainable peace. “The United Nations stands by the people of the region and supports all efforts to reach durable peace and security”, Ban added. Shehbaz warns NAB chief not to play in PM’s hands Concern grows over UAE oil tanker last seen off Iran New chief vows to turn around BoI for encouraging investments SENATE CHIEF NO TRUST	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613169
__label__wiki	0.922863	0.922863	Business, Politics Trump Calls Out ‘Revolving Door’ After Obama Official Hired By Chinese Telecom Giant Huawei President Donald Trump called out an Obama-era White House cybersecurity official on Twitter Sunday night for taking a position lobbying for Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. “Chinese Telecom Giant Huawei hires former Obama Cyber Security Official as a lobbyist. This is not good, or acceptable!” Trump wrote, tagging Fox News and Fox News host Steve Hilton. Chinese Telecom Giant Huawei hires former Obama Cyber Security Official as a lobbyist. This is not good, or acceptable! @FoxNews @SteveHiltonx Samir Jain is the former senior director for cybersecurity policy at the White House National Security Council and registered with Congress to lobby for Huawei on March 27. He now works for law and lobbying firm Jones Day. Jain worked for the White House from 2016 to 2017 and for the Justice Department as an associate deputy attorney general from 2014 to 2015, according to his Jones Day bio page. While at the DOJ, Jain’s “responsibilities included …. supervising evaluation of telecommunications license applications for significant national security risks, and representing the DOJ in White House cybersecurity meetings and international negotiations, such as China’s agreement not to engage in cyber-enabled intellectual property theft for commercial gain,” according to his bio. Jain has worked for Jones Day since 2017. In January, the DOJ charged Huawei, which is linked to the Chinese government, on several counts of fraud. The 13-count indictment against Huawei and chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou accuses the company of bank fraud, wire fraud and violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. China has said it will “firmly defend” its companies and warned the U.S. to “stop the unreasonable crackdown.” Follow Evie on Twitter @eviefordham. Send tips to [email protected].Click here for reuse options! Beto O’Rourke’s Family Connections Key To His Millions In Assets UK Seeks To Protect Children On Social Media By Banning Likes	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613183
__label__wiki	0.863734	0.863734	Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 80F. W winds shifting to SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 80F. W winds shifting to SE at 10 to 15 mph. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 210 E. Lester St., is a fixture of the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association and Arizona’s oldest African-American church. Sadie Shaw, left, and Kevin Woodard look over a small artwork that Shaw is working on during the inaugural Sugar Hill reunion at Mansfield Park. Ernesto Portillo Jr. / Arizona Daily Star Murals by Tucson Arts Brigade line a resident’s fence in the Sugar Hill neighborhood, where neighbors are working to re-establish the area’s history and identity. Sadie Shaw, president of the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association, in front of her mural, a project of Tucson Arts Brigade, in the Bronx Wash near Linden and 4th Avenue on Nov. 21, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. Neto's Tucson: Sugar Hill residents reclaim their neighborhood's name Ernesto Portillo Jr. Arizona Daily Star Ernesto Portillo Jr. When Sadie Shaw was growing up, she’d visit family in Tucson’s Sugar Hill neighborhood. She felt connected to the neighborhood then — and today, as a resident. Kevin Woodard grew up on East Waverly Street in Sugar Hill. His grandmothers lived on opposite ends of the street. Everyone knew everyone, he remembers. Although Shaw and Woodard were born in different generations, their connections and remembrances are similarly rooted in the Sugar Hill neighborhood. There, many of Tucson’s black families, shut out from other parts of the city, made their homes just south of East Grant between North First and Sixth avenues, and north of East Lee Street. And while many longtime Tucsonans know the neighborhood as Sugar Hill, officially it is not. The neighborhood, for the city of Tucson’s purposes, is known as Northwest Neighborhood, a designation devoid of history and geographically wrong. But that’s changing. The neighborhood is reclaiming its name of Sugar Hill and its identity, and all that goes with the name: pride, community links, neighborhood empowerment. Shaw is president of the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association, and Woodard heads the Sugar Hill Coalition, which includes former neighbors living outside of Sugar Hill. They are leading efforts to restore a culture of togetherness and to reaffirm the neighborhood’s self-empowerment. “We have to reach out to other places and other races,” said Woodard. But first comes restoring the name, a move that delights Donna Liggins, a longtime resident and former city employee who has been active in neighborhood affairs and activities. “It sure does” delight, said Liggins, whose own name is carried on the city’s recreation center, where she was director, at Mansfield Park, the neighborhood’s social center. “We’ve always called it that.” Two Saturdays ago, I met Woodard and Shaw at the park, where residents got together for the first gathering sponsored by the Sugar Hill Association and Coalition. Their goal is to hold occasional park reunions and to bring more youngsters to the Northwest Center, which faces North Sixth Avenue across the street from the Tucson Symphony Orchestra office. “We’re letting the neighborhood know who we are,” Woodard said. Two churches are local anchors in the neighborhood: Greater Mount Olive Church of God In Christ, and Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, which was established in 1900, making it the oldest African-American church in the state. Despite some continuity, Sugar Hill has changed. There are more apartments, many of which are occupied by university students. There are fewer longtime families and more transient families. The neighborhood, once a center of middle-class black families, lost its luster, and it wasn’t that long ago when drug dealers used the park to conduct their business. Liggins said it was a constant struggle, with the help of Tucson police and neighbors, to keep them out. These days, the problem is less visible, said Liggins, who returned to Sugar Hill in 1970 after leaving in 1958. Connecting older residents to newer neighbors is critical to understanding Sugar Hill’s role in local history and what the families experienced and contributed to Tucson, said Shaw. Shaw said that long-time residents like Liggins bond to the neighborhood. Their collective memory will guide the association and coalition on their road to bring neighbors together. “From the moment I moved into my aunt’s house, I knew I had to be involved,” said Shaw, a 29-year-old University of Arizona student majoring in art education who is completing a mural to honor her Sugar Hill family and neighborhood. A series of murals on the cement-lined Bronx Wash on East Linden Street, and nearby a lesser number of figures, painted earlier this year on a metal fence facing North Sixth Avenue, are an attempt at beautifying Sugar Hill and highlighting its history and residents. Shaw, whose mural is in the wash, hopes more murals will be created by neighborhood residents. She also envisions recording oral histories of older residents and offering art classes to youngsters. To achieve their goals, Woodard and Shaw will need the support of the city and local organizations. To that end, Ward 3 City Councilman Paul Durham is all in. He supports the neighbors’ efforts to empower themselves and to regain their civic identity. “The best thing we can do,” he said, “is to strengthen the neighborhood association.” Improvements are slated for Mansfield Park, resulting from city voters’ approval of Proposition 407, a $225 million citywide spending plan for parks and recreation over the next 10 years. Durham said the park is slated to receive $3 million for renovations and improvements in 2026. Much sooner than that, the heating and cooling system at the Liggins center will be replaced, he said. While the park improvements are years off, Woodard, Shaw and other Sugar Hill residents and friends hope to reshape the neighborhood and re-establish its sweetness. Ernesto Portillo Jr. is editor of La Estrella de Tucsón. He can be reached at 573-4187 or netopjr@tucson.com. On Twitter: @netopjr Reported hate crimes on the rise in Arizona as Tucson, Pima County hold steady Nationally, there was a 17 percent increase in hate crime reports, federal data shows. Arizona Wildcats’ disappointing season ends with fourth-quarter meltdown to Sun Devils Seen and heard: Arizona's 'losing attitude,' Wildcats' collapse and the Territorial Cup MVP Freeport broke the law with blowing dust from mine tailings, Pima County says Steller column: Pima County voters don't really care that much about roads How Tucson artist Rock Martinez evolved from tagger to muralist Neto's Tucson: South Park Avenue Afro-American museum is coming to an end Neto's Tucson: 2 sisters' pursuit of Tucson's black history Neto's Tucson: Dunbar barber school teaches more than cutting hair Neto's Tucson: Shrines on 'A' Mountain display our 'ritual genes' Neto's Tucson: Our rear-view mirror of memories Neto's Tucson: Tucson's historic Santa Cruz Church nears centenary celebration Neto's Tucson: Our city's symbols — the 'A' and the Virgen — connect us Neto's Tucson: Pushing back against velodrome’s air of inevitability Neto's Tucson: Bringing change to the barrios, one family, one street at a time Motorcyclist killed in crash on Tucson's east side Man freed from Tucson prison accused of killing woman on same day Incoming Mexico gov't: No deal to host US asylum-seekers Neto's Tucson: Local Tejano singer, Louie Marinez, cracks exclusive Texan club Test your lawn care IQ	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613184
__label__wiki	0.89882	0.89882	Two and a Half Men: 2011-12 TV Season Ratings Here are the ratings for the Two and a Half Men TV series. Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) is gone and his house is sold to immature billionaire Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher), a guy who still finds a place for Alan (Jon Cryer) and his son Jake (Angus T. Jones). The ninth season of Two and a Half Men typically airs Monday nights at 9pm on the CBS network. These are the TV show’s ratings for the 2011-12 season, the best way to tell if Two and a Half Men is going to be cancelled or renewed for season 10. Check out our CBS ratings report card to see how this show’s numbers compare with the others on the network. These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page: Final season nine averages: 5.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 14.62 million total viewers. Episode 09-24: Monday, 05/14/12 3.9 in the demo (+3% episode-to-episode change) with 11.55 million; first in the timeslot. Season average: 4.96 in the demo with 14.62 million. Demo average rank: #2 of 22 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012). 3.8 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 11.43 million; tied for first in the timeslot. 3.8 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 11.32 million; first in the timeslot. 3.6 in the demo (-5% episode-to-episode change) with 10.40 million; second in the timeslot. 3.8 in the demo (+6% episode-to-episode change) with 11.47 million; second in the timeslot. 3.6 in the demo (-14% episode-to-episode change, matched series low from 5/2007) with 11.92 million; third in the timeslot. 3.9 in the demo (-9% episode-to-episode change, lowest since 5/2007) with 12.4 million; XXXXXX in the timeslot. 4.5 in the demo (-4% episode-to-episode change) with 13.94 million; first in the timeslot. 5.2 in the demo (+11% episode-to-episode change) with 14.71 million; first in the timeslot. 4.7 in the demo (-15% episode-to-episode change) with 13.9 million; first in the timeslot. Season average: 6.8 in the demo with 18.93 million. 5.3 in the demo (-10% episode-to-episode change) with 15.14 million; first in the timeslot. 5.9 in the demo (-5% episode-to-episode change) with 16.2 million; first in the timeslot. Episode 09-03: Monday, 10/3/11 6.2 in the demo (-16% episode-to-episode change) with 17.71 million, first in the timeslot. Episode 09-02: Monday, 9/26/11 Another stellar ratings night for CBS and this venerable sitcom, which attracted a 7.4 in the demo and 20.52 million viewers. Kutcher and Cryer and company were down by 31% in the demo episode-to-episode but that’s still an incredible performance. Season average: 9.1 in the demo and 24.63 million. There was a very high amount of anticipation surrounding the sitcom’s return and CBS was surely not disappointed by the ratings. Ashton Kutcher’s first episode attracted a whopping 10.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 28.74 million viewers. This was easily the show’s biggest performance to date and the event benefited the network’s entire Monday line-up. We don’t know how the new version of Men will compare to the old but it certainly got a good sampling. Reference point: The 2010-11 season averaged a 4.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 14.22 million viewers. Note: These ratings are collected by the Nielsen company and are the final national numbers. These are different from the fast affiliate numbers which are just estimates of the actual ratings and are reported on by most other outlets. The final nationals are typically released within 24 hours of the programming or, in the case of weekends and holidays, a couple days later. What do you think? Do you like the Two and a Half Men TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a 10th season? Image courtesy CBS. More about: Two and a Half Men, Two and a Half Men: canceled or renewed?, Two and a Half Men: ratings Two and a Half Men: Season 10 Ratings Thursday TV Show Ratings: Wipeout, Hannibal, The Office, Glee, Scandal Thursday TV Show Ratings: 30 Rock Series Finale, Do No Harm Debut, + Glee, Big Bang Theory Thursday TV Show Ratings: Big Bang Theory, 1600 Penn, Person of Interest, Scandal Thursday TV Show Ratings: Last Resort, Glee, Beauty and the Beast, Scandal, Take It All Thursday TV Show Ratings: Glee, Last Resort, Scandal, Vampire Diaries, Beauty and the Beast Thursday TV Show Ratings: Glee, Beauty and the Beast, Last Resort, Scandal, Elementary, Two and a Half Men Thursday TV Show Ratings: Last Resort, Elementary, Big Bang Theory, Glee, Scandal, Office, Two and a Half Men Thursday TV Show Ratings: Glee, X Factor, America’s Got Talent, The Next CBS 2011-12 Ratings Report Card CBS TV Ratings for Week of February 27, 2012 Two and a Half Men: Ashton Kutcher Brings Series High Ratings CBS TV Show Rankings for 2010-11 Season [as of 2/3/11] CBS TV Show Rankings for 2010-11 Season [as of 1/27/11] CBS TV Show Rankings for 2010-11 season [1/8/11 update] CBS TV Show Rankings for 2010-11 season [week of 12/19/10 update] Roger eberle Im a fan of the show, I think the characters are starting to gel together now I hope the network doesn’t cancell the show. They also need to bring Rose back lol. Cancel….. Need I say more? A gifted man is a million times better…… Also no Charlie Sheen? pedie Cancel the show. I love Ashton in other areas such as film, but to try to make him take the place of Charlie Harper is just ridiculous! The only one getting the laughs is Jon Cryer not Ashton! Either make John Cryer the lead character or cancel the show. Ashton should not play the role of lead actor! the show is lousy with Ashton Kutcher. Ashton Kutcher is dry and not funny at all. cancel the series it stinks, I said it once and I will say it again No Charlie Sheen, No show val sweetapple CANCEL!!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613186
__label__wiki	0.757401	0.757401	http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnwittingPawn Unwitting Pawn aka: Xanatos Sucker PlayingWith Create New - Create New - Analysis Characters FanficRecs FanWorks Fridge Haiku Headscratchers ImageLinks Recap ReferencedBy Synopsis Timeline Trivia WMG YMMV "I was a fool. I had been deceived that I had been working for a greater good. I was in fact an unknowing tool of a greater evil." — Shunjinko's biography, Mortal Kombat: Deception This is the kind of person that the Magnificent Bastard and Batman Gambit depend on. Not only does an Unwitting Pawn fail to stop the bad guy, but he actually furthers the villain's plan in the process. The Manipulative Bastard will take great delight in using them and then deconstructing their naivete and blind faith as they gloat (in which case compare What Have I Done). Not surprisingly, they also have a tendency to die ironically after inadvertently helping the villain. But if they survive... there's bound to be some nasty surprises in store for the Bastards. These guys are not always being manipulated by the villain; sometimes they blunder their way into helping him of their own accord. Not that the villain's going to examine his gift horse for cavities... The Wide-Eyed Idealist often becomes this, but sometimes the Knight Templar and Well-Intentioned Extremist can fall into this too. When the main character does this, and then has to fix it, it's Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!. Sometimes the unwitting pawn is deserving of his fate. They may be a Corrupt Corporate Executive, Evil Businessman, or someone else who has achieved great success through questionable means. Sometimes, he owes his success to someone he screwed over. They will often fall victim to blackmail or the reminder of what could happen "if the truth should get out...". Sometimes, the pawn is allowed to remain a figurehead to keep up appearances while his strings are pulled behind the scenes. This often happens to Corrupt Politicians as well who come to realize that they probably had a lot of help to realize their ambitions and get to the top. Compare Out-Gambitted, Unwitting Instigator of Doom. Contrast the Spanner in the Works, who just as ignorantly harms these schemes. Tend to be played by The Chessmaster, logically enough. But also the Manipulative Bastard uses them too. Beware: many examples are by nature spoilers! In Fullmetal Alchemist, Kimblee masses the Drachman army to attack Amestris from the north, in order to cause enough bloodshed to complete Father's giant Transmutation Circle. All the Drachmans are defeated except for the General, who calls Kimblee out. Kimblee then coolly states that he didn't care which side lost as long as lots of people died. The General is then hit by one last shot from the Amestrians, to add death to insult and injury. Hohenheim's backstory reveals that the Emperor of Xerxes also fit this bill. Father lured him into creating a nation-wide transmutation circle, claiming it would grant the Emperor immortality. Instead, Father used it to give immortality to himself and Hohenheim, at the price of the entire nation. The upper echelon of Central's military were suckered into following the same scheme with similar promises. In the 2003 anime version, the homunculi manipulate alchemists into trying to create the Philosopher's Stone so that their leader Dante can use it for her own immortality. Dante also falsely promises to make the homunculi human if they succeed. Played with in Bleach, where Magnificent Bastard Aizen is unable to manipulate Ichigo directly, so it is revealed that instead he manipulates almost EVERYONE ELSE in the story (including everyone Ichigo has fought, as well as Orihime) since before the story started so Ichigo will do what he wants. He has in fact been keeping an eye on Ichigo since his birth due to being the instigator in his parents' meeting. Peach Girl: Toji and most of the Spear Carriers in the first arc, and Gigoro in the second. Of special note is Gigoro's actions in "The Destruction of Pure Love"; he starts to realize that Sae's account of Momo isn't entirely accurate, so he tries to get Momo's side of the story... by chasing her through the warehouse district, not saying anything less stalker-y than "I need to talk to you." Makoto Isshiki in RahXephon. He takes down Tokyo Jupiter, but all he achieves by doing so is enabling the Mulians to invade the outside world en masse. It's Personal... Lavinia Reberth of Str.A.In.: Strategic Armored Infantry is a Fangirl of epic proportions, who'd do anything to get some of Sara's attention. Dress up as a Playboy Bunny? Failed. Ambush her in the shower? Got the wrong girl. Steal her most precious possession? Dropped it in a garbage dump, which ended up with Sara's true identity revealed to the whole crew, the Libertad kicked out of port before it could complete repairs, and one of their teammates dead. Oops. In Transformers Armada, almost every major non-human character takes a turn being one of these, as would be expected when The Mole happens to be a Manipulative Bastard. Variable Geo: This applies equally to the entrants of the VG tournament, regardless whether it's for the grand prize, the desire to compete, or to settle grudges against other participants. In the end, they're all being used by as unwitting test subjects, by The Jahana Group, who secretly monitor the tournament to determine which of them will make the ideal host body for Miranda's disembodied spirit. In the anime of Chrono Crusade, nearly everything that the main characters do seem to play right into Aion's hands. In the end, even though almost all of the main cast die, they only seem to stop him temporarily. Poor Suzaku Kururugi from Code Geass. Being an emotional, impulsive, and naive mix of Death Seeker and Wide-Eyed Idealist in a series full of Chessmasters and Manipulative Bastards is definitely his perdition. On the other hand, his supernaturally effective combat abilities and tendency to run head first into dangerous situations without telling anybody means he's derailed almost as many schemes as he's aided. Same for the Order of the Black Knights, which was first manipulated by Lelouch before becoming Schneizel's pawns. Lelouch actually is the hero who is trying to save the world. He has a lot of bad luck and some questionable methods, but the Black Knights generally benefited from his actions, manipulation aside. Schneizel, not so much. He has decent luck, if not good, and his methods are not questionable - they're definitely not good for the human race as a whole. In Death Note, nearly everybody falls victim to this trope at some point, Chessmasters included. Misa is the only major character who does not, and that's likely because she makes it clear in their first conversation that she doesn't mind being used by Light. She certainly is a pawn, but not an unwitting one. Every member of the Task Force ends up being suckered in by Light at some point, not only buying his innocence, but also treating him as their actual leader and the new L. Double Subverted by Rem, who kills L for Light in order to save Misa from being arrested. She figures out exactly what Light is trying to get her to do, how he's getting her to do it, and what will happen if she goes through with it (she dies)... And she does it anyway. Perhaps the biggest Unwitting Pawn in the series is Light himself. For all of his chessmaster pretensions, Xanatos-grade scheming, and proclamations of Godhood, he was never anything more than a plaything for Ryuk's personal amusement. The best part is that Ryuk actually spells that out to him — along with what will ultimately happen to him — within minutes of first meeting him but Light never realizes the full implications until it is too late. Averted, and very much so. Light understands perfectly well what he is to Ryuk, which is why he makes sure to stay interesting in his clever Scheherezade Gambit, which remains very effective until Light is cornered and captured, and thus no longer able to provide entertainment and apples for Ryuk. L falls headfirst into this trope when he decides to test the thirteen day rule, which provokes Rem to kill him, exactly as Light planned. In the manga, his thoughts before his death leave it unambiguous that it wasn't the outcome he considered. Alice of Code Geass: Nightmare of Nunnally, desperate to save Nunnally, accepts help from Anya and proceeds to Kamine Island. It turns out that Anya was possessed by Empress Marianne, who needed Nunnally to complete her and Charles' Assimilation Plot. Thankfully, Alice telling Nunnally that she values her as an individual derails the plan. In One Piece, Whitebeard was a target for this. The World Government wanted to kill him and his whole crew with a barricade killzone trap and execute Ace, the son of the Pirate King once they are stuck as a warning to all Pirates and cement their power. However, Whitebeard, while he still dies, manages to re-ignite the Golden Age of Pirates, and most of his crew and allies survive. Also, technically Ace was saved, but still dies anyways. However, in the end, he, and technically the WG, is still fooled by the true mastermind and main cause of the war, Blackbeard. His plan was that he knew Whitebeard would risk anything to save a single of his crew, and the WG would do anything to take him down. While everyone is focusing on Marine HQ, Blackbeard slips into Impel Down, recruits the strongest prisoners of Level Six, which contains some of the worst criminals in the history of the world, sails back, kills Whitebeard, steals Whitebeard's destructive powers for his own means, and then makes a clean escape. Even worse, the WG's pride makes it that they will not acknowledge his success, and cover it up, meaning he can plan even more things unharassed. Law (of all people), thinks he's this to Luffy. You would think that manipulating the Straw Hats would be a piece of cake thanks to their captain's unassuming nature. Unfortunately for Law, he didn't account for the antics or Luffy's "I do whatever the hell I want" attitude, and it becomes increasingly obvious to him and the audience that he was never in control of the alliance, especially when Luffy admits that his plan to take down Kaido works towards Luffy's goal of taking down all of the Four Emperors, and that he's using Law's plan for that goal. Neon Genesis Evangelion: What Shinji Ikari appears to be this in whatever it is his, father, Gendo is planning. But there is a rather big twist. In the end, it turns Shinji was only ever of minor importance to Gendo's plans; Gendo only ever really needed him to pilot Unit-01, truly nothing more and nothing less. In reality, it turns out Shinji's true crucial role that he never knew anything about or never saw coming, was as the lynchpin in his mother, Yui's, plan to derail SEELE's Assimilation Plot in the final minutes of the eleventh hour. As part of the backstory, Misato's father, Dr. Katsuragi, was manipulated by SEELE into causing Second Impact. Rebuild has this really bad. Everyone is pawns to Gendo. In the series at least it's eventually shown that Gendo isn't quite as slick as he thought he was when Rei and Ritsuko turn on him and Seele sends troops to kill him. In the end he doesn't get what he wants, largely because Rei gives control to Shinji instead, who ends up killing him in Instrumentality. In Rebuild he somehow manages to trick Seele, into killing themselves (shutting themselves down thinking it would help the plan) and he manages to con Kaworu who's an all knowing Angel himself. Admittedly Kaworu figures it out at the last minute, but because Shinji had already been sold on the idea that the spears would fix the problem he didn't listen to him and pulled them anyway. He even allows Misato's team to show up to stop the Impact, because it wasn't time (he just wanted Unit 13 to obtain God mode). Another interpretation is that everyone is a Unwitting Pawn for Yui Ikari. Naruto: At the beginning of the series, we have the Sound Genin, used by Orochimaru in the Chunin Exams. Dosu actually realises this, but all three meet a premature demise before he can do anything about it. Then Sasuke which was the Unwitting Pawn of both Itachi and Tobi. No wonder he developed Chronic Backstabbing Disorder. Itachi ultimately was one for Tobi. Itachi believed, like almost everyone else who was confronted by him, that Tobi was Madara, and despite his efforts to act in defiance, all of his failsafes to protect Sasuke from Tobi failed and he only succeeded in making Sasuke into a more powerful and hateful pawn for Tobi to manipulate. Yahiko also became a pawn to Tobi, since his suicide was Nagato's Start of Darkness and made him join Tobi which in turn allowed Tobi to take Akatsuki under his control. Also we have Danzo, which in spite of all his motives also became this to Tobi. So nearly all his actions played into Tobi's hands: His union with Hanzo in the betrayal of Nagato allowed Tobi to take Akatsuki under his control. Also he manipulated Itachi into slaying his clan which allowed Tobi not only to acquire a large number of Sharingan, but also use Itachi to find a new pawn in the person of Sasuke. And Danzo is the one who reveals to the Kages that Tobi is Madara, which is exactly what Tobi wants them to believe. Also Kakashi became one to Tobi or rather Obito. The entire fight with Kakashi into the Kamui dimension was planned by Obito in order to remove Madara's seal as it prevented him from becoming the Ten Tails Jinchuuriki, and Kakashi did what Obito wanted: Hit him in the heart. Rin and Kakashi (although the latter's part was just a happy coincidence) were pawns in Madara's plan to create a successor by driving Obito to despair. The entire world, but especially the Uchiha Clan, Madara and Kabuto were this to Black Zetsu in his pursuit to revive Kaguya. Alain from Pokémon was this to Team Flare, until his breaking upon learning the team's true intentions when Ash was captured, during the Team Flare Arc. In Berserk, Big Bad Griffith presents himself to the Pope of the Holy Church as God's prophesied messiah, inspiring the old man to essentially serve as his biggest hype machine, further easing his manipulative influence throughout Midland... and all the while remaining blissfully unaware of his true, vile nature. A lesser example, but nonetheless one that creates long-lasting consequences, is Skull Knight's attempt to kill Griffith with a mystical attack, only for the latter to redirect said attack into accidentally destroying the gate that separates the physical and astral planes in the Berserk-verse. This allows Griffith to unleash hell on earth. Who in Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE- isn't playing into Fei Wong Reed's plans, again? Kurogane might be the least manipulated of the group, but he's not exactly immune, either. He is the (positive kind of) pawn of Ichihara Yuuko, though and thus serves as the counterpart to poor Fai. Maka ends up one of these in Soul Eater, when convinced by Medusa that the witch truly cares about her child (a reaction very heavily hinted to be down to her relationship with her father). She is used to defeat Arachne, which in turn gives Medusa's soul a new body to inhabit, while demonstrating to the witch that Maka has sufficient power to be a serious threat to witches. Medusa then tries, but fails, to kill Maka due to the timely appearance of Chekhov's Gunman. Needless to say the Manipulative Bastard made another attempt. Treize Khushrenada is such a Magnificent Bastard he turns essentially the ENTIRE CAST of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing into Unwitting Pawns. Hak-Yoon ends up being one to Mi-Mi, who manipulated him by pretending to like him, then had him and his gang rape her maid and film it in front of two of said maid's best friends, all because she was jealous that the maid had gotten the boy she was really in love with, and when said plan fell through, abandoned him to his fate and told him he was nothing more than a pawn for her revenge. He isn't too happy about this. Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Poor Homura. So you wanted to save your friend from certain death using your Faust powered wish? Well you did technically save her by making it so as long she is not saved, the timeline repeat itself. Unfortunately, you also helped Kyuubey create what is the ultimate power source based on people suffering since Madoka is not only a juicy power source but since with every cycle Homura becomes more cynical, her suffering only gives even more power with each interval. And she can do nothing to get out of the loop. Really, ALL magical girls are this, since Kyubey tricks them into a Magically Binding Contract that will result in either thier death or transformation into a witch. Homura gets this even worse in Rebellion, wherein she is turned into an unborn witch by Kyubey, then used to trap Madoka and the others inside her barrier. So many in Monster as the series' Big Bad, Johan, plays everyone like a fiddle in order to get what he wants. At one point, he has a town of Unwitting Pawns as he moves them to the point where they all start massacring each other. Near the end of the first season of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Sho assumes that everybody in Duel Academy were the pawns of Kagemaru, the season's Big Bad. In the second season of Yu Gi Oh Zexal, this is the standard MO of the Barians (especially Gilag); they brainwash one or more duelists, then give them a powerful Spell Card called "Rank-Up Magic - Barian's Force" which can be used to summon powerful monsters called "Chaos Xyzs", which they also provide. This plan never worked (and in Gilag's case, almost got him killed when it went wrong), and it took a long time for it to sink in that they should try something different. (But in their defense, eventually they did.) Except Vector who masqueraded as a student named "Rei Shingetsu" and played Yuma like a fiddle. Giving him some card (Number 66 to lure him and several V cards and Rank Up Magic - Limited Barian's Force to use against him with Vain - Sneer of Betrayal). Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Everyone—but especially Patrick Zala and Muruta Azrael—serve as Unwitting Pawns to series' Big Bad Rau Le Creuset. In Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Shinn Asuka is the Unwitting Pawn of Chairman Durdandal. In Maiden Rose, by launching an offensive against a train invading his country without orders Taki ends up playing right into his ally Princess Theodora's hands (she having secretly murdered everyone on the train herself in a coup before he fired on it), and is placed under house arrest despite being the commander holding the front in a war against their mutual enemy. In A Certain Magical Index, seemingly everyone is a pawn of Aleister Crowley. A number of them are aware of this (so, not unwitting), but The Hero, Touma, is not. There are even some hints that Aleister is trying to pull one over on Aiwass, though until we actually know what his plan is it's hard to say. Oliver Cromwell, leader of the Reconquista movement and Big Bad of the first arc of The Familiar of Zero is ultimately this for King Joseph of Gallia, the ultimate Big Bad of much of the series. Cromwell's rebellion would not have gotten anywhere without Gallian aid and the only reason why Joseph helped in the first place was so he could use the chaos of the war as a cover to slip his agents into Albion in order to find the Founder's Music Box as part of his plan to gather Brimir's Void relics and harness their power. Kagerou Project: Ayano. After finding evidence that her father is under the Demonic Possession of the Wide-Open Eyes Snake and that he will kill her younger siblings and two thirds of her social circle to succeed in creating a new Medusa in our world. Understandably, she falls into despair, and after a long conversation with the snake himself, Ayano decides that the only way is to kill herself, enter the Daze to get possessed by a snake herself, and choose to stay behind - ensuring the Medusa plan cannot come off. Except, that was what he wanted all along; by having his plan ruined, his host's wish cannot be fulfilled; the Snake has an excuse to reset time, thereby ensuring he will be able to continue existing. Almost the entire cast to Head in Star Driver. Fairy Tail: Jellal is victim of this twice. He spends eight years as Ultear's pawn, and then Brain uses him to awaken Nirvana. To a lesser extent Reitei Lyon and his entire group, everyone working under Jellal in the Tower of Heaven, the first magic council. Basically, if you've spoken to Ultear, assume you're being used. In Toriko the entire conflict between the good guys (IGO) and the original bad guys (Gourmet corp) was controlled by the until-then unknown NEO organization. Tons of different characters (including Midora, both in his youth and in the present) were manipulated by Acacia and the Blue Nitro. In The Seven Deadly Sins, the entire Holy Knights order (especially Jericho and Vivian) were being by Hendrickson, who himself was being used by Dreyfus, in order to awake the Demon Clan, the remaining Ten Commandments, and reignite the holy war. Mazinger Z: Dr. Hell was Archduke Gorgon's unwitting pawn. Gorgon wanted to destroy both Dr. Hell and Mazinger-Z, so he helped Hell to fight Kouji Kabuto and his allies because the constant conflict weakened and wore the heroes down, and as soon as Hell stopped being useful, he abandoned him and let him die (or killed him personally in some versions) while his War Beasts finished Mazinger-Z off. In Tokyo Ghoul:Re, it turns out that the entire CCG has been this all along. Not only has the Washuu Clan been conspiring with a ghoul organization all along, but they are themselves secretly a family of ghouls. The Knight Templars and sadistic ghoul-haters of the organization have been fighting and dying on the orders of ghouls all along. All to maintain an endless conflict between the two species, and keep these two groups in power. In Attack on Titan, Annie, Reiner, and Bertolt are revealed to have been this all along. As part of Marley's Warrior program, they were raised to believe the people living within the Walls were evil and a threat to the safety of the entire world. Grisha's backstory includes the creation of the modern program, with the Marleyan government announcing that King Fritz had sent a message threatening to use the Wall Titans to destroy the world. However, Grisha is later told by Kruger that there was no such message, because the ruler of the Walls is controlled by the First King's "Will" and cannot act to even defend their people. Marley is actually after the natural resources underneath the Walled territory and wants to exterminate everyone in their way. To this end, they invented the whole "threat" and manipulated children into doing their dirty work. Even worse, Kruger mentions that once Marley has obtained the Founding Titan, they will likely use it to exterminate all Eldians, including those serving them. As such, the Warriors were tricked into seeking out the Coordinate not to save their people, but to give Marley the means to carry out a Final Solution. Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan and to a lesser degree all the other main characters become suckers for Ozymandias. In the Green Lantern story Sinestro Corps War, the Guardians and the Green Lantern Corps turn out to be these after Sinestro reveals that he (Sinestro) won the war by making the Guardians override their own principles and disable the "no killing" function on the Lantern rings. The Knights of the Old Republic comic writer love these. Usually one or more of the main characters, but often the villain. In Sonic the Hedgehog: Mina Mongoose was this to Ixis Naugus — he used her musical protests against NICOLE as a conduit for his magic, inflaming the public's distrust of NICOLE into paranoia and hatred, beginning a series of events that leads to Naugus being appointed king of New Mobotropolis. Geoffrey St. John. It was pretty obvious that Naugus was taking advantage of the then recent death of Geoffrey's father Ian St. John to get the poor kid to help him. Any doubts were dropped when Naugus possessed Geoffrey to escape his mutations. Supergirl: The eponymous heroine has occasionally been pawn of some villain -such like Lex Luthor- who intended to seduce her as part of a plot against Superman or herself. However, she always finds out about the truth sooner or later, and when she does... Cue Unstoppable Rage and Curb-Stomp Battle. In the H'el on Earth arc, H'El seduced her and talked her into helping him bring Krypton back, assuring that no Earthmen would suffer. She joined him... until she found out that his plan involved blowing the Sun up and destroying Earth. Then she turned on him right away. In Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl, Supergirl and the whole Justice Society were Lex Luthor's pawns, who was using them to increase his power, popularity and fortune. Subverted in Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade when Linda needs to leave classroom and pretends she is being abducted by an invisible superhero and she is "just an unwitting pawn in a larger game". Played straight with Belinda Zee, who has no idea what she's Mr. Mxyzptlk's pawn. In Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus to Lex Luthor. Lex tricked Doc Ock into helping him destroy Superman. He pretended it was a partnership between equals, but Ock was kind of Lex's hired muscle, and Lex planned to betray Otto all along. The Punisher's work as a vigilante was turned into a case of this in the Purgatory miniseries. It had all been a ploy by Olivier, a demon kicked out of hell, and Frank has been unknowingly committing numerous sacrifices in his name for years. When Doctor Octopus reformed the Sinister Six in the six-part story "Return of the Sinister Six", he used the other five members this way. He told them that his plan was to launch a satellite armed with a deadly poison, and then blackmail the world into making them its rulers lest they use it. This was a lie. The "poison" was something used to prevent people from using cocaine, and he planned to blackmail cartels and everyone else who benefitted from the drug trade, gaining incredible influence in the underworld on an international level - alone. In The Multiversity, a number of characters unknowingly further The Gentry's invasion. Ultra Comics #1: Ultra Comics itself acts as vector of contagion to The Gentry in different worlds (including ours). Fan Works In The Parselmouth of Gryffindor, Cornelius Fudge is ridiculously easy to manipulate, be it by Dolores Umbridge, Lucius Malfoy or someone else. He's actually a good guy at heart, but only avoids causing a world catastrophe because Hermione (who has come to control him most usually, and, therefore rule Magical Britain from the shadows) keeps a tight leash on him. In Power Girl fanfic A Force of Four, Wonder Woman's old enemy Badra frees three Kryptonian criminals emprisoned by Superman and strikes up an alliance with them to destroy their enemies and then Earth. The trio believe they are equal partners until it's revealed Mars is Badra's real boss and the god was using them to further his goals. Rosario Vampire: Brightest Darkness Act III: During the course of the fic, Kuyou attacks Yokai Academy with the intent to get revenge on Tsukune for his previous defeat. It's ultimately revealed that Hokuto personally manipulated Kuyou into doing so by exploiting his hatred of Tsukune, using the resulting chaos as a distraction so he could break into the secured levels of the academy and steal an Artifact of Doom for use in his Evil Plan. Hokuto gets what he wanted, and Kuyou is Killed Off for Real by Tsukune. As revealed near the end of the act, Akua and Kahlua aided Kiria in his plan to rewrite history with the Chrono Displacement spell, intending to give their father Issa a top spot in the new world once humanity is subjugated. In the final chapter, it's revealed that Kiria's plan would ensure that he would be the sole dark lord, and part of said plan would have Akua and Kahlua, and possibly Moka and Kokoa as well, infected with Blackheart and then sent back in time to kill Issa and destroy his empire from within, thus ensuring that Kiria would rule unopposed. The two promptly switch sides and spend the next act trying to atone for their mistake. In the Mass Effect fanfic The Council Era, Krogan Overlord Tikrog Kurvok unknowingly becomes a pawn in his advisor Halak Marr's plot to start the Krogan Rebellions and turn the krogan into a Master Race. In The Stars Will Aid Their Escape, the entire cast — from Trixie (who he himself drove insane) to the Princesses themselves — end up manipulated by Herald as part of his plan to bring about the summoning of the Outer Gods. Mare of Steel: Brainiac allies with Steel Wing, supposedly to help him capture and destroy Rainbow Dash/Supermare. However, Brainiac was only using him to study Supermare's strengths and weaknesses for his own purposes, ultimately declaring Steel Wing a liability and throwing him under the bus to the Princesses while wiping his memory of Brainiac. The Warmistress of Equestria: The Traitor Legions trick rogue griffon General Blackwing into an alliance, and aiding in setting up a False Flag Operation to start a war between Equestria and the griffons in order to further the Traitor Legionnaires' goal of destroying Celestia. Meanwhile, within the Traitor Legionnaires' alliance, Lord Talon Hoof thinks that he's the supreme leader, but is being manipulated by Scorpan as part of his plan to empower and release his master Tirac from the Warp. The Digimon Emperor Ken from Zero 2 A Revision ends up being manipulated by the three independent villains to benefit their own plans for world domination. Devimon uses his Black Gears to manipulate Ken into constructing Chimeramon using the components of himself as well as the Digidestined's Digimons in order to use the Chimera to relocate him into the Digital World. Demon manipulates Ken into becoming the Digimon Emperor by preaching a "statement" about order and chaos and gave a Dark Spore to Ken in hopes that the corruption factor will return Demon back to his former strength and amplify his own dark powers. Myotismon manipulates Ken into constructing the Control Spires in order to weaken the barrier between the Digital World and the Digital Limbo in order to regain the rest of his data that is still trapped in the Limbo. A Song of Ice and Fire fanfic Asshai's Flames has Senira, who unknowingly helps her mother's plan, which more or less applies to the whole monastery too. She realizes this in the end and kills Selye when Asshai falls, which means her own death as well. The Bridge: The Big Bad brings King Sombra Back from the Dead, and sets him to try and retake control of the Crystal Empire, which somehow furthers the Big Bad's own plans. For his part, Sombra doesn't know how he's alive, and doesn't particularly care. The Equestrian Wind Mage: Season 2 focuses on the heroes waging war with Ganondorf, who's trying to take control of Equestria. However, unknown to any of them (even Ganon himself) until late in the game, he was released in Equestria by the true villains, the Church of Majora, to serve as a diversion from their own plans for Equestria. In Children of an Elder God: Megumi Kunzama is a reporter that believes shes getting the scoop on NERV. In reality, Gendo and Fuyutsuki are using her, leaking harmless or false information to her. And shes no idea. All Children are Gendo and Yui's unwitting pawns, since they're using the pilots to fight the Great Old Ones and the Outer Gods and steal their powers in order to carry their plans forward. Shinji and Asuka figuring out that they're unwitting pawns is an important subplot in Advice and Trust. When they open up to each other and start talking about their childhoods and their piloting experiences, they figure out that Gendo and SEELE are keeping things from them and realize that they're being used to further some kind of sinister scheme. They even managed to completely ruin Gendo's plan by befriending Rei, before they even realized that he had a plan. And he's none the wiser. Evangelion 303: Although Gendo seems to be less abusive than his canon self, he keeps a secret agenda and hes using everyone including his son and his sons fiancée- to carry it out. In Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genocide, Misato and all pilots are unwitting pawns to Gendo to test a computer program known as the Emerald Tablet and destroy SEELE. When Misato finds out about it, she decides to turn on NERV. In Thousand Shinji: Subverted. Gendo and SEELE turned everyone into their unwitting pawns but Shinji and the other Children realized that they were being manipulated, and in turn they used Gendo. It was played straight, too. Unbeknown to Gendo and SEELE, they were the puppets of the Warhammer 4000 Gods, who were using them to create new gods. The Second Try: Subverted. Gendo and SEELE believe that everyone are their pawns but due to time-travel shenanigans, Shinji and Asuka know exactly what they intend to do and later they tell Misato. From a certain point of view, Shinji and Asuka are reluctantly using everybody in NERV as their pawns to avert the end of the world. Last Child of Krypton: Shinji was meant to be Gendos unsuspecting puppet, but his inability to synch with an Evangelion prevented this. The remaining characters were the paws of Gendo and SEELE until Kaji blew the lid off their little conspiracy. Once More with Feeling subverted this. NERVs staff is Gendos unwitting pawns, and the UN is SEELEs one. However, Shinji pretends to be also clueless, although he knows what theyre exactly planning, and he warned the Japanese Government via Kaji. Avenger Goddess: Over the course of the flashback/World War II arc, it becomes rapidly apparent (and is eventually outright confirmed in Chapter 23) that for all his delusions of grandeur, the Red Skull is just Ares' puppet in his plans to test and corrupt Diana. Film Animated Coco: By banning music from her household and removing any trace of her husband so that he's forgotten, Imelda unintentionally made sure the only people who could have recognized Héctor's songs and guitar while Ernesto de la Cruz used them would have been unable to expose him as a fraud and a murderer. Despite her unwillingness to forgive him, she realizes she needs to make things right. Frozen: Prince Hans dupes Anna by faking his romance with her so she could unwittingly hand over Arendelle to him on a silver platter after "staging a little accident" for Elsa. Everyone in Sugar Rush in Wreck-It Ralph is this to King Candy (in reality Turbo in diguise). In Zootopia, Judy Hopps was manipulated by the Big Bad Bellwether for most of the movie before catching on pre-climax. Film Live-Action In AM1200, Sam Larson becomes aware that he is this to a cosmic entity lurking within a mysterious radio station. Michael in Arlington Road is trying to avoid a terrorist attack. What he doesn't realize is that he's being played and his actions ultimately lead to the bombing of the FBI Headquarters. Assassin's Creed (2016): Cal Lynch is used by the Templars-backed Abstergo Foundation to find the location of the Eden Apple of Granada by exploring the life of Aguilar in 1491. Sophie makes for an unusual Templar in that she wants Cal to be witting and therefore willing to help them. He makes up for it by stealing the Apple back from her father, after killing him. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Batman ends up this to Lex Luthor, who exploits his jaded and violent vigilantism and the existing fears of Superman to manipulate Bats into trying to kill Supes. And it almost works. Subverted in Blade II. The Evil Overlord's Affably Evil daughter mocks the eponymous protagonist for agreeing to a meeting with his enemies too easily, but quickly shuts her trap when its revealed he was prepared to kill them all with a LOT of carry-on explosives at the first sign of treachery. Later in the movie, when The Mole reveals himself and gloats at the heroes' gullibility, Blade corrects him by stating that he knew of his duplicity from the beginning, a fact he illustrates in explosive fashion. Robert the Bruce becomes this at the end of Braveheart, when his father uses him to lure the hero William Wallace into a trap. Subverted in Collateral Damage: The protagonist very nearly succeeds in helping the terrorists' Evil Plan come to fruition, but luckily becomes wise to his true situation just in time to foil it. In The Dark Knight, most characters involved in the Joker's plots played right into his hands when they thought they were about to stop him. Even Batman, who had never faced a criminal like him before, is his pawn through much of the film. In Die Hard, it's the police and the FBI. They face a major "terrorist" attack with standard procedures, unaware that Hans Gruber knows all about them and his Evil Plan depends on them operating in that matter so he can manipulate them into helping him open a super secure vault and then cover his escape. In Equilibrium, John Preston turns over the entire leadership of La Résistance for a chance to see the Big Bad face to face and assassinate him. Except DuPont knew about this plan all along and arrested Preston as well. DuPont would have succeeded, except he took the time to gloat before killing Preston, triggering Preston's Unstoppable Rage. Christopher Nolan's first film, Following has two levels of Unwitting Pawns. A house burglar and a blonde femme fatale sucker a floundering writer into framing himself for the burglar's murder charge. Then we learn that the burglar is actually working for a gangster who the blonde is blackmailing, and he was setting the writer up for her murder. Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II. He's caught in Michael's war with Hyman Roth and is callously played by both sides. Michael encourages him to meet with the Rosatos to ascertain Roth's guilt in an assassination attempt. In turn, the Rosatos try to kill Pentangeli and pin it on Michael. Pentageli survives and informs against Michael to the FBI. Michael intimidates Pentangeli into recanting his testimony and ultimately into committing suicide. The Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen. Present, lampshaded, and part of the symbolism. A mockingjay is a powerful symbol to the rebels, but it's also a bird that can't sing its own songs, relying on what others sing to it. Everything that Morpheus does in The Matrix, since The One, The Prophecy, and The Oracle are all further systems of control of the humans by the AI's. In Mortdecai, Charlie spends the first half of the movie as one, unwittingly smuggling the stolen painting to Krampf in his Rolls Royce after Krampf bribes his mechanic, Spinoza, into hiding it there without Charlie's knowledge. Philip in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, who rushes back to Syrena as soon as he regains consciousness... and thus rewards Blackbeard with Syrena's tear and gets her tied up to die. The Hovitos in Raiders of the Lost Ark were manipulated by Belloq into believing that Indiana was stealing their fertility idol and that Belloq simply wanted to protect it for them. They stopped Indiana from escaping with the idol and then attempted to kill him, during which time Belloq made off with the idol. Everyone in the Saw movies is like this. The entire franchise is one giant incomprehensible Gambit Roulette, and all the characters are constantly walking right into Jigsaw's plans. Though inverted because Jigsaw genuinely wants the suckers to live; he doesn't expect them to make the wrong choice and die but he wants them to make the right choice and live, therefore he doesn't do Evil Plans. His successors and helpers, however, do seem to want everyone to die, and expect them to do dumb things - which they do. All the time. Star Wars: Mace Windu dies in an attempt first to arrest and then just kill Chancellor Palpatine, which is not only unsuccessful, but also provides Palpatine with ammunition for his claims that the Jedi are revolting against the Republic and SHOT FIRST. In a double irony, he also ends up making The Chosen One, who he himself had doubts about already, switch his allegiance to the man he attempted to "assassinate". In Attack of the Clones, Jar Jar Binks's only two lines of dialogue put him square in this category. Queen Amidala in The Phantom Menace when Palpatine manipulates her into calling for Valorum's resignation. In fact, almost everyone in the prequels not named "Palpatine" is this. In a rare example of a villain being this to the hero, Lex Luthor finds himself being played by Supes himself during the climax of Superman II. Specifically, he believes he had depowered Supes when he had in fact unwittingly depowered General Zod and his co-conspirators. It's strongly implied in The Terminator that John Connor deliberately manipulated Kyle Reese into falling in love with his mother by giving him the picture of her. Reese was just allowed to be unaware that his own son was sending him back in time (to his almost certain death) to ensure he could be conceived and grow up to save humanity. It must've been a heartbreaking decision for John. In the original Total Recall (1990), Quade is his own unwitting pawn. He had his own memory wiped as part of his cover to infiltrate La Résistance and identify its leader. In Twice Upon A Time, Synonimess Botch tricks our heroes Ralph and Mumford into bringing him the mainspring from the Cosmic Clock, giving him control over time and the chance to cover the land of Din in nightmare bombs as part of his plot to trap the Rushers in waking nightmares. In Wanted the main character is played, especially through the charms of the hot chick. Who is played herself, along with everyone in the order. At the end, some of her "colleagues" decide going into business for themselves isn't such a bad idea, but she has the... balls to set things right. In White Noise, once John begins experimenting with EVP (a way of listening to/seeing spirits in the beyond) on his own, he starts receiving messages from his late wife, believing them ways to save people. They're really trick visions sent by three very, very malicious spirits so that they can follow him and break into the realm of the living through the door he's opened up. And Anna's constant insistence that he 'Go now!'? Those were visions of when he arrived at the final location the messages showed him, where she was trying to warn him to get away and save himself. "Exactly as planned" indeed. X-Men Origins: Wolverine: The look on Wolverine's face when Blob told him that Stryker was performing experiments on mutants and when he realizes what led him to willingly get his brand spankin' new adamantium skeleton... priceless. Emma Silverfox becomes Stryker's hostage -> Kayla is forced to work for Stryker -> Kayla faked her death as a part of their plan -> Wolverine accepted Stryker's offer to transform his bones into adamantium to avenge Kayla. Multiple Media In BIONICLE, Makuta Teridax used the entire universe as his pawns. The goal of the Toa Mata was to reawaken Mata Nui, put into a deadly coma by Makuta himself. Knowing that they will succeed because it was their destiny (and since Mata Nui's death would cause the end of the world), he manipulated nearly everyone he came across and lead his Brotherhood of Evil with an Evil Plan whose exact details he kept to himself. Long story short: his manipulating ensured that he would have enough time and be in the right place to commit a Grand Theft Me on Mata Nui when the heroes awakened him, thereby becoming the ruler of the universe. Ravenloft runs on Paranoia Fuel, so this is so common in adventures it's almost more of a Plot Twist when it doesn't happen. A constant danger in Hunter: The Vigil. It can be pretty hard for Hunters to tell the difference between the good-ish supernaturals and the true villains, and they often get suckered into working for the latter. For example: Division Six is a group of mage-hunters being used by a Seer of the Throne as his private hit squad, the Knights of Saint George are serving the agenda of an Abyssal entity, the Inquisition is run by a ghoul, Les Mysteres are run by the Pure, and so forth. In Warhammer, it's strongly implied that Bretonnia's whole "Cult of the Lady" religion is a complete sham, set up by the Wood Elves who dwell in the forest in the south of the country so they have a nice, easily-manipulated buffer zone to protect them from the world. The End Times reveals that, yes, the Lady is actually the Elven goddess Lileath. Similarly, in Warhammer 40,000, the Adeptus Mechanicus is all but stated to (knowingly, in the case of the higher-ups) worship the Void Dragon as the Omnissiah (rather than an aspect of the Emperor). The C'tan being on par with the Chaos Gods in terms of Big Bad and the Mechanicus being responsible for humanity being able to travel the stars and defend themselves, this is as bad as it sounds. This also leads to a lot of enthusiastic Mechanicus dropping in on tomb worlds, waking up the Necrons as they poke around, and the next thing you know there's yet another system or two lost to the Imperium. Read the introduction to any Imperium-centric story carefully for a nice bit of horror: It is the 41st Millennium. For more than a hundred centuries the Emperor of Mankind has sat immobile on the Golden Throne of Earth. He is the master of mankind by the will of the gods. What Gods do they mean by that? It could just be a figure of speech, but... Jesus Christ Superstar portrays Judas as a man who unwillingly advanced the agenda of Caiaphus and the Council, as well as fulfilling prophecy. Othello: Iago manipulates everyone in his vengeful goals, leading to, as is the case with a Shakespeare tragedy, multiple deaths. Thrill Me has the moment where Richard finds out that Nathan has been lying to him about basically everything since the murder, including when Richard thought he had the upper hand. In fact, Nathan's masterminding is the reason they got caught. Yes, getting caught was part of Nathan's plan. Mary in Shikkoku no Sharnoth is obviously the pawn of multiple competing factions, but doesn't realize it fully until well into the story. Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney's Klavier Gavin is the Unwitting Pawn for his brother Kristoph's Evil Plan to get Phoenix Wright disbarred. Trials and Tribulations has Pearl Fey, who is manipulated into triggering the events of the final case by her mother, Morgan Fey. While Pearl thinks she's just following her mother's orders for Maya's sake, her actions are actually the means to kill Maya. Luckily, the plan isn't fulfilled thanks to a third party who knew about it beforehand. Justice for All has the third case where Franziska performs a surprise search on Acro's room, which forces him to hide the murder weapon on his person. Franziska only did the search because of Gumshoe, who in turn brought the idea of the search due to Edgeworth suggesting it to him and knowing Phoenix would be the defense attorney on the case. This turn of events causes Phoenix to correctly guess that the murderer hid the weapon at the bottom of his wheelchair and under the blanket he wears over his legs. Franziska loses and is flabbergasted that she, a perfectionist, made a mistake and curses herself for conducting the surprise search. In actuality, she was just the unwitting pawn to Edgeworth, who helped Phoenix catch the true killer without him even knowing it. In Zero Escape trilogy, everyone who isn't Zero or willingly working for Zero is this to some extent. Special mentions: Ace, or Gentarou Hongou from Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, ends up being used by Zero to mop up the other Corrupt Corporate Executives who ran the Nonary Game 9 years ago. Dio, a Free The Soul agent from Virtue's Last Reward, sent to sabotage the Nonary Game Ambidex version. What he didn't realize was that not only the organizers anticipate his infiltration of the game, it was actually necessary. If that's not enough, revelations in the next game show he was also Brother's unwitting pawn as well, sent in to deliberately fail without Dio's knowledge. Fate/stay night has Shirou and Rin being pawns in the schemes of Gilgamesh and Kotomine in all three routes, with Shinji joining them in Unlimited Blade Works. Several in the Danganronpa series: Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc: Makoto in Chapter 1. The whole point of the trial is Naegi trying to clear his name in Sayaka's death. What's interesting is that he was framed by the victim in her own failed attempt to murder someone else - Makoto is only cleared because even the murderer was tricked by Sayaka. Hifumi is tricked into helping Celeste in her scheme due to his lust for Alter Ego and Celeste making a False Rape Accusation against her first victim. Once he's finished in his part of the plan, he's murdered by her. Super Danganronpa 2: Teruteru and "Byakuya" (aka the Ultimate Impostor) are the Unwitting Pawns of Nagito. Nagito sent a note warning "Byakuya" of his murder plot to get "Byakuya" to host a party in the old dining hall then got himself assigned cleaning duty so he could set up a murder plot. Then he allowed Teruteru to discover what he's doing, confesses and tells him his entire motive. He managed to entice "Byakuya" to set up the Locked Room Mystery Nagito needed in a room which goes completely dark in a blackout and gets Teruteru to try and murder him, starting the Killing Game. He didn't intend for "Byakuya" to die, however. Monster Prom: The REVENGE ending. Miranda will ask you to do a series of seemingly random tasks to help her out, with very flimsy reasons for it. It turns out that this is her plan to kill the water polo team for kicking her out by feeding them eggs from a sea monster and them telling said sea monster they ate her eggs, she reveals that this was her plan if invited to prom after the events are completed. Web Animation In the Strong Bad Email stupid stuff , Strong Bad makes a bet with Kevin Grumbles that he can make Homestar say something intelligent. In desperation, he tries saying something nonsensical ("I say there, Homestar...butt's twelve by pies?"); as it turns out, Homestar apparently made his own bet with Kevin Grumbles that he could make Strong Bad say something stupid, and Strong Bad just won it for him. The real kicker is that Kevin actually wanted Strong Bad to make Homestar say something stupid, but Strong Bad thought that was too little of a challenge. Perhaps he should've asked an insultingly simple math question. He could have at least gotten Coulomb's law out of it. He also gets suckered in the game Strong Badia the Free. He spends the entire game trying to become the new king, only to find out that it was all a ploy by the King of Town to get Strong Bad stuck in the castle and the King in Strong Bad's position. In If the Emperor Had a Text-to-Speech Device, the Emperor makes Magnus realize that both his supposed savior, Tzeentch, and his supposed Cool Big Bro Horus manipulated him so that he'd fall to Chaos and doom his people and Imperium. This plays crucial role in Magnus' HeelFace Turn. RWBY: Yang becomes this in "Fall" when she is tricked into attacking Mercury unprovoked after defeating him in the finals. This results in Team RWBY being disqualified and left demoralised and without their best fighter, and also results in a huge negative public backlash against Beacon. The crowd's negative reaction also attracts vast hordes of Grimm including the Goliaths to Vale, and the military struggles to contain them. This turn of events has unfortunately furthered Cinder's plans immensely. Miko Miyazaki leads the villains to Azure City and allows them to discover the location of Soon's Gate. She kills Lord Shojo, leaving the city more vulnerable to attack. Then she destroys Soon's gate when the villains are on the verge of losing, giving them a chance to escape certain death. And all the while, she believes that she's following the will of the (Lawful Good) gods. Although she was only being manipulated into the first one of these, the least important error really. The other two she she accomplished on her own. Vaarsuvius turned into one, when s/he attacked Xykon with his newfound power, knocking him off his throne, exactly as the fiends who granted her that power planned. As it turns out, Xykon himself is this to Redcloak, who's been playing humble servant all these years in order to get Xykon to aid in completing the Plan (which, it seems, doesn't aid Xykon's own goals at all). But he doesn't mind being a pawn, because he has better things to do with his time than deal with a backstabber who already has a self-destruct button tied to the back of their head: The Monster In The Darkness is brainwashed to kill Redcloak the moment he betrays Xykon openly. Sillice of Drowtales when Kalki tells her that the Nidraa'chal she's just fighting are just a diversion for the enemies that are currently most probably killing the Val'Sharess. Sillice then barges into the ravaged tower, confronts one of her sisters (the only one NOT included in this plot) and then gets accused of having killed all the guards in an attempt to overthrow her mother, and has to run away to exile with their mortal enemies. No one suspects the ones that are truly pulling the strings: Snadhya'rune, Sarv'swati and Zala'ess, who get off scot free and take control of the clan while pretending their mother is still alive. Terezi of Homestuck is usually Awesome by Analysis, but she's recently fallen into this at the hands of Gamzee, who she has no idea turned evil. Absolutely everyone to Doc Scratch. There's a reason he calls people who aren't omniscient "suckers." Which is taken beyond the impossible in [S] Cascade, where its revealed that he manipulated the entire main cast into creating the Green Sun. Note that the main cast has been doing everything in their power to destroy the thing. Scratch's last word, said to Gamzee, is even "S u c k e r s", a succinct summary of just how much he played everyone. Nick in the "Surreptitious Machinations" arc of General Protection Fault. The entire plan hinges on him being isolated from his friends and building the "Project Velociraptor" to power Trudy's energy weapons, enabling her and C.R.U.D.E. to take over the world. He's also one of the only ones who still trusts Trudy, so the heroes have to try to convince him to see the truth. Riff of Sluggy Freelance was eventually revealed to be this, having worked for the Nebulous Evil Organisation Hereti-Corp producing inventions in return for funding, and not realizing the purposes they were being put to. Tower of God: Rachel, Koon and Baam all play into Yu Han-Sung's and Headon's hands in their plot against the ruling system. Bad Moon Rising recently showed that Terry was originally sent to Sokolov Academy to act as a spy for his mother, but was unaware of the real reason he was sent to the school at the time. Kat Vance from Sequential Art finds herself in the Quinten Research Laboratory, where she learns the human staff has succumbed to deadly gas that permeated most of the facility. The A.I. Is a Crapshoot prototype computer OZ-BASIC explains that the fault that caused the tragedy exists in other Quinten facilities, and asks Kat's help in creating an uplink in panel #474, so that others can be forewarned in time. In reality, OZ-BASIC seeks to take control of the Pipingrad Death Ray satellite, with which to expunge all those that would oppose its Evil Overlord status. Played with in We Are The Wyrecats. K.A. certainly was this, but the rest of her team, as it turns out, is more than aware that the Big Bad is using them. They just aren't equipped with a lot of options on fighting back at the moment. By letting her remain unaware of this, K.A. effectively becomes her own team's Unwitting Pawn, and she does not take it well when she finds out. Web Original In The Normal Innocent Bystander's Survival Guide, point 17 is: "If the Evil Overlord offers you immortality, superpowers, or infinite wealth, and all you have to do is something that seems terribly trivial, don't. It's a trick. You will be used as a pawn in a larger game, and then crushed like a bug." Only just before the final battle of Web Game Demon Thesis do the main characters realize that they've been pawns for the Manipulative Bastard Eldritch Abomination Mesmerus that they hate. After a strange stone totem was brought to the library of their university, the main characters suddenly found themselves gifted with Elemental Powers and other spells, and fighting off various monsters while Mesmerus encourages the violence. At the end they learn this is because them using his power to cast spells is necessary to weaken the barrier between dimensions and allow Mesmermus to cross over into our world. By the time they do learn this, it's too late to do anything, and Mesmerus appears. In The Ruins of an American Party System, it's eventually revealed that Floyd Olson (otherwise presented as a President Mary Sue), has for most of his administration been manipulated by his Attorney General, Huey Long, who has been exploiting his influence over Olson to build his own political empire within the government, effectively turning Olson into his puppet. Once Olson realizes this, however, he spends the last months of his life before succumbing to cancer building up resources that his Vice-President and successor Fiorello LaGuardia is later able to use to dismantle most of Long's power base. Challenge Of the Superfriends: In one of the more infamous plots from the series, the Legion of Doom collaborates with a group of Venusians to rework Earth's climate into something more tropical. To this end - in what may be the single most contrived Gambit Roulette in history - they enact a series of disasters, and the Superfriends play right into their hands when their attempts to stop them result in filling the atmosphere with steam, flooding the western hemisphere, and moving the Earth out of its orbit. Uh, oops? In Gargoyles, Xanatos was accustomed to using this trope: almost every major character was his pawn at one point or another. In one memorable episode, however, Xanatos is outsmarted and used as a pawn by one of his creations. Xanatos: Owen, I think I've created a monster. In season 4 of the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, both the turtles and the Well-Intentioned Extremist Agent Bishop are suckered royally by the Foot Mystics/Shredder's Heralds, resulting in the entire plot to season 5. Danny from Danny Phantom becomes one of these almost every time he encounters Vlad Masters. Usually Vlad hints at what he's going to do right away, and Danny fails to understand and plays right into his hands anyway. Surprisingly, Valerie was an even bigger sucker than Danny—her entire ghost hunting 'career' was started by Vlad as part of a gambit and just became the gift that kept on giving for him and all his plans. She was NOT happy when she found out the truth. Timmy from The Fairly Oddparents is this sometimes, most noticeably in "School's Out! The Musical", where he, along with Flappy Bob, are pawns in the pixie's Gambit Roulette. He also plays into Norm's hands in "Fairy Idol". In Xiaolin Showdown, Omi ends up playing right into Chase Young's hands in the second season, temporarily becoming his apprentice. Kim Possible found herself in this position in So The Drama, when it was revealed that Erik was really a "synthodrone" working for Drakken. As Ron observed, "Drakken hasn't won, he played you." An even more direct case was in the episode "Hidden Talents", where Drakken created fake messages from Wade (as well as sending a virus to the real Wade) to get Kim to bring him one of Dementor's inventions. He also attempted to do it a second time after he forgot to tell Kim to get the adaptor plug, but the second time didn't work as well due to Wade debugging his computer. Harold in Total Drama Action, when choosing to listen to Courtney and Duncan of all people, in order to vote off LeShawna, his Love Interest. Where Sinedd from Galactik Football goes, intergalactic conspiracy is sure to follow. Scooby Doo in episode 16 of Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated; Pericles used Scooby's need to save the town to further his own plan to find the Cursed Treasure of Crystal Cove. It's revealed that the entire cast has been this for the evil Nibiru Entity in order to release him from his prison. In one episode of Batman: The Animated Series, a businessman builds a casino...themed after The Joker. Joker is understandably incensed, a breaks out of Arkham to punish this act of image-theft by blowing up the joint. As Batman discovers, the businessman had spent too much on his building, and gave it a Joker-theme so the Joker would do just that, and then cash in on the insurance. South Park: Both the Good and Evil characters in the Imaginationland trilogy, manipulated into war for a terrorist cell's plot to destroy collective imagination by getting both sides to kill each other, despite the narrative's full support for the Good characters starting in Part 2 as if the Evil characters were the Big Bads instead of the already-dead terrorists, when they weren't, despite what they literally are. However, the plot fails because the Good characters win the war and the Evil characters are imprisoned. Stan, Kyle, and Scott Tenorman in "Scott Tenorman Must Die". To a lesser extent, the rest of the town was this to Cartman in that episode. The only thing he hadn't planned on was Chef actually taking the Chili Contest seriously and submitting an entry, though this simply means Cartman has delicious chili to eat while he explains his master plan. This happen to Kyle again when Leslie tells him that Pc Principle kill Jimmy and that Randy is helping him to kill any objectors to his political but in reality shes a ads whos wants to get rid of Pc Principle so she can turn South Park against each so ads can take over the world. In the season 3 finale and season 4 premiere of The Venture Bros., Brock Samson is this to Molotov, and Molotov herself is this to Gathers. Molotov puts a hit out on Brock for three of the top OSI assassins and pins it on the OSI, getting him to kill them so that her own assassin organization, the Blackhearts, would have no competition. However, she doesn't realize that that's exactly what Gathers wants her to do, as it would later lure Brock right into a trap set by Gathers to coerce him into joining the reformed SPHINX. In Over the Garden Wall, the Woodsman is tricked by the Beast into maintaining the Beast's Soul Jar, which he believes contains his daughter's soul instead. He was also initially unaware that the eidelwood trees he was using used to be human children. In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Long Feng thought he was using Fire Nation Princess Azula to regain control of the Earth Kingdom capital, Ba Sing Se. In reality, she was using him to take control of it for the Fire Nation. By the time he realized she was playing him, she had already turned his own men against him. When he admits defeat, obviously impressed at her, she rubs salt in the wound by indicating this was all he was to her. Long Feng: You've beaten at my own game. Azula: Don't flatter yourself. You were never even a player. Gravity Falls has almost every character that interacts with Big Bad Bill Cipher become this, furthering his plans for Weirdmageddon with every trick he pulls. This culminates with him possessing Blendin Blandin to trick Mabel into giving him the space-time rift that was the final key to his plan, causing the aforementioned event. Star vs. the Forces of Evil has an interesting variation in that a villain is used as a pawn for another: that being Ludo being used as a tool and puppet by Toffee of Septarsis Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012): In early season 5, Tiger Claw summons the demodragon Kavaxas to Earth in order to bring the Shredder, who was killed by Leo in the season 4 finale, Back from the Dead, using a mystical talisman, the Seal of the Ancients, to keep him under control. By the fourth episode, "End Times," Kavaxas successfully resurrects Shredder... but Shredder is little more than a shambling corpse under Kavaxas' control, and destroys the Seal of the Ancients; as it turns out, Shredder's resurrection was one of three tasks Kavaxas needed to accomplish in order to bring about The End of the World as We Know It, and he was using Tiger Claw all along in order to accomplish those three tasks. Napoleon III, who got played by every second-rate power in Europe, and some overseas. He certainly WAS one to Bismarck, but that was because Bismarck was Bismarck rather than because Napoleon III was gullible. Indeed, he actually came out on top of most of his battles (Mexico and the war of 1870 were the exception, not the rule), and most of the time he was being "played" by said second-rate powers, it was largely because he grasped more or less what they were doing and sympathized enough to go through with it anyway (Italy 1859 is the most obvious example, but the Belgian revolution and the Crimean War came in close seconds). If anything, he fell victim to trying to be someone he wasn't and had the misfortune to run up against the most ruthless and skilled ruler in Europe in charge of the largest and best military on the continent. A popular (at least, in modern Russia) conspiracy theory says that Adolf Hitler was one either for the US and the UK, because they used him to conquer most of Europe, attack the USSR, be defeated and occupied from both sides, with purpose of making Europe weak and controlled by the USA, or for Josef Stalin, who manipulated him into starting the war, defeating France and continental allies, and then Stalin planned to attack and crush him, but Hitler attacked first. Both theories has many facts behind them, but whether they are true is still Riddle for the Ages. Henry Morton Stanley helped to explore the Congo and claim it for King Leopold II of Belgium. Henry, like many others, was under the assumption that the Congo Free State would be run for humanitarian purposes. He had no idea that Leopold II was using him to set up a genocidal dictatorship. Supposedly, the only relatively foolproof reason for letting yourself be recruited as a spy is to do it for the money. Any other motives (freedom, nationalism, the workers' revolution, whatever) expose you to being played as an unwitting Double Agent, mole, or agent provocateur by the people you oppose. This is NOT a "useful idiot ," which is when (usually overt) support for a third party's nominal, moderate, public goals is cynically manipulated by the latter to advance their more closely-held, radical and secret goals. The "idiot" part comes from them being The Quisling without realizing that's what they're doing. They claim to love their country/faction/family/4-H club, but their actions and words say otherwise — and they'd never believe you if you pointed it out. On the TV show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, a guest uttered a stream of swear words, which were bleeped out. The guest then informed the production team that they had just broadcast the Morse Code for a certain four-letter word. Nearly everyone involved in the Malet coup of 1812, aside from Malet himself and the Abbé Lafon. Even those who helped prepare the coup - including a law student who should have known better - had no idea of what Malet and Lafon were really plotting. As General Lahorie put it, "We were conspirators in spite of ourselves." Alternative Title(s): Xanatos Sucker Unfriendly Fire Betrayal Tropes Uriah Gambit Unspoken Plan Guarantee Gambit Index MacGuffin Delivery Service To the Pain Evil Gloating Villainous Face Hold Twisting the Words Index Myopia Viewers Are Geniuses Unwitting Instigator of Doom Up Through the Ranks No Name Given Overdosed Tropes Animal Motifs	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613187
__label__wiki	0.628643	0.628643	Perverteer I create adult visual novels, with the help of a couple of awesome volunteers who test and proofread my work. My first project is an incest VN called called Sisterly Lust. I'm testing out SubscribeStar as a possible alternative to Patreon. The latest uncensored builds of Sisterly Lust will be available for $10+ subscribers, for $15+ subscribers the builds include the extra scenes. I haven't recreated all the Patreon tiers, but that might change in the future. About Sisterly Lust Sisterly Lust is a a choice-based visual novel made in Ren’Py and the first in many I hope to create. Until recently you’ve lived in a different part of the country with your father. Your parents divorced when you were very little and the family was ripped apart after a fierce custody battle. Your mother took her three daughters home, while your father moved away with you. You haven’t seen your family since and any attempts at communication were very much discouraged by your father. But now, everything has changed after his sudden death. During your fathers funeral you were approached by a woman you instantly recognized as your mother. She asked if you would be willing to go home with her, meet your sisters and be a family again. You hesitantly said yes… Fethishes Incest (Brother/Sister, Mother/Son, Brother/Sister/Mother) Group Sex (Optional) BDSM (Sub & Dom, Optional) Access to the uncensored game as soon as it's released. Walkthrough Guide Access to the uncensored game as soon as it's released Access to bonus sex scenes (1 per release) Ultimate Fan Your name in the credits of the game Access to the uncensored game (PC, Mac and Android) as soon as it's released	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613188
__label__cc	0.729992	0.270008	Unpatched Prototype Pollution Flaw Affects All Versions of Popular Lodash Library root 2019-07-09 TheHackersNews Lodash, a popular npm library used by more than 4 million projects on GitHub alone, is affected by a high severity security vulnerability that could allow attackers to compromise the security of affected services using the library and their respective user base. Lodash is a JavaScript library that contains tools to simplify programming with strings, numbers, arrays, functions, and objects, helping programmers write and maintain their JavaScript code more efficiently. Liran Tal, a developer advocate at open-source security platform Snyk, recently published details and proof-of-concept exploit of a high-severity prototype pollution security vulnerability that affects all versions of lodash, including the latest version 4.17.11. The vulnerability, assigned as CVE-2019-10744, potentially affects a large number of frontend projects due to the popularity of lodash that is being downloaded at a rate of more than 80 million times per month. Prototype pollution is a vulnerability that enables attackers to modify a web application’s JavaScript object prototype, which is like a variable that can be used to store multiple values based on a predefined structure. These structures and default values are called prototypes that prevent an application from hashing when no values are set. However, if an attacker manages to inject properties into existing JavaScript language construct prototypes and manipulate these attributes to overwrite or pollute, it could affect how the application processes JavaScript objects through the prototype chain, leading to a denial of service issue or a remote code execution vulnerability. According to Tal, the function “defaultsDeep” in the Lodash library could be tricked into adding or modifying properties of Object.prototype using a constructor payload, which could result in crashing the web application or altering its behavior, depending upon the affected use-case. The researcher responsible reported this vulnerability to John Dalton, maintainer of Lodash, and proposed fixes (pull requests 1 and 2) that will be included in the next version of the library, expected to be released very soon. If your project also uses on lodash, you are recommended to immediately update your library as soon as the official patch releases or manually apply the fixes. Previous Dashboards to Use on Palo Alto Networks for Effective Management Next BitcoinCasino.io Partners with Neteller to Initiate Fast and Secure Payments	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613189
__label__wiki	0.91992	0.91992	Rust a factor in Argos loss to Riders: McEwan Frank ZicarelliMore from Frank Zicarelli Updated: June 19, 2018 7:39 PM EDT Argonauts' Gilchrist hoping to make impression in his second kick at the CFL can Urgency for better starts continues to be preached by Argos' offence Argos feeling at home by being on the road in Cowtown As bad as the Argos looked, at least offensively, for the entire opening half last Friday night against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, there were some encouraging signs amid the many two-and-outs, the inability to create separation among the receiving unit, and the lack of protection. One down, 17 more to be played with the next test arriving this Saturday when the Argos play their home opener at BMO Field against the Calgary Stampeders in a Grey Cup rematch. Everything starts up front in football, the teams that win the line of scrimmage often putting themselves in a position to win. Sean McEwen, one of the elite centres in the CFL, felt rust was a factor in Regina, where the likes of Charleston Hughes, a one-time Stamps rush end, and Willie Jefferson were able to get up-field with little resistance. “There was some rust for sure,’’ said McEwen. “Every single person thought they could have played better and as a group we could have played better, particularly in that first half. That’s on us. “We have to play more confidently, come out stronger, faster, not really feeling anyone out but taking it to our opponent right away.” There were no game reps for any unit on either side of the ball as the Argos decided not to play projected starters during the pre-season. How much of a factor that would play is hard to quantify, but there’s no disputing how poorly the Argos offence would begin the game against a Riders defence that held Toronto to four first-half points, three coming off a late first-half fumble by the home side. “We practise like it’s a game every single day, but we don’t practise against our opponent. A lot of credit to them (Riders) because they had a great game plan, but we’re trying to put that behind us now and come out firing this week.” ARGOS HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE Marc Trestman didn’t need to be reminded, but he did get another up-close look at how the team’s veteran group holds players accountable. On the opening series in Regina last Friday, Brian Tyms ran the wrong route. As the Argos offence was walking off the field, veteran S.J. Green quickly got into Tyms. The two are brothers-in-law. “We have a team of leaders here,’’ said Trestman following Tuesday’s practice at York U. “I don’t even think about it. The thing about it is that we can hold each other accountable and nothing lingers. “We can call each other out, we can express ourselves here and hopefully it’s mostly in a good way. But if things come up we’re able to communicate it or else move on. That’s that kept us in the game for four quarters the other night because nothing lingered, guys kept fighting, guys kept working and that’s a sign of a team that has backbone.”	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613201
__label__wiki	0.705047	0.705047	The Cooking Gene A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South The Southern Discomfort Tour Memories Page 2018 WINNER OF THE JAMES BEARD AWARD FOR BEST FOOD WRITING AND BOOK OF THE YEAR The Cooking Gene: A Journey through African-American Culinary History in the Old South A renowned culinary historian offers a fresh perspective on our most divisive cultural issue, race, in this illuminating memoir of Southern cuisine and food culture that traces his ancestry—both black and white—through food, from Africa to America and slavery to freedom. Southern food is integral to the American culinary tradition, yet the question of who “owns” it is one of the most provocative touch points in our ongoing struggles over race. In this unique memoir, culinary historian Michael W. Twitty takes readers to the white-hot center of this fight, tracing the roots of his own family and the charged politics surrounding the origins of soul food, barbecue, and all Southern cuisine. Buy The Cooking Gene Book: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble Review The Cooking Gene: Good Reads Book Michael W. Twitty: https://melibeeglobal.com/book-a-speaker/michael-w-twitty/ Follow The Cooking Gene Michael W. Twitty on Twitter: @koshersoul www.Afroculinaria.com “Fascinating.” — New York Times Book Review “Twitty ably joins past and present, puzzling out culinary mysteries along the way… An exemplary, inviting exploration and an inspiration for cooks and genealogists alike.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Twitty has accomplished something remarkable with The Cooking Gene… It’s a book to save, reread, and share until everyone you know has a working understanding of the human stories and pain behind some of America’s most foundational and historically significant foods.” — Christian Science Monitor “Should there ever be a competition to determine the most interesting man in the world, Michael W. Twitty would have to be considered a serious contender.” — Washington Post “Slavery made the world of our ancestors incredibly remote to us. Thankfully, the work of Michael W. Twitty helps restore our awareness of their struggles and successes bite by bite, giving us a true taste of the past.” — Dr. Henry Louis Gates, host of PBS’ Many Rivers to Cross and Finding Your Roots “Written in Michael W. Twitty’s no-nonsense style and interlaced with moments of levity, The Cooking Gene is gritty, compelling, and enlightening – a mix of personal narrative and the history of race, politics, economics and enslavement that will broaden notions of African-American culinary identity.” — Toni Tipton-Martin, James Beard Award-winning author of The Jemima Code “Fascinating.… A valuable addition to culinary and Old South historiography with lip-smacking period recipes.” — Library Journal (starred review) Imprint: Amistad On Sale: 08/01/2017 Trimsize: 6 in x 9 in (h) x 1.427 in (d) List Price: 28.99 USD BISAC1: COOKING / History BISAC2: COOKING / Regional & Ethnic / American / Southern States Michael Twitty Facebook Page	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613212
__label__cc	0.540989	0.459011	Kodak Black Says He’s in the Same Category as Tupac and Biggie Kodak Black is comparing himself to the greats. After claiming her punched Sticky Fingaz, the controversial rapper fired up social media with another bold statement. Taking to Instagram Live on Wednesday (Mar. 20), Project Baby said he’s on the same level as Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Nas. Kodak Black says he should be… Read More Kodak Black is comparing himself to the greats. After claiming her punched Sticky Fingaz, the controversial rapper fired up social media with another bold statement. Taking to Instagram Live on Wednesday (Mar. 20), Project Baby said he’s on the same level as Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Nas. Kodak Black says he should be put in the same category as Pac, Big, and Nas. pic.twitter.com/eI7kC2WkZR — UnitedMasters (@unitedmasters) March 20, 2019 “I’m the hardest young nia,” said Kodak (via XXL). “I’m the hardest rapper in the game, I promise. Like, when you talk ’bout me, you should put me in a category of like ‘Pac, B.I.G, Nas, dem nias, you feel me? Like really listen to my shit. I don’t care about how I act, like, on the ‘Gram.” He continued, “Fuck what the blogs say. Ask about me in the streets. I’m a real one and I spit that fire.” This isn’t the first time Kodak has compared himself to the legendary MCs. In 2016, he released his Lil Big Pac mixtape, which featured him on the cover dressed as Biggie and Tupac. Just last week, the Pompano Beach rapper made headlines after claiming he punched Sticky Fingaz on his tour bus. Prior to that, he took shots at Lil Wayne during an appearance at Miami’s LIV nightclub, where he yelled, “You should’ve died when you was a baby.” Tags: #trending, Gossip & Celebrity, Hip Hop News, Rumor Report, Tea Bag Previous Cardi B Files Trademark for ‘Okurrr’ Catchphrase Next True Or False: Woman Claims Pastor John Gray Allegedly Sweet Chariot Clapped Her Cheeks To Second Samuel Smithereens #TheGiftAlbum: Beyoncé Drops 27-Tracks Inspired By Disney Film Reboot Called “The Lion King: The Gift” — Stream It Here! 1 hour ago thedingydiamond	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613214
__label__cc	0.502936	0.497064	results through the years Our scholarships and resources empower at-risk Thai students to stay in school, pursue their dreams, and break the cycle of poverty and exploitation. Our efforts in the US are centered around telling dignifying stories that encourage people to become a part of changing our world for the better. OUR impact reports 2017 Sustainability Research 2016 Social Impact Assessment Jan – March 2019 Nov – Dec 2018 April – May 2018 Reading: Human trafficking Kevin Bales, Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy ( University of California, 2012) E. Benjamin Skinner, A Crime So Monstrous: Face to Face with Modern-Day Slavery (Free Press, 2009) Louise Shelly, Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2010) Siroj Sorajjakool, Human Trafficking in Thailand: Current Issues, Trends, and the Role of the Thai Government (Silkworm Books, 2013) Julia Manzanares and Derek Kent, Only 13: The True Story of Lon (Only 13 Publications, 2006) Janie A. Chuang, “The Challenges and Perils of Reframing Trafficking as ‘Modern-Day Slavery.’” Fiona David, “When it Comes to Modern Slavery, do Definitions Matter?” Reading: Gender, Sex Work, and Trafficking Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Vintage, 2010) Leslie Ann Jeffery, Sex and Borders: Gender, National Identity, and Prostitution Policy in Thailand (Silkworm Books, 2003) Jarrett Davis, John Quinely, Glenn Miles, “Same-Same, But Different: A baseline study on the vulnerability of transgender sex workers in Bangkok.” Love 146: “Boys for Baht,” “What about Boys?” “Hidden In Plain Sight.” Reading: Sex work Rachel Moran, Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution (W.W. Norton and Company, 2013) Melissa Gira Grant, Playing the Whore: The Work of Sex Work (Verso, 2014) Elizabeth Bernstein, “What’s Wrong with Prostitution? What’s Right with Sex Work? Comparing Markets in Female Sexual Labor,” 10 Hastings Women’s L. R. 91 (1999) Sea-Young Cho, Axel Dreher, and Eric Neumayer, “Does Legalized Prostitution Increase Human Trafficking,” World Development 41 (2013): 67 – 82. Rachel Moran, “Buying Sex Should not be Legal.” The New York Times, The Opinion Pages, August 28th, 2015. The Freedom Story believes strongly in the Nordic Model, which criminalizes those purchasing sex while decriminalizing those selling it. Reading: General Q & A David A. Feingold, “Human Trafficking: Think Again.” Foriegn Policy	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613216
__label__wiki	0.78788	0.78788	The Great Lakes Eye News in the East Africa and Great Lakes Region UPDATES: Rwanda-Uganda relations not easing MUZUNGU Uncategorized April 22, 2019 3 Minutes A regional newspaper, The East African about what they call the “ease of tensions” at the Rwanda – Uganda borders. The paper bases this analysis on an interview they had with a couple of residents around the border area, mainly at Gatuna border post. This is far from the truth, according to officials who are well versed with the goings-on between both countries. However, The Great Lakes Eye has learned from GoR officials that the very reasons that were advanced by the Government of Rwanda which they said are responsible for the strain in relations with Uganda still exist, and there has not been any change to the effect of addressing the three main problems. The three issues that were presented by Rwanda include; 1)The targeting and persecution of Rwandan nationals on Ugandan soil, 2)Uganda’s continued hobnobbing with individuals who harbour plans to attack and destabilise peace in Rwanda, and 3) Economic sabotage, where Uganda has not taken any step to address these issues that economically hurt Rwanda. The travel advisory was issued by Rwanda at the beginning of March. None of the above has changed according to available information. For instance, two months since Rwanda made the necessary steps to protect its citizens by advising Rwandans against travelling to Uganda, there has not been any change in terms of efforts to stop harassing Rwandans in Uganda. Rwandans continue to be targeted in Uganda. In fact, the situation has since deteriorated, now involving assassinations where two Rwandans have been murdered on Ugandan soil, including one in Kisoro town and another one in Kabarore. On April 15 2019, at around 10p.m, unknown assailants trailed and shot dead a Rwandan businessman named Lambert Sanabo. The deceased, 52, was the manager of a famous wine factory, Isimbi Wines. The assailants, who were in a Premio saloon car, white in colour, trailed the deceased who was riding his Bajaj motorcycle registration number UDS 105H, before shooting him as soon as he arrived at his house. Sanabo’s body was repatriated to Rwanda on April 17, through Cyanika border post. Another Rwandan, Theogene Dusengimana, 28, who was working in a tea plantation in Kabarole District, Uganda, since 2014, was on April 7 killed by unknown people. The Ugandan Police in Kabale District intercepted people who were transporting his body to Rwanda via illegal routes on April 9 and immediately took it to Kabale hospital for further management. The body has since been repatriated, also via Cyanika border post. Besides the assassinations, many Rwandans are still held in different ungazetted places by Ugandan security operatives, as evidenced by figures that are available for the past two months. According to border records, between March and April 2019, a total of 94 Rwandans were dumped at the border with Uganda, having first been arrested and detained for varying periods of time. These illegal deportations have happened at all the three official borders with Uganda with Cyanika border receiving 22, Gatuna 51 and Kagitumba 21. Equally, abduction of Rwandans has never stopped, going by testimonies from those who have been fortunate enough to come out of the torture chambers alive. Secondly, Uganda’s assistance to Rwanda National Congress (RNC) has never stopped, according to information available. In fact, it is during these past one and half months that President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda received a delegation of senior officials from RNC, led by their head of diplomacy, Rwandan dissident Charlotte Mukankusi. He acknowledged this much in a letter he wrote to his counterpart, President Paul Kagame, that was sent through New Vision – a Ugandan government daily – which published it on March 19, in which he said he had “accidentally met Mukankusi”. https://thegreatlakeseye.com/after-denials-ugandas-president-museveni-admits-to-hosting-rwandan-dissidents/ It would later come out that the Ugandan authorities issued Mukankusi with a Ugandan passport, which she now uses to travel around the world mobilising support for the terrorist group. Besides, in the past three to four weeks, Ugandan media outlets especially The New Vision which is a government owned news paper have been publishing a series of interviews with leaders of a Rwandan terrorist group, the Rwanda National Congress (RNC) with view of preaching its propaganda against the government of Rwanda. From the past two months, the only thing that has changed perhaps is the progress that has been made towards the completion of the Gatuna One Stop Border Post, at least on the Rwandan side. In fact, Infrastructure Minister Claver Gatete and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Dr Richard Sezibera on Friday visited the border and would later report that works on the Rwandan side are nearly complete and within the deadline. “Look forward to speedy completion on the Uganda side so the OSBP can become operational within timelines agreed at the Northern Corridor summit,” Sezibera tweeted Friday. According to Minister Gatete, the works are at 93 per cent of completion. Source:The New Times @KagutaMuseveni Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) East African Community FDLR FDLR spokesperson Gen. Kale Kayihura Gen. Salim Saleh Gen. Tumukunde Internal Security Organization (ISO) Kabare Kagitumba Kayumba Nyamwasa Patrick Karegeya President Museveni Rwanda - Uganda relations Rwanda National Congress Uganda-Rwanda relations Ugandans UPDF Previous Post Why the death of Ignace Murwanashyaka is a big blow to both the FDLR and its Affiliates? Next Post In the death of Ignace Murwanashyaka, Uganda loses an indispensable ally Previous stories	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613217
__label__cc	0.626273	0.373727	Sony PlayStation 3 hacked with custom firmware The PlayStation 3 has been hacked before, originally with the PSJailbreak dongle and fail0verflow, but Sony managed to fight back with Firmware 3.60 which managed to ingeniously re-secure the console. But Hackers have released a custom firmware which allows compromised consoles to log into PSN, alongside LV0 decryption keys which allow the user to bypass future security updates. The hacker group ‘The Three Musketeers’ claims that they already had the keys for a while but decided not to publish them. The information also came into the hands of another Chinese hacking group called BlueDiskCFW which was about to release the Iv0 keys for a fee. To avoid others earning money with their hack, The Three Musketeers decided to publish the keys themselves. Here a Post by Hackers. The team of hackers released the following announcement: As this was a group effort, we wouldn’t normally have lost a word about it ever, but as we’re done with PS3 now anyways, we think it doesn’t matter anymore. Congratulations to the guy that leaked stuff, you, sir, are a 1337 haxx0r, jk, you’re an asshole. People should know that crooked personalities are widespread in this so called ‘scene’. Some people try to achieve something for fun together and make the wrong decision to trust others and share their results with them, but ofc there got to be the attention seeking fame wh*** that has to leak stuff to feel a little bit better about him-/herself. Now the catch is that it works like this in every ‘scene’, just that in others it usually doesn’t come to light.The only sad thing is, that the others who worked on this won’t get the attention they deserve because they probably want to remain anonymous (also they don’t care about E-fame <3 data-blogger-escaped-br="br"> PS: This is neither about drama nor E-fame nor ‘OMG WE HAZ BEEN FIRST’, we just thought you should know that we’re disappointed in certain people. You can be sure that if it wouldn’t have been for this leak, this key would never have seen the light of day, only the fear of our work being used by others to make money out of it has forced us to release this now. - The Three Musketeers Sony uses the Iv0 keys to protect the firmware of the Playstation 3. After update 3.60 the Iv0 keys were used to verify the software. With the release of the Iv0 keys to the web, hackers are able to modify current and future Playstation 3 firmwares. Because the Iv0 key is put into the Cell CPU during manufacturing it’s unlikely that Sony will be able to restore the protection of the Playstation 3 with a new update and with the PS3 firmware decrypted also the new PSN authentication key is easy to grab. Lets see with Sony's upcoming official 4.30 firmware, it has found a way to block off the exploit. Chinese Hackers The Three Tuskateers	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613218
__label__cc	0.704684	0.295316	CALIFORNIA NAMES THE MOST COMMON U.S. WEED-KILLER A CARCINOGEN. HOW CAN YOUR COMMUNITY MAINTAIN BEAUTIFUL, SAFE SPACES WITHOUT ROUNDUP? Report details how 10 cities across the United States have made their parks, sports fields and school playgrounds safer, while still killing weeds, without glyphosate. Read more about CALIFORNIA NAMES THE MOST COMMON U.S. WEED-KILLER A CARCINOGEN. HOW CAN YOUR COMMUNITY MAINTAIN BEAUTIFUL, SAFE SPACES WITHOUT ROUNDUP? EPA’s Pruitt Met with Dow Prior to Favorable Ruling By Dev GowdaKara Cook-Schultz On March 31st, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that his agency would deny a petition to ban the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos from being sprayed on food. He announced this decision despite EPA scientists’ earlier findings that concluded that chlorpyrifos, which is manufactured by Dow Chemical, can harm brain development of fetuses and infants after ingesting even small amounts. The news that the EPA would continue to allow the spraying of chlorpyrifos alarmed doctors and other public health officials, but what’s even more interesting is that according to several recent Freedom of Information Act requests, Pruitt met with Dow CEO Andrew Liveris at a Houston hotel just twenty days prior to making his controversial decision. Read more about EPA’s Pruitt Met with Dow Prior to Favorable Ruling Slow and Steady Progress Getting Toxic Chemicals out of Soaps, Shampoos, and More In the past year, we’ve seen a lot of progress. Consumers are at the forefront of making that happen, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to harness consumer preferences and push several companies to do better. Here’s what’s happened over the past year. Read more about Slow and Steady Progress Getting Toxic Chemicals out of Soaps, Shampoos, and More Men: The Lead in Your Hair Dye Could be Harming You Lead acetate is a substance used since the Roman Empire added it as a sweetener to food and drinks. But today we don’t drink it — we know that lead acetate can cause serious health problems. Some health risks posed include lung irritation, abdominal pain, nausea, high lead levels in blood and urine, cancer, and even death in the most serious cases. Read more about Men: The Lead in Your Hair Dye Could be Harming You U.S. PIRG Tells EPA: Chlorpyrifos is Deadly and Must Be Banned U.S. PIRG Education Fund joined a coalition of seven states and community, farmworker and environmental health groups in demanding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt ban the use of the brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos. Read more about U.S. PIRG Tells EPA: Chlorpyrifos is Deadly and Must Be Banned Issue \| Public Health, Food Read more about Healthy Farms, Healthy Families Court rules that people should be protected from untested pesticides A groundbreaking court victory came out yesterday: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an important pesticide law and ruled that pesticides can’t be sold until they’re tested for safety. Read more about Court rules that people should be protected from untested pesticides Statement on SC Johnson’s skin allergen disclosure announcement “SC Johnson, the manufacturer behind popular brands like Glade, Pledge, Windex, and more has announced today that it will disclose the presence of 368 fragrance and non-fragrance potential skin allergens that may occur in its products. This is a great move for chemical transparency in consumer products." Read more about Statement on SC Johnson’s skin allergen disclosure announcement Statement on McDonald's shareholder resolution to eliminate the routine use of medically important antibiotics from the company’s meat supply chain At McDonald’s annual shareholder meeting today shareholders voted on a proposal to eliminate the routine use of medically important antibiotics from the company’s entire meat supply chain. Of those that voted, nearly 30% were in favor of the resolution. Read more about Statement on McDonald's shareholder resolution to eliminate the routine use of medically important antibiotics from the company’s meat supply chain #KickTheCan: BPA still found in many grocery stores’ canned foods We’re all told to watch out for BPA in drinking bottles and baby products. But how about BPA in the cans that contain our food? A recent study by Center for Environmental Health (CEH) reveals that the toxic chemical BPA is readily found in canned foods. BPAs are often used in the liners of canned food to keep the aluminum from interacting with the food. Read more about #KickTheCan: BPA still found in many grocery stores’ canned foods	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613221
__label__wiki	0.774385	0.774385	UK Markets close in 5 hrs 2 mins All aboard! Treasure on the high seas for gas dealers By Ekaterina Kravtsova Reuters 15 April 2019 FILE PHOTO: A liquified natural gas (LNG) tanker leaves the dock after discharge at PetroChina's receiving terminal in Dalian, Liaoning province, China July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Chen Aizhu/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) - In the booming market for supercooled natural gas, the most precious commodity is the ship. A global quest for cleaner energy has fired up demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG), which produces less carbon dioxide than coal. But an abundance of supply has helped keep prices subdued, meaning the most profitable trade is in renting out vessels to transport it. Reflecting the white-hot demand for ships, over a dozen different companies, including energy majors BP and ExxonMobil, trading house Trafigura and gas utility Centrica are already looking to charter boats for the winter, according to four shipping industry sources, months earlier than usual. ExxonMobil, Centrica and Trafigura declined to comment. BP did not respond to requests for comment. Energy firms are trying to avoid getting stuck without ships on charter for the winter, when cold weather typically drives up trade in LNG and, consequently, transport costs. They also want to profit off less nimble rivals. Last winter, spot charter rates – the cost of renting a ship to transport LNG in real-time – soared to almost $200,000 per day in November compared to around $40,000 in May, squeezing those companies which had left it too late to secure vessels cheaply. Currently, spot rates are around $40,000 per day while rates for charters covering next winter are between $70,000-$80,000 a day, two shipping industry sources said. Energy groups including Shell, BP, China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), Cheniere and Gazprom, utilities Naturgy and Centrica and trading firms such as Gunvor and Trafigura are renting vessels for months or years and sub-letting some of them to competitors, according to half a dozen sources. None of the firms would comment. The market for LNG freight trade is relatively new and many companies are reluctant to talk about trading strategies, which are still being developed. “We see LNG shipping as a commodity on its own,” said Niels Fenzl, Vice President Transportation and Terminals at Uniper, an energy firm which along with Shell, pioneered freight trade within the LNG market. “We were one of the first companies who started to trade LNG vessels around two or three years ago and we see more companies are considering trading LNG freight now.” JUICY MARGINS The market for LNG has exploded in the last few years as countries, in particular China, look to reduce their reliance on coal. Technological developments have also enabled the United States to unlock cheap, abundant shale gas supplies. Starting from scratch, the United States has become the world’s fourth-largest exporter of LNG in three years. Shell predicts that the volume of LNG traded will rise 11 percent this year to 354 million tonnes. Five years ago, it was 239 million, according to the International Group of LNG Importers. The increased trade has, however, resulted in thinner margins between different regions, meaning less opportunity to profit on spreads between LNG prices around the globe. Last winter, the average premium of Asian prices over Europe was around $1 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). In the winter of 2011-2012 it averaged $7.3 per mmBtu, Refinitiv Eikon data shows. Graphic: Benchmark LNG charter rates ($/day)(https://tmsnrt.rs/2IgqOuB) Nearly 50 LNG ships were launched last year, bringing the total fleet to around 550, but with LNG supply growing quickly and seasonal peaks, the margins on LNG shipping rates can be eye-popping. Last year, Cheniere made deals in spring and summer for more than 10 vessels to cover its winter positions. Some ships were chartered at around $70,000 a day and rented out in winter at around $90,000 a day, an industry source said. That trade has become a sector legend and sources said others were trying to replicate it this year. "Big portfolio players, like Shell, BP, ExxonMobil and Cheniere, are looking at keeping their ships busy all the time, optimising their positions with their own or third party cargoes to make sure they can squeeze every dollar from their charters," a senior industry source said. Cheniere denied to comment on its deals. In general, traditional shipowners prefer to stick with long-term charters, which help them finance building new vessels, and let the energy firms and trading houses deal in the riskier short-term sublets. But, given the potential money to be made, there are shipping companies focused almost entirely on servicing the LNG industry’s immediate or near-term requirements. “The spot market is our priority now given the current rate environment as we don’t want to lock our ships in long-term charters prematurely in the recovery cycle,” said Oystein M. Kalleklev, CEO of Flex LNG, a shipping firm founded in 2006. “We also do believe spot is becoming a much bigger part of the LNG shipping market as well as the overall LNG trade.” HEDGING THE RISK Chartering a ship now for next winter is currently the only option for LNG companies looking to hedge their transport costs. But it is also risky. Low LNG prices in Asia could limit trade, leaving a firm stuck with an expensive boat and no one to sub-let it to. The solution would be a shipping futures contract which would allow a company to lock in a price for a future charter without taking a physical vessel – something that was developed for the oil tanker market in the 2000s. There are fledgling moves towards creating LNG shipping futures contracts. Three brokers, Affinity, Braemar and SSY, have been working with the Baltic Exchange since last year to create LNG freight indices. One index went live in March and two more are in trials. The indices - if accepted by the industry - could be the first step towards LNG freight futures. "A lot of our clients see LNG freight hedging as a missing piece of the puzzle. This missing piece is having control over the forward freight," said Benjamin Gibson, derivatives broker at Affinity. "If you have more shipping capacity then you can react to spot market cargo demand more efficiently." Graphic: Asian LNG and Dutch gas prices (https://tmsnrt.rs/2VFySYR) The difficulty for the index is having enough deals to base a price on, according to Gibson. Also, many transactions are discussed privately, making it difficult to find out what price was agreed. “In order for Uniper to consider trading on LNG freight indices we would need to see what mechanisms are offered to make the trade possible. If they could work in principle, we would look into using those,” Fenzl said. Graphic: Global LNG spot market (https://tmsnrt.rs/2VEPShC) (Editing by Carmel Crimmins) The Shooting of Millie Kelly Press Association video Commuters on London's world famous underground to get 4G services next year	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613225
__label__wiki	0.810247	0.810247	One of the leading dub artists of the '80s, Scientist was one of the most distinctive figures on the Jamaican music scene, known for his spacious production and mixing techniques as well as his wild album titles and cover artwork. Scientist's LPs found him using his skills at the mixing board to combat monsters, mythic villains, and video game characters. Scientist was born Overton Brown in Kingston on April 18, 1960. Brown was only 16 years old when producer/performer Errol "Don" Mais discovered and developed the considerable talents of this adolescent dub wiz. Scientist learned basic electronics from his TV repairman father, skills that made him very popular with the mobile DJs and their not-always-functioning sound systems. A friend suggested he visit the legendary dub producer/mixer King Tubby, not to remix records, but to get some transformers with which Scientist could build his own amplifiers. Soon Scientist was an employee of Tubby's, fixing transformers and televisions. One day, after an animated conversation about mixing records, Tubby challenged Scientist to take a shot at remixing a record. Brimming with adolescent bravado, he took Tubby up on his challenge, and that led to an extended apprenticeship in dub experimentation under Tubby's guidance. It was while at Tubby's that the Scientist developed his idiosyncratic dub style, playful and very psychedelic, loaded with echo explosions and blasts of feedback — a sound that caught the attention of Don Mais, who overheard the Scientist at the mixing board during a visit to Tubby's studio. With Mais supervising the production, Scientist, now all of 18, cut some wicked dub sides for the Roots Tradition label. At the end of the '70s, Scientist (now also referred to as "The Dub Chemist") left Tubby's to become the main engineer at Channel One Studios, and working with Henry "Junjo" Lawes, cut some best-selling dub LPs, only to leave for the greener pastures of Tuff Gong in 1982. In 1985, Scientist moved to Silver Springs, Maryland, where he worked as a recording engineer, designed electronics, and continued to record and release new dub material. In the 21st century, he took up a crusade to defend his rights as a recording artist and receive royalty payments for his work. Scientist filed suit against Greensleeves Records, insisting they had licensed and reissued his music without permission or payment; he also took the creators of the video game Grand Theft Auto to court for using some of his tracks as background music without asking his consent. Scientist's studio work and efforts to protect his catalog didn't keep him from creating new music; in 2017, he released two new albums, Untouchable and Allied Dub Selection. ~ John Dougan Drum Song Dub Scientific Dub Taxi to Baltimore Dub Every Dub Shall Scrub Bad Days Dub Black a Shade of Dub Match One: Beyond the Sound Barrier Barbelith The Birth of Scientist 10100II00101 Jah Life In Dub The Dub Album They Didn't Want You To Hear Tribute to Augustus Pablo The Seducer Dub Wise Scientist Meets The Pocket Dub from the Ghetto Smoke Marijuana Fractal, Neutral Train I Dreamt We Spoke Again (Scientist Remix) The Beekeeper's Apprentice Heart Of A Lion (2000 Digital Remaster) I-Roy Percussion, Remix Engineer, Studio Personnel Tribute to the Reggae King Dub Caring for My Sister ScientistRoots Radics	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613229
__label__wiki	0.747789	0.747789	Experience one of the most famous musicals of all time with a celebrated new adaptation featuring the original Tony Award-nominated stars Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope. The acclaimed production was directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. "I'll Build A Stairway to Paradise" Henri's dreams of being a star singer manifest in this musical number. Ballet Pas De Deux excerpt Leanne Cope and Robert Fairchild perform the signature pas de deux. "I Got Rhythm" The cast performs a Gershwin favorite - the exuberant "I Got Rhythm." An American In Paris The Musical - Official Trailer "Beginner's Luck" Jerry tries to convince Lise that he's in love with her.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613237
__label__wiki	0.66136	0.66136	VN sends condolences to Russia The former Russian Prime Minister and minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Primakov . — Photo Tass HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh yesterday sent condolences to Russia over the death of the former Russian Prime Minister and minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Primakov, who died on June 26. On the same day, deputy minister of foreign affairs Dang Minh Khoi attended a ceremony held in honour of the late Russian PM at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ha Noi. — VNS Việt Nam facilitates Japanese firms’ operations in Việt Nam: PM (July, 19 2019) PM urges cancer hospital to improve patient satisfaction (July, 19 2019) President Hồ Chí Minh’s embalmed body remains well-preserved: council (July, 19 2019) Việt Nam considers sending civil force to UN peacekeeping missions (July, 19 2019) District and commune-level administrative units to be reduced (July, 18 2019) Preparations underway for ASEAN defence-military events in 2020 (July, 18 2019) Vision needed for East Sea stability ASEAN, China talk on East Sea ASEAN Summit to debate on East Sea	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613238
__label__wiki	0.723038	0.723038	The Odd Couple: Leonardo DiCaprio & Martin Scorsese Ostracised by the Oscars One of 2013’s most enduring cinematic sagas was the latest Scorsese and DiCaprio collaboration, The Wolf of Wall Street. The release delays, extensive cuts, rating disapprovals, heckling at Oscar screenings and a new record for the amount of ‘fucks’ in a film have left the three hour epic with a production tale worthy of its own dramatisation, but the most intriguing climax of this story is to unravel at the Oscars. After last week’s bizarre news that Oscar committee member and former actor Hope Holiday had slated and heckled The Wolf of Wall Street at an Academy screening, labelling it “disgusting crap” and “torture”, it would appear that the film’s Oscar hopes look all but dashed, but should we really be surprised? Debatably the greatest living film director, or at least one of them, Martin Scorsese has made 23 feature length films and won one Oscar, while Leonardo DiCaprio, one of finest actors around today, has notched up none and been nominated for a measly three. Travesties all round. Of course it’s worthless to champion these two without producing evidence that their significant body of work deserves recognition from the Academy. Has a better film been made than Taxi Driver? Certainly not, but why in the name of Travis Bickle’s Mohawk did it not win the 1976 Oscar for best picture? Because Rocky is obviously better that’s why, well at least according to the Academy. Not that I’m slating Rocky, it’s great, but it hasn’t got a patch on the darkly sinister beauty of Taxi Driver. While the De Niro inspired brilliance of Taxi Driver is the most upsetting Scorsese admission a fine selection of his subsequent features could have picked up and Oscar for best director or best picture- Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, The Colour of Money, Goodfellas, Casino, The Aviator, Shutter Island from what I’ve seen. In 2006, Scorsese did finally bag his evasive Oscar for Best Achievement in Directing with The Departed. Far from his best film it almost seems that the Oscar came out of sympathy, or as an honorary life time achievement, a token gesture for a man revered critically as one of the best this side of the 20th Century. Perhaps it’s the risqué content or seedier side of America that he often explores in his work that doesn’t compute with the conservative Oscars, or maybe it’s just the fact he made a film about Jesus with Harvey Keitel in The Last Temptation of Christ. Whatever the reason, Scorsese’s sparse award cabinet marks a great injustice in cinematic accolades. Leonardo DiCaprio has matured like a stonking vintage red, brushing off international, overnight, success with Titanic and Romeo + Juliet in the mid-90s to become one of the most talented actors of the last decade sadly landing him sweet F-all from the Academy. Too often he’s been overlooked, passed off as lightweight from his lacklustre early performances, (The Beach is total tosh) when he’s actually been smashing out convincing, enthralling and emotionally raw performances more consistently than anyone else. Catch Me If You Can- naively charming, Shutter Island- the perfect blend of teetering insanity, J. Edgar– bit dull, but grossly transformed, Django Unchained– the stand out performer that held the film together and Revolutionary Road– just superb, his best performance, for which he was conspicuously ousted in favour of his co-star, and eventual Oscar winner, Kate Winslet. Another bloody travesty. Sometimes he gets accused of picking roles that are likely to land him an Oscar, but that’s a petty, hollow criticism, Daniel Day-Lewis has become the master of such refined role choosing and seldom does he receive any grief for it. It seems improbably fitting that the two Academy underdogs should become partners in crime, collaborating on five motion pictures thus far. Whether artistic intent or their perennial status as Oscar outsiders brought them together is unclear, but clearly it’s brought them some success with an Oscar, but sadly not the all-encompassing winner for best picture yet. The Wolf of Wall Street looks unlikely to buck trend the way it’s been unprofessional received at the Academy screening as well as its brash, vulgar and radical content. You could point out that directors of such mesmerising quality as Hitchcock, Godard and Kubrick have never received an Oscar for directing meaning Scorsese should be happy with his solitary accolade, DiCaprio can take less comfort from his sparse nominations. Perhaps the greater issue to take with duo’s admissions is the very nature of the Oscars and whether they remain a valuable measure of cinematic genius today. The conservative favourites this year of Saving Mr Banks, Gravity and Captain Phillips makes for unimaginative reading, contrasted with Wolf of Wall Streets’ dressing down and inspirational James McAvoy in Filth absent all together. DiCaprio and Scorsese are unlikely to lose much sleep over the whole debacle, it’s the Academy who should wake up and broaden their horizons to get some much needed credibility back. N.B. The Wolf of Wall Street isn’t out here yet so if its total shit then ignore most of this article. Regardless, the point of the article is that DiCaprio and Scorsese haven’t got the deserved recognition and the Oscar’s are increasingly irrelevant and conservative, not whether Wolf of Wall Street is great. – Film Review: ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ is one nasty, vulgar film about nasty, vulgar people – Film Review: ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ – Martin Scorsese heckled at Academy screening of The Wolf of Wall Street – Leonardo DiCaprio defends The Wolf of Wall Street: We’re not condoning this behaviour Category : Films essays and Opinion Tags : Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Oscars, Revolutionary Road, Taxi Driver, The Academy, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street ← The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Review American Hustle Review → 6 thoughts on “The Odd Couple: Leonardo DiCaprio & Martin Scorsese Ostracised by the Oscars” confusedalotofthetime on January 5, 2014 at 4:48 pm said: marty & leo are always fucked in the ass by the oscars, I think leo has a golden globe. I feel so sorry for him because he had all the fame and glory, dates models and lives a bachelor lifestyle yet the one thing he wants, ( respect for his performances) has completely eluded him. He gets his little face in such a twist at the awards shows lol. I suppose the reality is leo has nothing to complain about and the fact that he wants it so much is probably why he never receives it. I think in the end some people will just never see him as anything but Jack from titanic. jsmithy644 on January 5, 2014 at 5:26 pm said: Very true, I can’t believe how little recognition he gets, seems that’s he doomed to be ignored. How he got completely ignored last year for Django Unchained is beyond me, he was the best one in it. Maybe he should do a musical or a film with Tom Hanks… The thing that surprised me the most about leo was when I learned that he was from an extremely poor family. Apparently he was living around skid row as a kid and basically busted his balls all the way to the top. I think that this is the reason that he is less likely to take on indie roles. Because he knows the value of a dollar. Perhaps, he’s done well to not sell his soul for the very big, conservative films. He’s struck a balance between big films and a sort of deep, Indie level of performance and role. He’s still young but I feel no matter what he does and how well he’ll never get the personal praise. Anna (Film Grimoire) on January 5, 2014 at 11:02 pm said: I’m crossing my fingers for Leo. He always gets shafted and I feel bad for him. He really deserves some official recognition in the shape of a beautiful golden award. movie on May 6, 2014 at 8:31 pm said: The as if you discover my head! Material realize a great deal somewhere around that, such as you published the actual e-book there or something. I find myself that you just are capable of doing with many per-cent to drive the material house somewhat, nonetheless apart from that, this is great weblog. An outstanding examine. I’m going to definitely be backside.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613249
__label__wiki	0.945527	0.945527	Industrial Strength February 22, 2019 Industrial Strength: Here’s what went down in the music biz this week OCEAN ALLEY, KWAME, FOR MTV’S TRL Sydney-based triple j champs Ocean Alley and hip hop protégé Kwame are the first guests on TRL (Total Request Live) when it premieres on Friday, March 8 on MTV and MTV Music on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Fetch. TRL is hosted by Ash London and Angus O’Loughlin, DJ Flex Mami and MTV.com.au editor and on-air presenter, Lisa Hamilton. Fans can also engage with TRL online at mtv.com.au and across social on YouTube (@TRL Playlist), Instagram (@mtvaustralia #TRL) Facebook (@TRL Australia) and Twitter (@mtvAustralia). Each episode of TRL will be filmed in front of a live studio audience at MTV HQ in Sydney with new episodes premiering every Friday at 6 pm (AEST). GREATEST SHOWMAN SEQUEL? Hugh Jackman, who opened the BRITs with ‘The Greatest Show’ from The Greatest Showman soundtrack, has sparked off rumours that a sequel is grinding on its way. “For an actor, I’m a bad liar,” he told the BBC. “I have heard talk about it but I don’t know. “Honestly, that [the original] took eight years and you can’t underestimate how hard it is to write a new musical…. “At the same time, you’re talking to the guy who made nine Wolverine movies.” NEW JAZZ FESTIVAL FOR MELBOURNE Melbourne gets a new jazz festival in April. Jazz Roots is an initiative of the Paris Cat Jazz Club as a tribute to International Jazz Day on Tuesday, April 30. The jazz event is on Sunday, April 28 at the Coopers Malthouse Courtyard with names including The Black Jesus Experience, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and The Toshi Clinch Big Band. SEVEN SCREENS MICHAEL JACKSON INVESTIGATION This weekend’s Sunday Night: True Stories on Seven includes an investigation on what went on behind the gates of Michael Jackson’s Neverland estate. The testimony comes from a former Neverland worker and one of the singer’s alleged victims. GOLDEN STAVE TICKS OFF DATES The music industry’s charity The Golden Stave –which has raised over $15 million and supported over 50+ children’s charities in NSW – has released a number of its fundraising events. The 28thaAnniversary Golden Stave Golf Day featuring the David Gilchrist Ambrose Challenge will be held on Friday, March 15 at the Beverley Park Golf Club in Sydney. The 41st anniversary Golden Stave Lunch will be held on Friday, October 18 at the Four Seasons Hotel. If you have any questions or wish to become a sponsor, email Larry Warren (general manager) at larry@goldenstave.com.au The Association of Independent Music (AIM) announced Ninja Tune MD Peter Quicke as its new chair, replacing Tim Dellow of Transgressive. Dan Bradley, PD of Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast moves to Melbourne to pick up his new role as content director of Triple M Melbourne. Melbourne-based biennial festival Next Wave appointment of three new associate producers – Alec Reade, Nikki Lam and Emily Sweeney. Will Brewster is the new digital editor at Furst Media’s muso title Mixdown, taking over from Jessica Over. Sue Gilbert is appointed station manager of Sunshine FM104.9 on the Sunshine Coast. She was at 4CC/HOT FM Gladstone. Destination NSW’s new director of PR and visiting media Kristy Meudell was previously head of consumer PR at Res Publica. EMPIRE OF THE SUN CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY Empire of the Sun celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Walking On A Dream album with a special transparent blood orange vinyl version (with unreleased track ‘Chrysalis’) and a run of 15 club shows between May 30 and July 9, most in the US but also in London and Paris. MELBOURNE ARTS PRECINCT GETS REDESIGN The Melbourne Arts Precinct is to get a redesign which includes an elevated inner-city park and new pedestrian connections into and throughout the area, enabling visitors to move seamlessly from Southbank and the Yarra, through Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Road cultural institutions. Melbourne design practice HASSELL, in partnership with New York’s SO-IL, will do the honours. FIVE YEARS OF LOCKOUTS REMEMBERED To mark five years of Sydney lockouts and its effect on the rest of NSW, Keep Sydney Open is holding a series of events across the state. Sydney, Friday Feb 22, Freda’s Wollongong, Sunday Feb 24, (in partnership with Yours & Owls), 4—9 pm, North Gong Hotel. Byron Bay, Friday March 1 (in partnership with Jono Ma) at Bathurst, Monday March 4 (in partnership with DK Pool Club) at Oxford Hotel. 123 COUNT UP TO SEVEN 123 Agency’s latest signing is Melbourne seven-piece The Seven Ups. They follow the deal with national shows that start in their hometown before heading to Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and regional Victoria. LYRICFIND FINDS NEW WORDS LyricFind, which has lyrics to 5,000 publishers, has expanded its services in Southeast Asia and the Middle East with new offices in Morocco and Vietnam. In Vietnam, a local team covers Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Bahasa, and Malay language lyrics. The office in Tangier, Morocco, is home to a local team covering Arabic and Turkish languages. FLAME BREEZE A 44-year old performer who used a flamethrower as part of a fire dance at the Dystopia festival in Nelson, New Zealand – despite a fire ban in the region – was arrested and faces court on two charges under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act. SPOTIFY ANNOUNCES FIRST NATION PODCASTERS Spotify Australia unveiled the first four recipients of its inaugural Sound Up Bootcamp for aspiring First Nation podcasters. It was announced last October with the specific notion that experience was not needed, just a passion to be a voice on an issue or issues. The four are Stephen Bungabee Watt, Bogaine Skuthorpe-Spearim, Nicole Hutton and Rowdie Walden. The prize includes $5,000 towards a podcast, an editing webinar and mentoring sessions on podcast creation, story development and understanding their audience. GETTING THE MUNCHIES A 44-year-old is contemplating his diet habits in jail after he allegedly bit a cop on the leg at SummerSalt in Coffs Harbour. He’d been given the heave-ho by security from the event “due to his level of intoxication” but didn’t intend to exit stage right. A couple of blueys were called, and he drew blood with a chomp when he was being handcuffed. ANOTHER VIC EVENT SAVED FROM SCALPERS Another Victorian event has been saved from ticket scalping. The government has slapped a “major event” tag on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which means it’s now covered by state law which forbids any of its tickets from being resold for over 10% of its original price. The hardy-ha-ha fest draws up to 770,000 chucklers each year, making it Australia’s largest ticketed cultural event. The government said, “Major events are crucial to the state’s economy, generating around $1.8 billion each year and bringing visitors from across Australia and around the world to our state. “The Labor government has invested an extra $4.5 million in the Major Events Fund to help ensure Victoria’s major events calendar remains one of the best in the world.” 350,000+ Elton John tickets already sold in Australia and New Zealand 8 times that Tom Walker used the word “absolute” in his acceptance speech at the BRITs $500,000 what 50 Cent claimed on The Late Late Show that President Trump offered just to turn up and be seen at his 2017 inauguration. $331 million, record earnings in first half of the financial year for the Star Gold Coast, with net profit at $149 million. 50,000 fans that NZ band Six60 will play tomorrow at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland – the first Kiwi act to sell out. $155.9 million, what Metallica’s WorldWired tour has grossed, after launching in 2016. $32,465 raised for Rural Aid at January’s Tamworth country music festival, according to figures released this week. 1 million YouTube views for Farruko, Nicky Jam, & Amenazzy’s ‘#Baby Passing’. SCOUTED RETURNING Adelaide’s indie music showcasing Scouted will return on Friday, July 26 as part of Umbrella: Winter City Sounds. Expressions of interest have opened for acts wanting to showcase. DJ PHIL K FUNDRAISER A fundraiser is held at La Di Da on March 30 for veteran Melbourne club DJ Phil K. His year-long battle with bladder cancer has worsened in the last six months, despite surgery in December. “Even though the doctors call me ‘terminally ill’ (isn’t life itself a terminal illness?) I consider myself a very lucky person,” he said. “I may end up going a bit earlier than other people but through positivity and being positive I want to hang on for as long as I can.” A crowdfunding campaign launched at https://www.gofundme.com/support-phil-k to raise $100,000, and as of last night had reached $38,408 in its first week. CHANGES TO KATHERINE RADIO Listeners of Katherine (Northern Territory)’s commercial radio station Hot 100 (8HOT) on 765 kHz AM may soon have to change their dial if the ACMA accepts a proposal by the station. The proposal would see 8HOT swap from AM to FM transmission in Katherine. Darwin listeners already enjoy 8HOT in FM. FIRST SYNTHESISER CONFERENCE Los Angeles’ first-ever synthesizer festival SYNTHPLEX is held March 28—31 with a trade show boasting a full range of synthesizer gear, educational & technology based seminars, master Q&A sessions, DIY synthesizer build workshops, a pop-up synth museum with rare instruments to play and sample, synth and DJ live sets and a gala dinner which will honour Thomas ‘She Blinded Me With Science’ Dolby for his contributions. LGBTI AWARDS RETURN TO SYDNEY The 2019 Australian LGBTI Awards are back at the Star Sydney on March 1, with2,000 people nominated across 18 categories. The shortlist for the Music Acts includes Cub Sport, Mojo Juju, Kira Puru, Bec Sandridge, Alfie Arcuri, Maria Temelkos of The Frocks, Mama Alto, Greg Gould, Damien Mancell and Harley Mavis. Tash Sultana and Troye Sivan are up for Local Icons and the Australian Institute of Music in the Organisations list. Elton John, Cher and Boy George made it to the International Icon category. Full details at www.australianlgbtiawards.com.au. SA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION The next AMC South Australian Music Hall Of Fame on March 24 will see the induction of Frank Castel, sound engineer/designer, production, F.O.H. and roadie for nearly 40 years. Appropriately his induction takes place at the Roady4Roadies event at the Entertainment Centre. LITTLE STEVIES BACK AFTER SIX YEARS Between 2005 and 2013, sisters Byll and Beth Stephen, aka The Little Stevies released three triple j loved studio albums, an EP, a live album and played over 400 shows across Australia, the US, Canada and New Zealand, and landed a record deal and a booking agent in North America. When Byll became a mother, they turned to making kids music. As Teeny Tiny Stevies, they wrote music for Sesame Street in the US, licensed their animated music videos to ABC KIDS TV (going on to become the second highest rating Australian program on ABC iView in 2018) and were nominated for last year’s Best Children’s Album ARIA. Now they’re back with a new ‘grown-ups’ album, Stopped Wishing I Was Somewhere Else, which will be released on February 28. They’re also hitting the road, both as The Little Stevies and Teeny Tiny Stevies. AND A FEW OTHER THINGS… Which upcoming international tour is making plans for one of the members to mime because he’s lost his voice? Will Stereolab’s reunion tour, announced for North America and expanding to Europe, also take in Australia? Instagram pix show The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr in the studio with Natalie Imbruglia, in Rockinghorse studios in Byron Bay, with Strokes producer Gus Osberg. Maniac Netflix Teaser, soundtracked by Gordi’s ‘Heaven I Know’, has won ‘Best Music Supervision in a Television Promo’ at the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. Slipknot’s Corey Taylor reckons Imagine Dragons have replaced Nickelback as the world’s most hated band. Splendour and Falls Byron Bay will know in the next week or so if they get to stay on permanently at their North Byron Parkland site. Australian Radio Network has ended its 10-year relationship with media agency GroupM’s MediaCom and shifted to Initiative Sydney. Apparently leaked Rhianna tour dates sees her doing dates around the US from April… alas, nothing on Aussie shows. Word is Daniel Johns is about to watusi down the aisle again, this time with former model Michelle Leslie. She was previously hitched to one time The Music Network publisher and Big Day Out CEO Adam Zammit. The West Australian reported that the album artwork for the new Methyl Ethel album Triage is the work Age of Reason by Sydney-based artist Loribelle Spirovski. The 2017 Archibald Prize finalist used her husband, concert pianist and “frequent muse” Simon Tedeschi as its subject. Funnily enough, Troye Sivan was photographed standing in front of a Spirovski painting at an exhibition in Los Angeles, and everyone assumes he posed for it. “The hilarious thing is that it’s actually inspired by the actress Saoirse Ronan, who … has a striking resemblance to Troye.” Perth songwriting duo The Opposite Kids aka Rob Agostini and Denny Thakrar have written global music star Dido’s new single ‘Give You Up.’ Former Hi-5 star turned TV presenter Charli Robinson and her racing driver partner Liam Talbot have had a baby. Don’t be expecting a Savage Garden reunion in a hurry. One half of the duo, Daniel Jones told 97.3’s Bianca, Mike & Bob, he and Darren Hayes don’t see each other. The last time was a few years back at their ex-managers wedding, and “just acknowledged each other”. He added, “There’s no wrongdoing. It’s just different directions and different people. We just don’t have a friendship anymore or working relationship.” Things got tense there for awhile when Hayes announced the band’s split without informing Jones first. At the funeral of chef to the stars, Justin Bull, his best mate David Campbell and his daddy-o Jimmy Barnes did a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Talk about bad timing. Just as Bring Me The Horizon’s global popularity goes through the stratosphere with their new album, they’ve had to cancel US tour dates after Oli Sykes ruptured his right vocal cord Fresh Prince star Alfons Rebeiro lost his court bid to sue two video game makers for using his dance routine as shaking his hips and swinging his arms and clicking his fingers. A judge said, hey dude, you can’t copyright dance moves. After a bad period of ill-health, Stan Walker is about to unveil a number of projects. “Something big, something you won’t expect, it is going to be my biggest year of music yet” Melbourne-based mastering engineer Tony ‘Jack the Bear’ Mantz is launching his new career as a keynote speaker and industry mentor. On March 16 at The Cave in Abbotsford, he will share stories from his personal and professional life. It covers fighting anxiety, drug addiction, massive weight release, divorce and ups and downs of business. Press Club head off in March and April for their first ever tour through the UK and Europe. After a so long, farewell bash at Melbourne’s Old Bar on Friday, March 15, they do 16 shows between April 16 and May 8. Christie Eliezer industrial strength Industrial Strength by Christie Eliezer 16 Jun 2019 #ICYMI: 7 music business stories you may have missed last week Industrial Strength by Christie Eliezer 7 Jun 2019 Industrial Strength: Spice Girls Down Under? MusicNT awards, Melbourne Guitar Show & more Industrial Strength by Christie Eliezer 31 May 2019 Industrial Strength: Tina Arena honoured, SA license fee backlash & more Industrial Strength: Petrol Records & UMA release first single from new Hutchence soundtrack	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613252
__label__cc	0.746687	0.253313	Friday, August 5th, 2011 An open letter to Amtrak Posted by doylej under travels \| Tags: albany-rensselear, amtrak, boston, california zephyr, car attendants, Chicago, coach, communication, cup holders, kansas city, lake shore limited, los angeles, railroad, redcaps, sleeper cars, south station, southwest chief, train staff, train stations, train travel, trains, travel, union station, vacation, wifi \| I began this letter as we worked our way across New York state this morning, on the last leg of the train portion of our trip. Although we still have a week left of our time away from home, I thought I’d take this opportunity to reflect on our train trip across the country and back. So without further ado: Dear Amtrak, Having spent the last three weeks traveling from Albany to Los Angeles and back — a large portion of which was done by train — I’d like to first say that, overall it has been a pleasure. With all of my grumbling about waiting for the train to come on the first leg of our trip, someone asked me why I would ever want to do a trip like this. And, with the two day trip from L.A. to Kansas City nearly resulting in a family room meltdown, there were moments when I did wonder myself. But in looking back, I have to say that I would do it over again. I might try to arrange things a little bit differently, but, yes, I would do it again. As our train attendant, Peggy, said yesterday, there’s nothing like true train people. They are open and friendly and warm and engaging. To my deep happiness, I’ve found that they are not overly chatty, but instead, at least in my recent experience, seem to be able to tell when one is in a conversational mood. The lounge/observation car is often the scene of these discussions, but I found that taking advantage of the 15-minute “smoking” stops at various train station platforms along the route counted for some of my most vivid memories. The town in Iowa that first night after Chicago that was 100 degrees and humid, the little town up in the Rockies where almost the entire sleeper car got out for a walkabout, and Lamar, CO, where Lucy and the 13-year-old from L.A. (“but I was born in New York, so I’m really a New Yorker”) talked about the differences between a childhood in California (“I’ve never seen snow”) and Massachusetts (with Lucy describing what Cape Cod is to a Californian who didn’t know Mass. had any beaches). I’ll also fondly remember our neighbors in the California Zephyr sleeper car — the 60-something musician couple traveling from festival to festival and the 70-something beyond sweet couple who were on a vacation to the west coast and who sang along until the train attendant came down and told us that we were making a little bit too much noise and all instruments needed to be moved to the lounge car. (I will also, however, not-so-fondly remember our original Southwest Chief neighbors who took one look at our kids and asked to be moved. I don’t think they smiled or even acknowledged our presence once in our 12 hours of shared journeying. Ironically, they and their two teenagers did manage to make more noise closing the doors of their roomettes than I thought was possible, most of that between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. when they finally detrained [to use railroad parlance]. I must admit, if James was going to pick a night to wake up at 4 a.m. and cry for an hour due to a tooth coming in, I’m glad it was that one. I’m also happy to say that the Sourpusses replacements were a lovely woman from Kansas and a couple of semi-retired college professors traveling with their 20-something daughter — real train people all around). Another major plus is watching the scenery roll by. As I told Lucy and Will (in order to entice them away from their electronic devices): there are parts of the Rockies that can only be seen from the train. There are literally no roads, no people anywhere else for miles around. And coming up out of the New Mexico desert into the Colorado canyons (training directly through the aftermath of a forest fire no less) while eating a surprisingly good oven-baked chicken dinner is quite a memorable experience, not to mention watching the countryside change from state to state to state. With that said, oh mighty Amtrak Powers That Be, I do have a suggestion or two that might make the entire experience just a teensy bit better for your passengers: 1) Is it really that hard to get wifi service on your trains? If busses and commuter rail have it, then why can’t the cross-country trains? You’re already using satellite service for the credit card machines in the cafe and dining cars, why not tie it into a wifi hotspot and let your passengers take advantage? 2) The second most egregious downside is the lack of cup holders; even baby stroller manufacturers have figured this out. It’s hard enough to convince travelers to choose trains over other modes of transportation. A lack of cup holders does nothing for you. And yes, I do understand that it’s probably ridiculously expensive to retrofit a fleet of trains, but having the current (i.e., newer car) cup indentations be an inch deep rather than a centimeter doesn’t even come close to cutting it. I hear that you’re ordering up a whole new set of ‘revenue cars’ (i.e., sleepers, dining, and lounge cars, a.k.a. we’ve-got-you-where-we-want-you-and-may-as-well-commit-highway-[or maybe train]-robbery-with-our-prices cars). Once you’ve got the safety and logistical things down, I’d make cup holders be the next thing on the list. 3) Along those lines, the space usage in the sleeper cars could be much improved. First of all, there is nothing but dead space underneath the cup [non] holders. Why not break through the indentation, provide a basket-type thing, and, voila, you have yourself a cup holder? Similarly, install some of those cargo-net-type things up and down the walls and sleeper passengers will have something to place their books, phones, etc. in as they drift off to sleep. The current rimless shelves are a sorry excuse. And kudos for the numerous coat hooks in the cabins, but make them just a bit heftier and they become hooks for the purses and bags that otherwise take up precious space on the floor. These are just some obvious things; a yacht or space designer — or, I’m sure, any one of the attendants who spend their days and nights living out of the rooms — could make some huge strides in making the roomettes more livable. 4) Along the lines of customer service, there’s a lot of opportunity as well, with communication being a major issue. Having the PA systems work consistently throughout the trains would be a start. Having the conductors (and lounge car and coach/sleeper attendants) use them regularly would be a close follow-up. For example, all the involved parties on our California Zephyr trip were excellent: the lounge car attendant was wonderfully welcoming and jolly, the conductor regularly informative, and the lounge car attendant reassuringly present. I found it made the trip both homey and comforting, despite the part about getting stuck in a remote area of the Rockies thanks to “track work” whereas the last leg if our trip – the east bound Lake Shore Limited – was silent and, IMHO, kind of isolating. 5) It’s great that you have a seat-assignment process on the long distance trains west of Chicago. (And maybe east — my only recent experience with coach on the east side if the country is going to NYC and that tends to be first-come-first-served.) It would be nice, however, if you mentioned it somewhere along the way. And, yes, granted, it might be in the literature somewhere (although not anywhere I came across it), but even so, maybe the people that sold us the thousands of dollars worth of tickets (or maybe the people who do the checking in part, or the conductor who takes the tickets in the station, or even the coach car attendant who sees the family of 5 that includes three young children, one of whom is an infant, waiting patiently for, oh, TWO HOURS on the floor of the Kansas City train station, in order to get four seats together on a train that’s been occupied since Los Angeles and merely tells us not to get on the train yet) could mention it. Because it sure would be a lot better to know that in advance than it was to wait for the two hours, rush us all to the train so that we maintained our place at the front of the line, find four seats together, only to find put that they’d been given to someone else. Just sayin’. (A special shout-out to 18-year veteran Southwest Chief attendant, Peggy, who, even before learning that we hadn’t in fact been two hours late to catch the train, promised us she’d get us the four seats after some people got off at the next stop.) Even better? Assign seat numbers when you sell the tickets. If my daughter’s dance recital can come with assigned seats, so can a major transportation outfit. I have faith. It would make a lot of people’s rides a lot more comfortable. 6) When you change the starting station of a massively long train trip from Boston to Albany, how about proactively telling folks rather than having them find out because they checked their itinerary online and then called to make the correction. Although we appreciate that you would have bussed us between the two stations, driving was a much better option for us for a variety of reasons. I’m glad we happened upon the information in time for us to plan accordingly. 7) And, finally, let’s talk about train stations, of which you have some beauties. The Chicago, Kansas City, and Los Angeles Union Stations all have some spectacularly beautiful features. The great halls in Chicago and Kansas City are gorgeous, as is much of the detail throughout the buildings, and the leather art deco seats and tilework in L.A. are a surprising and welcome detail. It’s unfortunate that the more recent updates have almost entirely nullified them and rendered them almost entirely inactive. I truly do understand the need to do something about, say, the mightily unused space in K.C. once train travel became supplanted; using large portions of the station for exhibit and theater space most likely saved the building — which I think I read was the third biggest in the country at one point. It’s a shame, though, that the entire Amtrak presence is now relegated to a tiny, out-of-the-way back set of cramped, poorly used rooms. At the very least, someone could remove the no-longer-used information desk (lovely detail though it may be), and allow room for passengers exiting trains to actually exit. As it now stands, they must push their way through people waiting for baggage claim, people waiting to check-in for a train, and people waiting to board. Not a great system. 8 ) Redcap stations would also help. Cross country travelers — even those who are not us — have a lot of bags. Trying to figure out where to be is hard enough without having to also wrestle with bags. In L.A. having an 11- and 8-year old who could stay with bags while one of us returned the rental car and the other tried to figure out where our train left from ended up being key if a little bit unnerving. (With Security neither allowing us to keep the car parked in front of the station once it was unloaded, nor to linger with our bags, we didn’t have much of an option.) (Speaking of which, the Security Dept. at L.A.’s train station is On Top Of Things. Boy, do they keep you moving along!) Although there was actually a well-placed Info Desk (unlike the one in Chicago that is located deep in the bowels of the station, found only after elbowing through the crowds waiting in all the lines that you figure out before you even see the word ‘info’), redcaps were nowhere to be found. As it turns out, they patrol the station and driveways of the station on the lookout for passengers in need of assistance. It would have been nice to know this; it also would have been nice to just be able to go and find someone to help us. Instead, I ended up trekking through and around the station twice only to finally pay $4 for a minuscule luggage cart. Not until the cart was back out by the luggage did I see a redcap to flag down. And as we began loading her cart, who drives up with another redcap but Kelley, who had flagged one down on his way back from the Hertz counter. It was a waste of their time and ours. Chicago, another big city station, was similarly frustrating. After my first trip to the Info Desk (thus my awareness of its location), I waited ten minutes for their promised paged redcap. I then went back inside and wandered around until I found two men sitting on drivable luggage carts — confusingly, they weren’t actually the people with the red shirts or caps — and decided to interrupt what appeared to be a break in order to ask if they knew where I could find someone to help us. Only after being assured that, yes, I had a lot of bags, and, yes, we were checking some and then traveling in a sleeper, did one of them indicate that he was one. I won’t even mention the guy in Kansas City who was surly and almost completely unhelpful. (On the flipside, once you find a redcap, they are usually invaluable. In Chicago, the guy actually bypassed the line and checked our bags for us. In Albany, our redcap provided a lot of valuable information about what was going to happen where. And I’m sure that tips had nothing to do with it.) Since we didn’t actually depart from or arrive in Boston’s South Station, I can’t from experience say they’re that much better. What I can say, though, is that when I have been there, they are visibly lined up and ready to assist. I will therefore take this opportunity to say that both South Station and Albany-Renssalear seem to have it figured out in terms of station use and design. Their info desks are easy to find, redcaps are visually accessible, and there is adequate sitting, waiting, and moving-around space. Plus they have easy-to-see arrival/departure boards. Which brings me to (9), my last point: let’s just accept that the train is going to be late. It became clear that the trains are always late. In a way, it’s kind of like that Jimmy Tingle joke about the cost of stamps. To paraphrase: “For [whatever the current price of stamps is], a guy takes a letter from your house , puts it on a plane [boat, train, truck] and takes it all the way across the city/country/world and hand-delivers it to the door of the person you write to — for less than a dollar. Think about what a latte costs. A stamp is kind of hard to beat.” Similarly, Amtrak is traveling over 100-year-old lines, with a fleet of decades-old cars, with a staff of friendly and welcoming attendants/conductors/etc. And, for the most part, they get you there safely despite old tracks, old trains, mudslides, forest fires, tornadoes, and floods that they can’t switch routes mid-stream in order to drive around. Plus, they don’t actually own the tracks they run on and therefore need to often pull over to let a freight train (or two or three or four) through. So, Amtrak, quit acting like the pre-2004 Red Sox in a constant state of defeat. Yeah, you’re gonna be late: own it. Tell people right off the bat that things run a little slower on the lines. Put some cup holders in, turn on the wifi, and just let people know what they’re in for instead of slipping it in on the B side and shirking away when they find out. After all, if they’re train people, they’ll likely just hang out in the lounge car and chat for awhile longer while watching the scenery roll — or not roll — by. Lake Shore Limited, California Zephyr, and Southwest Chief passenger, July & August 2011 P.S. We apologize for the trail of ground up Special K and Frosted Flakes left in the carpeting of our various cars on trains across America. And for the spilled can of Sprite, LSL, Car 4820, Room 3. (But, Herb, we were never in Aisle 4.) Alisa Libby Crazydigs Going to Tahiti Hux Space Spinstah The Wee San Francisco Social Report Where the Wombats Are Jen’s Tweets Windy, rainy. Power just went out again then came back on. Hoping for on just so that will can stay distracted. 6 years ago 6-Month 3-Step Diet Plan (70% Off) deals.mamapedia.com/deals/south-be… 7 years ago All I want for Christmas... wp.me/pdWBB-6t 7 years ago Book Review: Mrs. Perfect (by Jane Porter) Book Review: Robert B. Parker’s Damned If You Do (by Michael Brandman) Book Review: Head Over Heels Book Review: Sweet Spot Book Review: Wild Thing abdc albany-rensselear albany train station amtrak amtrak dining apple baby birthday book review boston Cape Cod Chicago cousins cross country trip family family travel fine dining fluff garden james kansas city kids libraries life links los angeles lucy mac maine Marathon bombings mark Vend company medical memoriam mini-golf minigolf motherhood new jersey nuts old orchard beach photos pictures pirate's cove poetry politics portland reading reality recap red sox review rivalry romance roommette school sleeper car south station terror attacks terrorism top chef train trains train stations train travel travel traveling with baby traveling with kids tv union station vacation vermont viewliner walking weddings will writing out of the mouths…	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613254
__label__cc	0.703383	0.296617	Where are we going? August 10, 2017 August 8, 2017 \| stevetanham When things are going well in ‘our’ world, there is an understandable tendency to assume that a generally benign evolution of civilisation is taking place, one in which we play our part, however small, being a kind of swimmer who lives and dies within that flow of slow progress. But when we are faced with the kind of politics, violence and social upheaval we are surrounded with at present, we find ourselves questioning the assumptions of the good times. These are certainly not good times, not when measured against a yardstick of caring, kindness and any semblance of equality. They may be good times for the relative few who ‘own’ the planet, but they are not so for those who care about the general welfare of mankind. The general system we call capitalism has carried us far into the expansion of our world, and produced wonderful systems and things, but now seems to be falling from its own, autonomous ledge into an unknown abyss. This is not a political website, though, as directors of the Silent Eye, we are free to express our own, often strong, opinions. Normally, I would not begin a post with the above sentiments, but I have begun to see a strong spiritual thread in the events around us, and on a global scale. The human has a psychology. The concept, given to us by the early pioneers like Freud and Jung, is based on the fact that we form a ‘self’ which governs our actions at a different level to our biological survival mechanisms, though it derives from them, in its primitive stages of individual development. This multi-faceted self is what psychology addresses in its treatments. For other schools of teaching, such as the Silent Eye, the elements of this self are the starting points in the individual search for a deeper identity – one without the limitations of the egoic nature we wear during the day. The self forms by separation. We are born a part of the world. Though seen by our loving parents as separate, that is not our experience. Reaction is the key to our development. Reaction forms from pleasant and unpleasant organic responses and an increasing need to choose the pleasant. Eventually, this reaction become a ‘thing’, a centre for our experience; and the brain turns it into a self. The attributes of this self are ‘groomable’ to make us fit better into the world by conformance and intelligence, which grow together until they are challenged by the individual who comes to see their unhappy limitations. Sadly, this thing at the centre, this ‘us’ is little more than a machine of reactions, a composite of our personal history, conscious of its vulnerability but intent on its own survival at the centre of things. So here’s the link to our civilisation: nations have ‘selves’, too. They are made up of the collective selves of the individuals, just as our own bodies are made up of the trillions of cells that have evolved to work together to provide us with an aware and sensitive vehicle. The human self or ego has its parallel in the society where we have our lives. We are a part of it, dramatically linked to its essential health in a way we cannot yet see, but our spiritual qualities of essence, kindness and selflessness do not flow into us through the ego – they come from beyond it. In the same way, the outer, conditioned responses of the individual within a society do not represent the potential inner state of that nation; or group of nations, that make up a country or continent. The lowest levels of control centre on violence. Violence generates fear, which conditions group behaviour. Is it more violent to have a war or to find that the wealth of a society is concentrated in the hands of a few? There are many forms of violence, and we need to take a fresh look at them and empower ourselves to feel true, moral outrage, again or we will sink beneath the sea of despair that threatens to overwhelm us now. I am not an advocate of revolution. It solves nothing. I do, however, believe in the power of the deep, collective mind to link with others of like intent in the throwing off of old ideas which have become morally and spiritually bankrupt. What is seen in truth is seen differently. That action of truly seeing is its own light and its own motive force. Quietly and without violence, it reveals what can no longer be hidden; and in so doing shows a pathway to a different future. In this lies hope, and hope is so very needed in these dark times. We were never society; that is an invention to help us manage the collective. We were never a body, that is a collective to allow us to experience the trials and joys of matter. We are, singly and collectively, an un-cageable creative individuality whose existence is part of the unfolding of the universe – our aliveness ranges from atom to cell to human to planet, and is something that will not be denied… We were born to share it because we are it… Stephen Tanham is a director of the Silent Eye School of Consciousness, a not-for-profit organisation that helps people find the reality and essence of their existence. Image: Sweetheart Abbey, near Dumfries, Scotland. Taken by the author. ©️Stephen Tanham Posted in #Silenti, consciousness, Esoteric Psychology, Life Science accelerated evolutionPoliticsViolence < A game of peaks and troughs The uncertainty of fish; random questions on the nature of existence… > 9 thoughts on “Where are we going?” Yet again, a thoughtful, inspiring post to reflect on. Many thanks. Thank you, Judith. Lovely comment. Pingback: Where are we going? \| Not Tomatoes Pingback: Where are we going? – Steve Tanham \| Sue Vincent's Daily Echo simonjkyte says: It’s so interesting isn’t it, how self is actually engrained in our language? We slip it in as a grammatical clarifier (quite often wrongly) without even thinking about it. The IE root very probably means ‘separate’. That’s really good point, Simon. Yes, language is the start of all our adult ‘problems’! But it’s a necessary stage, of course. The root problem, as we’ll consider in the next post, is that we need a shove to get us through to the next stage of our evolution – where the egoic self is diminished in importance, though not in action… Mary Smith says: Read this twice so far – still thinking about it. In a good way? In a good way.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613259
__label__wiki	0.711274	0.711274	Hey, there! Log in / Register The T Boston English Boston Answers Home » Boston Hizzonah gets fed up with the T By adamg on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 2:55pm Mayor Walsh thundered on Twitter today: There should be no fare increase until the Red Line is fixed. The MBTA must act with urgency and it's unfair to ask riders to pay more until the Red Line is fully operational. He also agreed with at-large City Councilor Michelle Wu that Boston should gain representation again on the board that oversees the T. Wu, meanwhile, has been tweeting today that not only should the T rescind the planed July 1 fare increases, the state should be looking for new revenue sources to make the T decent again, including various fees and tolls for users of the state's roadways. Free tagging: Marty Walsh Michelle Wu By Parkwayne on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 3:02pm. Wu leads, Marty follows after his business backers tell him to jump in line. Maybe we should have elected Marty F Walsh, the cousin yells obscenities at people in public meetings. At least, he has some passion for the work. Voting closed 55 Wu is the next mayor of Boston By anon on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 6:39pm. Worked for both Menino & Warren By anon² on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 8:32pm. Voting closed 4 Shes got my vote She might be. The Globe By RalphM on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 9:12pm. She might be. The Globe pushing her isn’t a good sign though. Ask Mayor John Connolly. Marty hit a bullseye. Smells blood By anon on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 2:36pm. No Checks and Balances at the T ~ Marty Walsh Only a week or two late... By fungwah on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 3:04pm. Was he waiting for the polling to come in? Or did he have to check with his donors first to make sure he wasn't stepping on any toes? By Coyote137 on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 3:15pm. By MostlyHarmless on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 5:40pm. In the words of another great New England mayor, the toe you step on today may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. Dear Baker, Listen to Walsh. Fire Pollack Mayor Walsh's position on the T is the majority position. Your patronage Soviet-esque transport leaders have failed you. Do what's right. Clean house. Focus on repair. Then consider fare increases Pollack? By BostonDog on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 3:40pm. She's following orders. Baker's administration never wanted to spend a dime and simply hoped that between shiny new trains (belatedly ordered under Patrick) and things like the "Fiscal Control Board" they'd be able dupe the public into thinking something is happening. And it's worked based on Baker's popularity. You got it B-A-C-K-W-A-R-D-S. Baker takes orders from Pollack Welcome to the world of family political donations eh yeah? Pollack. MassDOT's very own Luis Ramirez Both Stephanie Pollack and Luis Ramirez have one big thing in common. They have zero, cero, 0.0, years of professional transportation experience between them. Pollack isn't the problem By SwirlyGrrl on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 4:20pm. Baker's ties to the Koch Bros war on public infrastructure that doesn't profit them personally is the problem. Ditto for the Low and Petty Court that has refused to show leadership or action on the subject. Pollack picked Ramirez & Poftak. She IS the problem By anon on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 2:32pm. You need an engineer as your transportation secretary, who will then pick other engineers to run projects Once again, I’ll note By Waquiot on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 6:14pm. Pollack doesn’t run the T. Unless you misspelled the name of the General Manager of the T. It’s Poftak. Poftak. Pollack?! By Jon Carry on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 8:48pm. Who is Pollack?! I don't think By Karl on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 9:02am. Faker cares anyway. He will comtinue to cater to the car drivers from outside 495 and especially in the 413 area code. HE still refuses to ride the T anyway. At least Marty is now taking a stand. I hate to break it to you By Waquiot on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 12:51pm. But inside of 495, most of the commuters get to work by driving. May even be true within Route 128, but I wouldn't wager big money on the claim. Also, I don't think you realize how few people live in the 413. Not to run them down, but you can easily ignore them and get elected statewide. Hey Marty A little late. My increased July pass was already pulled from my bi-monthly check, like lots of other pass holders. But you know that. How about no more development How about no more development until the T is fixed and there's sufficient capacity to serve the planned population increase. Tax the bikes too, no free lunch. People who ride bikes pay income and sales taxes, and the wear and tear on roads from bikes is...minimal. We’re also not going to stop generating new housing units in a supply crunch, but I imagine it’d be no sweat off your ass if rents continue to skyrocket. Congrats on proposing “solutions” worse than anything Walsh would even come up with. I would express concern By erik g on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 4:10pm. at the possibility that you actually vote for the moronic ideas you spout in public, but I’m pretty confident that anyone who thinks taxes on bikes will fix the T is someone who can’t follow a map to a polling station. No free lunch, eh? By spin_o_rama on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 4:25pm. The report documents that the amount that road users pay through gas taxes now accounts for less than half of what’s spent to maintain and expand the road system. The resulting shortfall is made up from other sources of tax revenue at the state and local levels, generated by drivers and non-drivers alike. This subsidizing of car ownership costs the typical household about $1,100 per year—over and above the costs of gas taxes, tolls, and other user fees. While congressional bailouts of the Highway Trust Fund have made this subsidy more apparent, it has actually never been the case that road users paid their own way. Not only that, but the amount of their subsidy has steadily increased in recent years. The share of the costs paid from road-user fees has dropped from about 70 percent in the 1960s to less than half today, according to the study. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/10/driving-true-costs/... Streets and highways carry By anon on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 9:41am. Streets and highways carry infrastructure and right of ways for utility conveyance. How is this cost apportioned to the non car driving beneficiaries ? We pay for the goods and services it supports By spin_o_rama on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 2:56pm. If you wanna find the numbers that show non-driving citizens are benefiting in an unfair way from this, be my guest. You also need to factor in that highways are exclusive to those that have legal motor vehicles to travel on them, roads and paths that bikes ride are shared with many other mobility options. And of course, the economic argument for bike infra has been made over and over and over and over and over again. https://www.citylab.com/solutions/2015/03/the-complete-business-case-for... Pay for the goods and services it supports? By Waquiot on Thu, 06/20/2019 - 11:46am. Couldn’t that be used as an argument against the gas tax, since motor vehicle users also pay sales and income taxes (at least in Massachusetts)? How about fixing the problem How about fixing the problem of MA road maintenance and construction costs being 5x what ME, NH, and VT (which all have harsher winters w/ more frost heaves) pay? Infrastructure maintenance spending since the early 1970s hasn't kept up with exponentially ballooning costs from red tape and patronage. When the Inner Belt got canceled the state highway cartel got away with recouping their lost profits by gouging everything else. The legislature has been aiding and abetting this crap ever since! Each additional cyclist means By anon on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 12:06am. Each additional cyclist means one more parking space or seat on the T for you. Bike taxes By SamWack on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 8:29am. I think bike riders should pay a tax at the pump, every time they fuel up, just like everyone else. Flip flop Marty Just a few days ago Marty was singing a different tune. Walsh supports the fare hikes because, he said, the system needs more revenue https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/baker-repairs-to-t-must-... Just the Red Line? How about Just the Red Line? How about every line....and don't forget the people on the commuter rail who pay a lot more to ride trains that barely work, show up, etc. How would he have responded By Will LaTulippe on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 4:01pm. If it was one of the lines that doesn't go by his house? Getting whacked by the Globe this morning By Anon105 on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 4:05pm. describing his leadership, or lack thereof, on many issues so far this term as "Roughly 19 months after voters gave him a commanding reelection win, though, the mayor has, in many ways, lingered in the quiet middle" might have fueled some passion. but "he's a car guy" By cybah on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 5:17pm. So yeah..Michelle Wu leads, he follows. Just remember that trucking Just remember that trucking companies, distributers and stores will pass any increase in the various fees and tolls for users of the state's roadways to the consumer. It hasn't happened with minimum wage increases. You're going to have provide data on your claim on this one. Yeah...the teen unemployment Yeah...the teen unemployment rate, low margin restaurants, small independent retailers, and the proliferation of automated kiosks around the country beg to differ. There is no free lunch. The costs get passed on one way or another and people are either willing to pay or change the spending habits accordingly or businesses have to find a new way to cut costs which usually means automation, outsourcing, or decreasing quality. $14 sandwiches By Anon on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 11:16pm. $14 sandwiches are morons By adamg on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 12:38pm. I mean, if you want to spend $14 on one, knock yourself out, but I'm not going to trust what they say when it comes to minimum wages, because I can get an entire meal at McDonald's for $7 (I admit it, I eat there from time to time, they have good WiFi). You might remember By Waquiot on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 1:00pm. That those $7 meals used to cost $5. (I have to admit. I practically never eat at McDonalds. Nothing against them, just a preference for Wendys. My memories come from TV ads.) By boo_urns on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 10:05am. When I was in high school, which is quickly approaching the better part of 20 years ago, I paid over $5 (more like $7.50-8.50) for a Wendy's meal, depending on which I bought (Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich was a favorite of the time). The increase you're suggesting is more likely related to general inflation than it is tied to any minimum wage increase. Think the "meal deal" By Waquiot on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 10:56am. The line on those were always $5, in addition to the $1 items. Evidently you've never Evidently you've never noticed the price of gas effecting the cost of goods and services. https://arcb.com/insights/the https://arcb.com/insights/the-logistics-of-road-tolls-how-tolling-impact... Marty is now woke. By Blue Notes on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 8:06pm. I wonder when he'll grasp the connection between his building boom and the growing parking/traffic problems ? Wake up, Marty ! You stole By DotRat4Eva on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 9:05pm. “Hizzonah” from a certain journalist and talk show host in reference to mumbles. "local seat on the board" The current FMCB members are mostly HBS/MIT grads. They don't sound like people living in Amherst. What exactly does Walsh mean by "local seat"? Someone he appoints? How about no more Boston real How about no more Boston real estate tax increases due to increased property values until Boston fixes it's traffic lights and installs functional bus lanes, so the T doesn't waste so much money on buses stopped in perpetual jams? big up michelle wu. By schneidz on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 8:40am. The existing infrastructure The existing infrastructure is overburdened and kaput. Yet the mantra is for more transit orientated housing development , along with increased service areas ( Southcoast , Green Line extension, and others ) . There is no more room nor money to accommodate all these schemes , not to mention education clusterfluxing .It seems everyone wants someone else to pay to fix everything. O well , maybe there is an app to be invented that will solve all this. Support Universal Hub Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution. In other Boston news Perusing Boston's tax records - from the 18th and early 19th centuries Woolens, metals, paperstock and bottles: James Cheevers had it all Lights for Liberty Protest against Migrant Detention, Especially Children #Lights4Liberty News of our recent spate of shootings gets out; one presidential candidate thinks it's worth holding a press conference about City Council to consider turning Election Day into a holiday Copyright 2019 by Adam Gaffin and by content posters. Advertise \| About Universal Hub \| Contact \| Privacy	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613263
__label__wiki	0.613428	0.613428	City Panel Okays Live Block Shrinkage Bucks change plan: complex will have beer, but may not have a brewery. By Jeramey Jannene - Dec 4th, 2017 04:43 pm New Live Block design. Rendering by Rinka Chung Architecture. The City Plan Commission has approved a series of changes to the Milwaukee Bucks “Live Block” entertainment center plans. The three-building complex is intended to facilitate a connection between the arena, new plaza and nearby Old World Third Street entertainment district. The complex is planned to include a number of commercial spaces for bars and restaurants oriented around a series of pedestrian pathways and the large plaza. The biggest change presented by the team’s project architect, Rinka Chung Architecture, is a reduction in the height and size of the building. The Bucks reduced its size after meeting with a number of prospective tenants. The team hopes to announce the first tenants for the complex by the end of the year. Previous Live Block design. Rendering by Rinka Chung Architecture. Rinka Chung project director Audry Grill told the commission, “It feels like a three-story building, even though only two stories are occupied.” To achieve that, the reworked building includes a substantial amount of steel work that enhances the versatility of the building. The finished product will now be 10 feet shorter, measuring 54 feet in height and containing 26,126 square feet of space, down from 53,950 square feet in the earlier approved plan. The amount of signage planned for the complex stays the same. In addition to reducing the building’s size, the team oriented a portion of it away from the arena and instead towards W. Juneau Ave. “We’ve altered the design at the northwest corner so that the pedestrian approach into the plaza is much more fluid,” says Grill. Responding to a question from commissioner J. Allen Stokes about an earlier rendering that showed brew kettles inside the building, project consultant Blair Williams told the commission “We are working towards finding a brewery partner to operate in that building. What we have done is move the steel kettles out of the building for representation purposes.” Williams said the tenant will define the internal functions. “I guarantee that there will be beer there,” he said, but whether it will be made there is open to question, he explained. These changes come after the team recently secured approval for a connector piece to link the entertainment complex with N. Old World Third St. The team owns lots on both sides of Ugly’s Pub on 1125 N. Old World Third St., and has plans to turn the northernmost lot into a beer garden and public alley. Plans have yet to be released for the southern lot. Site preparation work for the complex is underway. The team intends to open the Live Block in early 2019. The team had originally planned to open the complex alongside the new arena in the summer 2018. The design changes will next go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee. Plaza Plans The plaza, which will connect the arena and Live Block, was a hot topic of conversation at the meeting. Williams told the commission, “literally if you can imagine an outdoor event, we’ve had internal discussions about how we can accommodate that event on the plaza.” He said the team intends to program the space all year, not just on game days and summer weekends. “Nearly year round there will be opportunities for hearty Wisconsin folks,” Williams said of the envisioned uses. Commissioner Whitney Gould asked about the number one necessity for the space, bathrooms, which the team will install in the middle building in the complex. The bathrooms will service the beer garden on N. Old World Third St. as well as the plaza. A “family friendly play area” is planned for the plaza, according to Grill. In addition, Williams says a number of large planters with grass and trees should make the space welcoming year round. “We think it’s a very symbiotic process between the buildings and the plaza,” said Williams. He said the team intends for “substantial” programming on the plaza, which along with the tenants in the Live Block will drive interest to the space outside of when the arena is being used. A farmers market is among many possible uses for the space, with Williams noting they’re exploring all the requirements to accommodate one, including power outlets and mounting infrastructure. The streetcar is planned to eventually traverse the plaza, with an easement preserving the corridor. The Live Block plans show the southbound streetcar track going through the plaza and W. Juneau Ave., while a northbound track would turn east on W. Highland Ave. and north on N. Old World Third St. If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits, all detailed here 18 thoughts on “Eyes on Milwaukee: City Panel Okays Live Block Shrinkage” Dudemeister says: Darn. Well, Rinka did what they could with the reduction. Cannot wait to see it! Perhaps the sudden boom in breweries around the city had something to do with this change? I can’t imagine the math would work for what would likely be premium rents in this location. Milwaukee Native says: It sounds like folks in the hospitality market are telling the Bucks leasing agent that it’s already getting saturated. Milwaukee has never had a shortage of bars–including downtown. Better to realize that sooner rather than later. blurondo says: “The complex is planned to includes” “when the arena is being sued.” Are you in the market for a copy editor? Dave Reid says: @blurondo Thanks fixed. mbradleyc says: Can’t call it the Live Block anymore. How about the Deerpath? Anything but “Live Block” or something with the word “Live” in it would have my vote. MidnightSon says: I was both disappointed and glad when I saw this. Disappointed because its a definite diminishment of the project, visually and structurally. My first reaction was that they kept the skeleton and decided to build a little, two-story motel inside. In the end, better to face reality now than to have a larger, unused space in 2019. Anyone know if the remaining framework will allow for expansion, or is it simply visual? Glad both because the reality check is good, and because I would really like to have the larger area benefit from the new arena, not just the Buck’s Live Block. (Third Street, Water Street, etc.) This likely means the other are businesses upping their games, but that’s what competition tends to do. Dan Thompson says: That did take a lot of the punch out of massing and design feel. Could they find some ancillary tenant uses for a 3rd floor: Player family suites, , Party and reception suites, restaurant and retail, Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame. Old Man Yells at Cloud says: Maybe the shrinkage was caused by the cold weather?? Joel says: What ever will they do with out the tax revenue….. maybe that park next to stadium wouldn’t be so bad now! Milwaukeens are a hard bunch to win over with “chains” we are spoiled with good food and stuff like shake shack won’t cut it here, I hope who ever they get is ready to waste lots of money! :-/ just my doom and gloom 2 cents If the plaza has more space that needs filling how’bout accomodating both AM/PM use with basketball hoops on mini-courts doubling as stripper poles? These created-overnight entertainment districts have produced spotty results. And they usually have been built where not much was happening already. As this article notes, Milwaukee’s scene on Water Street happened organically. That gradually expanded into nightlife on Old World Third Street in addition to older day-time businesses. https://www.salon.com/2012/05/19/urban_entertainment_districts_blocks_where_no_one_has_fun/ It seems the challenge here will be whether, by design or kismet, this adjacent area can evolve beyond merely an entertainment “monoculture.” The Westside is already the victim of the ill-advised “entertainment district” idea. It has the Milwaukee Theater, the UWM Panther Arena, the Public Museum, Convention Center, and the Bucks Arenas all next to each other (more or less). That takes up a lot of real estate that would could be better served with residential infill and some separation of uses, so as to create a functioning neighborhood. The ONLY redeeming qualities of this development are its attempted integration with an existing block of successful/semi-successful bars/restaurants on Old World Third and planned residential components. Otherwise, it’s merely a revenue capture move by the Bucks. Almost every professional franchise is doing this now (even our beloved Packers with their “Titletown District”). The likelihood of local businesses being part of this seems far-fetched. I haven’t noticed a lot of existing or new Milwaukee businesses in any of the new commercial space that have gone up around town in the last 10 years. Unless the Bucks decide to sacrifice rent income in the short term to bring in local businesses, I foresee all the available commercial tenants being national or regional chains that can afford the premium rents. The City invested $35 million in the Live Block, based upon representations as to the scope of commercial development and resulting property tax revenues that would payback tens of millions in borrowed funds upon which interest is accruing. Now, because of disinterest by possible commercial tenants (remember the promise of 25% local), one building has been reduced in size and potential assessed value by 50%. Completion of a building that was to open next year in 2018, has been pushed back to 2019, and plans have yet to brought forth for approval so construction can begin in 2018. All is quiet as to the promised hotel and residential development and resulting property tax revenues. But an incompatible 12,000 seat outdoor concert venue with inadequate toilet facilities is planned. Seems the promised quick payback of that $35 million might be starting to collapse. James, although giving the Bucks owners an additional 20 acres of public land for real estate speculation (beyond 10 acres for the arena) was “sold” as economic development, the “promises” were vague. It came across as part of a package to appease the Bucks so they would not leave. The Bucks owners have said they would develop this land in their own time as they see fit to most benefit their bottom line. Sam, to clarify, the Packers and government officials there pursued an inclusive process in engaging the community to plan Titletown. It includes a 10-acre green space park and the anchor tenant is local (Hinterland). Will the Bucks plaza be a better location for a farmers market than Zeidler Square? Will farmers be charged more for booth fees or less? Will it be convenient for shoppers? Jeramey Jannene says: @Virginia – The Bucks don’t control the timeline for the other development beyond a certain date. The county can take back the land after a certain period (don’t have the exact date, but it’s something like ten years) if there isn’t any development. Steven Reshel says: Compared to the old designs, the news ones are rather generic and boring. They sure don’t have the pizzazz and interest the first designs do. You’ve got this unique and beautiful arena and then you do this. Like I said the First plans were perfect for it, is it now a lack of money to do it right alll the way through?	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613264
__label__wiki	0.771241	0.771241	Radar-FFC Radar-JGX Radar-HTX Weather Forecast Office Peachtree City/Atlanta, GA Southeast River Forecast Center NOTE: Automated gauge readings are now available, courtesy of the USGS. NOTE: Forecasts are not available for the Grove Creek near Banks Crossing. Only observed stages are available for this point. Major Flood Stage: 24 Moderate Flood Stage: 21 Flood Stage: 15 Action Stage: 13 Low Stage (in feet): -9999 (1) 17.01 ft on 04/19/2019 Currently none available. For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov. Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers not showing? Why aren't the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layers showing on the ESRI Map? There are no FEMA National Flood Hazard Layers for the location which you are viewing on ESRI Maps. The FEMA Web Mapping Service (WMS) is down. Note: Your zoom level may have changed. ESRI's zoom levels must be between 14 and 16 to show National Flood Hazard layers. 29 Widespread major inundation flooding continues in the woodlands and fields upstream and downstream from U.S. Highway 441. Some areas near the creek will be under 14 feet of water. The flood waters will top the twin bridges and will be around 8 feet deep on portions of U.S. Highway 441 north of the bridges and the nearby Atlanta Dragway. Flood waters will be around 7 feet deep in some commerical chicken houses downstream and on the left bank. 26 Widespread major inundation flooding occurs in the woodlands and fields upstream and downstream from U.S. Highway 441. Some areas near the creek will be under 11 feet of water. The flood waters cover the road at the twin bridges and will be around 5 feet deep on portions of U.S. Highway 441 north of the bridges and the nearby Atlanta Dragway. Flood waters will be around two feet deep in some commerical chicken houses downstream and on the left bank. 24 Major flooding begins. Widespread inundation flooding occurs in the woodlands and fields upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 441. Some areas near the creek will be under 9 feet of water. The water level hits the twin bridges and county officials will have them closed. The flood waters will be around 3 feet deep on portions of U.S. Highway 441 north of the bridges and the nearby Atlanta Dragway. Flooding will begin in some commerical chicken houses downstream and on the left bank. 22 Significant flooding continues to expand further into the woodlands and fields near the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 441. Some areas near the creek will be under 7 feet of water. The water level will be hitting the twin bridges and county officials will likely have them closed. The flood waters will be around one foot deep on portions of U.S. Highway 441 north of the bridges and the nearby Atlanta Dragway. 21 Moderate flooding beings. Significant flooding occurs in the woodlands and fields near the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 441. Some areas near the creek will be under 6 feet of water. The water level will reach the bottom of the twin bridges and county officials may need to close them. The flood waters will begin to cover low portions of U.S. Highway 441 north of the bridges and impact portions of the nearby Atlanta Dragway. 19 Minor flooding expands further into the woodlands and fields near the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 441. Some areas near the creek will be under 4 feet of water. 17 Minor flooding continues to expand further into the woodlands and fields near the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 441. Some areas near the creek will be under two feet of water. 15 Flood Stage is reached. Minor flooding begins of woodlands and fields near the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 441. 13 Bankfull conditions are reached along the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 441. NWS stage 0 ft 15 ft Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps NAVD88 Not Available Not Available Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps Other Not Available Not Available Current/Historical Observations: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Banks Crossing Spring Flood Outlook USGS Georgia WFO FFC Additional Links Google Earth Gage Locations Peachtree City/Atlanta Weather Forecast Office 4 Falcon Drive Page last modified: 1-Mar-2019 12:35 AM Disclaimer	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613268
__label__wiki	0.551473	0.551473	Luke Bryan Knows Football Too; The 'Idol' Judge Will Join ABC's NFL Draft Coverage The country star said he will fill several roles on the telecast © Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com Luke Bryan knows talent when he sees it as a judge on American Idol, and ABC is banking on his football knowledge as well. The country music star will join the network’s coverage of the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville. Related: Luke Bryan Gives 'American Idol' Contestant the Boots off His Feet The big event takes place from April 25th to 27th, and Bryan will join Robin Roberts and the ESPN crew for prime time coverage on the first night. The announcement was made on a recent episode of Idol. The “What Makes You Country” singer said he will have “several” roles during the production. .@LukeBryanOnline and @MrBobbyBones will be Live in Nashville to watch dreams come true during the 2019 #NFLDraft on @ABCNetwork starting April 25! pic.twitter.com/6LpwBtVJUv — American Idol (@AmericanIdol) April 16, 2019 The NFL has been embracing country music’s link to the Music City for the entire draft. Tim McGraw will headline a free outdoor concert in conjunction with the draft on April 26th, and Dierks Bentley will do the same on April 27th. The NFL Draft was held in New York for 57 straight years until the league turned it into a traveling weekend-long party. This will be the first time Nashville has hosted the event after stops in Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas. The draft will move to Las Vegas next year.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613277
__label__wiki	0.886898	0.886898	(Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Women’s groups call for decriminalizing abortion in Northern Ireland Women’s health organizations in Northern Ireland have thrown their support behind a proposition to decriminalize abortion amid the increasing frequency of women in the country facing jail for inducing abortions themselves after buying medicine to do so online. The groups are fighting an 1861 law, the Offenses Against the Person Act, which threatens some of the harshest punishments for abortion in Europe, according to a statement from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which is leading the campaign to have the law repealed. At least two women in Northern Ireland are facing jail after buying abortion-inducing medicine online, according to the report. Current law in the country dictates that two doctors must approve an abortion before a woman can have one, but the BPAS says that the increasing availability of online abortion medication will mean that many more women will face prison in the near future. “It is high time we recognized this by taking abortion out of the criminal law, and making clear that we trust women to make their own decisions about their own lives and bodies,” Ann Furedi, BPAS chief executive, said. Read the full story at The Huffington Post. Abortion legislation in Northern Ireland ruled in breach of human rights law Belfast high court to start judicial review over North Ireland abortion laws	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613279
__label__wiki	0.575161	0.575161	Jean-Luc Godard, Peter Greenaway, Edgar Pêra – 3x3D (2013) in 2011-2020, Arthouse, Edgar Pêra, France, Jean-Luc Godard, Peter Greenaway March 2, 2016 0 784 Views Centred in the two thousand year old city of Guimarães, three renowned directors, Jean-Luc Godard, Peter Greenaway and Edgar Pêra, explore 3D and its evolution in the world of cinema. How does 3D affect the audience and their perceptions? No surprise that the festival’s most brilliant movie was Jean-Luc Godard’s The Three Disasters, an 18-minute 3-D piece that unfortunately is embedded in the 3-D triptych 3x3D, the other two parts of which, by directors who shall remain nameless, are unwatchable. Largely a found-footage collage, it would be no different from the many short spin-offs from Histoire(s) du cinéma that Godard has made over the past 15 years, except that it is in 3-D as you have never seen it before… [Amy Taubin – Film Comment] Greenaway and Godard have made Greenaway and Godard films with a z-axis dropped in, which makes their contributions feel simultaneously familiar and revitalizing… Not only is this interlude [in the Godard] disorientingly handsome, it also introduces a phenomenologicalcoup de technique that could have been lifted straight out of Michael Snow’s playbook, in which the image slotted into the right side of our glasses becomes momentarily flipped. [Blake Williams – Cinema Scope] http://nitroflare.com/view/D9BD9F3279834FF/3_x_3D.mkv warning: this is the 2D version of the movie Language(s):French, English, Portuguese Subtitles:Italian hardsubs Previous: Roman Kroitor & Colin Low – Universe (1960) Next: Jakob Lass – Love Steaks (2013) Marcel Carné – Le Jour se lève aka Daybreak (1939) Mladomir ‘Purisa’ Djordjevic – Kisa, ili Zivot jednog producenta AKA Rain, or The Life of a Producer (1972) Irm Sommer & Ed Sommer – Hedonistic Communication (1970) Konstantin Lopushansky – Pisma myortvogo cheloveka AKA Letters from a Dead Man (1986) Kon Ichikawa – Nobi AKA Fires On The Plain [+Extras] (1959)	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613283
__label__wiki	0.692467	0.692467	Spanish Mission Trail Uniquely Alberta Uniquely Québec the travel geek "Sometimes reality is too complex. Stories give it form." Canada is the largest country in North America and second largest country in the world; as such, each province has it’s own characteristics, history, and unique people. In Canada, we’ve lived in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebéc and Nova Scotia and have travelled through all of the provinces with a black pin. To read about these journeys, select a pin from the provinces or territories below. The United States is so vast and complex that it would take decades to fully explore. The US consists of 50-states, 1-district, and 5-inhabited territories. In an effort to become a member of the “All Fifty States Club“, we’ve visited 20/50 states (not all have been written about) and one district. We lived and worked primarily in California with shorter stints in New York, Boston, Seattle, Mobile, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Dallas, Washington DC, and Atlanta. To read about these journeys, select a pin from the states below. To read about these journeys, select a pin from the countries below. We have family ties in England and Ireland and have worked in both London and Cambridge. To read about these journeys, select a pin from the countries below. India & Sri Lanka Surrounded by the Himalayan peaks and the Indian Ocean coastline, India has a rich history that evolved for hundreds of centuries before the arrival of Christianity. This history is integrated in every cell of Indian society. We lived in Bangalore and travelled India extensively. To read about these journeys, select a pin from the states below. At the southern most tip of India, you’ll find a tear drop shaped country: Sri Lanka, where many original Buddhist ruins still exist. I stayed with friends in Sri Lanka for a month in 1997. Copyright © 1997-2019 Sharlene McKinnon and wend.ca. All Rights Reserved. "I sent an email. Thanks for visiting, Andrea! " Andrea Deidda "Hi Sharlene, I'm a journalist from Cagliari and now I'm shooting a documentary ..." Joe Sobotta "Sharlene September 5, 2005. This is Joe 6/10/2019 My grandson found one of ..." "Hi Brenda. Thanks for visiting! I can see in my database 9 known ..." Brenda Costello "I have a great uncle who is probably buried in this cemetery. ..." "Maybe some organization could be started to identify those and bring them ..." The People Behind the Abandoned Canada Malting Silo on Toronto’s Waterfront Cliff Burton Memorial Notre Dame's Unfortunate Suicide History The Masonic Caves The Macabre Epilogue of those who Drowned in the Seine Steampunk Paris World War 1: The Mill Village Boys (Part 1) © 2019 the travel geek. Theme by Anders Norén.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613287
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If there is more than one version of a provision, the version in effect on the effective date of the agreement or the date the purchase order was issued will apply until the agreement is amended or a subsequent purchase order is issued, in which case the version in effect on the date of the amendment or subsequent purchase order will apply. Background. Armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have controlled many of the region’s mines or transit routes and have engaged in armed conflict, as well as some of the world's worst human rights violations. Concern that proceeds from the mining of minerals have been used to fund extreme violence in that region led to a requirement in the U.S. Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Law of 2010, that U.S. publicly-traded companies must disclose any "conflict minerals" necessary to the functionality or production of products they manufacture or contract to manufacture. The conflict minerals are tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (called the 3TG's). Companies using conflict minerals must also disclose their supply chain inquiries to verify whether these minerals originated in the DRC or adjoining countries. On August 22, 2012, the SEC approved the final rule on conflict minerals. All public companies must evaluate their product lines to determine whether they contain necessary conflict minerals and if so, file a Form SD by May 31 annually beginning in 2014, for products they manufacture or contract to manufacture in the year 2013. While the burden of compliance is on the public companies who manufacture those products, members of their supply chains for those products are also impacted. 3M is a worldwide leader in innovation and quality. To deliver best value, cutting edge products, 3M maintains a dynamic, worldwide supply chain. As with any global supply chain, there is risk that counterfeit materials, parts, components and assemblies may be introduced. The presence of counterfeit material could adversely impact 3M’s ability to meet customer expectations and expose 3M to penalties, fines, damages and other serious adverse consequences. Accordingly, 3M has established a Counterfeit Material Control Plan to ensure compliance with customer anti-counterfeit requirements, the evolving laws in this area and to ensure the overall quality, compliance and reputation of 3M’s diverse, innovative product lines. 3M Expectations of Suppliers As part of 3M’s Counterfeit Material Control Plan, 3M has implemented a minimum set of risk-based counterfeit mitigation measures for all product lines, including measures relating to products and materials provided to 3M by suppliers. These measures are reflected in the Counterfeit Goods Provisions referenced below and are in addition to any other counterfeit goods requirements specified in a written agreement with 3M or provided to a supplier by 3M. Counterfeit Goods Provisions The following provisions apply to any purchase order for goods issued by 3M Company or its affiliates and to products provided to 3M or its affiliates pursuant to a written agreement: PDF Document Counterfeit Goods (146 KB) Transparency in Supply Chains and Modern Slavery Disclosures 3M is committed to respect for human rights in our own operations, in any business that works on our behalf, and in our supply chain. Our global Human Rights Policy applies to all 3M employees, contingent workers, anyone doing business with or on behalf of 3M, and candidates for hire at 3M. In addition, 3M expects its suppliers to be in full compliance with all applicable labor and human resource laws, committed to upholding the human rights of workers, and treating them with dignity and respect as understood by the international community and as stated in our Supplier Responsibility Code. In 2014, 3M became a signatory member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), thereby committing to align our operations and strategies with the UNGC principles on human rights. Our global Human Rights Policy contains our prohibition on human trafficking. We are committed to using effective systems and controls to prevent human trafficking from taking place anywhere within our business or supply chains. The prohibitions apply to 3M and its subsidiaries, our federal contracts and subcontracts for either commercial or non-commercial items, and all of 3M’s global suppliers. The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657) and the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 require certain businesses to produce a statement setting out the steps they have taken to ensure there is no modern slavery in their own business and their supply chains. Recent disclosure statements 3M has issued can be found below. 2018 California Transparency in Supply Chains Act Disclosure 2018 UK Modern Slavery Statement Pulp and Paper Sourcing & Legal Harvesting Laws Why Forests and Responsible Supply Chains are Important Forests are used by people around the world for recreation, cultural significance, health and livelihood. They are home to many species of plants and animals, their trees capture and store atmospheric carbon, and they support vital services like clean water. These complex ecosystems are valuable resources that should be responsibly managed and preserved for future generations. 3M does not support natural forest degradation or conversion to non-forest use. We support the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights to offer Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) to harvesting operations on their land, and of workers’ safety and other basic rights. At 3M, we are guided by our values; they are woven into the very fabric of our company culture. We act with uncompromising integrity. We respect our social and physical environments around the world. We share our sustainability values with our customers and stakeholders. 3M wants to work with the best suppliers who share these commitments to sustainable forests and responsibility in all stages of the forest products supply chain. The 3M Pulp and Paper Sourcing Policy The PDF Document 3M Pulp and Paper Sourcing Policy (254 KB) formalizes our and our supply chain’s responsibilities to comply with global regulations, and further the causes of sustainable forestry and transparent, responsible supply chains. We expect our pulp and paper suppliers to read, understand and implement the expectations in our Policy. The companion PDF Document Policy Conformance Guidance Document (206.57 KB) contains definitions and additional explanation of many of the important concepts in the Policy. 3M will also provide our suppliers additional information and opportunities for education and engagement. PDF Document 3M 纸浆和纸张采购 (311 KB) PDF Document 政策合规指南文档 (616 KB) PDF Document Politique d'approvisionnement en papier et pâte à papier de 3M (354 KB) PDF Document Directives pour la conformité à la Politique (185 KB) PDF Document 3Mパルプ・紙製品調達方針 (645 KB) PDF Document 方針順守ガイダンス文書 (385 KB) PDF Document 3M 종이 구매 정책 (425 KB) PDF Document 종이 구매 정책 준수 지침 (286 KB) PDF Document 3M Política para Celulose e Papel (351 KB) PDF Document 3M Guia para a Política de Celulose e Papel (182 KB) PDF Document Политика подбора источников целлюлозно-бумажной продукции компании 3М (134 KB) PDF Document Политика подбора источников целлюлозно-бумажной продукции: руководство по соблюдению (120 KB) PDF Document 3M Política de abastecimiento de pulpa y papel (493 KB) PDF Document Política de abastecimiento de pulpa y papel Orientación para el cumplimiento (321 KB) We encourage you to watch this video message from 3M's Vice President of Sourcing and Chief Sustainability Officer on your role as a supplier in working with 3M to advance sustainable forestry around the globe. Please refer to 3M's web page on Sustainable Forestry for more information, including links to our semi-annual Policy Progress Reports. 3M’s Expectations for Suppliers Legality: 3M expects that all pulp, paper and packaging supplied to us contains wood or plant-based fiber that is legally harvested, sourced, transported and exported from its country of origin. Please see the Legal Harvesting Laws on this page for more information on these expectations. Traceable to Forest Source: 3M expects suppliers to know their own supply chains, and respond to our requests for material traceability information in a complete and timely manner. Understanding our forest products supply chain, including paper and pulp mills and forest sources, is fundamental to ensuring Policy conformance. We depend on our direct suppliers to understand and disclose their supply chains to us, so that together we can ensure Policy conformance and drive responsible sourcing and sustainable forestry. Due Diligence Management System: 3M expects our suppliers to adopt company policies and a due diligence management system approach to address responsible forest products sourcing and sustainable forestry. We also expect our suppliers to work with their suppliers to adopt similar policies and management systems. 3M has created a Word Document due diligence management system template outline (60 KB) for our suppliers' use if they choose, and which can be shared with their suppliers. Certification: 3M expects our suppliers to know the forest certification status of the material they purchase and of the entities in their supply chain, and to disclose certification information to us upon request. 3M’s policy expectations and guidelines are consistent with many forest certification standards, but our Policy does not require certification. Certification in and of itself is not the objective of our Policy, but it is one useful tool to help verify what is happening on the ground. Please refer to this PDF Document forestry certification overview (513 KB) for more on how we believe our Policy compares to the major global forestry certification schemes. Collaboration: 3M expects our suppliers to work together with us and their suppliers to ensure Policy conformance and promote responsible and transparent supply chains. We recognize the integral role that our suppliers play to source and produce the materials required for 3M products, and we know that collaboration and transparency depend on a foundation of mutual trust. Through our Pulp & Paper Sourcing Policy, we wish to harness the power of our supply chain to achieve real, positive change for the world's forests. Conformance: 3M expects our suppliers to be forthcoming in their opportunities for performance improvements for themselves or their suppliers, and in cases where conformance cannot immediately be demonstrated, we will support suppliers that are working on timely and reasonable progress towards conformance. If a supplier won’t work with us or change their practices to conform, 3M will seek alternative sources of supply. Refer to this PDF Document presentation (2.3 MB) for additional information on the 3M Pulp and Paper Sourcing Policy. How Policy Conformance Benefits 3M Suppliers The business climate is continually changing and evolving. Not only are more customers interested in understanding where their products come from, but governments around the world, through laws and regulations, are requiring product producers to know more about the sources of their raw materials. Products that can be traced to responsible sources will help your business comply with regulations and protect your reputation, and can be a differentiation factor in retaining existing business and earning opportunities for new business. Together, we can support sustainable forestry and responsible, transparent supply chains. Additional Guidance United Nations Supply Chain Sustainability Legal Harvesting Laws Products and product packaging supplied to 3M Company must comply with laws related to product content, including laws that prohibit use of illegally harvested timber or plant materials. Laws regarding timber and timber products, such as the United States Lacey Act, the European Union Timber Regulation, and the Australia Illegal Logging Prohibition Act, restrict the sales and imports of illegally harvested timber or products derived from such timber (including paper or paper pulp). These laws also may include "due care" or "due diligence" requirements. Additional Details on U.S. Lacey Act Requirements The U.S. Lacey Act was amended in 2008 to prohibit the purchase or sale of products or product packaging in the United States made from wood, paper, wood fiber or other plant materials, with certain limited exceptions, if the plant material was illegally harvested in its country of origin. The Lacey Act has import declaration requirements that are currently in effect for a limited number of wood products. However, the prohibition on purchase or sale of products containing illegally harvested plant materials applies to all products containing plant material. 3M has developed a corporate U.S. Lacey Act Specification. The Specification has additional background on this law, and sets out 3M's expectations for suppliers providing materials to 3M that contain plant material subject to the Lacey Act. See U.S. Lacey Act Specification. 3M's Sourcing Contract Provisions and Supply Chain Policies on Legal Harvesting 3M includes prohibitions on illegally harvested plant materials in new and renewed sourcing contracts. Under 3M's Supplier Responsibility Code and previously 3M's Supply Chain Policies: EHS, Transportation, Labor/Human Resources and Supplied Materials, suppliers are expected to supply 3M materials containing plant materials or their derivatives that are legally sourced, harvested and exported from their country of origin. Suppliers are also expected to adopt policies and management systems with respect to the United States Lacey Act, the European Union Timber Regulation and similar laws (such as the Australia Illegal Logging Prohibition Act), and to require their suppliers to adopt similar policies and systems. As a supplier to 3M, please become aware of these requirements and take the following steps: Determine which of the products you supply to 3M contain timber or plant materials within the scope of the U.S. Lacey Act, the EU Timber Regulation, Australia Illegal Logging Act and similar laws. Work with your suppliers to make sure all plant materials are legally harvested, sourced and exported from their country of origin, or validate the origin as recycled. Adopt company policies and management systems with respect to the U.S. Lacey Act, EU Timber Regulation, Australia Illegal Logging Act and similar laws, and require your suppliers to adopt similar policies and systems. This will assist in pushing these requirements upstream and in obtaining information on legality of harvest that is passed downstream. Click here for more information on the U.S. Lacey Act: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Click here for more information on the EU Timber Regulation. Click here for more information on the Australia Illegal Logging Prohibition Act. Rigid Plastic Packaging Container (RPPC) California's Rigid Plastic Packaging Container (RPPC) law was enacted in 1991 as part of an effort to reduce the amount of plastic waste disposed in California landfills and to increase the use of recycled postconsumer plastic. The law mandates that product manufacturers that sell products held in RPPCs meet one of the compliance options identified in the regulation. 3M is committed to compliance with all laws, including those relating to Rigid Plastic Packaging Container (RPPC). RPPC generally means a packaging container that: is made entirely of plastic (except for incidental portions of the packaging), has a relatively inflexible shape or form, has a minimum capacity or volume of eight (8) ounces up to a maximum capacity or volume of five (5) gallons, is capable of at least one closure (including closure during the manufacturing process). RPPCs can range in shape, color, size, and form. RPPCs can include, but are not limited to: Bottles (wide mouth and/or narrow neck) Clamshells (heat-sealed and/or reclosable) Plastic Folding Cartons RPPC legislation requires Packaging component suppliers to provide Certificates of Compliance with California law as required by Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. We are requesting that as a supplier to 3M you provide all Container Manufacturer Certification Information as required under Section 17945.4 of Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR) for the package component numbers provided. We are sure that your company, like 3M, is committed to compliance with all applicable laws. For additional information regarding RPPC Packaging Legislation, see links below: California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Regulations: Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR) Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 17942-17946 Statutes: California Public Resources Code (PRC) RoHS Specification 3M Company has developed a corporate EU RoHS Specification which sets forth 3M's expectations for suppliers providing materials to 3M that may be subject to the requirements of Annex II of the European Union Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, as amended by Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863, known as "EU RoHS." Under EU RoHS, electrical and electronic equipment placed on the European Union market may not contain more than certain levels of: Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) (flame retardant) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (flame retardant) Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)* Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)* Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)* Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)* Other countries around the world are considering and/or have implemented regulations that are similar to EU RoHS. The 3M EU RoHS Specification applies to all materials, parts, components and/or products (whether finished or semi-finished) that include restrictions on the EU RoHS substances listed above or that have this specification cited on or in their 3M part number drawing, part or product specifications, sourcing agreements, purchase contracts, purchase orders or other purchasing documentation. Here is the PDF Document3M Corporate EU RoHS Specification (32 KB) (*) – Restriction of final products placed on the EU market containing these substances does not enter into force for EEE Category 1-7, 10 & 11 until July 22, 2019 and until July 22, 2021 for Category 8 & 9 products. However, to allow time for parts/products to permeate through the supply chain which must meet these timelines when they are to be placed on the EU market, 3M still expects suppliers to meet this specification. For more information on the EU RoHS Directive, please see the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/rohs_eee/index_en.htm U.S. Government Contract Flow Downs The U.S. Government contract clauses found on this site apply to 3M Orders, Contracts or Agreements with suppliers and subcontractors if, and only if, 3M Orders, Contracts or Agreements incorporate them by reference. More than one set of clauses may be incorporated into 3M Orders, Contracts or Agreements. U.S. Government Contracts - Provisions for Suppliers and Subcontractors USGOV-U: PDF Document Effective 06-11-19 (159K) PDF Document Effective 03-24-14 (16K) U.S. Government Contracts - Additional Provisions for Subcontractors USGOV-A: Effective 03-24-2017 US GOV-A no longer applicable. See US GOV U. Product Regulatory Requirements Supplier Responsibility Code Background: The 3M “Supply Chain Policies” were first established in 2006 to document our expectations for suppliers’ environmental, health, safety, labor and transportation performance. The Supplier Responsibility Code is the “next generation” of our expectations for supplier responsible practices. Why this, why now? Over the past decade, expectations for corporations to apply responsible sourcing practices to their supplier network have been expanding in scope and detail. Our foundational requirements for our suppliers must mature to meet these expectations. In addition, 3M became a signatory to the UN Global Compact in early 2014, and this updated set of expectations for our suppliers aligns with the UN Global Compact 10 principles. How was this new version developed? A cross-functional team benchmarked the supplier requirements from many peer companies (multi-national manufacturers of diverse products). We also consulted guidance from organizations like the OECD and the UN, and recent case studies from consulting firms and not-for-profit sustainability organizations. Most significantly, we used as a basis for this draft the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), formerly known as the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) Code of Conduct, tailoring it to include important aspects of 3M’s existing Supply Chain Policies. The RBA Code is a well-established, comprehensive Code that was initially created for the electronics industry, and is increasingly being emulated in other industries. What does it cover? This 3M Supplier Responsibility Code consists of 5 main sections, with some of the more significant updates to our original Policies noted below: Labor – includes more specific requirements and controls for the elimination of forced labor, and more details on appropriate working hours and time off. Health & Safety – includes specific requirements for emergency exits, fire protection, and worker housing (when provided). Environment – includes expectations on reducing environmental impacts, and protecting air, water, and land resources. Ethics – this is a new section, mirroring 3M’s Code of Conduct positions on anti-bribery, conflicts of interest, protection of intellectual property, and related Business Conduct issues. Management Systems – another new section, requiring strong policies and systems to control the aspects in the previous sections, and propagate the requirements up the supply chain. How will we implement? New and renegotiated supply contracts and PO terms will reference the new code. Existing contracts will not be re-negotiated solely for this change. Our supplier assessment program is being updated to match the Code expectations. The 3M Supplier Responsibility Code is available in a number of different languages as provided on the 3M Supplier Responsibility Code page. This Supplier Responsibility Code Assessment introductory presentation (PDF, 1.2 MB) can be accessed and/or shared with suppliers to help them better understand 3M’s environmental and social compliance expectations. Trade Compliance Requirements webLoaded = "false" Loadclientside=No Quick Links - Public 3M Citrix Applications ERP Training Corcentric Quick Links - Secure Request Additional Access 3M Supplier Direct Ukraine PO/SA Terms & Conditions 3M Sales Tax Information Interested in Becoming a Supplier? 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__label__wiki	0.537335	0.537335	Our website uses cookies to provide you with the best possible online shopping experience. Continue to use the site as normal if you're happy with this, or find out more about our cookie policy. Sales Hotline: 01773 522 309 Lines open until 5:30pm iPhone Xs New iPhone Xs Max New Top Mobile Phones Samsung Galaxy S10 New Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus New Samsung Galaxy S10e New Three Deals Plan Deals Voice & Data SIMs Contract Tablets Tablet SIMs All Apple iPhone The Galaxy S10e offers an amazing experience just like Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus, in a design that’s more compact. • A bigger space for working with the Infinity-O Display • Power to share with Wireless PowerShare • Be ultra-confident with security at your fingerprint FREE Handset Unlimited Minutes Unlimited Texts + Free Delivery Only £54.16 Today 50GB Data All prices shown are ex VAT. 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Charges will apply for paper billing. Charges may also apply for non-Direct Debit payment, unless on the EE network. Promo codes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. RPI Price Increase - Your monthly price plan charge will increase every year in March by the rate of most recently published RPI. Other prices, such as call charges and roaming costs, may also go up during your plan. More Legals: Exclusive of VAT pricing - All pricing is exclusive of VAT. Roaming (EE) - Customers on eligible plans will be able to use their minutes, texts and data at no extra cost when roaming in the EU/EEA. Speed and service will vary depending on the service available in the country you visit. You must be normally resident in the UK. Data fair usage policy may apply, see EE’s Business terms https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ for full details. Roaming (Three) - Three business customers can use their allowance in 49 EU destinations, as well as 22 extra countries. A Fair Usage Policy for data abroad applies. If your domestic data allowance is greater than 12GB, you will be subject to a fair usage policy of 15GB whilst you are roaming in the network's Europe Zone and 12GB in the Go Roam Around the World destinations. 4G in more places/Fastest (EE) - Based on results from the RootMetrics® UK RootScore® Report: H2 (Jul – Dec 2017). Tested at locations across the UK with the best commercially available smartphones on 4 national mobile networks across all available network types, conducting over 25K randomly sampled test cycles. EE tests carried out using 4GEE Max tariff with uncapped speeds. Your experiences may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of EE. Visit rootmetrics.co.uk for more details. BT Sport (EE) - The app is an inclusive benefit of business extra and business select plans as well as hand-picked sim only and mobile broadband tariffs. See the EE Small business price guide https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ for full details.. When you download and use the BT Sport app, you will use data that may decrement from your price plan’s inclusive allowance. International IDD Calls (EE) - Included on EE Business Extra and EE Business Select tariff (except Business Select IDD) customers receive 180 Minutes and texts from the UK to standard landline or mobile numbers in selected countries. See the EE price guide for Small Business https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ for further information. IDD Boost (EE) – An inclusive extra provided on some EE Business Select tariffs. Customers will receive 1,000 minutes and texts from the UK to EU. See the EE price guide for Small Business https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ for Inclusive Countries. ROW Roaming (EE) – An inclusive extra provided on some EE Business Select tariffs. 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, 1GB data for use whilst roaming within USA, US Virgin Islands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Israel and Singapore. Calling and texting other countries will incur additional charges, which vary by country. Once any part of the allowance is used up, standard out of bundle rates apply for that usage type. See roaming section of EE Small Business Price Guide for more details https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ Go Roam Europe Countries (Three) - Aland Islands, Austria, Azores, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City. Go Roam Around the World Countries (Three) - Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Macau, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, USA, Vietnam. Data Boost (EE) – An inclusive extra provided on some EE Business Select tariffs providing customers with double data instead of the ROW roaming or IDD boost. Apple Music Membership (EE) – The individual Apple Music Membership Add-On is free for 6 months for customers on EE pay monthly or SIM only phone plans and adding the Add-On to their account for the first time. After 6 months, membership automatically renews and you’ll be charged £9.99 a month unless you cancel. Unless you have an Apple Music Streaming Add-On, data usage will decrement from your plan’s data allowance. Apple Music terms apply. For more details go to ee.co.uk/applemusicterms. Business Select Add-Ons (EE) – Business Select price plans have 4 x add-ons that can be added exclusively to these price plans. They are not available for any other price plans. Not all of the Business Select Add-ons are available on all Business Select plans and, where available, only 1 can be added. ee roaming section of EE Small Business Price Guide for more details https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ Sim Only IDD (EE) – An inclusive extra provided on some EE Business SIMO tariffs. Customers will receive 60 minutes and texts from the UK to EU. See the EE price guide for Small Business https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ for Inclusive Countries. Sim Only ROW Roaming (EE) – An inclusive extra provided on some EE Business SIMO tariffs. 60 minutes and 60 texts whilst roaming within USA, US Virgin Islands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Israel and Singapore. Calling and texting other countries will incur additional charges, which vary by country. Once any part of the allowance is used up, standard out of bundle rates apply for that usage type. See roaming section of EE Small Business Price Guide for more details https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ Partner Discounts (EE) – Some tariffs may include a partner discount from A1 Comms. These discounts will remain on your account for the duration of your contract (12, 24, 36 months). After this period the price will revert to full price if you haven’t upgraded or changed tariff. Exec Plans (Plan) – 60 minutes of international direct dial minutes and 50 international direct dial texts provided as part of the tariff. They also have access to Exec Traveller http://www.plan.com/boltons-tariffs/bolt-ons/exec-traveller.pdf Data Speeds – Advertised 4G speeds are available in selected areas. Exact speed depends on location and number of users. Check coverage using the link in the shopping basket before buying. Allowances – Use your allowance to call/text UK mobiles and landlines starting 01, 02 and 03 when in the UK or EU/EEA; to call/text EU/EEA mobiles & landlines when roaming in EU/EEA (outside UK); Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man treated as EU/EEA. Out of allowance calls to these numbers cost 40p/min (EE) or 33p/min (Plan). Data allowance can be used in UK & EU/EEA. Data fair use policy may apply in EU/EEA. Deposit needed for roaming and international direct dial in limited circumstances. Calls to 084, 087, 09 & 118 numbers are not included; you'll be charged an Access Charge of 40p/min (EE) or 37p/min (Plan) plus the applicable service charge. If you call a 070 you'll be charged up to 63p/min (EE) or 55p/min (Plan) Allowances (Three) - Use your allowance to call/text UK mobiles and landlines starting 01, 02 and 03 when in the UK or EU/EEA; to call/text EU/EEA mobiles & landlines when roaming in EU/EEA (outside UK); Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man treated as EU/EEA. Out of allowance calls to these numbers cost 46p/min. Data allowance can be used in UK & EU/EEA. Data fair use policy may apply in EU/EEA. Deposit needed for roaming in limited circumstances. Calls to 084, 087, 09 & 118 numbers are not included; you'll be charged an Access Charge of 55p/min plus the applicable service charge. If you call a 070 you'll be charged up to 1.22p/min plus 85.8p per minute. Photo messages are 40p per message. Connecting Partner Authorisation – I agree that the connecting Partner to have access to my Account and have the ability to obtain billing information, make changes (with the exception of requesting PAC codes or account closures) and add products/services to my Account. I accept and agree that I am responsible for all changes made to my Account including any and all charges which may arise as a result of actions pursuant to this authorisation. I agree that EE shall not be liable for any actions taken by EE in fulfilling requests from the connecting Partner. This authority will continue until I revoke it by emailing [email protected] EE Small Business Price Guide (EE) – Information about all EE’s tariffs and add-ons can be found here https://ee.co.uk/business/small/help/terms-and-conditions/business-terms-and-conditions/ Go Binge (Three) - Three Simply Business tariffs with a data allowance of 10GB or above allows users to stream from Netflix, TV Player, Deezer and Apple Music without using your regular data allowance. Some services may not be available when roaming. For more details see www.three.co.uk/go-binge. Price Guide (Three) - For full tariff details including out of bundle charges, roaming, international rates and business terms please use www.three.co.uk/termspdf/Simply_Business_Price_Guide_221018.pdf. Plan Pricing (Plan) – Information about all Plan’s tariffs and add-ons can be found here https://www.plan.com/pricing Tethering (Three) - Three Simply Business plans allows the use of all or any of your allowance for tethering. Products – All products bought on our website are provided by ourselves, not the network, and are subject to our full T&Cs. Coming Soon & Just Out A1 Connect Contract House, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7AD Company Reg: 04455131 \| VAT: 282 8135 89 ©2001 - 2019 A1 Comms Ltd. All rights reserved. E&OE	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613298
__label__wiki	0.564213	0.564213	Wraparound support for breastfeeding mums in Croydon A peer support group that provides a lifeline to mums and babies in Croydon has launched this week to coincide with Breastfeeding Celebration Week, 17-22 June. The New Addington Mum2Mum breastfeeding peer support programme, which is funded by Croydon Council and run by Croydon Health Services, trains volunteer mums to help other parents with breastfeeding. The volunteers are trained over several weeks to give mothers and families practical and emotional advice around infant feeding and weaning. Local mums and children gathered on Wednesday at Croydon’s CALAT children’s centre in New Addington to find out more about the programme and to network. Breastfeeding helps mums, families and babies and the benefits last into adulthood. It can support family budgets, reduce illness and increase bonding between mother and baby. The Department of Health’s advice is to breastfeed exclusively up to six months, and beyond as a part of a mixed diet. New mums and mums-to-be can also get support at two Croydon Baby Cafés in Woodside and Selsdon, which are funded and staffed by Croydon Health Services. They have free drop-in sessions where pregnant and breastfeeding mums can get information and support for their families. The cafés complement a range of other breastfeeding services offered across the borough. More information can be found at www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/community-breastfeeding-support Organisations supporting the launch event at New Addington included the Croydon Real Nappies CIC, Bras At Home – bra fitting service and Wear My Baby Beckenham – a baby sling initiative. “We are proud to offer services like these in the borough, which we know can be a lifeline to many new parents and can prevent them feeling isolated and worried. It is important for parents to feel happy and healthy and supported to give their children the best start in life.” Councillor Jane Avis, cabinet member for families, health and social care Clare Greaves, is a New Addington peer support volunteer mum: “We provide a wraparound service for our local mums. I previously breastfed my own children, which gave me the passion to be part of this programme. We are here to address parents’ concerns and offer advice and support. There is also a drop-in service and baby cafés that they can visit. I have supported more than 50 women over the years and some have also become peer support mums as a result of my help.” Perry Daryf and son Zak attended the launch event: “The breast feeding support team is amazing. I had a difficult time breastfeeding and they have given me a lot of support; now me and my son are on a really good journey. I also love the community feeling from this group. I have now learnt how to use my baby sling, which I have owned for a while but I was not confident using it. Zak is now very comfortable, and I think the sling is going to change my life because now I can move around the house more freely!” 2019-07-01T15:17:14+01:00 June 21st, 2019\|Recent news\|	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613300
__label__wiki	0.549465	0.549465	Mustafa Ali reportedly removed from Elimination Chamber due to injury By Greg Bush - February 11, 2019 The most recent SmackDown Live acquisition has made quite an impact on the Blue Brand. Mustafa Ali has gone up against the best of the best on Tuesday nights, and even holds a pinfall victory over WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. This Sunday at WWE Elimination Chamber, Ali was set to challenge for the WWE Championship in the Elimination Chamber match. Sadly, it doesn’t look like that will be the case, as multiple injuries will apparently keep him out of the brutal contest. Fightful reported that Ali has been working with an injured tailbone, which was exacerbated at the Royal Rumble. Ali apparently also aggravated another existing injury over the weekend at a house show in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it’s likely Ali won’t be cleared for action for the rest of the week. There’s no official word on who will replace Mustafa Ali in the title match, but we’ll more than likely know by the beginning of SmackDown Live, if not before. According to Fightful, the WWE will put the blame on Randy Orton, so we’ll probably see some video of a backstage attack tomorrow. Tags: Elimination Chamber, mustafa ali, randy orton, WWE, WWE Championship Kayfabe_Is_Dead Mysterio vs Andrade to see who his replacement will be… Rinn13 That’s a shame for him, but I honestly wonder why the hell they’re not pushing someone like TJP or Drew Gulak more on the main roster, instead of him. Then I remembered, it’s WWE. AKPunk91 I wonder who theyll have replace him? Its certainly a shame from a talent point of view, but I really could not see him walking out as champion, so should not be a massive loss to him from a career point of view.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613303
__label__cc	0.743318	0.256682	How Providers Can Earn Competitive Wages with Telepsychiatry December 29, 2015 / Samir Malik Myth: Because telepsychaitry focuses on an underserved, under-insured and largely Medicaid populations, psychiatrists can not earn a competitive living given their skills. Fact: Psychiatrists can earn well-above-average pay ($150/hr, $300k/yr or more), serving the communities most in need through telepsychiatry. Telepsychiatry can often pay at par, if not better, than other psychiatric treatment settings. By focusing on patients in underserved settings, telepsychiatry can take advantage of a few different types of reimbursement bonuses that can meaningfully increase the total potential revenue derived from telepsychiatry. December 29, 2015 / Samir Malik/ Comment Telepsychiatry, Medicare reimbursement, reimbursement calculator, revenue, telepsychiatry, telepsychiatry benefits, payment, billing Integrated Telepsychiatry July 07, 2015 / Phil Hirsch Integrated Telepsychiatry in the Medical Home and ACO: Perform Like a Champion First off, a huge congratulations to the U.S. Women's Soccer Team on their capture of the World Cup. It is particularly satisfying to see a group of individuals who have worked most of their lives to perfect a skillset come together as a group to achieve at such a high level. Now, the U.S. healthcare system can learn something from the Women's Soccer Team. In team sports, it's not only the skill of the individual that prevails, it is also the extent to which the Team has a system and a plan, and the degree to which the players buy into and execute that system and plan. At least two "systems" appear to bring promise of organizing skilled clinicians into health care teams that can produce at a high level and reasonable cost: Patient Centered Medical Homes and Value Based Contracting. As an example, the Boston Consulting Group analyzed recent claims data from 3 million Medicare members in either traditional fee-for-service Medicare or in Medicare Advantage (value based payment) environments. As displayed below, using three widely accepted measures of health care success, their analysis demonstrated clear performance superiority for the MA programs. As noted by the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Primary Care and Family Medicine, as well as by many other health care analysts, in order for Medical Homes (and, by extension, clinics in value based contracts) to achieve their goals, they must have behavioral health services readily available and fully integrated. Where behavioral health specialists are not readily and timely available - significant swaths of the U.S. landmass - telemedicine and telehealth linkages serve an essential purpose. While fee-for-service Medicare pays for telemedicine only in certain rural and similar locations, CMS has made it clear that Medicare Advantage programs are free to pay for these services in any setting in which they deem it to be clinically and fiscally prudent - urban or rural. Abundant data demonstrate the clinical and cost value of widespread and integrated availability of these behavioral health services (see, e.g., Chiles et al, Blount et. al, Cummings, et. al) and, thereby, their central place in realization of the Triple Aim. If you are in a Medical Home setting, a value based contract, or are a health plan offering pay for performance incentives, we hope you are already cognizant of the foregoing and have taken steps to make behavioral health services readily and timely available for your patient base. Perform like a champion! July 07, 2015 / Phil Hirsch/ Comment Medicare, CMS, Medical Homes telehealth, telemedicine, telepsychiatry, behaviorial health services Phil Hirsch	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613308
__label__wiki	0.55893	0.55893	2 Bedford Row is a great set that marks a significant increase in corporate crime matters. It is recognised for its strength in depth and benefits from allied strength in fraud and general crime. Legal 500 2015 Our barristers have particular expertise in advising on all aspects of crime involving business, acting for the defence and the prosecution. Our barristers are frequently instructed to assist in internal investigations and to advise in transactional work where issues of money laundering or other financial misfeasance (including previous bribery and corruption by an earlier Board) is suspected. Members of Chambers have experience of advising the Board of Directors of PLCs as well as smaller corporations in jurisdictions throughout the UK, Europe and all over the world. Our barristers frequently advise individual Directors where the interests of each Director on a Board requires separate representation. Chambers frequently assist by advising on matters that relate to corporate governance, directors’ liability and corporate criminal liability. Members of chambers are ranked in the legal directories in this field as well as in the “Chambers 100”, a guide to the top 100 lawyers for business across all specialisations of law. Members of chambers have extensive experience of advising businesses in the banking and financial, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, shipping, insurance, mining, aviation and retail sectors but have also advised companies from many other sectors of industry and business. Chambers have been involved in most, if not all, of the major high profile investigations of the last ten years (Innospec, BAE and LIBOR to give but three examples), either advising a suspect, appearing at trial and advising those who are witnesses who face interviews under compulsion, particularly under the Serious Fraud Office section 2 powers. Chambers has expertise in advising in relation to proceedings that relate to Data Protection and media issues and have often advised Company officers compelled to attend before Parliamentary Investigations before Select Committees as well as those requested to assist US Senate investigations. In addition to a long standing expertise in matters related to all aspects of fraud, chambers have unrivalled experience of advising Companies in corporate manslaughter investigations and trials. For further information and enquiries please contact our clerks team. clerks@2bedfordrow.co.uk Fraud Acquittal Following a 6 week trial at Manchester Crown Court, Stan Reiz has secured the acquittal of the director and owner of an online consumer sales company, who was accused of… Brian Altman QC is named ‘White Collar Crime Barrister of the Year’ Brian Altman QC has been selected by The Lawyer Monthly as the outright winner and recipient of the award of ‘White Collar Crime Barrister of the Year – UK’. The… Jim Sturman QC – 100 best business lawyers Jim Sturman QC has been listed in “The Chambers 100”, a list of “The 100 best business lawyers drawn from the top bands in the Chambers UK guide” the list… Importing and distributing active pharmaceutical ingredients A recent rash of cases concerning the importation and distribution of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients has highlighted the draconian provisions of the Serious Crime Act 2007 and the very lengthy prison… Environment Agency confiscation proceedings Jamas Hodivala and Kwaku Awuku-Asabre, instructed by Jim Meyer at Tuckers, represented a director of several companies in complex confiscation proceedings brought by the Environment Agency. The EA alleged that… Prosecution of Company Director for online sales of toxic paint stripper Alex Stein prosecuted the director of a company in the first prosecution for online sales of paint stripper containing dichloromethane – a carcinogen which has also caused a number of… Barclays Bank Investigation Jim Sturman QC (Instructed by Neil Blundell of Eversheds Sutherland) acted for a senior executive caught up in the SFO investigation into Barclays bank after drafting representations on behalf of… Richard Whittam QC leads in the £497.25 million Deferred Prosecution Agreement with Rolls Royce Plc Richard was instructed in 2013 to lead a team of experienced junior counsel who advised across different jurisdictions on the four strands of the work carried out by Rolls Royce… Optometrist cleared Ian Stern QC instructed by Ella Power from the legal department of the Association of Optometrist, represented a registrant who was alleged to have dishonestly claimed about £35,000 from her…	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613309
__label__wiki	0.501229	0.501229	Customize your treatment with diVa®'s state of the art laser technology For many women, the thought of addressing intimate challenges can be intimidating. But with diVa® by Sciton, the revolutionary, state-of-the-art laser technology for women's health, women have the option of customized treatment with little to no downtime. diVa® is the world's first and only Hybrid Fractional Laser. With consistency, comfort and patient safety in mind, women are feeling more like their younger, more sensual selves. If you have experienced childbirth or menopause, two of the leading causes of a decline in vaginal health, diVa® may help you feel more confident and sexy in your daily life. diVa®'s ergonomic design allows for patient comfort and ease of use. The single-use Strengthened Quartz Dilator consists of a 360-degree quartz window that allows for easy treatment and clean-up. This removes the need to autoclave, reduces downtime between treatments and eliminates the chance of cross-contamination. The dilator expands the vaginal tissue and remains stationary in the vagina as the handpiece is rotated throughout the treatment area. As the treatment progresses, a new section of quartz is used for every pulse. diVa® is the first resurfacing laser of its kind to include high-precision automation technology using a unique precision guidance system in combination with a high-accuracy motor. diVa® provides a treatment without manual positioning of the handpiece by the operator. HPA technology creates a more uniform, more predictable and safer treatment. What are diVa® patients saying? After experiencing diVa® treatment, women are feeling more confident and sexier. See what women who have said, "yes" to diVa® are saying about their own experiences with this revolutionary laser technology. Woman: Sciton is proud to present its latest technology created to address a woman's most intimate challenges. Because women's bodies change over time, the idea of feminine therapy can be an unspoken yet highly desired procedure. Women have two major events in their life that can lead to decline in vaginal health and the loss of estrogen: childbirth and menopause. For many women, finding a way to feel confident again without the need for injections or expensive pills has been a challenge until now. Introducing diVa®, a breakthrough laser technology designed for vaginal therapy. diVa® is a quick, comfortable, no-downtime solution designed to help women feel more like their younger, vital, sensual selves. diVa® utilizes the world's first and only revolutionary Hybrid Fractional Laser (HFL) technology. HFL technology allows your clinician to customize your treatments to address your intimate challenges and produce your desired results. diVa® delivers two laser therapies at once for a combined synergistic effect. The first laser deeply resurfaces the top layer of the vaginal wall, replacing it with brand new healthy tissue. The second laser heats the lower layer of the tissue where collagen exists. diVa®'s ergonomic design allows for comfortable, fast, and easy treatments. Each procedure takes three to five minutes and can be performed as an in-office treatment, allowing you to return to your daily routine immediately. diVa® has already proven to satisfy even the most skeptical clients. In a survey of the first 100 patients, they reported minimal to little discomfort during the treatment with no adverse events. Ninety-two percent reported that their expectations were met. Eighty-five percent would recommend it to a friend. And eighty-six percent of those patients are happy with their results. Jamie: So every day I feel really confident. I feel sexy. I really feel like I have a great sex life. My husband is just ecstatic about it. He loves it. He doesn't even know what to think. He can't even imagine that some sort of treatment could do this to women out there. Sherry: My sex life is most definitely better. I feel like I'm in my 30s again. It's fantastic. I got my mojo back. I definitely feel more confident. I feel young. I feel sexy. I hadn't felt that way in a very long time. Eileen: It makes me feel more confident, very sexy. I don't have any issues, you know, initiating anything, or that feeling after, which I kind of felt that before after having a child, like, "Am I good enough? Does it feel okay? Is everything all right?" And now I know. Woman: Feel confident every day. Talk to your clinician about your unique needs, and ask if diVa® is right for you. Call us at (334) 819-8190 or simply fill out the form below.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613321
__label__cc	0.560101	0.439899	AMAZING GRACE: Remembering the Dynamism of Aretha Franklin, a Diva Redefined August 20, 2018 Terry Nelson We all feel like we knew Aretha Franklin and through her music, she spoke to us. That’s what made her special. She was our Queen. Tags Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin’s ‘Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)’ Turns 45 \| An Anniversary Retrospective June 25, 2018 Brandon Ousley In all measures, and relative to the rest of her prolific discography, ‘Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)’ presents Aretha Franklin at her most esoteric. Tags Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones TRIBUTE: Celebrating 50 Years of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Lady Soul’ January 22, 2018 Brandon Ousley Compared to its immediate predecessors, ‘Lady Soul’ is a more refined, yet eclectic rendering of Franklin’s deep soul underpinning. TRIBUTE: Celebrating 50 Years of Aretha Franklin’s ‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You’ March 9, 2017 Terry Nelson Most artists could only wish to have their eleventh album (if they’re lucky enough to have eleven albums) be as potent and timeless as Franklin’s. TRIBUTE: Celebrating 45 Years of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ The all-star cast of musicians that cook the glorious grooves on Franklin’s 20th studio LP helped make it one of the definitive touchstones of 1970s soul. TRIBUTE: Celebrating 40 Years of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Sparkle’ June 2, 2016 Brandon Ousley Brandon Ousley examines why this indispensable, Curtis Mayfield produced masterpiece of deep gospel-rooted soul still shines brightly forty years later. Tags Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0041.json.gz/line1613324

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