pred_label
stringclasses 2
values | pred_label_prob
float64 0.5
1
| wiki_prob
float64 0.25
1
| text
stringlengths 97
1.02M
| source
stringlengths 37
43
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
__label__cc
| 0.607814
| 0.392186
|
This Could Bring America To A Standstill In Days - Are These 'Doomsday Maps' Another Sign That War Is In The Air?
In one of the lead stories over at the Drudge Report from Zero Hedge they report the US is urging all nationals in North Korea to 'depart immediately' while banning tourists from visiting in a ban expected to be officially announced on July 27th and to come into effect 30 days later. Reporting "it was not clear if the urge to clear out US citizens from North Korea is a precursor to more 'aggressive' (or kinetic) action by the US government", it had previously been reported that one sign to watch out for of a possible forthcoming military strike upon NKorea were actions taken to get US citizens out of the area.
In watching for such signs, a must-read story from Mac Slavo over at SHTFPlan reports one of the reasons why we 'pay attention': "They May Have Information We Don't" Slavo tells us while asking "Are The Elite Preparing For A Cataclysmic Event?" In Slavo's story he reports upon a recent article in Forbes Magazine which "seems to be sounding the alarm that a major, cataclysmic event could be on the horizon". Slavo finds it interesting that 'mainstream' Forbes has allowed such a report.
Interestingly, as Susan Duclos reported on ANP back on June 27th of 2017, the Forbes story included the map seen below, a map that had long been labeled 'tin foil hat conspiracy' by those pressed to believe that America could ever suffer through an event that caused our nation to look like this. What do the globalists know that we don't know? The title of the Forbes story from June 10th, 2017: "The Shocking Doomsday Maps Of The World And The Billionaire Escape Plans".
One very interesting aspect about the Forbes story is that the maps they show like the one above are not limited to the United States as they show us 'doomsday maps' from South America and all around the world. So, is the map seen above still some 'tinfoil hat conspiracy theory' or something much more?
And while a massive sea-level rise or 'pole flip' might not be in the cards for America and the world any time soon, the possibilities for why we should prepare are nearly endless with one key reason traced back directly to the ZH story on North Korea. If we attempt a 'surgical strike' upon North Korea and a 'limited war' breaks out, North Korea has warned they may have 'sleeper agents' in America prepared to unleash biological weapons within our cities.
As Michael Snyder reported back on April 13th of 2017 at The American Dream, "Where Will You Go When North Korean Agents Release Biological Weapons In Major U.S. Cities?" Snyder outlines a scenario within his story that one can be forgiven for thinking it could never happen here, yet it could, and as we learn, we may have no notice at all.
As we reported on ANP back on April 28th of 2017, according to a recently declassified report, North Korea had at least 5 commando units on US soil back in the 1990's, prepared to attack US cities and nuclear power plants. Should we believe that somehow, someway we don't have at least that many units in America now after years of Barack Obama's open borders? With the incredible 'diversity' that America has achieved over the years, finding NKorean sleepers in America would be like finding needles in the haystack.
From Snyder:
Most Americans have no idea that biological weapons could potentially bring our nation to a complete and utter standstill within a matter of days. In recent articles I have been trying to get people to understand why it would be so exceedingly dangerous for the United States to attack North Korea.
A war with North Korea would be fundamentally different from other wars, because there would be no line that the North Koreans would not be willing to cross. They would use nukes, they would use chemical weapons, and they would not hesitate to even use biological weapons on innocent civilian populations.
Snyder then shares with us this scenario which he tells us what might await America.
In the aftermath of a massive U.S. military strike on North Korea’s nuclear facilities, North Korean agents that have been embedded inside the United States for years quickly start going to work. In Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, small containers that had been covertly smuggled into the U.S. are opened and dropped on the ground in the middle of large groups of people.
At first nothing seems to happen, but pretty rapidly those that have been exposed start developing puffy white sores and blisters on their skin. When this hits the news, panic begins to spread as people realize that this appears to be a coordinated attack. Before too long, others that have been exposed to a different bioweapon start bleeding profusely from their eyes, ears, mouths and noses.
People drop dead by the thousands, and a national health crisis is declared. Economic activity comes to a complete halt as everyone becomes deathly afraid of leaving their own homes. Hospitals and other medical facilities are completely overwhelmed because they can only treat a small fraction of those that are dying.
Because these weaponized diseases were designed to spread like wildfire, pretty soon nearly every community in America is affected. The federal government attempts to intervene, but it is powerless to stop the spread of these pandemics. Thousands of dead bodies lie rotting in the streets of our major cities because there aren’t enough people willing to take the risk of burying them. And because virtually everyone is camping out at home, essential public services start to break down very rapidly and our society descends into a state of utter chaos.
While Snyder outlines what could be a near-worst-case scenario (short of nuclear attacks upon several major US cities or an EMP or cyber attack that permanently takes down the electrical grid), the scenario he outlines could be among the first responses taken by 'sleepers' who've long been embedded in America, going about their day to day business as if they were 'average Joe', just waiting for their call. As we've also previously reported on ANP, 'secret coded messages' are regularly sent out by the North Korean government to their sleeper spies around the world.
According to the Biological Warfare Blog, the 'black six' of bioweapons include anthrax, botulinium, plague, smallpox, tularaemia and viral hemorrhagic fever and there are years worth of evidence to indicate that North Korea is very involved in the acquisition and weaponization of such pathogens.
In the first video below, Joe with the Daily Sheeple talks with us about these doomsday maps for the rich while in the 2nd video we hear all about the North Korean biological weapons threat to America and the world. In the final video below we hear about the possibility that a false flag attack upon America may be ahead with an EMP attack likely blamed upon North Korea but actually allowed to be carried out by America-hating globalists.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line5
|
__label__wiki
| 0.640709
| 0.640709
|
Follow @ahess247
Recent Posts by Arik Hesseldahl
China’s Hacking of NY Times Recalls Another Attack in 1998
January 31, 2013 at 1:45 pm PT
There’s going to be an awful lot to say about the massive hacking effort by attackers thought to reside in China that rocked the New York Times last year. And much of what can be said is already there in the longish takeout on the incident on today’s front page.
If you haven’t read it yet, I’ll spare you the effort. Last fall, the Times was getting ready to publish a lengthy report about how relatives of Chinese premier Wen Jiabao had amassed a sizable fortune. Knowing China’s reputation for carrying out hacking attacks against companies and other entities that annoy it, Times executives had the foresight to have the company’s Internet service provider watch for any unusual activity.
Predictably, it showed up. It was a classic spear-phishing attack that contained a remote access tool, packaged in an email attachment innocently opened by an employee. The incident provided the Times and the security firm it hired, Mandiant, the opportunity to watch the intruders’ activity for an extended period of time as they roamed the network. Once Mandiant had a pretty good idea of all the different paths for getting in and out, they shut down and isolated all the affected machines, plugged all the holes and that was that.
Interesting. But it’s not the first time the Times has been hacked in a high-profile manner. The story reports that the first attack occurred on Sept. 13. That’s a notable date because it is, coincidentally, the 15-year anniversary of the day in 1998 that the New York Times Web site was attacked by a hacking group calling itself Hacking for Girliez.
I wrote about that attack for Wired. The attack was a basic Web defacement. The Times front page was replaced with another page (you can see the results, not completely safe for work, here) that contained within its HTML code a rambling message about the then-jailed hacker Kevin Mitnick, and a weird poem.
No one was ever arrested for the attack and it’s a pretty sure bet no one ever will be, mainly because the statute of limitations would have long expired. But someone did get the perpetrators to sit for an interview. Adam Penenberg, then a writer for Forbes and now an editor for PandoDaily, got “Slut Puppy” and “Master Pimp” to answer some questions. Their motivation at the time? They were bored and couldn’t agree on a video to watch.
The 1998 attack was the first incident for the Times, and for a little while its entire Web site was taken down in order to prevent the display of the hacked page. The timing of this attack probably has nothing to do with this latest attack. But then again, hackers of all stripes are known for long memories and a unique sense of humor.
Tagged with: Adam Penenberg, China, computer security, cyberwar, hackers, hacking, Kevin Mitnick, New York Times, security
Apple Denies Working with NSA on iPhone Backdoor
HP Is Negotiating to Settle Bribery Charges
CIOs Brand Enterprise Social Tools as Most Overhyped Technology of the Year
Malware Attacks by Syrian Pro-Government Hackers Are on the Rise
api-video/find_all_videos.asp&fields=id,videoStillURL,thumbnailURL,guid,video320kMP4Url,name,duration&count=4&doctype=128
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line6
|
__label__cc
| 0.731543
| 0.268457
|
The Parable of the One-Man-Band
Anxiety is the fruit of assuming responsibilities that are not your own. Exhaustion is the fruit of doing work that is not your own. Even the Apostles knew to do their own work. Paul finished his course, not Peter's. Exhaustion and anxiety are cousins. Only God's shoulders are big enough to carry the church.
Most "ministers" see their job as a lifelong vocation. Therefore they are always, constantly, continually, without ceasing, and forever in the forefront, and the body gathers and sits in rows to watch the show, wishing that somehow they might participate. But no, once again, they came, they sat, they listened, they left, and nothing really happened.
The ministry of the body of Christ by comparison, makes the traditional three point platonic sermon seem as silly as a one man band opening for the philharmonic orchestra.
With cymbals strapped to his knees, and a harness slung harmonica, guitar in hand, and a rubbing-board played with one foot, he hoped, kicked, strummed and blew. The crowd becomes silent at the prospect of him falling, his balance being impaired by the introduction of all those unnatural movements. And as he oscillated around on the stage the crowd broke into applause, for after all, that can't be easy!
When he was reaching the point of exhaustion, the crowd began to cheer him on. This seemed to bring a renewed look of determination to his sweat covered face. The music sounded OK. Some were shaking their heads as if to say, "Is there anything this man can’t do?" The applause was deafening, and even the orchestra waiting in the wings laid down their instruments to applaud him.
On and on he went, and the look of wonder on the faces of the crowd slowly began to turn to indifference. The praise turned to yawns, and the faint sound of snoring could be heard from the back row. Some were looking at their watches; others got up, went out and stood in the foyer. Finally the boredom was interrupted by a loud thud on the stage, and to everyone's disbelief this marathon performer had collapsed from sheer exhaustion. What began as a whisper rose in intensity, to a mild roar, the sound of a thousand whispering voices asking: "Is he okay? What happened?" But no one went up to see. Someone cried out, "Play it again." Someone else shouted, "Yeah, come on, play it again," but still he lay lifeless on the stage floor.
One by one the crowd filed out, supposing the show was over, and the orchestra waiting in the wings with their instruments on the floor, had all fallen asleep in their chairs. Alone on the stage lay the one who once stole the show.
There are thousands of one-man-bands out there, and this is no attempt to add to their burden. God forbid that I should add one ounce to the already overwhelming burden they have placed on their own shoulders. Many of them have a heart to serve God's people, and think this is how it is done. And so they burn out doing something they were never intended to do--everything. And the orchestra (the body of Christ) sits and listens and Christ is hidden from the watching world.
No one is called to do it all!
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line13
|
__label__wiki
| 0.812026
| 0.812026
|
Tag Archives: Mean Streets
Cinematically stoned
© Omni Zoetrope / United Artists
In my previous post I wrote about the late Anita Pallenberg and her finest cinematic moment, the dark and twisted 1968 crime / rock movie Performance. This also starred Mick Jagger, fellow Rolling Stone and best buddy of Pallenberg’s then lover, Keith Richards.
Performance’s cocktail of rock stars, gangsters, drugs, decadence and debauchery was seen as representative of the culture surrounding the Stones in the late 1960s; and this, along with Pallenberg and Jagger’s participation, surely means it can be classed as a ‘Rolling Stones movie’. Which begs the questions, “Are there other Rolling Stones movies? And if so, what?”
After all, there’s been plenty of Beatles movies over the years: A Hard Day’s Night (1964), Help! (1965), Yellow Submarine (1968), Let It Be (1970), I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), The Birth of the Beatles (1979), Give my Regards to Broad Street (1984), The Hours and Times (1991), Backbeat (1994), Two of Us (2000), even The Rutles (1978). But what of the Liverpudlian moptops’ less wholesome London rivals? What’s been their contribution to cinema?
On the face of it, there isn’t a lot. That is, if you don’t count the various documentaries made about them like Charlie is my Darling (1966), Jean Luc Godard’s oddball Sympathy for the Devil (1968) and Gimme Shelter (1970), a chronicle of their 1969 American tour that ended bloodily with Hells Angels-inspired carnage at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival. And if you don’t count their many concert movies like The Stones in the Park (1969), Let’s Spend the Night Together (1982), Julien Temple’s The Stones at the Max (1991) (the first feature-length movie to be filmed in IMAX – because what you really want to see is a 100-feet-tall close-up of Keith Richards’ face, right?), The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (1996) (plug your ears for the bit with Yoko Ono) and the Martin Scorsese-directed Shine a Light (2008), which provided the gruesome spectacle of leathery 60-something Jagger duetting with 20-something pop-moppet Christina Aguilera and prowling around her like a camp velociraptor.
There’s been little effort to film key events in the history of the Rolling Stones. Off the top of my head, the only one I can think of is the little-known Stoned (2005), about the possible circumstances of Brian Jones’s death. And as for movies featuring Stones-members as actors, well, there’s just a couple of items with Mick Jagger – epics such as Ned Kelly (1970) and Freejack (1992). Ouch and double-ouch.
© Walt Disney Productions / Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Actually, you could make a case for the Pirates of the Caribbean series being Rolling Stones films as their star Johnny Depp famously based the voice, mannerisms and swagger of his Captain Jack Sparrow character on Keith Richards. I thought Depp-playing-Keith-playing-a-pirate was a rib-tickling gimmick that elevated the first Pirates of the Caribbean instalment, back in 2003, from being a middling film to being an entertaining one. Alas, Captain Jack / Johnny / Keith has gradually lost his novelty value as the sequels have become ever-more convoluted, repetitious and tedious. For the third in the franchise, At World’s End (2007), the filmmakers had the bright idea of bringing in the real Keith Richards to cameo as Captain Jack’s pirate dad. You can see his cameo here on Youtube, which saves you the ordeal of sitting through the whole poxy movie waiting for him to show up.
However, there’s one thing you can say about the Rolling Stones and celluloid. In the right film, blasting over the soundtrack at the right moment, a Stones song can help create a splendid musical, visual and dramatic alchemy, turning a good cinematic scene into one that’s truly awesome. Here are my all-time favourite uses of Rolling Stones songs in the movies.
© Taplin-Perry-Scorsese Productions / Warner Bros
Jumpin’ Jack Flash in Mean Streets (1973)
Wow. Martin Scorsese really likes the Rolling Stones. Not only has he made a concert movie about them, the above-mentioned Shine a Light, but he’s used their music in umpteen films: Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), The Departed (2006) and the one that first put him on the map, 1973’s Mean Streets. Even today, more than 40 years later, the scene in Mean Streets where a young Robert De Niro comes swaggering through a bar, in slow motion, towards a pensive Harvey Keitel, while Jagger hollers in the background about being “born in a cross-fire hurricane”, is a great synthesis of rock ‘n’ roll music and rock ‘n’ roll cinema. Indeed, Jumpin’ Jack Flash is a fitting accompaniment for the arrival in popular consciousness of De Niro, who’d spend the rest of the 20th century showing Hollywood how to do proper acting. (The 21st century, containing The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000), Little Fockers (2010), New Year’s Eve (2011) and Dirty Grandpa (2016), is a different matter.)
Satisfaction in Apocalypse Now (1979)
The Stones’ early, primordial and still potent stomper Satisfaction gets a brief but memorable airing in Francis Ford Coppola’s baroque Vietnam War masterpiece, playing on the radio while Captain Martin Sheen and his not-exactly-fighting-fit crew go cruising up the Nùng River in search of Marlon Brando. Cue some funky on-deck dance moves by a frighteningly young-looking Laurence Fishburne and some funny / cringeworthy water-skiing moves by Sam Bottoms that knock various Vietnamese people out of their fishing boats.
Sympathy for the Devil in Alien Nation (1988)
Graham Baker’s sci-fi / cop movie Alien Nation isn’t very good. Its premise of an alien community getting stranded on earth and having to integrate as best as they can with the curmudgeonly human natives was handled much better in Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 (2009). But I do like a woozy, hypnotic scene in it where alien-loathing cop James Caan enters a sleazy alien bar while a lady-alien performs an erotic dance to the strains of Sympathy for the Devil. Not the original Stones song, but a correspondingly woozy, hypnotic cover-version of it by the great Jane’s Addiction. I can’t find a film-clip of the scene, but here’s the Jane’s Addiction cover.
© Légende Entreprises / Universal Pictures
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking? in Casino (1995)
While Martin Scorsese serenades Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel with Jumpin’ Jack Flash in Mean Streets, he employs the 1971 Stones song Can’t You Hear Me Knocking? for another of his regulars, Joe Pesci, in Casino. Remarkably, Scorsese plays all seven minutes of the Santana-esque Can’t You… as an accompaniment to a lengthy sequence showing how Pesci’s Casino character Nicky Santoro gets established in Las Vegas. Predictably, the sequence has Pesci doing what Pesci usually does in Scorsese movies: being a psychotic shit, barking orders at hoodlum sidekicks twice his size, eating in restaurants, ingratiating himself with fellow Mafiosi, being a psychotic shit, cursing and swearing, getting a blow-job, being a psychotic shit, talking about food, knocking off jewellery stores, acting the loving family man with his non-criminal relatives… and being a psychotic shit.
Sympathy for the Devil in Interview with the Vampire (1995)
It’s Sympathy for the Devil again. And again, this isn’t the Rolling Stones original but a cover version, this time by Guns n’ Roses. It’s as ramshackle, shonky and (for me) enjoyable as Guns n’ Roses’ other covers, which include ones of Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door and Wings’ Live and Let Die. In Interview with the Vampire, Sympathy… kicks in during the final scene when, to nobody’s great surprise, the supposedly-vanquished vampire Lestat (Tom Cruise) reappears and takes a bite out of reporter Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater).
© Strike Entertainment / Universal Pictures
Ruby Tuesday in Children of Men (2006)
Wistful Stones ballad Ruby Tuesday features briefly on the soundtrack of Alfonso Cuarón’s gruellingly pessimistic science-fiction thriller Children of Men. It’s another cover, sung by Franco Battiato. We hear it during one of the movie’s calmer moments when Theo (Clive Owen) is visiting his mate Jasper (Michael Caine), whose home provides a small pocket of sanity amid the unfolding dystopian grimness. Amusingly, Caine, well known in real life for being a right-wing old grump given to moaning about his tax-bill, here plays a left-wing old hippy given to smoking super-strong pot.
© Plan B Entertainment / Warner Bros
Gimme Shelter in The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese loves the Rolling Stones and he loves their apocalyptic 1969 number Gimme Shelter in particular. By my count he’s used it in three movies: Goodfellas, Casino and The Departed. It’s best deployed at the beginning of The Departed, rumbling in the background while gangland thug Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) expounds his philosophy. “I don’t want to be a part of my environment,” he intones, imbuing his words with that leery, languid menace that only Nicholson is capable of. “I want my environment to be a part of me.” Strangely, in Scorsese’s Shine a Light two years later, Gimme Shelter was one of the songs the Stones didn’t perform on stage. So Marty missed a trick there.
Street Fighting Man in Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)
Director Wes Anderson also sticks Rolling Stones songs into his movies, but so far I haven’t mentioned him because I find most of his work insufferably smug and pretentious. (Play with Fire figures prominently in 2007’s The Darjeeling Limited, an Anderson movie so twee it’s the cinematic equivalent of being force-fed with chocolate cake-mix.) However, I like the scene in his stop-motion-animation adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox where, to the sound of the rabblerousing late-1960s Stones anthem Street Fighting Man, Farmers Bean, Boggis and Bunce use three diggers to tear up the den of the titular Mr Fox; forcing the den’s inhabitants to frantically dig an escape-route. As Keith Richards might say: “We’re the Stones – you dig?”
© 20th Century Fox
Posted in Films, Music | Tagged Alien Nation, Apocalypse Now, Casino, Children of Men, Fantastic Mr Fox, Interview with the Vampire, Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci, Johnny Depp, Keith Richards, Martin Scorsese, Mean Streets, Mick Jagger, Performance, Pirates of the Caribbean, Robert De Niro, Rolling Stones, The Departed, Wes Anderson | Leave a reply
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line22
|
__label__cc
| 0.717172
| 0.282828
|
Joppy: "Taylor Is In Big Trouble, I'm Going To Take Him To School!"
By G. Leon
Joppy Also Says He Busted Up Lacy In The Gym!
Former WBA middleweight champion William Joppy told Boxingtalk.com, "This year has been horrible for me Greg, but after all the shit I've been through, I'm going to end the year in a way that's going to make it a good year. I'm going to close this year with a bang! I've been going through so much shit and getting charged with cases that should have never been mine. From first degree assault to traffic tickets, I've been through all that junk this year."
GL: Can you tell us what you know about Jermain Taylor?
William Joppy: "I don't really know too much about him. I've seen him fight a few times. From what I've seen all he's got is a pretty good jab and a right hand. He likes to throw the jab and come with the right hand. He's basic.
GL: You're the first true middleweight Taylor is facing, does that wind up being an advantage for you?
WJ: "It's like this, I know he's an up and coming middleweight. You know the business Greg, after my losses to Felix Trinidad and Bernard Hopkins they feel like I'm ready to go. But naw, I'm not ready to go. I had to look at the man in the mirror. In the past I played a lot outside of the ring and it cost me. I had to rip a page from Bernard Hopkins book, I got on that discipline tip.
"I don't hang out and I don't do nothing. When I'm on the right track can't none of these guys touch me. I know I'm the first full fledged middleweight he's seeing and I'm going to take this young boy to school. He's been fed nothing but junior middleweights and he's going to be in big trouble with me. I'm going out there and have fun, I'm going to box the hell out of him and take him to school.
GL: Most people view this a do or die fight as far as your boxing career goes. How do you feel about that?
WJ: "Well it is. You know what it is. It's a last opportunity to see if I can stay in the thick of things. If I don't get past this I'm done. I'm not going to fight for $5,000 or $10,000. I'd stop before I do that. This guy can't touch me. He's got a good jab but there's so much stuff I'm going to show him.
"But I'm going to do him just like I used to do his Olympic partner Jeff Lacy!
GL: How did you do Jeff Lacy?
WJ: "I beat the helll out of him. It got kind of personal with Jeff Lacy. We were in the gym together in Big Bear California and I was sparring with Shane Mosley. He came up in the gym and tried to make a reputation off of me and I hate when guys do that. When I come in the gym, I'm not there to show off, I'm there to learn. But the bottom line is I'm going to do him like I did Jeff Lacy, I'm going to beat the hell out of him so bad his trainer's going to stop it!
"I will say this though, Jeff Lacy looked strong as hell in his last fight. He looked like he hadn't had sex in ten years!
"This fight with Taylor is so important because the fight that I want is the Trinidad rematch and winning this fight will help me get that shot at revenge. Trinidad is what I want the most, but I'm not in the position to call him out yet, I'm going to look impressive with Taylor and then we're going to have a lot of shit to talk about Trinidad.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THIS MUST READ INTERVIEW
Send questions and comments to: gleon@boxingtalk.net
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line23
|
__label__cc
| 0.531297
| 0.468703
|
Click here to submit your news item to this page
Page I...
Tobermore Concrete
Bradstone-Charcon
TopPave-Cempak
This page...
EJ Stone
Westminster Stone
Stonemarket
StoneFlair
Lonstone
Bowland
Pavestone
Page III...
DecorDrive
Midland Slate & Tile
Global Stone
Ransfords
Derbyshire Aggregates
Border Stone
SupaMix
Glee 2004 - Part II
Turning our attention to those companies specialising in wet-cast and garden paving, I felt that three companies stood out, and in the interest of fairness, I'll let the new boys go first.
EJ Stone from Ashington in the North-east of England are Glee debutants and to their credit, they seemed to have more paving on their stand than anyone else, as well as producing what I thought was the best new wet-cast product at the show. The Alnwick Slate feature features a new texture in a new colour and it would have been easy to get it wrong with one or both of these critical factors. However, the colour is a near-as-dammit match for the legendary Penrhyn slate from North Wales, and the texture is undeniably accurate. Sales Director Neil Cox (who also had the best tea-making facilities at the show) told me how he'd spent two days scrambling about the slate heaps of Northumberland in his search for the perfect pieces to use as models for his moulds. It was time well spent, as the resulting flags are spot on!
Alnwick Slate Circle, with squaring-off kit and rectangular paving
EJ Stone offer a wide range of wet cast patio flags and walling products in a range of colours and styles, and they have plans to move into CBP production in the very near future. Neil's hoping to have his new block plant on-stream before the end of autumn, and was showing a few of the test blocks he's planning to produce. There'll be new here, on Pavingexpert.com, as soon as the plant is functioning.
If I had to give an award for most attractive stand at Glee, then there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that it would go to Westminster Stone, and I think that everyone else in the industry, if they were being totally honest and 'off-the-record', would agree that, year in and year out, John Clifford and his dad Paul produce a superb display that shows off the products to their very best.
And the attention to detail that they use to create their display is mirrored by the attention to detail they make with their range of flagstones and other garden hard-landscaping products. The Old Lancashire and Old Yorkshire flagstones are as good a reproduction as I've ever seen, and the Old Provence range is virtually impossible to tell apart from genuine terracotta tiles.
You can talk to some people in this trade, and their main interest is the business: the making money, the wheeling and dealing, the shifting units. And then there are a handful of folk who have an all-consuming passion for paving, and could never imagine being involved in any other industry. This dedication often shows through in their products, and there's no finer example than Westminster Stone. The quality of the product, the quality of the display, the quality of service - maybe that's why the tv crews used this stand as a stage for their interviews. Pure Class!
That's a fiver you owe me, John!
Chelsea Gold flags in various sizes
Old Provence Tile Circle
Stonemarket have a long pedigree of producing quality and innovative wet-cast products, and over recent years they've proved that their eye for detail and originality works equally well with natural stone products.
Although they've added new product lines to their wet cast range it was three items in natural stone that really took my eye at this show. The most visually striking was the new Provencal Sunflower, a superb creation combining buff and grey sandstone flags, cut to exact shapes and fitted together to form a simply stunning circle feature, easily the best at the show. The basic circle kit has a diameter of 3200mm, but it can be extended by addition of the outer ring, shown here, which pushed the overall dimensions up to a diameter of a little over 4 metres.
The ever-affable MD of Stonemarket, Tom Poole, had played about with various colour options for this new flagship product, but decided on this combination and I have to say I think he's got it dead right.
The second natural stone product from Stonemarket to which I want to draw your attention is this simple but elegant star in a flamed granite.
It's no secret in the trade that we're all looking for the product range that could take over from the imported sandstones, and I have a sneaky feeling that public taste will shift away from the traditional, rustic riven-flags to something with a bit of class and elegance about it. These flamed granite features, and the complementary rectangular paving, could well be an indicator of what's to come. Crisp, clean lines with a basic, classic palette of natural colours - very European and minimalist in looks: could it be right for the notoriously conservative British taste? I hope so!
The final item in this quick survey of the Stonemarket offering is the one I suspect could well be the most successful. It's a weathered sandstone, which may not sound terribly exciting at first, but when you see it close up, and when you feel the texture, then you'll know why it's sure to be popular.
Although the stone is brand new, it's been treated in a method that's top secret, and no amount of cajoling, trickery or pestering could force any of the Stonemarket people to reveal the process, even though I reckon I know how it's done. The special treatment produces a flag that appears to be worn smooth with time, giving it a much more authentic 'aged' appearance than any of the stained versions that are doing the rounds. It's a truly intriguing texture and it offers a viable, believable and affordable alternative to those poor souls condemned to live in Lower Britain where genuine reclaimed yorkstone flags can cost well over 50 quid per square metre.
It'll be available in two colours, a soft grey and a mellow buff, and it's being sold under the name of "Vintage Stone". I urge you to keep your eye open for it next Spring!
While we're looking at Stonemarket products, I really ought to mention the "holy grail" computer software they've been developing which generates random-ish layouts for all sorts of modular flags. Just how random is each layout can be determined, to some extent, by the end user, so you can define sets of rules, such as 'no-straight-lines-over-3-metres', or 'no-4-corner-meetings', and then the software creates a layout using your chosen flag range, in your chosen sizes, in a matter of minutes. Depending on how pernickety you've been, it could be 1½ minutes or 8 minutes or 15 minutes, but it's still quicker than working it out with pencil and graph paper!
I've been involved in developing similar computerised random layout generators since way back when I had my first ZX81, and I have to admit that this is the best implementation of the idea I've ever seen. The user interface is neat, clean and simple, and the end product is very attractive-looking. Tom Poole admits there's a way to go, but it's leaps and bounds ahead of any of the other commercially available programs I've played with. He plans to make it available as a web-based tool for selected designers and contractors and has promised to keep me up-to-date with developments, so I shall hold him to that, and see if we can get hold of some screengrabs for a later news item.
As I told Tom, it's the best "not-actually-paving" item I've seen at the show by a long way, and I wish I had more time to play with it.
A quick jog around the other wet-cast producers - this does not imply that their products are inferior or less interesting than those already mentioned. They tend to be smaller manufacturers with a reduced geographical coverage, but good products and good ideas, nonetheless.
Having said all that, the first up is StoneFlair, a company with some serious people behind it, not least of which are the Aggregate Industries crowd. They certainly do provide nationwide distribution of their products, but I have to be honest and say that there wasn't much in their wet-cast lines on show that demanded my attention. They are good products, as I said, but there was nothing there that I hadn't seen anywhere else, which was disappointing.
However, the big news from StoneFlair is that in the last couple of weeks or so they have acquired Brooks Concrete in Sheffield, erstwhile producers of Durapave CBPs. The CBP production will be maintained, although I'm not sure whether it will be under the old Durapave name or the new StoneFlair badge.
Although most of the display area was covered with the usual StoneFlair fare of wet-cast and imported stone flags, there was one corner given over to the CBPs and it's good to see Monksbridge pavers making an appearance on the national stage.
Monksbridge Pavers, now from StoneFlair!
Longborough Concrete, manufacturers of the Lonstone products, have a history of paving manufacture stretching back almost 60 years, and they've developed a reputation for attractive garden paving, at an attractive price, without needing to cut back on quality.
Based in Gloucestershire, their products are most commonly found in the south-west midlands, but they deserve a wider audience. I particularly like their gully channel and kerb, as shown opposite, which would look at home in a cottage garden anywhere in the country.
Sunday was a long day and despite being in the hall for over 9 hours, I still hadn't managed to see everything. I just wanted to get back to my hotel and crash for the night, recharging my batteries (and those of my digicam) for the following day. I was trying to find my way back to my transport when I got into conversation with a man who turned out to be involved in Living Stone, a name I had seen on the exhibitors list, but about whom I knew nothing. It turned out he's a big fan of the website and so I couldn't help but promise to make sure I made my way around to the Living Stone display at the first chance the following day.
Living Stone is a new incarnation for what used to be the Bowland Operation in Lincoln. They decided that they needed to forge a new image for themselves and decided to strike out on their own, and although they still offer some of the traditional and well-loved Bowland products, they've developed new products exclusive to themselves. Managing Director, Phillip Moss, is particularly proud of the lovely Sunstone circle feature shown here. Phillip reckons this unique feature should retail for under £300.
Although they've strode out on their own, Living Stone maintain good relations with the remaining Bowland members, but plan to extend coverage from their Lincoln base and existing territory on the east coast of England, and ship their products throughout Britain.
Meanwhile, over at Bowland, things haven't stood still since the Lincoln posse decided to plough their own furrow. They, too, have new products, as well as the full range of all the older Bowland favourites.
The one that seemed to be attracting most attention was the Lakeland Star, a honey-toned eight-pointed star feature set against a background of ash grey. It's so new it hasn't even made it into the current catalogue, but that should be put right by next Spring.
Bowland's new Lakeland Star
Bowland's display area
Finally, for this page of what seems to be an inordinately long review, comes Pavestone. They've been bring paving over from the continent and further afield for a while now, and have found a niche for themselves with some of the independent Builders' Merchants. They've a knack of finding new products and getting them into the British market, but many contractors seem to be blissfully ignorant of their existence.
I have to admit that I've never found it easy to talk to the Pavestone people. Whether they simply don't want anything to do with me and my website, or whether they are only interested in talking to people who can sell for them, I don't know, but I had a very cursory conversation on the Sunday, was ignored completely on the Monday, and when I went back on Tuesday afternoon, determined to make some headway, they'd packed up and buggered off to wherever it is they hide when not at Glee!
Regardless of their attitude, I spotted this polished sandstone while I was there on the Sunday, and thought it was possibly the best thing they had. Sadly, the chap from whom I was trying to extract information seemed to be more interested in sloping off for his dinner, so I know nowt about it.
It's nice though!
News Index Page
[There should be a set of navigation buttons here, but your browser does not
support inline frames or is currently configured not to display frames
You can still use the text-based navigation facility at the top of the page, though.]
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line24
|
__label__cc
| 0.513782
| 0.486218
|
Norman Greenbaum and Spirit in the Sky
Posted on May 9, 2019 May 27, 2019 by BrewHaHa
Norman Greenbaum and his portuguese guitar.
Norman Greenbaum is our guest on Brew Ha Ha today, joining Steve Jaxon, Mark Carpenter and Herlinda Heras. Norman wrote and performed the iconic 1969 song “Spirit in the Sky.” Herlinda Heras is back from her trip to Portugal and has brought three Portuguese beers to taste.
Norman Greenbaum is a longtime Sonoma County resident. Steve asks Norman if he is still surprised at the success of his song. It has been in movies and commercials and continues to have its own life. Any band or singer wants to have a hit record, and he was lucky to have a hit on the charts. He says he may have been a one-hit wonder but it has been in over 60 movies and a couple dozen commercials. It was in an ad for Audi in the last Super Bowl.
Spirit in the Sky was in the Budweiser Discovery Reserve American Red Lager beer advertisement. The beer was brewed to commemorate the 1969 moon landing. The song was recorded in San Francisco.
Herlinda asks Norman to tell the story of the song and he remembers various scenes and themes from old Western films. The Stovall Sisters were his backup singers, they were from Oakland where they also sang in church. Mark Carpenter remembers the environment of the late 1960s and remembers the song as a really big hit.
Herlinda Heras has brought beers from Portugal, including an “APA” which they call an American Pale Ale. Praxis Brewery is in Coimbra which is famous for having really good water. The Praxis family younger generation has revived the brewery and Mark says it’s a great example of Europeans doing an American style. It is 6% alcohol which is reasonable. There is also an 8/5% double Bock from Vaida Brewery outside of Aveiro which is south of Porto. Herlinda has also brought a beer with a woman on the label.
Norman Greenbaum remembers that New York was a center of music recording but he was not fond of the city. He had heard that Hollywood was the other center of that business so he went to LA and started Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band and got signed immediately. The Eggplant that Ate Chicago was their first hit.
Now his songs have been in countless commercials and movies. Norman does say he is flabbergasted and thanks “the Spirit in the Sky for taking such good care of me.” He never gets tired of hearing it even if he wrote it. It still sends shivers up his spine.
Norman has brought a special guitar today which is from Portugal. He bought it at the flea market in Petaluma for $25, 40 years ago and brought it to a luthier for repairs. It disappeared and 42 years later, the guy contacted him saying it was fixed! It is called a Viola de Terra made of birds-eye maple.
← Mark Carpenter Tells the Story…
Anderson Valley Brewing’s Fal Allen… →
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line25
|
__label__cc
| 0.601267
| 0.398733
|
March 27, 2019 by Ernest Johnson
Wedneskday, March 27, 2019
East New York Man Sentenced to State Prison
For Attempted Promoting Prostitution of 14-Year-Old Girl
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East New York man has been sentenced to up to six years in prison for attempted promoting prostitution and rape following his guilty plea last month.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With today’s sentence this defendant is held accountable for his actions and the young victim in the case was spared from having to testify against her abuser in court. This case is representative of my continuing commitment to seek justice for vulnerable young women who are exploited and forced into prostitution.”
The District Attorney identified the defendant as Travis Walker, 28, of East New York, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted promoting prostitution and second-degree rape on January 23, 2019. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to an indeterminate term of three to six years on the attempted promoting prostitution count and a determinate term of five years on the second-degree rape count. The judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently. The defendant must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between May 25, 2018 and June 18, 2018, the defendant prostituted a 14-year-old girl on multiple occasions in Brooklyn, forcing her to walk the streets in the middle of the night to pick up strangers to have sex for money, as well as at his house, at a Borough Park hotel, and at a bachelor party in Williamsburg. The defendant also raped the victim.
The defendant withheld food from the victim; used force, including kicking her in her back with his boots; and forced her to give him any money she earned from prostitution.
After a woman who was also working as a prostitute for the defendant learned the victim’s true age, that woman helped the teenager get away from the defendant’s house, according to the investigation. The victim was later spotted on a Brooklyn street by her aunt, who contacted her parents, who then called police.
The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Jacob Merino and Detective Elizabeth Gonzalez, of the Vice Human Trafficking Team, under the supervision of Lieutenant Christopher Sharpe and Captain Thomas Milano, and the overall supervision of Inspector James Klein. Police Officer Tony Cuoco of the NYPD’s 75th Precinct assisted in the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, with the assistance of Victim Services Unit Human Trafficking Social Worker Tracy Sun, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.
Former NYPD Sergeant Indicted for Tampering with Evidence At Scene Where He Shot and Wounded Another Man
Gravesend Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Death of 3-Year-Old Boy
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line26
|
__label__wiki
| 0.682822
| 0.682822
|
Rule 4007. Request for Transcripts
(A) Requests for transcripts shall be set forth on the standardized Request for Transcript Form available online at www.buckscounty.org/CourtServices. The form is also available from the following offices: Prothonotary, Domestic Relations Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts and the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court. Once completed, the Request for Transcript Form shall be submitted to the Chief Court Reporter.
(1) A request for transcript may also be made by contacting the court reporter present at the proceeding directly or by contacting the Chief Court Reporter by telephone, in writing or by email
(2) A request for daily, same-day or expedited transcription shall be submitted to the Chief Court Reporter at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled proceeding. In the event of an emergency, a party may request, by oral motion, a daily, same-day or expedited transcript. The request will be accommodated when it is feasible for the court reporter to produce the transcript within the allotted period of time, and upon approval of the trial judge and the Chief Court Reporter.
(B) Upon receiving a request for a transcript:
(1) the court reporter shall, within 24 hours of receipt of said request, determine the number of copies being ordered by contacting all counsel and/or self-represented parties; and
(2) the court reporter shall send the ordering party or parties, via email or regular mail, the standardized Transcript Order Form. The Transcript Order Form shall include the estimated number of pages, the page rate and the estimated total cost of the transcript.
(C) The requesting party or parties shall make a non-refundable deposit in the amount of 95% of the estimated cost of the transcript. The deposit shall be paid by money order, certified check or law firm check made payable to the County of Bucks.
(1) The deposit, along with the completed and signed Transcript Order Form, shall be delivered to the Court Administrator’s Office, 100 N. Main Street, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, within seven (7) calendar days from the date of receipt of the Transcript Order Form.
(D) The court reporter shall prepare the transcript upon direction of the Chief Court Reporter.
(E) The court reporter shall notify all ordering parties and the Chief Court Reporter upon completion of the transcript and provide the completed transcript to the trial judge for signature.
(F) The court reporter shall deliver the original transcript to the appropriate filing office and distribute copies to all ordering parties upon payment of any balance owed.
Rule 4008. Transcript Costs Payable by a Requesting Party Other than the Commonwealth or a Subdivision Thereof
(A) Costs
(1) The costs payable by a requesting party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript in electronic format (.pdf) shall not exceed:
(a) ordinary transcript, $2.50 per page;
(b) expedited transcript, $3.50 per page;
(c) daily transcript, $4.50 per page; and
(d) same day delivery, $6.50 per page.
(2) When the transcript is prepared in bound paper format, the costs shall be in accordance with paragraph (1) relating to electronic format (.pdf) plus a surcharge of $0.25 per page.
(3) A Complex Trial Surcharge of $1.00 per page will be applied in cases such as mass tort, medical malpractice or other unusually complex litigation where there is a need for the court reporter to significantly expand his or her dictionary, when approved by the presiding Judge.
(B) Economic Hardship
(1) A Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis shall be filed with the appropriate filing office (Prothonotary, Domestic Relations Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts or the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court) along with the Request for Transcript and Poverty Affidavit.
(2) Copies of the forms listed above shall be provided to:
(a) the presiding judge;
(b) the Chief Court Reporter; and
(c) opposing counsel, or the opposing party if self-represented.
In forma pauperis and Poverty Affidavit Forms are available at www.buckscounty.org/CourtServices.
(C) When more than one ordering party requests a transcript, the transcript cost plus $0.75 per page (paper format) and/or $0.50 per page (electronic copy/.pdf) shall be divided equally among the ordering parties.
(D) A request for a copy of any transcript previously ordered, transcribed and filed of record shall be made by telephone, letter or email to the Chief Court Reporter and shall be provided at the cost of $0.75 per page (paper format) and/or $0.50 per page (electronic copy/.pdf).
Rule 4009. Fees Payable to the Court Reporter by the Courts for Court-Ordered Transcript
(A) A party requesting that the cost of their transcript be placed on the court must provide documentation of having been declared in forma pauperis as described in 4008(B).
(1) Any transcript request where the costs are to be placed on the court must be accompanied by Order of Court directing the notes of testimony be transcribed.
(B) Court reporters shall be paid the following amounts by the Court for court-ordered transcripts:
(1) regular delivery of the original transcript: $1.25 per page;
(2) regular delivery of each additional copy: $0.30 per page;
(3) regular delivery of a duplicate original: $0.30;
(4) expedited delivery of the transcript: $2.00 per page for the original, and $0.60 per page for each additional copy;
(5) daily delivery of the transcript: $3.00 per page for the original and $0.90 per page for each additional copy; and
(6) same-day delivery of the transcript: $3.50 per page for the original and $1.00 per page for each additional copy.
(Printable Version of Rules of Judicial Administration Available as pdf)
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line29
|
__label__wiki
| 0.674579
| 0.674579
|
Donor Compliance
BWF Giving Tree
UB HORNS UP!
Crowdfunding: UB Horns Up!
Basketball Excellence Fund
Football Excellence Fund
Dorsi Raynolds Swimming & Diving Campaign
Locker Naming Opportunities
Rise Up Annual Campaign
Bricks For Bulls
PRIORITY TICKETING
Gicewicz Club
Football Game Day Benefits
Basketball Game Day Benefits
SHAREHOLDERS SOCIETY
Facility Naming Opportunities
Murchie Family Fieldhouse
Smolinski Family Sports Medicine Center
Murchie Family Football Center
Facility Upgrades
Wrestling Locker Room
Men’s & Women’s Basketball Locker Rooms
Swimming & Diving Team Room
Swimming & Diving Starting Blocks
Basketball Hallway
Fieldhouse of Dreams
Meet Our Student-Athletes
Endowments buffalonewsite 2018-06-25T14:10:00+00:00
The Bulls Legacy Program recognizes a distinguished group of donors who have a common belief in the principle of preserving the uniquely broad-based athletics program at the University at Buffalo. Through the generosity of their gifts, these individuals have insured, in perpetuity, the unique opportunity to experience what it means to compete as a student-athlete and proudly wear the blue and white for our university.
The University at Buffalo Athletic department is constantly striving to create opportunities for our more than 400 student-athletes. Each year, our department helps to fund the equivalent of more than 250 full scholarships. An endowed scholarship represents one way where you, the donor, can help ensure transformational opportunities for our student-athletes generation after generation.
Endowed scholarships are created through the establishment of a permanent fund that is in turn, invested and managed by the UB Foundation. A portion of the annual interest income generated by this fund is used to pay for scholarships. Income earned in excess of the annual amount is added back into the endowment so that it continues to grow and maintain its purchasing power for future generations.
By allowing us to invest our resources in areas of need outside of tuition, room, and board, endowments provide the stability necessary for the future success of our athletic department.
There are many ways to establish an endowment; cash, stocks and planned gifts, such as charitable trusts and bequests, are all common ways to fund an endowment. Charitable annuities, real estate gifts and life insurance policies are other forms of giving. Your gift may reduce taxes due on your income, capital gain, and estate settlements. Substantial advantages also are available through donations of property or appreciated securities. When you make a gift, it can either be outright or deferred (through a bequest or will). Either way, your contribution, when received, establishes a legacy of annual gifts that help us well into the future.
For information about how to create a named scholarship in men’s or women’s athletics, how to contribute to an established endowment, or the general athletics endowment, please call 716-645-6867 and ask to speak to a member of the Major Gifts staff.
1958 Lambert Cup Football Team 2009
Richard I. Anslow 2009
Robert G. and Gloria L. Biedenkopf 1993
Buffalo Renaissance Foundation 2009
Joseph F. Ceravolo 2008
Jack “Bear” Dempsey 2012
Raymond and Pamela Deters 2012
Willie R. and Roberta A. Evans 2009
Michele Fisher 2003
Richard E. and Doris Friend 1998
Brian M. Hansen 2011
Ellen and James Heitzhaus 2011
Eye Family in Memory of Ernie Kiefer 2010
Stan and Sandy Kowalski 2011
Donald L. and Karen M. Maricle 2009
Richard I. Mulvey 2011
Edwin D. and Evelyn E. Muto 2010
Louis R. and Nancy C. Reif 1994
Robert E. Rich, Sr. 1991
Ronald W. Schlenker, Sr. 2001
Richard C. and Kathleen M. Shepard 2000
Dr. Charles S. and Anne R. Tirone 2009
Rocco L. and Cecile P. Versace 2010
Arthur W. Woelfle, Jr. 1994
James R. and Linda E. Wolfe 2009
If you’re interested in establishing an endowment, please contact:
Bill Breene
Associate Director of Development
Bill Breene joined the University at Buffalo Division of Athletics in 1988 as the Director of Athletics Development, and was given the responsibility of initiating a donor program specific to athletics as part of an aggressive move from a Division III non-scholarship program to today’s status as one of the premier Division I-A programs in the State of New York. He has served in a number of administrative capacities, and has been instrumental in the overall development and growth of the UB program…
breene@buffalo.edu
Bill Breene joined the University at Buffalo Division of Athletics in 1988 as the Director of Athletics Development, and was given the responsibility of initiating a donor program specific to athletics as part of an aggressive move from a Division III non-scholarship program to today’s status as one of the premier Division I-A programs in the State of New York. He has served in a number of administrative capacities, and has been instrumental in the overall development and growth of the UB program.
Breene has played a major role in a number of program milestones, including the first-ever $1,000,000 gift commitment to athletics in 1991. He was a member of the university-wide committees that successfully bid and hosted the 1993 World University Games, the 1995 World Veteran’s Games, as well as UB’s membership into the Mid American Conference in 1996. In that same year, Breene led a team of University representatives that was awarded the opportunity to host the 1998 NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships at UB Stadium. The event marked the first time a Division I national championship was hosted in Buffalo. In 1999, Breene was asked to resurrect the UB Baseball program, and was the head coach of that program until 2006, at which time he returned to his development roots, and his current position with the program.
Prior to coming to UB, Bill served in a similar development capacity at the University of Houston, where he oversaw the annual giving campaigns and other externally related programming.
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Bill played and coached baseball for the Golden Eagles, and is a member of the University’s athletics Hall of Fame.
Bill resides in the Town of Tonawanda with his two children, a daughter, Sara, and a son, Connor.
BLUE & WHITE FUND
202 Alumni Arena, Buffalo, NY 14260-5000
EMAIL: blueandwhitefund@buffalo.edu
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line31
|
__label__wiki
| 0.862307
| 0.862307
|
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2018 Tour de France | 2018 Giro d'Italia
Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal. - E. O. Wilson
Upcoming racing:
August 25 - September 16: Vuelta a España
Latest completed racing:
August 22: Veenendaal - Veenendaal Classic
August 13 - 19: BinckBank Tour (formerly Eneco Tour)
August 16 - 19: Colorado Classic
August 16 - 19: Arctic Race of Norway
Aug 19: EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg
August 15 - 18: Tour du Limousin
August 1 - 12: Volta a Portugal
August 6 - 12: Tour of Utah
August 4 - 10: Tour of Poland
Judge orders Johan Bruyneel pay $1.2M in Lance Armstrong fraud case
Here's the story in USA Today:
A federal judge on Wednesday issued a $1.2 million judgment against Lance Armstrong’s former cycling team manager after the U.S. Justice Department sought payback from him for his part in Armstrong’s doping scheme more than 14 years ago.
The federal government had accused the former manager, Johan Bruyneel, of unjust enrichment at the expense of the U.S. Postal Service, which paid $32.3 million to sponsor Armstrong’s cycling team from 2000 to 2004.
The judge granted the government’s $1.2 million request for restitution and also put Bruyneel on the hook for an additional $369,000 in civil penalties.
Johan Bruyneel (white shirt) and Lance Armstrong at the 2010 Tour Down Under. Sirotti photo
After more than eight years of legal drama, the rulings effectively end a civil fraud lawsuit that originated when Armstrong’s former cycling teammate, Floyd Landis, filed a complaint against Armstrong, Bruyneel and others on behalf of the federal government.
“This ruling marks the finish line of a lawsuit brought by Floyd Landis and the federal government to recover money paid by the U.S. Postal Service to sponsor a professional cycling team featuring Lance Armstrong,” Judge Christopher Cooper wrote Wednesday.
The Postal Service paid $32.3 million to sponsor Armstrong’s cycling team from 2000 to 2004 but said in its lawsuit that it never would have paid that if it known the team was using banned drugs and blood transfusions to cheat in races. The Postal Service sought that money back in triple under the False Claims Act — nearly $100 million — but ultimately reached a settlement with Armstrong, who agreed to pay nearly $7 million to end the case in April.
The judge on Wednesday ordered the default judgment be entered against Bruyneel after he failed to put up a defense in the case.
You can read the entire story here.
Alvaro Hodeg wins first stage of Deutschland Tour
Here's the report from second-place Pascal Ackermann's Bora-hansgrohe team:
The opening stage of the Deutschland Tour, which is back on the race calendar after a ten-years pause, was dominated by a six-man breakaway, which was gone for most of the day. Shortly before the finish, the peloton closed the gap and the expected bunch sprint was set up. The BORA – hansgrohe train brought their sprinter Pascal Ackermann into a good position, but it was A. Hodeg who took the win ahead of the German Champion.
Alvaro Hodeg winning stage three of this year's Tour of Poland.
After a ten-year pause, the “Deutschland Tour” is back on the cycling calendar. Today’s opening stage took the riders from Koblenz to Bonn over 157 flat kilometres, and promised to end in a bunch sprint on the final long straight. Before the peloton fought for the victory, two intermediate sprints, one in Naussau and one in Neustadt awaited the fast men.
The Team Tactics
Team BORA – hansgrohe brought their fast men to their home race, among their leader and German Champion Pascal Ackermann, who achieved already five WorldTour victories in this season. He was joined by his lead-out men Rudi Selig, Andreas Schillinger and Christoph Pfingsten. For the GC, BORA – hansgrohe focused on the Austrian rider Patrick Konrad. Pete Kennaugh should help Patrick during the demanding stages in the upcoming days.
After some kilometres of racing a group of six riders formed the breakaway of the day with a maximum gap of three minutes. The BORA – hansgrohe squad stayed in the main field, took the control over the pace and tried to keep the breakaway’s advantage low, and with the gap dropping steadily, it was all back together with 13km remaining. Especially, BORA – hansgrohe pulled hard and set the pace for their sprinter Pascal Ackermann. Peter Kennaugh showed a great performance and closed the gap. The race headed into the finale with Rudi Selig driving the pace. Pascal Ackermann was in a good position but in a thrilling finale A. Hodeg took the win only some centimetres ahead of the German Champion.
From the Finish Line
“Of course, I wanted to take the win today and the team did a great job to bring me into position. But on the final metres Hodeg was just too strong. Tomorrow will be another day and I am motivated to try it again.” – Pascal Ackermann
“We started to pull early in the race and took control over the race. With six riders a lead-out is different than to a lead-out with eight riders, but our team did a good race. Maybe the finish came some metres too late for Pascal, therefore Hodeg, who won already a lot of races in this season, took the win.” – Jens Zemke, sports director
Alvaro Hodeg (Quick-Step) 3hr 35min 8sec
Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) @ s.t.
Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain-Merida) @ s.t.
Lotto-Soudal previews Bretagne Classic Ouest-France
The team sent me this:
On Sunday, 26th August Lotto Soudal is at the starting line of the World Tour race Bretagne Classic Ouest-France, previous the GP Plouay. Between start and finish at Plouay there are 242 hilly kilometres after which there is a local loop of 14.7 kilometres. Previous editions have proved that sprinters as well as Classics riders can aim for the victory. With a short hill, Ty Marrec, within four kilometres from the finish several scenarios are possible. Lotto Soudal has several assets with Tim Wellens and Jens Debusschere. Frederik Willems, sports director at Lotto Soudal, expects, partly due to the renewed track, an unpredictable race.
Elia Viviani winning the 2017 edition
Frederik Willems: “The riders themselves consider the 257 kilometres long Bretagne Classic Ouest-France as a real Classic. The track underwent a lot of changes over the years. The race used to be ridden on a local circuit such as the World Championships in 2000. Last year there was a big loop with at the end a local lap. This year the complete race is in line and compared to last year the course is completely new. We’ll have to wait and see where the decision will be made. This year the riders must face the smaller roads of the region and the double climb of the Mûr-de-Bretagne has also been removed from the course. However, it keeps constantly twisting and turning. It is not a very tough track, but it goes constantly up and down.”
“Due to the smaller roads it will be important to be attentively in the front during the last 80 kilometres and to counter possible attacks, for which we count on Tim Wellens. If it does end with a sprint, of a reduced peloton though, we still have Jasper De Buyst and Jens Debusschere. However, we must wait how they have recovered from a previous illness. There are a lot of sprinters whose teams will want to control the race. I think we must especially focus on the teams who attack. Last year the race was completely controlled by the sprint teams and it was almost impossible to launch a breakaway. This year, it will depend on how much the sprint teams will take control of the race.”
“Riders such as Lars Bak, Frederik Frison and Rémy Mertz are riding at the service of the team. When a large leading group is composed, they must protect the team at that moment. We will not break open the race, but we will rather be watching attentively what happens. In any case Tim Wellens will get his chance on the last climb but due to the smaller roads in the finale I expect that there will be earlier attacks.”
Line-up Lotto Soudal: Lars Bak, Jens Debusschere, Jasper De Buyst, Frederik Frison, Moreno Hofland, Rémy Mertz and Tim Wellens.
Sports director: Frederik Willems.
Estonian time trial champion Tanel Kangert signs with EF Education First-Drapac for 2019
Here's the team's news release:
Estonian Tanel Kangert will join the #PinkArgyle family in 2019. The 31-year-old has spent the last eight years riding for Astana and previously spent two seasons with AG2R La Mondiale. The move to EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale offers him a new opportunity on a diverse squad.
“I have wondered if there is more in professional cycling for me to see and try,” said Kangert. “I have had a good time with my current team, but after eight years, I felt that the time to move on was now. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I have raced for a French team and a Kazakh team with Italian influence, so I was looking for a completely different environment.
Tanel Kangert riding the 19th stage of the 2018 Tour de France. Sirotti photo
“I’m looking forward to new training methods, different race programs and new equipment,” Kangert added. “I also aim to push myself a little bit further physically. EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale ticked all the boxes for me when I started to look for a team.”
“Tanel is a proven and stable asset at the largest races in the world,” said EF Pro Cycling CEO and founder Jonathan Vaughters. “He adds value as a teammate and as a winner on his own right. We hope to help him reach his full potential and are happy he chose our team.”
Kangert has achieved nine professional victories, including stage wins at Tour de Suisse, Giro del Trentino and Abu Dhabi, where he also won the general classification. He finished 16th overall at the 2018 Tour de France and animated the 67-kilometer three-mountain stage with what Vaughters has called “his swashbuckling breakaway.” Yet Kangert, the reigning Estonian time trial champion looks toward his contribution in collective performances rather than individual results to define himself as a rider.
“I have always known that if in a team there is a leader who has a better chance for a result than I do, I should help him as much as possible, and most often, there is someone who has a better chance than me,” said Kangert. “I enjoy my role as an important helper who can sometimes go for a personal result."
Kangert has humble ambitions that fit with his down-to-earth nature for his first season in his new team.
“I would like to be physically good already in the beginning of the season,” he said. “This is something I’ve been able to achieve so far. I’d like to find my time trial legs, and, of course, I hope to secure some great results with the team.”
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line32
|
__label__cc
| 0.646113
| 0.353887
|
Medical Director for the Center for Medical Genomics
Christiana Care Health System (CCHS) is looking to hire a BC/BE fellowship trained Medical Geneticist to join our Center of Medical Genomics as Medical Director.
The successful candidate will have completed a fellowship in Medical Genetics and Residency in any of the following: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, or Maternal Fetal Medicine. We are looking for a Medical geneticist who is interested in developing and maintaining The Center for Medical Genomics to join our team of genetic counselors and provide evidence based genetic services. This Director level position is open due to organizational growth and development. Offering an exceptional work / life balance with an 8am-4:30pm five day work week.
Join an exceptional 15 person team comprised of genetic counselors, genetic assistants, residents, graduate students amongst other colleagues.
Provide adult genetic services and provide in-patient consults
Partner with various medical specialist and subspecialist for expansion of genetic services.
Expand and assist with laboratory utilization and review of genetic tests being ordered through the hospital: Genetic Laboratory testing Stewardship
Assist with the vetting of new genetic tests and technologies coming down the pipeline to determine clinical validity and inform hospital policies.
Act as a strategic decision maker with regards to population health initiatives.
Advise leadership on the strength of the current and future projects surrounding medical genomics and identify improvement initiatives and advancement opportunities.
Lucrative salary offered with aggressive bonuses and comprehensive benefits package.
Collaborate with other institutions (public and private) and with the community to devise and accomplish educational activities in and for the community.
Teach/mentor CCHS residents and genetic masters students.
Academic interest welcomed, but not required.
Working for Christiana Care Health System you will be part of one of the country's largest health care providers. CCHS is comprised of two hospitals and the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institution totaling around 12,000 employees. An academic, not-for-profit, non-sectarian health system, Christiana Care is a regional center of excellence in cancer, cardiology and women's health services.
Due to its central location, working at Christiana Care and its Center of Medical Genomics in Newark, DE offers opportunities to live in urban, suburban, or rural environments with numerous housing options in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland while still making for a reasonable commute. The area features excellent restaurants and entertainment venues, quality public and private schools and is a short driving distance to popular Delaware and New Jersey beach resorts, the Chesapeake Bay and Pocono mountains. With access to I-95 and Amtrak, you can also access Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, or New York City.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line36
|
__label__wiki
| 0.775071
| 0.775071
|
News Articles General Information Staff Association
Issue No. 27-28/2010 - Monday 5 July 2010
Printable version - Subscribe:
Download the printable colour version
Safely yours
Three ingredients for a healthy future
A new record peak luminosity for the LHC
The EN Department has a new leader
An urban plan for CERN
A technology developed at CERN captures the sun's energy
Moving into the third dimension
New auditorium for CERN
Children's drawings exhibited in the Globe
A new mural for the Globe
Highlights of the inauguration ceremony for the new permanent exhibition
The Library quenches your thirst
The Hardronic Festival doubles in size
And now, for the winners.
Rob Wolf 1947-2010
Subscribe by RSS for this category only
Not just a facelift but a real change in the way that safety at CERN is supported by the Organization: the Safety Commission becomes the occupational Health & Safety and Environmental protection (HSE) Unit. The new name reflects a profound change in terms of vision, mission and, above all, effectiveness.
Safety is a broad term that incorporates many concepts and related issues. In the vision of the HSE Unit, safety is built on two pillars: occupational health & safety and environmental protection, both comprising conventional and radiological aspects. “Ensuring safety in these two areas is a matter of highest importance for the Organization”, says Ralf Trant, head of the HSE Unit. “Our vision focuses on improving our efficiency in serving the Organization in all matters of safety. For example, by enhancing the collaboration with the Departmental Safety Officers”.
“Safety at CERN builds on international norms and standards, best practices and above all on continuous improvement”, explains Enrico Cennini, Deputy Head of the Unit and the person responsible for relations with the Host State bodies in matters of safety. “Safety is a continuously evolving and improving area and an integral part of all work and activities”.
The definition and implementation of safety objectives for a research laboratory like CERN are not always easy and straightforward. “We assist in the definition and achievement of safety objectives. Our focus is providing advice and expert support on risk assessment, reduction and control, always in combination with suggestions for improvements”, says Ralf Trant.
“The role of the HSE Unit is evolving to provide more pro-active support in matters of safety to the Departments, which bear the responsibility for safety at CERN”, adds Enrico Cennini. “We will also continue to fulfill our role of monitoring that safety is correctly implemented, but it is important to first supply everyone with the necessary information and tools by raising awareness and reinforcing competence in safety matters”. For the HSE Unit this implies an increased effort in supplying information, training and supporting documentation that people will be able to refer to before starting a new project or item of work.
One of the missions of the Safety Commission was to prepare, on behalf of the Director-General, the so-called “Safety Clearance” of special equipment, installations, experiments and projects with major safety implications. “This is a sort of authorization, an official ‘green light’ ensuring that all safety requirements are met. We will continue to provide this service with a view to strongly emphasising the aspects of early pro-active support and monitoring, which precede the final clearance and facilitate it”, points out Enrico Cennini. “Our goal is to help and support people from the very early phases of, for example, a new project, rather than discovering at the end of the process that the set-up was not exactly in compliance with rules or best practices”.
The HSE Unit is there to help you identify potential issues before they become safety problems. If you have any doubts or if you observe areas that could be improved in terms of safety, do not hesitate to contact your supervisor, your Departmental Safety Officer or the HSE Unit.
For further information about the HSE Unit, visit the HSE new website.
The Bulletin will follow the activities of the HSE Unit with dedicated articles on the various services.
by CERN Bulletin
CERN Bulletin Info
CERN & HEP events
© Copyright CERN 2014
CERN Publications, DG-CO
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line37
|
__label__cc
| 0.701784
| 0.298216
|
Free dating sites in usa 2015. Free Online Dating in United States
Free dating sites in usa 2015 Rating: 6,4/10 1949 reviews
new free dating site in usa 2015
On the other hand, it's also true that there are lots of great opportunities just waiting to unfold on Match. This free dating site allows you to find other singles going through similar situations. Things may work out great in the end but you will most likely need to make course corrections along the way. I had a great time at the Extreme Adventure Course up in Flagstaff. Many of their features are identical to the ones you find on the sites that cost hundreds of dollars. There have been a lot of nice people.
5 of the most successful online dating websites for scoring a date in 2015
I went bowling, I went to both singles mixers, both party buses, movies. Either way, make sure to tell them before any sexual contact. Maybe it's just that folks really are friendly or at least very cold in Canada and unusually grateful for human warmth but for whatever reason, Lifemates Canada seems to have a stellar record of forging new alliances. With offices in major cities, it's not restricted to a single geographic area. Like any do-it-yourself project, usine a site like Match. This is where dating services come in. Finally, as in all things, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
The Top 10 Free Online Dating Sites For 2015
Last month, our Jennifer Abel wrote about a woman who to an online suitor who had concocted some sort of story about needing money to get to the U. Like people, they come in all shapes and sizes. The site also provides dating safety tips for those who are new to or apprehensive about online dating. It was more fun than sitting in church basements or working for political candidates which would be even worse than hanging out with journalists. Well, here's one that specializes in New England, a locale that can be a little forbidding and frosty to the uninitiated.
Top 9 HIV Dating Sites of 2015
My daughter assured me that in her circle of friends in Los Angeles, everyone just assumes when new relationships spring up that the people met online. Everyone has setbacks but all's well that ends well and, as they say, it's not over til it's over. You might meet up with someone like George of Farmington Hills, Mich. Only then should you provide your credit card number or fork over any cash. Back in my misspent youth as a reporter for large news agencies, I tended to move every year or two. A close friend, I was told, is in a serious relationship that grew out of , a site that operates much like Match but on a somewhat smaller scale.
Just make sure you follow every safety precaution before meeting somebody that you met online. Or, you may prefer to wait until you know the relationship has potential. The same rules apply to both free and paid dating websites. It's a good thing Poonsie came to her senses but lots of others don't. But my favorite was the Halloween haunted house party bus. There are even dating sites for virgins.
Free Online Dating in United States
No one really knows how many there are but the answer is somewhere in the thousands. If the prospect of spending a New England winter by yourself is a chilling prospect, Successful Singles may be the answer. On the other hand, it's a lot cheaper -- nearly free, in fact. Basic membership is free and includes a profile, five photos, browsing, searching, and instant messaging, among other features. Free Online Dating in United States - United States Singles Mingle2. I recognized Nigerian accent in phone and told them I was going to report them.
To get the best results, post photos in your profiles that are crisp, clear, honest and give potential matches the right impression of you. As far as I can see, none of them require a credit card. Hood ConsumerAffairs' founder and former editor, Jim Hood formerly headed Associated Press Broadcast News, directing coverage of major news events worldwide. Features also include a live dating advisor and online chat rooms. If a dating service says it will introduce you to two people a month, it's not realistic to expect it to produce more than that. As you would expect, this creates a lot more room for error.
It's easy to forget this, since it's generally the people who are disappointed who are most likely to go public, while those whose search is successful aren't as inclined to tell the world about it. What it comes down to is that there are risks in everything so as long as you take the obvious precautions -- don't meet strangers in dark places, don't send money to someone you've never met and don't reveal all your personal information in a single gush -- online dating is probably less dangerous than crossing a busy street or trying to clean out your gutters on a windy day. Since they're completely free, you can afford to join more than one internet dating website which increases your chances of finding the perfect match. I have enjoyed my experiences, and have made a connection with one of the women. You don't want there to be any surprises when you finally meet another member in person.
At a family dinner recently, I mentioned that I was working on a story about dating sites and was informed of Match. It also helps connect those looking for friendships. That's where Events and Adventures comes in. It uses location-based technology to find matches in your area. He also served as Senior Vice President of United Press International and was the founder and editor of Zapnews, a newswire service for radio and television. Just like other means of meeting candidates for romance, dating sites are fraught with peril.
Each profile is monitored carefully, and the site guarantees that your information is never disclosed or shared with other organizations. Even in the best circles, things are often not what they seem and online, they can be truly dreadful, even dangerous. But the same is true of just about any other method of meeting people. One negative review we read said the client wanted to meet no one older than 32 and became angry when one date turned out to be 34. This is the kind of thing that can happen on low-cost, mostly unmoderated sites so it's essential to be on your guard at all times.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line39
|
__label__wiki
| 0.590038
| 0.590038
|
President of Catholic Relief Services and Bishop Richard Malone To Be Featured on "This is the Day"
On Friday, April 17th, Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will be featured on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. Also featured will be Bishop Richard Malone from Portland, Maine.
As President of CRS, Ken Hackett oversees operations in more than 100 countries, with a global staff of nearly 5,000. Despite a large number of dedicated employees, CRS puts 93% of donated money into programs and spends only 7% of donations on administration, fundraising, and awareness.
Ken Hackett graduated from Boston College in 1968. Upon graduation, he joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to serve in Ghana. Mr. Hackett joined CRS in 1972, starting his career in Sierra Leone. Mr. Hackett has led CRS since 1993. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from several colleges. In 2004, Mr. Hackett was named a Knight Commander of the Papal Order of Saint Gregory the Great, one of the highest Papal honors.
Also featured on “This is the Day” will be Bishop Richard Malone. Bishop Malone is the Bishop of the Diocese of Portland, Maine. He earned a Doctorate in Theology (Th.D.) at Boston University and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge in 1990. He has been the Boston archdiocesan liaison with the local Jewish community; and has lectured nationally on Catholic education. He has worked in education for years and will discuss faith formation for adolescents on the show.
These guests can be seen on Friday, April 17th live at 10:30AM (rebroadcast at 8PM). The show will also be streamed live at http://www.catholictv.com/ and will be available on the site’s archives starting Friday night.
You can now "follow" this blog, help spread the faith, and meet people with similar interests by clicking on "follow" to the right of this blog.
Labels: Bishops, CRS, hackett, malone
New Television Series Teaches Catholic Singles How...
Commission for Women Members and Monastery Priores...
‘THERESE’ MOVIE PRODUCER FEATURED IN TELEVISION IN...
St. Gerard Majella Parishioners at CatholicTV
Triathlete to Discuss Love and Sex On "This is the...
New Mexico Bishop Installation Mass Will Air Live ...
CatholicTV Nominated For Prestigious Award- Cathol...
Developer of Theology on Tap to Appear on "This is...
50-Year Old CatholicTV Uses Twitter and Other New ...
President of Catholic Relief Services and Bishop R...
Today, CatholicTV® and CatholicTV.com will feature...
Installation Coverage
Pope Benedict: To the City and the World
Cub Scouts of Bolton Pack 37 visit CatholicTV stud...
CatholicTV in HD
Catholic Relief Services serving in Italy
CatholicTV Series Features Father Benedict Groesch...
Inspirational Speaker Renée Bondi to Appear On Cat...
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line40
|
__label__wiki
| 0.537066
| 0.537066
|
For other uses, see Hestia (disambiguation).
In Ancient Greek religion, Hestia (/ˈhɛstiə, ˈhɛstʃə/; Greek: Ἑστία, "hearth" or "fireside") is the virgin goddess of the hearth, the right ordering of domesticity, the family, the home, and the state. In Greek mythology, she is the daughter and firstborn child of Kronos and Rhea.[1]
Goddess of the hearth, home, domesticity, family, and the state
The Giustiniani Hestia
Delphi or Mount Olympus
46 Hestia, 4 Vesta
The hearth and its fire
Cronus and Rhea
Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, Zeus, Chiron
Roman equivalent
Hestia received the first offering at every sacrifice in the household. In the public domain, the hearth of the prytaneum functioned as her official sanctuary. With the establishment of a new colony, flame from Hestia's public hearth in the mother city would be carried to the new settlement. Her Roman equivalent is Vesta;[2] Herodotus equates the Scythian Tabiti with her. The Zoroastrian holy fire (atar) of the Sasanians in Adhur Gushnasp was also equated with Hestia by Procopius.[3]
1 Name
2 Cults
2.1 Temples
3 Myths and attributes
4 Hestia Tapestry
5 Genealogy
NameEdit
Hestia's name means "hearth, fireplace, altar",[4] stemming from the PIE root *wes, "burn" (ult. from *h₂wes- "dwell, pass the night, stay").[5][6][7] It thus refers to the oikos, the domestic, home, household, house, or family. "An early form of the temple is the hearth house; the early temples at Dreros and Prinias on Crete are of this type as indeed is the temple of Apollo at Delphi which always had its inner hestia".[8] The Mycenaean great hall (megaron), like Homer's hall of Odysseus at Ithaca, had a central hearth. Likewise, the hearth of the later Greek prytaneum was the community and government's ritual and secular focus.[citation needed]
CultsEdit
Hestia's name and functions show the hearth's importance in the social, religious, and political life of ancient Greece. The hearth was essential for warmth, food preparation, and the completion of sacrificial offerings to deities. She was also offered the first and last libations of wine at feasts.[9] Her own sacrificial animal was a domestic pig.[10] The accidental or negligent extinction of a domestic hearth-fire represented a failure of domestic and religious care for the family; failure to maintain Hestia's public fire in her temple or shrine was a breach of duty to the broad community. A hearth fire might be deliberately, ritually extinguished at need, and its lighting or relighting should be accompanied by rituals of completion, purification and renewal, comparable with the rituals and connotations of an eternal flame and of sanctuary lamps. At the level of the polis, the hearths of Greek colonies and their mother cities were allied and sanctified through Hestia's cult. Hestia's nearest Roman equivalent, Vesta, had similar functions as a divine personification of Rome's "public", domestic, and colonial hearths, and bound Romans together within a form of extended family. The similarity of names between Hestia and Vesta is, however, misleading: "The relationship hestia-histie-Vesta cannot be explained in terms of Indo-European linguistics; borrowings from a third language must also be involved," according to Walter Burkert.[11]
Responsibility for Hestia's domestic cult usually fell to the leading woman of the household, sometimes to a man. Hestia's rites at the hearths of public buildings were usually led by holders of civil office; Dionysius of Halicarnassus testifies that the prytaneum of a Greek state or community was sacred to Hestia, who was served by the most powerful state officials.[12] Evidence of her priesthoods is extremely rare. Most stems from the early Roman Imperial era, when Sparta offers several examples of women with the priestly title "Hestia"; Chalcis offers one, a daughter of the local elite. Existing civic cults to Hestia probably served as stock for the grafting of Greek ruler-cult to the Roman emperor, the Imperial family and Rome itself. In Athens, a small seating section at the Theatre of Dionysus was reserved for priesthoods of "Hestia on the Acropolis, Livia, and Julia", and of "Hestia Romaion" ("Roman Hestia", thus "The Roman Hearth" or Vesta). A priest at Delos served "Hestia the Athenian Demos" (the people or state) "and Roma". An eminent citizen of Carian Stratoniceia described himself as a priest of Hestia and several other deities, as well as holding several civic offices. Hestia's political and civic functions are further evidenced by her very numerous privately funded dedications at civic sites, and the administrative rather than religious titles used by the lay-officials involved in her civic cults.[13]
Pausanias writes that the Eleans sacrifice first to Hestia and then to other gods.[14]
Athenaeus, in the Deipnosophistae, writes that in Naucratis the people dine in the Prytaneion on the natal day of Hestia Prytanitis (Ancient Greek: Ἑστίας Πρυτανίτιδος).[15]
TemplesEdit
Every private and public hearth or prytaneum was regarded as a sanctuary of the goddess, and a portion of the sacrifices, to whatever divinity they were offered, belonged to her. A statue of her reportedly existed in the Athenian Prytaneum:
"Hard by is the Prytaneon (Prytaneum) [the town-hall of Athens] . . . and figures are placed of the goddesses Eirene and Hestia."[16]
There was however very few temples dedicated to Hestia. Pausanias mention only two, in Ermioni and in Sparta:
"[At Hermione in Argolis :] Passing into the sanctuary of Hestia, we see no image, but only an altar, and they sacrifice to Hestia upon it.[17] [...] The Lakedaimonians (Lacedaemonians) also have a sanctuary of Hestia [at Sparta]."[18]
Myths and attributesEdit
Statue of Hestia (Wellesley College, Massachusetts, USA)
Hestia is a goddess of the first Olympian generation. She was the eldest daughter of the Titans Rhea and Cronus, and sister to Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hades. Immediately after their birth, Cronus swallowed all his children (Hestia was the first who was swallowed) except the last and youngest, Zeus, who forced Cronus to disgorge his siblings and led them in a war against their father and the other Titans.[19] As "first to be devoured . . . and the last to be yielded up again", Hestia was thus both the eldest and youngest daughter; this mythic inversion is found in the Homeric hymn to Aphrodite (700 BC).[20] Hestia rejects the marriage suits of Poseidon and Apollo, and swears herself to perpetual virginity. She thus rejects Aphrodite's values and becomes, to some extent, her chaste, domestic complementary, or antithesis. Aphrodite could not bend or ensnare her heart.[21]
Zeus assigns Hestia a duty to feed and maintain the fires of the Olympian hearth with the fatty, combustible portions of animal sacrifices to the gods.[22] Wherever food was cooked, or an offering was burnt, she thus had her share of honour; also, in all the temples of the gods she has a share of honour. "Among all mortals she was chief of the goddesses".[21]
Hestia's Olympian status is equivocal. At Athens "in Plato's time," notes Kenneth Dorter[23] "there was a discrepancy in the list of the twelve chief gods, as to whether Hestia or Dionysus was included with the other eleven. The altar to them at the agora, for example, included Hestia, but the east frieze of the Parthenon had Dionysus instead." Hestia's omission from some lists of the Twelve Olympians is sometimes taken as illustration of her passive, non-confrontational nature – by giving her Olympian seat to the more forceful Dionysus she prevents heavenly conflict – but no ancient source or myth describes such a surrender or removal.[24] "Since the hearth is immovable Hestia is unable to take part even in the procession of the gods, let alone the other antics of the Olympians", Burkert remarks.[25] Her mythographic status as firstborn of Rhea and Cronus seems to justify the tradition in which a small offering is made to Hestia before any sacrifice ("Hestia comes first").
Not so for every Greek in every generation, however: in Odyssey 14, 432–436, the loyal swineherd Eumaeus begin the feast for his master Odysseus by plucking tufts from a boar's head and throwing them into the fire with a prayer addressed to all the powers, then carved the meat into seven equal portions: "one he set aside, lifting up a prayer to the forest nymphs and Hermes, Maia's son."[26]
The ambiguities in Hestia's mythology are matched by her indeterminate attributes, character, and iconography. She is identified with the hearth as a physical object, and the abstractions of community and domesticity, but portrayals of her are rare and seldom secure.[27] In classical Greek art, she is occasionally depicted as a woman, simply and modestly cloaked in a head veil. She is sometimes shown with a staff in hand or by a large fire. She sat on a plain wooden throne with a white woolen cushion and did not trouble to choose an emblem for herself.[1]
Homeric Hymn 24, To Hestia, is a brief invocation of five lines:
Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise: draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song.[28]
Homeric Hymn 29, To Hestia, is another invocation for the goddess and to Hermes:
Hestia, in the high dwellings of all, both deathless gods and men who walk on earth, you have gained an everlasting abode and highest honour: glorious is your portion and your right. For without you mortals hold no banquet, -- where one does not duly pour sweet wine in offering to Hestia both first and last. And you, slayer of Argus (Hermes's epithet), Son of Zeus and Maia, messenger of the blessed gods, bearer of the golden rod, giver of good, be favourable and help us, you and Hestia, the worshipful and dear. Come and dwell in this glorious house in friendship together; for you two, well knowing the noble actions of men, aid on their wisdom and their strength. Hail, Daughter of Cronos, and you also, Hermes, bearer of the golden rod! Now I will remember you and another song also.[29]
Hestia full of Blessings, Egypt, 6th century tapestry (Dumbarton Oaks Collection)
There is also an Orphic Hymn dedicated to Hestia.[30]
The 11th Nemean ode of Pindar writes about Hestia.[31][32]
Hestia TapestryEdit
Main article: Hestia Tapestry
The Hestia Tapestry is a Byzantine tapestry, made in Egypt during the 6th century AD. It is a late representation of the goddess, whom it identifies in Greek as Hestia Polyolbos; (Greek: Ἑστία Πολύολβος "Hestia full of Blessings"). Its history and symbolism are discussed in Friedlander (1945).[33]
GenealogyEdit
Hestia's family tree [34]
Uranus Gaia
Uranus' genitals Cronus Rhea
Zeus Hera Poseidon Hades Demeter HESTIA
Ares Hephaestus
Athena [37]
Apollo Artemis
a [38] b [39]
Ancient Greece portal
Myths portal
Religion portal
Sacred fire of Vesta
^ a b Graves, Robert. "The Palace of Olympus". Greek Gods and Heroes.
^ Hughes, James. (1995). Larousse Desk Reference Encyclopedia, p. 215. Larousse/The Book People.
^ Procopius, History of the Wars, Book II, XXIV
^ R. S. P. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009, p. 471.
^ Calvert Watkins, "wes-", in: The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston 1985 (web archive).
^ Mallory, J. P.; Adams, D. Q. (2006-08-24). The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World. OUP Oxford. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-19-928791-8.
^ West, M. L. (2007-05-24). Indo-European Poetry and Myth. OUP Oxford. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-19-928075-9.
^ Burkert, p. 61.
^ Homeric Hymn 29, tr. Evelyn-White, Hugh G.
^ Bremmer, Jan. N., in Ogden, D. (Ed). (2010). A Companion to Greek Religion, Wiley-Blackwell, Google Books preview, p. 134, ISBN 978-1-4443-3417-3.
^ Burkert, p. 415, 3.3.1 n. 2.
^ Kajava, p. 5.
^ Kajava, pp. 1, 3, 5.
^ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 5.14.4
^ Athenaeus, Deipnosophists, 4.149
^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 18. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.)
^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 35. 1
^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 11. 11
^ Hesiod, Theogony 453 ff.
^ Kereny, p. 91
^ a b "Homeric Hymns, To Aphrodite".
^ Kajava, pp. 1–2.
^ Dorter, K. (1971). Imagery and Philosophy in Plato's Phaedrus. Journal of the History of Philosophy, 9 (3), 279–288 (July 1971).
^ Kereny, p. 92: "there is no story of Hestia's ever having taken a husband or ever having been removed from her fixed abode."
^ Burkert, p. 170.
^ Robert Fagles' translation
^ Hymn 24 to Hestia.
^ Homeric Hymn to Hestia 29.1
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ THE ORPHIC HYMN TO HESTIA
^ Pindar, Nemean Odes, 11.1, EN
^ Pindar, Nemean Odes, 11.1, GR
^ Friedlander, Paul. (1945). Documents of Dying Paganism. University of California Press.
^ This chart is based upon Hesiod's Theogony, unless otherwise noted.
^ According to Homer, Iliad 1.570–579, 14.338, Odyssey 8.312, Hephaestus was apparently the son of Hera and Zeus, see Gantz, p. 74.
^ According to Hesiod, Theogony 927–929, Hephaestus was produced by Hera alone, with no father, see Gantz, p. 74.
^ According to Hesiod, Theogony 886–890, of Zeus' children by his seven wives, Athena was the first to be conceived, but the last to be born; Zeus impregnated Metis then swallowed her, later Zeus himself gave birth to Athena "from his head", see Gantz, pp. 51–52, 83–84.
^ According to Hesiod, Theogony 183–200, Aphrodite was born from Uranus' severed genitals, see Gantz, pp. 99–100.
^ According to Homer, Aphrodite was the daughter of Zeus (Iliad 3.374, 20.105; Odyssey 8.308, 320) and Dione (Iliad 5.370–71), see Gantz, pp. 99–100.
Burkert, Walter. (1985). Greek Religion. Harvard University Press.
Gantz, Timothy, Early Greek Myth: A Guide to Literary and Artistic Sources, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, Two volumes: ISBN 978-0-8018-5360-9 (Vol. 1), ISBN 978-0-8018-5362-3 (Vol. 2).
Hesiod, Theogony, in The Homeric Hymns and Homerica with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Cambridge, Massachusetts., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1914. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
Homer, The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, Massachusetts., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
Homer; The Odyssey with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, PH.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, Massachusetts., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1919. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
Kajava, Mika. "Hestia Hearth, Goddess, and Cult", Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 102 (2004): 1–20.
Kerenyi, Karl. (1951). The Gods of the Greeks.
Stephenson, Hamish. (1985). The Gods of the Romans and Greeks. NYT Writer.
Friedlander, Paul. (1945). Documents of Dying Paganism. University of California Press.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hestia.
Carlos Parada, "Hestia"
Socrates to Hermogenes about Hestia - Estia - Esti (Eesti) - Osia
Hestia "Polyolbos" Dumbarton Oaks site.
HESTIA: THE EPITHETS
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hestia&oldid=929314763"
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line47
|
__label__wiki
| 0.823617
| 0.823617
|
DLJ Online
Web Publication of the Dartmouth Law Journal
Tag: capital punishment
Why Race Matters in Louisiana’s Capital Punishment System
In a scathing critique of McCleskey v. Kemp (1987), the Los Angeles Times compared the plurality decision to the likes of Dred Scott (1857), Plessy (1896), and Korematsu (1894). “Pilate-like, the Rehnquist Supreme Court has washed its hands of any responsibility to reject the death penalty on racist grounds” (Bedau, 1987). Even when presented with a comprehensive study of racial discrimination in capital cases, the Court ruled 5-4 that it was irrelevant to the case at hand, and thus sentenced Warren McCleskey, an African American, to death. Justice Powell, who wrote the majority opinion, later told a biographer that he regretted his decision, saying that the death penalty should be abolished altogether (as cited in Pierce & Radelet, 2011). If State legislatures across the U.S. joined in the spirit of Powell’s words, the death penalty would no longer disproportionately send African Americans to death row. Short of abolition, legislatures enacted new statutes to reduce the effects of racial bias in the aftermath of Gregg v. Georgia (1976). Sadly, race still plays a significant role in sentencing rates, especially in rural areas of southern states faulted by a segregationist past. Louisiana, in particular, has one of the most alarming rates of blacks sentenced to death row. While this does not immediately indicate racism, it questions the legitimacy of a system largely crafted by racist white Southerners after Reconstruction. Hence, Louisiana’s enduring legacy of Jim Crow inequality has rendered post-Gregg reform inadequate in mitigating race as a factor in capital punishment cases.
The era of de jure equality ushered in by Reconstruction was only seen as a rallying cry for disillusioned white Southerners in the 1870s. After years of Republican “carpetbagger” rule of the State government, the removal of federal troops from Louisiana allowed for an angry white citizenry to exploit a political power vacuum. Sarma and Smith (2012) note this exchange of power by a marked contrast in Southern politics, most notably seen at the 1898 State Constitutional Convention. White delegates from around the state adopted a plan to disenfranchise “as many Negroes and as few whites as possible” (as cited in Sarma & Smith, 2012). The early roots of Jim Crow were thus planted by restricting access to the ballot box and subduing other forms of political participation, via legal discrimination. For example, leaders at the Convention crafted a criminal code for their new government that allowed for non-unanimous jury verdicts in non-capital cases. One contemporary account explains the rationale: “As a [black] juror…if a negro be on trial for any crime, he becomes at once his earnest champion, and a hung jury is the usual result” ( as cited in Sarma & Smith, 2012). Thus, in a situation where the 11 members of a jury are white, the remaining black juror could not block a guilty verdict, essentially making his role useless. Convicting innocent black defendants became easier since the jury was no longer one of his peers, but rather one of his trespassers. And whenever legalized racism was insufficient, whites resorted to overt intimidation in the form of lynching. Between 1889 and 1896, there were ninety-five lynchings reported in Louisiana, with blacks representing 85% of the victims (Sarma & Smith, 2012). Perhaps not surprisingly, four of the five places with the highest frequency of lynching in the U.S. were in Louisiana parishes (Robertson, 2015). Indeed, the noose became more than just a symbol of violence, fear, and suppression. With the nearly one-hundred-year reign of Jim Crow in the South, the noose became a perpetual reminder of cyclical inequality, violence, inferiority, and hopelessness for African Americans.
Today, the wounds inflicted on Southern life by racial tensions are far from healed. To be sure, Southerners largely abandoned public lynchings and “white only” signs with a gradual changing of social norms after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Explicit racism in the South is a dying practice now reserved mostly for extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan. However, the remnants of the past have been resurrected habitually in some parts of the state. The rural town of Jena in La Salle Parish, for instance, was mired by racial unrest in 2006, when six black male students attacked Justin Barker, a white student, in their high school courtyard. The altercation started after black students noticed three hanging nooses from an oak tree in front of the school. While school officials denied any claims of segregation, the boys, now known as the “Jena Six,” claimed that, in practice, white students were not open to allowing black students to sit under the oak tree during breaks (Coll, 2007). The events surrounding the schoolyard violence are murky at best since conflicting eyewitness accounts provided dubious evidence for a trial. Ultimately, the prosecution dropped all of the charges against the Jena Six. But one thing is undoubtedly known: for white Southerners, “small town justice in the Deep South” often means criminalizing blacks regardless of guilt (Coll, 2007). And whenever retributive justice involves capital punishment, prosecutors are eager to pursue it. In fact, “cowboy” style prosecutors (that is, prosecutors who seek capital cases with fervor) are quite ubiquitous throughout Louisiana’s justice system. Jefferson Parish prosecutors are especially notorious for their readiness to sentence people to death, “which has put more people on Louisiana’s death row in recent years than any other parish” (Gettleman, 2003). In 2003, three years before the Jena Six incident, two assistant district attorneys from Jefferson Parish “wore neckties depicting a hangman’s noose and grim reaper,” at the trial of a sixteen-year-old charged with first-degree murder (Gettleman, 2003). Another assistant district attorney in Jefferson Parish “displayed a toy electric chair in his office with five picture cutouts of each individual he had sent to death row. All were black” (Richey, 2007, p. 2). In any case, it would be hard to argue these displays of dark humor do not represent racist views of blacks deserving of death and whites being keepers of “law and order.”
At a minimum, it is clear that some Louisiana prosecutors are eager to seek the death penalty, especially when the defendant is African American. Unfortunately,
bloodthirsty prosecutors are not the only injustices that blacks face during trial. Blacks are consistently denied jury participation, even in areas where they are the majority. One study found that in Caddo Parish, where blacks represent half of the population, they constitute only 25% of the juries in capital cases (Sarma & Smith, 2012). A disparity that large creates an opportunity for an ambitious prosecutor to use racial appeals to lead an all-white jury towards a guilty verdict. Allen Snyder, who was on trial in Jefferson Parish for first-degree murder, faced a similar situation. All five prospective black jurors were dismissed by the assistant district attorney during preliminary hearings, resulting in an all-white jury (Richey, 2007, p. 2). More disturbingly, the prosecutor used implicit racial appeals before and during the trial when articulating comparisons between the Snyder case and the O.J. Simpson case. The defense attorney for Snyder later wrote that the prosecution “knew that by selecting an all-white jury there was a likelihood that his appeal to race would play on the resentments [lingering from the Simpson acquittal] of at least some members of the jury” (as cited in Richey, 2007, p. 2). While Snyder was clearly guilty, the prosecution’s tactics were unethical and unconstitutional. It is not possible to be guaranteed a fair trial (Sixth Amendment right) or equal protection under the law (Fourteenth Amendment) when the very system of justice deliberately creates an uneven playing field. The implications of such a system are not only unfair, but it increases the chance of wrongful conviction. Of the 155 death sentences ordered by Louisiana courts, 127 of them—82%— were later reversed (Editorial Board, 2016, p. 18). Most of the defendants were later exonerated due to a violation of the “defendant’s constitutional rights, such as prosecutorial misconduct, improper jury instructions and incompetent lawyering” (Editorial Board, 2016, p. 18).
The disparities in sentencing rates extend beyond Jefferson and Caddo Parishes. The trend generally holds statewide, both pre-Furman and post-Gregg. Between 1772 and 1961, of the 632 executions that took place in Louisiana, 77% of them (578) resulted in the execution of black defendants (race of the victim was not recorded according to the study) (Pierce & Radelet, 2011). Looking to the race of the victim reveals more disparities. Between 1983 and 2010, 85% of defendants executed were convicted of killing white victims (Pierce & Radelet, 2011). It would seem plausible to dismiss such statistics on the premise that blacks just commit murder at a higher rate than whites. Further, some would point to evidence that blacks murder whites at a higher rate than whites murder other whites. Pierce & Radelet’s study refutes those arguments. First, the study examined death sentences in East Baton Rouge Parish, which is the third largest parish in the state by population (behind Orleans and Jefferson Parishes). After cross-referencing similar cases involving white and black victims that have similar aggravating factors and controlling all other variables, “those who kill whites are still more than twice as likely to be sentenced to death as those who kill blacks” (Pierce & Radelet, 2011). Second, from 1991 to 2001, 82.8% of homicide victims were black, “but only 47.8% of those sentenced to death since 1990 were convicted of killing blacks” (Pierce & Radelet, 2011). These statistics show that blacks do not murder at a higher rate than whites. In addition, it also shows that the white-on-black crime dyad is not punished as often as the black-on-white or white-on-white dyads (Pierce & Radelet, 2011).
Reforms in the post-Gregg era, then, have not solved the problems of racial bias. The de facto death penalty moratorium ended when the U.S. Supreme Court approved of Georgia’s new sentencing schemes in the landmark case Gregg v. Georgia (1976). Significant changes in its criminal code included, among other things, a mandatory automatic appeals process for capital cases that ended in a conviction. Louisiana remodeled their law similarly, while also adding “Rule 28,” requiring that the “district attorney and the defendant shall file sentence review memoranda addressed to the propriety of the sentence” (Sarma, Bidish & Cohn, 2009). These Sentence Review Memoranda (SRM) lists all past capital cases within the district that the case at hand was tried in. The Louisiana Supreme Court then conducts a proportionality review, using the SRMs to examine inconsistencies or arbitrariness with the lower court’s decision. However, Sarma et al., (2009) has noted that this process is “woefully deficient.” Districts that have either never carried out a death sentence or have tried very few do not serve well in a proportionality review. Lafayette Parish, for example, has only tried one death penalty case since 1950. The SRM in Lafayette’s most recent capital case, State v. Prejean (2008), could only compare elements of arbitrariness with a case that was nearly sixty years old—not to mention it was also pre-Gregg (Sarma et al., 2009). Another problem with Louisiana’s proportionality review is its focus on cases that ended with the defendant sentenced to death. Cases that show similarity in the type of crime committed or the number of aggravations present are not considered if they only resulted in life imprisonment. Chief Justice Krivosha is most critical of Louisiana’s review system by using the analogy of public transportation; it is erroneous to conclude that “since everyone in the back of the bus looks alike, there is no discrimination” because it is also necessary “to look at who is riding in the front of the bus as well in order to determine whether persons in the back are being discriminated against” (as cited in Sarma et al., 2009). SRM’s are thus ineffective because they do not include cases with similar criminal elements or cases that did not result in the death penalty. Moreover, defendants from districts with limited history of the death penalty are more likely not to receive a fair appeals challenge.
Conventional wisdom and scholarly opinions have advocated that the death penalty reduces murder rates in certain instances. The fairness of the death penalty, on the other hand, is an entirely different issue. Some states may not have issues with discrimination in their justice systems; indeed, some of the post-Gregg reforms may have been effective at reducing racial bias. But if the death penalty cannot be applied equally across all fifty states, then it is hard to argue for anything less than its complete abandonment. Not only would retention create issues of arbitrariness based on geography, but it would violate the fundamentals of a justice system based on equal protection under the law. In the case of Louisiana, not only is it evident that there exists racial bias, but it is also the case that the archaic system was purposefully crafted to target blacks more than whites. Such a system is immoral, unjust, and flat out racist. Only when Louisiana lawmakers realize the racist history of the death penalty can there be a movement towards abolition.
Bedau, A.H. “Someday Mccleskey will be Death Penality’s Dred Scott.” Los Angeles Times, 1 May 1987, http://articles.latimes.com/1987-05-01/local/me-1592_1_death-penalty.
Coll, S. “Disparities.” The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2007, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/10/08/disparities.
Editorial Board. “Louisiana’s Color Coded Death Penalty.” The New York Times, 9 May 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/09/opinion/louisianas-color-coded-death-penalty.html?_r=0.
Gettleman, J. “Prosecutor’s Morbid Neckties Stir Criticism.” The New York Times, 5 Jan. 2003, http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/05/us/prosecutors-morbid-neckties-stir-criticism.html.
Pierce, L. G., & Radelet, L. M. “Death Sentencing in East Baton Rouge Parish.” 2011, 1990-2008. Louisiana Law Review.
Richey, W. “How Hard Can Judges Crack Down on Bias?” Christian Science Monitor, pp. 2.
Robertson, C. “History of Lynching in the South Documents Nearly 4,000 Names.” The New York Times, 10 Feb 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/us/history-of-lynchings-in-the-south-documents-nearly-4000-names.html.
Sarma, J. B. & Smith, J. R. “How and Why Race Continues to Influence The Administration of Criminal Justice in Louisiana. 2012, Louisiana Law Review.
– – – & Cohen, B. G. (2009). “Struck by Lightning: Walker v. Georgia and Louisiana’s Proportionality Review of Death Sentences. Southern Louisiana Law Review.
Cruel and Unusual History: Exploring the Case Law that Shaped the Eighth Amendment
The American judicial system ensures the continuation of democracy. But the democracy of the American judicial system is entirely dependent on the civil liberties housed in the Bill of Rights. Within the Bill of Rights are special protections for everyone involved in the judicial system, included those who are criminally accused. Everyone is entitled to the right not to incriminate oneself (Fifth Amendment), the right to a fair, speedy public trial and to counsel (Sixth Amendment), the right to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment), and the right to due process (Fourteenth Amendment). The Eighth Amendment is perhaps the most enigmatic clause in the Constitution. This paper will explore how the court interprets such an ambiguous clause and how this has developed over time, specifically exploring its application to capital punishment and to a much lesser extent torture.
In order to analyze how the Eighth Amendment has changed over time, it is necessary to examine the amendment itself. The entirety of the Eighth Amendment reads as such: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”[i] For the purposes of this paper, only the segment “nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted” will be examined. The Eighth Amendment on its face is incredibly vague. It contains no definition for “cruel and unusual”, nor any procedure for determining what is and is not “cruel and unusual.” While this is not atypical for constitutional amendments, it is particularly troublesome in the case of the Eighth Amendment because it is not explicitly clear the extent to which the phrase should be interpreted. Torture, for instance, falls into this gray area. Historical context suggests that torture (as an interrogation method, not specifically as a punishment) was considered “cruel and unusual,” but this intention is not necessarily enough to determine if torture is explicitly incompatible with the Eighth Amendment.[ii] Torture was certainly practiced in the U.S. after the enactment of the Eighth Amendment, so even if there was historical context to suggest the Framers intended to outlaw torture, the reality and the lack of enforcement of this clause establishes an alternate precedent. Capital punishment is another issue under the Eighth Amendment. However, more clearly, all evidence suggests that capital punishment was never meant to be outlawed by the Eighth Amendment. But this leads to the question, if executing a criminal is not “cruel and unusual,” what is? Torture and capital punishment are two of the most glaring examples of “cruel and unusual” punishments to a modern reader that were permitted by the constitution and case law for an extended period of time.
For the purposes of this paper, torture and capital punishment must be briefly defined. Torture is the infliction of pain either as a punishment or an interrogative method. While the two are obviously linked, they are legally separate and governed by different laws and precedents. Torture as an interrogative method is governed by the Fifth Amendment, which secures the right to due process and a fair trial. Under the right to a fair trial comes legal procedures for what is constitutional in regards to interrogation; torture as an interrogative method will not be explored in this paper as it does not pertain to the Eighth Amendment. Capital punishment is the government sanctioned execution of a criminal as punishment for their crime. The death penalty is a sentence given by either a judge or a jury after a trial. The method of execution has evolved over time, but it is currently lethal injection. The humaneness and legality of the specific forms of execution will be examined only when pertinent to the development of the “cruel and unusual” clause.
Until Wilkerson v. Utah (1878), there was no case law precedent for the interpretation of “cruel and unusual punishment.” In 1877, Wallace Wilkerson shot and killed William Baxter. He was tried for premeditated murder in a Utah criminal court. Wilkerson was sentenced to death; a Utah statute (passed in 1862) allowed for anyone sentenced to be executed to choose to be shot, hanged, or beheaded. Wilkerson chose to be shot. The case was then appealed on a writ of error to the Supreme Court (as Utah was a territory at the time and its authority not yet clearly defined), who upheld that no error had been made and that Wilkerson’s death sentence and mode of death were constitutional. Justice Nathan Clifford delivered the opinion of the court, in which he explicitly stated “it is safe to affirm that punishments of torture…and all others in the same line of unnecessary cruelty, are forbidden by [the Eighth] amendment to the Constitution.”[iii] This establishes a strong precedent for the application Eighth Amendment. The court is clear in stating that torture and any punishment like it violates the Eighth Amendment. While establishing some type of definition, Clifford still concedes that it is extremely difficult to “define with exactness the extent of the constitutional provision which provides that cruel and unusual punishment shall not be inflicted.”[iv] The court does not offer a clear guideline for how to determine if something is “cruel and unusual,”, but rather admit that because it is impossible because the framers intent cannot be fully determined. Still, they establish that torture as a punishment violates the amendment., but reaffirm that capital punishment does not. Clifford also expressly states that death by shooting “is not included in that category within the meaning of the Eighth Amendment.”[v] In doing so, he references the “unusual” aspect of the Eighth Amendment. Clifford argues that because shooting is a common form of execution for military crimes, it is therefore not an unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.[vi] The usualness of a punishment is rarely dealt with under the Eighth Amendment (as methods of execution are typically highly regulated), but Wilkerson lays out a precedent for evaluating it. The commonality of a type of execution therefore determines whether or not it is “unusual”, but this is not without problems of its own. There is not strict guideline for determining commonality besides opinion. Wilkerson may have started to tackle the various issues of the Eighth Amendment, but it is not without its own hypocrisy. As pointed out by Gilbert King in an op-ed for the New York Times, Wilkerson’s death was ironic in light of the precedent his case established. The firing squad did not instantly kill Wilkerson; instead, he slowly bled out over a half hour.[vii] At this time, there was no precedent for whether a prolonged death constituted “cruel and unusual,” but it would more than likely be considered torture.
The issue of prolonged death was quickly remedied in 1890, with the case of In Re Kemmler. William Kemmler was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death by electric chair, the first New York citizen to be executed in such a manner. His attorney filed an emergency writ of habeas corpus to stay the execution to examine what he believed to be violations to the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. The case traveled through the New York Court of Appeals, after which it was appealed to the Supreme Court on a writ of error. In the opinion, written by Chief Justice Fuller, the court goes into detail about why the state of New York choose electrocution as a method of execution, citing state legislation that found electrocution to be the most humane form of execution. In exploring the idea of a human execution, the court gives a firmer definition of “cruel and unusual”, stating:
“Punishments are cruel when they involve torture or a lingering death; but the punishment of death is not cruel within the meaning of that word as used in the constitution. It implies there something inhuman and barbarous,-something more than the mere extinguishment of life. The courts of New York held that the mode adopted in this instance might be said to be unusual because it was new, but that it could not be assumed to be cruel in the light of the common knowledge which has stamped certain punishments as such”[viii]
This establishes a baseline definition for the term “cruel.” Firstly, the court explicitly states that both torture and lingering death are cruel. The court also sets an important precedent for determining if a punishment is cruel or not. If a punishment can be deemed either “inhumane” or “barbarous” or has a motive that is “something more than the mere extinguishment of life,” then it is cruel. This reiterates the justification for the electric chair being found not cruel, as the court referenced extensive research done that proved its humaneness. The definition of “cruel” is limited in the sense that it in large part deals with capital punishment, due to the phrase “extinguishment of life.” It is also further limited by the adjectives “inhumane” and “barbarous” which, like “cruel”, lack a clear legal definition. Despite declaring torture a form of punishment and developing a cruelty test, the court fails to specifically define “cruel” outside of its relationship to capital punishment. Dealing specifically with capital punishment, the court declares that it does not fit the Constitution’s definition of “cruel.” The court clarifies the Constitution’s meaning of “cruel” as an implication of “something inhumane and barbarous.” This is limited only in the context of capital punishment, being once again limited as beyond “the mere extinguishing of life.” Nor does the court deal with the issue of “unusual”, even though this was the first death by electric chair in the state, making it unusual by definition. Instead, they imply that its humaneness outweighs its unusualness. This, therefore, defines “unusual” as being inhumane. However, as aforementioned, the court rarely deals with “unusual”, and this precedent is barely relied upon. In Re Kemmler marks a landmark in the interpretation of the Eighth Amendment by codifying capital punishment as not “cruel,” and in a limited sense outlawing torture as a form of punishment.
While Wilkerson and Kemmler attempted to set some restrictions on the Eighth Amendment, Weems v. United States used a different method. Instead of attempting to find a universal definition for “cruel and unusual,” the court in Weems embraced the ambiguity of the clause and tried to find a universal approach. In 1910, Paul Weems, who worked for the Bureau of the Coast Guard and Transportation for the United States government in the Philippines, manipulated the cash book by changing employees’ wages so he could profit. He was convicted of fraud and the falsification of public documents in a court in the Philippines. He was sentenced to:
“fifteen years of [shackles], together with the accessories of section 56 of the Penal Code, and to pay affine of 4,000 pesetas, but not to serve imprisonment as a subsidiary punishment in case of his insolvency, on account of the nature of the main penalty, and to pay the costs of this cause.”[ix]
Also in his sentence was hard labor.[x] Weems appealed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, which held the conviction. He then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on several questions, including whether or not fifteen years of imprisonment was “cruel and unusual” and if the extent of the sentence matched the crime. Justice McKenna delivered the court opinion and stated that past cases and applications of the “cruel and unusual” clause have either been in relation to “something inhuman and barbarous – torture and the like” or sentence proportionality with the crime.[xi] He also states that there has never been a case presented to the Supreme Court that demanded an exact definition.[xii] From this, McKenna explores a multitude of cases that previously grappled with the Eighth Amendment. He firstly points out that on its face the Philippine’s punishments violate the Bill of Rights “both in degree and kind,” and that the specific terms of Weems’ punishment (particularly the shackles and hard labor) constitute “cruel and unusual.”[xiii] By doing this, McKenna creates a new basis to explore the Eighth Amendment: public opinion, sentiments and standards. McKenna compared U.S. punishments to punishments in the Philippines and based on this standard ruled that they were cruel and unusual and therefore unconstitutional. As such, the court reversed Weems’ sentencing. McKenna’s opinion establishes a crucial precedent for the Eighth Amendment. In the opinion, he states that the Eighth Amendment “may be therefore progressive, and is not fastened to the obsolete, but may acquire meaning as public opinion becomes enlightened by a humane justice.”[xiv] McKenna crafts a new vision of the Eighth Amendment, one where “cruel and unusual” is determined by public opinion and standards. While this does not invalidate the definitions for “cruel and unusual” established by Wilkerson and Kemmler, the creation of the public standard test solidifies the idea that there is no satisfactory universal definition for the Eighth Amendment.
The Weems precedent played a crucial role as the court grappled with developing the Eighth Amendment throughout the 1970s. McGautha v. California, Furman v. Georgia, and Gregg v. Georgia are three major Supreme Court cases between 1971 and 1976 that exemplified the Eighth Amendment’s contentious nature. In McGautha, two petitioners (one from California, petition No. 203 and one from Ohio, petition No. 204) were both convicted of first-degree murder. No. 203’s sentence was left to the jury and was determined in a separate trial after his conviction. This case was petitioned to the Supreme Court on a writ of certiorari on the grounds that No. 203’s death penalty was determined by the jury without standards, which he claimed was unconstitutional. No. 24’s case was also petitioned on a writ of certiorari because his sentencing and punishment determination were done at the same time (as opposed to bifurcated trials), where the jury once again had absolute control. The legal question for both cases was whether determining conviction and punishment in the same proceeding was constitutional. The court found no constitutional violations and held both convictions and penalties. Justice Harlan delivered the court opinion. He justified absolute jury discretion over punishment and the non-necessity of bifurcated trial.[xv] In his discussion of the petitioners’ claim that full jury discretion was unconstitutional, Harlan, based on historical English Common law, Supreme Court precedent, “and the present limitations of human knowledge, [found] it quite impossible to say that committing to the untrammeled discretion of the jury the power to pronounce life or death in capital cases is offensive to anything in the Constitution.”[xvi] McGautha expands on the issue of a lack of definition that the court referenced in Weems and takes it one step further, firmly acknowledging that there cannot be a universal definition. This was a departure from the court’s approach in Wilkerson and Kemmler. The court here is codifying that the “cruel and unusual” clause does not need to have strict legal standards, as opposed to attempting narrowing the phrase. Instead, the court establishes that the Eighth Amendment is to be interpreted on a (quite literally) case-by-case basis. As it originally stood in the Constitution, “cruel and unusual” could develop a definition through case law (as seen with Wilkerson and In Re Kemmler). Now, however, the court essentially invalidates precedent by saying that past cases and “human knowledge” cannot create a universal definition or application for the Eighth Amendment. The court does not acknowledge how the individual cases will be determined, ignoring the Weems precedent. McGautha established that not only did there not need to be specific standards to sentencing someone to capital punishment, but there could not be.
McGautha was overturned one year later in Furman v. Georgia. Furman, like McGautha, was multiple cases combined, all of which were appealed to the Supreme Court on writs of certiorari. The first petitioner (Furman) was robbing a house during the night; after the homeowner awoke, Furman attempted to flee and in doing so either turned around and blindly fired his weapon or tripped and in doing so accidentally fired his weapon, but ultimately killing the homeowner. Both of these stories come from contradicting statements from Furman during his trial. He was convicted of felony robbery and murder and subsequently sentenced to death. The second case, Jackson v. Georgia, involved the petitioner (Lucious Jackson Petr Jr.) attempting to rob a home. He threatened the woman of the house with a pair of scissors, and upon the discovery that there was no money for him to steal, he raped her. He was convicted of felony robbery and rape and sentenced to death. In the last case, Branch v. Texas, Elmer Branch broke into a home, raped the woman who lived there, took the money from her wallet, and fled. He was tried and convicted for rape and sentenced to death. All three petitioners (who, it should be noted, were all African American males) petitioned on the question of whether or not the death penalty violated the “cruel and unusual” clause of the Eighth Amendment. In a per-curiam opinion (again, one year after McGautha), the court stated that, for these three cases, the death penalty violated the Eighth Amendment because of the lack of clear standards and reversed all the decisions. The case was decided by a 5-4 opinion with every single judge writing an opinion. Most of the concurring opinions (no judge joined on another opinion so they all stand individually) use strict scrutiny to examine the cases before them. Several of the concurring opinions mention the apparent racism in the decisions.[xvii] Both Justices Brennan and Marshall conclude in their concurring opinions that capital punishment on its face is unconstitutional.[xviii] Stewart, however, insists that the decisions must be taken in context within their state’s constitution and precedent (he points out that neither Georgia or Texas have stated that death is the automatic punishment for murder or rape), in order to understand and determine the extent of the seemingly arbitrary nature of the decisions (why were these defendants sentenced to death, but not others who committed the same crimes in the same states?).[xix] He then uses this to argue for the “cruelty” of the punishments, as “they excessively go beyond, not in degrees but in kind, the punishments that the State legislatures have determined to be necessary.”[xx] This establishes a precedent for structure in applying the Eighth Amendment, directly overturning McGautha. The court is now expressing a direct need for some guidelines to govern the application of the death penalty so that it does not constitute Stewart’s definition of “cruel.” From Furman, the court equates “cruel” with arbitrary. The death penalty is determined constitutional only as long as it follows a framework of structure and guidelines for application, which the court could not determine. Since the court never established these guidelines, all capital punishment sentences in the U.S. after Furman were changed to life sentences, until the states and Congress developed new specific legislative guidelines. From 1972 to 1976, no death penalties were carried out in the U.S. because of this de facto moratorium as the court never reaffirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty under specific guidelines.
The impact of Furman goes beyond this halting of executions. In order to truly understand the impact of Furman and explore the evolution of the Eighth Amendment, the varying opinions must be closely examined. Examining the analytical approach of the opinions in Furman illustrate two different ways to understand the Eighth Amendment. Douglas, Stewart, and White argue for an analytic approach, based on how the death penalty is applied and its social consequences.[xxi] The discussion of racial bias and state precedent would fall under the analytical approach. The second approach appears in Justice Marshall’s opinion. Marshall continues the precedent set by Weems and hones the normative approach.[xxii] In his opinion, Marshall asks the question of “whether capital punishment is ‘a punishment no longer consistent with our own self-respect’ and, therefore, violative of the Eighth Amendment.”[xxiii] He reasserts that the Eighth Amendment was intended to “outlaw torture and other cruel punishments” but argues that the application of the clause must be determined by present societal standards.[xxiv] Marshall limits this, however, by qualifying the punishments that can be considered constitutional under public opinion. Punishments of torture, he says, will always be outlawed by the Eighth Amendment, even if public opinion were ever to say they were acceptable.[xxv] This lays the foundation for his exploration of capital punishment as an excessive punishment (excessive punishment in this case is equal to “cruel and unusual”) according to modern standards, arguing that it is therefore unconstitutional. He concludes that it is based on modern concepts of retribution, deterrence, prevention, and “encouraging guilty pleas and confessions, eugenics, and reducing state expenditures” (these last three he deals with together).[xxvi] He also recognizes a lack of national understanding of capital punishment and the effect that lack of knowledge has on societal opinion. Marshall’s opinion revitalizes and reinvigorates the Eighth Amendment. He establishes a clear and concise test to determine what constitutes “cruel and unusual.” He embraces the ambiguity of the Eighth Amendment and develops a solution that gives it some clarity.
Marshall’s test had a major effect on the follow up case to Furman, Gregg v. Georgia. In 1976, five cases were decided by the Supreme Court that reaffirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty. Instead of delving into the factual details of these cases, just the procedural posture will be examined. Georgia, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana (listed in this format to reflect the order of the full case name), all changed their statutes and legislation to establish strict guidelines for the sentencing of the death penalty in compliance with Furman. Changes included the necessity of a bifurcated trial and specific guidelines for determining if a case is eligible to receive the death penalty. For each petitioners’ case, they were tried and sentenced to death as complying with the new guidelines of their state. They all appealed on the grounds that capital punishment violated the Eighth Amendment on writs of certiorari. In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court maintained the death sentences of the petitioners from Georgia, Texas, and Florida, because their state guidelines for deciding capital punishment were constitutional. The decisions for North Carolina and Louisiana were reversed on the grounds that their state legislations were constitutionally insufficient. The plurality opinion, written by Stewart, establishes several major rules for the Eighth Amendment. Firstly, the Supreme Court officially codified capital punishment as constitutional.[xxvii] Stewart additionally gives another definition of the Eighth Amendment, stating:
“The Eighth Amendment, which has been interpreted in a flexible and dynamic manner to accord with evolving standards of decency, forbids the use of punishment that is ‘excessive’ either because it involves the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain or because it is grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime.”[xxviii]
This definition of the Eight Amendment echoes Kemmler. Stewart expands on this precedent, however, by referring to punishments under the Eighth Amendment in general, instead of in direct relation to capital punishment like in Kemmler. He also crucially links proportionality to the Eighth Amendment, which was referenced in Weems and Furman but never firmly expressed.
Secondly, Stewart carries on the normative approach as established by Marshall in his Furman opinion. The “standard of decency” test echoes Marshall’s approach. However, Stewart provides no guidelines for how this standard should be reached. He also does not explain what the current standard of decency is or how the codifying of capital punishment fits into it. In Brennan’s dissenting opinion, he references Stewart’s “standard of decency” definition and argues that the modern and current standard of decency is that the death penalty be abolished.[xxix] Marshall, in his dissent, does this as well, referencing his Furman opinion where he argued for the unconstitutionality of the death penalty. He makes it clear that he is dissenting on the basis of the upholding of the death penalty, not the court’s methodology. Marshall’s argument focuses on what he believes to be inaccurate conclusions the majority reached in their opinion that justified capital punishment, such as retribution. Despite the contradictory conclusions reached by the majority and the two dissenting judges, Gregg represents the first successful application of the normative approach to the Eighth Amendment. Both the majority and the dissenting justices used this process to reach their conclusions. This marks a solid and definite change in the court’s interpretation of the Eighth Amendment: there can be no universal definition of the Eighth Amendment, but public opinion, standards and sentiments can be used to give it a definition on a strictly (and quite literally) case by case basis.
Gregg not only affirms the death penalty but also codifies how the death penalty should be determined. Stewart echoes Furman by stating that in order to curtail the seemingly arbitrary nature of the death penalty, there need to be statutes, and echoing Marshall and Weems by saying this should be done through public standard.[xxx] He establishes the constitutionality of the Georgia, Florida, and Texas statutes, therefore providing the guidelines for other States in the drafting of their legislation. He references the Georgia statute, emphasizing that there “must be specific jury [findings]as to the circumstance of the crime or the character of the defendant” in order to give the death penalty, as well as the necessity of State Supreme Court review.[xxxi] In his concurring opinion, White also crucially notes that prosecutors will be held to the same standards as a jury in deciding to charge a capital felony.[xxxii] Consequently, the Supreme Court ruling that the death penalty is constitutional within certain parameters lifted the implied ban on capital punishment from Furman. Gregg provided relief for the ambiguity created by Furman, allowing death penalties to continue in the U.S. Most importantly, Gregg established the basis for the death penalty, and created a background for following death penalty cases to be decided against. Subsequent capital punishment cases fleshed out, based on public opinion, certain specifics regarding the death penalty.
One example worth looking at is the death penalty as it relates to minors. Wilkins v. Missouri and Stanford v. Kentucky, decided together in 1989, set the precedent that it was not “cruel and unusual” to execute minors under the Eighth Amendment. The majority opinion, written by Justice Scalia, argued that the standard of decency was ambiguous about the execution of minors (ages 16 and 17 specifically), and therefore it must be left up to state legislation to determine constitutionality; both the cases presented were in states where there was legislation allowing the execution of minors.[xxxiii] This case came one year after Thompson v. Oklahoma, which decided that the execution of minors was unconstitutional.[xxxiv] In 2005, Roper v. Simmons reversed Wilkins and Stanford and reaffirmed Thompson. The court applied the standard of decency test to the same evidence (state legislation) and reached the opposite conclusion: that the execution of minors was in fact “cruel and unusual.”[xxxv] This back and forth in regards to the execution of minors reveals several things. Firstly, how amenable the Eighth Amendment remains even though it is limited by a test. Secondly, how the Marshall test works in context (how the justices prove “standard decency” and public opinion). Third, even this test, as empirical as it is, is incredibly flawed. It does not allow the Court to establish long term precedents; in order to maintain constitutionality, the Supreme Court would have to frequently review each decision made in relation to the death penalty. Lastly, it shows that the normative approach is firm. In the three cases presented above, the Marshall test held fast and produced an answer.
So how has the court developed the Eighth Amendment over time? Arguably, it did not. Instead the court has continuously reinforced the idea that there will never be a satisfactory, unchanging universal definition. The court followed established precedents up until Furman, when it (for the first time) recognized the broadness of the Eighth Amendment as a weakness and affirmed capital punishment. They have also relied heavily upon the Framer’s context for the Eighth Amendment and take its anti-torture message on its face. Unlike other clauses (such as the Fourth) where the actual meaning of space and privacy have been debated, there is no such debate for the Eighth Amendment. Its interpretation is essentially fixed. What the court developed instead was its approach. From Weems to Furman and Gregg the court honed the normative approach to the Eighth Amendment. This gives “cruel and unusual” a momentary, fleeting definition, allowing the court to come to a constitutional decision. An issue with this test is the possibility of reaching a standard decency that morally violates “cruel and unusual,” for instance, exploring the possibility of executing a pregnant woman. It can hardly be argued that executing a pregnant woman would violate the framer’s intent of “cruel and unusual.” At that point, the court will have to resolve the issue of precedent: is the Framers intent greater than the current standard of decency? If so, does this mean there is a universal and satisfactory definition of cruel and unusual? Exploring an example such as the pregnant woman shows that while the court has reached an acceptable (and seemingly unwavering approach), the Eighth Amendment, more so than any other clause, is locked in an eternal battle between intent and societal standards.
[i] U.S. Constitution. Amend VIII
[ii] Celia Rumann, Tortured History: Finding Our Way Back to the Lost Origins of the Eighth Amendment, 31.3 Pepp. L. Rev. 661, 708 (2004).
[iii] Wilkerson v. State of Utah, 99 U.S. 130, 136, 25 L. Ed. 345 (1878)
[iv] Ibid., Wilkerson v. State of Utah.
[v] Ibid., Wilkerson v. State of Utah.
[vi] Ibid., Wilkerson v. State of Utah.
[vii] Gilbert King, “Cruel and Unusual History,” The New York Times. April 23, 2008. Accessed April 27, 2017 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/opinion/23king.html
[viii] In Re Kemmler, 136 U.S. 436, 438 10 S. Ct. 930, 933, 34 L. Ed. 519 (1890).
[ix] Weems v. United States, 217 U.S. 359 (1910)
[x] Ibid., Weems v. United States.
[xi] Ibid., Weems v. United States.
[xii] Ibid., Weems v. United States.
[xiii] Ibid., Weems v. United States.
[xiv] Ibid., Weems v. United States.
[xv] McGautha v. California, 402 U.S. 183 (1971)
[xvi] Ibid., McGautha v. California.
[xvii] Furman v. Georgia. 408 U.S. 238 (1972)
[xviii] Ibid., Furman v. Georgia.
[xix] Ibid., Furman v. Georgia.
[xx] Ibid., Furman v. Georgia.
[xxi] Austin Sarat; Neil Vidmar, Public Opinion, the Death Penalty, and the Eighth Amendment: Testing the Marshall Hypothesis, 1976.1 Wis. L. Rev. 171, 206 (1976), pages 172-173.
[xxii] Ibid., 173.
[xxiii] Furman v. Georgia. 408 U.S. 238 (1972)
[xxiv] Ibid., Furman v. Georgia.
[xxv] Ibid., Furman v. Georgia.
[xxvi] Ibid., Furman v. Georgia.
[xxvii] Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 (1976)
[xxviii] Ibid., Gregg v. Georgia.
[xxix] Ibid., Gregg v. Georgia.
[xxx] Ibid., Gregg v. Georgia.
[xxxi] Ibid., Gregg v. Georgia.
[xxxii] Ibid., Gregg v. Georgia.
[xxxiii] Stanford v. Kentucky. 492 U.S. 361 (1989)
[xxxiv] Thompson v. Oklahoma. 487 U.S. 815 (1988)
[xxxv] Roper v. Simmons. 543 U.S. 551 (2005)
Furman v. Georgia. 408 U.S. 238 (1972)
Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 (1976)
In Re Kemmler, 136 U.S. 436, 438 10 S. Ct. 930, 933, 34 L. Ed. 519 (1890).
King, Gilbert. “Cruel and Unusual History.” The New York Times. April 23, 2008. Accessed April 27, 2017 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/opinion/23king.html
McGautha v. California, 402 U.S. 183 (1971)
Roper v. Simmons. 543 U.S. 551 (2005)
Rumann, Celia. Tortured History: Finding Our Way Back to the Lost Origins of the Eighth Amendment. 31.3 Pepp. L. Rev. 661, 708 (2004).
Sarat, Austin; Vidmar, Neil. Public Opinion, the Death Penalty, and the Eighth Amendment: Testing the Marshall Hypothesis. 1976.1 Wis. L. Rev. 171, 206 (1976).
Stanford v. Kentucky. 492 U.S. 361 (1989)
Thompson v. Oklahoma. 487 U.S. 815 (1988)
S. Constitution. Amend VIII. https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/eighth_amendment
Weems v. United States, 217 U.S. 359 (1910)
Wilkerson v. State of Utah, 99 U.S. 130, 136, 25 L. Ed. 345 (1878)
Psychiatric Disorders and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Reducing the Stigma of Mental Illness in the Workplace
The Agricultural Iron Triangle
Virtual Currency, the Government, and a Race to Own Buying
Gender Quotas: Reasonable or Radical?
A More Stringent Theory of Democratic Citizenship
The Efficacy of International Human Rights Courts: A Case Study of Uganda
15 Million Sterilizations to American Purity: The Past, Present, and Future of Buck v. Bell
About DLJ Online
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line49
|
__label__wiki
| 0.514208
| 0.514208
|
My Gateway
History Browser
Organization > Parks Canada
Resource Type > Interactive Resource
Previous page of search results
1: Page 1 of search results
Next page of search results
The Budding Explorer: Samuel de Champlain: Activity
Help the ghost of Samuel de Champlain regain his memory of Canada`s national historic sites in an interactive game for younger children.
Site: Parks Canada
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada: Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Defence of Canada
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic military sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to the sites of famous battles or view a famous building. Both virtual and text tours are available. The Halifax Citadel is one of the finest examples of a 19th-century-star-shaped fortification. On this virtual tour the user is given an idea of what defences were used to protect this structure and Canada's east coast.
Beaumont-Hamel National Historic Site of Canada : Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Defence of Canada
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic military sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to the sites of famous battles or view a famous building. Both virtual and text tours are available. The Newfoundland Memorial Site is located within the French commune of Beaumont-Hamel, at the northern end of the region of the Somme, some nine kilometres northeast of the town of Albert. Opened in 1925, the site commemorates Newfoundlanders who served in the First World War.
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada: Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Defence of Canada
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic military sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to the sites of famous battles or view a famous building. Both virtual and text tours are available. The Fortress of Louisbourg is the largest French fortified town in North America. A detailed virtual tour of the buildings that reflected the life and work of people of a different age is provided here.
Batoche National Historic Site of Canada: Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Defence of Canada
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic military sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to the sites of famous battles or view a famous building. Both virtual and text tours are available. Batoche displays the remains of the village of Batoche on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. It was the last battlefield in the Northwest Resistance/Rebellion of 1885. Here the user can see a virtual recreation of that site as well as many buildings that have since been dismantled and restored.
L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site of Canada: Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Archaeology
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to sites where a lasting story is revealed through archaeological resources where little or no other evidence exists. Both virtual and text tours are available. The L’Anse aux Meadows site was founded in the early 11th century by Norse expeditions launched from a Norse colony in southern Greenland . The Norse left traces of eight buildings and about 750 artifacts associated with them.
L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site of Canada: Exploring Archaeology Activity
Until the 1960s, Sagas, or Legends, originating in the 11th century, were the only evidence archaeologists had that the Norse people came to North America before other Europeans. These stories were passed down orally, and written down in the 13th and 14th centuries. century. Many of the details of these stories remain open to speculation. In the following activity, you'll have the opportunity to formulate your own opinion by examining the documentary and archaeological evidence.
Diefenbunker National Historic Site of Canada: Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Defence of Canada
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic military sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to the sites of famous battles or view a famous building. Both virtual and text tours are available. The Central Emergency Government Headquarters was intended to be a relocation centre for government leaders, civil servants, and military personnel in the event of a nuclear war. The media dubbed it 'the Diefenbunker' after John Diefenbaker, the Prime Minister at the time. A virtual tour of the exterior view of the compound is provided.
Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site of Canada: Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Defence of Canada
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic military sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to the sites of famous battles or view a famous building. Both virtual and text tours are available. Here is an overview of the fortifications around Québec City. They are seen without any of the modern buildings that have since been built around them.
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site of Canada: Parks Canada's 3-D Tours: Defence of Canada
Parks Canada has provided a virtual doorway to explore Canada's national historic military sites. Online tours enable the user to travel to the sites of famous battles or view a famous building. Both virtual and text tours are available. Fort Rodd Hill is a coast artillery fort built in the late 1890s to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. Here the user is given a virtual tour of this ocean front military defence establishment. The Fort includes three gun batteries, command posts, guardhouses, and barracks.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line62
|
__label__wiki
| 0.853088
| 0.853088
|
Leah Remini Instagram
Dancing with the Stars airs on Mondays at 8 p. Read More. Stay tuned as we now monitor the renew/cancel …. Leah Remini is returning to the ballroom!. The Second Act co-stars pre-taped the interview in New York City earlier in the week. Instagram; Search Search. April 1 (UPI) --Cheryl Burke was feeling grateful after attending her bridal shower. Leah Remini is opening up about her father's death. The star was also a member of the church of Scientology for 35 years before making her exit from the organization public in 2013. Leah Remini is mourning her father's death. Good for him. Leah Remini has become well known for her criticism of the Church of Scientolgy. Leah Remini is an actress, former talk show host, and contestant of Dancing with the Stars. In a sneak peek at her LaPalme cover story, Leah Remini slammed Scientology — and revealed the shocking reason why Katie Holmes hasn’t. Find out when Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath is on TV, including Series 2-Episode 13: Propaganda Arms. Leah Remini Mourns Father's Death in Heartbreaking Instagram Post: 'Scientology Took My Dad' etonline. Lo have been friends a long time and reportedly J. Until, that is, she gets the chance to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are as valuable as book smarts, and that it is never too late for a Second Act. Search our Website. 09/28/18 6:41am PDT. In the wake of the cancellation, stars Kevin James and Leah Remini took to Instagram to address the news. 3 The Groove FELICITY HUFFMAN’S DELAYED FILM DROPS FIRST TRAILER: When Felicity Huffman got accused of helping her daughter cheat her way into college (she …. They always have each other's backs when it comes to their careers — Jennifer was right by Leah's side when she. With a new memoir out, a starring role in the TV Land comedy The Exes, and a reality TV show centered around her family life, actress Leah Remini has a lot on her plate right now. Leah Remini. I read this a few months ago, but just realized that I forgot to write about it. Leah Remini Tells All In New Memoir About Scientology. A new war of words has broken out over Leah Remini‘s show, “Scientology and the Aftermath” after A&E renewed it for a second season on Wednesday. Launch Of Gucci. Instagram; Search Search. Former Scientologist Leah Remini says it took her a month to find out that her estranged father had died—and she blames the organization for destroying her relationship with him. Our full site looks great on phones: Try it. Xenu was the head of a 76-planet confederation 75 million years ago. As the stars of the show prepared for Ladies Day at the town’s annual race. Leah Remini Had a wonderful night with family and friends at the Emmy’s and although we didn’t take home another Emmy, coming home to warm chocolate chip cookies and this beautiful note from my 15 year old daughter is just everything. Leah Remini appeared on Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge, and not everybody loved it. “LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH” 10 NEW EPISODES WILL FOLLOW LEAH REMINI AS SHE CONTINUES HER QUEST TO GIVE A VOICE TO VICTIMS OF THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY. In a statement issued Thursday by her talent agency, the former. When Leah Remini took home a Creative Arts Emmy Award for special Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on Saturday night, she made sure to thank her most important supporter. Scientology delivered pages and pages of so-called damning statements against Leah Remini to ABC the week of her interview. "She said yes! #maidofhonor So excited to have you be. Like many celebrities (and people in general) Leah Remini enjoys spending some of her free time at the beach. Last week, Leah Remini made a remarkable post on Instagram about the death of her estranged biological father, George Remini, and how she had heard …. Actress Leah Remini shared a heartbreaking post to her Instagram on Sunday, revealing that she had "no idea" her father, George Anthony Remini, had passed away a month ago. Well, well, what do we have today! Do you want to see beautiful black TV Actress Aisha Tyler’s totally leaked nudes!? Yes! Here are some facts on Aisha Tyler before we see her sexy naked photos. How do you like being on The Talk so far? I love it. Leah Remini Had a wonderful night with family and friends at the Emmy's and although we didn't take home another Emmy, coming home to warm chocolate chip cookies and this beautiful note from my 15 year old daughter is just everything. Headers & Icons. Leah is one of the most outspoken ex-Scientologists in Hollywood and she wrote a memoir. POPULAR: Help! He Found the Clit but Now It’s Taunting Him With a Series Of Riddles; Calling My Representative Wasn’t Enough, So I Fucked His Wife. Actress Leah Remini has paid tribute to what she described as the 'brave' subjects of her documentary series Scientology And The Aftermath, after it landed an Emmy nomination. Remini, who famously left Scientology in 2013 after 30 years, held a Reddit AMA on Tuesday ahead of the second season premiere of her A&E show, "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. "She said yes! #maidofhonor So excited to have you be. Leah Remini Nude Photos. popculture. Leah Remini brought her friendship with Jennifer Lopez to the big screen. Remini — the “King of Queens” TV star. Premiering in 2016, the polarizing show featured numerous stories from. Frederick M. Leah Remini & Jennifer Lopez Say Thickness Is Beautiful Instagram BabeTube. Jennifer Lopez and her longtime BFF Leah Remini sit down for an interview on Watch What Happens Live, which aired on Thursday (December 13). Working Subscribe Subscribed Unsubscribe. With a new memoir out, a starring role in the TV Land comedy The Exes, and a reality TV show centered around her family life, actress Leah Remini has a lot on her plate right now. Find out when Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath is on TV, including Series 2-Episode 13: Propaganda Arms. Desecration of a religious symbol—check. When most people hear her name, they associate Leah Remini with the intimidating, tough-"tawking" yet lovable wife on King Of Queens, former co-host of The Talk and Scientologist "troublemaker" but the truth is there is much more to this gal than meets the eye. Leah Remini accuse l'Eglise de Scientologie de lui avoir caché le décès de son père. Her Emmy-winning series, "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath," has. Instagram; Search Search. LEAH is also known for her savvy music marketing skills, as she's uses the latest digital marketing and online business strategies to build her music career online. Leah Remini has broken free from the Church of Scientology. An American comedian and actress who is best known for her appearance in “Days of Our Lives”, “Baywatch”, and “The Final Destination”, Krista Allen is living a lavish lifestyle with her total net worth of around $4 million. Leah Remini Photos - Actress Leah Remini arrives at the CBS, Showtime and CW TCA Summer Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 2010 in Beverly Hills, California - Leah Remini Photos - 656 of 765 Leah Remini Long Curls - Leah paired her dangling earrings with loose curls while hitting the red carpet in Hollywood. Now, in the newest issue of LaPalme magazine, Remini has spoken out about an old friend and ex-Scientologist Katie Holmes, E! News reports. "Vodka cream anything is always in style. Hot Celeb Men Who Bared (Almost) All on Instagram Leah Remini Tells the Church of Scientology to 'Stop F---ing with People's Lives' in Docu-Series Sneak Peek. Join our hosts as we discuss the show each week and provide our own thoughts and opinions. Today we are starting with the reveal of her crisp white kitchen. via BlackAmericaWeb: Jada Pinkett Smith, 47, and Leah Remini, 48, set aside their differences in an upcoming episode of Facebook Watch series Red Table Talk. Leah Remini appeared on Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge, and not everybody loved it. She currently co-stars in the TV Land comedy The Exes and TLC’s reality show Leah Remini: It’s All Relative, which she also created and executive produces. She wasn't the only one that left. However, Remini has not failed to include one of the most important parts of any journey: her feet. Leah Remini and her husband, Angelo Pagan, have been married for 16 years. Borrowed from the library. Leah Remini is mourning the death of her estranged father, George Anthony Remini, and opening up about their broken relationship. At the end of the broadcast, the third celebrity pair will leave the competition. Actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini says Scientology is closer to the government than people realize. In a statement issued Thursday by her talent agency, the former. When Leah Remini left the Church of Scientology, she was able to participate in the popular television show Dancing with the Stars. The two got into it in 2017, after Remini told The Daily Beast that Jada was "in" when it came. org - Tony Ortega. Leah Remini is clear — she doesn't like Tom Cruise's supreme status in the Church of Scientology. This posthumous release, out now, and entitled Love To The Moon, comes in celebration of Leah’s birthday. Filmed for the first time in front of a live studio audience, Leah Remini and Mike Rinder explore stories of how Church of Scientology policies have hindered members from reporting instances of abuse and sexual assault to the authorities. Leah Remini. Leah Fletcher was given a warning by Courtney Smith's mates in tonight's explosive first episode of Absolutely Ascot. With her tell-all book on Scientology officially out, Leah Remini on Wednesday said she has no regrets about ending her 30-year relationship with a church that has called her "a shallow, spoiled individual. Get the latest Leah Remini at Mighty Ape Australia. Leah Remini claims she still receives threats from the Church of Scientology even after her docuseries "Scientology and the Aftermath" launched in 2016 on A&E. Leah Remini, along with high level former Scientology executives and Church members, delves deep into shocking stories of abuse, heartbreak and harassment experienced by those who have left the church and spoken publicly about their experiences. Remini said that the belief in reincarnation means Scientology places very little significance on family relationships and marriages — a person's mother is just their mother currently, and the child has many, many mothers over the span of their life. The ladies have been hanging at the. Leah Remini Photos - Actress Leah Remini arrives at the CBS, Showtime and CW TCA Summer Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 2010 in Beverly Hills, California - Leah Remini Photos - 656 of 765 Leah Remini Long Curls - Leah paired her dangling earrings with loose curls while hitting the red carpet in Hollywood. According to Remini, there was a funeral already, and she and her sister Nicole had no idea. I wanted to go to a school like Fame (some of you won’t get that reference). Last week, Leah Remini made a remarkable post on Instagram about the death of her estranged biological father, George Remini, and how she had heard …. Celebrity Check-ins: 13. The five song. And now that there’s a new womanly figure on the sitcom, fans have been wanting to know: who does Leah Remini play? Fans insisted that Leah replaced Erinn on Kevin Can Wait, and while that may. Palm Harbor, FL. Leah Remini has never been afraid to speak out about Scientology — the religion she was a part of for 30 years — and this latest incident is no exception. Join Leah Remini for her famous docu-series featuring the after effects that Scientology can have on ones life. by Julia Teti Aug 15, 2019 at 5:28 pm EDT Aug 15, 2019 at 5:28 pm EDT View this post on Instagram. The Dancing with the Stars rumor mill is churning!Glee star Amber Riley, ex-Scientologist Leah Remini and Valerie Harper are all among the names rumored to be joining Dancing with the Stars this. They hit the ballroom with a paso doble and Sean is. We've got the inside scoop, exclusive news, and latest photos about Leah Remini. Burke is engaged to Matthew Lawrence, and. Post a comment on one of her pictures to show your appreciation for her work. She was born on 15 June 1970 in Bensonhurst, New York. With a career spanning over 20 years, Emmy Award winner, New York Times Best Selling author, actress and producer Leah Remini continues to grow her breadth of work, most recently as creator and executive producer of A&E Network’s hit nonfiction docuseries LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH. Leah Remini See more. A post shared by Cvlt Nation (@. leah remini church of scientology. Actress Leah Remini has revealed she just learned that her father passed away, a month after he actually died. Current and former officials reject the show's notion Scientology has a "subjugation of downtown Clearwater. The fabulous and fast-rising career of Jaimie Alexander, the star of fall's top TV show 'Blindspot' 27 movies you have to see this holiday season. The latest Tweets from Leah Remini (@LeahRemini). Instagram. #SecondAct available on Digital HD now | #Troublemaker Ballantine Books | #ScientologyTheAftermath on @aetv, @hulu, @youtube, @primevideo, @itunes & @googleplay. During the hour. When Leah Remini isn't in the spotlight, she's often spending time with her husband, Angelo Pagan, and their daughter, Sofia. 5 million in damages. Filmed for the first time in front of a live studio audience, Leah Remini and Mike Rinder explore stories of how Church of Scientology policies have hindered members from reporting instances of abuse and sexual assault to the authorities. You may bypass the detection if you wish. She didn’t even learn about his death until after a funeral had been held. Leah Remini claims she still receives threats from the Church of Scientology even after her docuseries "Scientology and the Aftermath" launched in 2016 on A&E. The outspoken actress and Scientology critic guest judged the hit ABC show on October 7th. During the hour. And James asks the two about navigating the paparazzi now versus the pre-social media age. Frederick M. May 13 (UPI) --Kevin Can Wait co-stars Kevin James and Leah Remini expressed their gratitude to their fans and CBS in the wake of the sitcom's cancellation after two seasons. Part of the attention came in 2016, when the actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini developed an Emmy-winning documentary series detailing the experiences of the church's former members. Local estimate You save "In a time of universal deceit—telling the truth is a revolutionary act. He is currently working on ABC News as a fill-in basis. Remini responded with an Instagram post of her own showing Burke grinning in a sleeveless white dress in front of a sign that says: "Cheryl Matt Love. Posts about reading written by Michelle. Leah Remini is speaking out to make a claim that fellow actress Jada Pinkett Smith is a Scientologist. Business Insider pointed to a passage in Leah Remini’s Scientology tell-all, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, in which Remini, an ex-Scientologist and former close friend of. The King of Queens star Leah Remini shared a heartbreaking post on her Instagram page Sunday, revealing that she just learned about her father's …. On Friday, I received a message from my sister Nicole, who had been contacted by a stranger passing on his condolences for the passing of our father, George Anthony Remini. If you go through Leah Remini’s Instagram feed, then you will see how much she adores her daughter Sofia. But before you tune in, you'll want to. Get latest News Information, Articles on Leah Remini Instagram Updated on September 29, 2019 16:27 with exclusive Pictures, photos & videos on Leah Remini Instagram at Latestly. Leah was raised in a strict household. Leah Remini continues to speak out against Scientology. Lex sees someone whom he thinks looks suspicious and he notices that they're not on the right course. Kevin James' sitcom ‘Kevin Can Wait’ replaces his new TV wife Erinn Hayes with his old one Leah Remini. Click For More News. After three seasons, Leah Remini is putting an end to her shocking docuseries, ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ due to complications with the church. Remini — who recently joined the cast of "Kevin Can Wait" — took to Instagram Friday to share a few. Lopez posted a bikini snapshot to Instagram Monday, July 21. Leah said his 'funeral came and went and none of us knew anything about it'. If you're lucky, she may even comment back. On Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, Remini responded directly to statements made by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan during his Saviors’ Day speech back in 2017. We've got the inside scoop, exclusive news, and latest photos about Leah Remini. While her Instagram account is a bit tamer than some of the other models we've highlighted over the last few months, that doesn't mean Leah's any less fierce when she wants to be. Before returning to Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge, Leah Remini was nuzzling against her BFF Jennifer Lopezs ex-husband Marc Anthony back stage on his Opus tour. She is also an illustrious comedian best known as Carrie Heffernan in the American sitcom ‘The King of Queens’ that aired on CBS from 1998 to 2007. The latest Tweets from Leah Remini (@LeahRemini). Leah Remini Reveals Death of Her Estranged Dad We were not able to say goodbye,” she wrote on Instagram. 😉 In the novel, there is an epidemic sweeping through the town, causing people to go to sleep and not wake up. I can’t believe this conversation happened!! Leah’s Remini and Jada Pickett Smith have had beef for years and the two brought it to Jada’s Red. Leah Remini, recipient of the Impact Award, poses in the press room during the Critics' Choice Real TV Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 02, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath"/A&E. Now the actress is detailing one very weird occasion involving the beloved Jada Pinkett-Smith and Scientology spokesman Tom Cruise. Check this pic on Instagram for a nasty comment somebody left you. How do you like being on The Talk so far? I love it. During the production of the Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath ("Aftermath") series, representatives of the Church of Scientology International ("CSI") sent the producers a number of letters that included the Church's response to some of the information it anticipated would be in the program, and their character analysis and criticism of the principal subjects of. But before you tune in, you'll want to. The Scientology takedown activist agreed to be Cheryl Burke’s maid of honor in her wedding to Matthew Lawrence. Talking to WENN in 2006, Will Smith said, "I've talked to Tom about. The church is once again speaking back — this time, on camera. When Leah Remini left the Church of Scientology, she was able to participate in the popular television show Dancing with the Stars. Leah Remini shared a new photo to Instagram where she appears to be posed in front of a window with a Scientology building right behind her, alluding to her being watched by the organization in a tongue-in-cheek post. A rift between the two started when Remini name dropped Jada and her husband. 'Dancing with the Stars' Week 4 recap: Leah Remini returns to guest judge as 10 remaining couples compete [Video]. The video shows a fresh-faced J. leah remini church of scientology. LEAH is also known for her savvy music marketing skills, as she's uses the latest digital marketing and online business strategies to build her music career online. When Leah Remini took home a Creative Arts Emmy Award for special Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on Saturday night, she made sure to thank her most important supporter. As Dearly previously reported, the church allegedly pressed her to recruit other celebrities, like her "King of Queens" co-star, Kevin James. Just ask Jennifer Lopez. After more than three decades as a Scientologist, Leah Remini tells PEOPLE she is now finding comfort in Catholicism – and is embracing it for all the ways she feels it differs from Scientology. Sofia Bella Pagan Photos Photos - Actress Leah Remini (L) and Sofia Bella Pagan attend the Launch of Gucci Children's Collection on November 20, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. Celebrity Gossip: Felicity Huffman, Leah Remini, Kenya Moore and More! 106. Scientologists Urge Advertisers to Boycott A&E’s Leah Remini Show Letters claim program has triggered harassment, threats of violence against church members; channel backs the show, which won an. Lite FM Mornings Helen Little Rich Kaminski Delilah Victor Sosa Ellen K Weekend Show Jack Kratoville Nina Del Rio More Shows. Remini finds. Back in March, her daughter made a comment about "the baby in [her] tummy. Her TV show "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" has earned acclaim for exposing the harsh realities of families trapped in Scientology. That willingness to speak her mind, stand her ground, and rattle the occasional cage has enabled this tough-talking girl from Brooklyn to forge an enduring and successful career in Hollywood. Leah Remini has never been afraid to speak out about Scientology — the religion she was a part of for 30 years — and this latest incident is no exception. Leah Remini's daughter knows what she wants for breakfast — and she's not afraid to text her mom her order. Leah Remini remains immersed in the Church of Scientology five years after renouncing her beliefs in its ideology. It was recently announced that Leah Remini was joining the cast for season 2 as a series regular. How do you like being on The Talk so far? I love it. 6m Followers, 262 Following, 1,880 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Leah Remini (@leahremini). The 'King of Queens' star and J. 3k Likes, 806 Comments - Leah Remini (@leahremini) on Instagram: "Before tonight's finale, I just wanted to say, The Aftermath was inspired by these two brave women,…". If you follow Jax Taylor on Twitter (and we highly recommend that you do!), you know that the Vanderpump Rules bartender has really been digging the series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. While promoting their first project together, Second Act, the two revealed just how they met. And this isn't a surprise throwback Instagram photo. Leah Remini is opening up about her father's death. Leah Remini and her husband, Angelo Pagan, have been married for 16 years. Leah Remini may sue the Church of Scientology for cancelling "Scientology and the Aftermath", her anti-scientology docuseries show. The two women have ended their year-long feud after over their Scientology beliefs. Leah Remini took to Instagram on Sunday, September 22, to mourn the loss of her estranged father, whom she did not know died weeks ago, and penned a note about his involvement. "Words cannot fully express how thankful I am for you opening up your home to my family and friends today," she wrote. This season's FULL 2017 Reality Roundtable features Leah Remini ('Scientology and the Aftermath'), Kris Jenner ('Keeping Up With The Kardashians'), RuPaul ('RuPaul's Drag Race'), W. Variety reported today that the CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait has brought actress Leah Remini onto the show as a permanent cast member, which means that she and Kevin James are back together. Please, give me credits if u use my edits and reblog (tw: @cordobawoman). com - Myeisha Essex. Scientology tried to sell 'Daily Mail' on story she was a sexual abuser, Leah Remini tonyortega. On the other hand, her buddy Leah Remini dressed in a chic pencil dress that accentuated her curvy figure. She starred as Carrie Heffernan on the long-running CBS comedy series The King of Queens (1998–2007) and later co-hosted The Talk in 2010–11. They want a juicy headline with no repercussions. NEW YORK, NY – March 15, 2017 – A&E Network has renewed the breakout limited docuseries “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” for an additional installment. Address: Leah Remini Fan Club PO Box 15669 North Hollywood, CA 91615. Leah Remini remains immersed in the Church of Scientology five years after renouncing her beliefs in its ideology. Actress Leah Remini arrives at the CBS, Showtime and CW TCA Summer Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 28, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California (July 27, 2010 - Source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America) see more angles ». Leah Remini’s Scientology series to end with Danny Masterson accusations This $25 Instagram training can help turn you into an influencer This $25 Instagram training can help turn you into. Tony Dovolani, of "Dancing with the Stars" and Current Chippendales Guest Host at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Leah Gotti, Actress: Blacked. Leah Remini’s Show Scientology and the Aftermath Is Officially Ending & Here’s Why. View Photos Instagram Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's Italian Getaway is What Dreams are Made Of. It's great to have your best friend around for some Instagram fun. The 46-year-old goes makeup free in an Instagram video posted by her best friend, Leah Remini on Monday. The latest Tweets from Leah Remini (@LeahRemini). I couldn't sing, (didn't stop me from auditioning for Annie) and I was only in a tap class for a short time, but when our lives became Scientology, there was no dance, there was no education, there was no outside activities. The "Troublemaker" author, 49, shared several photos of her. As a Dancing with the Stars judge, Leah Remini had a dominant personality and didn't bring a professional dancer's eye to the judging, but she was enthusiastic and seemed to echo the thoughts of a. org - Tony Ortega. She does not discuss her weight with the public. Here are the most shocking reveals from Remini's no-holds-barred interview. Sofia Bella Pagan Photos Photos - Actress Leah Remini (L) and Sofia Bella Pagan attend the Launch of Gucci Children's Collection on November 20, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. 5 million for allegedly trying to ruin her reputation and interfere with her upcoming A&E documentary series, "Leah Remini. Shop on-trend women's pullover sweaters at Abercrombie & Fitch. Leah Remini Will Reunite with Kevin James for Season 2 of Kevin Can Wait as Series Regular Leah Remini confirmed the news on her own Instagram, sharing an image of the news headline. AKA star of the docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath, AKA Vanessa in Kevin Can Wait, AKA Carrie in The King of Queens, AKA Stacey Carosi in Saved by the Bell. Tweet with a location. On this animated GIF: leah remini beard remini Dimensions: 600x536 px Download GIF pagan, page, angelo, or share leah, dawg, shed, You can share gif leah remini, remini, beard, in twitter, facebook or instagram. September 9, 2016. Lo's closest friends, including Second Act costar Leah Remini, who posted a stunning selfie of herself and Lopez taken at the party on Instagram, along with a few. The legal secretary has a temper paired with a sharp tongue and when she lashes out, it doesn’t always end well for her husband and her father "Arthur". In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Remini shared an old photograph of her and her father, […]. Leah Remini is a household name. The series reunites the actress with her former King of Queens husband, Kevin James. Leah Remini is pretty much part of the 'DWTS' family. Actress Leah Remini arrives at the CBS, Showtime and CW TCA Summer Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 28, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California (July 27, 2010 - Source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America) see more angles ». The Church of Scientology has accused Leah Remini and her A&E series "Scientology and the Aftermath" of contributing to the stabbing of Chih-Hen Yeh outside Scientology headquarters in Sydney on. Leah Remini made a return to the Dancing with the Stars ballroom as part of the ABC's "Cast from the Past" week. Does Alex Rodriguez really want Jennifer Lopez to spend less time with Leah Remini? That's the claim from one of this week's tabloids. It looks like J. Leah Remini has broken free from the Church of Scientology. The item you just added is unavailable. A post shared by Cvlt Nation (@. With her tell-all book on Scientology officially out, Leah Remini on Wednesday said she has no regrets about ending her 30-year relationship with a church that has called her "a shallow, spoiled individual. 3 The Groove FELICITY HUFFMAN’S DELAYED FILM DROPS FIRST TRAILER: When Felicity Huffman got accused of helping her daughter cheat her way into college (she …. The backlash to last night's Kevin Can Wait premiere, which spent all of 40 seconds on the off-screen death of Erinn Hayes' character Donna, has been swift and predictable. Former Scientologist Leah Remini says it took her a month to find out that her estranged father had died—and she blames the organization for destroying her relationship with him. Go down the list of what this sitcom actress's program incites: vandalism—check. The actress is urging people to leave the controversial church after it. org - Tony Ortega. Remini told the co-hosts "I love girls sitting around. Leah Remini shared a new photo to Instagram where she appears to be posed in front of a window with a Scientology building right behind her, alluding to her being watched by the organization in a tongue-in-cheek post. The actress, who. The 49-year-old said doing the A&E docuseries 'Scientology and the Aftermath' has been 'emotionally draining' for her considering the retaliation from the church. Search our Website. Leah Remini claims in a new Instagram post that survivors of the controversial Scientology religion have been “stalked” by current members of the organization after their appearances on the A&E show she hosts with Mike Rinder, Scientology and the Aftermath. Leah Remini's Fight After Scientology Is For Everyday Women Forgotten By Me Too. Two of the church’s famous ex-practitioners held a candid conversation in honor of Remini’s book, Troublemaker. FreeBLoaders; Get My PERKS; Breaking News. Well, well, what do we have today! Do you want to see beautiful black TV Actress Aisha Tyler’s totally leaked nudes!? Yes! Here are some facts on Aisha Tyler before we see her sexy naked photos. (Photo: Twitter/ Leah Remini) "I want to say thank you to all the fans for the love and support. Remini responded with an Instagram post of her own showing Burke grinning in a sleeveless white dress in front of a sign that says: "Cheryl Matt Love. She joined Season 17 and was a particularly great dancer all the. Fashion Week Katie Holmes joins Italy’s fashion elite in Verona. com Hot celebrity Leah Remini photos, videos, news and links - Large collection of Leah Remini goodies from around the net, in one place. We also do not accept any packages and they will be returned to sender as well. The 'King of Queens' star and J. Actress Leah Remini continued her war against the Church of Scientology on Sunday when she criticized the organization for allegedly brainwashing her father into disowning her to the point that she was not even informed of his death or funeral. Episodes of the show are available on A&E. Leah Remini, along with high level former Scientology executives and Church members, explores individual accounts from ex-Church members and their families through meetings and interviews with Leah. That willingness to speak her mind, stand her ground, and rattle the occasional cage has enabled this tough-talking girl from Brooklyn to forge an enduring and successful career in Hollywood. A series featuring stories from former members of the Church of Scientology whose lives have been affected by the Church's harmful practices. org - Tony Ortega. Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on facebook Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on twitter Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on instagram Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on pinterest #ScientologyTheAftermath. Leah Remini. Club members can see a different show every night of the week!. That shows real loyal friendship through thick and thin. Lite FM Mornings Helen Little Rich Kaminski Delilah Victor Sosa Ellen K Weekend Show Jack Kratoville Nina Del Rio More Shows. Now they've reunited for "Kevin Can Wait" on CBS, in which they play former police partners. Stiles and Lex are on a plane. In the interview, she reveals that once she became critical of Scientologist Tom Cruise, it was. Remini previously appeared in the Season 1 finale as Vanessa Cellucci, an undercover cop and the. After more than three decades as a Scientologist, Leah Remini tells PEOPLE she is now finding comfort in Catholicism – and is embracing it for all the ways she feels it differs from Scientology. Danny Masterson rape accusers speak to Leah Remini on two-hour long 'Scientology and the Aftermath' finale as Church denies allegations. I Found A TOP SECRET LEAH ASHE HATER CLUB SO I went Undercover Bloxburg I had to get to the bottom of this! ♡Don't forget to subscribe if you are enjoying the videos! 💟Subscribe here. Comment on Leah Remini's Instagram account. The August 26 episode focused on the recent lawsuit filed against actor Danny Masterson and the Church of. She starred as Carrie Heffernan on the long-running CBS comedy series The King of Queens (1998-2007) and later co-hosted The Talk in 2010-11. Enter your comment here. Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini have been friends for as long as we can remember. Friends Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini's Saturday took an unexpected turn when they were involved in an accident with a drunk driver. At the Creative Arts Emmys in LA over the weekend, Leah Remini won the the award for outstanding informational series or special for her groundbreaking docuseries about the Church of Scientology. Late Sunday evening, Remini shared a series of old photos of her family with her followers on Instagram, while explaining in the caption what happened, how they found out, and where they go from here. An inside look at an Italian ice spectacular. Jennifer Lopez stars as Maya, a 40-year-old woman struggling with frustrations from unfulfilled dreams. Tom Cruise personally abuses fellow Scientologists, ex-Scientologist Leah Remini told the Daily Beast. Remini herself. 3k Comments - Leah Remini (@leahremini) on Instagram: “On Friday, I received a message from my sister Nicole, who had been contacted by a stranger passing…”. Episode guide, trailer, review, preview, cast list and where to. Remini told the co-hosts "I love girls sitting around. Her Emmy-winning series, "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath," has. Leah started by saying she knows Jada is. Week 4 of Dancing With the Stars features guest judge and DWTS alum Leah Remini. the appreciation of booted news women blog former "the talk" co-host leah remini guest stars on the cbs show kevin can wait wearing over the knee black leather boots. Leah Remini, Actress: Old School. shared an emotional Instagram post about her dad’s passing. Henson reads her inspiring and funny book about family, friends, the hustle required to make it from DC to Hollywood, and the joy of living in her own truth. Monday through Friday, 11:35 PM – 12:37 AM, ET/PT *Denotes changes and/or additions to previous schedule. Get the latest Leah Remini at Mighty Ape Australia. leah remini memoir. Jennifer Lopez & Leah Remini Answer the Web's Most Searched Questions | WIRED - Duration: 6:51. Lex sees someone whom he thinks looks suspicious and he notices that they're not on the right course. Sam Champion Net Worth: Know his earnings, salary, husband, age. The photo -- which shows Lopez relaxing in a two-piece in a lounge chair -- was taken by her pal, Leah Remini. The church is once again speaking back — this time, on camera. Get to know her family.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line66
|
__label__wiki
| 0.772696
| 0.772696
|
You are hereRepairs to damaged run-of-river project expected to take months, cost $10 million
Repairs to damaged run-of-river project expected to take months, cost $10 million
Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun March 20, 2013
Slide at Montrose Creek wipes out 300 metres of piping
One of B.C.’s largest private run-of-river power projects will continue to operate at significantly reduced capacity for months due to a major winter slide that wiped out 300 metres of piping.
Don McInnes, executive vice-president of Alterra Power Corp., said in an interview Wednesday that the slide of an estimated 50,000 cubic metres at Montrose Creek on the B.C. south coast may not be repaired until fall at an estimated cost of up to $10 million.
Montrose Creek, part of a larger hydro project at Toba Inlet, contributes about 300 gigawatts of electrical power — enough to power 30,000 homes — or about 40 per cent of the operation’s annual output, which generates annual revenues of $70 to $75 million, McInnes said.
Asked if Montrose Creek was a poor location for a hydro project, McInnes said: “There are risks of road building in the Toba Valley, risks of putting in power lines — you assess all these things.
“Building anything in coastal B.C., the issue of avalanche from snow or rock slides is a risk. You think about those things and you plan your project and design to minimize exposure to those risks.
“To the best of my knowledge, no one suggested this would be a really dumb idea.”
McInnes said there are no fish in Montrose Creek and the slide did not enter the creek itself.
The damaged three-metre-diameter pipe was part of a five-kilometre system that diverted water from the intake to the power plant. No one was injured in the Dec. 12 slide, against which the hydro facility was insured.
To protect against further damage, the company plans to bury the new pipe deeper and create a berm from the excavated material. He said he is unaware of a similar slide damaging any other run-of-river project in B.C.
The Toba-Montrose operation was linked to tragedy in 2008 during the construction phase when a chartered Pacific Coastal Airlines plane en route to Toba Inlet crashed on South Thormanby Island killing the pilot and six passengers.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line68
|
__label__cc
| 0.743169
| 0.256831
|
Evidence for Reincarnation
The Extraordinary Story of the Kam People Who Recall Past Lives
by Li Changzhen
tagged : reincarnation
Touched by the Light
Exploring Spiritually Transformative Experiences
by Yvonne Kason
tagged : spiritualism, dreams, reincarnation
Chapter 1: My 1979 Plane-Crash Near-Death Experience
Many people around the world today are having “Spiritually Transformative Experiences” (STEs), remarkable experiences of consciousness that have a strong positive psychological and spiritual effect on the individual. STEs tend to change the experiencer’s values and beliefs in a more spiritual and more altruistic direction — a powerful STE causing what is often called a “spiritual awakening.” A person’s entire world view and, their ideas, values, priorities, and beliefs may change. I have often heard people say after a powerful STE that their perception of reality — and their whole personality — has been transformed and propelled in a far more spiritual direction. For this reason I have come to call these powerful transforming experiences “Spiritually Transformative Experiences” (STEs), a phrase I coined in 1994.
I speak from personal experience. In 1979, when I was twenty-six years old, I had a powerful Spiritually Transformative Experience, a Near-Death Experience, which would change the course of my life forever. My childhood was fairly ordinary. My father and mother were both European immigrants who came to Canada to seek a better life after the brutality of the Second World War. I was born and raised — along with a sister and two brothers — in the pleasant, upper-middle-class suburbs of Toronto. Raised a Christian, I participated in Sunday School and, as a teenager, in the church choir of my local United Church of Canada. I believed in a God both because I had been taught to do so and because the belief gave me hope that the world — and humankind — might somehow survive its history of senseless violence and repeated wars.
Because I was considered academically “gifted,” I was placed in a special accelerated school program, Etobicoke Advancement Classes. One benefit of this was that I developed a tremendous love of reading. In high school during the late 1960s to early 1970s, I listened to the music of the Beatles, was introduced to the writings of Alan Watts and Timothy Leary, and became fascinated with their discussions of the so-called mystical states of consciousness that could be glimpsed through the use of hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD. But it quickly became clear to me that people should be able to reach these mystical states — if they did indeed represent some type of union with the Divine — without the use of drugs. This thought led me, like many others of my generation, to explore Eastern philosophies, meditation, and yoga.
During university and medical school I began to practise hatha yoga and to read books on positive thinking. In my last year of medical school, I took a meditation course that claimed that regular meditation would help me relax, study better, and get better grades in my exams. Being a dedicated medical student, I was eager to do well in my final examinations. I began to meditate daily. I took to meditation immediately. It felt natural to me, as if I were a duck being introduced to swimming on water for the first time.
In December 1979, after a few months of regular twice-daily meditation, I had an initial experience with consciousness expansion during a deep meditation that I did not understand fully until much later in life. I now know that this was my first adult Spiritually Transformative Experience — a Kundalini Awakening experience. I will describe this experience in chapter 4 on Spiritual Energy/Kundalini Episodes. Following this kundalini awakening, however, I returned the focus of my attention to my medical-school studies and exams, and for the time being put aside thoughts about my extraordinary meditation experience.
Then on March 27, 1979, during the final year of my medical residency, I had another, much more powerful STE, my first adult Near-Death Experience. This experience was so transformative that I could not push it to the back of my mind. It changed my life forever. In retrospect, I wonder if perhaps my meditation-induced kundalini awakening in some way helped prepare my consciousness for the powerful Near-Death Experience I had a couple years later. This 1979 plane-crash NDE marked the beginning of a profound spiritual transformation in my life.
The Plane Crash
In the spring of 1979, as part of my residency in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto, I was assigned for one month to a small, rural hospital in Sioux Lookout that provided service for a number of isolated First Nations villages in remote, isolated areas of Northern Ontario. On March 27, 1979, my supervising physician designated me to accompany an Indigenous woman, Jean Marie Peters, who had measles encephalitis, on a medical air evacuation from Sioux Lookout to Winnipeg, Manitoba. She needed the more specialized medical facilities there to treat her rapidly deteriorating condition.
During the flight, I was required to supervise her care, giving her the intravenous drugs needed to stabilize her condition and manually pumping a breathing bag, at regular intervals, that would send oxygen directly into her lungs through an airway tube that was inserted through her mouth.
The plane, a six-seat, twin-engine Piper Aztec, was packed. The patient was strapped onto a stretcher directly behind the pilot’s seat where two of the original six seats had been, with the oxygen tank wedged behind the seat normally used by a co-pilot. Sally Irwin, a nurse who had also been assigned to the flight, and I were seated beside the patient.
When the plane lifted off the runway, I was so busy tending the patient that I didn’t notice a heavy snowstorm had begun. But by the time we had flown for thirty or forty minutes and were about twenty miles from Kenora, a town on Lake of the Woods, the storm had become a near-blizzard. Suddenly, I noticed a change in the sound of the twin propellers. I looked up and saw that the right propeller had stopped. The pilot, Gerald Kruschenske, was vigorously pushing buttons and pulling levers. Something was obviously wrong. Shouting over the roar of the engine, I asked what was going on. He shouted back that everything was all right. About ten seconds later I was reassured when the right propeller started again. Everything seemed to be back to normal, and I returned my attention to the patient.
A few minutes later the left propeller started sputtering. Looking up, I saw that the right propeller was still working but the left propeller had now stopped. Alarmed, I shouted again at the pilot Gerry to find out what was happening, but he didn’t answer. He was desperately pushing buttons, pulling levers, and pumping handles in an attempt to restart the left engine. I noticed we were flying quite low over the trees and hills. Unbeknownst to the nurse Sally and me, Gerry had been in radio contact with the Kenora airport for some time and was trying to make an emergency landing there. He had already made one attempt, but, flying with only one engine in the howling wind, he couldn’t maneuver the plane into proper position. The airport then tried to direct him to a landing strip on the frozen lake. Through the raging snow, he saw what he thought was the landing strip and made an attempt to come down, but again he couldn’t get the plane into proper position. As he fought to pull the sluggish plane up again and take another try at the landing, he saw a hill near the edge of the lake and realized instantly that the plane would never clear it. Taking his only option, he cut the sputtering right engine and headed down, praying the ice would hold.
Although Sally and I realized something was wrong, I had no idea how desperate the situation was — until I looked out the window and saw the second propeller die. Both engines were gone.
“Oh my God,” I thought, “we’re going to crash!” A wave of intense fear and panic overtook me. “God, help! I’m going to die!” I mentally cried out.
Then, immediately after my mental cry for help, I suddenly felt a wave of profound peace and calm descend upon me. With the descending calm, I heard an inner voice comforting me. Verses from the Bible — verses that I didn’t know by heart and wasn’t consciously trying to remember — flowed through my mind, as if they were being poured into my consciousness by some external force: “Be still, and know that I am God.” “I am with you, now and always. ” As the words penetrated the depths my soul, I became flooded with a sense of peace, and the presence of God. I was no longer afraid. It felt like a force-field of peace had descended upon me and pushed away all of my fear. My mind was still. I knew that God was there, and somehow I knew with absolute certainty, something I had never known before: there was absolutely nothing to fear in death. I felt enveloped and protected by God’s peace.
tagged : spiritualism, reincarnation, dreams
Victoria's Most Haunted
Ghost Stories from BC's Historic Capital City
by Ian Gibbs
tagged : unexplained phenomena, supernatural, reincarnation
Included in the sponsored collection: Discover the diverse world of BC books
tagged : supernatural, unexplained phenomena, reincarnation
Spirits of the West
Eerie Encounters from the Prairies to the Pacific
by Robert C. Belyk
Included in the sponsored collection: New ebooks From Canadian Indies
tagged : reincarnation, supernatural, unexplained phenomena
Past Lives for Beginners
A Guide to Reincarnation & Techniques to Improve Your Present Life
by Douglas De Long
Angels & Spirit Guides (17)
Divination (31)
Entheogens & Visionary Substances (1)
Gaia & Earth Energies (4)
I Ching (1)
Inspiration & Personal Growth (107)
Magick Studies (21)
Mysticism (19)
Mythical Civilizations (5)
New Thought (12)
Occultism (13)
Parapsychology (43)
Sacred Sexuality (1)
Supernatural (216)
UFOs & Extraterrestrials (23)
Unexplained Phenomena (188)
Witchcraft & Wicca (14)
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line69
|
__label__wiki
| 0.901469
| 0.901469
|
Downtown Franklin, Tennessee
Welcome to America’s Favorite Main Street!
Franklin Locals
Staff & Advisory Board
Faces of Franklin
The Heirloom Shop: Elaine Thompson
This story was written in December 2011.
The Heirloom Shop has been renamed. Well, unofficially that is. Owner Elaine Thompson says that people who walk through her doors have begun calling the shop “The Happy Store.”
“People say we’re one of the friendliest stores they’ve ever been in,” Elaine says. “This is a fun place to shop. It makes people feel good and is in keeping with the Southern, friendly atmosphere of historic Franklin.”With a store that smells like the holidays and is surrounded by glitter all the time, it’s not hard to see why The Heirloom Shop lifts customers’ spirits.
The business has always held Christmas goods and a special place in the heart of downtown Franklin, but it’s been just recently that the owners at The Heirloom Shop shifted the store to carry other gift items. And it seems The Heirloom Shop holds many nicknames: also often referred to as “The Christmas Store,” the new look it is anything but that!
Although guests will still find rows of those ornate Christopher Radko ornaments hanging, The Heirloom Shop has expanded to cover their customers’ gift needs with items for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, too – offering affordable but chic lines and home décor items.
“We are a unique shop in a unique town,” Elaine says. “We look to buy things that will make people happy.”
And though The Heirloom Shop loves that December holiday, they play up year-round events. In March, the store explodes with green for St. Patrick’s Day festivities. And when the leaves start turning later in the year, The Heirloom Shop carries extensive decorations for any Halloween need.
“With our nation’s current state, we also really try to be patriotic with our items and displays,” Elaine says.
Just beside Walton’s Antique Jewelry, The Heirloom Shop is the oldest store on Main Street. The store has been in the 19th century building for more than 25 years, and its location has been a holding for a long line of Franklin businesses. Over the years, the space has housed a drug store, a funeral home, a grocery and a newspaper headquarters. The Heirloom Shop’s original owner, Rose Wright, settled in the White Building in 1989.
When Elaine moved to Williamson County nearly 10 years ago to be closer to her family, she had no idea she would become a first-time small business owner. But when Rose wanted to retire, she turned to her friend and employee to take the reins.
“When I first starting working, The Heirloom Shop grew on me and became a passion,” Elaine says. “Now I am owner of one of the neatest shops in historic downtown Franklin!”
When asked what her favorite thing about The Heirloom Shop is, Elaine’s friend and co-worker, Selma Ray, jumps in.
“Well I guess it’s workin’ with me,” Selma says. “I came along with the shop and she knew she was stuck with me! I’ve been here longer than anyone around.”
“Of course I need my girls,” Elaine says after the laughter quiets down. “I have a wonderful manager that takes care of everything for me. Nikki is priceless!
“I couldn’t do anything around here without her–you’ll frequently see her at The Heirloom Shop. She’s become like a daughter to me. Really, this shop is all about family. We just all work together as a family to make it work.”
Elaine says that like the other shops on Main Street, The Heirloom Shop goes the extra mile to provide guests with items they can’t get anywhere else on the other avenues. They offer exclusive merchandise, and new products every year.
“We’re a unique shop in a unique town,” Elaine says. “And we look for different.”
And like other small business owners on Main Street, she makes sure to send customers to neighboring shops she thinks they’ll enjoy. For Elaine, downtown Franklin is the best – the only – place to have The Heirloom Shop.
“If I were opening a shop in the market today I cannot think of another place that I would rather be,” Elaine says. “We attract people from all over the world! Franklin has so much to offer to everyone. Just one visit is all it takes to fall in love!”
Located at 404 Main Street, The Heirloom Shop is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday during the holiday season. For more information, visit their Facebook page here.
© Copyright 2014 Downtown Franklin Tennessee · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Strange Bird Media · Admin
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line71
|
__label__cc
| 0.504159
| 0.495841
|
Director: Michael Caffey, Lawrence Dobkin, Charles S. Dubin, William Hale, George McCowan, Gene Nelson, Leo Penn, Allen Reisner, Seymour Robbie, Virgil W. Vogel, William Wiard
- "He Who Digs a Grave: Part One" (53:36)
- "He Who Digs a Grave: Part Two" (49:43)
- "Memo from a Dead Man" (49:58)
- "Hounds of Hell" (50:02)
- "Target in the Mirror" (50:01)
- "Murder by Proxy" (50:00)
- "Night Fight to Murder" (49:59)
- "Come Watch Me Die" (49:59)
- "The Perfect Alibi" (49:58)
- "Dead Lady's Tears" (49:58)
- "The Limping Man" (52:21)
- "Trial by Terror" (50:01)
- "Murder by the Numbers" (50:01)
- "Valley of the Damned" (49:59)
- "A Well Remembered Terror" (49:56)
- "Arena of Fear" (49:59)
- "Photo Finish" (49:59)
- "Duel in the Desert" (49:57)
- "Where's Jennifer?" (49:59)
- "Blood Money" (49:59)
- "Death of a Hunter" (49:56)
DISC DSIX
- "The Cure That Kills" (50:03)
- "Bobby Loved Me" (49:53)
- "Triangle of Terror" (50:01)
- "The Stalker" (49:57)
- The US by Paramount
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line72
|
__label__cc
| 0.638219
| 0.361781
|
The 2016 Presidential election will go down in history as one of the worst elections in US history. Americans were confronted with a choice between an immeasurably untrustworthy, and not at all liked candidate, who by many accounts was (arguably, and definitely not in my view) the most qualified candidate for the Oval Office in US history, and a candidate who almost half of America (and the rest of the world) feels is a racist, misogynist, narcissistic tax-cheating bully.
Out of approximately 325,000,000 people, these two candidates were the best our current two-party system had to offer? Really, it’s pathetic.
As a result of the election of one of these absolutely awful candidates, Donald Trump, I have been doing a lot of thinking and reading concerning how this could have happened. Make no mistake, I’d have been doing the same if Hillary Clinton had won the election as well, since I feel deep down inside that the Democrats and the Republicans have nothing left to offer the average American in terms of actual leadership or new ideas.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line73
|
__label__wiki
| 0.857479
| 0.857479
|
Redmine Helpdesk plugin demo
Derek Pilkington
"Sunflower" Ltd.
Calle Valencia, 87-89
ivan@mail.com
www.ivan.com
ivan.ivanov
Ivan Ivanov (Bulgarian: Иван Иванов), (born 25 February 1988 in Zlatitsa, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for FC Alania Vladikavkaz. He is a centre-back who started his career playing as a left-back.
Pilkington, Derek
Director at "Sunflower" Ltd.
vip smart referral Edit tags
vip smart referral Cancel
Added by Smith Paul about 9 hours ago ¶
He was in the starting line-up vs. Litex Lovech in the match for the Supercup of Bulgaria, which they won with 1:0. After the many sold players in the summer break in 2008, he had become an integral part together with Kiril Kotev in the heart of CSKA Sofia’s defence, showing his great talent. On 19 September 2008, Ivanov scored his first goal for CSKA against Minyor Pernik. He headed in a goal after a corner kick in the 67th minute. The result of the match was a 2:0 win for CSKA. On 18 March 2009, he scored his second goal for CSKA Sofia, helping the club from the Bulgarian capital to secure a 3:1 win against Ivanov's former club Lokomotiv Plovdiv. He continued his goalscoring run against Spartak Varna on 21 March 2009 to consolidate the 2:0 away win for the "redmen". On 11 April 2009, Ivanov scored the winning goal for the "armymen" in the away game against Minyor Pernik. Ivanov continued his scoring spree in the match against Vihren Sandanski on 22 April 2009, he scored the firs...(read more)
Added by Smith Paul about 1 month ago ¶
On 22 June 2010, it was announced that Petrov had agreed terms with Bolton Wanderers13 and the free transfer was completed when the transfer window opened on 1 July.[14] He scored his first goal for the club against Manchester United on 26 September 2010
Added by Smith Paul about 2 months ago ¶
Ivanov is an ex-Pirin Blagoevgrad player. He moved to PFC CSKA Sofia in 2005. He is a Bulgarian under 21 player.
As a player of PFC CSKA Sofia he was a Bulgarian Cup winner in 2006 and Bulgarian Super Cup winner of the same year. Ivan Ivanov is considered as one of the big Bulgarian football talents. In August 2007 he went on loan to Lokomotiv Plovdiv. In winter 2008 it was reported in the Bulgarian media that he was a target for English side Derby County F.C. but problems with the work permit stopped the transfer. Now Ivanov is again playing with PFC CSKA Sofia.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line76
|
__label__wiki
| 0.75381
| 0.75381
|
ANDREWS ANNEX
Jane G. (Andrews) Cowen Pedigree
(Start at generatio 4, below.)
Origin of the surname “Andrews:”
9 John Andros
8 Ebenezer Andrews
”Anderson” in some records. Born 5 May 1704 at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Died between 15 March 1770 and 10 February 1771 at Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Ebenezer's will (dated 15 Mar 1770 and proved 25 Feb 1771) named his wife, Judeath; his eldest son, John; his grandson, Peter Creapo (Crapo); his daughters, Sary Peckham and Susannah Samson; and his sons Ebenezer, Jr. and Stephen.
1790 U.S. Census: There were 109 Andrews households in Massachusetts, including a Joseph Andrews who headed a household in Freetown, Bristol County. That household consisted of 1 male over age 16 and 1 female.
Of interest, Peter Crapo was head of a household in Freetown, Massachusetts. The household included himself; one other male over 16 years old; 4 males under 16; and 4 females (ref 35). Note: Two other Crapo households were listed for Freetown in the 1790 Census: Joshua (2 males over 16, 1 male under 16, and 6 females)(ref 35) and Consider (3 males over 16, 2 males under 16, and 5 females)(ref 35).
1. Wife: Judith White
Born 24 August 1701 at Rochester, Massachusetts. Married at Tiverton, Rhode Island on 6 May 1727. Was living on 10 February 1771 when she and others agreed not to request an inventory of her husband's estate.
1790 U.S. Census: There were 5 White households in Freetown, Massachusetts:
a. Zebulon (1 male over 16, 3 females)
b. Thomas (3 males over 16, 2 females)
c. Samuel (1 male over 16, 3 males under 16, and 4 females)
d. Jenkins (1 male over 16, 4 females)
e. Peregrine (1 male over 16, 2 males under 16, and 2 females).
a. John Andrews: See generation 7, below.
b. Sarah Andrews:
Of Dartmouth. Married Samuel Peckham/Peckcom of Dartmouth, son of Joseph Peckcom, on 4 November 1765.
c. Susannah Andrews: Married (?) Samson.
d. Stephen Andrews:
Born 1740. Married Jemima (b. 1748, d. 15 Apr 1824). Stephen died 26 December 1822. He and Jamima are buried at Hixville Christian Church Burial Ground in Dartmouth
1790 U.S. Census: Stephen was the head of a household in Dartmouth that included, beside himself, three females.
1800 U.S. Census: Head of a household in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, which contained 2 males under age 10; 1 male between 10 and 16; 1 male between 16 and 26; one male over 45; 2 females under age 10; and 1 female between 26 and 45 years old.
1810 U.S. Census: No record found.
Stephen and Jamima had the following son:
(1. Stephen Andrews, Jr.: Born 1780. Married Sara (prob. Wilbur)(b. 1790, d. 13 Nov 1874). Stephen died 10 April 1852. He and Sara are buried in the Wilbur Cemetery in Dartmouth.
1800 U.S. Census:
e. Ebenezer Andrews, Jr.
1790 U.S. Census: Head of a household in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, which contained 2 males over 16 years old; 1 male under 16, and 3 females.
Perhaps Ebenezer had the following son:
(1. Ebenezer C. Andrews: Born 18 September 1818. Married Hannah (b. 18 Dec 1823, d. 7 Jan 1898). Died 5 September 1893. Both are buried in the Wilbur Family Cemetery, Dartmouth.
f. Mary Andrews: Married Amos Crapo at Rochester, Massachusetts.
1850 U.S. Census: Note: There was a Mary Crapo, age 67, who was the head of a household in Dartmouth Township, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Not old enough to be Amos's husband, she might be his daughter-in-law. This Mary was living by herself, but next to her son, Jacob Crapo (farmer, age 28). Jacob's family included his wife, Caroline M.S. (age 29); daughter, Ruth C. (age 7); son, George G. (age 5); daughter Mary J. (age 3); and son, Peter (age 3 months.
7 John Andrews/Andros of Dartmouth:
1790 U.S. Census: John Andrews was the head of a household in Dartmouth which included 1 male over 16, 3 males under 16, and 5 females.
2. Wife: Mary Caswell
Of Dartmouth. Married John 24 August 1758.
1790 U.S. Census: There were 44 Caswell households in Massachusetts, but none in Freetown.
2. Children: (see generation 8)
a. Stephen Andrews:
(1. Wife: Sally Cowen, daughter of Ebenezer and Lydia (Knapp) Cowen, generation 8 of Annex U, of Dartmouth. Married 22 may 1808.
1790 U.S. Census: There were 10 Knapp and 39 Knap households in Massachusetts.
1800 U.S. Census: Head of a household in Dartmouth, Massachusetts which contained 3 males under age 10, 1 male from 10 to 16, 1 male from 26 to 45, 1 female from 26 to 45, and 1 female over 45 years old.
1810 U.S. Census: Last name listed as "Andrus."
1850 U.S. Census: Age 69. Head of household in Dartmouth Township, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Employed as a farmer with real estate valued at $700. Other members of the household included: his sister, Sarah Andrews (age 61); his mother-in-law, Lydia Cowin (age 93); his daughter, Virtue (Andrews) Gifford (age 49); and Virtue's husband, William S. Gifford (age 49, farmer).
b. John Andrews/Andros, Jr.: See generation 6, below.
6 John Andrews/Andros, Jr.
Born 1772. Died 15 March 1860. Buried along with his son, Joseph, and wife in the Evergreen Cemetery, Dartmouth.
1790 U.S. Census: John was head of a household in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Other than himself, that household included 3 males under age 16 and 5 females.
1850: Age 73. John was the head of a household in Dartmouth Township, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He was employed as a carpenter. The household also included his wife, Betsey (age 73). Both were born in Massachusetts. They lived next to John's brother, Stephen.
2. Wife: Betsey Cowen:
Born in 1778 at Rochester/Dartmouth, Massachusetts, the daughter of Zebah and Susanna Cowen (b. Rochester, MA). Married 22 April 1797. Died 4 January 1853; interred with John in the Evergreen Cemetery, Dartmouth. Married John Andrews on 22 April 1797.
a. John Andrews, Jr.:
Of Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Married Abbie/Abby Wilbur on 8 November 1835 and had the following children:
(1. Hannah Lee Andrews: Married Jesse K. A(?).
(2. Ruth Andrews.
(3. William James Andrews: Married Emily Gifford.
b. Judith Gifford Andrews: Born 27 February 1819. Died 6 January 1901. Married Washington Whitehead (b. 14 Jun 1810, d. 20 Dec 1872) and had the following daughter:
(1. Bessie Arethusa Whitehead: Born 4 January 1856 at Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Died 2 December 1889 at Dartmouth. Married Frederic Andrews Wilber (b. 24 Nov 1854, c. 11 Mar 1934) and had the following children:
(a. William Andrews Wilber.
(b. Annie Elizabeth Wilber.
(c. LeRoy Wood Wilber.
(d. Harold Carleton Wilber.
(e. Bessie Arethusa Wilber.
c. Joseph Harrison Andrews: See generation 5, below.
5 Joseph Harrison Andrews/Androws
Of Dartmouth Township, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Born 1803. Died 5 November 1894 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Dartmouth with his wife and father.
1790 U.S. Census: Joseph Andrews was head of a household in Freetown, Massachusetts. One other female lived with him.
1850: Age 44. Head of a household in Dartmouth Township, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Employed as a carpenter. His real estate was valued at $500. Other members of the household included his wife, Almira (Sampson) Andrews (age 43; his daughter Angeline W. (age 15); his son, Charles M. (age 9); and his son, Elbridge L. (age 8).
2. Wife: Almira Maria Sampson:
a. Biographical notes:
Born 1806. Of Troy (Dartmouth). Married 3 September 1827. Died 15 December 1863 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Dartmouth with her husband and father-in-law.
1790 U.S. Census: There were 19 Sampson and 77 Samson households in Massachusetts. John Sampson (perhaps Almira's father) was the head of a household in Freetown, Massachusetts. That household included John, one other male over 16 years old, 4 males under 16, and 2 females.
b. Siblings:
(1. George W. Sampson:
1850 U.S. Census: Age 41. Head of a household in Dartmouth Township, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Household included: his wife, Philindia (age 30); daughter, Sarah E. (age 11); son, Samson (age 9); son, William L. (age 10); son, George F. (age ); son, Samuel A. (age 5); and daughter, Hannah R. (age 2).
1860 Census: Age 57. Head of a household in Dartmouth Township. Employed as a farmer; real estate valued at $400. Married to Philinda (age 39). Household included the following children: William L. (age 21); David G. (age 18); Samuel A. (age 16); George J. (age 14); Hannah R. (age 12); Angenette R. (age 10); Aledine M. (age 10); John J. (age 13); Mary A. (age 4); Emma B. (age 3).
a. Jane G. Andrews: See generation 4, below.
b. Angeline W. Andrews:
Age 15 and living with parents in 1850.
c. Charles Morton Andrews:
He was 9 years old and living with his parents during the 1850 census. Had a daughter: Alice A. (Andrews) Westgate, wife of Rodman E. Westgate of Wood Street, RFD 1-Box 7, Middleboro, Massachusetts 02346.
d. Elbridge L. Andrews:
Age 8 and living with his parents during the 1850 census.
e. Elizabeth Andrews:
Born 1829. Died 1 January 1850. Buried with her parents in the Evergreen Cemetery, Dartmouth.
4 Jane G. Andrews
Born 29 March 1827. Died 20 January 1916. Married Leonard M. Cowen, generation 4 of the Cowen Annex on 5 April 1846.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line77
|
__label__cc
| 0.721607
| 0.278393
|
Equity futures continue to drift higher this morning on extremely low volume. The dollar is down, bonds are up slightly, oil is again pressing $90 a barrel, and gold is down a little while food commodities continue to climb into the stratosphere.
Good thing that there’s plenty of money to placate one in seven Americans with food stamps. Otherwise there just might be hard enough times to cause an uprising that could stand a chance of brining meaningful change instead of meaningful money destruction:
1 in 7 Americans rely on food stamps
PICNEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The use of food stamps has increased dramatically in the U.S., as the federal government ramps up basic assistance to meet the demands of an increasingly desperate population.
The number of food stamp recipients increased 16% over last year. This means that 14% of the population is now living on food stamps. That's about 43 million people, or about one out of every seven Americans.
In some states, like Tennessee, Mississippi, New Mexico and Oregon, one in five people are receiving food stamps. Washington, D.C. leads the nation, with 21.5% of the population on food stamps.
"The high unemployment rate caused the high participation rate," said Dottie Rosenbaum from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank.
But it's not just the nation's stubbornly high unemployment rate of 9.8% that's driving the increase in food stamp use. Some states are expanding their definitions of poverty to include more people.
At the same time, the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act boosted annual funding to the nationwide food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, by $10 billion.
The average recipient receives $133 in food stamps per month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That amount varies from state to state; in Hawaii the average is $216, while it's $116 in Wisconsin.
But the Recovery Act funding increased the maximum food stamp benefit by 13.6%, which translates to about $20-24 dollars per person per month.
The U.S. government considers food stamps to be effective stimulus for the economy, because the recipients usually spend them right away.
And see, the media gets to tout that we “only” have 9.8% unemployment instead of the more than 17% or more that exists in reality. Sigh…
Not to worry because the “Fed” in all their glorious wisdom will continue to kill the value of your money by not only buying up every single piece of worthless debt in America, but they will provide “liquidity” in the form of “Swap lines” with the world’s other central banks so that they too can keep the dollar killing money pump going:
Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Open Market Committee authorized the extension through Aug. 1 of its temporary dollar liquidity swap arrangements with the European Central Bank and the central banks of Japan, Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The arrangements, established in May, had been authorized through January, the Federal Reserve said today in a statement.
One world government? Seems we already have one and Bernanke is the figurehead world President. Don’t worry about the debt in Europe though, we have that covered because Americans can afford it.
No economic data today, just POMO after POMO. There will be two POMO’s today, should be more than $10 billion plus. Isn’t that special? Why I’ll bet you’re feeling more wealthy already.
Meanwhile stocks appear to me to be carving out another potential rising wedge pattern in the short term…
…That’s inside of another rising wedge pattern in the longer term:
I hope you’re enjoying time with your families in front of the holidays, don’t follow the debt example of our national leaders and be sure to teach your children well…
Uncle Jay Sings the Year in Review...
Christmas Weekend Open Thread...
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line78
|
__label__wiki
| 0.541366
| 0.541366
|
走进京九
INT Honor
CHA Honor
Founded in 1993, Jingjiu Group is a professional battery enterprise integrating science, industry and trade. It has a production capacity of over 30 million units and an output value of over 5 billion. The comprehensive strength of the industry is among the best.
At present, the company has established three production bases in Nanchang, Jiujiang and Yichun. The Nanchang base covers an area of 89,000 square meters. It is the group management headquarters and technology research and development center and undertakes some final assembly. The Jiujiang base covers an area of 330,000 square meters, which is a plate and colloid. It is a full-industrial chain production base with assembly, multi-lead alloy processing and electrolyte manufacturing. The Yichun base covers an area of 20,000 square meters and is a high-tech base for the development of lithium batteries. The company's existing valve-regulated sealed lead-acid batteries, electric vehicles with power batteries, starter batteries, energy storage batteries, lead-acid battery plates and other more than 10 series of products.
The company now has nearly 3,000 employees and more than 400 middle and senior technical personnel. The company has strong technical strength and advanced equipment. It has passed ISO9001 quality system, ISO14000 environmental system certification and ISO16949 automotive industry system certification. In May 2015, Beijing Ball The brand trademark has been recognized as “China Famous Trademark” by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and has formed long-term strategic partnership with the Chinese Air Force, State Grid and China Southern Power Grid. The products are exported to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the United States, and are well received by domestic and foreign users. Praise.
The company regards "stable development" as the highest strategy. Over the years, it has always been "achieving customers, happy employees, and repaying the society" as its mission; adhering to the enterprise spirit of "hard work, truth-seeking and pragmatism, dedication and dedication", keep pace with the times and develop Innovation, and make unremitting efforts to become the world's great green energy enterprise, and continue to develop healthily while moving towards a multi-disciplinary enterprise.
Nanchang Base
Jiujiang Base
Xinyu Base
ABOUT US PRODUCTS SERVICE NEWS INVESTMENT
COPYRIGHT©2019 KIJO GROUP
GAN ICP36955874 Powered by www.300.cn
No. 1388, Fushan No.1 Road, Xiaolan Economic Development Area, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
info@kijo.com.cn
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line88
|
__label__wiki
| 0.943301
| 0.943301
|
Let's make this a fair fight!
Please enter your contact information so we can reach you
Rothman, Schneider, Soloway & Stern, LLP 100 Lafayette Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10013 (212) 571-5500 frothman@rssslaw.com
Rothman, Schneider, Soloway & Stern, LLP
The Lower East Side Lawyer Frank Rothman
Franklin A. Rothman
Born and raised in New York City's Lower East Side, Frank Rothman has been a criminal defense attorney for 30 years. After graduating from New York Law School in 1983, Frank began his career at the Legal Aid Society, where he became a member of the elite Narcotics Defense Unit and the Senior Trial Attorney Bureau.
In 1993, Frank and his Legal Aid co-worker Robert Soloway teamed up with their Legal Aid supervisors and mentors David Stern and Jeremy Schneider to form the dynamic firm of Rothman, Schneider, Soloway & Stern, LLP.
Frank has represented a host of celebrity criminal defense clients including former New York Knick Anthony Mason, former WWE superstar Nicole Bass, hip-hop artists Foxy Brown and Mobb Deep's Havoc.
Frank has handled many high-profile criminal cases, has regularly appeared as a guest commentator on Court TV, has lectured and presented demonstrations for newly-admitted attorneys, Columbia Law School students, and has given demonstrations to members of the District Attorney's Office as part of their training program.
Frank is a zealous advocate and is respected by his colleagues, adversaries, clients, and by many judges sitting on the bench today. He has conducted over 150 felony jury trials during his career.
New York, NY 10013 (212) 571-5500
Request a Consulation
The information on these pages are for general information purposes only. Nothing contained on these pages should be construed as legal advice for any particular case.
© 2015 Panyk Tech, LLC | All Rights Reserved.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line92
|
__label__cc
| 0.696334
| 0.303666
|
James Brown writes about his Father
Birth certificate of Albert James Brown
My father was a gardener and began as a journeyman on the large estates around Fazeley/ Tamworth, I think Keele Hall is the only one left intact now.
(editor writes)Here is a reference from J.E. Coulson, Head Gardener to Sir Robert Peel in 1918.
It is likely that Albert Brown was an apprenticed gardener initially. The status of "Journeyman" was attributed to those who had completed an apprenticeship and were 'on their journey' to becoming masters of their trade. In this case it would be the journey towards becoming a head gardener.
It was common for Journeymen in what ever trade to move from place to place to extend their knowledge. Taking good references was essential.
This reference reads...
Drayton Manor, Tamworth 25th May 1918
This is to certify that A. Brown was employed in these Gardens under me for about two years, during that time I always found him a most steady obliging and industrious young man and always took an interest in his work.
He left me to improve himself and I have no fear that he will do his best to any one engaging him to give satisfaction.
I shall be pleased to answer any other particulars.
J.E. Coulson
Head Gardener to Sir Robert Peel Bt.
writing about his father James Brown continues...
See here the front and reverse sides of the Fazeley Charity Cup medal won by Albert James Brown,
and below, the medal alongside his pocket watch.
This reference is from Keele Hall Gardens, Newcastle, Staffs. It is dated November 4th 1922.
The wording is not clear but it seems that it says...
"This is to certify that Albert Brown has been engaged in Keele Gardens as journeyman for nearly three years. As there is ????? here about one acre of ????? he has had plenty of ?opportunity? to improve his knowledge in fruits of all descriptions, St????, greenhouse plants, tresses, ??????, Chrysanthemums etc. He is well up in watering, ?penknifeing? and ?dressing? and always willing to ????? outside when necessary.
He leaves to improve his position and I wish him the rewards which in my opinion he deserves.
The reference is signed by
W.J. Guire FRHS (spelling of name uncertain) Hd Gardener to Colonel Sneyd.
His family I believe were mostly miners, although his father is mentioned as a painter on his marriage certificate. Here is his birth certificate.
Grandfather also served as an army sergeant in WW1 but photo's etc have been lost. He lived around Tamworth all is life and is buried (with his medals) somewhere in the Tamworth/ Fazeley area. He died in 1952 I believe.
The photos I have attached (above) are of journeymen gardeners, my father is on the left - with the knife and fork!
Here is a reference from The Gardens at Canwell Hall Sutton Coldfield.
It reads...
"Nov 29th 1919. This is to certify that A. Brown has been employed in these gardens for the past 10 months. He is a steady, industrious & quiet young man who has taken a good interest in his work, which has been chiefly ??????. He is leaving to improve himself & I shall be very pleased to answer any questions concerning him."
It is signed C.E. Garrard (?) Gardener to Philip S. Forton Esq (?)
My father came south in the 1920's and moved around southern England gradually improving his position ending up a head gardener.
I have about a dozen more refences from southern england. Here is one from The Gardens, Crawley Court, Crawley. Winchester. ! Sept '25
This is to certify that A Brown has been employed here under me a foreman of glass houses for the best part of eighteen months. I am pleased to say that he came to me with an excellent character which he has fulfilled in every way. He had charge of the ??????? early and late - peaches, carnations, chrysanthemums, melons, cucumbers and the growing of general greenhouse stuff, including ????? flowering shrubs, roses for ??? bloom and house furnishing and giving every satisfaction. I have found Brown thoroughly reliable and attentive in his work, taking a great interest in it. I have much pleasure in recommending him as a capable man.
Gardener to
Col Geo. Philippe
The Gardens, Crawley Court, Crawley. Winchester. ! Sept '25
Closing words from James Brown...
I have not had access to any records so know very little of the family history, but still have cousins in Tamworth but not in regular contact. Anything you may be able to find will be very much appreciated and if I can help further let me know.
Regards Jim Brown.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line95
|
__label__wiki
| 0.714061
| 0.714061
|
Home » 2018 Issues » 83 FR (11/01/2018) » 2018-23849. Notice of Applications for Deregistration Under Section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
2018-23849. Notice of Applications for Deregistration Under Section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
Start Preamble October 26, 2018.
The following is a notice of applications for deregistration under section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for the month of October 2018. A copy of each application may be obtained via the Commission's website by searching for the file number, or for an applicant using the Company name box, at http://www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by calling (202) 551-8090. An order granting each application will be issued unless the SEC orders a hearing. Interested persons may request a hearing on any application by writing to the SEC's Secretary at the address below and serving the relevant applicant with a copy of the request, personally or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the SEC by 5:30 p.m. on November 20, 2018, and should be accompanied by proof of service on applicants, in the form of an affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to Rule 0-5 under the Act, hearing requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, any facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the Commission's Secretary.
The Commission: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.
Shawn Davis, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6413 or Chief Counsel's Office at (202) 551-6821; SEC, Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-8010.
Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund II [File No. 811-22022]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. The applicant has transferred its assets to Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund and, on August 27, 2018, made a final distribution to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of $578,871 incurred in connection with the reorganization were paid by the applicant.
Filing Dates: The application was filed on August 29, 2018, and amended on August 30, 2018 and October 12, 2018.
Applicant's Address: 888 Seventh Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10019.
Advent/Claymore Enhanced Growth & Income Fund [File No. 811-21504]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. The applicant has transferred its assets to Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund and, on August 27, 2018, made a final distribution to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of $260,023 incurred in connection with the reorganization were paid by applicant.
Filing Dates: The application was filed on August 29, 2018, and amended on October 12, 2018.
First Trust Strategic High Income Fund II [File No. 811-21842]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. The applicant has transferred its assets to First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund and, on June 25, 2018, made a final distribution to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of $452,574 incurred in connection with the reorganization were paid by the applicant and the applicant's investment adviser.
Filing Dates: The application was filed on August 16, 2018, and amended on October 9, 2018.
Applicant's Address: 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.
Kayne Anderson Energy Development Company [File No. 811-22435]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. The applicant has transferred its assets to Kayne Anderson MLP/Midstream Investment Company and, on August 6, 2018, made a final distribution to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of approximately $874,000 incurred in connection with the reorganization were paid by the applicant and the acquiring fund.
Applicant's Address: 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002.
Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. [File No. 811-21750]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. The applicant has transferred its assets to Kayne Anderson Midstream/Energy Fund, Inc., and, on August 6, 2018, made a final distribution to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of approximately $884,000 incurred in connection with the reorganization were paid by the applicant and the acquiring fund.
Managed High Yield Plus Fund Inc. [File No. 811-08765]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. On June 29, 2016 Start Printed Page 54969and June 29, 2018, applicant made liquidating distributions to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of $98,189 incurred in connection with the liquidation were paid by the applicant.
Filing Date: The application was filed on September 14, 2018.
Applicant's Address: c/o UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc., Attn: Keith A. Weller, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10019-6028.
Nuveen Active Allocation Real Return Fund [File No. 811-22688]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. Applicant has never made a public offering of its securities and does not propose to make a public offering or engage in business of any kind.
Filing Date: The application was filed on August 23, 2018.
Applicant's Address: 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Strategic Global Income Fund, Inc. [File No. 811-06475]
Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. On June 29, 2016 and July 11, 2018, applicant made liquidating distributions to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of $68,830 incurred in connection with the liquidation were paid by the applicant.
For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to delegated authority.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
End Signature End Further Info End Preamble
The application was filed on August 29, 2018, and amended on August 30, 2018 and October 12, 2018.
Investment Company Act Release No. 33283
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line96
|
__label__cc
| 0.668987
| 0.331013
|
feimineach.com
(she reads a lot of web and passes a lot of remarks, so she does.)
#thinkyblog
#guestposts
feimineach.com. quick-hitting the hell out of everything; occasional thinkyblogging.
#vivelafeminism
#feminismisdead
#patriarchiesrealign
#capitalismwilleatitself
#maleficentmisogyny
#womenslives
#womensstories
#anonymouswasawoman
#afeministtakeon…
#picturethis
YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE AND OFFENDING: A BROKEN SYSTEM
By feimineach / in #sociology, #thinkyblog / June 26, 2015
On the 23rd of June, 2015, the Prison Reform Trust launched a review to examine why children aged 10 to 17 who are in care are more likely to offend than children who are not in care. [1] The Trust acknowledges that the majority of young people in care do not offend or come into contact with the youth justice system; however, “children and young people who are, or have been, in care are over five times more likely than other children to get involved in the criminal justice system.” The Trust continues: “In a 2013 survey of 15-18 year olds in young offender institutions, a third of boys and 61% of girls said they had spent time in care. This is despite fewer than 1% of all children in England being in care.” The review aims to identify why young people in care are disproportionately represented in the youth justice system and, importantly, how to respond to this problem.
The Trust’s claims are alarming but they are not new. Looked after children and care leavers have long been over-represented in Britain’s prisons. For example, research published by the Social Exclusion Unit in 2002 suggested that 27% of the adult prison population had once been in care [2] while surveys of 15-18 year olds in prison suggest that anywhere between one-quarter and one-half of young people have been in care. [3] Previous research has frequently tried to quantify and categorise the links between being in care, offending behaviour and contact with the youth justice system. These ‘risk factors’ for offending are complex and numerous [4] while many of the risk factors associated with crime are also associated with becoming looked after. [5] They include: coming from a household with low income and a large family; experiencing parental neglect, family conflict and disruption; becoming disengaged from school and performing poorly at school; and exhibiting a high likelihood of aggression and conduct disorder. [6]
Social disadvantage and offending
["These structural and class inequalities—exacerbated by recent austerity and relevant particularly to looked after young people and young offenders—are central to understanding young people’s involvement in offending and the youth justice system."]
These family and individual risk factors are not, however, causal or absolute and their explanatory power is limited. Indeed, they are only a small part of the wider social, political and economic disadvantage experienced by many looked after young people and young offenders. These structural and class inequalities—exacerbated by recent austerity and relevant particularly to looked after young people and young offenders—are central to understanding young people’s involvement in offending and the youth justice system. “Class” in this context is as much a lived experience, where people act in accordance with their relationships with others, and the resources available to them [7], as it is a social category [8] and it is these lived experiences of young offenders which tell us most about looked after young people and offending.
The Prison Reform Trust cites the following report from a 16-year-old girl in care: “What I’ve heard from different police officers when I’ve been arrested, it’s like, ‘you’re a kid in care, you’re never [going to] get out of this way of life. You’re in care, kids in care are always on drugs, kids in care always make themselves unsafe, kids in care always self-harm’. So they sort of put a title on kids in care like they’re something bad.” [9]
A looked after person (aged 16) in my own research with persistent and serious young offenders committed a series of offences after a period of desistance so that he could be assured of having somewhere to live. His former careworker told me: “When the money ran out for [name redacted] and they told me I couldn’t keep him any more, he had nowhere to go, literally, he had nowhere to live. So he went out and did five burglaries in one day knowing that he would get caught for them and banged up and then he’d at least have a roof over his head and three meals a day.”
Welfare vs. punishment
["The main statutory aim of the youth justice system is the prevention of offending by children and most research agrees that punishing children (though unavoidable in a small number of cases) does not achieve this aim."]
These excerpts illustrate young people’s disadvantage but also describe a set of systems which is at best neglecting young people and at worst “punishing disadvantage”. The main statutory aim of the youth justice system is the prevention of offending by children and most research agrees that punishing children (though unavoidable in a small number of cases) does not achieve this aim. Rather, the system should attempt to address the offending of children and young people by focusing on their complex needs and structural disadvantage: “In other words, a justice system that puts more emphasis on addressing welfare and less emphasis on punitive responses is likely to achieve better results in terms of reducing offending and reoffending.” [10]
The Prison Reform Trust is clear that its focus is on the flaws of the system(s), and structural inequalities, rather than problems with the young people themselves [11]. It is only through identifying, challenging and addressing these systemic and structural issues that we will be able to help young people in care and young people in the criminal justice system. These problems are perhaps best summarised by the 15-year-old looked after boy below:
“Because how can you just send kids to prison, you know? When you’re in court, yeah, it’s like everyone’s looking at you like you got a bad name for yourself. They don’t know what’s going on in my life. They think they know me, but they don’t.” [12]
[1] Prisonreformtrust.org.uk. (2015). Keeping children in care out of trouble, an independent review. Retrieved 26 June 2015, from http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/ProjectsResearch/CareReview
[2] Social Exclusion Unit,. (2002). Reducing offending by ex-prisoners. London: Social Exclusion Unit.
[3] Blades, R., Hart, D., Lea, J., & Willmot, N. (2011). Care - a stepping stong to custody? London: Prison Reform Trust. Retrieved 26 June 2015, from http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/careasteppingstonetocustody.pdf
[4] Farrington, D. (1996). Understanding and preventing youth crime. Layerthorpe: York Pub. Services.
[5] Cleaver, H., & Walker, S. (2004). Assessing children's needs and circumstances. London: Jessica Kingsley.
[6] Darker, I., Ward, H., & Caulfield, L. (2008). An Analysis of Offending by Young People Looked After by Local Authorities. Youth Justice, 8(2), 134-148. doi:10.1177/1473225408091374
[7] Chatterton, P., & Hollands, R. (2003). Urban nightscapes. London: Routledge; McDonald, K. (1999). Struggles for Subjectivity: Identity, Action and Youth Experience. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
[8] White, R., & Cunneen, C. (2006). Social Class, Youth Crime and Justice. In B. Goldson & J. Muncie, Youth Crime and Justice (1st ed., pp. 17-29). London: Sage.
[10] Jacobson, J., Bhardwa, B., Gyateng, T., Hunter, G., & Hough, M. (2011). Punishing Disadvantage. A profile of children in custody - a summary. London: Prison Reform Trust. Retrieved 26 June 2015, from http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Punishing_Disadvantage_Summary.pdf
[11] Prisonreformtrust.org.uk. (2015). Keeping children in care out of trouble, an independent review. Retrieved 26 June 2015, from http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/ProjectsResearch/CareReview
[12] Blades, R., Hart, D., Lea, J., & Willmot, N. (2011). Care - a stepping stong to custody? London: Prison Reform Trust. Retrieved 26 June 2015, from http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/careasteppingstonetocustody.pdf
This post was originally published on View from the North; it is cross-posted here with permission.
Tags: sociologycriminologycriminal justiceclassclassismyoung people
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line97
|
__label__cc
| 0.641953
| 0.358047
|
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 6
By Edward Gibbon
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is Edward Gibbon's magnum opus, written and published over a 13-year period beginning in 1776. It not only chronicles the events of the downfall starting with the end of the rule of Marcus Aurelius.
More by Edward Gibbon
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire: By Edward Gibbon, Esq; ... [pt.1]
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Edward Gibbon & Hans-Friedrich Mueller
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: The Modern Library Collection (Complete and Unabridged)
Edward Gibbon, Gian Battista Piranesi & Daniel J. Boorstin
Memoirs of My Life and Writings
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume I
Edward Gibbon, Daniel J. Boorstin & Gian Battista Piranesi
22 Great Biographies& Memoirs Include：George Washington，John Adams，Abraham Lincoln，Ulysses Grant，James Garfield，Theodore Roosevelt，Memoirs Of Napoleon Bonaparte-Louis Antoine Fauvelet De Bourrienne， The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin， Theodore Roosevelt An Autobiography ， Personal Memoirs Of U. S. Grant ， The Autobiography Of Benvenuto Cellini，
Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Benvenuto Cellini, Horatio Alger, Jr, Charles Darwin, Jacob Abbott, Frank Lewis Dyer, Victor Hugo, Lytton Strachey, William M. Thayer, W.H.G. Kingston, John G. Nicolay, John T. Morse Jr., Edward Gibbon, Rabindranath Tagore, Oliver Wendell Holmes, John Stuart Mill, Albert Keim, Louis Lumet, Anthony Trollope & John Rae
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Complete
A vindication of some passages in the fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of the History of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire: By the author.
Critical observations on the sixth book of the Æneid
Miscellaneous works: of Edward Gibbon, Esquire. With memoirs of his life and writings, composed by himself: illustrated from his letters, with occasional notes and narrative, by John Lord Sheffield. In two volumes. ... [pt.1]
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume II
Edward Gibbon & Gian Battista Piranesi
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume III
An essay on the study of literature: Written originally in French, by Edward Gibbon, Jun. Esq; Now first translated into English.
Works of Edward Gibbon
Delphi Complete Works of Edward Gibbon
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Audio Reading of Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume One
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Complete 6 Volume Edition)
THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (All 6 Volumes)
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume I of VI)
A Short Introduction to Medieval History
Edward Gibbon & Henry Hallam
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 5)
Edward Gibbon & United Holdings Group
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, plus Gibbon's Memoirs and a Biography
Early History of the Goths
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume Three
The Collected Works of Edward Gibbon
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume Four
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume Five
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume Six
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line98
|
__label__wiki
| 0.903185
| 0.903185
|
Board index » General Boxing Discussion / World Boxing Scene » Boxing Trivia
BOXING THE NO. 1 SPORT
boxing_the_no1_sport
Post subject: Re: BOXING THE NO. 1 SPORT
Location: Just here in front of my computer
As of January 2018, Lomachenko is ranked as the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by ESPN; second by theTransnational Boxing Rankings Board; and third by The Ring magazine and BoxRec. He is also ranked by all four as the world's best active super featherweight. The Ring named Lomachenko as their Prospect of the Year in 2013. CBS Sports named him Boxer of the Year in 2016, while HBO Sportsnamed him Boxer of the Year in 2016 and in 2017.The Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring named him Fighter of the Year in 2017.
Let's get ready to Rumble in the Jungle when the bells will Jingle to start the Bungle!
Lomachenko was coached by his father Anatoly from a young age. He claims that if his father had not been a boxing coach he probably would have chosen to play ice hockey professionally. According to Bob Arum in 2017, Lomachenko's father did not let him train for boxing until he attended ballet classes. He then went on to gymnastics before finally getting into the ring.
At the World Championships 2007 in Chicago he beat Abner Cotto in the first round, Theodoros Papazov, Arturo Santos Reyes, andLi Yang in the semifinal to reach a fight against Russian favorite Albert Selimov, another southpaw, to whom he lost, 11:16.
Lomachenko won gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He avenged his 2007 World Championship defeat by Selimov in the first round. Lomachenko beat his five opponents by an astonishing 58–13 on the way to his first gold medal, and was subsequently named the outstanding boxer for the tournament and awarded the Val Barker Trophy.
In 2012 London Olympics he won his second consecutive Gold Medal. He defeated Han Soon-Chul of South Korea in the final by 19–9.
Lomachenko finished his amateur career with an impressive career record of 396 wins and only one loss, to Albert Selimov, which was avenged twice.
Prior to turning professional, Lomachenko competed in the lightweight division of theWorld Series of Boxing (WSB) from January to May 2013. Despite having six fights in this tournament, some outlets would later claim that those fights should have counted towards Lomachenko's professional record prior to his official debut later that year, due to the lack of headgear and rounds being scored using the ten-point must system in WSB.
Lucas Martin Matthysse has held the WBA "regular" welterweight title since January 2018, and previously the WBC interim super lightweight title from 2012 to 2013.
Vasyl Lomachenko outlined his eagerness to unify the lightweight division after stopping Jorge Linares, but his promoter, Bob Arum, anticipates difficulty in securing a fight against Mikey Garcia.
Lomachenko again made history at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, becoming world champion in a third weight division in only his 12th professional fight - an unprecedented achievement.
Matthysse is known for his aggressive fighting style and powerful punches that could stop opponents thus the monicker "La Maquina" (The Machine). His older brother is former professional boxer Walter Matthysse.
On November 6, 2010 Matthysse lost a very disputed split decision against former world champion Zab Judah at the Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey. Two judges scored the fight 114–113 for Judah, while the third judge saw it 114–113 for Matthysse.
On June 25, 2011 Matthysse faced former world champion, Devon Alexander in another tightly fought, but highly controversial split decision defeat. The judges in the Family Arena in St. Louis, Missouri had the fight 96–93 and 95–94 for Alexander, and 96–93 for Matthysse.
On September 14 against Danny Garcia, Matthysse was a heavy favorite against Garcia despite being the challenger at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada. Matthysee gallantly fought, but Garcia knocked him down in the 11th round, a first for the Argentine challenger. The judges gave Garcia a unanimous decision of 115-111, 114-112 and 114-112.
On October 3, Matthysse once again was a substantial favorite to win over the undefeated Ukrainian Viktor Postol at the StubHub Center, Carson, California. But Postol dominated Matthysse and a counter right hand knocked him down in the 10th round. Matthysse did not get up alluding to a conceivable injury in his eye. He would then rest for a year-and-a-half after undergoing an eye surgery.
Matthysse expects fireworks to explode during his much awaited title defense fight and still he considers Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) as a dangerous fighter. But Matthysse believes the veteran has aged and no longer has the same endowment that won for him eight division title belts.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line101
|
__label__cc
| 0.708094
| 0.291906
|
BY Tim - Aug 7, 2019 2
The story so far: Young impressionable boy attends very wacky Catholic school then moves to less wacky Catholic school but ends up deciding that just because something is less wacky doesn’t mean it isn’t wacky.
I was walking through Sydney airport. I can’t remember the exact date, and I can’t remember where I was going, but I was definitely walking because my feet were moving alternately in a forwards direction, and it was definitely Sydney airport because it was Sydney and I had paid too much for parking and there were planes everywhere. I also remember that I decided to pop into the book shop, and a book with a bright red and white cover caught my attention. It had “The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins” plastered across the front cover, almost certainly because that was the book’s title and author.
“That looks interesting,” I thought. So I picked up a copy, opened it to a random page, and started reading.
Now, it doesn’t happen very often, but every now and then you discover something so profound, so Earth-shattering, that it shakes you to your very core. One minute you’re sitting there thinking you’ve got it all figured out, and then BAM! A feint breath of knowledge has left you breathless, or a truth has suddenly rendered everything a lie, and all of a sudden you know nothing, Jon Snow. You know what I’m talking about. It’s that feeling you had when you first saw the end of The Sixth Sense (OMG he’s the dead person!), or the opening credits of Renegade (OMG he was a cop and good at his job!), or when your parents told you that Santa Claus isn’t real (OMG they were the ones secretly judging me all year!). And as I was standing there in the airport bookshop reading those random pages, I realised I was right in the middle of one of those moments. Yes, my friends, in that one, single instant, I was struck by an immediate, sublime realisation.
“This book is crap,” I thought.
Now I know what you’re thinking. “Don’t judge a book by its cover and a few random pages you read at the airport.” And OK, fine, that’s a well-known and common expression when it comes to books. But then again, I was able to conclude that Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey were crap after reading a few random pages at the airport, and we all know how they turned out. Well I don’t because I concluded they were crap and didn’t read them. But the point is that I’m really good at deciding that a book is crap after reading a few random pages at the airport, and my brief encounter with The God Delusion hadn’t done much to make me doubt the awesomeness of my crap detecting abilities.
Perhaps that surprises you. It definitely surprised me. I mean I expected Twilight and 50 Shades to be crap, since there’s only so much quality you can muster if you’re a barely literate moron writing about emotionally-stunted haemophiles who sparkle outdoors, or nauseatingly bland soulless billionaires with mummy issues. But Dawkins was a well-respected evolutionary biologist with a fancy accent and a dozen best-selling books to his name. And he was writing about one of the oldest and most important questions mankind has ever pondered. Surely he could manage to avoid being crap while I read a few random pages at the airport.
Surely.
If you’re going to argue against one of the oldest and most important questions that mankind has ever pondered, you’re probably a little boring and don’t have any friends. But also, you should at least have the decency to consider the best arguments mankind has to offer. For Dawkins, this apparently amounted to something called the “five proofs of Thomas Aquinas”.
For those that don’t know, Aquinas is something of a rock star in the Catholic Church, and would definitely be lead guitarist if Jesus ever started a band, which would obviously be called Nine Inch Nailed and have hit songs like “There’s something about Virgin Mary”, “Judas is a jerk”, and “I died on the cross for you, you selfish bastards”. Anyway, while not writing hit singles with his Lord and Saviour, Thomas apparently liked to spend a bit of time thinking about some of the most important questions mankind has ever pondered. So as well as being a little boring and not having any friends, he also thought about the existence of God, and came up with what he believed were five indisputable facts that proved His existence. I say “His” existence, because if God does exist then he’s obviously a man, since, you know, childbirth. And mansplaining morality on inconveniently phallic stone tablets.
Anyway, this was all news to me while I was standing there in the airport bookshop. In 12 years of Catholic schooling I had never seen or read anyone trying to prove God’s existence before, let alone someone as revered as Thomas Aquinas. After all, what’s the point of proving something so obvious?
Aquinas attempted it anyway, apparently, and concluded that yes, there is a God. This was probably a good thing for Thomas, given the consequences for concluding otherwise at the time, but I digress. The point is that Aquinas’ arguments as presented by Dawkins seemed to be if not outright asinine, then at least very, very silly. Now don’t get me wrong. Aquinas is one of the all-time intellectual titans of the Church, and probably knew Latin and how to spell “transubstantiation” and the difference between the immaculate conception and the Virgin birth. But there was no escaping the fact that his arguments were, in a word, crap. The conclusion for me was obvious. Dawkins was a massive jerk who’d deliberately left out all the good arguments for God’s existence, and just included the crap ones.
“Screw you, Dawkins,” I thought. “I’ll read the in-flight magazine instead.”
And I did. It had an article about two Instagram influencers from the Gold Coast who tried cupping in Canggu. It was called “Two Girls One Cupping”, and it was not crap.
Several years later, the red and white book that I had disgustedly discarded in an airport bookshop had sold three million copies, spawned a multitude of books in reply, and kick-started the New Atheist movement. The in-flight magazine I had chosen instead had achieved none of those things. It was time, then, to give “The God Delusion” another go.
Perhaps it was the intervening years of ever-dwindling faith, or the fact that I wasn’t reading a random chapter at the airport, but upon reading it properly for the first time, it didn’t immediately strike me as crap. In fact, it was so not crap that by the time I was a few chapters in I was actually starting to think that maybe Dawkins kind of had a point.
Books being what they are, I was of course destined to eventually reach the bit about the five proofs of Thomas Aquinas. You know, the bit that I had read at the airport and decided was crap. And by turning the pages in a sequential fashion, which is how my mum taught me to read books, I did indeed reach that bit. Here they are, paraphrased by me, in all their glory:
Stuff moves, but can only move if moved by something else. So, like an awkward first date, someone had to make the first move.
Stuff is caused, but nothing can cause itself. So there must be someone to blame for all this shït.
Stuff exists, but nothing can bring about its own existence. So all this shït had to come from somewhere.
Stuff can be good, but goodness is relative, so there must be something reeeeeeeeally supremely good against which we measure stuff’s goodness.
Everything looks designed, including us. So there must be a designer.
So there you go.
The good news is that they appeared to be pretty much as I remembered them, which admittedly doesn’t happen very often, what with my memory being a bit rubbish. The good news, however, was that… oh wait, I’ve said the good news already, dammit. The bad news was that they still appeared to be crap. Proofs 1 to 3 are basically the same, and just scream intellectual laziness. “I can’t think of any other way this might have happened, so… God!”. Proof 4 is one of the most ridiculously see-through non sequiturs in the history of mankind. Goodness is relative so there must be something that is infinitely good? On what planet does that make sense? The only one that maybe had a chance was Proof 5. But that was hardly decisive, especially given the idiocy of the other four.
I read them again, slowly, and then I read them once more. And try as I might I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something had to be missing. Surely the ultimate question of life the universe and everything didn’t boil down to three identical platitudes, a play on words, and ignorance of evolution.
Luckily for me, I was at home and had access to Google. So I googled “the fuve proobes of thomas aquians”, and after Google helpfully corrected my typing I soon discovered something incredible. Dawkins had, in fact, fairly and accurately presented the five proofs of Thomas Aquinas, and these were, in fact, the best arguments for God going around. People were still using them today, some 800 years later. Needless to say, this came as quite a shock. And so instead of wondering whether Dawkins was a massive jerk, I found myself wondering something else.
“Hang on… is this all we’ve got?”
And so began a big personal voyage of discovery. But you’ll have to wait for Part 4, so there.
BY Tim - Apr 22, 2019 0
Why I am an atheist – The first bit
It’s a sin to kiss girls for pleasure.
Or at least, that’s what the Catholic religious studies teacher said to his class of impressionable 13-year-old boys, on an otherwise uneventful day, at an otherwise unremarkable school, in Sydney’s north west. While most of the boys nodded their heads in solemn approval, and a few struggled to stifle their sniggers, one of the boys did neither. For that boy, something about the teacher’s pronouncement just didn’t make sense. So he sat for a moment in ponderous silence, until he was struck by a sudden realisation.
“Oh my god!” he blasphemed internally. “That means it’s OK to kiss them as punishment! And it’s OK to kiss boys for pleasure.”
Needless to say, Thomas went on to become a Catholic priest, and an expert in Canon Law. Funnily enough, I also happened to be in that class, but I was struck by a different thought.
Why else would you kiss girls?
Now that I am an atheist, it’s easy to look back at events like that and say, in a Wonder Years voice, that that’s when I knew. That was the moment. That was the first, small tug on the thread of my religious belief, that led to the unraveling of my entire Catholic cardigan. It’s also easy to say that it was the reason I didn’t kiss a girl until I was 19, but if I’m being honest, it had little to do with either at the time. The truth is that I was an insufferable little holy child, up to my holy little eyeballs in Jesus. And my teacher’s idiotic pronouncement on kissing, while slightly puzzling when I was 13, didn’t announce itself as completely idiotic until much later.
Until that happy thought dawned on me, however, I had a religion to immerse myself in. So after being born, somewhat ironically, in the City of Churches (now known as Radelaide), I set about Catholic-ing the absolute shït out of it. I prayed. I learned my Catechism. I gave up lollies for Lent (well, sort of). I had my Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. I went to confession and told a celibate old man that I was a really shït 13-year-old. I had that same celibate old man tell me that if I said three Hail Marys I’d be turned back into a not-quite-as-shït 13-year-old. I asked for, and was given, a missal for my birthday. I went to Mass. I capitalised the word “Mass”. I accepted the absolute, mind-mashing lunacy of transubstantiation. I went to Mass and believed that I was eating a thin, tasteless wafer made of actual Baby Jesus. And when I ate Baby Jesus, I made sure to have the priest put Him straight on my tongue, lest I get some Baby Jesus on my hands, and then put my hand in my pocket, and then put my pants in the washing machine, and end up drowning poor Baby Jesus in warm water and OMO (no, I’m not joking). I wore a scapula. I said the Regina Coeli every midday during Lent, and the Angelus every midday otherwise. I had a guardian angel, who I named Raphael. And when I went to bed, I prayed for my elder brother’s immortal soul – out loud – while he was trying to sleep on the bunk above me (he was very grateful for the help, and didn’t think I was an annoying, pious little shït at all).
You might wonder why I felt the need to pray for my brother’s immortal soul. I mean, let’s face it, Sydney’s North West is a long way from Sodom, even before Hillsong moved in. But chief amongst our Catholic duties was going to Mass every Sunday, so we went to Mass every Sunday, until one day my brother decided not to go to Mass every Sunday. This was, embarrassingly, quite big news at the time. “But… but… we have to go to Mass on Sunday!”, I protested. Now, you might think that, being a child, my protestations were of the “it’s not fair that I have to go and he doesn’t” variety. Looking back now, I wish they were, but the truth is much more naff.
You see, one of the Ten Commandments is to honour the Sabbath. And according to the particular brand of Catholicism that I was exposed to (Opus Dei), that meant going to Mass on Sunday. Not going to Mass on Sunday therefore constituted a mortal sin – a sin considered so heinous that, if left unforgiven, warrants an eternity in Hell. So, essentially, if my brother skipped Mass and then got hit by a bus before going to confession, he’d end up in Hell all because he hadn’t gone and pretended to listen to a celibate old man turn a cracker into a miscreant Jewish tradie. I’d then be sad because I wouldn’t get to see him for all eternity because I was definitely going to heaven on account of my weekly consumption of the aforementioned tradie. This was a problem. So I did what any little brother would do and told one of my teachers. He then suggested the one course of action that was absolutely guaranteed to not accomplish anything – prayer – and I thus found myself annoying the living shït out of my brother, by praying for his soul from the bottom bunk. He of course told me to shut the hell up. And I of course prayed that god would forgive him for telling me to shut the hell up. And if I could wish for anything right now, I would wish that none of this actually happened.
In any event, my prayers had little effect. My brother did not start going to Mass, and he did not start going to confession to confess the fact that he wasn’t going to mass. I, meanwhile, began to wonder why god would send a perfectly nice human to hell for all eternity, for the perfectly understandable crime of not spending an hour listening to a celibate old man turn a wafer into Baby Jebus and then not going to confession to pretend to be sorry about it. The whole thing seemed a little… well… silly. Not to mention mean.
It was at that point that my parents and I decided that perhaps Opus Dei wasn’t the most sensible version of Catholicism, and we thought it might be a good time to throw our luck in with the Jesuits.
So we did.
And that’s when shït got interesting. But you’ll have to wait for Part 2. So there.
BY Chris - Dec 28, 2016 0
Secular Understandings of the Bible – Creation and Paradise
In most creation stories the same themes tend to emerge, namely: separation, categorisation and what Levi-Strauss likes to call the ‘tension between the raw and the cooked’, or, in other words, the essential conflict between sedentary civilisation and hunter/gatherer models of life.
Genesis deals fairly curtly with the first two of these (separation and categorisation), taking care of it all within a handful of verses. It’s almost as if the authors felt that this story was already known and, looking at Sumerian/Babylonian/Egyptian myth there’s good reasons to believe that this is the case. The undeniable cross-propagation of these cultures meant that there was already a template of sorts for creation. In all of these cultures there is a sort of organiser god, one who is not necessarily tied to a single idea or aspect of nature, but who resonates with the role of administrator or scribe. Generally, this god sits around in some kind of no-space/time and, for reasons which are usually obscure, goes about separating light from dark, water from earth, and so on. Hard on the heels of this sorting endeavour comes an account of the first man. And yes, it usually is a man.
In understanding the parallels between this kind of god and the function and legitimacy of government in ancient civilisations, I think the etiological purpose of creation stories is pretty obvious. What’s less obvious, though, is whether or not the creators of these stories actually expected them to be believed as literal truth. This is another subject on which people much cleverer and more erudite than myself have spent years shouting at each other about, which makes me a little hesitant to add my own two cents. For what it’s worth, though, my own reading has nearly persuaded me that they did not. What we’re looking at for a great part of history is alien mentality. The world as we see it is necessarily very different from that perceived by ancient and proto-historical peoples. I think that looking at the way Classical Greeks and Romans talked about their own myths, as well as the relationship with magic and mysticism still existing amongst less developed cultures, should reveal to us that there are many ways in which to interpret and understand truth, and that the literal interpretation of myth and magic is a view more likely to be found amongst questionably sane modern Westerners than anywhere else.
A note about alien mentality: Anthropologist Nigel Barley tells an excellent story from his first field assignment in Africa. He became aware that the people he was studying simply had no concept of photography as a representation of self. He noticed that all of their ID cards had the same picture. The idea of individuality or a sense of self being transferrable or recordable in this way was completely alien to their existence. When testing this idea, he handed one person a photograph of a lion. He looked at the photo, turned it over, and then said, “I do not know this man.” His brain was either incapable or simply refused to understand representation in photographic form. If such variation in psychic landscape can exist synchronologically, then it surely follows that it must exist across time as well.
Anyway, we move from the suspiciously familiar creation story to the much abused tale of Adam and Eve. Frankly disgusting attempts to co-opt this story by fundamentalists, anti-equality groups, and other loonies are, I think, so far wide of the point they may as well stop talking about the story entirely. It’s the elements of the story, appreciated in context, which are important. Sure, on one level, this is an implausible fairy tale about God, a dysfunctional couple and talking animals in a garden, but this is really the least important level. What we’re talking about here is the advent of civilisation, and the deep problems this causes to the human psyche. The fruit of knowledge is such a widespread trope it deserves a post all to itself, but that’s not one I’m qualified to write. For the purposes of this article, however, suffice it to say that knowledge in the mythical sense is about self-awareness. It’s hard to imagine, but it’s generally agreed that self-awareness, or a sense of self, isn’t something we humans have always had. This means there must have been some point in time when humans somehow acquired it, and there’s a compelling argument to be made that most stories which contain the knowledge trope are attempts to interpret the dim memory of this. If you want to look into this idea further, Professors William Propp and Steve Tinney do a much better job than me of explaining it.
Leaving the megalithic topic of knowledge aside, though, understanding that this is what the Adam and Eve story is about tends to clarify the rest of it. What we’re left with, then, is a heavily symbolic account and exploration of the pros and cons of the advent of sedentary civilisation. Paradise is not so much a physical location as a state of being. Prior to the Neolithic revolution, humanity existed in what some call ‘a state of nature’. This is Levi-Strauss’ idea of ‘the raw’. Hunter gatherers may spend quite a bit of their day wandering around looking for things, but what they don’t really do is work. It’s not until farming, and all the other paraphernalia of civilisation that come with it (trade, disease, etc.) that humanity becomes familiar with the idea of work. If we look closely at the ‘punishments’ handed out to Adam and Eve, they’re mostly identifiable as the simple consequences of civilised agrarian life. Many scholars, in fact, like to deviate from the Augustinian narrative of crime and punishment and see this story as an account of humanity’s involuntary trade-off of awareness and surplus for freedom and the psychic immortality which comes with an ignorance of death. I’d also like to make a note about contextualising the symbols in a story this old. It’s very important that we don’t apply modern values to ancient symbols – the snake is a prime example. The erroneous association of the snake with Satan is very much a product of our own modern view of snakes. In the ancient world, all the way down to late antiquity, snakes are symbols of wisdom, knowledge and longevity/immortality, and are overwhelmingly not seen as evil. Which puts a completely different complexion on things, if you think about it.
Looked at in this way, and understanding the heavily symbolic nature of the story elements, this myth actually has value as a kind of mnemo-narrative of our deep, deep history. If nothing else, it tells us that ancient peoples preserved a memory, however corrupted, of a key moment in the history of human civilisation. And also that they were wont to think about it in very much the same terms we do today. Compare the anguish with which the sufferings of civilisation are recounted with our own modern fetishisation of pristine/tribal societies. In both cases we see a nostalgia for a simpler, less cultivated consciousness and mode of life, and an attempt to understand and come to terms with the bargain we made all those millennia ago.
In my next post, I’ll be talking about that favourite hobby horse of both atheists and creationists alike – The Flood.
Secular Understandings of the Bible – Genesis and Genealogy
I find quite a lot of the debate surrounding the Bible a bit sterile. What it generally consists of is atheists pointing out the impossibility of literal interpretations of famous stories, or snarkily quoting passages from Leviticus or Deuteronomy while, on the other side, pie-eyed and frankly insane fundamentalists point to the handful of textual and archaeological attestations of which they’re aware, whilst simultaneously threatening the atheists with a hell in which they presumably don’t believe.
This strikes me as being about as productive as dry humping a telegraph pole. All the appearances of the thing are there, but it’s a very, very long way from the thing itself. The idea that a text can survive in oral tradition for five or six hundred years, and then roughly two and a half thousand in written form without undergoing major revisions, redactions and distortions is just laughable. Anyone capable of believing in something like this simply isn’t worth arguing with, as they’re clearly not at home to Mr Rational Thought.
What I hope to demonstrate over the next few posts is that the argument about literal truth is moot (in the American sense of the word), and that there’s quite a lot of very interesting information in the Bible, none of which has to do with God, but rather with literary truth, mnemo-narrative, and the real relationship between Christianity and the roots of Western law and culture.
I should point out at the very top that I am not a Biblical scholar, and that this is not a scholarly series of articles. This means I’m not going to bother with footnotes and references as I shamelessly steal the work of the following professors: William Propp, Richard Friedman, Aren Maeir, Eric Cline and Israel Finkelstein. To a much lesser extent I shall also be drawing on the minimalist/revisionist work of Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou. I’ve linked to some of their major works so that you can check them out for yourself, if you’re so inclined.
GENESIS – GENEALOGIES
There’s a general consensus that Paradise is somewhere in the vicinity of the ancient city of Uruk. Or somewhere in Ethiopia. Or possibly Greece, Israel or, most nuttily of all, England. It doesn’t really matter all that much, but for what it’s worth, Uruk makes sense to me. The mythologised patriarch Abraham is said to have come from Ur, which isn’t that far away, and Uruk is generally thought of as the first proper city (that’s a little bit controversial, but let’s just go with it). The reason this makes sense is because of the clear and overt purposes of Genesis. These are the recording of creation myth and the validation of a set of kings and priests via a genealogical line from the ‘first man’ through to the first patriarch (Abraham).
As a hard historical source, I don’t think there’s any real dispute that Genesis is garbage. The genealogies and timelines of Genesis form the basis for the laughably incorrect chronology of Baeda and, by extension, the Young Earth nutters. But it’s not what we’d call egregious. When compared to roughly contemporaneous documents and stories of a similar nature, it becomes clear that Genesis isn’t really much better or worse than anyone else’s account. Sumerian and Egyptian king lists contain a hodge podge of gods and people mixed together with wild abandon and, in comparison with the tens of thousands of years of life claimed for the first seven Sumerian kings, some of the biblical claims are actually quite modest.
For the purposes of a broad (rather than a minute and scholarly) understanding, we can go with the breathtaking over-simplification that the whole thing is an exercise in legitimacy – political, cultural, territorial and spiritual. Basically, tracing through to Abraham is a way of claiming legitimate ownership of Yahweh, Israel, the Torah and authority over the Jewish peoples, by the authors of the version which has come down to us today. There are a great many debates raging, far above my head, about the historicity of Abraham and whether or not he ever existed, but I’m not really sure how important this is for understanding what all this begetting/begatting nonsense is about. It’s basically the same thing as Princess Diana’s family tracing their lineage back to the mythical version of King Arthur, or the Romans claiming the equally mythical Trojan War survivor Aeneas as the founder of their culture. It’s a mixture of the political and the etiological – we come from a line of god-like heroes, therefore what we have and what we are both have absolute legitimacy.
In the next post, I intend to have a crack at the creation myth and the story of Adam and Eve, hopefully demonstrating that their dismissal as ‘Bronze Age fairy tales’, or their veneration as ‘literal truth’ are both somewhat wide of the point.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line104
|
__label__wiki
| 0.8461
| 0.8461
|
Ibinabo Movie
An eye witness to the auto crash involving AGN president Ibinabo Fiberesima which led to the death Dr Giwa has given his own account of what happened on the night of the accident. The movie, which was shot for about 6 months at various locations stars top Nollywood actors, Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima and several others. See on instagram. With Angélique Kidjo, Nico Panagio, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Wale Ojo. Veteran actress Gloria Anozie-Young is currently unhappy about the situation of things surrounding the indictment of Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima. Also starring in the movie are Alfred Atungu, Kas Jonathan, Sugar Chika Asoegwu, Tony Goodman, Magaji Mijinyawa, and Lonny John Lohnan. It stars Genevieve Nnaji , Yemi Blaq, Fred Amata , Joke Silva , Elvina Ibru and Ibinabo Fiberesima , with Special Appearances from Segun Arinze and D'Banj. Ibinabo Fiberesinma to Lose N10. Starring Chiege Alisigwe as Olamma, Kenneth Okonkwo as the Prince who fell in love with Olamma, Camilla Mberekpe as the wicked Step-mother, Clem Ohameze as the wicked uncle and more, Oganigwe is a mixture of tragedy and comedy. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the. Veteran actress, Ibinabo Fiberisima, has slammed her colleague, Shan George and other Nigerians who have attacked the marriage of billionaire businessman and politician, Ned Nwoko and actress Regina Daniels. Search Countries. Jan 8, 2013 - Nollywood Actor Emeka Ike On AGN President Fiberesima Ibinabo: 'Nigerian Movie Industry Is Dead' He has been regarded as a rebel in different quarters for his supposed anti-progressive stand on the Actors' Guild of Nigeria, but in this interview, the Imo state born actor talks extensively about Nollywood, why he feels misunderstood by colleagues, and his plans for the guild. Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima & Actor Fred Amata Pictured With Their Daughter 10-Year-Old Daughter. One thing leads to another and they both ignore their seemingly incompatible social strata to fall in love. A few years later, Ibinabo stumbled into acting, starring in a blockbuster movie, Most Wanted, alongside experienced actresses like Regina Askia Williams and Ayo Adesanya. Born to a Nigerian […]. Movies; Actress buries the hatchet with Emeka Ike ALSO READ: 'Ibinabo Fiberesima is behind my divorce tale,' actor alleges. Payment to Ibinabo Koleosho is made through Voices. The event, which had the who's who in the movie and entertainment worlds, was held at Lilygate Hotel in Lekki, Lagos. Ibinabo(Timini’s Sister) is left in shock as Timini gets arrested for a crime he did not commit. The first female National President of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka has unveiled her handsome father. Movie title data, credits, and poster art provided by IMDb | Video and Images provided by IVA. Nollywood actors Ibinabo Fiberesima and Emeka Ike have reconciled after years of being rivals in the struggle for the position of President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). Klinz Montana released his debut single 'Rock Da Mic' in 2015 under the Cylop Entertainment imprint. It is alarming to discover from this address, the false claims by Ibinabo that the Actors Guild of Nigeria is the only umbrella body of Nigerian screen actors; that President Goodluck Jonathan has by the “constant release of funds” effected a sustained development of the Nigerian movie industry since the inception of his administration. com/kokovibesdotcom} {google-plus#http://google. Meanwhile, Ibinabo has asked the Supreme Court to set aside the judgement of the lower court. In an exclusive chat with Pulse on the deaths and health scares. Kim Oprah's biography, date of birth, age, early life, family, parents, siblings, boyfriend, education, businesses, entertainment career, net worth houses, cars, social media handles and everything else you'd love to know about her. “I am not on the same level with Ibinabo professionally, educationally or in any other form. [VIDEO] Ibinabo Fiberesima Talks About Her Work With Miss Earth Nigeria | TV Independent September 22, 2019 Recent Updates In this edition of “Minutes With Celeb”, TV Independent sat down with Ibinabo Fiberesima as she talks about her work with Miss Earth Nigeria, as well as the challenges and prospects. Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberisima is celebrating her birthday and she has a lot to thank God for. Veteran actress, Ibinabo Fiberisima, has slammed her colleague, Shan George and other Nigerians who have attacked the marriage of billionaire businessman and politician, Ned Nwoko and actress Regina Daniels. The Africa premiere of the highly anticipated movie “76” held last night at InterContinental Hotel in Lagos. Nnaji was a reporter, small part, she never blow then 🙂 sharon stone came after this one, that was the movie that made her popular then. The pair had been embroiled in a legal. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. The Africa premiere of the highly anticipated movie “76” held last night at InterContinental Hotel in Lagos. She got to the venue ahead of Fred, who came a few minutes later. The ex-beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima, who has been convicted for the murder of a Lagos medical doctor through reckless driving, appeared in court today as directed by the presiding judge, Justice Deborah Oluwayemi, and was sent to Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. By Chrysanthus Ikeh. AGN President, Ibinabo Fiberesima, says she would have died for Muna Obiekwe, if only she had known about his sickness. Translate » Afrikaans Albanian Arabic Armenian Azerbaijani Basque Belarusian Bengali Bosnian Bulgarian Catalan Cebuano Chinese(Simplified) Albanian. Fiberesima to run and win, we have endorsed. Ghana's celebrated movie star, Nadia Buari, successfully premiered her first self-produced movie titled 'Diary of Imogen Brown' across three regions of Ghana. She is a former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Now more and more people all over the globe are becoming interested in African movies spearheaded by the Nigerian movie industry a. Mini Bio (1) Ibinabo Jack is an actress, known for Two for Joy (2018) and Vera (2011). Appeal Court Sends Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima To 5 Meet the man with a 10 inch pen*s thanks to silico My proudest moment was when I gave birth to Blue I Newcastle appoint Rafa Benitez as new coach; Love or nah! Viral photos of 29 year old Nigerian Drama as pregnant woman runs into Police Station t February (302). Already, the atmosphere is tense as some members are warming up to challenge the fair actress, in her bid to seek re-election. The AGN president, who was all smiles at the event, looks stunning in these pictures capturing her day of joy. Nnaji was a reporter, small part, she never blow then 🙂 sharon stone came after this one, that was the movie that made her popular then. The movie, which was shot for about 6 months at various locations stars top Nollywood actors, Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima and several others. Jan 8, 2013 - Nollywood Actor Emeka Ike On AGN President Fiberesima Ibinabo: 'Nigerian Movie Industry Is Dead' He has been regarded as a rebel in different quarters for his supposed anti-progressive stand on the Actors' Guild of Nigeria, but in this interview, the Imo state born actor talks extensively about Nollywood, why he feels misunderstood by colleagues, and his plans for the guild. Yesterday was the 45th birthday of Nigerian actress and movie producer, Ibinabo Fiberesima as she has blessed the internet with some luscious photos. Trending News On Ibinabo Fiberesima on Information Nigeria. Mr Ibu has fired back in a new interview with Punch. The former beauty queen, who is the director and organiser of The Miss Earth Pageant for 18 years now, said that she took herself off the movie scene to plan her first movie that would be coming out before the end of the year. Published October 5, 2019 October 5, 2019. 7,034 Followers, 544 Following, 273 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ebinabo Annie (@ebinabomb_10). Foremost Nollywood actors, Ibinabo Fiberesima and Emeka Ike, have settled their 12-year rift, which had split the Actors Guild of Nigeria into two factions. In an exclusive chat with Pulse on the deaths and health scares. Search Countries. Ibinabo Fiberisima,Ramsey Nouah,Ini Edo,Desmond Elliot,Chinedu Ikedieze,Omoni Oboli,Audu Maikori,Darey Alade and many more …. Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima has just shared photos from her wedding on Facebook. Get more GIST like this Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting nollywood news and celebrity gist in your email inbox. For the movie, British actor of Nigerian descent David Oyelowo nabs the lead role as Martin Luther King. I am a Nollywood actor. The Difference reporter Vicky Bricks joined in on the search and now shares her findings. Sometimes, we just have to deal with the fact that life doesn't always go our way, you just have to remain positive. I find that she is deliberately misleading the public and wanting to push the issues at stake under the table with her so-called open letter. Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman of the senate committee on Army has revealed that Boko Haram has killed 847 soldiers in Borno state since they kicked off their attack in 2013. Ibinabo Fiberesima joined the Nigerian movie industry in 1997 but came to limelight after her first movie “Most wanted”. My most recent film is 76 the movie. Movie title data, credits, and poster art provided by IMDb | Video and Images provided by IVA. The US 2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report labels 14 Caribbean nations as money laundering jurisdictions Georgetown (Guyana) (AFP) The 15-nation Caribbean community is angry at the United States for labeling virtually all members of the regional trade bloc as money laundering jurisdictions and plans to mount a stiff lobbying effort in Washington, its leader said Friday. At the last AMVCA, Omosexy and Genny, as both are fondly. Recommended Nigerian Movies brings you the 2018 Latest Nigerian Movies African Nollywood Full Movies. Still, it looks like these talks have grown. Let’s celebrate your birthday in a way that is fitting for such a terrific person. Posts about ibinabo fiberesima written by ollanrewaju. According to him, about 90% of the association members do not want her as their leader, with many court cases being instituted against her. IBINABO THE POOR VILLAGE GIRL CRYING FOR HER SICK MOTHER This is nigerian movies|african movies 2018. Photo: Filed. Ibinabo Marks 45th Birthday With Fabulous Pictures Aproko247 January 13, 2018 0 Comment ibinabo fiberesima , Ibinabo fiberesima at 45 Today, Saturday, January 13, 2018, talented actress and former beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima, added another year. The actor, who was the National Treasurer in the election that ushered in Emeka as AGN president, said he was unhappy with the goings-on in Ibinabo’s reign as ‘figurehead. Meanwhile, Ibinabo has asked the Supreme Court to set aside the judgement of the lower court. 1 movies/ films resources online Home. The actress who has been on hiatus for a while will be returning in a new flick titled The Limit where she stars alongside fellow actor Chidi Mokeme. August 19, 2015 - Ibinabo Fiberesima's Husband Says Wedding Is Fake, Uche Egbuka Looking For Wife In America Uche Egbuka Tells Woman: I Don't Love Ibinabo Fiberesima Our Wedding Is A Contract The never before revealed secret behind Nollywood actress Ibinabo Fiberesima's lavish wedding ceremony has been exposed. But Ibinabo, who spoke with Yes Magazine, exclaimed that there is no problem with her marriage and that all is fine. In a post she shared on her IG page, Ibinabo says people should not become judges in a. Weeks after some members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN, led by its president, Miss Ibinabo Fiberesima paid a courtesy visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, veteran actress, Clarion. Payment to Ibinabo Koleosho is made through Voices. The lazy nollywood practitioners don't know they should be thinking out and doing a movie titled "from the. In a two-page release titled: IBINABO FIBERESIMA AND THE AGN VISIT TO PRESIDENT GEJ: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT, Chukwurah said although President Jonathan's funding of the movie industry has aided the development of Nollywood, Fiberesima's request for an Abuja secretariat for the AGN, as well as political appointments for actors was. According to Anozie, Fiberesima is in jail and being “victimized” in the eyes of Nigerians. Ibinabo Fiberesima, Actress: '76. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. And More Nollywood, Hausa/Kannywood, Yoruba, Nigerian Films/Movies Download Ibinabo latest nigerian nollywood movie. I watched the movie Actress Jada Pinkett gives daughter Willow Smith a good run as they hit the beach in bikinis Hollywood actress, Jada Pinkett, 45 gave her 16 year old daughter, Willow Smith, a good run for her bikini body as they hit the beach in H. Fiberesima to run and win, we have endorsed. What could have lead him into this mess? Find out on this episode of jenifa’s diary VIDEO INFORMATION Filename: Jenifas. Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, has replied critics who purportedly accused him of jubilating over Ibinabo Fiberesima’s imprisonment. {facebook#http://facebook. DC Jacqueline 'Jac' Williams Riley Jones. Zino, Ibinabo’s daughter, also makes her acting debut in the movie. But at a recent beauty. The tall woman who has endured a torrid marital journey is also an ex-beauty pageant and event manager. Yeni Kuti, Ibinabo, Ali Nuhu, others divided over Tacha/BBN. According to Anozie, Fiberesima is in jail and being "victimized" in the eyes of Nigerians. Star actress and mother of three, Ibinabo Fiberesima who was sentenced to five years imprisonment recently for causing the death of a medical doctor, Dr. The AGN president, who was all smiles at the event, looks stunning in these pictures capturing her day of joy. Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s now on Amazon. You may not be able to rate the standard of Latest african movies until you view them as separate genre like latest ghanaian movies,latest yoruba movies,nigerian movies,nigerian movies 2013,nigerian nollywood. Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima has been slammed a 5-year jail term by The Court of Appeal in Lagos on Friday. However after the birth, Fred and Ibinabo remained close friends. One thing leads to another and they both ignore their seemingly incompatible social strata to fall in love. With Angélique Kidjo, Nico Panagio, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Wale Ojo. See more photos after the cut. Ibinabo looks great. Actress and mother of four, Ibinabo Fiberesima has revealed in her social media birthday post that her marriage of two years to Uche Egbuka has ended and she is now single. And More Nollywood, Hausa/Kannywood, Yoruba, Nigerian Films/Movies Download Ibinabo latest nigerian nollywood movie. Following the alleged report that a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos struck out the Actors Guild of Nigeria's Board of Trustees and Ibinabo Fiberesima's suit challenging the nullification of her election as President of the body and also challenging the legitimacy of the presidency of Emeka Ike and his executives, the Nollywood actor has come out to air his mind on the Ibinabo saga. The US 2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report labels 14 Caribbean nations as money laundering jurisdictions Georgetown (Guyana) (AFP) The 15-nation Caribbean community is angry at the United States for labeling virtually all members of the regional trade bloc as money laundering jurisdictions and plans to mount a stiff lobbying effort in Washington, its leader said Friday. 19th in Port Harcourt. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. 3gpp format. Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president, Ibinabo Fiberesima and husband Uche Egbuka tied the nuptial knots on December 18 and 19, 2014 at Okrika in Rivers State. We need to make it our personal agenda to change the world. Crystabel Goddy: Ibinabo, Grace Ama Tried Ruining My Career Crystabel Goddy and a fellow actress, Princess Chineke had an altercation on set, at the end of which Chineke was left bleeding from the wounds she sustained. Alongside the picture, the actress wrote as caption: The Nigerian film actress is an ex-beauty pageant and event manager. And dispelling rumours that his relationship with Ibinabo Fiberesima has packed up, we were told they are still good friends… When did you direct your first movie? My first movie was The Fire and The Glory. Last week, AGN president, Ibinabo Fiberesima fired shots at John Okafor for telling her to step down and not run for 2nd term. Aside being a renowned Nollywood actress, she is the country director, Miss Earth Nigeria. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. Pete Edochie,Ibinabo Fiberesima and others attended the 1st Coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty,King Ateke Micheal Tom J. [ September 21, 2019 ] Willian: Abraham Will Replace Hazard Sports [ September 21, 2019 ] Why I Don’t Support Nigerian Football – CDQ Celebrity Gist [ September 21, 2019 ] UN Sends Strong Message To South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks Breaking news. Ibinabo(ChaCha) has been the epitome of poverty. Crisp, Short, Sharp, always leaving you wanting more The day I found out my wife was cheating, I wasn’t prepared. It stars Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic, and Ibinabo Fiberesima. Happy people!. The excited housemate shared a photo of herself holding bottles of Lipton ice tea, saying she’s so happy to become part of Lipton team, adding that, she looks forward to working with the team. Ibinabo Fiberesima has the most adorable family! Posted on January 8, 2015 The AGN President shared pictures of her family on her Instagram page including her husband, sons and her father. The movie stars Nigerian superstars including Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima and more. Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor has reconciled with president of the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima. Ibinabo is an interesting fusion of Afro-Pop and Highlife. First, it was at Ibinabo's birthday held in Lagos in January. A story of intrigue, power and all the political/financial struggles of modern day Africa. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. The duo were pictured together on social media, with the former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, stating that the forgiveness was in the best interest of the Nigerian film industry. It is alarming to discover from this address, the false claims by Ibinabo that the Actors Guild of Nigeria is the only umbrella body of Nigerian screen actors; that President Goodluck Jonathan has by the “constant release of funds” effected a sustained development of the Nigerian movie industry since the inception of his administration. The actor spoke on crisis rocking the guild even when he said there is no crisis. The movie stars Nigerian superstars including Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima and more. It would be recalled that Emeka Ike and Ibinabo have allegedly been in a feud over the position of president of the Actor’s Guild and only recently, Ike accused the actress of impersonating him by stating she was still the president of the union. Veteran actress, Ibinabo Fiberisima, has slammed her colleague, Shan George and other Nigerians who have attacked the marriage of billionaire businessman and politician, Ned Nwoko and actress Regina Daniels. Read the latest news on Ibinabo Fiberesima NOW And share on Social Media. clarion chukwurah versus ibinabo fiberesima part 3 top yoruba movie actress bisi ibidapo obe set to o maybelline nigeria celebrates in nigeria with star ngozi edozien covers the new mania magazine 'power sir michael agbolade otedola's burial. [ September 21, 2019 ] Willian: Abraham Will Replace Hazard Sports [ September 21, 2019 ] Why I Don’t Support Nigerian Football – CDQ Celebrity Gist [ September 21, 2019 ] UN Sends Strong Message To South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks Breaking news. This is a situation that is currently happening and unfolding at the Ogba Police Area Command in Lagos. On March 16, 2016, Ibinabo was sacked as President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and sentenced to a 5-year jail term by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. Ibinabo Fiberesima was honored with the African Woman of Worth Award at the 6th edition of the Africa Women in Leadership Conference (AWLC) in 2014. She emerged the first runner-up in the competition and Bibiana Ohio was crowned the winner of the event. I find that she is deliberately misleading the public and wanting to push the issues at stake under the table with her so-called open letter. Ibinabo Jack is an actress, known for Vera (2011), Two for Joy (2018) and Hollyoaks (1995). Ibinabo made her debut as a film actress in the movie, 'Most Wanted' and has since went on to star in several Nigerian films. Ibinabo Fiberisima has enjoyed a wonderful modelling and acting career over the years until her ordeal started in 2009. The two have obviously made up after blasting each other in interviews over Ibinabo's re-election as AGN president. Nollywood actors Ibinabo Fiberesima and Emeka Ike have reconciled after years of being rivals in the struggle for the position of President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). She is as also a former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Nollywood actress Ibinabo Fiberesima shared lovely Independence photos from Gombe where she's directing a new movie. 3gpp format. Born to a Nigerian […]. Ibinabo Fiberesima has acted in movies like Most Wanted, The Ghost, St. Watch Now For Free Featured Browse more titles » Movies. Ibinabo thought it would be wise to use Phillipine as. Still, it looks like these talks have grown. Ibinabo has 2 jobs listed on their profile. Ibinabo Fiberesima is an actress, known for '76 (2016), Letters to a Stranger (2007) and Mortal Sin Add or change photo on IMDbPro Filmography. Not only is she in the film, Fiberesima, who has a masters […]. To stay up to date with our nigerian movies|african movies 2018, kindly click here to Hey Viewers, please don' t just watch, tell us your opinions by commenting below about this nigerian movies|african. Ibinabo (A cry for help) Season 1 - Chacha Eke 2018 Latest Nigerian Nollywood Movie Full HD Not everyone is meant to be in your future. According to him, she did a good job in uniting the crème de la crème of the movie industry for the night. It is not the first time the possibility that Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson might be considering a reunion has been brought up. Sometimes, we just have to deal with the fact that life doesn' t always go our way, you just have to remain positive. The Yoruba-language cinema is a sub-industry of Nollywood, with most of its practitioners in the Western region of Nigeria. Ibinabo Fiberesima has the most adorable family! Posted on January 8, 2015 The AGN President shared pictures of her family on her Instagram page including her husband, sons and her father. In an interview with Punch, Clarion said Ibinabo is an ex-convict and therefore not fit to lead AGN. Mountview is one of the UK’s leading drama schools. In a statement posted on the film makers platform on WhatsApp called, Movie People, she declared, “The Ibinabo Fiberesima-led National Executive committee of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. With music by the legendary Alan Menken best known for his numerous Walt Disney film scores, it is a cult film, and one of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all time. The pair had been embroiled in a legal. Für Sie Erkunden. I recently also set up my production outfit, DPT Media, so there is so much to do and I am thankful to God. According to him, about 90% of the association members do not want her as their leader, with many court cases being instituted against her. Ibinabo Fiberesima marriage. According to the Punch, Emeka Ike revealed that Ibinabo could bag another jail term because of contempt of court. Actress and mother of four, Ibinabo Fiberesima has revealed in her social media birthday post that her marriage of two years to Uche Egbuka has ended and she is now single. Guess that's all water under the bridge. Veteran actress, Ibinabo Fiberisima, has slammed her colleague, Shan George and other Nigerians who have attacked the marriage of billionaire businessman and politician, Ned Nwoko and actress Regina Daniels. In 2009, Ibinabo was charged for manslaughter and reckless driving after she accidentally killed a certain Giwa Suraj in 2006. Ibinabo Fiberesima has acted in movies like Most Wanted, The Ghost, St. In a statement posted on the film makers platform on WhatsApp called, Movie People, she declared, “The Ibinabo Fiberesima-led National Executive committee of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. IBINABO: I was traveling a lot at the time of shoot, so I will make it up to him. Latest Trailers IMDb Picks Family Movie/TV Guide Streaming Movies & TV Amazon Originals IMDb Original Series Movies Showtimes & Tickets Top Box Office Coming Soon Most Popular Movies Top Rated Movies Top Rated Indian Movies Lowest Rated Movies Movie News. AGN President, Ibinabo Fiberesima, says she would have died for Muna Obiekwe, if only she had known about his sickness. The tall woman who has endured a torrid marital journey is also an ex-beauty pageant and event manager. And More Nollywood, Hausa/Kannywood, Yoruba, Nigerian Films/Movies Download Ibinabo latest nigerian nollywood movie. Despite the controversies and outcry. [VIDEO] Ibinabo Fiberesima Talks About Her Work With Miss Earth Nigeria | TV Independent September 22, 2019 Recent Updates In this edition of “Minutes With Celeb”, TV Independent sat down with Ibinabo Fiberesima as she talks about her work with Miss Earth Nigeria, as well as the challenges and prospects. Ibinabo Fiberesima, one-time beauty queen has continued to groom others to take up crowns of their own. Awards & Nominations She won the Miss Wonderland contest in 1990. KHAMILEON : Ok, back to the movies There is also this rumor that some stars are letting their success get into their head and they treat their fans bad. The actress who has been off the movie scene for. Showtimes & Tickets Top Box Office Coming Soon Most Popular Movies Top Rated Movies Top Rated Indian Movies Lowest Ibinabo Jack. Filming for the ninth series of detective drama Vera is under way, ITV has confirmed. Since releasing the pictures, the humble and easy-going movie star has been receiving loads of messages as she celebrates her birthday. Nollywood actors Ibinabo Fiberesima and Emeka Ike have reconciled after years of being rivals in struggle for the position of ''president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. AGN leadership tussle: Steve Eboh blasts Ibinabo, Emeka Ike On July 9, 2016 2:37 am In Home Video People , News by akintayo eribake *'You people have lost your relevance in the Guild'. your username. Yesterday was the 45th birthday of Nigerian actress and movie producer, Ibinabo Fiberesima as she has blessed the internet with some luscious photos. Mr Ibu had said at the time that Ibinabo wasn't fit to be president. The movie in which Desmond Elliot played a lead role is instructive and inspiring. Ex-BBNaija housemate, Chinonso Ibinabo Opara known as Kim Oprah has signed a new endorsement deal with Lipton. Read breaking, latest and top Ibinabo Fiberesima in Nigeria. Ibinabo Fiberesima is producing a new movie- Miebaka and the movie is almost ready to hit cinemas and streets! The actress and mom of 5 who has not let anything weigh her down including her court battles and even going to prison, says she is excited about the movie which she is presently rounding up at her hometown, Okrika!. Ibinabo Fiberesima, Actress: '76. An Epic Tale of Soldiers & the Officers' Wives! Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberisima, Chidi Mokeme star in Izu Ojukwu's New Movie, '76. Starring Chiege Alisigwe as Olamma, Kenneth Okonkwo as the Prince who fell in love with Olamma, Camilla Mberekpe as the wicked Step-mother, Clem Ohameze as the wicked uncle and more, Oganigwe is a mixture of tragedy and comedy. Recall that billionaire, Ned Nwoko's marriage with Regina Daniels got people talking after they completed their traditional rights. She got to the venue ahead of Fred, who came a few minutes later. Guess that's all water under the bridge. Star actress and mother of three, Ibinabo Fiberesima who was sentenced to five years imprisonment recently for causing the death of a medical doctor, Dr. visionforchange, March 12, 2016 March 12, 2016, Celebrity Focus, Nollywood, Uncategorized, Appeal Court affirms Nollywood actress, Ibinabo’s, Ibinabo’s 5-year jail term, 0 Appeal Court affirms Nollywood actress, Ibinabo’s 5-year jail term Lagos – The Court of Appeal in Lagos on Friday,. The Africa premiere of the highly anticipated movie "76" held last night at InterContinental Hotel in Lagos. She is a former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. 8million Over Breach of Contract Source: Nathan Nathaniel Ekpo/Nigeriafilms. AGN President, Ibinabo Fiberesima, says she would have died for Muna Obiekwe, if only she had known about his sickness. ng Fans of two of Nollywood’s biggest fishes; Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji, may lately be surprised that the two perceived arch rivals are now getting along with each other like never before. “My cousin is not who you think she is” As the years rolled by, Ibinabo Fiberesima went in and out of the Nigerian movie industry promoting various beauty pageants, falling in and out of love and raising her kids from various fathers. Nollywood actors Ibinabo Fiberesima and Emeka Ike have reconciled after years of being rivals in struggle for the position of ''president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Ibinabo Jack, Liisi LaFontaine A list of live stage productions announced to be shown in movie theatres and on television. Cylop Entertainment is a branch of CYLOP GROUP SOUTH AFRICA that specializes in production, musical work promotion, marketing and branding. Daniel and many more. The aged actor praised the actress thus: "Ada'm, Ada di ora nma, only God will reward you for saving my life. According to him, about 90% of the association members do not want her as their leader, with many court cases being instituted against her. Here are some of the official photos from Ibinabo Fiberesima and Uche Egbuka's traditional marriage ceremony in Okrika, Rivers State. She was however granted bail in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum on April 7, 2016 by a Court of Appeal in Lagos pending the determination of her appeal at the Supreme Court. Ibinabo Fiberesima September 3 at 5:12 AM · In one week, Lukaku in Italy, Pogba, Marcus Rashford in England have suffered abuse based on nothing else than their skin colour and such has been roundly condemned. Ibinabo Fiberesima is producing a new movie- Miebaka and the movie is almost ready to hit cinemas and streets! The actress and mom of 5 who has not let anything weigh her down including her court battles and even going to prison, says she is excited about the movie which she is presently rounding up at her hometown, Okrika!. She studied at Winstanley College before training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Alongside the picture, the actress wrote as caption: The Nigerian film actress is an ex-beauty pageant and event manager. Pictured is Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima with her brother, Vincent Tonye and sister, Ibiwari, during their baptism many years ago. Posts about ibinabo fiberesima written by ollanrewaju. Early episodes were adapted from the Vera Stanhope novels by Ann Cleeves. Mini Bio (1) Ibinabo Jack is an actress, known for Two for Joy (2018) and Vera (2011). Movie actress Ibinabo Fiberesima has wished her ex-husband, Fred Amata, a happy birthday. Ibinabo Fiberesima coming back to movie scene as a movie Director. Rent Ibinabo Jack Movies and TV Shows on DVD and Blu-ray. Mr Ibu had said at the time that Ibinabo wasn't fit to be president. Despite the controversies and outcry. Watch Online or Download Ibinabo latest nigerian nollywood movie. My name is Henry Osemwegie aka H. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. I find that she is deliberately misleading the public and wanting to push the issues at stake under the table with her so-called open letter. Ibinabo Fiberesima has acted in movies like Most Wanted, The Ghost, St. Ibinabo is an interesting fusion of Afro-Pop and Highlife. Ever Ibinabo Fiberesima she rose to fame, she has acted in more than 200 Nollywood movies including Most wanted, The Ghost, Ladies night, St. Veteran Nollywood actress Ibinabo Fiberesima has come for her colleague Shan George over the latter’s now deleted post which slammed Ned Nwoko for marrying a young Regina Daniels. Nollywood Actress And Former President Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima Appointed As Co-Ordinator, Artistes And Performers In The 2019 Rivers State PDP Campaign Council By The State Governor, Nyesom E. But Ibinabo, who spoke with Yes Magazine, exclaimed that there is no problem with her marriage and that all is fine. The lazy nollywood practitioners don't know they should be thinking out and doing a movie titled "from the. Ibinabo Fiberesima & Emeka Ike. Unlike other celebrity birthdays characterised by binge partying, Ibinabo. australia - adelaide; australia - brisbane; australia - melbourne; uk/europe. KHAMILEON : Ok, back to the movies There is also this rumor that some stars are letting their success get into their head and they treat their fans bad. Payment to Ibinabo Koleosho is made through Voices. If Ned Nwoko finds happiness in Regina, so be it – Ibinabo Fiberesima June 3, 2019 james ocheme Celebrity 0 Actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima has finally reacted to the marriage between fellow actress, Regina Daniels and Delta state billionaire Ned Nwoko. is a top-secret, robotic dog created by the military to help protect tomorrow's soldiers. From the mouth of 6yrs old Ibinabo Abam Nigeria Will Arise Again!! Happy 59th Independence Day!! God Bless Nigeria Don't forget to share this Post. Although celebrities have always been seen as role models and screen gods, a number of them have been in trouble with the law. Ever Ibinabo Fiberesima she rose to fame, she has acted in more than 200 Nollywood movies including Most wanted, The Ghost, Ladies night, St. Ibinabo Fiberesima was honored with the African Woman of Worth Award at the 6th edition of the Africa Women in Leadership Conference (AWLC) in 2014. In 2009 and 2010, Elliot was nominated for the Best Actor category at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. Christabel Goddy is known for her somewhat voracious appetite. Movie/Book Reviews; Celebrity 12 Years After, Ibinabo Fiberesima Tells Her Own Side of the Story about the Accident That Claimed the Life of a Medical Doctor. Ibinabo Fiberesima and Emeka Ike have finally reconciled. Suraj Giwa, Mrs. 10 Evergreen Nollywood Nigerian Movies Nollywood is the Nigerian movie industry that chunks out more than 200 movies every month (averaging more than 6 movies every day). Weeks after some members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN, led by its president, Miss Ibinabo Fiberesima paid a courtesy visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, veteran actress, Clarion. Ghana opened scores in the first 20 minutes of the match and scored another in the second half. The Yoruba-language cinema began as actors of various Yoruba traveling theatre groups began to take their works beyond the stage to delve into movie production using the Celluloid format, as far back as the mid-1960s. Yes, this is a Nigerian movie titled "Ratnik" Directed by my Boss Dimeji Ajibola And the sweetest part of it is that i produced the official song & Liked by Omozuwati Enearu, PhD Experience. Who is Ibinabo Jack and what else has she been in? Ibinabo Jack is a 35-year-old actor from Wigan. Awards & Nominations She won the Miss Wonderland contest in 1990. Some people are just passing through to teach you lessons in life. Ibinabo’s dismissal followed a suit filed against her re-election by St. At the last AMVCA, Omosexy and Genny, as both are fondly. Vivian Gist , Top Naija news blog. In the piece entitled A thought for Ibinabo, Novia narrated how painful it is seeing his friend of 15-years been whisked to jail after a 10-years ordeal. She wrote: “Fred Amata,You are awe-inspiring, and I am lucky to have front-row seats in your journey. Based in London we have a worldwide reputation for excellence in education and training. actors, Charles Inojie, Victor Osuagwu, Toyin Aimakhu, AGN president, Ibinabo Fibersima, Segun Arinze, Grace Amah and others. Maradona Mclive Johnson and AGN which judgment was pronounced by Justice T. '76, formerly Lions of '76, is a 2016 Nigerian historical fiction drama film directed by Izu Ojukwu and produced by Adonaijah Owiriwa and Izu Ojukwu. AGN President Ibinabo Fiberisima seen dancing with actor Mr Ibu at her wedding last Thursday in Port Harcourt. One of Nollywood’s finest, Ibinabo Fiberesima has revealed why she has not been on the silver screen for a long time now. Movie title data, credits, and poster art provided by IMDb | Video and Images provided by IVA. There’s been too many stories from different parties with the deceased family saying she lied about being in coma and Ibinabo’s camp saying she did all she could. They were beaten 3-1 by the Ghanaian actors in the fun-filled game. 3gpp format. Ibinabo,Ramsey Nouah,Ini Edo,Desmond Elliot and other Nollywood stars at 2016 AMVCA after-party Nollywood stars had a great time at the AMVCA after-party on Saturday. In an exclusive chat with Pulse on the deaths and health scares in the entertainment industry, the first female and ex-president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria says many of her colleagues don't care much about […]. Awards & Nominations She won the Miss Wonderland contest in 1990. Since releasing the pictures, the humble and easy-going movie star has been receiving loads of messages as she celebrates her birthday. Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima has just shared photos from her wedding on Facebook. actors, Charles Inojie, Victor Osuagwu, Toyin Aimakhu, AGN president, Ibinabo Fibersima, Segun Arinze, Grace Amah and others. segun} {twitter#http://twitter. This actress thinks Ibinabo Fiberesima is getting what she deserves. One of Nollywood's finest, Ibinabo Fiberesima has revealed why she has not been on the silver screen for a long time now. Misson 2016. A tale of transformation … Amber Riley, Tyrone Huntley, Liisi LaFontaine and Ibinabo Jack. The AGN president, who was all smiles at the event, looks stunning in these pictures capturing her day of joy. Posts about ibinabo fiberesima written by ollanrewaju. Movie star Idris Elba marries girlfriend in morocco British actor Idris Elba has tied the knot with girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre in a ceremony in Morocco. Latest News on Ibinabo Jack Royal Derngate Announce Cast And Creative Team For OUR LADY OF KIBEHO (Nov 30, 2018) Upgrade Offer On DREAMGIRLS In The West End (Mar 28, 2018). [1] [2] The pageant, with the theme " Beauties for a Cause " is organized by AMC Productions, [3] and began sending representatives to Miss Earth a year after the international pageant was established in 2001. Annually convened by former beauty queen and immediate president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima, the pageant which is in its 17th year is a test for beauty, brilliance, elegance, selflessness and environmental friendliness. Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima, Obesere dump PDP for APC By Jedixraja On Mar 8, 2019 0 Nollywood actress Ibinabo Fiberesima and Fuji music exponent, Abass Akande popularly called Obesere , have defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the piece entitled A thought for Ibinabo, Novia narrated how painful it is seeing his friend of 15-years been whisked to jail after a 10-years ordeal. Pictured is Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima with her brother, Vincent Tonye and sister, Ibiwari, during their baptism many years ago. But for some reason, the romance didn’t stand the test of time. Download Jenifa’s Diary Season 16 Episode 1 SUMMARY: Download Jenifa’s Diary Season 16 Episode 1, Jenifa and Ibinabo got terrified over a false alarm on their way to the police station, Adaku returns to Jenifa’s hair salon as a pedicurist. com/kokovibesdotcom} {google-plus#http://google. Ibinabo Greenson Created on May 4, 2013 windows store and pc settings is not working on my pc "windows store" is not working on my pc,when i click on after a moment the start menu comes back,i cant even access my "pc setting" same things happens when i want to open it. Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, has replied critics who purportedly accused him of jubilating over Ibinabo Fiberesima’s imprisonment. Mini Bio (1) Ibinabo Jack is an actress, known for Two for Joy (2018) and Vera (2011). I am a Nollywood actor. The matter between St. The event, which had the who’s who in the movie and entertainment worlds, was held at Liligate Hotel in Lekki, Lagos. "My cousin is not who you think she is" As the years rolled by, Ibinabo Fiberesima went in and out of the Nigerian movie industry promoting various beauty pageants, falling in and out of love and raising her kids from various fathers. In a Facebook post, Ibinabo Fiberesima celebrates as son Malcolm Trimnell graduates from the University of Southampton. clarion chukwurah versus ibinabo fiberesima part 3 top yoruba movie actress bisi ibidapo obe set to o maybelline nigeria celebrates in nigeria with star ngozi edozien covers the new mania magazine 'power sir michael agbolade otedola's burial. She was pictured on the movie set "Just Listen". Ibinabo Fiberesima was honored with the African Woman of Worth Award at the 6th edition of the Africa Women in Leadership Conference (AWLC) in 2014. Jenifa and Ibinabo got. Read full speech. A few years later, Ibinabo stumbled into acting, starring in a blockbuster movie, Most Wanted, alongside experienced actresses like Regina Askia Williams and Ayo Adesanya. In a post she shared on her IG page, Ibinabo says people should not become judges in a matter that concerns two adults. Ibinabo Fiberesima Biography - Age, Wedding, Movies, News Beautiful and charming Nigerian actress, model and event manager, Ibinabo Fiberesima was born January 13, 1973. Happy Birthday to Nigerian film actress, ex-beauty pageant and event manager, Ibinabo Fiberesima. 2k Followers, 3,357 Following, 1,346 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ibinabo Fiberesima (@ibinabofiberesima). Sideways Movie Download SUMMARY: A young man seeks directions from a stranger he meets on the street. She was also the former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, a prominent body in the Nigerian movie industry. ng Fans of two of Nollywood’s biggest fishes; Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji, may lately be surprised that the two perceived arch rivals are now getting along with each other like never before. Nollywood actress and former AGN president Ibinabo Fiberesima married Benjamin Uche Egbuka on the 19th of December 2014 in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Beauty queen, actress, philanthropist and current president of the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima celebrated her birthday in grand style on Friday.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line106
|
__label__cc
| 0.655051
| 0.344949
|
Prospecting and Treasure Hunting Tutorials »
Old Time Prospecting Methods
Author Topic: Old Time Prospecting Methods (Read 130726 times)
This is the most detailed description of pocket mining that I ever found, and it is a treasure. It was hidden away in the pages of the MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS in the issues published in July and August, 1893, and was written as a series of five articles by someone who used the pseudonym Alex Quartz. This is not a copy and paste job; due to technical limitations I had to type this into my computer and I took advantage of the situation to condense and edit the material. I dispensed with the 19th century speculations on geology that are so outmoded, and clarified some sentence constructions, and inserted a note or two in places. Read it like you are listening to a lecture by a 19th century time traveling pocket hunter. This guy was impressive, and what he wrote is lost to the present day, until I post this, and let the cat out of the bag. I wonder where it will run off to?
POCKET MINING
When gold was first discovered in California, and for several years following, placer mining was the only branch of the mining industry practiced or known to the thousands who labored with pick, shovel and pan to rob mother earth of her golden treasure; and, if any other branch of mining was known to a few of the great multitude of miners who rushed to the gold fields, they either forgot their knowledge of that branch or did not consider it worth bothering with, when gold could be obtained so easily in the placers as it was in those days. But, as the years rolled on and the best placers were worked out, many of the miners who had found quartz, rich in gold, in the gulches and ravines where they had worked, began to look for the gold in quartz. Their researches were rewarded, and that period marks the first step forward toward the development of the many rich quartz mines we have on this coast today.
Ever since that period when quartz mining first attracted the miners' attention on this coast, science has advanced with rapid strides in this industry, until to-day the Pacific coast and California in particular, leads all other parts of the world in improvement and progress in this industry. The latest improved machinery and methods of working gold and silver ores are Pacific coast designs, and the MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS has been the chief factor in bringing this stage of advancement about, by giving to the world, through its columns, a reliable and authentic account of all the different discoveries, processes, improved mechanical appliances, etc, which have been invented from time to time. The three different branches, viz., placer mining, quartz mining, and pocket mining, are each an interesting study and a science, so to speak, within themselves. At the present time, pocket mining is attracting more attention among prospectors and those in quest of knowledge pertaining to mining than either of the others, for the reason that it is new and has not yet reached the advanced stage which the other branches have; consequently there are more opportunities for the prospector to make new discoveries and realize a profit from such for a small outlay than there are in prospecting for placers or milling propositions in quartz. All the capital the average “pocket hunter” requires is a pick, pan, shovel and grubstake; for, if he is successful in finding a pocket, he generally gets all the gold in a short time without further expense.
Pockets occur under certain conditions in a certain class of formation, hence the term “pocket formation.” This pocket formation extends along the mineral belt from Fresno county on the south, in California, to Douglas county, in Oregon, on the north, as far as it is known and pockets have been found. This pocket formation also occurs in places through Nevada, eastern Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington, and, in fact, in most of the different sections where gold and silver are found, west of the Rocky mountains. Pocket formation invariably carries the following-named minerals besides gold, and sometimes silver: iron, copper, lime, sulphur, and, in many places, lead. As a general rule, the formation is a soft porphyry, or gray slate, which slacks and decomposes rapidly by exposure to the air and sun. Pockets vary in size in different localities according to conditions. But some people may ask the question, What is a pocket? So it would be well to explain what a pocket is before we proceed further. A pocket is a mass of valuable mineral concentrated within a small space in a ledge, lead or vein; or, in other words, they are very rich spots in ledges, veins, seams or feeders, while the rest of the ledge is either barren or very much lower-grade ore than those spots or bunches which are called pockets. While the majority of the pocket ledges are barren except where the pocket occurs, yet there are many milling propositions that carry a paying quantity of gold all through, that are pocket ledges. Pocket ledges generally cut or cross the formation, while in the same district the milling ledges run with the formation or course of the country rock. Throughout the coast mineral belt the course of the pocket ledges is nearer to an easterly and westerly direction, while the milling ledges, on the contrary, run nearer to a northerly and southerly direction. This is more particularly noticeable in the northern districts, through southern Oregon and northern California, than it is in the other districts east and south. The chief minerals which predominate in the pocket formation through the first named sections are iron and lime, and the formation itself is principally porphyry. The outer edge of this pocket belt is so well defined in places that the experienced pocket hunter can tell within a few feet how far it extends. This statement may not be credited by some of our mining sharps, but nevertheless it is a fact, for there are several places in Jackson and Josephine counties, in southern Oregon, where small pockets ranging from $5 to $100 have been taken out on the border [when gold was $20.67 per oz.], next to the granite and gneiss, and within 50 feet of those pockets---in granite and gneiss formations--- small ledges or stringers, bearing gold their whole length, have been found. But all search so far has failed to discover a pocket or bunch on any of those stringers, while in the porphyry on the other side, a few feet from the contact of the gneiss and porphyry, or the granite and porphyry, the veins carry no gold except in pockets.
In the series of articles to follow I will endeavor to illustrate, in plain language, the different theories of what causes gold to occur in pockets and what forms them, and no particulars pertaining to pocket mining on the coast from Mexico to Alaska will be omitted.
1 Like delnorter1 likes this.
Re: Old Time Prospecting Methods
A pocket, as stated in the first article on this subject, is a concentrated body of gold, silver or other valuable mineral occurring in certain spots in ledges, lodes, veins, etc., of quartz and mineral-bearing rock. In nearly all the districts on this coast the mineral-bearing veins or ledges that run parallel with the formation of the country rock are almost invariably what are commonly called milling ledges, because they carry about the same amount of mineral all through the pay chutes, while on the contrary all the ledges that run crosswise of or cut the formation are pocket ledges. The pocket-belts, or streaks of formation which are prolific in pockets, are mostly porphyry or of a porphyritic or quartz-porphyry nature running parallel with the slate, granite, lime, etc., and are readily detected by the professional and experienced prospector owing to the chemical and mineral composition and general appearance to the eye. This pocket-bearing formation does not always exist in belts, but sometimes occurs in spots or patches throughout the mineral belts of the coast. In fact, there is hardly a mineral district west of the Rockies in which those spots do not occur. The chemical or mineral composition of this pocket formation is generally silica, lime, soda, alumina, potash, copper, lead, magnesia, iron, gold, quartz and water, although these conditions differ in each locality. (Here I note a problem in terminology. The author uses 19th century mineral terms that I have difficulty translating. Calcite was not used in those days, but the term for it he used was lime, so I substituted calcite in places for today's readers. Soda and potash may have referred to sodium and potassium feldspars, but I'm guessing here. Magnesia may have been magnesite, MgCO. I don't know what the contemporary equivalent for alumina is. He interchanged terms for elements with those for minerals, so the particular minerals containing lead, sulfur and copper may have been understood by his contemporaries, but I don't know what he meant. Chloride puzzles me. Chloride had a meaning among mining men in those days that is no longer used and leaves me mystified) What forms the pocket, or, in other words, what causes the gold to concentrate in a small space at certain points, is owing to a peculiar combination of other minerals which exist at or near that point and some of the minerals in this peculiar combination having an affinity for each other naturally concentrate and in turn combine to form an affinity or attraction for the others contained in the same formation, and so on until the combination is complete and possesses the affinity for the gold, quartz, and other lateral properties. What those minerals are and how to detect them will be given in future articles in this series. Pockets occur in three distinct and different conditions, viz., decomposed or free pockets, intact or specimen-rock pockets, and pay chute pockets, and they each form from separate causes and under different conditions.
The first, decomposed or free pockets, with which this article is mostly concerned, occur upon ledges, seams, feeders, etc., and are generally near the surface and throw out a strong trace, and as a rule are easily found. Those pockets are generally small compared with the specimen-rock or intact pockets and rarely exceed 100 ounces. At the point where the pocket occurs in the ledge or seam the combination of minerals at that point decomposes the ledge and leaves the gold free so that it can be panned out, and often it is so well freed from the quartz, iron, and other minerals that it does not require crushing in a mortar to make it salable as free dust. In this class of pockets there is always another cross seam or ledge which cuts, crosses or comes in contact with the ledge or seam at the point where the pocket occurs.
This cross or contact ledge or seam always carries or is entirely composed of a different mineral from that which predominates in the ledge which contains the pocket and is often very small, sometimes not more than a fourth of an inch in thickness. This ledge or seam which is composed of or carries the mineral that is required to complete the combination which decomposes the ledge at the pockets and causes the pocket to form at the point where it comes in contact, always runs at an angle to the general course of the main ledge. There is often a loose place running out from the pockets of this class resembling an old caved in gopher hole, from which gold will be found scattered on the surface. This would be a decomposed remnant of the vein on the surface which has eroded down over time.
The trace from a free or decomposed pocket is always on top of the ground, in the grass roots as it is termed, and rarely if ever is found down any depth in the soil unless it be of a very loose nature so that the gold can readily sink down into it. But if the soil be firm and compact and the hill or mountain side steep, the biggest prospect will be obtained by scraping the loose dirt and gravel on top down, say an inch, to where the ground is hard and compact, for very little of the gold will work down into the solid ground if it has any chance at all to work down hill. I have panned on traces where other prospectors, who were in the habit of going down to bedrock for their dirt to pan had worked, and where they could not raise a color on bedrock where the soil was not more than 14 inches deep, and have gotten as high as 25 cents per pan by taking the loose dirt on top of the ground. [very roughly about .4 gram, allowing for silver content, Au at $20.67/oz.]
It may be well to explain what a pocket trace is, for the benefit of the novice and those who are inexperienced. A pocket trace is the gold and other minerals which are liberated or forced out from the pocket and by their specific gravity gradually work down hill, naturally spreading out over the surface more or less in its downward course, until it finds its level or works into some gulch or ravine. In the case of pockets of this class which have been capped over by slides and locked up, as it were, from longer giving a trace, or where a great space of time has elapsed since gold has eroded from the pocket, the gold in the course of time works down into the soil and finally reaches bedrock. But in the majority of cases the gold and the mineral that comes with it from the pocket are in the surface dirt.
Number III
The professional pocket-hunter, upon finding a trace from a free or decomposed pocket, goes to work tracing it in the following manner: He first ascertains by panning where the gold lies; whether on top of the ground in the grass roots, or down deep in the soil, or on the bedrock. When he finds out where the gold lies, or, in other words, where he gets the biggest prospect, he then pans across the trace to find the center. Gold, on account of its great specific gravity, will work down hill in the same course from the pocket as water would from the same source, and when he finds the center of the trace, which he determines by the prospect he gets in the pan, the largest prospect always being in the center of the trace, he then closely examines the gold in order to find out whether he has more than one kind or not. When he is satisfied that he is getting only one kind of gold he tries a pan full from the center of the trace farther up the hill. If the trace is a slim one and he only gets a very light prospect in the center of the trace, say three or four colors to the pan after panning carefully to save everything that has greater specific gravity than dirt, particles of broken rock, etc., he closely examines the result in order to find out what goes with the gold. He does this so that he can follow that mineral, which comes from the pocket also, should the gold give out entirely in the trace before he reaches the pocket.
To find out what mineral comes from the pocket with the gold, he pans across the trace the same as he did to find the center. If he gets a considerable amount of any mineral substance or crystals in his pan samples in the center of his trace and does not get it on either side, it invariably comes from the pocket or from the ledge that gives the pocket, so by following what comes with the gold, when the gold gives out, it will lead to the ledge at the point where the pocket exists. When there is one or more kinds of gold in the trace it shows that there are two or more traces run together, or lapped over each other, and coming from as many different pockets.
Sometimes the second gold found in the trace comes from a seam or ledge running parallel with the trace, which gives out a little gold all along, and on which the pocket exists. Oftentimes prospectors who are inexperienced and cannot always tell pocket gold, work on what they suppose is a pocket trace when in reality it is gold thrown off from one of those blind ledges or seams that run in an up-and-down-hill course and give out a little gold all along, and does not “pocket” at all.
When there is sufficient gold in the trace to follow, and the largest amount is on top or in the grass roots, the prospector follows the gold until it gives out and then drops back and finds the “feeder,”the place where the gold trace goes into the ground, which leads him to the pocket. If he fails to find the feeder without disturbing much of the ground in the vicinity of where he thinks the pocket is, he then cuts a trench down to bedrock, up and down hill, at the end and in the center of the trace, commencing a little below where the gold gave out and extending it up above where he got the last gold. By doing this, he cuts across the ledge or seam which gives the pocket, and then it is an easy matter to find the feeder on the ledge. Should he fail to find a ledge or seam in his trench, he then digs another trench, at right angles with the first one, a short distance below where the gold gave out, and in this trench he will cut the ledge if it runs parallel or nearly so with his trace.
In this manner he is sure to find the ledge, and when once found it is an easy matter to find where the pocket is. I have seen places where prospectors had followed up traces until the gold gave out, and then dug hole after hole and tore up the earth in such a manner that it would be almost impossible for the next prospector who came along to find out where the gold gave out. When such prospectors fail to get the pocket, it is a soft snap generally for the professional who comes after him, for half the work is already done for him and he goes to trenching and soon finds the ledge which the first man has dug holes on both sides of, but not directly over.
In many places the ledges crop or give out considerable float, and in such cases the pockets are more easily found. At the point where the pocket occurs the ledge is more or less decomposed, and in most cases it carries a large amount of iron oxide. The stringer or ledge that invariably comes in through the country rock and contacts with the ledge at the point where the pocket occurs, is generally largely composed of calcite, iron, copper, or manganese.
If it is composed largely of quartz, or is a quartz ledge or vein it will be found to carry one or more of those minerals in large quantities.
In the northern counties of California above Shasta, (meaning the present day ghost town, not the volcano) and throughout southern Oregon, the contacting seam or stringer is calcite. The combination of minerals which exist in pockets of this class only decomposes the ledge where the pocket occurs, and the ledges in nine cases out of ten are barren of gold eighteen inches and two feet on either side of the pocket. Sometimes a color of gold cannot be found six inches on either side of where the decomposition ends. Those pockets mostly occur in soft, yellow porphyry which contains a large percentage of calcite and iron and is prolific in small stringers of quartz and calcite. When the prospector is hunting for a trace, and he finds this soft porphyry formation, he forms his ideas as to how the ledges run. Then he commences panning around the base of the hill, point or ridge, taking his pan samples about 25 or 30 feet apart until he pans all around the base of it. If he does not find a trace then, and still believes that there are pockets above, he goes a hundred yards or so farther up the hill or rising ground and pans around the same as before, so that if there should be a trace above that did not reach down as far as the foot of the hill or point, he will catch it in his second panning around the hill.
Many pocket hunters follow this method: They find out where there has been a short gulch that paid well to placer mine, and, when they find out at what point the pay quit, they pan on either side of the gulch on the side hill until they find where the gold came into the gulch and then follow it up to the pocket or where the pocket has been. In most cases, where the short gulches have been rich, the pockets which fed into them are all out and gone; but if the pocket-hunter once finds the ledge where one of the principle pockets came from, he then has the main key to the situation. He follows along the same ledge, for it is likely to pocket in another place. Then, again, it often occurs that where the pocket is broken away and gone down into the gulch, there is one or more still existing underneath where the first one was. If he does not find a trace on either side of the gulch, and there is a little gold still in the gulch, he follows the gold until he finds where it leaves the gulch and follows it up the hill until it leads him to where it originally came from. I know where traces, and what would be called slim ones at that, have been followed for over half a mile to a pocket amounting to no more than 2 ½ oz.; and in one particular case in southern Oregon, I followed a trace over three-fourths of a mile and found the pocket.
Number IV
The particles of gold found in free or decomposed pockets have a slight affinity for each other, as if magnetic. To demonstrate, it is only necessary to take the flour gold from one of these pockets and corner it down in a pan until it forms a string of an inch or so in length in the crease of the pan; then take considerably more water into the pan and by a sudden jerk movement try to scatter the flour gold by the action of the water carrying it over the bottom of the pan. No matter how fine your gold may be, you will find, try whatever way you may, that you cannot completely distribute and separate the particles of gold. You can always see it with the naked eye, and, if you will take a small magnifying glass and examine the bottom of the pan, you will find that the particles of gold lie in bunches or clusters and not completely scattered, each particle laying separate by itself.
The flour gold from a milling vein, or, in other words, from a vein or ledge that carries an equal amount of gold all along, when treated in this manner will completely separate, and it will be found by examining the bottom of the pan closely with the glass that each particle will be seen lying by itself and not gathered in clusters or bunches the same as the pocket gold.
There may be several other minerals found in this class of pockets, but a pocket without calcite, iron, copper, lead, and sulfur has not yet been found. They are always present in free or decomposed pockets. They may not always occur in the same form, but they are generally in a chloride or metallic state. These five minerals are the key to the pocket and are what cause the pocket to form. Of course gold is included and makes the sixth mineral. Several other minerals may be found in pockets besides those five above named, but they do not play an important part in forming the pocket. Wherever this combination of these five minerals is found in a ledge, and there is any gold, there is generally a pocket on the ledge, although, either from some curious action of nature or from the peculiar action of some other foreign mineral upon this combination of five, it sometimes occurs that no pocket forms even when those five necessary minerals are present, but this seldom happens.
It is nearly always safe to count on finding a pocket on a ledge near the surface where those five minerals exist at one point, no matter in what form they may occur so long as they are there. The size of the pocket can very often be determined by the size of the ledge proper. A large ledge nearly always gives a large pocket, while small ledges and seams do not appear to have the body to support a large deposit of those minerals, consequently, the pockets are small. The rim, ledge, or seam which comes in contact with the ledge proper, at the point where the pocket occurs, is as essential to forming the pocket as the combination of the five minerals; and in every pocket yet found of this class, this contacting seam or ledge has always been found. It appears to be the feeder through which the minerals are carried to the pockets, although sometimes the pocket occurs on the this feeder instead of the ledge. Those cases occur oftener where the ledge is barren quartz than where the ledge is more mineralized. The first step that the prospector should take, who intends to follow this branch of mining, is to make a study of those five minerals, so that he can readily detect them in any form; and when he has acquired that knowledge he then has the main key to finding this class of pocket. I have known men who were so expert at detecting, with their eyes, those minerals and the different indications of a pocket, that, after a close examination of the ground, they would walk directly to the spot and mark the place on top of the ground where the pocket was, and upon digging down, the pockets were found directly underneath the spot they had marked.
Number V
The reason why pockets of this class are always found in decomposed quartz is because the combination of the five minerals, mentioned in article No.4, which are always present in this form of pocket, acts upon the quartz, and, being a strong decomposing agent, soon rots away the ledge at the point where they concentrate.
The gold in those pockets is generally rough and “scraggly,” and pieces are often found all honey-combed like pumice-stone where the quartz has decayed away and left nothing in a solid form except the gold. Sometimes in the larger pockets of this class there is smooth gold, similar to well-worn placer gold, found in the center of the pocket; but, upon examination it will be found that those smooth nuggets have a coating or glazing of copper on the smooth surface and are more of an orange tint than the rest of the gold in the pocket. Sometimes those nuggets or pieces which are found in the center of the pocket are rough and scraggly on one side and smooth and glazed on the other. Those smooth pieces are found only in large pockets, and in pockets where they are found there is always a large percentage of copper in the mineral combination. Whenever the majority of the colors found in a free pocket trace are in the shape of needle points broken off or “arrowheads,” as the pocket hunter calls them, the trace is seldom worth following up, for the pockets that give traces are invariably small and seldom amount to over $5 or $6. ( About a quarter oz. of gold, more or less, probably worth some effort these days)
They occur on small stringers of quartz not over a half inch in width and often not more than six or eight feet in length, and generally cut through soft, yellow porphyry. The best free pockets are always found in the porphyry or on or near the contact with the porphyry and serpentine. The most of this class of pockets when laid bare are very deceiving to the eye, for the reason that little or no gold is visible, it being coated and concealed by iron oxide, manganese, etc.; but, when washed thoroughly in a pan, the decomposed matter will be found to be very rich. Then, again, in other cases, the gold being free from coating, will show so distinctly that the inexperienced pocket miner will think that the decomposed matter in the pocket is much richer than it really is. The flour gold is always in the top and bottom of the pocket; consequently, the flour gold in the trace will be found in largest quantities nearest the pocket when it is still in place, and, again, when the pocket is out and gone, the flour gold will be found in largest quantities near where the pocket originally was.
The experienced pocket hunter will soon detect by the flour gold he gets in his trace whether the pocket is still in place or not. He does it in this way: By carefully examining the flour gold--if he finds the most of it very light in weight as well as in color, which he can readily detect by his manipulations with the pan and by watching closely how the gold acts--he soon finds out whether the majority of the flour gold came from the bottom or top of the pocket. His judgment is based upon the following facts: Say, for instance, that a free pocket contains 200 ounces of gold. The gold which comes from the top of that pocket we will say is worth or assays $17 per ounce; then it will be found that the gold in the center or middle of the pocket will be worth less, say $16.75 per ounce, and the gold in the bottom of the pocket will be worth still less, or about $16 per ounce, so thus it will be seen that the gold gradually diminishes in value from the top to the bottom of the pocket. Where the gold is more alloyed with silver rather than copper this feature is more plainly noticeable; and the prospector, finding the majority of his gold a light color and light in weight, and intermingled with white particles resembling gold coated with quicksilver, naturally concludes that the gold being examined came from the bottom of the pocket, and it is out and gone, and he is only getting the gold from the bottom of the pocket in the trace.
Free or decomposed pockets occur generally upon ledges that are barren except where the pocket exists, and the size of the pocket depends upon the size or width of the ledge and the amount of the mineral combination which concentrates where the pocket forms.
XT18000
PPT Invited
Better prospecting through chemistry
A little more in- site on pocket hunting; Pocket hunting was very common and used by the early prospectors from the states of North Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
When Gold was discovered in California most of the prospectors in the eastern states made a wild dash there as the reports of large nuggets and easy pickings made there way back
east. It was the fact that there was such easy pickings ( in the early days of the rush ) that pocket hunting lost much of its followers and the knowledge they had of it. Over time, when
things settled down and the easy pickings was gone, a few of those old prospectors that had the knowledge went back to pocket hunting, very few of the younger ones or those from
other places in the world, ( with the exception of those from Australia ) had no or very little knowledge of this technique and as they died off or gave up and went back where they
had came from, it was almost an lost art. With the rush in Oregon it was revived and put to good use, southern Oregon is prime pocket hunting territory, and there is quite a good
bit of it going on even today.
With the advent of Metal Detectors, a new form of pocket hunting was born and opened new areas ( the desert areas of the southwest ) that is still in use today and has a large
following. This has lead to world wide use of detectors and pocket hunting with them, what's old is new again abet in a new form.
As people read our posts on this subject, perhaps some of them will have enough interest in it to learn more about it and use it,, and the art of pocket hunting will be kept alive.
There is not much in the way of printed material that one can study to learn it but there is still some if they really want to look for it, the main problem is, to many want someone
else to do all the work for them. You have taken a good bit of time and used no small amount of effort to put together your post on the subject, and I give you kudos for that.
mentalcoincoin
Province/State: B.C.
Tip Of The $pear
Yes indeed EMF a most interesting & rear read,I printed it out and filed it in my mineral claim binder that I take with me out to claim. As well, a big THANX and a much deserved kudo!
SDHillbilly
Province/State: black hills South Dakota
EXCELLENT! thank you EMf it should be a mandatory read for all prospectors i agreeeeeeeeeeeeeee kudos
just keep digging
Thanks guys. When I started finding this information I realized it led to the last best hope for the individual prospector to make that rich strike, but it will require dedicated persistent effort, mental as well as physical. I was surprised to discover how little known this information was despite the building interest in gold prospecting over the years. Well, I did something to change that, and I hope to see pictures and stories of pocket finds posted on this forum in the future.
For those who really want to keep this work of excellence.
[Old attachment removed automatically]
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line107
|
__label__cc
| 0.710042
| 0.289958
|
karenmilan
Hyacinth - Biblical name
Another poem by Burns
Poems or story
Naming the Biblical way
Par karenmilan dans Accueil le 22 Mars 2016 à 16:50
One of the most important decisions that a newlywed couple has to make after deciding to have a baby is what to name it. Although it would just be a couple of words that will be attached to the newborn; it would eventually be carried with them for the rest of their life and could also end up being a reflection of their personality.
So, how does the process work? After the various meetings with our respective elders and many consultations later the common man turns to social media asking his unknown group of friends to suggest creative and dynamic names with an ‘A’ or ‘S’. There are still many of us who use the ‘old school’ method to decipher a revered name form the respective religious books in our communities.
For centuries; ‘The Bible’ has been a source of names for many new parents and continues to do so till this time as it is a well known touchstone of literature and human culture. It gives the parents a variety of choices between Hebrew, Greek and Latin names. Few of the popular names that have their roots in the Bible can be summed up as follows:
i. Aaron: This is a derivative from Hebrew roots of ‘Aharon’; although the origin is believed to be from Ancient Egypt. Its suggested meanings are ‘Warrior Lion’, ‘the Exalted’ and ‘High Mountain’. He was the elder brother of Moses and the initial priest of the Israelites.
ii. Abel: According to the Bible, this name can be termed as the third name that came into existence for a male (after Adam and Cain) since the beginning of time. He was the younger brother of Cain; Abel had faced execution at the hands of Cain out of envy and is termed as the first man to die. The name is derived from the Hebrew name Havel and the root meaning as ‘breath’.
iii. Abraham: He is the son of the tenth descendant of Noah, Terah. The Torah claims his name was originally Avram (‘High Father’) but God changed his name and ‘ha’ was added after his covenant with God. The name now means ‘father of many’; as he is commonly known as the father of the Abrahamic religions namely Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
iv. Adam: The first human being on planet earth and also the first name given by God. It is Hebrew for ‘man’ and the Arabic counterpart means ‘made from clay’. As per Genesis in the Old Testament; God created Adam from earth and hence the name also signifies the divine act. It is a common name and the spelling remains the same irrespective of language.
v. Eve: Adam and Eve were the first humans created and the human race associates their existence to them. The first woman on planet earth and also the first feminine name christened by God. It has Hebrew roots, which means ‘to breathe’, ‘to live’ or simply put ‘living’.
vi. Hannah: Few names can be classified as palindromes and this is one of them. The Hebrew roots put the meaning as ‘God’s reward/grace/favour to the world’. The Old Testament says she was the mother of Prophet Samuel.
vii. Sarah: This name is also spelled as ‘Sara’. She was Abraham’s wife and was originally named Sarai, but God changed it. She gave birth to Isaac at the age of 90 and the name has many meanings; the Hebrew and Persian roots translate it as ‘woman of high rank’, ‘noblewoman’ or ‘princess’.
Naming the child is a task that usually unites the entire village and thankfully there are many choices, in addition to the above, that can be used to christen the new bundle of joy.
karenmilan - Ouvrir un blog gratuit sur Eklablog - CGU - Signaler un abus -
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line110
|
__label__wiki
| 0.842078
| 0.842078
|
Front Page - Friday, September 27, 2019
Critic's Corner: An interplanetary journey to explore the space within
By David Laprad
How far would you go for closure? Would you drive across town? Would you book a cross-country flight? Would you pilot a spacecraft to the farthest reaches of the solar system?
Major Roy McBride had lost his father 16 years earlier – or so he believed. But when he learns his dad might still be alive, he begins a journey to reconnect. Since neither a car nor an airplane can reach Neptune, he chooses to travel by spacecraft.
That might sound like an adventure. But “Ad Astra,” which stars Brad Pitt as McBride, is not an action film. Instead, it’s a deep space drama that seems to pose the age-old question of whether or not we’re alone in the universe. Instead, it asks if we’re ready for the answer.
“Ad Astra” also is a meditative character study. As we meet McBride, he’s performing repairs on an antenna that extends from Earth to the outermost layer of its atmosphere. When a power surge hits the planet and knocks McBride off the antenna, he plummets several miles to terra firma.
I don’t think I’m spoiling the movie by saying he survives. It’s a heart-pounding sequence, but instead of using the scene to thrill his viewers, writer and director James Gray demonstrates how McBride’s pulse doesn’t accelerate, even as he’s facing a messy death.
While McBride’s ability to save himself in that situation is impressive, this scene reveals him to be detached and emotionless. McBride says in a voice-over that his astronaut training has taught him to compartmentalize – to put away every extraneous matter and focus on the immediate task – but the blank look on Pitt’s face for much of the film leads me to think he’s lying to himself.
The journey across space begins after U.S. Space Command informs McBride that it has traced the source of the power surge and others like it to Neptune, where his father had traveled nearly two decades ago to observe deep space and find intelligent life.
Since the surges threaten life on Earth, McBride’s mission is to travel to Mars and establish contact with his father.
It should be clear by now that “Ad Astra” has nothing in common with “Star Trek” and other spacefaring adventures. But that doesn’t stop Gray from inserting a couple of mystifying action scenes.
Both a lunar rover chase involving moon scavengers and a bizarre baboon attack could have been lifted out of “Ad Astra” without affecting its central narrative, but I guess someone involved in the making of the film thought audiences would need a couple shots of adrenaline. I didn’t.
McBride’s quest to reunite with his father held my attention and would have been enough to carry me through “Ad Astra.” The movie’s somber tone and stark, cold settings drew me in and helped me to identify with McBride.
And although “Ad Astra” is not a beautiful film, Gray captures the unfathomable emptiness of space better than any other director has. Given his themes, I believe he achieved precisely what he’d hoped to.
Also, Pitt delivers a compelling performance. Although the role of McBride requires little more than a dead stare for much of “Ad Astra,” I quickly felt sympathy for Pitt’s McBride. And when McBride’s hardened clay exterior did finally crack, I was moved by Pitt’s portrayal of the release of McBride’s long-buried grief and yearning.
That’s not to say “Ad Astra” is without other problems. The plotting is untidy in places and the dialog is downright clunky. While Pitt’s voiceovers do shed light on McBride’s internal state, they reminded me of Harrison Ford’s awkward and pointless narration for the original theatrical release of “Blade Runner.” I hope Gray reconsiders this aspect of “Ad Astra” and releases a director’s cut without the voiceovers.
But even in the face of those issues, something inside me shifted while watching “Ad Astra,” and, one day later, I’m still feeling the effects.
As “Ad Astra” contemplates our readiness to learn whether we have celestial neighbors, it pierces the chest of humanity and shines a light on a broken heart. McBride is not just a single man, aching to reconnect with his father. He’s all of us, faced with crossing an impossible distance to find the things we’ve lost and save ourselves in the process.
Gray believes we can get there. But he also suggests the solutions lie not among the stars but here – where mankind was born, lives and faces a messy death. (Peter Schulze’s TEDx Talk, “We Aren’t Going to Mars,” would make an excellent companion piece for “Ad Astra.”)
That’s an unexpected statement for a science fiction film to make. “Ad Astra” might lack blockbuster thrills, and its footing isn’t always strong, but it delivers a profound message for our times and is worth seeing on a big screen, which I believe is the only canvas capable of capturing the scope of its themes.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line113
|
__label__cc
| 0.570496
| 0.429504
|
This content is © 2018 Hannes Gade | All rights reserved.
Invoking the Muse
In recent years people have realized the importance of proper diet and exercise, and recent surveys show that over the last 20 years people are eating better and working out more often, resulting in people living longer, but people are still lacking in their understanding that their mental well-being is just as important as their physical health.
Today most people get on average 4 to 6 hours of exercise every day, and make sure that everything they put in their mouths is not filled with sugars or preservatives, but they pay no attention to their mental health, no vacations, not even the occasional long weekend. All of this for hopes of one day getting that big promotion.
The forms that designers produce are flexible, so long as the results serve the need. Frank Chimero
Coventry is a city with a thousand years of history that has plenty to offer the visiting tourist. Located in the heart of Warwickshire, which is well-known as Shakespeare’s county, there are easy transport links to historic Warwick, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon. Additionally, there are many things to see and do in and around Coventry itself.
The city has many places of interest to the visitor. Coventry is renowned as a religious center with many important churches within its locale. The city also has philosophy is considered a science but it is difficult to say, when one has to compare with an ordinary science, for example biology, or chemistry. This is a question that turns into a burning problem among the scientists and linguists all over the world.
Can philosophy be a science? What does philosophy operate with? It operates with is considered a science but it is difficult to say, when one has to compare with an ordinary science, for example biology, or chemistry. This is a question that turns into a burning problem among the scientists and linguists all over the world.
Can philosophy be a science? What does philosophy operate with? It operates with categories, which can be as wide and as interchangeable as one can only imagine. Ordinary science operates with definitions, which are quite limited in their field of research. Ordinary science uses terms and laws of that very science to continue the research, uniting with the others in very rare cases. We also can not call philosophy a supra-science, for it also uses hypothesis and arguments to state the opinion. But there is the obvious thing: there are now Philosophy is considered a science but it is difficult to say, when one has to compare with an ordinary science, for example biology, or chemistry.
This is a question that turns into a burning problem among the scientists and linguists all over the world. Can philosophy be a science?
Next: Next post: Enlightenment Is Not Just One State
© Hannes Gade 2018
hannesga.de
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line115
|
__label__wiki
| 0.889777
| 0.889777
|
Dr. Hart's Mansion - Pacific Grove, California
The History of Dr. Hart's Mansion & the Early Days of Pacific Grove
Step Inside
The Victorian Style
Punta de los Pinos
David Jack's County
Pacific Grove Retreat
Early Buildings
Lot 1, Block 43, 2nd Add.
Dr. Hart's Family History
Dr. Hart at His Mansion
Hart's Sanitorium
Hovden Mansion
Antique Castle
Maison Bergerac
Gernot's Victoria House
Robert's White House
Visitors Message Board
Gernot and Rosemarie Leitzinger, during this time, had been operating the Old Europe restaurant at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />663 Lighthouse Avenue, on the corner of 19th Street just across the way from the Hart Mansion (on one of the four lots H.S. Snodgrass acquired in 1884).
Gernot was born in the small town of Kitzbuhel in the Austrian Tyrol where he first acquired his culinary skills at Innsbruck’s famous hotel school. “As I was learning, I was also apprenticing at the different hotels and restaurants in the area,” Gernot told Game & Gossip in a profile of Old Europe in the magazine’s ________ issue. “When I left the school, I headed for Switzerland with all the confidence in the world, where I collected different types of experiences in their fine establishments.”<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Among the places in Switzerland where Gernot served his apprenticeships were Bou O’Lac in Zurich and the Hotel Schweizerhof in Davos. Two years later, Gernot returned Austria where he went to work for Prince Auersberg. “It was a beautiful job,” Gernot recalls, “and fairly easy. They entertained for three days then their friends entertained them. The best part of the job was that I got the opportunity to come to the United States for four months while in their employ.”
The Prince had married a wealthy American heiress and moved his entire staff to Palm Beach, Florida. Instead of returning to Europe, Gernot toured through the United States for a month. After returning briefly to Austria to obtain his Visa, Gernot came back to the United States and headed straight to the Bay Area, where he got a job as assistant chef at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club in San Mateo.
There he met Rosemarie nee Bonfert, who he married in 1968. Rosemarie, who came to the U.S. from Germany with her parents when she was two years old, speaks fluent French and German. She studied at the Foreign Language Institute in Monterey and at a university in Heidelberg.
While living in San Mateo, the Leitzingers made frequent trips to the Monterey Peninsula. In 1968, overcome by the attractiveness of the area, Gernot took a job as the food and beverage director for two new locations of the Holiday Inn, one in Carmel and the other in Monterey (at the site of the present-day Monterey Beach Hotel).
It did not take Gernot & Rosemarie long to immerse themselves in Monterey community. Later that year, Gernot entered the Heart Fund Culinaire competition, now known as the Culinary Classique, and won the competition’s Grand Prix. The following year’s event, themed “Night in Vienna,” was featured in the April 15, 1969 issue of Game & Gossip, which reported, “Holiday Inn chef Gernot Leitzinger prepared poached salmon, a roast beef plate with veal, a ham plate and a lard sculpture of Johann Strauss (with a wooden base around which the shortening was molded) to win three prizes this year.”
Winning culinary competitions was not a new experience for Gernot. In 1965, at the National Restaurant Convention, he took first prize in the Senior Culinary Olympics. Years later, Gernot served as President of the Monterey Peninsula Chef’s Association, which awarded him the honor of Chef of the Year in 1980.
Before long, Gernot resigned to take a job as the manager of the Beach & Tennis Club in Pebble Beach, but within a year, he finally fulfilled his dream of opening his own restaurant. “I really started to enjoy myself at cooking when I bought the Swiss Tavern in Carmel,” he told Game & Gossip. “The only problem was that I got claustrophobia in the small quarters and, too, I always felt badly when I had to turn guests away—especially my friends.”
The Leitzingers solved that problem by opening the Old Europe restaurant in Pacific Grove, which seated 40. The menu had changed only slightly from the Swizz Tavern and the two decorated the new restaurant to give it the appearance of a country inn—bright table linens, copper pots for décor, lots of color and flowers. The Leitzingers operated as a working team. “The kitchen is mine and the dining room is hers,” explained Gernot.
The Leitsingers had been operating Old Europe for 13 years when the opportunity to purchase the Hart Mansion arose. Shortly after the Friedereksen’s left the premises, Gernot made an offer and purchased the Hart Mansion.
The Leitzingers soon opened Gernot’s Victoria House Restaurant, offering fine European style cuisine. The menu included soups and salads, pate de campagne, escargots, and entrees such as breast of duck with raspberry sauce, rack of lamb, wild boar, several veal specialties, including Austrian wienerschnitzel and veal marsala, beef fillet, and fresh seafood.
Initially, the Leitzingers rented the upstairs rooms of the building, but in 1993, they took occupancy of the upstairs apartment themselves. Within a year after opening the restaurant in the Hart Mansion, Jacques and Jeneatte Malok purchased the Old Europe restaurant from them. Jacque now manages [Rancho Wine] in the [Rancho Shopping Center] in Carmel.
By 1994, the Leitzingers were ready to retire from the restaurant business. In the Fall of 1994, Mark and Gayle Comer purchased the business and operated a tea parlor. When that businesss closed, the Leitzinger’s reopened Gernot’s Victoria House Restaurant, but put the building up for sale.
A Theoria® Publication
Copyright © 2008 Theoria Publishing Co.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line117
|
__label__cc
| 0.617568
| 0.382432
|
Shoot-out in Kentucky
Date(s): July 2, 1887 Location: Tag(s): Government, Law
In 1887, a long-standing feud between the Tolliver family and the Martin family came to a bloody end in Rowan County, Kentucky. The feud began after the 1884 election when Cook Humphrey defeated Sam Goodson for the position of sheriff. John Day and Floyd Tolliver were accused of beating John Martin with a club after words were exchanged over the election of Humphrey. This incident was the beginning...
Cholera Epidemic
Date(s): May 26, 1854 to June 3, 1854 Location: Tag(s): Health/Death, Migration/Transportation, Urban-Life/Boosterism
Nineteen people in Nashville and the surrounding area died of what doctors suspected to be cholera. Most of the deaths occurred near the city limits. The Nashville Union sought to control any possible panic by relaying information of the epidemic with this concluding sentence: This is the whole truth up to this time [original emphasis]. They reassured their readers that once the weather changed...
The Civil Rights Bill and Fourteenth Amendment defeated in the Kentucky Legislature.
Date(s): January 7, 1867 to October 31, 1867 Location: Tag(s): African-Americans
Despite the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Civil Rights Act in 1866, the Kentucky Legislature rejected both acts on January 7, 1867, by the votes of 62-26 and 24-7. The acts secured the citizenship and Civil Rights to all Americans whether black or white. The infringement of Civil Rights under the pretence of law and custom was made illegal, and the acts legalized the removal of cases...
Regulator Mob Burns RIchard Coleman
Date(s): October 1899 Location: Tag(s): African-Americans, Crime/Violence, Health/Death, Race-Relations
The South was a region characterized by extreme violence following the civil war, much of which resulted from racial tensions. The flagrant racism found throughout the south explains why the majority of murders were committed by white men against black victims. However, many killings of blacks remained unreported as they often went unpunished. All murder cases in which the victim was white were...
Kentucky Governor Election
Date(s): December 1899 to February 3, 1900 Location: Tag(s): Crime/Violence
William Goebel won the Democratic party's nomination in December, 1899 for Governor of Kentucky. In light of the fact that the Democratic party had previously been a Confederate dominated party, it was unusual for the Pennsylvanian to win the nomination. His following was mainly composed of young democrats. His campaign was extremely ambitious and well organized. He stood for controlling corporations,...
Maysville Road Act
Date(s): May 22, 1830 Location: Tag(s): Economy, Migration/Transportation, Urban-Life/Boosterism
One of the most controversial Acts of its time, the Maysville Road act authorizing the purchase of 50,000 worth of stock in the Maysville, Washington, Paris, and Lexington Turnpike Company, otherwise known as the National, or Cumberland, Road. To begin with, the road itself, or what was actually built of it, was a significant advance in construction technology. The four mile stretch that was constructed...
Report on the Louisville-Portland Canal
Date(s): January 15, 1830 Location: Tag(s): Economy, Migration/Transportation, Urban-Life/Boosterism
On January 15, 1830, the Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser included a report “respecting the state and progress of this important work,' the Louisville-Portland Canal, and the specific methods and requirements of its construction. Finished later in 1830, the Canal, which stretches mostly through Kentucky, allowed steamboat travel to avoid the impassable Ohio River Falls and continue...
Kentucky Legislature attempts to block Bank of United States from opening branches in Kentucky
Date(s): January 15, 1817 Location: Tag(s): Economy, Urban-Life/Boosterism
The Kentucky Legislature moved to prevent a branch of the Second Bank of the United States from entering Kentucky. The bill, “an act to prevent the circulation of private notes in this commonwealth' was passed on January 13th. It was unsuccessful in its attempt, and branches opened soon afterwards in Louisville and Lexington. These banks were not popular among the locals, who tended to prefer...
Segregated Schools Mandated
Date(s): August 31, 1873 Location: Tag(s): African-Americans, Education, Race-Relations
As the first Confederate state readmitted to the Union on July 23, 1866 Tennessee never experienced Federal military occupation. As a result, Tennessee was able to get through Reconstruction with relatively few changes to its state constitution. In 1873, a majority-white legislature passed a new public school law mandating separate but equal for black students and teachers, supported by property taxes...
1 | 2 | Next »
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line118
|
__label__cc
| 0.724733
| 0.275267
|
office@havenproject.net (781) 913-5738
Patriots Raffle
Tennis Benefit
Home / About / Our Team
Gini Mazman
“People are surprised when I tell them that most of the young people who come in our drop in center are not parenting or pregnant, do not have a criminal record and are not addicted. They are, however all broken, afraid and young when they come in to us for help. They have had failure after failure in relationships, school and work and this failure wears on them and makes them vulnerable and hopeless. At the Haven Project, we have a short window of time to meet their basic needs and then quickly present them with opportunities for success. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to meet so many of these young people and start an organization that could change the trajectory of so many young lives.”
Ms. Mazman is a lifelong resident of the North shore. She has a BS from Salem State University, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a graduate certificate in non-profit management from Suffolk University. She worked for 17 years in various leadership and business management positions before she left to work in the non-profit field. She has years of experience in grant-writing and program development and management for transitional age young adults. She is the founding Executive Director of the Haven Project.
Emily Urbina
“I was so inspired by this organization that has found a legitimate need that very few are meeting. The more I work with our clients the more convinced I am that there is a huge deficit of support, wisdom, and positive guidance in many young peoples’ lives. I feel truly privileged to be involved in providing that to an under-served population.”
Emily oversees the daily program and case management of the Haven Project’s clients. Her background is in education in multicultural and 3rd-world contexts, and she received her BA in Education with a focus on Adult education. She is bilingual and has experience in ESL and administration of non-profits.
Fredy Hincapie
Social Enterprise Manager
“The Haven Project has offered me the tools, commitment, and passion to impact individuals and the community. Our young adults have great potential to succeed and I am grateful to be a piece of their life that propels that.”
Fredy migrated to Colombia in 2003 and has been a Lynn resident ever since. He graduated from Lynn Classical High School and is currently pursuing his degree in Social Work at Salem State University. Fredy oversees the social enterprise including events and the Job Training Program at Land of a Thousand Hills Café.
Gary Rivas
Lead Case Manager
“Everyday we deal with obstacles. Obstacles that may seem unbeatable, but if we surround ourselves with people who want to help us, people who will push us to be our best self, then you can overcome what feels insurmountable. The Haven Project team consist of these types of people; people who will do their best to help you succeed.”
As the Lead Case Manager Gary works directly as the first point of contact for clients in the Drop in Center; he helps lead the case management team and facilitates the daily Drop in Center operations. His background is in psychology and has 18 years of management experience in the human service field. Among many qualifications, Gary is bilingual, a Driver Education Instructor, and a certified Crisis Prevention Instructor.
Nixon Etienne
“Everyone has a story to tell. Sometimes, they need an editor to help them clear up some of the rougher edges.”
Nixon graduated from Malden High School and went on to receive his AAS in Entertainment Management at Bay State College. In addition to serving as a case manager here at the Haven Project, Nixon works as an educator in the Lynn Public Schools system. He is passionate about helping the next generation excel in every capacity afforded to them.
Shannon Shaffer
Volunteer Mentoring Coordinator
“I love that the Haven Project is built around relationships. I’m so thankful that I get to connect the community to the young people we serve, and that I get to play a role in providing an avenue for youth to develop healthy relationships with caring, compassionate adults.”
Shannon graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri with a BA in English. She moved to Lynn in order to serve as a Highland Street AmeriCorps Ambassador of Mentoring at The Haven Project. She has worked with youth of various ages in a variety of different settings, and has seen how powerful positive relationships can be both in the life of a young person, and the in the life of the adult mentoring them. As a result, she is passionate about connecting the youth the Haven Project serves to members of the community.
Joyce Chow
“Our young adults are capable of a lot! We all need cheerleaders and that is what the Haven Project represents for many of our clients.”
Joyce is from L.A. and moved to Massachusetts in 2010. She is a Design Engineer at GE Aviation. She volunteers as staff in the Haven Project drop-in center and she also coordinates meal donations. She holds a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as well as a Tufts University Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Joyce is passionate about serving the community of Lynn where she works. She is always looking for opportunities to volunteer and loves working with Girls Inc. and at The Haven Project where she knows that her time is making a powerful impact on young lives. Joyce loves solving problems which she does in one way at GE, and in another way at the Haven Project. Though Joyce is still young herself, she enjoys working with youth because she is able to encourage positive change.
“The Haven Project provides an outlet for these young adults to learn the skills needed to thrive at such a crucial time in their lives. To be able to be a part of this, especially in my own community, is priceless!”
A life-long resident of Lynn, Lauren graduated from Lynn Classical High School and went on to receive her BA in psychology at the UMASS Dartmouth. She became a licensed social worker in the state of Massachusetts, and, in addition to serving as the case manager here at the Haven Project, Lauren works as a supervisor in the field of human services.
57 Munroe St.
Lynn, MA 01901
office@havenproject.net
Haven in the News
Community Rises in Wake of Downtown Lynn Flooding
Land of A Thousand Hills hosts fun night
A CANDID LOOK AT LIFE ON THE STREETS
Gilmore Girls land in Lynn
Raw, Thousand Hills Helps Young Artists
The Land of a Thousand Hills Café
This social enterprise will provide a venue for job training and operating funds for all of our programs. This café has been a part of our strategic plan since our inception and we are thrilled to see this dream come to fruition. Learn more here.
Copyright © 2015 The Haven Project
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line119
|
__label__wiki
| 0.767833
| 0.767833
|
Daniel Sickles, Confirmation of sentences in the case of the whipping of Phillis Ruffin, Charleston, South Carolina, August 17, 1867,
On February 14, 1867, in the north-eastern North Carolina hamlet of Harmon's Crossroads in Bertie County, a crowd of white male residents dragged a young African-American woman in her twenties named Phillis Ruffin out of the school she was attending, took her into the woods, stripped her, and beat her unmercifully for some minutes. Her offense was that she had resisted blows from a white girl during an argument several days before. As rumors about the attack spread, reaction set in and the local superior court indicted six men in connection with the incident on April 13, 1867. More significantly, as publicity about the case spread beyond North Carolina and the South, the local military jurisdiction became involved and ten men from among the mob, including the local justice of the peace, Abram Jenkins, who had been present at the beating, were tried on June 16, 1867 in a military court in Plymouth, North Carolina. Seven of the ten were found guilty of various offenses and sentenced to between one and two months at hard labor. Jenkins was removed from his position, given two months at hard labor, and fined. In this military order, an enraged Major General David Sickles, commander in Charleston, South Carolina of the Second District, upholds the sentences with only the complaint that they were too lenient, and orders that incarceration be carried out immediately at the the military prison in Plymouth. Soon after, Sickles was recalled and replaced by General Edward Canby and elements of the press that had made the Ruffin case notorious across the country were swift to connect Sickles' firm actions in the district with his removal, and President Johnson was blamed. (By John Osborne)
Reprinted in full in "Atlantic Intelligence - Punishment for Whipping a Freed Woman," Sacremento (California) Daily Union, September 12, 1867, p. 2.
Sickles, Daniel Edgar
Transcriber:
John Osborne, Dickinson College
Transcription date:
The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print. Spelling and typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.
Headq'rs Second Military District., Charleston (S.C.),
Aug. 17, 1867.
General Orders No. 75.
I. Before the Post Court of Plymouth (N. C), organized pursuant to orders from headquarters, dated June 18, 1867, of which Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bentzoni, Captain Fortieth Infantry, was President, were arraigned and tried : Abram Jenkins, Justice of the Peace; and William Dunning, James M. Early, Arnold (alias Dick) Cook, John R. Earley, Andrew J. Dunning, Wiley Dunning, John Rice, William C. (alias Cherry) Lunning, George H. Mitchell and Henry D. Sanders, citizens of Bertie and Hertford counties, North Carolina.
Charge 1 : "Riotous conduct." (One specification.)
Charge 2: " Assault and battery."
Specification— The following is a copy of the specification, common in substance to all the cases except that of Sanders.— "In this, that the said defendants, citizens of Hertford and Bertie counties, North Carolina did, in accordance with the decision of an unlawful assemblage of persons at or near Harmon's Cross Roads, Bertie county, North Carolina, take one Phillis Ruffin (colored) from a school house to some woods near by, where one hundred and forty-six lashes, more or less, were inflicted upon her person, and that the said [defendants] did inflict a portion of said blows or lashes. All this at or near Harmon's Cross Roads, Bertie county, North Carolina, on or about the 14th of February, 1867."
II. The defendant Sanders was found guilty of an assault and battery in whipping a negro girl and boy, called Ellen and Robert, and sentenced to be confined at hard labor for one month, at such place as the Commanding General may direct, and to pay a fine of $20. Abram Jenkins was found guilty of the first charge, the specification to the second charge, and the second charge, and sentenced to be confined at hard labor for one month, and fined $20. Wiley Dunning and John Rice were acquitted. George H. Mitchell was found guilty of the specification to the second charge and the second charge, and sentenced to be confined at hard labor for three months, and fined $75.
III. The evidence in the foregoing cases discloses a deed of lawless and inhuman violence. It appears that a daughter of one of the prisoners, having attempted to beat a young colored girl, met with resistance, which became successful and resulted in the chastisement of the white by the black. This unlooked for reversal of a long accustomed relation filled the neighborhood with consternation and rage. Couriers passed to and fro, from farm to farm, inflaming the temper of the people, and concerting measures to produce terror among the negroes. A meeting of citizens was convened at a school house, near the residences of the parties. The accused were among those assembled. The magistrate Jenkins was invited to lend the sanction of his presence, and did so. Phillis, the young freedwoman, was sent for. Dragged before this self-constituted conclave of angry men, whom she had been accustom from infancy to call masters, some of whom she now heard urging her incarceration, while one swore she would be hung, and all agreed that she must be imprisoned or whipped, the frightened girl exclaimed that she had rather be whipped than go to jail. This was taken as the expression of the assent, which they desired. Some sort of writing was drawn up, called an indenture, by which Phillis, having signed it, was made to bind herself as an apprentice to one Mrs. Harmon, who thereupon consented that her so-called ward should be flogged. Quite enough was thought to have been thus conceded to the mockery of legal formalities, and the impatient assemblage, consisting of all the prisoners who have been convicted, except the magistrate, hastened to execute the penalty awarded. Phillis was conducted into an adjacent wood, where, at a spot some sixty yards remote from any road, she was halted, and told to take down her dress. She not obeying with alacrity, one of the prisoners snatched it off her shoulders. Stripped to her waist, except of her chemise, she was then whipped by five of these men in succession, by whom, according to the testimony of one of them, 126 lashes were inflicted upon her half-naked body, with rods three feet long and one-half to three-eighths of an inch thick. Her garmment was cut through and through ; blood ran from the wales raised on her lacerated back; one gash in her flesh, three days after, showed four inches in length; the heavy blows fell upon her person at random; she was pushed; she was pulled; she was kicked in the abdomen; till, at last, it seems that one of the accused, an applauding bystander, not utterly insensible to the sufferings and sex of the wretched victim, was so far touched by the spectacle of her torture, that the cry was wrung from him, "Boys, don't hurt her breast!" Having satiated their savage vengeance, her tormentors, fatigued by their exertions, withdrew; not, however, without considering the proposal of one of the number to return and give her ten more lashes each, to stop her screaming. Finally, the poor child, wounded and groaning, was permitted to make her way to the house of her mistress, where for days she suffered, scarcely able to crawl to her unremitted task, or even to wear her clothes without pain. In the revolting crime thus briefly outlined, all of those prisoners are shown to be eager participants. In the interest of outraged justice, it is to be deplored that the perpetrators have been adjudged to undergo punishments so inadequate to the enormity of the offense. The proceedings and findings are approved; and, in view of the delay which would result from revision, the sentences are approved, and the common jail at Plymouth is designated as the place of confinement. The commander at the post of Plymouth; will see that the sentences are executed.
By command of Major General D. E. Sickles.
J. W. Clous, Captain Thirty-eighth United States Infantry, A. D. C, and A. A. A.G.
Whipping of Phillis Ruffin, Harmon's Crossroads, North Carolina, February 14, 1867, artist's impression, zoomable image.
Whipping of Phillis Ruffin, Harmon's Crossroads, North Carolina, February 14, 1867, artist's impression, detail.
Whipping of Phillis Ruffin, Harmon's Crossroads, North Carolina, February 14, 1867, artist's impression, further detail.
In North Carolina, a white, male mob viciously beats a young African-American woman named Phillis Ruffin.
In Plymouth, North Carolina, ten men from a white mob who viciously beat Phillis Ruffin go on military trial.
Second District commander David Sickles confirms the convictions in the Phillis Ruffin beating case.
Canby, Edward Richard Sprigg
Bertie County, NC
Plymouth, NC
How to Cite This Page: "Daniel Sickles, Confirmation of sentences in the case of the whipping of Phillis Ruffin, Charleston, South Carolina, August 17, 1867, ," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/47637.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line121
|
__label__wiki
| 0.72777
| 0.72777
|
Nagel v. Hilton
MARCUS NAGEL, FLA. I.D. #571900508, Plaintiff,
HILTON, et al., Defendants.
ORDER DENYING IN FORMA PAUPERIS APPLICATION AND DISMISSING ACTION
Derrick K. Watson United States District Judge
Before the Court is pro se Plaintiff Marcus Nagel's prisoner civil rights Complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis. Nagel is incarcerated at the Joseph V. Conte Facility, located in Pompano Beach, Florida.[1] Nagel names 117 Defendants, many of whom are unidentified, and none of whom are alleged to be residents of Hawaii.[2]
Nagel alleges forty-four causes of action and seeks $15 million in compensatory and punitive damages and unidentified declaratory and injunctive relief.[3] See Compl., ECF No. 1, PageID #12-14. Neither federal nor Hawaii public criminal databases show that Nagel was arrested or convicted in Hawaii, and nothing within the record suggests any connection between Nagel's claims and Hawaii.
For the following reasons, Nagel's in forma pauperis application is DENIED, and this action is DISMISSED with prejudice as legally and factually frivolous and for failure to state a colorable claim for relief, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2) and 1915A(a).
I. STATUTORY SCREENING
The court is required to screen Nagel's claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2) and 1915A(a). Claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim for relief, or seek damages from defendants who are immune from suit must be dismissed. See Rhodes v. Robinson, 621 F.3d 1002, 1004 (9th Cir. 2010).
A complaint must “contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (internal quotation marks omitted); Simmons v. Navajo Cty., Ariz., 609 F.3d 1011, 1020-21 (9th Cir. 2010); Ewing v. City of Stockton, 588 F.3d 1218, 1235 (9th Cir. 2009).
The court may dismiss a claim as frivolous when it is based on an indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 327 (1989); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th Cir. 1984). A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis in law or in fact. Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 325. A complaint lacks an arguable basis in fact when “the facts alleged are clearly baseless, a category encompassing allegations that are fanciful, fantastic, and delusional.” Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 33 (1992). The critical inquiry is whether a claim, however inartfully pled, has an arguable legal and factual basis. See Jackson v. Arizona, 885 F.2d 639, 640 (9th Cir. 1989), superseded by statute as stated in Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130-31 (9th Cir. 2000) (“[A] judge may dismiss [in forma pauperis] claims which are based on indisputably meritless legal theories or whose factual contentions are clearly baseless.”); Franklin, 745 F.2d at 1227.
Pro se litigants' pleadings must be liberally construed, and all doubts should be resolved in their favor. Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342 (9th Cir. 2010) (citations omitted). The court must grant leave to amend if it appears the plaintiff can correct the defects in the complaint. Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1130. If a claim or complaint cannot be saved by amendment, dismissal with prejudice is appropriate. Sylvia Landfield Tr. v. City of L.A., 729 F.3d 1189, 1196 (9th Cir. 2013).
Nagel's forty-one page pleading is replete with incoherent and completely conclusory statements. It is effectively impossible to understand what Nagel alleges Defendants did to violate his federal rights or why he chose to bring this action in the District of Hawaii. That is, there appears to be no legal, comprehensible allegations in the Complaint, or any explanation why venue for this action exists in the District of Hawaii. Nagel's Complaint clearly satisfies Neitzke's and Denton's frivolousness standard and is DISMISSED as legally frivolous and implausible on its face, and for its failure to state any claim upon which relief can be granted. See Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombley, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007).
Nagel filed four other actions in the District of Hawaii on or within days of the date that he commenced this action, all alleging virtually identical causes of action against most of the same defendants.[4] The complaints in these cases are equally incoherent, fantastical, and conclusory, with no apparent connection to Hawaii. The Court has also reviewed Nagel's actions dismissed as frivolous or for failure to state a claim in other federal district courts.[5] Based on the complaint herein, and Nagel's other filings in this and other federal district courts, this Court is convinced that granting Nagel leave to amend is futile, and this dismissal is with prejudice.
This action is DISMISSED with prejudice, and Nagel's Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is DENIED. Unless overturned on appeal, this dismissal may count as a strike pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The Clerk of Court shall close the file and terminate this case. The Court will ...
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line123
|
__label__wiki
| 0.865218
| 0.865218
|
Kamilaroi Highway
Bourke: River Port
Bourke Shire is situated in Western New South Wales at the crossroads of the Mitchell Highway, Kamilaroi Highway and the Kidman Way.
With an area of 43,000 square kilometres, the shire is home to many small villages and is considered a gateway into south west Queensland and the far west of New South Wales. It is home to approximately 3,000 people. The Shire’s prosperity is built around the pastoral, irrigation, tourism and service industries which are strongly supported by a wide range of attractions and activities.
The first white explorer to encounter the river was Charles Sturt in 1828 who named it after NSW Governor Ralph Darling. Having struck the region during an intense drought and a low river, Sturt dismissed the area as largely uninhabitable and short of any features necessary for establishing renewable industry on the land.
Bourke is considered to represent the edge of the settled agricultural districts and the gateway to the Outback that lies north and west of Bourke. This is reflected in a traditional east coast Australian expression “back o’ Bourke”, referring to the Outback.
In 1892 a young writer Henry Lawson was sent to Bourke by Bulletin editor J.F. Archibald to get a taste of outback life and to try to curb his heavy drinking. In Lawson’s own words “I got £5 and a railway ticket from the Bulletin and went to Bourke. Painted, picked up in a shearing shed and swagged it for six months”. The experience was to have a profound effect on the 25-year-old and his encounter with the harsh realities of bush life inspired much of his subsequent work. Lawson would later write “if you know Bourke you know Australia”. In 1992 eight poems, written under a pseudonym and published in the Western Herald, were discovered in the Bourke library archives and confirmed to be Lawson’s work.
Bush poets Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and Will Ogilvie also spent time in the Bourke region and based much of their work on the experience.
Fred Hollows, the famous eye surgeon, was buried in Bourke after his death in 1993. Fred Hollows had worked in Bourke in the early 1970s and had asked to be buried there.
Bourke is a wonderful community established in 1861 on the banks of the Darling River.…
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line125
|
__label__cc
| 0.571723
| 0.428277
|
Marvin Gaye/Diana Ross
Misc. Music
Fashion/Graphic
Jazz Vocalist
Jim’s Life with Jazz
Jim Britt’s early career was spent singing in jazz clubs across the United States. It was here that he first developed an interest in photography. He soon found himself setting up a portable darkroom in motel rooms.
In 1969, with many jazz clubs struggling, he retired from his singing career to concentrate full-time on his new passion for photography. He began photographing and designing album covers for Motown's top artists.
In the 1980s Jim began to work as a highly in-demand editorial and commercial photographer, moving away from music, aside from the occasional concert.
Jim's work is represented at Rock Paper Photo where it sells as fine art. He's also in the permanent collection in the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery and their book “American Cool,” from the exhibit in 2014.
Website Design by Ron King
© 2020 Jim Britt Photography. All rights reserved.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line127
|
__label__cc
| 0.507434
| 0.492566
|
China seen as key player in global travel market
The global-travel and-tourism sector has reinforced its role as a driver of economic growth and job creation in 2018. And China has contributed a great part to the growth with booming inbound and outbound travel, Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the WTTC North America Leaders Forum in New York.
China has become the second-largest travel-and-tourism economy in the world, and the tourism sector in the country registered growth of 7.3 percent last year, way above the global average of 3.9 percent, according to a report released by WTTC in March.
Guevara attributed China's success to its abundant tourism resources, investment in infrastructure and industry development, and the expansion of its middle class, which not only increases the movement of people within the country but also attracts more international visitors.
Nowadays, many traditionally non-mainstream destinations in China have become as popular as Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an, says Guevara.
"China offers a lot of unique experiences," she says, adding that making those experiences available to international travelers will help China's tourism sector grow faster.Another strategy for further improving the experiences of international travelers is to target various people and meet their specific demands, Guevara says.
For example, for retirees who have plenty of leisure time, Chinese travel agencies could design certain types of products and services to enable them to stay longer and visit more places.
As inbound tourism flourishes, more Chinese are traveling abroad and creating economic benefits for global destinations.
"Chinese travelers like to shop, and they stay longer, and such contributions to the local economy are significant," Guevara says.According to China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, people from the Chinese mainland made around 150 million trips overseas in 2018, a 14.7 percent surge year-on-year.The United States received over 3 million visitors from China in 2018. They spent over $7,000 on average, according to the US Travel Association.
The WTTC, which represents the travel-and-tourism private sector globally, is committed to working with China, including helping its Chinese members do more business around the world and encouraging more international travelers to visit China, says the president.
"There's a lot of interest for companies from around the world ... to invest more in China," she says. "We see their potential, and we also see they are implementing the right policies that enable more business and more travel."
Prev： China’s Great Wall limits number of daily visitors
Next： Marriott CEO on US-China trade war: 'Anxiety levels' are up
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line128
|
__label__wiki
| 0.794434
| 0.794434
|
artibus
an art anthology
OF 'ARTIBUS ET HISTORIAE'
Artibus et Historiae no. 58 (XXIX), 2008
ELINOR M. RICHTER - Pulling out all the Stoups: A Newly-Discovered Acquasantiera by Antonio Federighi (pp. 9—27)
The author recognizes a beautifully carved and intricately designed Acquasantiera in a private collection in London to be the work of the Sienese sculptor, Antonio Federighi (c. 1420—1483).
Federighi helped to reintroduce the heavily foliated carving and pagan imagery of antiquity into the vocabulary of Sienese Quattrocento sculpture. As capomaestro of the Opera, first in Orvieto and later in Siena, Federighi designed a number of holy water basins that were long mistaken for pagan altars. Based on the form of Roman candelabra, the stoups are profusely ornamented with sphinxes, putti astride dolphins, and marine creatures that are combined with more traditional Christian symbols and the burgeoning humanistic ideas of the Renaissance.
This new work has much of the same imagery as the earlier basin in Orvieto (c. 1451—1456), but the carving reveals greater subtlety and finesse. It must therefore be dated to c. 1458—1462 after the artist's return to Siena but before his capolavoro, the Acquasantiera in Siena Duomo, the latter having been recorded as newly finished in 1467. Two coats of arms on the London basin identify the Benincasa, a family of banchieri, and the Counts of Marsciano, a family related by marriage to the great condottiere Gattamelata, as the patrons of the work. No doubt the Acquasantiera was commissioned to celebrate a marriage between the powerful clans or the birth of a mutual heir. The discovery of the London basin adds significantly to our understanding of Federighi's artistic development and further clarifies his role in the history of Tuscan sculpture.
SYLVIE BÉGUIN - Note sur un dessin de Saint Roch de Lorenzo Lotto (pp. 29—34)
A Note on a Drawing of Saint Roch by Lorenzo Lotto
The article casts new light on the dating and discusses the style of a drawing of Saint Roch by Lorenzo Lotto (formerly in the Bestegui collection Paris, now in the Louvre, Department of Graphic Art). The work has been reconsidered by confronting it with Lotto's anti-plague series (1531—1549/50). A new analysis of the style and technique of the drawing, in connection with some of Lotto's painted works, allows to propose a new dating of the drawing — before 1531.
CATHERINE PUGLISI, WILLIAM C. BARCHAM - Bernardino da Feltre, the Monte di Pieta; and the Man of Sorrows: Activist, Microcredit and Logo (pp. 35—63)
Leading grand processions through the towns of northern Italy in the late fifteenth century, the Franciscan friar Bernardino da Feltre brandished a banner emblazoned with the image of the Man of Sorrows, often called the Imago pietatis. His remarkable dual objective was to found and finance a civic lending bank or Monte di Pietà to help the working poor. Nowadays the designation "Monte di Pietà" seemingly embraces a tension: banking on the one hand and the redemptive body of Christ on the other. Or to put it differently, the need for capital in this world and the promise of Christian salvation in the next. Our article seeks to explain the apparent paradox of the Man of Sorrows as a fitting symbol for the Monte and to clarify Bernardino's role in adopting the image as an organizational logo. We explore these questions in the light of the history of the Man of Sorrows in the Veneto during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and against the political strategies of the Observant Friars generally and Bernardino in particular.
MIECZYSŁAW MORKA - The Beginnings of Medallic Art in Poland during the Times of Zygmunt I and Bona Sforza (pp. 65—87)
The art of medal making was late in coming to Poland, only making an appearance in 1520. In that year a small medal was cast in silver to mark the birth of Zygmunt August, the first-born son of King Zygmunt I and his second wife, Bona Sforza of Aragon. The medal was an extraordinary piece of work also because of the fact that there was no artist in Cracow at that time who was able to make small moulds for cast medals. Therefore, in 1526 the chancellor, Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, invited Hans Schwarz, a German sculptor and medallist to come to Poland. He cast a one-sided medal of the chancellor in bronze. In the years 1526—1527 Schwarz also worked for King Zygmunt I, proof of which are the surviving five or six medals with a bust of the King. At least one of them was cast in gold, a copy of which Seweryn Boner, a banker and adviser to the monarch, sent as a gift to Erasmus of Rotterdam.
Hans Schwarz left Poland after two years. However, the significance of medal engraving was appreciated at the Polish court, and this is proven by the attitude of Zygmunt I's wife towards the art. There is no doubt that Bona had a keen interest in medallic art and she may have possibly been responsible for bringing the sculptor Giovanni Maria Mosca called Padovano from Venice to Cracow. Padovano executed a series of medals depicting members of the royal family: Zygmunt I, Bona, their daughter Izabela and their son Zygmunt August. The originals were sent, most probably by Bona, as gifts to Ippolito (II) d'Este, the Archbishop of Milan. It is here for the first time that the message contained in those medals has been exhaustively analysed.
Not long after Padovano had made the royal medals, Maciej Schilling, a minter and maker of coin presses, became interested in medallic art. In 1533 in the Toruń mint he struck a so-called thaler medal in gold and silver with portraits of Zygmunt I and Zygmunt II August on both sides. It was used by Melchior Baier, a goldsmith from Nuremberg, as a model for making the portrait plaques on the predella of the so-called Silver Altarpiece in the Sigismund Chapel at Cracow Cathedral. In the same year Schilling made a medal of Seweryn Boner in silver and gold.
Among the medallists working in Poland mention should also be made of Giovanni Giacomo Caraglio from Verona — an engraver, goldsmith and maker of glyptics.
It is worth noting that although some medals dating from the time of Zygmunt I and Bona have not been preserved, we do have some indirect information about them from written sources. The small number of medals made during the reign of Zygmunt I indicate that this craft was treated as rather marginal at the court. Schwarz was the one person to produce them systematically. This was nothing in comparison to the role the medals played at the courts of the House of d'Este in Ferrara and Mantua, the House of Aragon in Naples or the Emperors Maximilian I and Charles V. It was undoubtedly Bona who had a significant role in promulgating medallic art in Poland, and her understanding of the impact of such propaganda is clearly visible.
DEBRA PINCUS - Giovanni Bellin's Humanist Signature: Pietro Bembo, Aldus Manutius and Humanism in Early Sixteenth-Century Venice (pp. 89—119)
Giovanni Bellini's signatures have been discussed in terms of artistic identity. But there is another side to the topic that has received relatively little attention. Bellini was formed within a climate of passionate involvement with letter forms, both antique and those developed within the active book production of Renaissance Venice.
Analyzed here are the specific forms of the letters used by Bellini in his signatures, concentrating on the italic, or cursive, signature. This signature type emerges rather late in Bellini's career, first seen — it is argued here — in Bellini's portrait of Pietro Bembo in the Royal Collection of Her Majesty the Queen. The connection between Pietro Bembo and Aldus Manutius, the publishing genius who put cursive letters in the service of a new type of humanist book, is seen as a key component of the dynamic that led to the change in Bellini's signature style.
REGINA STEFANIAK - Of Founding Fathers and the Necessity of the Place: Giorgione's Tempesta (pp. 121—155)
This essay will identify the blond young woman (the "gypsy" mentioned in the Vendramin sources) and the well-dressed young man in Giorgione's Tempesta with Poverty and Wealth (Poenia and Poros) in Diotima's story of the generation of Eros (Symposium 203). In his treatise De Iside et Osiride Plutarch later linked the couple with Plato's female and male generative principles of creation (Timaeus 49—50). In the Christian Platonic tradition Saints Basil and Ambrose assimilated the Timaean principles to the Creator acting on created prime matter; Eusebius of Caesarea interpreted Diotima's story in terms of the first parents, Adam and Eve. As depicted by Giorgione, this complex cluster of philosophical myth provided an aition for the role of the Venetian patriciate in the founding of Venice ab aeterno: noble and wealthy forefathers confronting the necessity of the place where they chose to live. In the face of critical Italian views concerning Venice and the patriciate the Platonic myth provided an apology for their commercial occupations and energetic pursuit of wealth, and furthermore a mandate for patrician rule in Venice and perhaps even in the terraferma. As a member of the nobility the collector Gabriele Vendramin shared in the general benefits of this politic representation of his class. His possession of a fascinating painting on a very well known classical text whose representation was at the same time not immediately transparent to all visitors could have provided him with some additional measure of personal gratification.
SARAH BLAKE McHAM - Reflections of Pliny in Giovanni Bellini's Woman with a Mirror (pp. 157—171)
Giovanni Bellini's signed and dated painting of 1515 in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, has long puzzled art historians as its generic title, Woman with a Mirror, suggests. Painted in the year before Bellini's death, the picture is one of a few non-religious subjects in a long, distinguished career of an artist famous for altarpieces and other devotional works. The patron and the circumstances of commission of the Woman with a Mirror are unknown. The painting's indeterminate title reflects the difficulty of deciding whether this beautiful female nude represent a real woman, the mythological goddess Venus, a Christian allegory of vanity or luxury, or all three at once.
I argue that Bellini clearly signaled his intent through his prominent signature, "Joannes Bellinus faciebat". Bellini used the celebrated signature formula of ancient Greek artists highlighted by Pliny's Natural History: the choice announced Bellini's aim to paint a nude Venus that surpassed any created by his predecessors, ancient or modern. Whereas the few earlier artists who adopted the signature had used it on religious works or portraits, Bellini matched it to the cognate subject matter of the idealized female nude, which was a traditional hallmark of Greek art.
This article analyzes several other features of Bellini's painting that substantiate the theory that the artist was depending on the Natural History and intending comparison to Pliny's descriptions of the nude Venuses created by the great Greek artists, Apelles and Praxiteles. It concludes with an examination of the techniques by which Bellini introduced ambiguity, specifically the nude's contemporary accessories and Bellini's reference to celebrated images of nudes by van Eyck, deliberate choices that evoked contemporary debates about the paragone and extended his old-age challenge to the world of contemporary artists.
CAECILIE WEISSERT - Nova Roma. Aspekte der Antikenrezeption in den Niederlanden im 16. Jahrhundert (pp. 173—200)
The paper Nova Roma traces one aspect of Netherlandish reception of antique art and literature during the 16th century. Beside an admiring or practical approach toward classical antiquity, it offers a more theoretical approach focussing on a self-reflexive and self-increasing adaptation. To legitimate the status of artists, both literary sources and pictorial material are used.
In his translation of the theoretical writings from Vitruvius and Serlio. Pieter Coecke van Aelst admonishes his Netherlandish readers to a more reflected and knowledgeable use of the word "antique". He emphasizes the value of historical writings for each nation and the autonomy of the Netherlandish culture facing classical antiquity and Italy.
In his print series the Wonders of the World Maarten van Heemskerck discusses art-historical topics like posthumous fame, honour, artistic competition and the cunning artist. He stages the Wonders of the World as an artists' glorious deeds, which can only be visualised anew by the artist himself.
Finally, the ornamental inventions by Cornelis Floris focus on the inventive faculties of the artist who follows his inner fantasy. Like the poet, his is inspired by God. He thus must obtain the status of a liberal artist.
ANTHONY COLANTUONO - Guido Reni's Latona for King Philip IV: An Unfinished Masterpiece. Lost, Forgotten, Rediscovered and Restored (pp. 201—216)
Guido Reni's early biographer Count Carlo Cesare Malvasia mentions a large painting of the myth of Latona that the artist had been commissioned to paint for King Philip IV of Spain, but left incomplete at the time of his death. I argue that the canvas Malvasia describes is identical with an unfinished painting of the same subject now in a private collection in Atlanta, Georgia. This article documents the attribution and provenance of the painting, as well as its recent conservation, which has yielded important technical insights. The Spanish monarch commissioned the Latona to make amends for his Roman ambassador's hasty rejection of a previously commissioned work by Reni, the famous Abduction of Helen (Paris, Musée du Louvre), which subsequently met with extraordinary critical acclaim. I further argue that the moral argument of Reni's Latona is closely akin to that of the Helen, and, similarly selected with the advice of the papal court, was probably meant to serve as a diplomatic metaphor pertinent to ongoing political negotiations between Rome and Madrid.
FILIPPO PEDROCCO - Due nuove opere giovanili di Giambattista Tiepolo (pp. 217—221)
Two Newly-Discovered Early Works by Giambattista Tiepolo
It is now a commonly accepted opinion that in his early years, in the period between the end of the 1720s and the beginning of the 1730s, Giambattista Tiepolo seemed to be equally attentive to the model works of his contemporaries, masters belonging to two different artistic currents at that time most popular in Venice. One of them was the "neotenebrosi", originating still in the 17th century, in Baroque art, of which the main representative was Giambattista Piazzetta. The other, more modern current, of the "chiaristi", followed the example of 16th-century painter, Paolo Veronese. The unquestionable leader of the latter movement was Sebastiano Ricci.
The two paintings, which until now have been unpublished and are presented here for the first time — David with the Head of Goliath and The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, belonging to two different private collections — are good examples of those diverse interests of the young Venetian painter at the very beginning of the 1720s. The first picture, built on rather dark colour scheme, is in fact an obvious homage to the art of Piazzetta, also in that regard that its theme is derived from a painting by that master (currently in a private collection in Ireland), though it has been substantially modified in details, according the sensibility of the younger painter. The second canvas, on the other hand, already shows the brightening up of the colour scheme. The colours are becoming very luminous; clearly visible is the inventiveness and compositional mastery of the painter, the softness in rendering of the figures — traits which in future were to become the "signature" of the mature output of Tiepolo
GISELA HAASE - Ein barocker Dresdner "Audienz Stuhl" mit Kurfürstlich-Sächsischem und Königlich-Polnischem Wappen (pp. 223—245)
A Baroque Dresden "Audience Chair" with Coats of Arms of the Electorate of Saxony and the Kingdom of Poland
The coronation of Frederick August I, Elector of Saxony as King of Poland (Augustus II the Strong) in 1697 started an over sixty-year-long period of close political, economical and artistic relations between Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Saxony. Augustus II the Strong (1670/95—1733) reigned in Warsaw and Dresden — as King of Poland and Elector of Saxony. After his death (on 1 February 1733), his son and heir, Frederick August II succeeded his father as Elector of Saxony and then, on 17 January 1734, was crowned as King of Poland (Augustus III; 1696/17—33—1763). The personal union of Poland and Saxony ended with his death in 1763. The political union of the two countries was also mirrored in the iconography of works of art commissioned by the royal court of the Wettins, among them, a richly carved, gilt audience throne of c. 1720, bearing coats of arms of the Republic of Poland and of Saxony. The throne was made in the royal Dresden workshop by the court cabinetmaker — pupil of the famous Balthasar Permoser (1651—1732) — Johann Benjamin Thomae (1682—1751), active at the decoration of the Zwinger palace in Dresden. Sculptural decoration of the throne under discussion shows close affinities with the style of such of Thomae's works as his altarpiece for the Three Magi Church in Dresden-Neustadt (1738—1740), decoration of the Zwinger, as well as with numerous pieces of furniture done by him, now at the Kunstgewerbemuseum, Dresden.
The arms were carved in gesso priming at the rear of the throne's back, probably several years after the throne's manufacture. The reason for decorating the throne anew with combined arms of the two states may have been the coronation of Augustus III in 1734. Contemporary sources (iconographic, as well as written ones, e.g. inventories of the castles in Warsaw and Dresden) testify to the fact that such stately thrones or "audience chairs" (of which only very few have survived) were an indispensable element of the courtly ceremonial. Our throne may have been destined either for Dresden or for the royal castle in Warsaw. It is known that the court commissioned also folding "audience chairs", to be used during the King's long travels between Warsaw and Dresden, none of which has been preserved.
O Artibus et Historiae
Реклама в Artibus et Historiae
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line129
|
__label__wiki
| 0.753014
| 0.753014
|
onsdag, 22 januari 2020
Dan Josefssons arkiv
Fallet Kevin
Quickarkivet
Blogg-arkiv
Shock Therapy: The Art of Ruining a Country
den 01 april 1999 . Publicerad i Artiklar
The neoliberal shock therapy that hit Russia in the 1990's nearly destroyed the country. This article by Swedish journalist Dan Josefsson tells the dark tale of what took place.
(With some professional help from Sweden)
An artikel by Dan Josefsson
Research by Stefan Lindgren
Translated from the Swedish original
Moscow in 1998, a warm day in late summer. Outside the Russian Parliament, the Duma, a small group of demonstrators walk forth and back, carrying placards. A policeman is standing at their side, meticulously noting the placard texts in his notebook.
"Yeltsin and Tjernomyrdin: Russia has had enough! Resign!"
"Are the Yankees the rulers of this country?"
"Stop experimenting with the Russian People!"
This last placard is carried by a sturdy lady with a headscarf.
The image of the woman pleading not to be treated as a guinea pig keeps haunting me during my week in Russia. What this woman calls "experiment" is sometimes called "reform work" and sometimes "the big bang", but more often "shock therapy". What we have here is the biggest privatization project in modern history. It was meant to transform the whole Russian society into a US-style market economy in just two or three years. Thus the term "shock therapy".
The experiment began in 1991. Today, seven years later, statistics show that it turned into far more of a shock than of therapy. The fact is that the therapy has nearly killed the patient.
Let's take a look at some figures.
Between 1991 and 1997, Russian GNP – i.e. the value of all goods and services that Russia produces – went down 83%. Agrarian production decreased 63%. Investment decreased 92%. 70,000 factories were closed down. This led to Russia producing 88% fewer tractors, 76% fewer washing machines, 77% less cotton fabric, 78% fewer TV-sets – the list is endless.
In a country without unemployment, 13 million people lost their jobs. Those who still have work have had their wages cut in half. The average life span for men has been shortened by six years. Six years!
Such a change normally occurs only when a country is hit by a massive war, an epidemic or famine. None of this has happened in Russia. Still, the average life span decreased, in just a few years, to the same level as in India, Egypt and Bolivia.
The experiment that the lady with the placard wants put an end to is literally killing her countrymen.
No wonder she is demonstrating.
Did the Russian people wish to be subjected to this shock therapy? According to the prevalent picture of what has happened in Russia during the nineties, the answer strangely enough is “yes”.
This picture looks something like this: When Michail Gorbachev took power in 1985, he realized that the Russian economy was on the brink of falling apart. He then started a reform program that came to be called Perestroika. Through reforms, he wanted to transform the undemocratic Soviet Union into a socialist democracy. The press monopoly of the Communist Party was to be abolished, and freedom of speech declared and implemented. The Soviet Union was to become a democratic country.
Simultaneously, the economy was to be reformed, from centralized communism to reformed socialism. The opposition against Gorbachev was led by Boris Yeltsin. Contrary to Gorbachev, he didn't want any kind of democratized socialism at all. He wanted to change over to capitalism.
According to the prevalent picture, the old Soviet elite – the upper echelons of the Communist Party and the many top bureaucrats – were opposed to Yeltsin's plans for capitalism. They were scared of losing all of their privileges.
Jeltsin's success was supposed to be founded on support from the Russian people, who were fed up with the Soviet Union and therefore demanded far more thorough reforms than the democratic socialism that Gorbachev aspired to and worked for.
Thus: the people demanded capitalism. And the Soviet elite were forced to yield, reluctantly.
But was this what really happened?
The Russian sociologist Tatiana Zaslavskaya has shown that this popular version of history is false.
According to her, the very influential elite may have been opposed to radical changes for a couple of years after 1985. But once having realized that privatization would benefit mainly those who already were at the top of society, they rapidly changed their tune. According to Zaslavskaya, Yeltsin could never have come to power without the support of the leading old party hacks, a theory supported by the fact that it was the old Soviet elite who in fact took over the nation's assets after privatization.
THE WORLD'S ELITE CLUB
One late evening in Moscow I meet the sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky, researcher at the Institute of Comparative Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a heavy critic of the current regime. His criticism of shock therapy is particularly validated by the fact that he was arrested by the KGB in 1982, for collaborating with a socialist group that criticized the Soviet regime at the time.
In one of the little cafés in the Rossija Hotel, Boris Kagarlitsky describes how the Russian elite is well underway to destroying his country.
“You must realize that the key aim of the Russian elite was to become equal members of the world's elite”, he says. “Whatever it took. If they had to tear their own country to shreds in order to be accepted into that club – then they'd tear the country to shreds.”
Boris describes how immensely privileged the top echelon of Soviet society was in comparison to the rest of the population. But compared to top politicians and industrial leaders in the West, they were still poor. Not even members of the politburo were dressed in anything but Russian-made clothes and shoes, and when they went on vacation, they had to make do with the party villas by the Black Sea. They were infinitely better than the simple dachas of the ordinary Soviet citizen, but hardly the exclusive spas in Monaco or the Caribbean Islands frequented by the world's elite.
That door was closed to the top dogs of the biggest nation on earth.
But when Gorbachev started to reform Soviet society, the younger members of the elite got a whiff of more heavenly climes.
“An interesting phenomenon”, says Boris, “is that those who became the foremost representatives and functionaries of neoliberalism in Russia, often are children of the top bureaucrats of the Soviet era. They are second generation top dogs. Through their fathers, they have good contacts in the former party hierarchy, they are often educated in the West, and they very much wish to be accepted as part of the world's elite.”
Yeltsin was elected president in 1991, and shortly thereafter Russia became an independent nation itself. The Russian economists around him at that time were extremely market oriented. A survey indicated that they even believed more in the ability of the market to single-handedly solve the economical problems of a nation than their colleagues did in the West.
Yeltsin appointed the economist Jegor Gajdar, 36 years old at the time, as his Minister of Finance. Jegors paternal grandfather had been a war hero in the Red Army, and his father a foreign correspondent for Pravda. As a child, Jegor Gajdar therefore lived in Cuba and Yugoslavia with his father. During the Gorbachev period, Jegor Gajdar worked as economics editor at the journal Kommunist, and as a columnist for Pravda.
In short, Jegor Gajdar was a typical example of how the second or even third generation of the Soviet elite changed over from communism to extremely market-oriented neoliberalism in the course of just a few years.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Harvard was called in as economic advisor to Yeltsin's cabinet. In the mid 80's, Jeffrey Sachs had constructed an economic policy for the government of Bolivia, and in 1989, he advocated the same policy when engaged as a consultant by the Polish government.
The technique was nicknamed “shock therapy”. After Poland had been subjected to shock therapy, economists thought that this was the best method of transforming a socialist country into a market economy.
One member of Jeffrey Sachs's team was the Swedish economist Anders Åslund. Until 1984, Åslund had been working at the Swedish embassy in Moscow, during which time he became the personal friend of many of those who later on would implement shock therapy in Russia.
Gajdar as well as Yeltsin were for shock therapy, and the foreign advisors were given the task of planning a cure-all for Russia.
It would turn into one of the most ruthless experiments in neoliberalist politics ever performed.
“Shock therapy” was based on the view that society in its “natural” state functions as a market economy. Only by regulating and limiting the free market in an “unnatural” way, could a non-market-oriented system be created – which was what had been done in the Soviet Union of old.
The only thing needed to reinstate the natural order, strictly speaking, was to take the restricting regulations away. The natural balance of society thus would be restored by itself. The driving force would be the concept of self-interest – the ambition of each single individual to make as much money as possible. Or, as expressed by Anders Åslund in Sweden's biggest morning paper:
“The miraculous incentives or temptations of capitalism conquer more or less anything.” (Dagens Nyheter 30-05-1992)
The recipe that would let loose “the miraculous incentives of capitalism” was simple: State-owned companies would be privatized, regulated prices set free, currency trade deregulated.
The advocates of shock therapy did not deny that this process would be painful for the Russian people. During the Soviet era, the State had subsidized all merchandise, making almost everything very cheap. You paid nearly no rent at all, and price increases were an unknown phenomenon to the Russians. The shock therapists warned that prices would go up when price regulations were abolished, but only during a transition period. Soon, the urge to earn a profit would make private companies produce more of the products most in demand, and consequently prices would go down and stabilize. After that, Russia would become a better place to live in. Everything according to sound, market-oriented economic principles.
The start of the speedy transformation of Russia was due to be winter 1992. In the autumn, Yeltsin even publicly declared the exact date for implementing free pricing. This proved to be a huge blunder, as Russian businessmen immediately stopped selling any products while awaiting deregulation, which would provide greater profits. In the autumn of 1991, the supply of products hadn't been scarcer than usual in the shops of Moscow, but after Yeltsin's disclosure, shelves suddenly stood bare. This dismal start to shock therapy would prove symbolic.
Prices were deregulated on January 2nd 1992. Price increases were horrendous.
A few years before, the first McDonald's had opened in Moscow and became very popular. Just a few weeks after deregulation, the restaurant stood empty, the price of a hamburger having risen from 38 roubles to a 100.
The average salary was still 500-800 roubles a month.
In fact, the inhabitants of Moscow almost totally stopped eating meat, as the price per kilo had become absurdly high. And this was just the beginning.
In 1995, four years after deregulation, the products in the shops had become 3,668 times more expensive than in 1990. A journey on the underground, which cost 5 kopeks before, now suddenly cost 400 roubles, 8,000 times more. A kilo of meat that had cost 2 roubles now cost over 3,000. Etcetera.
In order to compensate for inflation, worker's wages were increased, but not enough. By 1995, real wages in Russia had been halved.
The Russian people, who hadn't experienced any price increases for 30 years, now no longer could afford to buy food. None of this seemed to bother those Swedish and American economists who had planned the whole process. In January 1993, when runaway inflation was strangling the Russian population, Anders Åslund said the following in an article:
“I breathe more freely when I come to Eastern Europe – Prague, Warsaw or Budapest, but Moscow as well – escaping the small-mindedness of Western Europe. During each visit I am gladdened by the great future, and the new triumphs of capitalism.” (Dagens Nyheter 22-01-1993)
A month or so later he commented on starvation among the poor as follows:
“The problem is the pensioners. But that's a social problem, not a political one – because pensioners are not revolutionaries.” (Expressen 17-02-1993)
Simultaneously, step two of the shock therapy got under way – the speedy privatization of state-owned companies. Almost no one really had time to understand what actually happened. Journalist Julia Kalinina, who works at one of the biggest dailies in Moscow, tells me about the way the publishing company was privatized. All ownership was concentrated into one single share certificate, which the editor in chief laid his hands upon. No protests from the journalists were heard.
“None of us quite understood what a share certificate was”, Julia explains.
The story is interesting. If the journalists at one of the biggest dailies in Moscow didn't understand what privatization amounted to – then how could other citizens understand it?
PRIVATIZATION COUPONS
The gap between the knowledge amongst the elite about what privatization amounted to, and the ignorance of the common man, became obvious when the State started issuing so-called vouchers, or privatization coupons.
The privatization coupons was an idea that was supposed to solve one of the shock therapists' greatest problems: how to go about privatizing thousands of State-owned companies in one fell swoop.
In the Western world we're used to a small class of owners controlling the main part of our countries' resources. In Sweden, for instance, the Wallenberg family controls half of the Swedish trade and industry. This fact is either accepted or totally ignored by the Swedes. But what would happen if somebody suggested that we should privatize the national railways and the national phone company, by simply turning them over to the Wallenberg family? Something like that could hardly happen without debate, the injustice being far too obvious.
But what the shock therapists planned to do in Russia was precisely to create a few new Wallenberg families by selling off national resources dirt cheap. An astonished reporter from Dagens Nyheter asked Anders Åslund whether Russia really intended to more or less give national companies away. “Yes”, Åslund replied, “in order to rapidly create a class of owners”. (Dagens Nyheter 16-02-1992)
An owner class was to be created. But just as the Swedes would not be inclined to make a gift of their national resources to Mr Wallenberg and his sons, neither would the Russians want to see their country handed over for a token sum to some arbitrarily chosen robber baron.
In his Swedish book “Därför behöver Östeuropa chockterapi" (SNS 1993) (i.e "Why Eastern Europe needs Shock Therapy"), Anders Åslund presented a solution to this problem. Privatization should be made “politically acceptable” by distributing small blocks of shares to a lot of Russians. Thus, nobody would perceive the privatization process as some Russian version of the Wallenbergs grabbing the people's property.
And so this was done. All Russians were given a voucher, worth about a month's wages in roubles. This coupon was meant to be used to acquire company shares.
Boris Kagarlitsky tells me that he and his wife refused to accept their voucher.
“We thought that it felt like partaking in the robbery”, he says. “But 80% of the population accepted”.
This, however, did not lead to any distribution of ownership. On the contrary. Boris recounts that each voucher was worth about a month's wages when privatization started. But a few months later, when people were about to exchange their vouchers, runaway inflation had consumed nearly all their value. A voucher was worth no more than a bottle of vodka.
It so happened that at this very time, a bunch of businessmen suddenly turned up, willing to exchange people's apparently worthless vouchers for – yes, vodka bottles. What people didn't know was that a voucher lost nothing of its value if used to acquire company shares. The value of the companies had not been adjusted by inflation.
“Most people swapped their vouchers for vodka”, says Boris Kagarlitsky.
Thus, people with contacts could collect a couple of thousand vouchers, enough to buy a whole company for 2,000 bottles of vodka. The buyers were the same elite who had been at the top during the Soviet era, and who had helped Yeltsin implement the shock therapy.
COMPANIES FOR FREE
Someone with real fancy contacts, however, didn't even have to pay with vodka. This is how a take-over for free could take place:
The CEO of a State-owned company started a non-operational private company. The State-owned Company then lent the new little private company 50,000 dollars. In practice, the CEO thus granted himself a government loan.
Before the planned privatization, the value of the State-owned company was appraised in roubles. The enormous inflation, however, continually diminished its value in dollars. When the State-owned company was worth only 50,000 dollars, the CEO took action: the small private company bought the State-owned company in its entirety, with the money he had borrowed from it.
Finally, the two companies were merged, and thereby, the 50,000 dollar debt never had to be paid off. The CEO had become the legal owner of a former State-owned company, without having to pay a single kopek for it.
In this way, the Russian elite took over everything from car factories to oil wells. Millionaires were made overnight.
Thus a new class of owners had been created, although in a horribly unjust way. According to the plans of the shock therapists, the new owners now would automatically run their industries with an efficacy new to Russia. State-owned companies, which had produced things nobody wanted before, would go bankrupt or reorganize production. And the driving force behind it all was supposed to be what Åslund almost poetically had named “the miraculous incentive of capitalism”.
But things didn't quite turn out the way Åslund had expected. The new owners didn't produce what people wanted. Instead they started plundering their companies.
According to Boris Kagarlitsky, they had no real choice.
“Put your self in their position,” he says. “There you are, the owner of a company, wondering what to do with it. You have neither the capital nor the money to invest in production. You lack funds to replace old equipment. You have no money to invest in research and development. If you're unlucky just once, not getting paid for a delivery, you have no reserve funds to pay your workers from.”
“This means that the only thing these new company owners could do was to exploit the company as a resource in its own right. If for instance an aluminium mine had been privatized, the owner extracted as much aluminium as possible without investing any money. He run the machines until they fell apart, and then he threw it all away as scrap. By plundering companies, big money fell into the hands of a small, extremely wealthy upper class. To them it became something of a hobby to spend loads of money.”
One evening I visited the Prague, a luxurious restaurant in the middle of Moscow, where probably sizeable chunks of the plundered companies have been converted into food and drink. One dinner here costs as much as a Russian low-income earner makes in six months. On the menu, the price is marked in dollars. The most interesting thing however was the entrance, which is so well guarded it could be an Israeli airport. In order to enter the premises, you yourself as well as any hand baggage you may have must pass through metal detectors.
The process is supervised by a bunch of hefty security guards with mikes in their ears. These control measures are necessary, as assassination attempts on the nouveaux riches are pretty commonplace. Often it's a matter of internal disputes within the new upper class.
THE FIASCO
As an ever-increasing number of grotesquely rich Russians turned up in the shopping capitals of Europe, whilst the Russian industry rusted away, it became more and more obvious that the shock therapy hadn't worked.
“Suddenly”, Boris Kagarlitsky says, “you realized that the new Russian elite were extremely rich in terms of personal wealth, but in terms of working capital, they were all poor. If you have, say, 5 million dollars in your pocket, good for you, but for an industry that's nothing. What you can do is speculate in real estate. There, 5 million dollars is OK. Or sometimes, the money went into buying such luxury products as Mercedes Benzes and the like. Also, a lot of the money went directly into accounts in foreign banks.”
According to Kagarlitsky, it was a fatal mistake to believe that Western economists were experts in creating a market economy, just because they were experts in managing one. Neither Jeffrey Sachs nor Anders Åslund has been involved in the creation of Western capitalism.
“Åslund and the others never read Max Weber”, Boris Kagarlitsky says. “Max Weber showed in an extremely lucid and distinct way that a class of owners is created by its history, its culture, and its internal development, but not through the owning of property. Private property existed long before capitalism, without developing into capitalism. Thus, the existence of private ownership means precious little. It means that there are private owners, but not necessarily a class of entrepreneurs”.
The results of the plunder can be seen in statistics. Between 1991 and 1997, GNP decreased 83%. The shock therapy simply shut the colossal Russian industry down. The Western media, which had been inundated with visions of the fantastic future awaiting Russia, were all very careful when reporting on the horrible consequences of shock therapy. One of few exceptions in Swedish media was the TV-reporter and foreign correspondent Peter Löfgren, who described the winding food queues along Moscow streets. Anders Åslund was so irritated that this reverse side of shock therapy was brought before the Swedish people that he wrote the following in an article
“The few longer queues still to be found in Russia are a result of the fact that the prices of a few products are still being regulated (even if this is hard to believe, looking at Peter Löfgren's militant socialist reports on TV2)”. (Dagens Nyheter 920530)
A journalist in Moscow who points his camera at poor people thus suddenly becomes a “militant socialist”. This was neither the first nor the last time that Anders Åslund dismissed his critics as communists or militant socialists.
However, most journalists in no way ran the risk of attracting the wrath of Anders Åslund in the Swedish press. The typical attitude to the suffering of the Russians was that shock therapy was the correct medicine, but that its effect hadn't been felt “yet”. A typical example:
“Much seems to indicate that Gajdar is doing a great job; but the man in the street doesn't yet perceive the positive effects of the recently implemented "shock therapy.” (News article in Dagens Nyheter 920419)
The banks also helped to spread the picture of a rapidly growing market-oriented Russia. As late as December 1997, the Swedish company Banco Fonder advertised its new Russia Fund. In the prospect, interested speculators could read about the fantastic developments in Russia:
“In an amazingly short time, Russia has changed and become a democracy on its way to a Western-style market economy.”
“With a population of 150 million people, who slowly but surely are experiencing improved purchasing power, there are good reasons to expect continuing growth and development.”
It's hard to understand how these words could adequately describe a country where capital investment has decreased 80%, and where the earnings of 75% of the population have tumbled to subsistence level or less.
BARTERING IS BACK
As regards the state finances of Russia, the shock therapy became a catastrophe of a magnitude never seen before.
A giant nation, whose industry just a few years ago was functioning reasonably well, has been forced to return to bartering. Runaway inflation has meant that there simply isn't enough money in circulation. Even wages are paid in products. At the end of his working day, a worker thus may be forced to stand by the road trying to hawk the products that he has produced during the day. He gets no other wages.
There's only one single institution that has money in Russia today, namely the private banks, often owned by the small elite that has become millionaires as a result of shock therapy. The Russian government has been forced to borrow money from these banks, in order to pay its own bills. The banks obliged by demanding extortionate interest rates.
The chief of the Russian Revision Chamber is Venjamin Sokolov. If you want to see him, you have to take a clattering elevator ten floors up in one of the enormous office buildings in Moscow. Solokov apologizes for his nearly empty office. The Revision Chamber is changing premises, and he is the last one to move to the new offices.
The 50-year-old man in a suit sitting on the other side of the desk looks somewhat modest and unobtrusive. But when he starts to describe what the Western economic advisers and the old Soviet elite have done to Russia, you get a hint of why Venjamin Sokolov is a hated man these days among the propagandists for shock therapy.
“Since the economy functions by barter, without any money, you can't tax people”, Sokolov says. “The effect is that the budget keeps shrinking. Since the banks have money, and the government budget has not, we issue bonds running at between 3 and 6 months, with an interest rate of 100%”.
This figure is unbelievable. The Russian government has to pay 100% interest on a 3 months loan.
This means that the Russian government borrows about three times as expensively as the loans that a company like Finax infamously tries to trick poor private individuals into in Sweden.
And the Russian government doesn't borrow money for a new washing machine. It borrows in order to pay off the bills of an entire nation, to pay interest on loans abroad, and to pay government employees their wages.
It borrows in order to enable the Russian State to continue being a State.
Under Sokolov's leadership, the Revision Chamber has disclosed that government officials have invented a new way to make money themselves on the enormous borrowing needs of the government. They simply extract commissions from the banks who have the privilege of lending the government money.
“Suppose that a defence industry delivers its product to the government and wants its money”, Sokolov recounts. “The government official says that the government does not have the money to pay, but that the industry can go to a bank and get credit that the government guarantees. The bank extracts up to 200% interest. After 6 months, the government has borrowed enough money to pay back its debt to the defense industry. But then at least half the sum goes to the bank, which in turn pays off the government official who arranged the loan.”
According to Sokolov, this kind of corruption reaches high up in the political hierarchy.
“A former Minister of Finance has been arrested for transactions of this kind”, he says, “and with the facts we have at our disposal, all the leading figures of the Ministry of Finance could be arrested.”
INTEREST ATE IT ALL
Of course, no nation can keep paying interest rates of 100 to 200 per cent. Finally, the whole borrowing spree falls apart.
“The more bonds you issue, the greater your debt“, Sokolov says. “And finally you get to a point where you no longer get any of the borrowed money from the banks, since you are paying them all of it net.” This is the situation Russia has got itself into.
All the money the State received went directly into paying the exorbitant interest rates of the private banks.
In order to save the rouble from total collapse, the IMF stepped in with emergency loans.
In August 1993, Russia received a loan of 1.1 billion dollars.
In July 1993, 2.9 billion.
In April 1995, 6.8 billion.
In July 1998, the IMF granted another 14.1 billion dollars, not yet disbursed.
In all, the IMF has provided 18 billion dollars in loans to the Russian government. But the loans are not free. The IMF craves something in return. Russia must promise to follow through slavishly exactly the same shock therapy that has created its desperate situation. Privatizations and deregulationary measures must continue, or no money will be delivered.
You might think that the IMF leadership is mad, granting billions upon billions in loans to an economy that obviously doesn't function. This of course isn't the case. The IMF has very good reasons for doing its utmost to prevent Russia either going bankrupt or throwing shock therapy onto the garbage heap. There is an abundance of foreign banks and investment companies who also have financial interests in Russia. All in all, more than 200 billion dollars from abroad are at stake in Russia, in the form of loans and investments. If Russia goes formally bankrupt or abandons the “reform policy”, these 200 billion may be lost.
Then several Austrian banks with large interests in Russia would go bankrupt. The same would happen to big banks in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. In the US, Chase Manhattan, Citicorp and a string of other banks would go bust. And so on.
SAVE WESTERN BANKS
The money lent by the IMF is taxpayers' money. Sweden and almost 200 other countries are contributing to the fund. What the IMF in practice is doing is using taxpayers' money to save a number of very rich Western companies from bankruptcy. That this is really true is being stated openly more and more often.
On September 10 1998, an important hearing was held by an American congressional committee. The subject for discussion was the crisis in Russia and the role of the IMF as saviour.
One of the invited speakers was the financier Jim Rogers, founder of the investment company Roger Holdings. His message was crystal clear:
“The activities of the organization is gussied up in sanctimonious prose about aiding the poor and raising the living standards of the third world. Don't be fooled. These bailouts are really about protecting interests of Chase Manhattan, J.P. Morgan, and Fidelity Investments. Of course, if Chase went directly to Congress and asked for taxpayer help to cover a bad loan it had made to Korea, it's not hard to imagine the response Chase would get. But under the cover of the IMF, it can do this regularly without so much as a peep of criticism.”
However, the gigantic loans haven't helped Russia one iota. While 200 billion dollars have been poured into the country, 350 billion dollars have been illegally exported from the country, according to an estimate by the Minister of the Interior. The final destination has been bank accounts of the elite in Switzerland or real estate speculations in the West. Today, Russians are the largest group of property owners in London. Simultaneously, a terrible winter awaits the nearly 150 million Russians who have made no profits from shock therapy.
After 1994, Anders Åslund quit his job as adviser to Yeltsin and moved to the US. Since then, he has been the most stubborn defender of every single part of the grandiose shock therapy project, no matter what the current situation in Russia might have been at the time. Already in 1995, he wrote a book with the astonishing title “How Russia Became a Market Economy” (Brookings, 1995). He was so sure of his success that he claimed victory in advance.
As the years went by, fewer and fewer people remained who unconditionally applauded the shock therapy advocated by Åslund.
Jeffrey Sachs, the economist who led the team that included Åslund, has begun to change tack. These days, he suggests increased regulations in order to reduce worldwide speculation. In a debating article, Anders Åslund dismissed this point of view uttered by Jeffrey Sachs – Harvard professor and the creator of shock therapy – as “leftist criticism”.
In the same article, Joseph Stiglitz, chief economist of the World Bank, was also deported to the leftist camp, as well as MIT professor Alice Amsden and financier George Soros.
ÅSLUND CONFESSES
In September 1998, Anders Åslund finally admitted for the first time in Swedish media that Russia isn't heading for a glorious future. In an interview he said that Russia is on it's way toward “the biggest single national bankruptcy the world has seen”.
However, he refuses to acknowledge that any responsibility for the current situation lies with him and the other shock therapists who steered Russia towards the abyss. When the conservative Swedish morning paper Svenska Dagbladet's reporter asked him why everything had gone to pot in Russia, he answered instead as follows:
“Corruption, corruption and corruption (...) in the vast State bureaucracy under (former prime minister) Chernomyrdin, among local governors, in parliament and among businessmen. All these four groups lack the instinct of self-preservation. They only look after their own interests. No one in Russia is strong enough to look after the interests of society as a whole.” (Svenska Dagbladet 1998-09-27)
Let's hear the last part once more:
“They only look after their own interests. No one in Russia is strong enough to look after the interests of society as a whole.”
That answer is a revelatory one. But also very sad.
Before us, we see one of the most convinced partisans of neoliberalism. His macro-economic theories have never been tested on real people before in the history of the world. Until now. In Russia, Anders Åslund got his chance to bring about a society that according to the neoliberal course literature would be the perfect one. A society where self-interest "conquers just about anything". A society where starving pensioners “are not a political problem”.
A society where a new “class of owners” was encouraged to help themselves to what before was owned collectively.
He was allowed to bring it all about, and then, when it all became a disaster, he sat there whining that nobody “looks after the interests of society”.
That's how shallow the neoliberal analysis was.
Outside the White House in Moscow, 300 miners have pitched camp in home-made plastic tents. They promise to stay until the politicians abandon the policies that are killing their compatriots. They have no money. They still stay put.
Every day, a small group of very poor pensioners come by to give the protesting miners food.
Dan Josefsson
HOW TO MAKE IT IN RUSSIA 1
Lesson One: How to barter 2,000 bottles of vodka and get an industrial company in return.
Make sure you're born into a family belonging to the top elite of the old Soviet State.
When the shock therapists start distributing "privatization vouchers" to the people, get your own coupon and bide your time.
When after some time, hysterical inflation (also created by the shock therapy) has made the coupons nominally worth no more than a bottle of vodka, then you go out and buy 2,000 bottles of vodka. Try to get a quantity discount.
Let everyone know that you're willing to exchange coupons for vodka bottles.
Through your good contacts among the elite, you know that the price of the companies that can be bought for the vouchers hasn't changed with inflation. Since hardly anybody else knows this, most people gladly relinquish their coupons for a liquor bottle. Collect 2,000 coupons through bartering.
Helped by your contacts among the elite, find a suitable company and buy it for your coupons.
That's it! You now own a company. Of course you have no capital to make it run, but you can always strip it of all its resources and send the money to your Swiss bank account.
Lesson Two: How to become the owner of a company without paying a single kopek.
Make sure you're born into a family belonging to the old Soviet elite.
Arrange to be named CEO of a State-owned company.
Start a small private company discreetly on the side. If you have guilt feelings, you can make your wife or brother the nominal head of the company, but this isn't necessary.
Get the State-owned company to make a loan of 50,000 dollars to the little private company. It's easily done, you being the CEO of both.
Shock therapy is in full swing, and the State-owned company is to be sold to a private buyer. Check its value in roubles.
With the help of your contacts, see to it that the State-owned company isn't revalued, despite the horrendous inflation.
Wait until the value of the rouble has deteriorated to the point where the State-owned company would cost exactly 50,000 dollars. Then make your move, letting the small private company buy the State-owned one for the money you borrowed.
Merge the two companies. Now you won't have to pay back the 50,000 dollars that the small company owes the big one.
That's it! You're now the owner of a former State-owned company, which has cost you nothing.
SHOCK THERAPY FACTS
During the Great Depression in the US 1929-1933, production dropped by 30%. In Russia, with shock therapy underway, it dropped by 83%.
During the first 3 months of 1992, Russian government expenditure was reduced by 40%.
Even in deregulated USA, the public sector accounts for 1/4 of the economy. In Russia today, the corresponding figure is 1/8.
The law on privatization that was passed in the Russian Duma in 1992 prescribed that already the very same year, half of the State-owned Russian companies should be privatized, and 20% more before 1995.
The proceeds of the whole gigantic privatization plan during the years 1992-96 amounted to only 0.15% of State revenues. The whole of Russia was auctioned off for a few billion dollars.
324 factories were sold for less than 4 million dollars apiece, among these industrial giants like Uralmasj and the Chelyabinsk Metallurgy Combine. While international telephone companies bought networks in Hungary for 2,083 dollars per subscriber, they got the Russian network for 117 dollars per subscriber. Tractor factories were sold for the price of a bakery or a sausage factory in Switzerland, according to the privatization report of the Duma.
An energy company with the capacity of UES would have cost 49 billion dollars in the US. In Russia, it was sold for 200 million.
The oil companies cost 4 cents per barrel produced yearly in annual capacity. In the US, the corresponding figure is over 7 dollars.
Money is so scarce in Russia that bartering is back on a grand scale. Gas giant Gazprom, for instance, gets only 10-17% of its income in money, the rest in the form of products. A 1998 investigation indicates that 73% of all transactions between big companies are made by exchanging debts or products.
70,000 factories have been shut down during the Russian "reform period".
Industrial production has decreased 81%.
Already in Soviet times, there were vast differences between classes, definitely greater than in Sweden. And yet, the new Russian elite have made those gaps widen dramatically.
In 1995, the difference between the richest and poorest 10% was already as large as in the US.
Eventually the Latin American level was reached, where the richest 10% of the population make 16 times as much money as the poorest 10%.
At the end of the 1980's, the seven richest men in Russia today owned at most a summer cottage and an old Lada. Today, five of them are on the Forbes list of the richest men in the world.
Real wages have diminished by 78%, pensions by 67%.
13 million Russians are unemployed.
800,000 Russians with a higher education have left the country.
The Russian population has been shrinking for some years by about half a million a year. The current figure is 147 million, 4 million less than in 1990.
The shorter life-span in Russia is a result of, among other things, the return of cholera, diphtheria, syphilis and tuberculosis.
In Stalin's Russia, political adversaries risked execution. In today's Russia, the death penalty is no longer needed. 20% of prisoners in Russian jails have contracted tuberculosis, largely of an incurable variety. In all, 2 million Russians are infected with tuberculosis a figure increasing by 80,000-150,000 people a year.
Causes of death that are increasing the most in Russia are: heart and vascular disorders (particularly heart attacks and strokes), murder, suicide and alcoholic poisoning.
Russian murder statistics definitely have surpassed those in the US. Russia is approaching the extreme level of violence prevalent in countries like South Africa and Colombia.
Dan Josefsson is a freelance journalist based in Stockholm, Sweden. He produces documentaries for the Swedish Broadcast Corporation, SVT and writes articles for a number of newspapers and magazines. Dan Josefsson has received several awards for his reporting.
This article was originally published in the english edition of ETC’s special issue on Russia (ETC english edition No 1, 1999)
In 2007 the article was cited in Naomi Klein's book "The Chock Doctrine".
Text © Dan Josefsson (Den här e-postadressen skyddas mot spambots. Du måste tillåta JavaScript för att se den.). Reproduction prohibited without prior written permission from the author.
More articles by Dan Josefsson can be found at: http://josefsson.net.
© dan josefsson 2013 | Den här e-postadressen skyddas mot spambots. Du måste tillåta JavaScript för att se den. | | twitter: @danjosefsson
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line131
|
__label__wiki
| 0.878676
| 0.878676
|
They can't die soon enough
"A Movement Too Big To Fail" (Chris Hedges, Information Clearing House):
The liberal class functions in a traditional, capitalist democracy as a safety valve. It lets off enough steam to keep the system intact. It makes piecemeal and incremental reform possible. This is what happened during the Great Depression and the New Deal. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s greatest achievement was that he saved capitalism. Liberals in a functioning capitalist democracy are at the same time tasked with discrediting radicals, whether it is King, especially after he denounced the war in Vietnam, or later Noam Chomsky or Ralph Nader.
The stupidity of the corporate state is that it thought it could dispense with the liberal class. It thought it could shut off that safety valve in order to loot and pillage with no impediments. Corporate power forgot that the liberal class, when it functions, gives legitimacy to the power elite. And the reduction of the liberal class to silly courtiers, who have nothing to offer but empty rhetoric, meant that the growing discontent found other mechanisms and outlets. Liberals were reduced to stick figures, part of an elaborate pantomime, as they acted in preordained roles to give legitimacy to meaningless and useless political theater. But that game is over.
Human history has amply demonstrated that once those in positions of power become redundant and impotent, yet retain the trappings and privileges of power, they are brutally discarded. The liberal class, which insists on clinging to its positions of privilege while at the same time refusing to play its traditional role within the democratic state, has become a useless and despised appendage of corporate power. And as the engines of corporate power pollute and poison the ecosystem and propel us into a world where there will be only masters and serfs, the liberal class, which serves no purpose in the new configuration, is being abandoned and discarded by both the corporate state and radical dissidents. The best it can do is attach itself meekly to the new political configuration rising up to replace it.
An ineffectual liberal class means there is no hope of a correction or a reversal through the formal mechanisms of power. It ensures that the frustration and anger among the working and the middle class will find expression now in these protests that lie outside the confines of democratic institutions and the civilities of a liberal democracy. By emasculating the liberal class, which once ensured that restive citizens could institute moderate reforms, the corporate state has created a closed system defined by polarization, gridlock and political charades. It has removed the veneer of virtue and goodness that the liberal class offered to the power elite.
When you read the above, what does it make you think of?
When I read it, it makes me think of all the blow-hards from 2005 and 2006 that we once trusted who have tossed aside ethics and calls for needed change because a Democrat is in the White House.
It reminds me of The Nation, The Progressive, Democracy Now and all the rest that once decried torture and the PATRIOT Act and the wars and so much more. Today, when the issues are mentioned, they work overtime to blame the Pentagon or the State Department or anyone and anything except the president.
So they waste all of our time with one story/rumor about Republicans after another.
They then want to pretend that they've done something but they've done nothing but provide distractions for the continued destruction of the poor and the working class. They are the reason the country is going under.
Wednesday, October 18, 2011. Chaos and violence continue, Turkish forces enter Iraq, the press plays the blame game, the US Defense Dept identifies the fallen, Nouri thinks Iraq needs to educate other countries about how to run elections, and more.
We'll start with Youchi because I'm never fond of reporters who blame a people. Blame the press -- a very powerful organ -- or blame a country's government, no problem. But to blanket blame a people? Youchi J. Dreaen (National Journal via The Atlantic) reads his Israeli press (we will come back to that) and wants to huff:
In the years since their capture in Afghanistan and Iraq, U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl and Army Staff Sgt. Ahmed Altaie have been largely forgotten by both Washington and the American public. There have been no protests demanding the government make whatever concessions necessary to win their release. Most Americans don't even know their names. The situation in Israel, one of America's closest allies, could not be more different. The Jewish state held a national celebration on Tuesday following the safe return of Gilad Shalit, a young soldier freed in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Shalit had become a household name in Israel, where pop stars composed songs honoring Shalit and hundreds of thousands of Israelis regularly demonstrated to pressure the government to strike a deal with his captors.
We don't cover the Afghanistan War. So that takes away Bowe Bergdahl who, hopefully for his family, is safe and will make it home soon. We do cover the Iraq War. There are numerous reasons Ahmed Altaie is not known widely in the US. For example, the press doesn't care about the issue. I checked with three friends at the White House, Barack Obama -- sworn in nearly three years ago -- has never once been asked about Ahmed Altaie. Has his name came in any White House press briefings since Barack was sworn in (January 2009)? I was told "no" to that as well. "No" on both, not "rarely" as Yochi writes (which probably means he did a search on his own, didn't find anything but decided to use "rarely" just in case he missed a mention in his research.)
Maybe Yochi might want to learn to point the first finger at his professionf and not at the American people? Second of all, Altaie was not captured in battle. (A) He elected to marry an Iraqi woman (he was born in Iraq and the family moved -- first to England -- when he was still a child) after the Iraq War started -- which would be a no-no for him. Some try to say, the marriage took place in February of 2005 -- no supporting documents have yet been provided to the media or public for that claim. And some insist that's fine and dandy because he didn't arrive in Iraq until November 2005. He already his orders by February and the war started in 2003. And the military code of conduct is clear on this. It's among the reasons he doesn't garner a great deal of sympathy from those in the ranks. (B) Once serving in Iraq, while men and women were without their spouses or loved ones, he was sneaking off base without telling his commanders and rushing off to his wife and her family in Baghdad. Again, a no-no. (C) While sneaking off on a visit in October of 2006 (and out of uniform, of course) he was apparently abducted. (As explained by his brother-in-law who was apparently kidnapped with him and the brother-in-law was let go for some unknown reason.) This was news for a day or so and then the media lost interest as it was learned that the possibly kidnapped soldier was sneaking off to see his wife. None of that makes him a 'bad' person. But it goes a long way towards explaining why many Americans who are aware of the case aren't that interested. (We've noted him twice this year alone.)
And you can be sure that if Gilad Shalit had been an Israeli soldier who married a Palestinian woman and was captured or kidnapped while sneaking off to visit her, he wouldn't be receiving the hero's welcome that he did.
Yochi wants to blame America while comparing an egg to an orange and pretending they are the same thing. Yochi wants to also pretend he cares about Staff Sgt Ahmed Altaie. But what we just went over, how he married an Iraqi woman living in Baghdad, how he snuck away to visit her while stationed in Baghdad, how he may have been kidnapped while he was attempting to sneak off and visit her yet again, it's really not acknowledged in the story by Yochi reducing it to a single sentence: "Altaie was married to an Iraqi woman and may have broken military policies by leaving his post to visit her shortly before his abduction." Shortly before. That's where he was enroute he was abducted, per his own brother-in-law. If Youchi truly cares about this missing US soldier, one would assume, he'd make the time to truly explain how he disappeared. Of course doing so might interfere with his ability to tsk-tsk at Americans because there are readers who would think, "He didn't disappear in the line of duty, he snuck off, to see a wife he shouldn't have had per the military code and he changed into Baghdad-garb (out of his US soldier uniform) to blend in and didn't tell his supervisors what he was doing and while everyone in his unit was serving in a war zone, he was visiting his wife and eating with his in-laws." And a lot of those people are not going to be sympathetic to the story as a result. (Yochi does discover the press in the equation when it comes to another POW/MIA, Keith Maupin, who was discovered dead four years after he was captured in 2004, for PFC Maupin, Yochi does acknowledge that there was "only minimal press coverage.")
Yochi wants to insist, "In the U.S., most Americans have no firsthand connection to the all-volunteer military, whose bases are located outside major cities and whose troops are largely invisible to the general public." We do the Iraq snapshot, not the Afghanistan one so, again, we'll leave Berdahl to some other site. But, no, that's not the issue. After the Iraq War started, a US soldier (originally from Iraq) elected to marry an Iraqi woman (that he had supposedly not seen since childhood if then). He did not disclose that to his command despite the fact that he had orders to go to Iraq before he entered that marriage, he did not disclose his marriage to his command despite the fact that he was stationed in Baghdad where his wife and her family lived. While serving, he made regular trips (according to his in-laws) to visit his wife and her family, eating with them often. It was so regular that the brother-in-law grew alarmed that some militants/resistance might target him for kidnapping. That's all in the public record. And, pointing it out one more time, when you marry the side that your country is presumably fighting, you lose a lot in the sympathy factor. Right or wrong, that's how it works. A US GI marrying a German woman in Berlin in the midst of WWII would not have received a great deal of sympathy if he'd become a POW. Also worthy of note, when a government releases 1,000 prisoners to have 1 prisoner returned, you better believe the media in the country knows to play up the one returned as a major event.
Moving along . . .
Turkey continues attacking northern Iraq and, for years now, Turkish war planes have been bombing northern Iraq. The latest wave of attacks started August 17th. This morning Aswat al-Iraq reported, "Kurdish Workers Party announced today that the Turkish forces continued their military concentration on the northern Iraqi borders with Turkey. The source told Aswat al-Iraq that the Turkish forces have been gathering ranks since yesterday." Daniel Dombey and Funja Guler (Financial Times of London) notes, "Turkey has vowed to wreak 'great revenge' on Kurdish militants for the deaths of 26 policemen and soldiers on Wednesday as tension increases in both the south-east of the country and neighbouring northern Iraq." Citing Turkish military sources, Reuters reported that Turkish planes are bombing nothern Iraq and that Turkish helicopters are depositing "Turkish commandos" in Iraq. PRI's The World offers footage of Turkish forces entering Iraq. Sebnem Arsu (New York Times) adds, "NTV, a private television network, said 600 Turkish ground troops chasing the attackers pushed 2.5 miles into northern Iraq".
Marc Champion (Wall St. Journal) reports, "Some 200 PKK fighters attacked military posts in Hakkari province, near the Turkish borders with Iraq and Iran, said a PKK spokesman, contacted by phone in northern Iraq. The attacks began at 1 a.m. and ended around 5 a.m. after fierce gun battles, some of which were captured on video by Turkey's Dogan News Agency." Sahar Issa and Ipek Yezdani (McClatchy Newspapers) report, "Iraqi government officials raised no immediate objection to the Turkish incursion, and Turkish officials promised tougher action aimed at the Kurdish Worker's party (PKK) rebels." Seyhmus Cakan (Reuters) offers, "Yet as winter snows approach, many doubt the second-biggest military in NATO can rout some 4,000 PKK fighters dug in at camps in Iraq, not least while Iraqi Kurds' own seasoned foreign guerrilla forces retain their ambivalance between solidarity with ethnic kin and building trade with a powerful neighbor." Kelly McEvers is back in Iraq and files a report for NPR's All Things Considered. (I'm sure it's wonderful, I haven't listened to it yet. An NPR friend asked for the link. Good to know Kelly' McEvers is back in Baghdad. Hopefully NPR can provide her with air time. I'll most lilkely note the report in tomorrow's snapshot in some manner.)
BBC News quotes Tukey's President Abdullah Gul swearing, "No-one should forget that those who make us suffer this pain will be made to suffer even stronger. They will see that the vengeance for these attacks will be great." I think the Kurds of Turkey are very familiar with what the government's vengeance looks like -- having lived under it for years. Dan Zak (Washington Post) quotes PKK leader Duzdan Hammo stating, "Turkish forces have provoked our fighters to conduct attacks. There is still a lot of heavy shelling on the border." Zak also notes KRG President Massoud Barzani issued a statement -- we'll quote that in full:
At a time when efforts are being made to find peaceful solutions to the Kurdish question in Turkey, it's very unfortunate that today 24 members of the Turkish forces were killed by an armed group in the Hakari area. We strongly condemn this criminal act and publicly state that this action is first and foremost against the interests of the people of Kurdistan. We call for an immediate end to these attacks and we reiterate our position that violence and conflict are not a solution.
That was one of many statements issued on the matter. Today's Zaman notes, "Ria Oomen-Ruijten, European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey, has said every country had a right to defend itself and its citizens as she commented on Turkey's incursion in northern Iraq following the latest attack by the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that killed 24 troops and injured 18 others." Deutsche Welle adds, "Support for Turkey has poured in from the international community" and notes, among others, Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and US President Barack Obama. France's Foreign Affairs Ministry issued the following:
France condemns, with the utmost severity, the attacks made by the PKK terrorist movement on military posts in South East Turkey.These caused the death of 26 Turkish soldiers, with at least further 18 wounded. This was in addition to the attacks in Bitlis the previous day, with 8 dead. France expresses her fullest soldiarity with the Turkish authorities and her deepest sympathy for the families of the victims in this time of grief. The terrorist attacks of the last few days only strengthen the determination of France to stand alongside Turkey in fighting against terrorism -- and in supporting its efforts to achieve a political solution to the Kurdish question. France reiterates her appeal to the elected representatives of the Turkish populations of Kurdish origin, to clearly establish their distance from PKK terrorist violence.
The US State Dept issued the following from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent attacks by the PKK in Turkey's Hakkari province. I join President Obama in offering our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed and injured in this tragedy. We will continue our strong cooperation with Turkey as we work to combat violent extremism in all its forms and safeguard the security of peace-loving people everywhere.
If you're thinking that and other outpourings of sympathy meant a damn thing to the Turkish government, think again. Deutsche Welle reports that the government responded to the statements by blaming Europe (yet again, as DW notes) and declaring "true friendship cannot be measured solely by sincerity, and now we expect more than ever from our friends. EU member states can no longer accept the PKK's terror without doing anything about it." It's everyone's fault, proclaims the Turkish government -- the same government that refuses to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.
1.5 million Armenians killed because they were Armenian, targeted solely for that reason, and the Turkish government denies it to this day. Back in March of 2009, Sabrina Tavernise (New York Times) reported: "According to a long-hidden document that belonged to the interior minister of the Ottoman Empire, 972,000 Ottoman Armenians disappeared from official population records from 1915 through 1916. In Turkey, any discussion of what happened to the Ottoman Armenians can bring a storm of public outrage. But since its publication in a book in January, the number -- and its Ottoman source -- has gone virtually unmentioned. Newspapers hardly wrote about it. Television shows have not discussed it." And although that was back in WWI, never forget how the current government responds to the genocide. Not just by denial but with modern day threats. BBC News reported last year that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was threatening to throw 100,000 Amenians out of Turkey and making insulting comments leading the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian to declare, "These kinds of political statements do not help to improve relations between our two states. When the Turkish prime minister allows himself to make such statements it immediately for us brings up memories of the events of 1915." Damien McElroy (Telegraph of London) quoted Armenian MP Hrayr Karapetyan declaring, "The statement once again proves that there is an Armenian genocide threat in present Turkey, thus world community should pressurise Ankara to recognise [the] genocide." Possibly if Erdogan and the current government could stop living in denial and threatening other governments over a very real genocide nearly 100 years ago, they could also learn to reach out to other communities the Turkish government has persecuted through the years? That might be the only thing that would ensure peace for the country. If you doubt that the attitude is part of the problem, refer to this analysis by Deutsche Welle of how a 2009 peace quickly fell apart. From an academic standpoint, the PKK has nothing and therefore no reason to cease and desist. The Kurds -- which is more than PKK members -- are the largest minority without a homeland. The persecution by the Turkish government created the PKK and the recent decision that Kurds in Turkey could have the 'right' to speak Kurdish (in some areas and public places) and that they could have a TV station that broadcasts in Kurdish is less than scraps. In addition, promising other things and then going back on them (such as refusing to seat elected members of Parliament) only further fuels the sense of being persecuted. The Turkish government has and has always had the power to recognize and treat fairly the Kurds. They've refused to do so. They are alarmed now by the number of Kurds in Turkey.
While too many in the press cluck, Seyhmus Cakan (Reuters) goes in search of the story and speaks to a number of people in Turkey including a Kurd named Hulya Yildiz:
The use of Kurdish, the mother tongue for up 15 million Kurds in Turkey, is banned at her children's school. Scores of Kurdish activists and mayors have been arrested in recent security crackdowns. Army operations and Kurdish guerrilla attacks make even a family picnic in the woods too dangerous.
"I would like to live in a city where we could take our kids to picnics on weekends. We don't have that freedom because we don't know if a bomb will explode or if there will be clashes," said Yildiz, a civil servant in the Kurdish city of Tunceli.
She was speaking days before Turkey launched air and ground assaults on Kurdish militants in Iraq in retaliation for the killing on Wednesday of 24 Turkish soldiers in one of the deadliest Kurdish attacks in decades.
"If a family is afraid to take their kids to picnics you can'tt talk about democracy," she said. "The prime minister (Tayyip Erdogan) has travelled to all problematic countries during this year, but he should come here and listen to his people's demands. Why can't we have a 'spring' like the Arabs?"
Instead of grand standing on 'terrorism,' Barack, Hillary and the rest of the US government should be explaining that this is how governments are toppled and that if Turkey wants to have a future, it will work to bring the Kurds into the process fully. The alternative is endless war and for proof of that look no further than Israel which is now a teetering nation-state as a result of its refusal to come to terms with what was a minority population but is now a fastly growing one. It's a real shame that people who could be weighing in on this issue would rather gas bag. I'm thinking specifically of Theda Skocpol whose "France, Russia, China: A Structural Analysis of Social Revolutions" (Comparative Studies in Society and History, vol 18, 1976, Cambridge Press) and "Revolutions and the World-Historical Developmen of Capitalism" (co-written with Ellen Kay Trimberger, Berkeley Journal of Sociology, vol 22,, 1978) are pertinent to the what's taking place. But instead of providing insight on that, Theda can be found nearly each day offering trite and banal gas baggery about the Democratic Party for POLITICO's Arena forum. Talk about bastardizing your craft.
In Iraq, the Kurds remain at odds with Nouri. Dar Addustour reports that Nouri's spokesperson states that a Kurdish delegation will arrive October 24th in Baghdad to speak with Nouri and the Kurdish bloc states they will be insisting that the Erbil Agreement be implemented.
The Erbil Agreement ended Political Stalemate I after over eight months of deadlock following the March 7, 2010 elections in which Nouri al-Maliki's slate came in second to Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya. Per the Constitution, Allawi should have been named prime minister-designate and given first right to form a coalition. Nouri refused to allow that to happen.
The political blocs and the US hammered out an agreement in Erbil back in November. It would allow Nouri to continue as Prime Minister and, for that concession, the other political blocs would get various things in return. What the Iraqi people wanted -- as evidenced by their votes -- was of no interest to the US government.
Nouri agreed to the Erbil Agreement. And because of it, he was named prime minister-designate and then prime minister. And he tossed aside the agreement the minute he got what he wanted thereby creating Political Stalemate II.
Al Mada adds that KRG President Massoud Barzani states that the Erbil Agreement is not the problem, that all the participants agreed upon the agreement. It is the failure to implement the Erbil Agreement that is the problem and that goes to the inability of the government to work as a real partnership. Al Mada notes that the National Alliance is calling for the creation of a committee to amend the Constitution. Al Rafidayn reports Nouri is insisting that there are certain foreign areas that need instruction from Iraq on how to build a country. He really is deluded. In related news, Aswat al-Iraq notes that Nouri has pledged one million dollars to Tunisia to help with elections. Iraq has something to teach other countries about elections? You mean: How Not To Do Them?
After the 2005 Parliamentary elections, it took four months to name a prime minister-designate (this is supposed to be done in a matter of weeks, not months). Five years later, they hold Parliamentary elections again and it takes twice as long. Despite the fact that nothing really changed in the end. Talabani remained President (as he wanted), Nouri remained Prime Minister and they had the same two vice presidents (until the Shi'ite one elected to resign). None of the major offices changed and it took them over eight months. They think they have something to teach other countries?
On the issue of education in Iraq, Dar Addustour reports there's an effort underway to replace Mohammad Tamim as Minister of Education due to a large number of complaints. Among other education issues in the last three months, there is the fact that illiteracy is increasing (not surprising in a war zone) which Parliament responded to by passing a law (basically declaring war on illiteracy -- in an LBJ type way). More recently test scores have been a repeated issues -- Al Rafidayn has especially covered that issue in recent months. And he probably won't be helped by Al Rafidayn's report that a group of Iraqi elementary school children were frightened by poisonous snakes -- no one was hurt. Al Mada notes a new issue in Mosul schools -- one causing a problem for Christian families -- females -- teachers and students -- are being forced to wear hijabs (veils). Aswat al-Iraq notes that the Minister of Electricity is facing demands from the Ahrar bloc to prepare a report of "the problems that hinder the developments of electricity production"
Political Stalemate II also includes the inability of Nouri to appoint a full Cabinet. Per the Constitution, he should not have moved from prime minister-designate to prime minister for that reason (per the Constitution, a new prime minister-designate) should have been named. Dar Addustour reports that the Federal Supreme Court rejected yesterday a lawsuit filed against Nouri and the Parliament for the failure to name heads of the security ministries (Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior and Minister of National Security). [Nouri has filled two of the posts with 'acting' ministers -- acting ministers are not ministers -- there's nothing in the Constitution that allows for them. Not having gone before Parliament for approval, they can be fired on Nouri's whim and have no protection or independent power. The puppet has two puppets of his own.] Al Mada notes that the League of Righteous has declared they have no problem with American trainers being in Iraq next year. AFP reports that Moqtada al-Sadr states that's fine as well provided "compensation" is paid by the United States -- "without giving details of what he meant by compensation," AFP adds.
Aswat al-Iraq notes a Ramadi car bombing claimed 1 life and left four people injured. In addition, they note, "Sheikh Abbas al-Muhamadawi announced today that a source at Baghdad Operations Command informed him that an assassination attempt was to be made against him. Muhamadawi is the secretary general of a political bloc."
Yesterday the Dept of Defense released the following statement: "The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation New Dawn. Staff Sgt. James R. Leep Jr., 44, of Richmond, Va., died Oct. 17 in Babil province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team, Portsmouth, Va. For more information the media may contact the Virginia National Guard public affairs office at 804-539-1451 or by e-mail at cotton.puryear@us.army.mil." The Richmond Times-Dispatch notes, "He is survived by his wife, two adult children and a sister. He was from Davenport, Va." WAVY - 10 notes that Leep joined the military in 1986 and features of photo of Leep. Lauren King (Virginian Pilot) adds, "His previous deployments include Bosnia from September 2001 to April 2002, Iraq from December 2003 to March 2005, the southwest U.S. border security mission from June to August 2006, and Afghanistan from November 2008 to January 2010." Jim Talbert (SWVA Today) notes that Staff Sgt Greg Newberry and Sgt Timothy Bayless held a press conference today to discuss Leep with Newberry declaring, "I remember him riding that big Harley-Davidson to work from the time it started getting warm in the spring until it got cold. That, (ride his motorcyle), and hunt was what he liked to do when he wasn't serving his country or working."
Last week, I attended part of a hearing that I keep trying to include but we haven't had the space. I'll try again tomorrow. Other things that have been on hold due to space? Adam Kokesh and Iraqi Christians.
aswat al-iraq
the financial times of london
daniel dombey
funja guler
sahar issa
the telegraph of london
damien mcelroy
sabrina tavernise
the richmond times-dispatch
wavy-10
the virginian pilot
Posted by Elaine at 11:00 PM
What about the Air Force?
Martin Sheen's Full Of Crap II
Martin Sheen's full of crap
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line136
|
__label__cc
| 0.747888
| 0.252112
|
"Documentary"
Home / Documentary
By: thomas Category: Documentary
When conducting research on a previous film, “Before my Time,” which dealt with teaching about “the troubles” in the school history curriculum we were struck by how many teachers felt very uncomfortable dealing with the subject. A recent conversation with community workers has also revealed their discomfort when dealing with difficult topics. We are at a sensitive time in the …
“Bridging The Gap” investigated the experience of newcomer students integrating into the education system here in Northern Ireland. The film has been an instant success to date and is being used as a tool to help educate teachers across the country on the needs and backgrounds of their pupils. The EA have also taken a special interest in the documentary. …
When Ends Don’t Meet
The film was received well and showcased by Advice NI this year at the Imagine Belfast Festival to address growing concerns of social exclusion.
Ticking The Box? “Community Engagement Within The American Higher Education System.
“Ticking The Box?” was our first international full feature project. It gained recognition from The White House and it was showcased at the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge which Paul attended. Through sales the film helped us make valuable service learning connections to Universities across America.
A Step Too Far? A Contemplation On Forgiveness
Undoubtedly the most successful of Kettle Of Fish productions and their first full feature release funded by Peace III. Winner of the 2014 Chicago Peace On Earth Film Festival Best Documentary. Trailer here: Play it The film sold globally via Amazon and was purchased by many American Universities as a media library resource. The Irish Churches Peace Project used the …
Before My Time
“Before My Time” was used as a catalyst to change the history curriculum in Northern Ireland opening up valuable discussions on teaching “the troubles” at schools across the country. It was also nominated for an award at the Learning On Screen Film Festival in London. Find out more about Learning On Screen here: About This was the first major success …
Streets Apart
Our first serious documentary that looked at the division in Lurgan town between Protestants and Catholics. It was premiered at Martin Luther King Day in Pennsylvania.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line141
|
__label__cc
| 0.507038
| 0.492962
|
FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND ARTIST SHOWCASES FOR THE 28TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
FOLK LEGEND JUDY COLLINS CONFIRMED AS SPEAKER AND PERFORMER ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19
MORE THAN 190 ARTISTS FROM 11 COUNTIRES SLATED TO PERFORM DURING CONFERENCE AT THE WESTIN HOTEL CROWN CENTER IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
2016 ARTIST HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE DARLINGSIDE (USA), JEFFREY FOUCAULT (USA), LOS TEXMANIACS (USA), THE SOORLEYS (AUSTRALIA), WE BANJO 3 (IRELAND), TARABBAND (SWEDEN) AND THE DEAD SOUTH (CANADA)
WATCH “WHAT HAPPENS AT FOLK ALLIANCE”
“…Folk Alliance tops my “Favorite Festivals” list, and has since my first day there.” –Elmore Magazine
“…They jammed all day in the hotel lobby. Concerts in the big ballrooms. Showcases all night in three floors of hotel rooms.”—KCUR
Folk Alliance International is delighted to announce Judy Collins as its Keynote speaker as well as the official artist showcase line-up for the 28th annual conference being held February 17-21, 2016, at the Westin Hotel Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Diverse and plentiful enough to satisfy any lover of good music” (Americana Times), Folk Alliance International will showcase more than 190 acts from 11 countries, including the United States, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, India, and Japan.
A unique and one-of-a-kind annual conference, Folk Alliance is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community, crossing a diverse array of genres, including Appalachian, Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Roots, Traditional, World, Singer-Songwriters, and more. Apply for media credentials here.
“We certainly feature legends and luminaries,” says Aengus Finnan, Executive Director of Folk Alliance International, “but the most exciting aspect of Folk Alliance are the showcases by artists you’ve never heard of but will never forget.”
A platform for emerging talent, over the years Folk Alliance private showcases have featured breakthrough artists, including Nickel Creek, Dom Flemings, Rhiannon Giddens, Serena Ryder, Valerie June, The Milk Carton Kids, The Stray Birds, John Fullbright and Mary Gauthier.
Boasting a yearly attendance of over 2500 registrants, the conference features official showcases, exhibitors, panels and workshops held under one roof, bringing together musicians, educators and music industry professionals from throughout the world to share ideas, network, and promote folk music.
About Judy Collins
With an iconic 50-album body of work, Judy Collins is known for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. She has garnered several Top 10 hits and gold- and platinum-selling albums. Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her dreamy and sweetly intimate version of “Send In the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She recently released her first studio album in four years, Strangers Again, which includes a cast of icons and young talents performing with her, from Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne and Jeff Bridges to Glen Hansard, Ari Hest and Bhi Bhiman.
Filed in: EVENTS Tags: JUDY COLLINS
Six String Theory Competition
2016 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line152
|
__label__wiki
| 0.654535
| 0.654535
|
You are currently browsing the cooperatives category.
Work, Place and Community: The ‘Solidarity Ecosystems’ of Occupied Factories
By Liam Barrington-Bush
The Greek workers of VIOME took-over their old factory, fought off evictions and collectively occupied auction houses to stop the sell-off of the land they work on. In doing so, they are not just creating a better way of doing work, but also offering hints at more supportive and integrated communities and stronger, less-fractured societies. And they are not alone.
Hand soap from the VIOME factory in Greece [Photo: Liam Barrington-Bush, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]
At first glance it is a factory: heavy machinery, crates, palettes, industrial barrels and men doing manual labour. Little catches your eye, except maybe the homemade banners hanging up around the warehouse. They’re in Greek, so you might not be able to read them, but you can tell these are not the stock decorations from the ‘IKEA industrial chic’ catalogue.
Over a couple of days, you might also notice that you’re unlikely to see those men doing the same specific jobs, day after day, as you would in most factories. They seem to rotate their roles, mixing up batches of soap, pouring them into frames and cutting it into bars, but also cleaning toilets, taking product orders and coordinating distribution.
However, overall, when you walk into VIOME, it mostly looks like countless other industrial workplaces in the north of Greece and beyond. At least, until you come back on a Wednesday or a Thursday and find part of the administrative office converted into a free health clinic for workers and the wider community.
…or when you arrive first thing any day of the week and see all the workers gathered together, sharing updates on the work and making sure they are all in the know around the pertinent aspects of the business for the day ahead.
…or if you go into one of the store rooms and discover members of different migrant solidarity groups sorting through donations that are stored at the factory, for ongoing distribution around Thessaloniki’s many migrant squats, camps and occupations.
Over time, you notice that beneath VIOME’s sometimes mundane veneer, a series of radical changes are taking place. These are changes which offer alternatives to how we organise work, community and society at large. While VIOME has become a hallmark of these shifts in Europe, what those who work and support the factory are discovering is not unique. And it is spreading, offering an alternative vision of how radical changes might occur in the ways we work, live and relate to the planet as a whole.
INTRODUCTION TO WORKER CONTROL
Workers have formed cooperative workplaces together for at least three centuries. The recuperated workplace movement that the VIOME factory in Greece is a part of, however, traces its roots back to Argentina in 2001. This was a moment when the country was ravaged by neoliberal debt, frozen bank accounts and a handful of presidents that could only cling to the role for a number of days or weeks amidst mass public uprisings.
“It was an economic, political and social crisis,” says Andres Ruggeri, an academic at the University of Buenos Aires, who has been studying worker recuperations since 2002 and came to Greece to participate in the Second Euromediterranean Workers’ Economy meeting at VIOME in October. “This was not a working class, or middle class, or poor people’s insurrection – it was everything,” Ruggeri explains. “The ruling class collapsed. In this context, some of the bosses abandoned their factories.”
A VIOME worker puts up a poster for the 2nd Euromed Workers’ Economy meeting. [Photo: Liam Barrington-Bush, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]
In 2001-2002, roughly one hundred workplaces that were left behind by their owners were quickly re-occupied by their workers. Though worker occupation was not a new phenomenon, its immediate explosion in Argentina at the turn of the millennium was the first time such actions had happened at this kind of scale.
Today in Argentina there are roughly 16,000 workers in 370 recuperated workplaces, holding up two fingers to the systems of work that have dominated the global economy since the Industrial Revolution. These coops range from industrial manufacturers, to hospitals, textile producers to chocolate factories, hotels to print shops. Some have come to lead their industries and have improved members’ incomes, making clear that it doesn’t take an MBA to run a complex business.
Though the movement has its roots in Argentina, it has spread across much of Latin America since the early 2000s, and begun to pop-up in countries around Europe, in the aftermath of the 2008 crash. VIOME is undoubtedly a shining star in the fledgling European movement for workers’ control, but similar projects to take back abandoned workplaces from absentee owners are currently underway in France, Italy, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Croatia, Bosnia, and other parts of Greece. And while the motivations of the workers leading these occupations have been more pragmatic than utopian, what is emerging through their experiments is the DNA of a new kind of society.
HOW WORK CHANGES, HOW CHANGE WORKS
“We knew that if we left the factory, the economic crisis would leave us without money, with big problems with our families,” says Dmitri Koumatsioulis, one of the VIOME workers involved in the initial factory occupation in 2010. “We knew that we had to restart production without knowing the next steps.”
Thus was the uncertain footing from which the first steps were taken to put the Thessaloniki factory back to work after its bosses disappeared, owing the workers months of back pay. With no managers around, it fell upon the shop floor workers to figure out how the business they had worked in for so long was actually run.
They could have opted for new managers to fill the roles of the old managers. They could have adopted the pay structures of the former company and the jobs they had all done before, but they decided to leave all of that behind and try something different. Rotating roles, equal pay and decisions made by assembly became the new norm, as the VIOME workers experimented with finding a new way of working together.
“When production started again in 2012, we would come every day, drink our coffee calmly, and talk about each day’s production, the money to pay for materials, and the problems that came up each day,” says Koumatsioulis, contrasting the collective nature of the factory today, with the command-and-control systems of before. His colleague, George Arvanitis, puts the difference more explicitly: “All of us, we are the boss.”
WHOSE VOICES COUNT?
Assemblies and democratic decision making were not familiar processes for the workers of VIOME before the occupation began, but once they started talking it became obvious that they had no desire to reproduce the kinds of unequal relationships that were the core of work under bosses. Even beyond the bold move of deciding to take decisions together though, they realised that they were still missing important perspectives if assemblies only included the relative few who were actually members of the newly-formed cooperative.
“After [the decision to occupy],” Koumatsioulis recounts, “we decided that we must open the factory up to society, with an assembly to decide what we were going to do next, like, what products we would sell.” Thus was the birth of the Solidarity Assembly, a weekly gathering in which supporters and Thessaloniki residents were free to take part in shaping the direction of the factory.
Panel at the 2nd Euromed Workers’ Economy meeting, VIOME [Photo: Liam Barrington-Bush, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]
Too often a company’s communication with a community is limited to occasional promotional broadcasts, or at best, hollow consultations when the decision is already a fait accompli. But the motivations for opening the gates at VIOME were fundamentally different, having seen how important the support of the wider community had been in helping them take back the factory. “After a lot of talk with the many who were in solidarity,” Koumatsioulis explains, “we decided that we must produce something that was going to help them.”
This decision marked a fundamental departure from the relationship between most modern companies and the local areas in which they set up shop. Rather than seeing the neighbourhood as incidental to the business – one of the pitfalls of owners and shareholders making decisions from afar – the workers saw the factory as a part of the community in which they lived their lives. With this simple grounding came one of the most radical shifts between the old and the new factory: the idea of active interdependence, rather than an incidental coexistence between the work and the lives of those in the area. People were supporting the factory, and in turn, the factory was supporting the people.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN EVERYONE IS INVOLVED?
When the choice of what to make is left up to workers and communities, rather than managers and shareholders, the results improve in a range of obvious and important ways. The workers had been made ill by the chemicals used in the old production process. The local area had been polluted by the factory’s fumes. There was no investment capital to buy expensive specialist raw materials. People in the local area had seen their household incomes evaporate during the crisis.
These kinds of issues are deemed ‘externalities’ in most companies, but what are they actually external to? In a typical company, ‘externalising’ important factors is a one-way street; the company gets to say everything which doesn’t produce direct profit is external to it, shedding responsibility in the process, but no one else can do the same to the company. The company is never ‘external’ to the environment that it is based, the community that surrounds it, nor the lives of those who work there.
By involving all of these ‘external’ perspectives – very few of which would have been particularly relevant to the planning processes carried out by VIOME’s former owners – a direction emerged which offered answers to a considerable shopping list of problems found in countless other communities in Greece and beyond. When left with the choice and with the various relevant questions brought to the table, the workers began manufacturing affordable and eco-friendly cleaning products, instead of toxic industrial adhesives.
Today, the factory gates no longer separate the workplace from the community, nor from the environment its emissions escape to. From what the factory makes, to what the community needs and what is best for workers’ health and the wellbeing of the planet, decisions are made together, with those who do the work and live nearby. Through the initial act of workplace occupation, VIOME and countless other recuperated workplaces have begun to overcome the multigenerational failures of business owners, trade unionists, urban planners, sociologists, environmentalists and a range of policymakers, by weaving solutions to a seemingly disparate array of social, economic and ecological issues into the foundations of a single factory space.
WHEN OUR OPPOSITION MIRRORS THAT WHICH WE ARE OPPOSING
Corporations have made a science of isolating, externalising, siloing and compartmentalising themselves, under the illusion that it makes the business more manageable. In doing so, they lose perspective, zooming-in on one aspect of the business or another, without ever being able to put the pieces together and see the cumulative mess they are creating. Different teams and departments are found to be working against one another’s aims, while ‘the bottom line’ is seen as unrelated to the company’s environmental impacts. What the company does has no perceived bearing on the world it inhabits. There is no ‘cause and effect,’ so long as the effect falls beyond the realms of a quarterly report.
From a distance, we see the dysfunctional impacts of these false divisions, yet we often come to mirror them in the ways we organise our opposition. Unions fight for workers’ rights, green groups demand environmental protection, local community organisations push for neighbours’ concerns to be heard, but rarely do these isolated pushes align themselves, at times becoming explicitly adversarial.
We see this dynamic in clashes between trade unions representing workers in ecologically-destructive industries and environmental organisations. The unions rarely appreciate the realities that a fracking rig will have on any particular community’s environment, because they see the operation through the lens of net job gains or losses. When that union is organising at a national level, the issues are further isolated through the consolidation of industry workers’ common interests across the country, further minimising the significance of any local impacts that extend beyond employment. What emerges is a single battle cry, divorced from any particular place: we need jobs. Battle cries like ‘we need non-flammable drinking water’ are lost in the noise. They are ‘externalised.’
Similarly, national environmental organisations too often attribute the parts-per-million of various greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere to particular industries, without understanding what those working in those industries in a particular area need. Abstract references to ‘green jobs’ do little to calm the fears of those who see their source of livelihood threatened by people who talk about their community from an abstracted distance and lack any personal stake in the impact of their pronouncements.
However, these kinds of differences have a potential to become more aligned when we move away from large-scale centralised thematic organisation (like that of governments, unions and NGOs), towards small-scale distributed community-led organisation, which has a clear shared value base at its core. In closer proximity, with those most-affected involved, it is easier to find common ground. As in VIOME, it became clear that neither the workers, nor their neighbours, wanted the factory to keep producing the building industry chemicals that they had before. Without the dialogue of the Solidarity Assembly though, it is hard to know if that common ground would have ever had the chance to surface, or if it would continue to be hidden behind the factory gates, as it had for so many years before the decision to occupy.
‘SOLIDARITY ECOSYSTEMS’
What seems to be emerging around VIOME and many other recuperations, are the early shoots of hundreds of connected ‘solidarity ecosystems.’ These are interdependent social and economic networks bound together by a mix of human need, geographic closeness and a set of core values which allow them to reach beyond their immediate territories and avoid the pitfalls of tribal localism. A shared sense of solidarity connects different aspects of local life in an area with one another (work and health, for example), as well as with the local lives of countless others, further afield.
Recuperations can be hard to describe because they transcend the various institutions most of us are used to. Rather than just a change of management, recuperations represent a new form of bottom-up social organisation, in which people decide together what they need, in the place they share, and take the action required to make it happen there, linking up with those further afield with similar values along the way.
Sign for the Solidarity Clinic within the VIOME factory [Photo: Liam Barrington-Bush, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]
A former shell of purely-economic production may now address healthcare needs, alternative education provision, civic participation, food production and whatever else the people involved can create. These transformations are still in their early days, but the communities which surround these workplace recuperations are beginning to gently extract themselves from the logic and structures of capitalism and the state.
The recuperations tend to carry a sense of shared responsibility to meet community needs, but it is not addressed via one-size-fits-all welfare provision. There is certainly a level of supply and demand in the trading relations between recuperations, but it is driven by shared values and community needs, rather than lowest price and greatest profit.
The avoidance of hierarchy and promotion of collective decision making tend to transcend the different functions of a particular workplace, but no two recuperations will offer exactly the same combination of social and economic activity. There is a clear pattern of these spaces moving beyond the remits of their former owners, towards collectively answering many of the basic questions of life for those working and living nearby. However, the specifics emerge organically in each location based on the people involved, the needs they express and the materials available.
SCALING ACROSS
The spread of worker recuperations fits a pattern described by Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze in their 2011 book, ‘Walk Out, Walk On,’ as ‘scaling across.’ According to Wheatley and Frieze, ‘scaling across’ is a process through which “small efforts… grew large not through replication, but by inspiring each other to keep inventing and learning.” This is about when good ideas, rather than being scaled up and rolled out by central government or multinational businesses, are passed directly from community-to-community, changing and adapting to their local circumstances in each place they take root along the way.
Scaling across is the natural extension of the bottom-up, non-hierarchical organising patterns that are being used in recuperation after recuperation. It is the way that these (relatively) small-scale examples of social change become something more than an inspiring curiosity in one community or another. It is the process through which good ideas can become widespread practices, without an imposed model steamrolling the ever-critical local contexts they are being used in.
Wheatley and Frieze argue that ‘scaling across’ is a way of understanding scale that is still based on individual relationships between people and groups.
“A few people focus on their local challenges or issues. They experiment, learn, find solutions that work in their local context. Word travels fast in networks and people hear about their success. They may come to visit or engage in spirited communications…. But these exchanges are not about learning how to replicate the process or mimic step-by-step how something was accomplished…. Any attempt to replicate someone else’s success will smack up against local conditions, and these are differences that matter.”
While Dmitri Koumatsioulis and his colleagues at VIOME have watched their own work inspire others around Europe to take over their workplaces, they initially took inspiration from workers in Buenos Aires. Some of those workers, from the Zanon factory (highlighted in Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis’ 2004 film, The Take), flew to Greece at a critical moment at the start of the occupation, to share their learning and experiences. So while VIOME represents a major moment in the pan-European movement for workers’ control, their early days were the result of ‘scaling across’ more than a decade of learning from Argentina. And herein lies the real potential emerging from VIOME and so many other recuperations.
“Success for us is not if this factory makes profits,” VIOME member Tasos Matzaris argues, “but if this example goes abroad and new factory cooperatives are being made. This is what we think success will look like.” Or as a member of the VIOME Solidarity Assembly echoed, “one VIOME is not enough… What we are hoping is that more people will follow this example and that we’ll be able to cooperate and start a network. Occupy your own company and come find us.”
*This article was crowdfunded through the generous support of 18 people who wanted to read it. It is available to re-post freely under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0*
The old factory name on the roof of the VIOME factory [Photo: Liam Barrington-Bush, CC BY-NC-SA]
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line155
|
__label__wiki
| 0.762611
| 0.762611
|
MARIE CHERY vs. METROPOLITAN PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
June 14, 2013 - March 17, 2014
Court Below: District Court, Brockton Division
Present: Williams, P.J., Merrick & Ostrach, JJ.
Albert E. Grady for the plaintiff.
Heath Walker for the defendant.
MERRICK, J. The plaintiff, Marie Chery (Chery), brought this action seeking in count 1, personal injury protection (PIP) benefits under G.L. c. 90, § 34M for medical expenses for injuries from an accident in which she was a passenger in an automobile insured by the defendant, Metropolitan Property & Casualty Insurance Company (Metropolitan), and in count 2, damages for unfair and deceptive practices arising out of Metropolitans alleged failure to pay those PIP benefits timely. Chery by her counsel had sent a written demand for relief under G.L. c. 93A, § 9 on September 12, 2007 and brought this action only nine days later on September 21, 2007. On October 15, 2007, Metropolitan by its counsel made a five-page response to the G.L. c. 93A demand letter, specifically stating that it did so [w]ithout waiving its procedural defenses. In its answer to the complaint, filed on October 18, 2007, Metropolitan raised two affirmative defenses alleging the failure to comply with the demand requirements of G.L. c. 93A, § 9(3) to be both a failure of notice and a failure to meet a condition precedent.
After suit was brought, Metropolitan paid all of Cherys medical bills except for one incurred after suit and for which the complaint was not amended to include. A judge then allowed Metropolitans motion for summary judgment on both counts, relying on Fascione v. CNA Ins. Cos., 435 Mass. 88 (2001). That decision was the subject of an appeal to the Appellate Division, which affirmed it, and then to the Appeals Court. The Appeals Court affirmed summary judgment for Metropolitan on count 1, the PIP claim, on the ground that the only bill not paid was incurred after suit and was not claimed in Cherys unamended complaint, but vacated summary judgment on count 2, the G.L. c. 93A claim, holding that Metropolitans failure to pay the bills timely, requiring her to bring suit, is a sufficient basis to go to trial on a claim for violation of G.L. c. 93A. Chery v. Metropolitan Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 2009 Mass. App. Div. 210 , affd in part, revd in part, 79 Mass. App. Ct. 697 (2011), rev. den., 460 Mass. 1111 (2011). Neither the summary judgment motion nor the appeal raised the issue of the absence of a demand under G.L. c. 93A, § 9 at least thirty days prior to the filing of any such action.
After remand, both parties filed motions for summary judgment, Metropolitan now arguing in its motion filed November 23, 2011 that this action was not preceded
at least 30 days by a G.L. c. 93A demand letter.
While those motions were initially denied, Metropolitan renewed its argument in a motion to dismiss, designated as a motion in limine, when the case was called for trial. Chery argues that Metropolitan had waived the defense. A judge allowed the motion. Chery has appealed.
The demand letter requirement in G.L. c. 93A, § 9(3) provides in material part:
At least thirty days prior to the filing of any such action, a written demand for relief, identifying the claimant and reasonably describing the unfair or deceptive act or practice relied upon and the injury suffered, shall be mailed or delivered to any prospective respondent.
[T]he thirty-day requirement, as part of the requirement of a written demand for relief, is a prerequisite to suit, to be alleged and proved. (Citation omitted.) But it is not jurisdictional in the sense that a party cannot waive it . . . . York v. Sullivan, 369 Mass. 157 , 163 (1975) (thirty-day notice defense held waived where the defendant did not plead or argue it but the trial judge raised it sua sponte).
Acknowledging that there was not a demand under G.L. c. 93A made 30 days before the suit, Chery intermingles arguments that Metropolitans failure to raise the issue in its first motion for summary judgment and on the appeal of the ruling on that motion both waived the requirement and amounted to claim or issue preclusion on the subject.
A waiver is the voluntary or intentional relinquishment of a known right. Merrimack Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Nonaka, 414 Mass. 187 , 189 (1993). There is no evidence of an intention of Metropolitan to waive the defense. To the contrary, it pleaded the absence of a proper 30-day demand in two affirmative defenses on different theories. It is true that Metropolitan did not raise the argument in its earlier summary judgment motion or the appeal of the ruling on that motion. We are aware of no rule that requires any motion for summary judgment to include all possible defenses to the claim on pain of waiver of any not included in the motion. See Clark v. Trumble, 44 Mass. App. Ct. 438 , 440 (1998) (where affirmative defense pleaded in answer, failure to raise it in summary judgment opposition memorandum does not waive it). There would have been little point to Metropolitan raising the issue at that time. Dismissal of the instant action would not have been res judicata barring a second action, since the judgment would have been on grounds usually raised in abatement, specifically failure to meet a condition precedent to suit. [Note 1] York, supra at 164, citing Wright Mach. Corp. v. Seaman-Andwall Corp., 364 Mass. 683 , 693-694 (1974).
Issue and claim preclusion fall under the rubric of res judicata, and both require the essential element of a prior final judgment. Ajemian v. Yahoo!, Inc., 83 Mass. App. Ct. 565 , 571-572 (2013); Korn v. Paul Revere Life Ins. Co., 83 Mass. App. Ct. 432 , 436 (2013). Of course, there has been no final judgment to serve as the basis for issue or claim preclusion on this G.L. c. 93A claim.
Chery also argues that since Metropolitan did not file its answer to the complaint herein until 30 days after the demand letter (and thus had the full 30 days to make an offer of settlement), and since Metropolitan responded to her G.L. c. 93A demand letter without making a settlement offer, it has not been prejudiced by Cherys premature suit and therefore waived the requirement. The short answer to these arguments is simply that while the statutory condition precedent to suit is clear, there is no language in a statute or a case suggesting that the absence of prejudice to the other party excuses, let alone waives, the condition precedent.
In Barron v. Fidelity Magellan Fund, 57 Mass. App. Ct. 507 (2003), the Court ruled that language in G.L. c. 93A, § 9(3) limiting damages in securities cases to actual damages does not preclude an award of attorneys fees under the next subparagraph, § 9(4), where actual damages are found. Id. at 514-515. Contrary to Cherys wishful thinking, couched in the terms of argument, the case does not suggest that the plaintiff may recover actual damages and attorneys fees in the absence of a proper G.L. c. 93A demand at least thirty days prior to suit.
Certainly, it is true that [w]here the parties try a case on a mutually assumed theory of law, without objection, neither party may be heard to complain on appeal because that theory has become the law of the case. Nealon v. Johnson, 2013 Mass. App. Div. 38 , 40, quoting H.T. Lummus, The Law of the Case in Massachusetts, 9 B.U. L. Rev. 225, 227-228 (1929). Here, however, there was no trial or final judgment. Prior to final judgment, [a]ny rule denying the right of a judge to revise or vacate the earlier decree of another in the same case would in practice run counter to the elementary principle that any action of the court short of final judgment or decree remains within the control of the court and is open to revision until final judgment or decree. Lummus, supra at 234. See Riley v. Presnell, 409 Mass. 239 , 242 (1991).
Finally, at oral argument, Cherys counsel requested this Division to consider two Supreme Judicial Court decisions issued after his brief was filed. The cases, he argued, stood for the proposition that attorneys fees should be awarded in any case where a violation of G.L. c. 93A had occurred. In fact, those cases only repeat the longstanding rule that attorneys fees should be awarded in the event of a judgment for a violation of G.L. c. 93A, and in each of them, there was a timely demand letter under G.L. c. 93A, § 9(3) followed by a judgment under the statute. Wheatley v. Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund, 465 Mass. 297 , 298 (2013); Klairmont v. Gainsboro Restaurant, Inc., 465 Mass. 165 , 168-170 (2013). The cases are utterly irrelevant to the issue before us -- whether a party can, in the circumstances here, maintain an action under G.L. c. 93A, § 9(3) in the absence of a demand under the statute, made thirty days prior to suit. The answer to that question is no.
[Note 1] In fact, Chery did file a second action in December, 2011 on this same claim. That second action, however, was dismissed as it was brought after the four-year statute of limitations applicable to actions under G.L. c. 93A. G.L. c. 260, § 5A.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line156
|
__label__wiki
| 0.645292
| 0.645292
|
MERRILL LYNCH CREDIT CORP. [Note 1] v. BAHIG BISHAY and another [Note 2]
July 31, 2015 - May 6, 2016
Court Below: District Court, Nantucket Division
Present: Finnerty, Kirkman & Finigan, JJ.
Motion heard by Hand, J., [Note 3] in Nantucket District Court.
Michael P. Giunta for the plaintiff.
Bahig Bishay, pro se.
Mary Bishay, pro se.
FINIGAN, J. The defendants in this matter, Mary Bishay and Bahig Bishay (together, the Bishays), appeal the denial of their motion to amend their answer and counterclaim filed in this residential summary process action. Following the denial, the matter was tried before a judge in the Nantucket Division of the District Court and possession was awarded to the plaintiff. The appeal comes before us on the record of the proceedings pursuant to Dist./Mun. Cts. R. A. D. A. 8C.
The issue before us is a narrow one: whether it was an abuse of discretion for a District Court judge to deny the defendants motion to amend their answer filed in a residential summary process action. While the record assembled does not appear to comply with Dist./Mun. Cts. R. A. D. A. 18, we nonetheless proceed with this
matter in accordance with Rule 18. Before reaching the merits, some background on the matter is warranted, and we glean the following from the record and relevant facts that appear not to be in dispute as reflected in the briefs filed by the parties.
Procedural history. For many years, the Bishays were owners of a residential property located at 10 Monohansett Road, Nantucket (the Property). Title was originally held in the name of Mary Costello, now known as Mary Bishay. In 2004, Costello borrowed $650,000 from Sovereign Bank (Sovereign), secured by a mortgage on the Property. Following Costellos default on the loan, Sovereign instituted foreclosure proceedings.
Merrill Lynch Credit Corp. (Merrill Lynch) acquired title to the Property pursuant to a foreclosure deed, dated August 5, 2010, from Sovereign following a foreclosure auction conducted by Sovereign on June 16, 2010. Bank of America, N.A. (Bank of America) succeeded to the interests of Merrill Lynch. After the Bishays failed to vacate the premises following the foreclosure, Bank of America served a summary process summons and complaint on the Bishays with a trial date of September 17, 2012. The Bishays filed an answer and counterclaim on September 4, 2012, to which Bank of America responded by filing an answer to the Bishays counterclaim on September 21, 2012. Prior to the trial of the summary process action, the Bishays challenged the validity of Bank of Americas title to the Property in an action filed in the Land Court. In light of the Land Court action, a District Court judge stayed the proceedings in the summary process case pending the outcome of the challenge to Bank of Americas title.
The Land Court rejected the Bishays challenge to Bank of Americas title in a decision dated March 8, 2012. On March 5, 2013, the Appeals Court affirmed the decision of the Land Court, and on May 3, 2013, the Supreme Judicial Court denied further appellate review. Pursuant to the plaintiffs motion, the stay of the matter was vacated and the District Court scheduled the matter for trial on July 10, 2013. On June 5, 2013, the Bishays filed a motion for leave to amend answer and amend counterclaim; Bank of America filed an opposition to the Bishays motion on July 10, 2013.
Following two continuances of the trial date, one of which was for weather-related reasons, the parties appeared in court on August 14, 2013. The trial judge denied the Bishays motion to amend their answer, and the summary process matter proceeded forward to a jury-waived trial. Following the trial, the trial court entered judgment for possession to Bank of America. It is the trial judges denial of the Bishays motion to amend that brings this matter before us.
Analysis. Amendments to pleadings are governed by Mass. R. Civ. P. 15(a), which allows any party to amend its pleading once as a matter of course within twenty days after it is served. Because the Bishays motion to amend their answer was not filed for some nine months after service of their original answer, their proposed amendment was not allowed as a matter of course. Rule 15(a) further provides that after the expiration of the time period described above, a party may amend his pleading only by leave of court or by written consent of the adverse party. Bank of America opposed the Bishays motion to amend. As a result, their ability to file an amended answer and counterclaim rested with leave of the court.
The Supreme Judicial Court has stated that Mass. R. Civ. P. 15(a) . . . eliminated the once broad discretionary authority of a judge to deny a motion to amend a pleading, Castellucci v. United States Fid. & Guar. Co., 372 Mass. 288 , 289 (1977), and that a
motion to amend should be allowed unless some good reason appears for denying it. Id. However, [i]t is well-settled that prejudice to the non-moving party is the touchstone for the denial of an amendment. Goulet v. Whitin Mach. Works, Inc., 399 Mass. 547 , 550 n.3 (1987), quoting Cornell & Co. v. Occupational Safety & Health Review Commn, 573 F.2d 820, 823 (3d Cir. 1978). See Hamed v. Fadili, 408 Mass. 100 , 105 (1990). Our standard for review of the trial courts decision to deny the defendants motion to amend is whether that denial constituted an abuse of discretion. Castellucci, supra at 291-292 ([A] judge may give weight to the public interest in the efficient operation of the trial list . . . .).
Balanced against the liberal approach concerning amendments provided by Mass. R. Civ. P. 15 is the counterweight of the goal of summary process and the rules that govern such actions, which provide that the rules shall be construed and applied to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every summary process action. Rule 1 of the Uniform Summary Process Rules. Here, the proceedings were stayed while the Bishays challenged the plaintiffs title in Land Court. Ordinarily, a tenant cannot challenge a landlords title in a summary process action. Connors v. Wick, 317 Mass. 628 , 630 (1945). An exception lies where, as here, the summary process action is for eviction where the property was purchased at a foreclosure sale. New England Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Wing, 191 Mass. 192 , 195 (1906). Of course, the Bishays challenge to the plaintiffs title could have been brought as a defense in the summary process action, which would have eliminated the need for a stay pending the result of the Land Court matter. Bank of N.Y. v. Bailey, 460 Mass. 327 , 333 (2011).
Nonetheless, the trial court did stay the summary process action until the Land Court matter concluded in the plaintiffs favor and all further appeals were exhausted. That litigation effectively sidelined the summary process case for six months. Subsequent to the matter being restored to the trial list, the Bishays filed their proposed amended answer and counterclaim. The proposed amended answer consisted of twenty-seven numbered paragraphs under the heading The Underlying Facts and referenced exhibits marked A through U (because the exhibits were not included as part of the assembled record, we do not consider them [Note 4]). The amended answer also included three affirmative defenses, four counterclaims, and a request for a jury trial.
On the record before us, it is difficult to gauge the significance of the Underlying Facts, which appear to be a chronology of grievances between the Bishays and Bank of America in proceedings now or formerly pending in three other courts -- Suffolk Superior Court, Essex Superior Court, and the United States Bankruptcy Court. In any event, the absence of these from the pleadings did not result in any disadvantage to the Bishays at trial. The three affirmative defenses raised challenges to Bank of Americas request for use and occupancy pursuant to its complaint. Because the trial court did not award damages but merely possession, the Bishays were not adversely affected by the inability to raise these defenses at trial.
The amended answer also included four counterclaims. The first seeks declaratory relief. While the trial court has power to issue declaratory judgments in summary process actions, G.L. c. 218, § 19C, the Bishays have not addressed this issue in their brief, and we therefore deem it to be waived. Duvivier v. Kays Oasis Enters., Inc., 2010 Mass. App. Div. 31 , 34 n.2, citing Dist./Mun. Cts. R. A. D. A. 16(a)(4). See also note 4, supra. The remaining three counterclaims raise issues concerning alleged misconduct by Bank of America in other forums, including a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and violations of G.L. c. 93A. To introduce these claims on the eve of trial would have undoubtedly again sidetracked the summary process trial, and consequently the judges denial cannot be deemed arbitrary and capricious. See Hamed, supra at 106 (improper to allow plaintiff to add fraud-in-the-inducement claim at close of evidence, where new claim was so materially different from contract claim that some substantial difference in trial preparation, strategy, and technique would have been required on part of defendants).
Lastly, the amended answer included a request for a jury trial, which was absent from the defendants original answer filed nine months earlier. Our rules require a request for a jury trial to be made no later than the date on which the answer is due. See Rule 8 of the Uniform Summary Process Rules, incorporating Mass. R. Civ. P. 38. Pursuant to Rule 38(b), Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue. Rule 38(d) further provides, The failure of a party to serve a demand as required by this rule and to file it as required by Rule 5(d) constitutes a waiver by him of trial by jury (emphasis added). We see no error in the judges denial of trial by jury.
Appeal dismissed. [Note 5]
[Note 1] Now known as Bank of America, N.A.
[Note 2] Mary Costello, also known as Mary Bishay.
[Note 3] The Honorable Kathryn E. Hand recused herself from this appeal, and did not participate in its hearing, review, or decision.
[Note 4] A party bringing an appeal has a duty to present to this Division a proper record. Grandoit v. R.J. Leyden, LLC, 2015 Mass. App. Div. 107 . A pro se litigant is bound by the same rules of procedure as litigants with counsel. International Fid. Ins. Co. v. Wilson, 387 Mass. 841 , 847 (1983). Those rules include the basic requirements of appellate procedure, including the preparation of an accurate and complete record appendix. Hussain v. Cameron Constr. & Roofing Co., 2007 Mass. App. Div. 14 , 15.
[Note 5] In its brief, Bank of America seeks costs pursuant to Dist./Mun. Cts. R. A. D. A. 25 for the defense of this appeal, contending that this appeal is frivolous. We do not so find and decline to order.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line157
|
__label__cc
| 0.698155
| 0.301845
|
The Aviator's Wife
By: Melanie Benjamin
Anne Morrow was the other daughter. She wasn't the pretty one, and she wasn't expected to make a good match in a husband. But she did what no one thought she would. Anne Morrow caught the attention of one Mr. Charles Lindbergh. She wasn't the only one surprised by his proposal. However, Charles wasn't like your average man, and their marriage wouldn't be like your average marriage. As you read, you get to see the world, and one of it's most famous heroes, through Anne's eyes.
Anne Morrow is the middle daughter of her parents. She's plain, not gorgeous. She's shy and quiet, not glitzy and popular. Still, when her family visits her father in Mexico, it's Anne who Charles Lindbergh takes notice of. It's Anne, not her sister, that he takes on a solo flight. And it's Anne who marries America's newest hero.
But Charles Lindbergh is a man of different stock and Anne struggled with her new life. They bond over flying as Anne learns how to pilot planes. She accompanies her husband on numerous flights as he breaks more aviation ground. But everything changes the night their first born son is kidnapped from his nursery room. Both handled the tragedy in different ways and they never fully bounce back.
Life continues on and they go on to have several children. But that life isn't always easy. Just like there are bumps in the roads, there are bumps in the air, as well. Charles experiences professional highs and lows. Anne is always there by his side, but is becoming her own person- not just his co-pilot.
The Aviator's Wife an incredible look through the eyes of a woman who married an American hero. The world knew her as Charles's wife, but now you get to know her for yourself. Melanie Benjamin did wonderfully thorough research to paint an accurate portrait of an incredible woman's journey. This was a book I loved reading and didn't want it to end.
Rating: Buy It/Borrow It
Unknown on January 15, 2013 at 10:54 AM said...
Great review! Really looking forward to this one!
Jen on January 16, 2013 at 6:26 AM said...
Thank you! It was a good book! I hope you enjoy it!
Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
The Second Chance Cafe
When This Blonde Cleans...
Revenge of the Crafty Corpse
Isn't It Time For A Coffee Break?
The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line158
|
__label__cc
| 0.691359
| 0.308641
|
HomeNEW Cutting MachineThe New MethodOur NetsOur Nets After UseThe BenefitsOur CustomersAbout Us
That is the reason for all of our customers that try our new method of mounting never return to their old habits. It is not only because the owners of the companies are pleased with the money being saved, but also because the benefits of the method is clearly felt by the employees that are doing the physical work. Below are interviews with some of our customers
M/S LORAN. NORWAY. AT IT'S BEST
The above video shows footages from a M/S Loran February-March, 2005, fishing tour in the Lofoten, 67N-11E. That tour was one of the best in the history of M/S Loran. They caught 38 tons of headed and gutted Cod in one day then, but over a period of two weeks they caught over 300 tons. The nets used in that tour were from Neptunus.
M/S LORAN. NORWAY
Is one of the biggest five gill net vessels in the Norwegian fleet. "We were so happy that we could mount the nets ourselves, it was so easy and much cheaper. Two men can mount 100 nets in one day with breaks and the Neptunus nets also last longer. I think that is because the mounting line is away from the rope. It is also much better to haul the nets in because the grip is better, the rigger is only pulling the ropes, not the netting. There is also one more thing. A very big boat here in Norway, Fiskanes, borrowed 50 nets from us a while ago and the captain said that the Neptunus nets caught more fish every day. He said that those nets are much better than the others he had." Stale Dyb. Captain
GLÓFAXI VE-300. ICELAND
"The best thing about the new method from Neptunus is that we can mount both ropes simultaneously which saves so much time and that the mounting is so even and accurate. We use the MOUNTER EC 1500 machine which is amazingly comfortable, it's just a push on a button and there it goes. We are usually two working the machine, but one man can do it easily which happens many times, both ropes simultaneously. Before we used to sew the nets on the ropes. It was so time consuming and it was so hard to cut the nets from the ropes. After we started using the new method it's so much easier to cut the nets from the ropes,because there are far fewer knots to cut. This new method is a revolution I would say." Bergvin Oddson. Owner.
Hafnarnes-Ver. ICELAND
This new way of mounting has been very good for us. The mounting becomes more even and more accurate. The nets last longer, probably because of the way they are mounted, but anyhow they last much longer. Those are very good nets, they have a very high quality. Because of the mountings accuracy it is much better to haul them in. The hauling is more even and therefore the force on the netting becomes more even. The fish gets more preserved and they fish more. Those are simply the best nets. That's just very plain and simple. The best nets there are on the market today.
SÆÞÓR EA-101. ICELAND
"First of all this new method saves a lot of time, we are much faster mounting our nets. It's also noticeable how even the mounting is, before we had problems with that. It was never even enough. The nets are so clear from the ropes making it much easier to cut them off. These nets also last much longer than other nets we have used and I have heard other fishermen that have tried the Neptunus nets that they think they're much better than other nets. First and foremost for us the best thing about this new method is that we can mount by ourselves now, much quicker than before, we like that very much." Arnþór Hermannsson. Captain.
Neptunus ehf. - Cuxhavengötu 1 - 220 Hafnarfirði - 101 Reykjavík - Iceland - Tel:+354-552-1380 - Cell:+354-864-4343 - e-mail:xneptun@simnet.is ####################################################################
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line159
|
__label__cc
| 0.521267
| 0.478733
|
Hollie Richard Hodges
March 26, 1934 - December 5, 2017
Follow story
To follow Hollie's Story, enter your email.
You will receive email notifications when changes are made to the online memorial, including when family and friends post to the Guestbook.
Back to Hollie's story
Receive email updates when there are changes to this story.
Become the owner of this obituary to manage the guestbook, edit the notice, and more.
Hollie Richard Hodges, of Knoxville, TN passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at the age of 83.
He was born on March 26, 1934 in Davy, WV.
He attended Spanishburg High School where he met the love of his life, Betsy Lee Robinette. After graduating in 1952, he joined the United States Navy and attended Fleet Sonar School in Key West, FL. He was honorably discharged in June of 1956 and served in the Naval Reserves until July of 1960. He received his bachelor's degree from Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV and went on to earn his master's degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He began his career with NASA at the Johnson Space Center in the early 1960's where he remained until he retired in the 1980's.
He and Betsy were married in September of 1952. They shared a love of travel and did so extensively throughout the world visiting a total of 31 different countries.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years Betsy Lee Hodges, his parents Hollie and Beatrice Hodges and his sister Emily Hodges.
He is survived by his sister Betty Jane Meadows, daughter Sherry (Don) Kilbourn, son Steve Hodges (Zina Taylor), grandchildren Donny (Leslie) Kilbourn, Jon (Britney) Kilbourn, Katie Kilbourn, Kim (Spencer) Peake, and Megan Hodges, great-grandchildren Andrew, Max, Price, Lucy, Betsie, and Henry and his special aunt Emily Williams, and an extended family that includes nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Services will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Princeton, West Virginia on Saturday, December 9, 2017 with visitation between 11am and 12pm and a celebration of life service between 12pm and 1pm with burial immediately following. Pastor Ralph Calfee with officiate the service.
In lieu of flower, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer's Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919.
To leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.roselawnfuneral.com.
Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 450 Courthouse Road, Princeton is honored to be serving the family.
To plant a tree in memory of Hollie Richard Hodges, please visit Tribute Store.
of Hollie
Obituary published in
Roselawn Funeral Home
A place to share condolences and memories.
The guestbook expires on March 06, 2018.
Showing 10 of 1 posts
Restore the guestbook to view the 1 more posts by family and friends, and share a memory or message of condolence of your own.
4 Day Extend $4
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line161
|
__label__wiki
| 0.658675
| 0.658675
|
No:22, 1 February 2019, Press Release Regarding The Termination Of The Temporary International Presence In Hebron By Israel
We strongly condemn Israel’s unilateral termination of the mandate of the “Temporary International Presence in Hebron” (TIPH), the multilateral observation mission in Hebron/Palestine, and expect this political decision to be reversed.
We decisively reject the allegation that the TIPH has been working against Israel, which is presented by Israel as a justification for its decision. The TIPH, in which observers from Turkey has participated since it came into operation in 1997, made valuable contributions to easing the tension in Hebron, held under Israeli occupation.
The circumstances in Hebron leading to the establishment of the TIPH are still present today. Within this context, it is clear that the termination of the TIPH does not end Israel’s accountability and its obligations emanating from international law, first and foremost from the Fourth Geneva Convention. We call upon the international community to ensure Israel’s compliance with these obligations.
Turkey, which supports the vision of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders between Israel and Palestine, will continue to closely monitor the situation in Hebron with this understanding.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line162
|
__label__wiki
| 0.766616
| 0.766616
|
Home » Countries » OECD » Lithuania
Sveikiname Lietuvą!
Lithuania becomes the OECD’s 36th member country
Balázs Gyimesi
Sveikiname Lietuvą–welcome to the OECD, Lithuania! The Baltic country became the 36th member of the organisation on 5 July 2018, just one day before its Statehood Day, which commemorates the coronation of the first Lithuanian king, Mindaugas, in 1253. Lithuania is the third Baltic Republic to come on board, alongside Estonia (2010) and Latvia (2016). The country, which is also member of the EU, NATO and several other multilateral organisations, has a population of 3.1 million, uses the euro as currency and has one of the fastest growing economies in the OECD area–its GDP grew by 3.8% in 2017, above the OECD average of 2.6%.
According to the OECD Economic Survey of Lithuania 2018, Lithuania’s economy has been quickly catching up with the OECD average, as the country’s GDP per head leapt from 36% to 73% of the OECD level between 2000 and 2017. Unemployment has dropped steeply, from 9.1% in 2015 to an estimated 6.6% in 2018. Public finances have also stabilised, thanks to ambitious reforms, the report notes.
Lithuania has a smart workforce, with 39% of its adult population (aged over 25) having tertiary education, compared to the OECD average of 35%. The public’s average rating of the quality of health services in Lithuania has increased from 5.1 to 6.3–on a scale from 1 to 10–between 2003 and 2016, the European quality of life survey shows.
Lithuania faces challenges, as the new economic survey argues, such as to reduce its above average inequality, population decline and a need to boost low productivity.
As a member of the OECD, Lithuania will not have to face these challenges alone but will be able to look to the multilateral organisation for the intelligence, advice and encouragement it needs to follow on a path of inclusive, sustainable growth. The OECD will in turn learn from Lithuania’s experiences, and help the organisation, as OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría put it, “in our collective endeavour to provide answers to the leading economic, social and environmental challenges of our time. Lithuania’s membership will help enrich the OECD’s work through the country’s unique experience in several policy areas, while membership in the OECD will support Lithuania’s efforts to improve the well-being of its own citizens.”
Lithuania at the OECD: http://www.oecd.org/countries/lithuania/
See the full list of OECD member countries: http://www.oecd.org/about/membersandpartners/list-oecd-member-countries.htm
OECD (2018), OECD Economic Surveys: Lithuania 2018, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/eco_surveys-ltu-2018-en
OECD (2018), OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Lithuania 2018, OECD Reviews of Health Systems, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264300873-en.
OECD (2017), Education in Lithuania, Reviews of National Policies for Education, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264281486-en
Eurofound (2017), European Quality of Life Survey 2016: Quality of life, quality of public services, and quality of society, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg
©OECD Observer July 2018
Country snapshots 2017-18: Lithuania
How worrying is the outlook for the global economy?
A beacon for the next 50 years
OECD Podcasts
OECD on the crisis and after: 10 years, 10 stories
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line163
|
__label__wiki
| 0.622721
| 0.622721
|
You are here: Home / News & Opinion / The Blessing of Separating Church and State: Is It at Risk?
The Blessing of Separating Church and State: Is It at Risk?
July 17, 2017 by PJV Contributor 2 Comments
– Alan Garfield
Why would we want to separate church and state? Isn’t religion a positive force in society? Doesn’t it foster ethical behavior and encourage charity? Just think of all the church-run soup kitchens or the moral leadership provided by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
So why would the framers build a wall separating church and state? Why not unite the two and combine their power for good?
Prof. Alan Garfield.
Of course, the Constitution never explicitly says that there must be a wall separating church and state. But the First Amendment does say that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” In a landmark 1947 decision, the Supreme Court explained that this clause was “intended to erect ‛a wall of separation between church and State’” and that this wall “must be kept high and impregnable.”
What were the framers thinking? Were they opposed to religion? Were they at war with Christmas?
Certainly not. Most were religious themselves.
The framers merely knew their history. And history taught them that combining church and state produces a volatile brew that is good for neither church nor state.
In its 1947 decision, the court recalled how many of the nation’s earliest settlers had left Europe “to escape the bondage of laws which compelled them to support and attend government-favored churches.” The Europe these settlers fled had been wracked by centuries of religious warfare as established churches sought to “maintain their absolute political and religious supremacy.”
“With the power of government supporting them,” the court recounted, “Catholics had persecuted Protestants, Protestants had persecuted Catholics, Protestant sects had persecuted other Protestant sects, Catholics of one shade of belief had persecuted Catholics of another shade of belief, and all of these had from time to time persecuted Jews.”
Making matters worse, the court continued, these practices “were transplanted to, and began to thrive in, the soil of the new America.” Colonies created “religious establishments” which all individuals, whether believers or not, were “required to support and attend.”
The court said that this imposition of taxes to pay ministers’ salaries and maintain church properties aroused “indignation” in the “freedom-loving colonials.” The framers adopted the First Amendment to address this indignation.
While the framers had front-row seats for internecine Christian warfare, we all know from contemporary history that religious battles are not unique to Christians.
Extremist Shia and Sunni Muslims are currently warring for domination in the Middle East; Buddhists are killing Muslims in Myanmar; Hindus and Muslims frequently fight in South Asia; and tiny Israel struggles to be both a Jewish state and a democratic one.
The framers, in their wisdom, sought to create a United States free of this religious strife. They knew that aligning church and state ignites endless battles over whose “church” is aligned with government. They knew that it was wrong to make taxpayers pay for the religions of others. They knew that religions receiving government support become beholden to their government benefactors. They knew that distributing public funds to religions creates divisiveness as sects vie for government largess.
The framers’ solution was simple but elegant: separate church and state.
The Declaration of Independence may have referred to “Nature’s God” and said that people were endowed by their “Creator” with unalienable rights, but the framers drafted a Constitution that makes no reference to “God.” And its only reference to religion reinforces separation of church and state. It provides that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification” to hold public office.
When the First Amendment was added to the Constitution, it enshrined the notion of separation in the Establishment Clause. At the same time, the framers protected private religious practice from government intrusion with the Free Exercise Clause, which provides that “Congress shall make no law . . . prohibiting the free exercise” of religion.
Time has proven the genius of the framers’ decision. Two hundred years after the First Amendment was adopted, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor rightfully observed that “Americans may count themselves fortunate.” While much of the world continues to be consumed by the “violent consequences” of governments aligned with religion, we have managed, thanks to our “regard for constitutional boundaries,” to avoid “similar travails.”
As the same time, O’Connor noted, separation of church and state has not harmed religion in America. To the contrary, it has allowed “private religious exercise to flourish.” Indeed, Americans are typically more religious than their counterparts in other developed nations.
Given how well separation has served us, O’Connor challenged anyone who wanted to “renegotiate the boundaries between church and state” to answer this “difficult” question: “Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?”
Still, there continue to be Americans who want to tear down the wall separating church and state. Indeed, our current president seems eager to lead the charge. At an Independence Day event intended to honor American veterans, President Trump couldn’t resist rehashing his campaign pledge that “we’re going to start saying ‛Merry Christmas’ again.”
Did the president somehow forget that not all veterans are Christian? Was he incapable of acknowledging the sacrifice of veterans without engaging in the very type of religious divisiveness our founders sought to avoid?
Unfortunately, President Trump is not alone in wanting to dismantle the wall separating church and state. Some Supreme Court justices, including Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch, seem eager to join the demolition.
That, at least, was a concern raised by the Supreme Court’s decision last month, which held that if Missouri offered to provide playground surfacing material to private schools, it had to offer the same material to church schools.
Of course, few were upset by the specific holding in that case. Religious schools receiving government subsidized playground material is not a big deal. If it keeps a few more kids from getting skinned knees, that’s great — although this government subsidy does also mean that the schools can now spend more of their own money on religious education.
The concern is with the larger implications of the court’s decision. It potentially set a legal precedent that religious institutions could not be excluded from offers of public funding to private institutions.
When it comes to giving religious schools rubberized playground material, that’s fine. But suppose that states wanted to give children vouchers to use for private school tuition. That’s not hard to imagine, since Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is a major proponent of vouchers. The question raised by the Missouri case is whether states could restrict the use of these vouchers to secular schools and exclude religious schools.
The Missouri playground case suggests that states couldn’t do that. It implies that the restriction would amount to unlawful discrimination against religion.
But states that restricted voucher use to secular schools would simply be honoring the spirit of the First Amendment. After all, if vouchers are given to religious schools, vast sums of taxpayer money could be used, as Justice David Souter once observed, “for teaching the covenant with Israel and Mosaic law in Jewish schools, the primacy of the Apostle Peter and the Papacy in Catholic schools, the truth of reformed Christianity in Protestant schools, and the revelation to the Prophet in Muslim schools.”
Surely, taxpayer money should not be used to teach children about Mosaic law, Canon law, or Sharia law. It would be more appropriately spent in well-funded public schools teaching constitutional law.
The first lesson could be about the way our nation respects religious liberty by separating church and state. It seems that far too many Americans, including Donald Trump, missed that lesson.
This article appeared in delawareonline, and is reprinted here with permission by the author, Alan Garfield. Garfield is a professor at Widener University Delaware Law School.
Filed Under: News & Opinion Tagged With: Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump, First Amendment, Freedom of Religion, Justice Gorsuch, Separation of Church and State, U.S. Supreme Court
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line165
|
__label__cc
| 0.580118
| 0.419882
|
National Debt: America’s Declaration of Dependence
Emily Flake/The Fiscal Times
By Edward Morrissey
How bad have our budget woes become? The Congressional Budget Office announced earlier this week that the US will incur its fourth straight trillion-dollar-plus annual budget deficit … and the media treated it as good news. The Newsday headline read, “Budget deficit to dip to $1.1T, CBO says.” The Washington Post informed readers that the 2012 deficit would be the “smallest since ’09.”
It’s tempting to say that I can remember a time when a $500 billion budget deficit was greeted with shock, anger, and criticism, but it’s not saying much. My nine-year-old granddaughter can remember that time, too.
That does not mean that the CBO report had nothing but bad news. The report does project that annual budget deficits will “decline markedly” in the next ten years after this budget cycle, to as little as $200 billion a year and 1.5 percent of GDP, both very manageable levels of deficit spending. How will this miracle occur? According to current law, which is the only guide that the CBO can use, the Bush-era tax rates will expire across the board, and the Alternative Minimum Tax will not be restrained from reaching far into the middle class. The latter change will increase the number of American households subject to the AMT from four million in tax year 2011 to thirty million in tax year 2012. If readers can imagine any Congress subjecting middle-class voters to that kind of a tax shock in a single year, then this will sound like very good news indeed. Otherwise, this is an exercise in irony.
That gives one measure of just how seriously Washington takes deficit control. Here’s another: the automatic cuts passed in last year’s Budget Control Act would only deduct $105 billion from the deficit in 2015, while keeping the AMT and rate changes would add $395 billion to the federal government’s coffers. By 2020, the BCA’s budget cuts only reduce the annual deficit by $137 billion, while the extra taxes add $685 billion to the kitty. However, if Congress indexes the AMT as expected and extends the 2001/3 tax rates, the deficit picture looks bleak indeed. It would get only as low as $664 billion in 2015 before nearing a trillion dollars again in 2020, and exceeding it by 2022, even with the minimal cuts in place.
The Obama administration does not take spending reductions seriously, as shown by four successive trillion-dollar annual budget deficits.
What happens to the economy if Congress allows these massive tax increases to take place? The CBO expects the economy to grow at a 2.0 percent rate in 2012, about the same stagnation rate we have seen for the past two years. In 2013, though, with the capital sucked out of the market, the economy will slow even further to 1.1 percent, and for the economy to remain below its potential – until 2018. Taxpayers and investors will lose ground on taxes and economic opportunity while Washington does nothing to curb spending – the real driver of these deficits.
Clearly, the Obama administration does not take spending reductions seriously, as shown by four successive trillion-dollar annual budget deficits and the CBO projections based on their policy. Republicans have the Bush years to live down, but those were not nearly as profligate as what followed. The presidential aspirants have made “real spending cuts” a priority, but who can we take seriously?
Ron Paul has offered the clearest, most specific goals in cost reduction, pledging to cut one trillion dollars from the first year’s budget, which would all but eliminate the deficit. Paul has explained in general terms how to get there – through the elimination of five Cabinet-level organizations and a severe shift in monetary and national-security policy, although as I wrote for The Fiscal Times when Paul released his plan, there was precious little explanation of how he would accomplish those tasks.
An even better question would be how Paul would get such a plan through Congress. He has been in and out of the House over a four-decade span, but he has only had a handful of his bills come up for a vote and only one pass during that time. There is no reason to suspect from that history that Paul could manage the passage of anything as controversial and painful as what he proposes even in its current conceptual form, making him the wrong man for arguably the right plan, or at least the right approach.
Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum both have long experience in Congress and in getting controversial bills passed. Santorum authored the partial-birth abortion ban that took several tries before a President finally signed it into law, and he authored the bill that allowed health savings accounts to exist tax-free, in what should be the path for true health-care reform. Gingrich was Speaker during the period that arguably produced the last balanced federal budgets through flat spending, although the last year the federal government spent less in 2010 dollars than the previous year was actually FY1993, according to the Heritage Foundation.
Gingrich has also proposed bold initiatives to establish a moon base by 2020, which would add hundreds of billions in spending.
However, while talking about the need for spending reductions, Gingrich has also proposed bold initiatives to establish a moon base by 2020, which would add hundreds of billions in spending. Santorum talks more about tax policy to boost manufacturing, a worthy goal but one not as focused on spending reductions, nor does Santorum have the kind of budget management experience of Gingrich.
Mitt Romney, on the other hand, has stuck to spending reductions. He argues that he balanced four budgets in Massachusetts as governor, which is true, but states generally don’t have the option of running deficits, either. Budgets increased under Romney, but so did economic growth -- and he also had to deal with a legislature under Democratic control. Even with that, the “Rainy Day Fund” had over $2 billion in surplus when he left office.
Furthermore, his private-equity experience and success was based on transforming bloated and costly organizations into leaner, more efficient and productive companies, a skill that doesn’t entirely translate to the public sector but certainly would help. The purported ruthlessness of his decisions may come under fire in the election, but it’s precisely that kind of tough decision-making that will be required in the next four years to get the deficits under control, and Romney also has a track record of working with his political opponents to get it done.
Conservatives have a trust issue with Romney, based on his track record on other issues as governor, and that will inform their evaluation of his ability to perform in this area. If conservatives decide they can trust Romney to stick to the spending-reduction agenda, he might be the best possible choice of the candidates still left in the race – including Barack Obama.
The Treasury Department said late Thursday that it will begin issuing 20-year bonds in the first half of this year as...
The Iowa caucuses are less than three weeks away and the top four Democratic presidential contenders are tightly...
In a column for Bloomberg Opinion, former Minneapolis Fed president Narayana Kocherlakota poses five big macroeconomic...
Edward Morrissey
Ed Morrissey has been writing about politics since 2003 in his blog, Captain's Quarters, and now on HotAir.com. “His new book, "Going Red: The Two Million Voters Who Will Elect the Next President -- and How Conservatives Can Win Them" is must reading for all conservatives.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line166
|
__label__wiki
| 0.502689
| 0.502689
|
Call for Papers - On 'Heroic Fury' and Questions of Method in Antonio Gramsci
Ideas, Interests and Neoliberalism
Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Enzo Faletto, Dependency and Development in Latin America
by Adam David Morton on January 30, 2015
One of the purposes of the Past & Present Reading Group is to collectively read both classic and contemporary contributions to heterodox political economy and political theory broadly construed. Having read current landmark texts in Peter Thomas’ The Gramscian Moment and Costas Lapavistas’ Profiting Without Producing, attention turned in our last read to a standard text within dependency debates and Latin American studies in Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s and Enzo Faletto’s Dependency and Development in Latin America. What does this book contribute to political economy concerns over forty-five years since its publication?
It is noteworthy that David Slater in his book Geopolitics and the Postcolonial: Rethinking North-South Relations states that ‘many of the ideas raised by the dependency writers of the 1960s and early 1970s continue to retain a contemporary validity’. On that basis he argues that dependency theory was crucial in the construction of an alternative geopolitical representation that needs to be re-read in order to refurbish its critical guidelines and overcome its limitations.
Published in 1969, the Spanish edition of Dependencia y Desarrollo en América Latina contains an interesting preface noting how the book came out of a collaborative environment merging economists within an international institute of education, research and planning advice in Santiago de Chile. Significantly, Cardoso and Faletto highlight their attempt to analyse the relationship of social and political problems of development in Latin America to indicate how this arises as a result of the combination of economy, society, politics across both historical time and different structural situations.
This vignette reveals something that marks the larger work of the book. Namely, how the authors synthesise a variety of literatures and perspectives to dialogue on some of the leading issues shaping political economy. The condition of uneven development and relations of dependency are therefore linked to the process of combined development (merging capitalistic forms of production within the historical-structural context of slave plantations and an agro-export sector based on large landed estates or latifundia is just one example).
The equivalent preface to the English edition, published first in 1979, extends the focus across some far-reaching themes. These include an emphasis on a dialectical approach to address social asymmetries of centre and periphery, the elaboration of a historical-structural methodology, and a focus on the diversity-within-unity of Latin America combining peripheral development and the new dependency. For example, in Brazil and Argentina, ‘both were “capitalistic” economies, but they were organised around different relations of production: slavery in one case and relations that developed into almost capitalistic forms of production in the other’.
The dependentistas were uneven and combined developmentalists avant la lettre tackling the double edge of foreign interests, norms and values through their expression and internalisation within Latin America. That Cardoso and Faletto write that ‘the history of central capitalism is, at the same time, the history of peripheral capitalism’ is lost on current fashions to highlight the interacting uneven and combined characteristics of social development.
This is not to say that the ‘comprehensive’ analysis of development and social change offered in Dependency and Development in Latin America is not without problems. Cardoso and Faletto assert the need to focus on the ‘historicity of underdevelopment’ by analysing how Latin American economies were linked historically to the world market and how this defined the period of outward expansion of the nineteenth century. Hence, thought-provokingly, they ask:
To what extent may the very fact of the Mexican Revolution, which destroyed the balance of social forces, have been the fundamental factor in subsequent development? Could it not have been the play of Brazil’s political and social forces during the “development” decade that was responsible for the initial impetus and also for the later loss of momentum in the process of development in Brazil in the early sixties?
Yet these broad brush indications and questions are rarely answered with the detail necessary to convincingly trace the variegated history of capitalism in Latin America. The chapter on development and social change is indicative as it fleetingly moves from a consideration of Central America and its enclave economy; to Argentina and the capitalist dynamism of its agro-exporting sector; to the fetters on capitalist development of oligarchic-bourgeois domination in Brazil, until the Revolution of 1930 and the policies of Getúlio Vargas that were extended through the authoritarianism of the Estado Novo; to the incorporation of democratisation and the alliance for power in Uruguay; and to oligarchic domination and the weaknesses of the ‘middle class’ in Colombia. In the broad brush category, that coverage is more roadside sweeper than artist rigger.
Nevertheless, definitive contributions are made to debates (then and now) on import substitution industrialisation, the developmentalist state, and corporatism. The delineation of ISI as a phase of industrialisation characterised by two converging moments: 1) growth of the private sector of the economy; and 2) the creation of new areas of investment concentrated around basic industry and infrastructure works with heavy state participation, does periodise usefully. This provides a wider viewpoint from which to then look at, for example, Alfredo Saad-Filho’s more detailed examination of the class relations and social division of labour that underpinned ISI in Latin America. Equally, it maps well on to the specificities of ISI within the region and the particularities of specific countries.
In Mexico, for example, there was a first phase (1940-1954) of ISI based on the substitution of consumer goods along with high tariff protection to entice domestic capital into substitutive industrialisation; low import duties granted towards raw materials allocated to finished goods; and an elaborate system of import licensing constituting the control over imports. The second ISI phase (1955-1972) known as desarrollo estabilizador (stabilising development) attempted to contain inflation and defuse class conflict through the substitution of intermediate and capital goods promoted through a dependence on foreign capital, which led to an increase in the current account balance of payments deficit. Across the ISI era in Mexico, as argued in my Revolution and State in Modern Mexico, adjustments of the exchange rate subsidised the importation of capital-intensive technologies that decreased the relative price of capital in relation to labour and increased productivity but without resulting in growing employment. Put another way, the rate of exploitation of labour was increased during this period indicating the start of a shift from the production of absolute surplus value (extension of the working day, increasing work hours, rising activities performed by labour in the same period), to relative surplus value (technological changes inducing a reduction in the value of labour power and increasing productivity). Whether this resulted, as Cardoso and Faletto claim, in ‘the progressive exhaustion of the economic processes of rapid import-substitution of nondurable and durable consumer goods’ in Latin America remains a moot point.
On state theoretical issues, Dependency and Development in Latin America also proves to be an intriguing read. On the developmentalist state in Mexico, stress is placed on those ‘economic elements that the Revolution did not change’ alongside how agrarian reform and especially collective ejido land rights provided political support for the state itself. Touching on conditions of hegemony throughout Latin America in the form of nationalism and populism in consolidating capitalism, Cardoso and Faletto also note how, ‘the state became arbitrator for the class struggle and was used as a mechanism for income distribution both within the entrepreneurial class and downward’. This resonates with the emphasis on the state mode of production articulated by Henri Lefebvre. Yet there is also a focus in the book on how the political expression of the urban industrial bourgeoisie is more directly linked in Latin America to the state itself, which reminds me of the state theory of Bob Jessop and his excellent definition of the state in capitalist society that characterises the state form of capitalist social formations in the periphery. Finally, there is the stress that Cardoso and Faletto place on the expansion and fortification of the state as an expression of a class situation in Latin America that has incorporated both threats of rupture with the predominant pattern of capitalist development and assumed a repressive character.
In the post-scriptum to the book, written in the late 1970s, the discussion expands on the balance between an entrepreneurial state (or state-as-entrepreneur) and a repressive state in Latin America that is ‘almost in caricature of the consumption styles and industrialisation patterns of the central capitalist countries’. This is somewhat eyebrow-raising in its crudeness but it becomes an entrée into a wider discussion of hegemony and national-popular demands in shaping the social bases of capital accumulation, state power and radical political movements. Here, then, a beguiling difference emerges between the Spanish edition and the English translation that is sure to tweak the interest of Gramsci studies. In the latter translation it is stated:
In these relationships of opposition, if any cultural dimension exists and carries significance, it is what Gramsci called a relationship of hegemony: the capacity to rule.
However, on the basis of my reading, the original Spanish has a revealing variant.
In these relations of opposition, if there is a cultural dimension and it is significant, it is raised ultimately in what Gramsci called the relation of hegemony: the ability to lead [dirigir], proposing cultural models that can enable a class with aspirations to exercise domination.
For Gramsci scholars, this raises complex questions about the continuum of hegemony (or leadership and domination) and passive revolution (or threats of rupture and repression) in understanding the state in Latin America both historically and in terms of its contemporary space economy.
To wrap up, Dependency and Development in Latin America is an assortment of promises and pitfalls. At the heart of the analysis of the new nature of dependence in the book it is stated that when a political crisis arises ‘the only alternatives are opening the market to foreign capital or making a radical political move toward socialism’. One can only conclude that when in power in Brazil, President Cardoso (1995-2003) miserably neglected the latter in preference for the former.
Adam David Morton is Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Political Economy at the University of Sydney. He is author of Unravelling Gramsci: Hegemony and Passive Revolution in the Global Political Economy (2007); Revolution and State in Modern Mexico: The Political Economy of Uneven Development (2011), recipient of the 2012 Book Prize of the British International Studies Association (BISA) International Political Economy Group (IPEG); and co-author of Global Capitalism, Global War, Global Crisis (2018) with Andreas Bieler. He co-edits Progress in Political Economy (PPE) with Gareth Bryant that was the recipient of the 2017 International Studies Association (ISA) Online Media Caucus Award for the Best Blog (Group) and the 2018 International Studies Association (ISA) Online Media Caucus Award for Special Achievement in International Studies Online Media.
Modern Revolutions in Latin America III
Reading for Class: Rethinking Marxism and David F. Ruccio
Latin American Marxisms
Latin America’s Pink Tide Never Went Away
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line173
|
__label__wiki
| 0.566896
| 0.566896
|
S&Ds: Time for all EU member states to show political maturity and responsibility, and start the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania
S&D - Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament
Socialists and Democrats express their greatest concerns following the inability of the European affairs ministers of EU countries to find yesterday an agreement to start the accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. We call on the EU Heads of State that will gather at the Summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to take the responsibility and finally act.
S&D vice-president for foreign affairs, Kati Piri, said:
“We are deeply worried about the total inability to take a decision on North Macedonia and Albania at yesterday’s General Affairs Council meeting. As it was repeatedly stated by the European Commission, both North Macedonia and Albania fulfilled all criteria and did what we asked them to do.”
“The assessment for these two countries is of course different. These are two separate systems with different political contexts and distinct challenges, and every country must be judged objectively, independently and on its own merits with precise criteria and exact conditionality. But, what I want to underline is that this decision is not about EU membership; the start of accession negotiations is based on an assessment made on clear benchmarks and clear deliverables.”
“North Macedonia has been a candidate country for 14 years and has been deemed by the European Commission to be ready for accession talks since 2009. The toughest negotiations on its name led to the historical Prespa Agreement putting an end to 27 years of dispute. We are now in the process of deciding on a new Commissioner for Enlargement for the next five years. If this is the kind of consideration the Council gives to the Commission’s assessments and formal recommendations, I am extremely concerned about the utility and political relevance of such a portfolio and such an exercise.”
“I call on all leaders of the European Council to show political maturity and take their full responsibility and finally grant their green light for the opening of the accessions talks. The postponing of the decision again would damage the image and leverage of the EU in the whole Western Balkans region and in the EU itself as a result.”
Tonino Picula, S&D coordinator in the committee on foreign affairs, added:
“The S&D Group has always been a staunch supporter of EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans, as we believe the EU itself will benefit from a stable and prosperous region.
“The decision on starting negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania is primarily about the credibility of the EU. The leaders, when they meet this week, should also consider the consequences of their inability to come to an agreement and what this means to the stability of the Western Balkans countries that have, so far, been pursuing positive and required reforms as a rational investment that are aimed at ensuring a better future for them.
“The EU’s history is the history of enlargement, despite all the internal and external challenges we have faced. As a Social democrat form Croatia, I reiterate our commitment that we will continue to be on the side of the people from the Western Balkans and continue to push for their future in the EU.
ISN - International Society of Nephrology
Europabüro der Metropolregion FrankfurtRheinMain
Senior Expert / Senior-Fachreferent (m/w/d)
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line174
|
__label__wiki
| 0.963589
| 0.963589
|
BRANCUSI: PIONEER OF AMERICAN MINIMALISM
May 07, 2015 — July 10, 2015
Artist Page 艺术家页面 藝術家頁面
Le Coq, 1924
36 5/8 x 4 1/16 x 14 7/8 in
Edition 5 of 8, Edition cast by Susse Fondeur, Paris, in 2013
PK 17732
© 2015 Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP Paris
Installation view of Brancusi: Pioneer of American Minimalism at Paul Kasmin Gallery
Carl Andre and Donald Judd artworks © VAGA, New York.
Constantin Brancusi artwork © 2015 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Frank Stella artwork © 2015 Frank Stella / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Robert Ryman artwork © 2015 Robert Ryman / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Constantin Brancusi © 2015 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Frank Stella © 2015 Frank Stella / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Donald Judd artwork © VAGA, New York.
Carl Andre artwork © VAGA, New York.
Dan Flavin artwork © 2015 Stephen Flavin / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Paul Kasmin Gallery is proud to present Brancusi: Pioneer of American Minimalism, on view at 515 West 27th Street from May 7 – July 10, 2015. The exhibition is an articulation of the artist’s immense influence on the first generation of American Minimalists and will include historically significant works by Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Ryman and Frank Stella, installed in proximity to Brancusi’s groundbreaking works Le Coq and Jeune Fille Sophistique, generously loaned from the Brancusi Estate collection.
Constantin Brancusi’s (1876 – 1957) sculptures ignited a crucial shift in the tradition of American and European sculpture by distilling representational forms down to their most essential elements. In Le Coq, the multiple points of a rooster’s comb are pared down to a repetitive, geometric facsimile. The bronze edition included in this exhibition was cast from an early walnut iteration of Le Coq from 1924, now in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY.
The geometric repetition seen in Le Coq, and later on a grand scale in Brancusi’s triumphant Endless Column, is a recurring compositional element in the works in this exhibition. In the early 1960s, Carl Andre created a series of sculptures comprised of identical units of plexiglas, wood or metal, such as the pivotal work Steel Piece or Steel Pair, 1961. This systematic, unit-based methodology became the basis for Andre’s practice, exemplified in the later, monumental War and Rumors of War, 2002, comprised of 90 imposing, identical Australian wood timber beams. As the artist recounted in an interview in 1966, “All I’m doing is putting Brancusi’s Endless Column on the ground instead of in the sky.”
Brancusi’s influence extended well beyond sculpture, as explained by museum director and Brancusi expert Pontus Hulten is his 1983 essay, “Brancusi and the Concept of Sculpture.” “Among the painters of that generation, Frank Stella was drawn most to Brancusi’s simplicity of form. The origins in Stella’s early work are only comprehensive by his study of the asymmetry and superposition of elementary forms as seen in Brancusi’s sculpture.” This notion is exemplified in Stella’s D. Scramble: Ascending Green Values/ Ascending Spectrum, 1978.
A focal point of the exhibition is Ellsworth Kelly’s vast thirty-eight foot, four-panel sculpture entitled Eastmore Mural, executed in 1957, the year of Brancusi’s death. The work was most recently was on long-term loan to the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College. The curvilinear nature of the recurring forms, as well as the playful symmetry of the composition, recall Brancusi’s Jeune Fille Sophistique, or Portrait of Nancy Cunard, an early wood variation of which was also exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York just a few years earlier in 1955-56, in the largest retrospective of Brancusi’s work to be staged in his lifetime.
Brancusi: Pioneer of American Minimalism will run concurrently with Scott Burton at 297 Tenth Avenue. Burton, also profoundly influenced by Brancusi, curated the inaugural “Artist’s Choice” exhibition, Burton on Brancusi at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1989, which considered the significance of Brancusi’s work in relation to contemporary art of the time and specifically to his own innovations in functional sculpture.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
For press requests, please contact [email protected].
Brancusi: Pioneer of American Minimalism in Cultured Magazine
Brancusi: Pioneer of American Minimalism on Artnet
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line177
|
__label__wiki
| 0.871391
| 0.871391
|
Top Five Real-Life Couples Of Pakistan Television
by MairaS on January 25, 2014
Rahat Kazmi and Saira Kazmi
Tags: famous tv actors of pakistan
Popular Pakistani TV Actress and Show Host Nadia Khan
by MairaS on December 26, 2012
Popular TV Actress and Show host from Pakistan, Nadia Khan was born on 22 May, 1979, in a Pathan tribe, in Quetta. She started her career from a Mail show, named, Daak Time ,on aired from NTM in 1996. She was just 24 years old at that time. Nadia used to read out letters to Uncle Sargam in that show. Later on she hosted a music program , based on film music. She is famous for her spontaneous and witty humour and charming personality.
Nadia has always been best in hosting. As an anchor, she did Breakfast with Nadia and Nadia Khan show.her show, the Nadia Khan show, stole the hearts of public and Nadia Khan became the apple of everyone’s eyes. Nadia’s acting skills were extremely appreciated in Bandha, Pal do Pal, Manzilien, Des Pardes, mahrukh and Koi tou ho.
Nadia also did commercials. She did a Cerelac commercial with her son Azaan. The commercial was loved by all. She also did ramp walk in a fashion show.
In 2012 Nadia is working as a producer in Geo TV for her late night show Geo Phir Mazay Se. The show is an Amalgamation of information and entertainment. Nadia has been awarded Masala Lifestyle Award in 2003 and 2009 for best host . Nadia has also won Best actress award in 1998, for her drama Bandhan.
Tags: Nadia Khan, Popular Pakistani, TV Actress and Show Host
Popular Pakistani Singer Naseem Begum
Naseem Begum was born in 1936 in Amritsar, British occupied India. Like all musicians of her time, she also received training to enhance her vocal skills. Naseem Begum got her training from Mukhtar, who was the elder sister of Farida Khanum. Farida is a very famous ghazal singer. Naseem started off as a playback singer in the film industry. She gained fame by the middle of fifties and by 1964 she had bagged several Nigar awards on multiple occasions.
In the year 1956, Naseem did her first song as a playback singer in the film Guddi Gudda. Shehriyar was a very famous music composer of that time. When he heard Naseems voice in the film he was greatly impressed by her abilities and without a second thought approached Naseem to do a song for his movie Begunaah. Naseem did a wonderful job at the song and soon became the voice and most favorite singer in the fifties. She also got the chance to sing multiple duets with the legend Ahmed Rushdi after which she reached the pinnacle of her career.
Classical and semi classical songs are one of the most difficult genres to carry; Naseem had a caliber great enough to sing them flawlessly with much appreciation from great classical legends too. She has sung several heart throbbing songs for the film industry. She also was given an opportunity to sing in Punjabi films such as Chan Puttar, Mukhra Chan Warga and Langotiya along with many others in her career. She has also sung several patriotic songs to praise her country and to promote feeling of patriotism amongst all civilians. She died a sudden death while giving birth due to complications, leaving her fans shocked.
Tags: Naseem Begum, Popular Pakistani Singer
Popular Pakistani TV Actress Naveen Waqar
Naveen Waqar was born on January 9, 1985, in Karachi Pakistan. Naveen is full of life and fun and happens to be among popular TV actresses of Pakistan in recent times.
Her vivacious and youthful nature helped her a lot when she joined media career. Naveen started off as a Video jockey (VJ) on an interactive music show in AAG TV channel as VJ Fuse. She earned huge fan following through this show and pseudo name. Later, she joined Radio One FM 91, as RJ Naveen Waqar, on Morning Music Chaska show, and became popular as Bohot alaa Girl, due to her excessive use of the phrase ‘Bohot Alaa’.
Naveen’s current radio show on Radio one FM 91, Drive On with Naveen Waqar, is highly popular among youth.
To surprise you more,Naveen is also a singer. And has recently sung a track , ‘Andher’, in collaboration with her singer brother Faraz Waqar Haider.Naveen is also a model.
Her acting career started off with a short telefilm, ‘Absaet ha’. Later, she got a vamp role in Hum TV drama serial Humsafar as Sara Ajmal. Her acting was highly appreciated in the drama. Nowadays we are enjoying another drama of hers on Geo Tv, Ainee ki ayegy Baraat.
Naveen Waqar is indeed a vibrant girl, full of life. She feels content when she paints or travel. Naveen is a total movie freak. She loves to go for movies and have fun with friends.
Tags: Naveen Waqar, Popular Pakistani TV Actress
Popular Pakistani TV and Film Actress Noor Bukhari
There were extremely few young actresses who served as the last breaths of the dying Pakistani Cinema in the 90’s. Noor Bukhari is one of such young actresses. she was born on July 3rd , 1982 in Lahore. Noor started her career as a child actress in films in the 90’s. Her cute smile, fair complexion, long hair and big eyes were breath taking for her fans.
Noor is a pure Lahori and loves to eat Halwa poori. The top film actress Sana Nawaz is Noor’s cousin. While the model Faaria Bukhari, who also appeared in Nachlay season 3 , is Noor’s sister.
Noor did both Punjabi and Urdu films. Uroosa, Pyar krna tou nai darna, curfew, Jannat, Mujhe chand chahiye, Zill e Shah are some of her popular movies. She appeared firstly , as a childhood role of the leading heroines in the films Uroosa, Pyar krna tou nai darna, Jannat. As a lead actress herself, she debut in 1993, in Mujhe Chand Chahiye, along with popular Pakistani film actor Shaan as her co-star. Noor was the Judge in musical dance show Nachley Season 3.
After the decline of film industry, Noor started working in dramas, did some modeling and commercials. She also hosted a morning show on Hum TV and PTV channels. Her first show , as a host was with Munaza Ibrahim, tv actress and model, in 2007. Currently, Noor is busy doing a big budget Urdu film Bhai log. The film is in her production phase at the moment.
With the revival of cinema now, talented actresses like Noor Bukhari are needed immensely.
Tags: Noor Bukhari, Popular Pakistani, TV and Film Actress
Popular Pakistani TV Actor and Show Host Noor Hasan Ali
Luck, sometimes brings a complete package of talent and charm. A smart guy, with great looks to die for, Noor Hasan started his career from FM 101.
Noor Hasan Ali, born on May 16,is a taurian and a pure Islamabadian. He is a multitalented media person. Noor is a Radio Jockey (RJ), Video Jockey (VJ), Host, Actor and Model.
As a VJ, Noor has done shows from ATV, Channel 3, PTV and ARY THE MUSIK. His show Boom On Live , from ATV brought him great fame and success.
Noor has also been awarded as the Best VJ on ATV.
His VJ skills were appreciated and he also got many chances to Host various award shows and other events. Live Transmission Most Wanted, and Music Masti are also hosted by Noor.
Noor, as a Model ,is still struggling and surviving in the Fashion industry of Pakistan.
Noor came into lime light when, he was given the Opponent role in HUM TV Drama Humsafar as Khizar. His acting was highly appreciated. Noor has done many other dramas like Mujhe Roothnay na dena, Mala, Zindagy Jeeyay gi, Mera pehla Vote.
Noor has also acted in a telefilm , named Teray Gmaan main.
Noor Hasan, like all other youngsters is a fun loving person, who, loves to eat fast food, going to movies with friends, and listening to music.
Tags: Noor Hasan Ali, Popular Pakistani, TV Actor and Show Host
Popular Pakistani TV Actor Qazi Wajid
Pakistan Media Industry should be thankful to Radio for giving it such talented actor as Qazi Wajid. A superbly versatile actor.
Qazi Wajid started his career in 1965, from a childrens’ Programme in Radio. He states Radio his first love. Qazi Wajid has dedicated 47 years of his life to Pakistani Media. Be is Radio, Stage, Theatre, Drama or Film. He has proved his character in every genre.
Qazi Wajid is a versatile actor. From the sweet loving Father in Tanhaiyan to selfish greedy father in Hawwa ki Beti, Qazi wajid has tried his best to bring the character to life.
Qazi Wajid began working in PTV from 1967 and had acted in more than 100 plays. Dramas like Khuda ki Basti , Tanhaiyan , Dhoop Kinaray made Qazi Wajid a Real star and his acting stole the hearts of millions of people.
He was also awarded Pride of Performance for Hawwa Ki Beti in 1988. And Best Actor award in the 12th PTV Awards.
As a human being, Qazi Wajid is extremely humble and decent . He is very down to earth and a sophisticated person.
Qazi Wajid is great supporter of bringing creative talent in the industry. He encourages the fresh actors and advises them to learn from the old actors, which, he consider as the becon of knowledge.
Nowadays, he travels around the world for doing cross country theatres. He has a passion for collecting antique furniture. He has one married daughter and is a grandfather of a cute little granddaughter.
Tags: Popular Pakistani, Qazi Wajid, TV actor
Famous Pakistani Television Actor- Rahat Kazmi
Rahat Kazmi is a television actor, a talk-show anchor, professional speaker, teacher and a social thinker from Pakistan. He was born in Simla, India in 1946. He is married to a famous Pakistani actress, director and producer Sahira Kazmi. He fell in love with Saira during the start of his acting career and then got married to her. He has two children Ali and Nida and both are involved in Pakistan’s show business industry. Rahat’s father was a lawyer by profession who wanted his son to follow his footsteps and therefore he completed his law studies from Lahore.
In 1968 he joined Pakistan Civil Services as an Information Officer. Later in 1976 he resigned from his job and decided to make a career in acting. Rahat’s acting career began in 1965 when he participated in a university program. In 1967 he took part in a television quiz show known as Mayaar, He also gave a decent performance in a play called ‘Goonge’. His hard work and passion in acting led him to one success after another. Anarkali, the popular television play is one example of his success. He also translated novels for the television drama serials. He also used to be the talk show host is the show called ‘Rahat Kazmi show’. He was also part of the super hit television drama serial ‘Nangay Paoon’. Apart from this he also worked in a number of great films. After achieving what he wanted he moved his focus towards education. He is the founder and runner of the academic institution in Pakistan.He delived lectures and speecher on the importance of education.
Tags: Famous Pakistani, Rahat Kazmi, Television Actor
Popular Actress of Pakistan TV Rohi Bano
Rohi Bano enjoys a position among Pakistan’s most celebrated celebrities. She started her career with PTV and has been a part of it for a long period. She was presented with the ‘Pride of Performance’ award. The demise of her son and her time at Fountain House has not only been a tragedy for her but also for her fans.
Rohi Bano has given many brilliant performances for the Pakistani T.V. productions. She has received many awards, including the ‘Niger award’ and the Pride of performance by PTV which she achieved only at the age of 35. Soon after that she got married. But after the ‘pride of performance’ award she got bitter with the PTV as they, she believes, did not appreciate her work anymore and instead preferred working with fresher and younger faces. She believes PTV is a good platform for the youth and she has had her good share of it. She believes that the values and culture of PTV are being lost and faded, she believes if she ever got a chance of working for PTV’s administration, she would bring many changes and revolutionize it a bit. She wants to reform it to the old PTV.
Her famous work that was aired during the color T.V. time includes; ‘Darwaza’, ‘Kaanch kay Phool’, ‘Zard gulab’and ‘Aadhay Chehrey’. Rohi’s mother listened to and shared her desire of becoming not just an actress but the most popular one. Both the women took this passion of theirs very seriously. She always assisted and helped her whenever Rohi needed it. Rohi recalls that her mother took her to her first audition to a small studio of that time. There Dr. Anwar Sajjad auditioned her. Her mom told him that she has just finished her Matric and has been freshly admitted to her college, (which happened to be the Lahore College for Women). Her mom explained that she is very enthusiastic and interested in the field of acting. Rohi has always declared her mom’s prayers as the cause of her success and prosperity.
Rohi Bano always wanted to maintain an untouchable standard in acting, which now when she looks back at her work; she thinks she pretty much did. Rohi Bano believes that the glorious days of Rohi are still preserved and alive in the magnificent rooms of PTV. She has been and still is a source of inspiration for many. She is not concerned about the materialistic things such as money. She, on a lighter note says that PTV had trained her and her coworkers well to survive under hard and financially tight circumstances. She is more on the meditative and soulful side. She believes that true happiness can only be found within our own selves. She said, “Money can’t buy happiness, it can only come from within. It is us who have to explore our happiness.”
From among the writers, she particularly likes Bano Qudsia, Ashfaq Ahmed, Munnu Bhai and Yunus Javed. She has special fondness for Bano Qudsia and Ashfaq Ahmed. She holds them responsible for her personality and character building. She counted them as her friends, her parents and her everything.
Tags: Pakistan TV, Popular Actress, Rohi Bano
Popular Singer Runa Laila
Runa Laila is a Bangladesh born talented singer. Before Partition of Pakistan in 1971 her songs were mostly used by the Urdu film industry of Pakistan though she sang in Bengali too. She was one of the greatest in her times and everyone still remembers the work she did for Pakistan. Runa also was an excellent Ghazal singer who poured her heart out while singing and had a tremendous effect on her listeners.
Runa had the honor to work with many famous names in Pakistan and became the voice for several very famous actresses within blockbuster movies. Her first famous song was with the legend himself Ahmed Rushdi. That is when Runa first came into the limelight. Along with Pakistan Runa also worked for songs in her own country, Bangladesh along with several songs in India. This made her an international artist and also the pride of Pakistan. She belonged to an upper middel class family in Bangladesh, as per the customs an ustaad used to visit their house to teach her elder sister singing. Runa used to pick up the musical notes that were taught to her sister when she was a very little girl. She first was enrolled into a classical dance school where she learned Kathak as was her passion.
Runa’s breakthrough in music industry was nothing more than a sheer accident. Her elder sister got a big break but the day the show was to be held, she got a sore throat and that was when Runa was forced to fill in for her sister. She was appreciated by everyone who saw the show and got big offers and turned her career around for good.
Tags: Popular Singer, Runa Laila
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line186
|
__label__wiki
| 0.703137
| 0.703137
|
RABBITTVGO
Search for a specific TV show or Movie you love.
This guide only represents a sampling of the content available through Rabbit TV's subscription service.
For access to the complete Rabbit TV guide, Login or Sign Up.
"Movies by actor: Timothy Carhart"
Choose Category: Movies
Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) journeys back to Beverly Hills for a real roller coaster thrill ride at the Wonderworld amusement park! Joined by old pals Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Serge (Bronson Pinchot), Axel becomes the hottest new attraction as he chases down the bad guys on the rides, through the shows and in the underground maze beneath the park. Beverly Hills Cop III is "a wild, funny action comedy" that will have you hooked ...
Black Dawn
A hard-hitting, action-packed film starring Steven Seagal at his best! CIA Agent, Jonathan Cold (Steven Seagal) is working as an undercover agent to undermine arms dealers, who want to sell a nuclear bomb to an eastern European terrorist group. His cover gets detected when the weapons dealers' catch his former student, leaving Cold no choice but to save his student and stop the sale of the nuclear bomb in time.
When dignified Albert Donnelly runs for Governor, his team moves to keep his slow-witted and klutzy younger brother, Mike, out of the eye of the media. To baby-sit Mike, the campaign assigns sarcastic Steve, who gets the experience of a lifetime when he tries to take Mike out of town during the election.
Candyman 2: Farewell to the...
Annie Tarrant uncovers the terrifying secrets of her family's past which link her to the Candyman in a way she would never dare imagine. Carelessly repeating his name five times, The Candyman makes a horrifying appearance, wreaking mayhem and brutal murder in his wake. Will Anne survive the evil return of the Candyman?
A trio of university parasychologists lose their research grant and decide to open their own business, "Ghostbusters," and almost at once are summoned to investigate the strange happenings in a Central Park West apartment. What they discover is that all Manhattan is being besieged by other worldly demons.
Heaven & Earth
The final movie in Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy follows the true story of a Vietnamese village girl who survives a life of suffering and hardship during and after the Vietnam war. As a freedom fighter, a hustler, young mother, a sometime prostitute, and the wife of a US. marine, the girl's relationships with men suggests an analogy of Vietnam as Woman and the U.S. as Man. Written by Keith Loh Fleeing the violence of the ...
Motocrossed
Motocrossed! is a 2001 Disney Channel Original Movie (based on the Shakespeare play Twelfth Night), about a girl named Andrea Carson who loves motocross, despite the fact that her father finds her unsuited for the sport, being that she is "just a girl". When her twin brother Andrew breaks his leg just before a big race, their father is forced to go to Europe to find a replacement rider. In the meantime, Andrea secretly races ...
The Party Animal is a documentary-style comedy about a sex-starved man, Pondo Sinatra, a 26-year-old college student whom everyone agrees is doomed to die a virgin. Desperate to break what seems to be a cosmic curse, he tries ever more bizarre schemes to seduce one the sexy, scantily-clad women who seem to be everywhere, taunting him and enjoying his misery. Despite his best efforts, however, he is rejected everywhere, even at the local cathouse. When ...
Academy Award-winner Clint Eastwood ("Unforgiven," "Million Dollar Baby") stars as a Sacramento "skip-tracer" whose offbeat approach to apprehending criminals and low-life bail-jumpers has earned him a solid reputation and modestly profitable living. When he's sent to retrieve a spunky fugitive, Tony Award-winning Bernadette Peters, his unfettered lifestyle takes an unlikely turn, and he soon finds himself mixed up with an eight-month-old baby, a group of counterfeiters, and a 1959 pink Cadillac convertible on the road ...
When a promised job for Texan Michael fails to materialise in Wyoming, Mike is mistaken by Wayne to be the hitman he hired to kill his unfaithful wife, Suzanne. Mike takes full advantage of the situation, collects the money and runs. During his getaway, things go wrong, and soon get worse when he runs into the real hitman, Lyle.
When a Soviet nuclear sub headed toward American waters drops off U.S. scanners, the Yanks scramble to take defensive steps. But CIA analyst Jack Ryan convinces the brass that the sub's commander has something else in mind.
The Price of a Broken Heart
Fact-based story about a landmark legal battle. A woman (Park Overall) learns that her husband has been having a very open affair with his secretary (Laura Innes) and has promised marriage. The wife sues for divorce and also sues the secretary based on an obscure law on alienation of affection, which was created to protect married couples from homewreckers. This sets a new court room consideration, as the culpability of the other woman must be ...
When officers of the Navy are captured, the men's families look to the government for help. But when the the brass refuse to intervene, the children of the captured officers set out to bring their fathers home.
Whilst on a short weekend getaway, Louise shoots a man who had tried to rape Thelma. Due to the incriminating circumstances, they make a run for it and thus a cross country chase ensues for the two fugitives. Along the way, both women rediscover the strength of their friendship and surprising aspects of their personalities and self-strengths in the trying times.
Detective John Book goes undercover in an Amish community to protect a boy who witnessed a murder. Once inside, Block must adjust to major culture shock while cautiously romancing the boy's mother.
Witty, romantic look at life in the corporate jungle. Tess McGill is an ambitious secretary with a unique approach for climbing the ladder to success. When her classy, but villainous boss breaks a leg skiing, Tess takes over her office, her apartment and even her wardrobe. She creates a deal with a handsome investment banker that will either take her to the top, or finish her off for good.
Buy Rabbit TV Plus
Movie Categories
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line188
|
__label__cc
| 0.574184
| 0.425816
|
xor eax, eax
Ø main()
Ø fireworkx
Ø amp
Ø gallery
Ø feedbacks
Ø about
ronybc.com
n-queen.php
Your browser does not support scripts or blocks it. That in turn blocks the Ads that were eagerly put here by the author get a beer out of this website. That is Cruel. So.. Please drop a small Flattr.com Donation instead..! ASAP :)
The Eight Queens Puzzle
- recursive self correcting Queens solution in C
This program is an interesting example for recursion, taken back from the DOS era... originally coded using Turbo C. Now here is the latest Linux versions; one using ncurses to visualize the auto arrangement in action and an other faster one to reach N-Queens extreme levels like: An arrangement of 10000 Queens.
The famous Eight Queens problem is a chess board puzzle; to place 8 Queens on a chessboard, in such a way that none of them will be in conflict with others. That is; for every Queen sitting somewhere, there should be no other Queen in that entire row, column and the four diagonals. Trying to find such an arrangement manually is somewhat difficult. Using computers, there exists many ways to do so, better than the one decribed here as well. Here, the idea hidden deep underneath the tangled roots! of this program is to randomly place all the queens over the board and let them find their places themselves. This code makes them alive, intelligent and moving..! This method is a kind of brute force search, in a way, but not much. The intelligent Queens themselves resolves the problem much quicker than expected, within a few hundreds of steps, most of the time! Umm.. It cannot be said the ISO9001 way to solve the problem :) but it works very well...
Here is how it works. Place the Queens one per column, at random row. Move the Queens one at a time, vertically in her row to find a safe position where she wont face any fatty Queens in front (left side). If there is such a position pass play to the Queen behind (right). Else return play to the Queen in front (left) as 'in trouble'; that is to change the position once again to an alternate safe position. Let them run like this until they get into equilibrium..! by sheer cooperation.. thats it.. eeeh.. it is something like that..!
For example, take four nice queens A, B, C and D. And see what Queen-C does.
At some point in the middle of the fight, C gets the play from B. Now C has to:
Get the play from B and let remaining 7 rows unvisited.
Check whether she is in reach of any of the queens in front (A,B)
If there is attack.. move to next unvisited row and check_front() again.
If C has tried all 8 rows and still 'moving', return play to B as 'in-Trouble'
Or if found a safe place, pass play to the Queen behind; queen(D)
If D returns 'in-Trouble', discard current and try next unvisited rows, going to step 2
Else if D returns 'Success', return 'Success' to B.
Queen-C has to remember which rows are visited by her until returning play back to B.
Every Queen watches only the others in her front. Here hides some priorities between the Queens that makes the foremost fatties to have to move less. That is.. most action happens at deeper levels of the recursion.
The Queens are initially placed one Queen per column at random row. This random initial row positioning of Queens chances obtaining different results between repeated executions. That way, found 92 distinct arrangements of 8 Queens on standard 8x8 chessboard.
Original MSDOS version: Queen8.zip (obsolete)
Included C source code works with Borland Turbo-C
Linux version (LATEST):
Download source: n-queens-anim.c
It requires ncurses developer's libraries (libncurses5-dev) to compile 'n-queens-anim'.
$ apt-get install libncurses5-dev
$ gcc -O3 -o n-queens-anim n-queens-anim.c -lncurses
$ ./n-queens-anim 12
---=[ n-queens.c ]=-----------------------------------------------------------
N ion solution for Eight Queens' Problem
Copyright (GPL) 1999-2011 Rony B Chandran
website: www.ronybc.com
#define TROUBLE 1
#define SAFE 0
int rnd(int n)
return(random() % n);
void print_board_stdout(int *q, int bsize)
for (n = 0; n < bsize; n++)
printf("%d, ", q[n] + 1);
int check_front(int *q, int n)
int a, b, c, x;
a = q[n];
b = a - n;
c = a + n;
for (x = 0; x < n; x++, b++, c--)
if (q[x] == a || q[x] == b || q[x] == c)
return(TROUBLE);
return(SAFE);
int queen(int *q, int n, int bsize, int limit)
static int iteration = 0;
int t = bsize;
if (n > bsize - 1) return(SAFE);
if (n == 0) iteration = 0;
/* recursion */
if (check_front(q, n) == SAFE)
if (queen(q, n + 1, bsize, limit) == SAFE) return(SAFE);
/* move_vertical */
if (++q[n] == bsize) q[n] = 0;
/* iteration limit is optional */
while (--t && ++iteration < limit);
int n, bsize = 8;
int *q;
srandom(time(0));
if (argc > 1) bsize = atoi(argv[1]);
if (bsize < 1) bsize = 8;
q = malloc(bsize * sizeof(int));
q[n] = rnd(bsize - 1);
if (queen(q, 0, bsize, bsize * bsize) == SAFE)
print_board_stdout(q, bsize);
else /* optional; used when iteration limit enabled */
putchar('-');
Finding all the possible arrangements
A much simpler brute force search can find all the possibilities. But here, the goal is to find out how far the above given 'self playing' algorithm will go. To make things faster, a stripped version of the original is used. With a simple comma separated list output to stdout instead the ascii drawings. Each number in the list points to the position of corresponding Queen in her row. Since it only requires single digit numbers to denote positions of eight Queens on an 8x8 chess board, the comma separation can be omitted, thus making the output an eight digit number representing the whole arrangement. For example, 42586137. Done by going through following steps:
Step 1: compile...
$ gcc -O3 -o n-queens n-queens.c
Step 2: get a bucket full of output
$ ./n-queens |tr -d "-, " |dd bs=9 count=1000 > list-a
Step 3: remove all repeating entries.
$ sort list-a |uniq > list-b
Step 4: make vertical mirrored list
Eg. 47526138 -> 83162574
$ rev list-b > list-c
Step 5: combine both lists and remove identical entries.
$ cat list-b list-c |sort |uniq > list-d
Step 6: make horizontal mirrored list
$ cat list-d | while read Z ;do echo 99999999-$Z |bc ;done > list-e
$ cat list-d list-e |sort |uniq > list-final
Final list of 92 possible arrangements:
15863724 - 16837425 - 17468253 - 17582463 - 24683175 - 25713864 - 25741863 - 26174835 - 26831475 - 27368514 - 27581463 - 28613574 - 31758246 - 35281746 - 35286471 - 35714286 - 35841726 - 36258174 - 36271485 - 36275184 - 36418572 - 36428571 - 36814752 - 36815724 - 36824175 - 37285146 - 37286415 - 38471625 - 41582736 - 41586372 - 42586137 - 42736815 - 42736851 - 42751863 - 42857136 - 42861357 - 46152837 - 46827135 - 46831752 - 47185263 - 47382516 - 47526138 - 47531682 - 48136275 - 48157263 - 48531726 - 51468273 - 51842736 - 51863724 - 52468317 - 52473861 - 52617483 - 52814736 - 53168247 - 53172864 - 53847162 - 57138642 - 57142863 - 57248136 - 57263148 - 57263184 - 57413862 - 58413627 - 58417263 - 61528374 - 62713584 - 62714853 - 63175824 - 63184275 - 63185247 - 63571428 - 63581427 - 63724815 - 63728514 - 63741825 - 64158273 - 64285713 - 64713528 - 64718253 - 68241753 - 71386425 - 72418536 - 72631485 - 73168524 - 73825164 - 74258136 - 74286135 - 75316824 - 82417536 - 82531746 - 83162574 - 84136275
An arrangement of 10000 Queens:
$ ./n-queens 10000
This attempt took 20 hours and 40 minutes to finish. The machine used is an AMD Athlon II X2 240 Processor with 1GB DDR2 RAM, running 64-bit Ubuntu 10.04. The time taken cannot be considered exact because the machine was not left unused for being dedicated to the task. And this method relies on random. It takes a random distribution of queens and tries to correct it with a limited (optional) number of changes; else tries next random. The following result came out after 122 retries. ie. 99.18% of the process were fully discarded.
n-queen-10000.list : original output.
n-queen-10000.png : PNG image, 10000 x 10000 pixels.
NOTE: very big image, requires lots of memory.
Direct following the link may crash the browser; do download and open in a good image viewer.
In order to view it fast and to zoom appropriately without getting the squares blurred, use nearest neighbor interpolation in your image viewer by turning off smooth or high quality zooming. White dots (pixels) are Queens and two dark shades for pixels representing empty squares. The board is so big that rendering just a single pixel for each tile resulted in a mammoth image weighing 100 Megapixels. If converted to standard chessboard dimensions, this one will have more than half kilometers length and width. Without zooming (1:1) the white dots appears arranged like stars in a clear night sky. Full of stars, like when far away from streetlight pollution. None of them aligned to any, scattered over vast voids. And most interestingly there are nice shaped constellations too. A beautiful sight as a pay for going after ten thousand Queens.
N Queens - 1000:
$ ./n-queens 1000
In numbers:
906, 898, 280, 387, 701, 247, 647, 696, 596, 648, 694, 644, 491, 478, 307, 877, 884, 598, 60, 109, 135, 886, 608, 486, 229, 390, 434, 986, 167, 505, 937, 74, 124, 217, 178, 823, 463, 543, 238, 777, 191, 651, 140, 400, 847, 165, 277, 730, 481, 55, 557, 615, 658, 883, 820, 604, 273, 254, 591, 439, 477, 527, 230, 599, 462, 126, 141, 925, 668, 98, 422, 579, 467, 561, 697, 314, 444, 692, 763, 926, 465, 321, 259, 128, 922, 79, 728, 196, 51, 318, 354, 528, 564, 301, 845, 26, 427, 705, 669, 813, 802, 91, 111, 987, 370, 806, 302, 814, 218, 784, 457, 681, 821, 716, 804, 744, 794, 251, 656, 565, 568, 9, 92, 850, 310, 936, 876, 455, 642, 264, 989, 162, 355, 97, 150, 442, 621, 169, 974, 837, 952, 431, 518, 492, 865, 42, 233, 380, 293, 889, 943, 580, 897, 35, 429, 927, 688, 24, 99, 49, 287, 86, 929, 361, 900, 796, 803, 243, 964, 776, 78, 633, 928, 313, 125, 791, 356, 358, 888, 646, 963, 829, 942, 582, 584, 372, 507, 988, 114, 325, 37, 401, 127, 683, 759, 745, 479, 279, 984, 164, 772, 779, 514, 698, 93, 637, 207, 166, 711, 94, 529, 675, 923, 470, 255, 504, 559, 480, 494, 671, 520, 249, 789, 645, 649, 269, 391, 129, 544, 376, 10, 317, 153, 525, 15, 965, 159, 940, 131, 589, 33, 655, 263, 955, 853, 236, 179, 404, 433, 392, 793, 951, 357, 583, 600, 3, 848, 706, 849, 405, 80, 857, 428, 950, 100, 161, 632, 975, 102, 760, 567, 130, 134, 545, 805, 979, 500, 700, 103, 930, 807, 892, 887, 880, 475, 198, 881, 40, 902, 449, 155, 702, 25, 577, 652, 122, 454, 284, 101, 550, 768, 378, 398, 613, 921, 924, 316, 418, 619, 408, 68, 430, 18, 949, 23, 210, 147, 904, 248, 53, 72, 399, 471, 815, 691, 121, 938, 145, 120, 755, 413, 601, 851, 811, 212, 485, 733, 241, 624, 70, 654, 689, 213, 665, 638, 239, 871, 503, 142, 838, 270, 931, 953, 741, 747, 657, 574, 403, 511, 414, 870, 920, 12, 714, 734, 941, 199, 182, 184, 819, 253, 546, 509, 461, 934, 868, 699, 531, 88, 549, 362, 353, 482, 28, 808, 223, 673, 394, 338, 901, 513, 204, 822, 244, 917, 268, 193, 115, 448, 83, 653, 416, 346, 885, 873, 990, 460, 571, 512, 547, 118, 585, 616, 311, 606, 143, 256, 994, 250, 588, 614, 757, 797, 437, 997, 720, 419, 907, 540, 590, 703, 912, 993, 47, 788, 587, 39, 966, 152, 267, 231, 985, 843, 846, 300, 168, 704, 548, 163, 945, 852, 775, 707, 636, 948, 417, 61, 50, 322, 319, 639, 16, 232, 340, 66, 736, 939, 826, 712, 798, 81, 946, 498, 640, 497, 795, 810, 911, 58, 685, 858, 622, 176, 278, 261, 89, 693, 34, 859, 6, 365, 208, 21, 298, 260, 800, 44, 185, 623, 451, 715, 423, 108, 195, 64, 305, 717, 862, 219, 488, 272, 75, 104, 441, 65, 350, 246, 752, 106, 110, 756, 453, 304, 501, 749, 560, 17, 508, 473, 351, 958, 891, 769, 52, 84, 553, 359, 780, 132, 288, 265, 393, 363, 382, 832, 144, 438, 85, 890, 522, 894, 375, 723, 909, 860, 466, 190, 874, 944, 385, 947, 609, 245, 735, 667, 320, 971, 729, 816, 96, 27, 73, 490, 105, 148, 31, 225, 290, 828, 833, 516, 435, 201, 211, 329, 778, 369, 521, 377, 32, 893, 323, 641, 136, 742, 4, 183, 713, 447, 976, 809, 186, 790, 11, 983, 627, 761, 932, 916, 576, 773, 420, 13, 678, 371, 46, 458, 446, 286, 831, 450, 882, 174, 801, 718, 905, 825, 879, 611, 967, 569, 116, 154, 384, 175, 854, 962, 896, 770, 595, 203, 274, 722, 899, 935, 69, 959, 386, 214, 222, 206, 662, 112, 48, 468, 844, 933, 992, 396, 228, 663, 960, 56, 526, 294, 188, 373, 999, 781, 872, 271, 670, 113, 991, 573, 738, 782, 252, 117, 1, 436, 30, 364, 240, 786, 827, 754, 424, 532, 151, 650, 187, 908, 726, 721, 915, 603, 818, 812, 133, 661, 87, 489, 493, 783, 95, 216, 283, 275, 43, 281, 409, 54, 659, 366, 839, 181, 146, 257, 395, 980, 630, 570, 830, 82, 5, 664, 368, 496, 180, 205, 861, 954, 660, 324, 737, 710, 227, 59, 679, 258, 8, 835, 20, 328, 192, 554, 506, 995, 523, 878, 708, 197, 189, 495, 914, 957, 875, 972, 381, 731, 177, 996, 680, 817, 262, 123, 220, 484, 864, 607, 456, 556, 383, 464, 970, 276, 22, 170, 961, 534, 682, 666, 410, 562, 866, 29, 459, 452, 19, 517, 156, 139, 472, 538, 674, 440, 379, 541, 686, 973, 224, 799, 515, 237, 297, 137, 235, 998, 2, 149, 295, 575, 869, 339, 171, 677, 345, 291, 138, 57, 524, 62, 895, 690, 487, 530, 840, 592, 226, 499, 551, 903, 282, 41, 824, 303, 842, 14, 956, 740, 158, 172, 306, 977, 510, 157, 299, 594, 202, 173, 620, 695, 107, 535, 221, 296, 725, 910, 834, 502, 266, 388, 349, 209, 200, 160, 336, 242, 867, 285, 724, 7, 292, 719, 913, 407, 578, 969, 289, 750, 71, 312, 234, 787, 919, 330, 194, 309, 836, 856, 732, 981, 978, 751, 968, 308, 626, 90, 119, 536, 327, 483, 542, 331, 76, 352, 558, 389, 347, 215, 333, 762, 539, 918, 552, 982, 334, 343, 326, 374, 432, 597, 77, 335, 397, 555, 341, 727, 537, 586, 402, 469, 593, 332, 415, 412, 443, 563, 746, 315, 739, 566, 753, 45, 612, 425, 602, 406, 519, 581, 445, 426, 421, 367, 348, 360, 572, 605, 474, 764, 533, 610, 1000, 743, 618, 625, 841, 774, 635, 643, 344, 748, 63, 628, 855, 672, 617, 476, 684, 792, 67, 337, 771, 785, 631, 758, 863, 342, 676, 709, 634, 767, 411, 687, 766, 36, 629, 765, 38.
N Queens - 100:
$ ./n-queens 100
Not diggin further than ten thousand queens, because it's just useless. BTW... praising my mighty µP, The AMD Athlon II X2 2.8GHz.
NAVIGATION PANEL:
Ø Parallel Resistance Calculator
Ø Voltage Divider Calculator
Ø LM317 Calculator
Ø Volume Control Pot with Parallel Resistor Graph tool
Ø Power Dissipation Across Transistor/MOSFET
Ø Display PPI Calculator
Ø Blogandrum - The Complete Conundrum
Ø The Eight Queens Puzzle
Ø Fireworkx : Linux version
Ø Kunthrantum - very low distortion audio power amplifier
Ø Creative AudioPCI soundcard mods (Ensoniq ES1370, AK4531)
Ø Buffered Flash memory access routines for PIC microcontrollers
Ø Fireworks : Windows version, coded using Win32 ASM
Ø SparcZ - tiny telnet server with remote desktop administration powers
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line190
|
__label__wiki
| 0.572183
| 0.572183
|
You are here: Home › Post Tagged with: "middle ages"
Gerbert of Aurillac and the Popularization of Science
12. May 2016 Harald Sack
On May 12, 1003, Gerbert of Aurillac aka Pope Sylvester II passed away. A prolific scholar and teacher, he endorsed and promoted study of Arab and Greco-Roman arithmetic, mathematics, and astronomy, reintroducing to Europe the abacus and armillary sphere, which had been lost to Latin Europe since the end of the Greco-Roman era. He is said to be the first to introduce in Europe the decimal numeral system using Arabic numerals. Gerbert…
Avicenna – The Most Significant Polymath of the Islamic Golden Age
26. December 2015 Harald Sack
At about 980, Persian polymath bū ʿAlī al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Sīnā, also known as Avicenna, was born. Avicenna is regarded as one of the most significant thinkers and writers of the Islamic Golden Age. His most famous works are The Book of Healing – a philosophical and scientific encyclopedia, and The Canon of Medicine – a medical encyclopedia, which became a standard medical text at many medieval…
Averroes – The Commentator and Polymath
10. December 2015 Tabea Tietz
On December 10, 1198, medieval Andalusian polymath Abū l-Walīd Muḥammad Ibn ʾAḥmad Ibn Rušd, better known as Averroes, passed away. Averroes wrote on logic, Aristotelian and Islamic philosophy, theology, the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence, psychology, political and Andalusian classical music theory, geography, mathematics, and the mediæval sciences of medicine, astronomy, physics, and celestial mechanics. Averroes had a greater impact on Christian Europe: he has been described as the “founding father of…
Omar Khayyam – Mathematics and Poetry
4. December 2015 Harald Sack
On December 4, 1131, Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet, Omar Khayyam; born Ghiyāth ad-Dīn Abu’l-Fatḥ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm al-Khayyām Nīshāpūrī, passed away. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential scientists of the middle ages. He wrote numerous treatises on mechanics, geography, mineralogy and astronomy. Early Years Omar Khayyám was born in Nishapur, in Iran, then a Seljuq capital in Khorasan, which rivaled Cairo or Baghdad in cultural…
Al-Biruni and his Contributions to Astronomy
4. September 2015 Tabea Tietz
On September 4, 973, Muslim scholar Al-Biruni was born. He is regarded as one of the greatest scholars of the medieval Islamic era and was well versed in physics, mathematics, astronomy, and natural sciences, and also distinguished himself as a historian, chronologist and linguist. He is referred to as the founder of Indology for his remarkable description of early 11th-century India. Abu Rayhan al-Biruni was born in Khwarazm now better known as Karakalpakstan.…
Ulugh Beg – Astronomer
22. March 2015 Tabea Tietz
On March 22, 1394, Mongolian astronomer, mathematician and sultan Mīrzā Muhammad Tāraghay bin Shāhrukh, better known as Ulugh Beg was (probably) born. Although the only important Mongol scientist, he was the greatest astronomer of his time. Pursuing this interest he built an observatory at Samarkand. In his observations he discovered a number of errors in the computations of the 2nd-century Alexandrian astronomer Ptolemy, whose figures were still being used. Ulugh Beg was…
Alfonso X from Spain and the Alfonsine Tables
23. November 2014 Tabea Tietz
On November 23, 1221, Spanish King and astronomer Alfonso X of Castile was born, who encouraged the preparation of revised planetary tables. These “Alfonsine Tables” a revision and improvement of the Ptolemaic tables, were the best available during the Middle Ages. Alfonso was born in Toledo, Spain. It is not much known about his early life. However, it is widely believed that he started his career as a soldier when he was…
Abu Ma’shar al-Balkhi – The Prince of Astrologers
10. August 2014 Harald Sack
Probably on August 10, 787, Persian astrologer, astronomer, and Islamic philosopher Abu Ma’shar al-Balkhi (Abu Ma’shar Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Umar al-Balkhi) was born. He is thought to be the greatest astrologer of the Abbasid court in Baghdad. He wrote a number of practical manuals on astrology that profoundly influenced Muslim intellectual history and, through translations, that of western Europe and Byzantium. We’ve realized that our daily blog on History of Science somehow…
Life and Legend of Frederick Barbarossa
10. June 2014 Harald Sack
On June 10, 1190, Frederick I, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and better known as Frederick Barbarossa passed away. He died by drowning in the river Saleph during the Third Crusade. He got the name Barbarossa from the northern Italian cities he attempted to rule: Barbarossa means “red beard” in Italian; in German, he was known as ‘Kaiser Rotbart‘, which has the same meaning. There was a time, when every German…
The Viking Raid on the Abbey of Lindisfarne
8. June 2014 Harald Sack
On 8 June, 793 AD, Vikings destroyed the abbey on Lindisfarne, a centre of learning that was famous across the continent. This event also is considered as the beginning of the Viking Age, when Scandinavian Norsemen explored Europe by its seas and rivers for trade, raids and conquest. Recently, this first Viking assault has gained more public interest because of the popular tv series “Vikings” (“Wrath of the Northmen“), in which the…
Tweets by SciHiBlog
refer:
The SciHi Blog is made with enthusiasm by yovisto
0 Recommended Articles:
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line194
|
__label__wiki
| 0.813456
| 0.813456
|
Opening today is the movie Smokin' Aces starring Jeremy Piven as a strung out Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch who has all manner of mob hit men after him. It features an all-star cast including Andy Garcia, Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Alicia Keys and Wayne Newton. However, it looks pretty stupid and I have no intention of seeing it. In fact, here's a sample of what critics are saying: "...an exercise in excess gone over the top. It's so punch-drunk with antisocial behavior you don't know whether to laugh or write to the MPAA.", "...an awkward pelvic thrust of a movie that wishes it knew more cool moves than it actually does." and "...a movie that may not only be dumb in itself, but also the cause of dumbness in others." The only reason I am mentioning it here is Piven. I can't really tell how big of a role he has in this movie, but it is nice to see him getting out from behind the best friend type casting. He grew up with John Cusack and the two of them have appeared in 10 movies together including Gross Pointe Blank and Serendipity. Other than for playing Cusack's sidekick, Piven is also known for his part in the HBO series Entourage. Others might recognize him as evil Dean Pritchard from Old School. He also lent his voice talents to the movie Cars as well as three episodes of the animated super hero show Justice League as "The Elongated Man." Showing more of his comedic talents, Piven made brief appearance in the movie Rush Hour 2 as a clothing store clerk, seen below (1:04).
What first got me interested in Piven, however, was a feature on one of the HD channels that chronicled his trip to India. It was fascinating to see his approach to the country and the people. It was anything but touristy. I especially liked the part where he arrived in "Jew Town," a smallish Jewish community in the heart of India dating back several decades. Also interesting was his three day trip up a river just to see a small play being performed.
In a related matter, when my memoirs are adapted for the big screen, Jeremy Piven will be cast as my friend Matt Hansen on account of the fact they kind of look alike. Also, Princess Diaries star Anne Hathaway will play my sister Jenifer while Jim Caviezel (Frequency, Passion of the Christ) will be John Stockton from that time I got my picture taken with him when I was nine. The rest I'm leaving up to you, the readers. Who would play you in my movie? Feel free to comment below where it says "comments."
Image is Nothing. Humor is Everything.
I've found that I tend to have more respect for an actor when he makes a guest appearance on a TV show and totally makes fun of himself. The Simpsons have had numerous examples of this over the years from English Prime Minister Tony Blair to skate boarding legend Tony Hawk (I admit neither of them are actors, so I'll give Mel Gibson, Mark Hamill and Sideshow Luke Perry as further examples). Another show that was able to convince actors to be good sports was Arrested Development. Besides Carl Weathers and the parade of actors, including Richard Belzer and John Larroquette, that came to the charity dinner to save the the Bluthes, the show also featured hilarious cameos from Andy Richter, Thomas Jane, Harry Hamlin and Hollywood Icon Ron Howard—all playing themselves (and other characters as was the case with Richter, who played himself and his four identical quintuplet brothers). However, my favorite appearance on the show was Judge Reinhold playing a TV show judge complete with William Hung & His Hung Jury. Below is the clip (4:23).
Another good example of someone willing to make fun of himself is Topher Grace (of That 70's Show) in Ocean's 12. Grace had previously appeared as himself in Ocean's 11 along with a few other celebrities who were learning to play poker from Brad Pitt's character. Grace followed that up with his cameo in the sequel which can be seen below (0:59).
Incidentally, "that Dennis Quaid movie" that he "totally phoned in" was In Good Company which earned Grace positive reviews. Newsweek went as far as to suggest he might "inherit American cinema's Everyman throne passed down from Jimmy Stewart to Jack Lemmon to Tom Hanks." But that's a topic for another post.
Labels: Arrested Development
Happy Birthday, James Earl Jones
Entertainment News would like to wish a happy 76th birthday to the great James Earl Jones. Though rarely taking the lead role, Jones has had small parts in several great movies. His very first film was the hilarious cold war satire Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb in which he played Lt. Lothar Zogg, one of the crew of the bomber piloted by Slim Pickens. Jones also played Admiral James Greer in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan trilogy: The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Clear & Present Danger (in a related note, Entertainment News does not recognize Sum of All Fears as part of the Jack Ryan trilogy because of the involvement of Ben Affleck). Jones shows up at the end of Sneakers as Bernard Abbott of the NSA to bargain with Robert Redford. He also shows up at the end of The Sandlot as Mr. Mertle, the owner of the dog on the other side of the fence. In a role that showed he could do comedy as well, Jones played the part of John Dolby in the Dana Carvey movie Clean Slate. It's funny because he plays the district attorney who is in a wheelchair and a neck brace but still manages to wear a tie through the brace. In another comedy Jones played King Jaffe Joffer, Eddie Murphy's father in Coming to America. Of course two of his most famous roles came from his voice only. He was King Mufasa in Disney's The Lion King and Darth Vader in four of the six Star Wars movies, although he almost wasn't. George Lucas originally wanted Orson Welles to be voice of Darth Vader.
It hasn't all been small parts for James Earl Jones. He was Kevin Costner's costar in Field of Dreams and he starred opposite Richard Harris in the 1995 adaptation of Cry, The Beloved Country. His biggest role, however, came in The Great White Hope, a 1970 movie based on the life of early twentieth century boxer Jack Johnson, who was the subject the Ken Burns documentary Unforgivable Blackness. It was a role for which Jones had previously won a Tony for the Broadway version.
James Earl Jones does mostly voice work these days, which is one of my dream jobs (the other is NFL punter). However, I have a voice for newspaper to go along with my face for radio (see my post on beautiful people). Later this year the voice of James Earl Jones can be heard in 2004: A Light Knight's Odyssey, an animated science fiction film also featuring the voice talents of Casey Kasem, Samuel L. Jackson (or Samuel F. Jackson as I like to call him, in honor of his favorite word), Christian Slater and John Travolta.
Also celebrating birthdays today are Zooey Deschanel (27), Kid Rock (36), Jim Carrey (45), Muhammad Ali (65), Maury Povich (68), former Yankee bench coach Don Zimmer (76), Vidal Sassoon (79), Betty White (85), and Al Capone (108).
Beautiful People in Soft Lighting
Fox TV announced recently that The OC would not be picked up for a fifth season. Entertainment News bids a fond farewell the show even though I have never seen a single episode. To me The OC has always transcended television. It represents what the entertainment industry should be all about—maybe not in terms of writing, character development or quality television production in general, but in terms of casting. I can't speak for the acting abilities of the cast (although Mischa Barton was excellent in The Sixth Sense as Kyra Collins, the girl who was poisoned by her mother), but I can say this: The cast of The OC is beautiful. You see, normal-looking people like me don't want to turn on the TV and see other normal-looking people. The world is full of normal-looking people. I want to see beautiful people on TV, although apparently not enough to watch The OC. Maybe that's why it's getting the ax.
With The OC's departure from the airwaves, it has become necessary to crown a new beauty queen. We here at Entertainment News have taken on the responsibility of choosing the show with not only the most beautiful cast, but the show that best represents beautiful people everywhere. It was difficult and I'm sure many people will disagree, but I'm afraid the decision is final. So here is the countdown of the 10 nominees given in ascending order of the number of votes received from our panel of judges:
(Others receiving votes: The Ghost Whisperer, ER, Desperate Housewives, America's Next Top Model, Fear Factor, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Battlestar Galactica and ABC Family Channel's Beautiful People and Wildfire)
10. Bones: Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz are both considered beautiful, but with only two main characters, the show was a long shot from the beginning.
9. What About Brian: I really know nothing about this show other than somebody out there is probably watching because they think Brian or his friends are hot.
8. CSI: Miami: David Caruso amazes me. Not since William Shatner have we seen such an unattractive actor trying to get by on looks alone. Don't ask me why the ladies love him. It's a good thing he has a strong (and by strong I mean beautiful) supporting cast.
7. Without a Trace: I have to agree with Entertainment Weekly's assessment that adding Roselyn Sanchez to the cast did little more than increase the amount of great hair on the show, but at least there is now male-female balance. Office romance has never seemed so dangerous.
6. Lost: Sure, they look like beach bums, but they're beautiful beach bums. Do not underestimate the talents of the lighting crew and makeup artists. It's their job to make sure the cast looks beautiful.
5. Friday Night Lights: Since my post inviting people to watch Friday Night Lights, there were a few episodes where things got a little soap opera-ish, but then they evened out a little bit. The teen angst is still top notch, something I'm sure OC fans can appreciate.
4. Smallville: This is the longest running of the nominees, something that has only been made possible by adding more and more beautiful people to the cast over the years in order to combat the bad plot twists and bizarre story lines. Maybe adding more beautiful people would have saved The OC.
3. Grey's Anatomy: As someone once said of this show, "It's like ER, only sexier." What more needs to be said?
2. One Tree Hill: This show is the epitome of everything the old WB came to stand for: beautiful teens with problems bigger than yours. Somehow it survived the WB/UPN merger, but is still all about hot teen angst.
1. Las Vegas: While the show's creator may not be beautiful, he has done well to capture the superficiality that is Las Vegas. I don't watch most shows on this list, and Las Vegas is no exception (although I did see part of the episode where Jean-Claude Van Damme guest appeared as himself and died on the show), but with The OC's departure, it is comforting to know that there is a show carrying on the tradition of providing an outlet where normal-looking people like me can go to see what we should aspire to look like.
Stomp That Inner City
There is new must-see movie that opens January 12 called Stomp the Yard. In it DJ, a troubled youth from inner-city Los Angeles goes to the historically black Truth University in Atlanta, GA. When adapting to his new environment proves difficult, DJ finds solace in joining a struggling fraternity where he begins implementing his street-style dance moves in an attempt to help the step team win the coveted National Step Show Championship. Below is the trailer.
Be warned, this movie is not for the uninitiated. No, I don't mean the scene of violence, some sexual material and language that give the movie its PG-13 rating. Nor am I referring to the "mad skillz" on display in the dance sequences. What I'm saying is that before you see this, the latest inner-city-themed, coming-of-age, mismatched-love, dance-as-a-way-of-life movie, you must pay your dues and see the films (listed below) that paved the yard that is being stomped.
Tagline: Every second chance begins with a first step.
Starring: Your basic male and female eye candy
Plot: The only thing that stands between Tyler, a rebel from the wrong side of the tracks, and an unfulfilled life are his dreams of one day making it. The only thing standing in the way Nora, a privileged ballet dancer attending the ultra-elite Maryland School of the Arts, and of her brilliant future is finding a great dance partner for her senior showcase. As sparks fly between them, both on and off stage, Tyler realizes he has just one performance to prove that he can step up to a life far larger than he ever imagined.
Comments: What is it with railroad tracks separating the high class from the riffraff? It's a good thing some people are brave enough to cross those tracks or we wouldn't have movies like this.
Take the Lead (2006)
Tagline: Never Follow.
Starring: Antonio Banderas
Plot: A former professional dancer (Banderas) volunteers to teach dance in the New York public school system. While his background first clashes with his students' tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Based on the story of ballroom dancer Pierre Dulane.
Comments: Did you see Mad Hot Ballroom, the documentary this movie is based on? The kids were like 12. Somehow that wasn't dramatic enough so for the fictional version they made them all troubled inner-city youths. Antonio Banderas should stick to directing Melanie Griffith movies.
Tagline: Her dream. Her terms.
Starring: Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer
Plot: A sexy, tough music video choreographer shakes up her life after her mentor gives her an ultimatum: sleep with him or be blacklisted within their industry. Honey comes alive on the dance club floor, where her training collides with her passion and her smooth moves get her noticed.
Comments: This is a pivotal role for Alba because she's essentially saying to herself "I can't act, but I'm hot. By dancing maybe people won't notice the bad acting, but they will notice that I'm hot." Maybe more dancing would have made The Fantastic Four a better movie.
Drumline (2002)
Tagline: Half time is game time.
Starring: Nick Cannon, Orlando Jones
Plot: The controlled mayhem of the football games makes way for the blaring sound of trumpets and the heart-thumping rhythm of drums. Into this rigorous, ritualistic world comes a kid from a different culture. Devon Miles, a young, gifted hip-hop drummer from Harlem, wins a full music scholarship to a Southern university with the hopes of gaining a spot as a drummer on the school's renowned marching band's drumline. One problem: He marches to the beat of his own drum.
Comments: While not technically a dance movie, all the elements are here: a fish out of water trying to prove himself, the pressure of competition, misguided youth and mismatched lovers that must overcome the odds. Orlando Jones made the jump from 7-Up commercials to this.
Tagline: The only person you need to be is yourself.
Starring: Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas
Plot: Sara, a 17-year-old high-school student, sets her sights on being a professional ballerina, but she has to put her plans on hold when her mother is killed in a car accident and she is forced to move to her father's bleak Chicago neighborhood. Intimidated by inner-city life, she turns to the clubs for refuge, where she meets Derek, a young black man who shares her love for dancing. As their mutual respect evolves, they soon discover that peer pressure is a more formidable obstacle to romance than differences in race or class.
Comments: The only thing that would have made this movie better is a back story about an inner-city basketball league run by the gangs and how Derek must hit the winning shot to avoid a troubled future.
Optional Related Viewing: Save the Last Dance 2 (2006). This straight-to-video sequel (with an entirely different cast) follows Sara to Julliard where she tangles with a rival and hilarity no doubt ensues.
Tagline: May the best moves win.
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union
Plot: A champion high school cheerleading squad discovers its previous captain stole all their best routines from an inner-city school and must scramble to compete at this year's championships.
Comments: "Cheerleaders are dancers who have gone retarded," says the dance instructor played by Ian Roberts (who also played the literal doctor on Arrested Development). What I find interesting, is the titular line "Bring it on" is never actually uttered in this movie. It's always the truer, more inner-city version "Bring it."
Optional Related Viewing: Bring It on Again (2004) and Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006). The second of these straight-to-video sequels stars Hayden Panettiere. Without this role under her belt, her portrayal as a cheerleader in Heroes might not be as convincing.
Tagline: Have the time of your life.
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach
Plot: Spending the summer in a holiday camp with her family, Frances ("Baby") falls in love with the camp's dancing teacher.
Comments: Forbidden love and risqué dancing. How can a movie that sounds so bad be so boring?
Optional Related Viewing: Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004). This is essentially the same movie but set in a pre-revolution Havanna so that the race relations can make the film more relevant. And yes, Patrick Swayze does make an appearance.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line195
|
__label__wiki
| 0.976055
| 0.976055
|
Tuesday September 14, 2010 11:00
George Michael Gets 8 Weeks for Driving Under the Influence
A judge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court sentenced pop star George Michael to eight weeks in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of marijuana.
The case stemmed from Michael’s July accident in north London, where he was arrested after crashing his Range Rover into a photo shop. He made a guilty plea last month on charges of driving under the influence and for possessing cannabis. However, Michael will not be serving the full term of his sentence. The 47-year-old singer will spend only four weeks in jail while the additional four will be spent under a probation program.
Michael, who was once the other half of Wham!, was arrested on July 4 after officers found him barely conscious and slumped at the wheel of his car. Officers who arrested him said Michael was “spaced out” when they approached him. The singer was also arrested and pleaded guilty to a similar offense back in 2007
Chris Brown: “I’m Sorry”
Arrest warrant issued for Lindsay Lohan
Taylor Swift Is NARM’s Artist Of The Year
American Idol Season 8: Alexis Grace is the dark horse
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line197
|
__label__cc
| 0.666798
| 0.333202
|
Home > News > Press Releases
Contact: Erika Richter
pr@asta.org
ASTA Statement on the United Airlines Incident
Alexandria, VA, April 13, 2017 – Zane Kerby, President & CEO of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), issued the following statement in response to the widely-reported recent incident in which a passenger was forcibly removed from a United Airlines flight:
“We believe the rights of the traveling public and airline passenger protection must be at the forefront of any regulatory system governing the airline industry. While ASTA has supported past initiatives to protect consumers and increase airline competition in Congress and at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), this disturbing incident should tell us loud and clear that more needs to be done.
“We are heartened that DOT is reviewing the particulars of the situation, and believe that it should be a catalyst for both the Department and Congress to take the necessary steps to beef up passenger rights. Indeed, with the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill coming up for renewal, now is the time to act. Issues we believe should be on the table include increased protections for overbooked and bumped passengers, a review of the impacts of airline consolidation, transparency in airline pricing including ancillary fees and airline immunity from state consumer protection laws. We look forward to working with all policymakers toward crafting an airline regulatory system wherein the passenger comes first.”
ABOUT ASTA
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally based members, it is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public. ASTA’s history of travel industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information, visit ASTA.org.
ASTA’s sister association, The National Association of Career Travel Agents, represents a professional community of independent travel agents ready to assist the traveling public.
Maya Northen, Chimera Travel, Cherry Hill NJ
ASTA Launches New Member Communication Platforms
American Society of Travel Agents Launches New Trade Publication, Travel Advisor
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line203
|
__label__wiki
| 0.910847
| 0.910847
|
Home / Entertainment / 3 defining characters in Sola Sobowale’s career so far
Smart Bello November 25, 2019 Entertainment Leave a comment 66 Views
Without a doubt, Sola Sobowale is a huge movie star made popular by some of her movie roles.
Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale has positioned herself as one of the fantastic actresses in Nollywood with defining characters in the last two decades.
Sobowale’s choices in roles have been stellar and this has endeared her to millions of fans across the world.
Sola Sobowale’s acting career has been characterised by several huge roles that have been her most famous
Sola Sobowale became famous for her role in Wale Adenuga’s Super Story: Oh Father Oh Daughter’. [Instagram/solasobowale]
Here are the three defining characters in Sola Sobowale’s acting career which is over three decades.
Toyin Tomato
Sola Sobowale first struck a chord in the minds of her fans when she landed a role in Wale Adenuga’s hit TV series ‘SuperStory: Oh Father, Oh Daughter’. She played the role of Toyin, a manipulative and calculative woman, who wrecked the home of Suara. Her interpretation of the role got Sobowale recognition all over the country. She went on to feature in some Yoruba films but none matched the fame Toyin Tomato gave her. Sobowale was widely referred to as Toyin Tomato for a very long time. The 2001 production, which became an instant hit, was the first in a series of Wale Adenuga’s TV shows.
Tinuade Coker
Over a decade after playing the role of Toyin Tomato, Sola Sobowale returned to the scene. She had relocated to the United Kingdom to raise her daughters but returned to start getting movie roles. She was unmistakable by her fans when she appeared in ‘The Wedding Party’ where she played the role of Mrs. Tinuade Coker. Sobowale aptly interpreted the role of a Yoruba bride’s mum. Married to Bamidele Coker played by Alibaba, Sobowale grabbed headlines again with her brilliant interpretation of the mother of the bride trying to outshine the groom’s mother. She plays the Adesua Etomi-Wellington’s mother in the film that went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film.
Sola Sobowale plays the character of Tinuade Coker and mother of bride in the highest grossing film, ‘The Wedding Party.’ [Instagram/solasobowale]
Eniola Salami
Sola Sobowale currently holds the title of the ‘King Of Boys’ after taking up the lead role in Kemi Adetiba’s film, ‘King Of Boys’. The dazzling actress plays the role of Alhaja Eniola Salami, a mean, cold and brutal character. Aside from grabbing headlines again, she has been nominated for several wards and won many for the interpretation of her role as Eniola Salami. Again, she worked with Adesua Etomi-Wellington on the film, which registered itself as one of the record-breakers in Nollywood.
About Smart Bello
Previous Tonto Dikeh and popular blogger fight dirty on Instagram
Next 40 Celebrities Who’ve Shaved Their Heads
Zubby Michael is now a special adviser to the governor of Anambra state. Zubby Micheal …
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line205
|
__label__wiki
| 0.744034
| 0.744034
|
INSURGENTES
NOVEMBER 2008 // FIRST SOLO ALBUM
SHOP INSURGENTES
ABOUT INSURGENTES
Insurgentes is the first full-length solo album released by Steven Wilson. The album was recorded all over the world in studios from Mexico City to Japan and Israel, between January and August 2008, and first released in November 2008 as a special deluxe multi disc mail order version. A retail release followed in February 2009. The album is named after the Avenida de los Insurgentes, the longest avenue in Mexico City near which part of it was recorded.
“One of the myths about me is that I grew up only listening to ’70s music,” he says. “Although I did listen to that stuff, I had to go back to discover it. The music around me when I was a teenager was actually the music of the ’80s, and one aspect of it that really appealed to me was the so-called ‘post-punk’ music of artists like Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Joy Division, The Cure, A Certain Ratio, Wire, Public Image Ltd, Magazine, and labels such as 4AD, Factory, and Creation. That music was a big part of my youth.
Usually, when I listen to one of my old records, it’s painful and all I can hear is the stuff that I would’ve done differently now. With perhaps one exception (I think ‘No Twilight…’ became a much better live number), I enjoyed every piece. The album was a real breakthrough for me.”
Technical personnel
Vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, acoustic & electric pianos, keyboards, synthesizers, harmonium, mellotron, bass guitar, percussion, drum & keyboard programming, ambient noise, loops
Gavin Harrison – drums (tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 1[*], 2[*] and 3[*]), cymbals (4)
Tony Levin – bass (5, 6 and 3[*])
Mike Outram – electric guitar (5 and 8)
Dirk Serries – guitar drones (3 and 9)
Jordan Rudess – piano (4, 5 and 8)
Clodagh Simonds – vocals (6)
Sand Snowman – acoustic and processed acoustic guitars (2 and 8), recorders (4)
Theo Travis – wah-flute (2), clarinet (4 and 1[*]), saxophone (1[*])
Michiyo Yagi – 17-string bass koto (10), 21-string koto (3[*])
Produced & Mixed By Steven Wilson
Engineers: Steve Price, Maki Sasaki
Guitars Engineered By Mark Prator & John Wesley
Piano Engineered By Bert Baldwin
Mastering: Andy VanDette (stereo mix); Steven Wilson (5.1 mix)
Cover and photography by Lasse Hoile
INSURGENTES VIDEOS
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line207
|
__label__wiki
| 0.982788
| 0.982788
|
DC Comics Universe
DC Comics Has a New President at Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. seems to be listening to the disgruntled fans who are not happy with the direction of the franchise. While the movies are still making a lot of money, and Wonder Woman seemed like a great turning point, people still want changes when it comes to characters like Superman and Batman. Warner Bros. seems ready to make changes and has signed a brand-new president for their DC Comics division.
Warner Bros. has signed Walter Hamada to run their DC Comics movies division. Hamada was the executive at New Line and shepherded in movies like It and the Conjuring horror movie series. It does seem a little strange that a company criticized for being too dark would hire a man whose greatest success has been with horror movies, but the adaptation of It was great.
The news came from the Hollywood Reporter, who also pointed out that there have been a number of changes at Warner Bros. as they try to match up with Marvel Comics and Disney at the box office. Jon Berg was the head of the comics division but was let go after Justice League struggled at the box office (it made $651 million worldwide).
While Hamada will become president of DC Movies, Geoff Johns will also remain onboard as the CCO and President of DC Entertainment. It appears that the two men will work together to oversee the expanding DCEU. Warner Bros. president, Toby Emmerich, feels that this will be a great move for both box office as well as appeasing comic book fans.
“I’m confident Walter and Geoff, working with our filmmaking partners, will deliver films that will resonate with both broad global audiences as well as DC fanboys and fangirls.”
The next movie on the slate for DC Comics is Aquaman, which has a Dec. 21 release date.
Aquaman Justice League
Disaster Artist Review
Insidious: The Last Key Review
Stevie Lee
is a film lover who watches just about any and all movies that he can get his hands on. He hates film snobs and elitists and feels there are interesting things to find in just about any movie - no matter how bad it is.
Will Aquaman Lose His Hand In Upcoming DC Comics Movie?
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line211
|
__label__wiki
| 0.686141
| 0.686141
|
Students from Bulgaria smoke more than most other European countries..
March 27, 2009 - Bulgarian students are more often drunk and smoke a lot more than the majority of their European fellows in other countries. The European School and Research Project On Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) 2007 survey report was presented on late Thursday, 3/26/2009. The main purpose of ESPAD is to collect comparable data on substance use among 15-16 year old European students in order to monitor trend within as well as between countries. The 2007 ESPAD Report..
Smoking is an area for concern as 40 percent of Bulgarian students (some examples: Austria 45 percent, Latvia 41 percent, Czech Republic 41 percent, Armenia 7 percent) had smoked within a 30 day period before the survey, which is way above the European average. The survey showed that 24 percent of students in Bulgaria have tried illegal drugs with the prevalence rates for cannabis (22 percent) and other drugs (9 percent) both being close to the European average.
Alcohol abuse is also prevalent amongst Bulgarian youths with 45 percent of school students reporting being drunk at least once a year, which is again above the EU average.
Reference: Bulgarian Kids Smoking ‘Above EU Average’, BalkanInsight.com, 3/27/2009.
Related news briefs: Bulgaria - 1 in 3 youths smoke / half of pregnant women smoke.., PMI training Bulgarian custom officers to stop cigarette smuggling..; Philip Morris International (PMI) was truly happy they had been back in the Bulgarian cigarette market for a year and had already had 6.8% of market..; WHO FCTC Protocol to Prevent Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products Won't Be Completed Until End of 2010..; WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008..; Bulgaria Enters 2009 with Cigarette Prices Hike...
Posted by tobaccowatch.org Friday, March 27, 2009 at 8:14 AM 0 comments Links to this post
March 26, 2009 - Teton District Board of Health unanimously approved a countywide smoking ban (Teton District Smokefree Air Rule of 2009). The rule is designed to “protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment.” It applies to all public areas, including bars, restaurants, buildings used by the general public, and common areas of hotels, motels and sports arenas.
Among exemptions are private residences, except when childcare is involved, and hotel and motel rooms rented to guests. Private clubs also are excluded, except when the public is invited for an event. The board also included a caveat for tobacco shops such as Tobacco Row.
A person or business owner violating the rule faces a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $750 or jail time. The rule takes affect 60 days from Tuesday – the end of May 2009.
Cheyenne - thanks to the city council's leadership, the residents, workers, and visitors of Wyoming's capital city will be enjoying 100% smokefree air in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, starting August 15, 2006.
(Cheyenne is going 100% smokefree!) In late 2005, Laramie passed a smoking ban which covers all enclosed areas of public places and places of employment, including restaurants and bars.
Wyoming: On February 14, 2009, the Wyoming House of Representatives defeated a statewide ban on smoking by preventing the bill from being introduced. Two-thirds of Wyoming voters support a ban on smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars, according to a new statewide poll.
Reference: Health board bans smokes by Traci Angel, Jackson Hole, Wyo., jhnews&guide.com, 3/25/2009.
Click on image to enlarge..
Posted by tobaccowatch.org Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 12:40 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Norfolk, VA - cracking down on illegal cigarette sales..
March 26, 2009 - The City of Norfolk, Virginia is cracking down on illegal cigarette sales that officials say are costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
The city created a task force to inspect convenience stores and tobacco shops selling the unstamped products.
Illegal cigarette sales undermines the potential effectiveness of higher tobacco taxes reducing government revenues and encouraging adults to continue smoke and children (kids) to start smoking cigarettes. The availability of low-cost (cheap)illegal cigarettes has particular implications for vulnerable populations such as young people and the economically disadvantaged.
The effort began last year and 11 stores have been busted in the last month and a half. Not only were illegal cigarettes found, so was drug paraphernalia crack pipes, baggies, scales and code violations, city officials said. One shop owner also is accused of selling Viagra and bootleg CDs. The effort has intensified as the city looks for ways to cut its $35 million budget shortfall, officials say. Norfolk’s commissioner of the revenue says she has seen a 34% decline in the number of cigarette stamps sold to dealers. She believes over the course of the fiscal year the city's lost $750,000.
The task force is made up of city workers, members of the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officials say Norfolk is the only city in Virginia with this kind of task force.
Reference: Norfolk cracks down on illegal cigarette sales by 13News, 3/26/2009.
Australia - providing cigarette ingredients to smokers won't help them quit..
March 26, 2009 - In 2000, then federal health minister Michael Wooldridge convinced the three major tobacco companies to voluntarily disclose their cigarette ingredients to allow the government to post the information online. (Australian Cigarette Ingredient Disclosure.
Late last year, the federal Department of Health and Ageing engaged the Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute to assess the public health value of disclosing cigarette ingredients and emissions data, as proposed by some health groups.
They found the agreement negotiated by Dr. Wooldridge was unlikely to have directly promoted or protected the health of Australians. "In research with smokers, non-smokers, and tobacco control stakeholders, the currently disclosed emissions and ingredient information was seen to be incomprehensible, uninteresting, incomplete and difficult to access," the January 2009 report states. "Most members of the public had not and did not intend to access the information (and) providing members of the public with the disclosed information did not seem to discourage them from smoking."
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Jan McLucas yesterday (March 25, 2009) said the Government would await a report from the National Preventative Health Taskforce before taking any further action on smoking.
Reference: Smokers don't care about labels, Sean Parnell, FOI editor, The Australian, 3/26/2009.
Japan - Kanagawa - bans smoking in public places starting April 2010..
March 26, 2009 - The Kanagawa prefectural assembly on Tuesday approved an ordinance calling for a ban on smoking in public facilities such as hospitals, schools and government offices and requires restaurants and hotels to choose between becoming nonsmoking or creating separate smoking areas in a bid to prevent passive smoking. Kanagawa is the first of Japan’s 47 prefectures to regulate smoking in public places, including spaces operated by the private sector. (Kanagawa, with its capital of Yokohama, lies southeast of Tokyo and is Japan’s second-largest prefecture in terms of population with nearly 9 million people.)
The prefecture compiled a draft for the ordinance after seeking opinions and comments from the public and submit it to the prefectural assembly within the current fiscal year through March 2009.
The ordinance was toned down from Kanagawa Gov Shigefumi Matsuzawa’s original call for a total ban on smoking in public places, exempting small restaurants and hotels and suspending penalties for some violators for one year. The ordinance will come into force in April 2010. The ordinance classifies public facilities into two categories. One category includes schools, gymnasiums and outdoor sports arenas, hospitals and clinics, theaters, horse and cycle racetracks, department stores and shopping centers, central and local government offices, public transportation facilities such as railway stations and bus terminals, financial institutions, museums and social welfare facilities.
The second category covers restaurants and bars, hotels and ryokan inns, game halls including pachinko parlors, amusement arcades and karaoke boxes, and service facilities such as barber shops and beauty parlors.
The ordinance imposes a smoking ban on facilities in the first category and requires those in the second category to choose between becoming nonsmoking or creating separate smoking areas. Among facilities in the second category, restaurants and bars with floor spaces of up to 100 square meters, and hotels, ryokan inns and game halls with floor spaces of up to 700 square meters are exempt from the ordinance. The measure only requires operators of such small-scale facilities to ‘‘make efforts’’ to establish separate smoking and nonsmoking areas.
For violators, the ordinance sets fines of 20,000 yen ($203) for facility operators and 2,000 yen ($20.30) for smokers. Penalties will be imposed on first-category facilities immediately after the ordinance comes into force and for second-category places a year later.
In 2007 the overall rate of smokers in Japan slid to a new record of 26 percent of the adult population from 26.3 percent a year ago and has steadily dropped since 1996. The rate among Japanese men declined to 40.2 percent from 41.3 percent a year ago, but the rate among women edged up to 12.7 percent from 12.4 percent. (Japan's smoking rate declines to record low in 2007Associated Press - International Herald Tribune, 10/17/2007)
Japan’s health ministry will recommend smoking be banned in hospitals and on public transport, the Yomiuri newspaper said, without citing anyone. A total of 60 municipalities, whose residents make up 10 percent of Japan's population, have some form of regulation to ban or discourage people from smoking in public or tossing their cigarette butts on the ground, according to Japan Tobacco Inc. (MUNICIPALITIES TRY TO CURB PUFFERS Tokyo patrols snuff out public smoking by MINORU MATSUTANI - Kyodo News, The Japan Times, 1/6/2006.
Reference: Kanagawa adopts anti-smoking ordinance; 1st among 47 prefectures, Japan Today, 3/25/2009.
Related news briefs: Japan shelves tobacco tax hike for 2009.., Japan - Ruling party plans tobacco tax hike in 2009..; Japan Tobacco Starts Petition To Fight Tax Increase..; How to get most smokers to quit?? - Keep On Raising The Price..; Japanese lawmakers want to triple cigarette prices..
Maryland - leaning toward taxing moist snuff based on weight NOT price..
March 25, 2009 - Leaders in both houses of the General Assembly are backing a tax change on a product known as moist snuff that is being pushed by tobacco giant Philip Morris - and opposed by an unusual coalition of other tobacco interests (such as R.J. Reynolds and health advocates.
The measure would change the way the tins of moist snuff are taxed, from a 15 percent levy on the package's wholesale price to a 75 cent tax per ounce of tobacco. The state health department says that adjustment would benefit producers of higher-priced or "premium" snuff such as Skoal, while increasing the tax on "value" brands such as Grizzly, manufactured by Conwood Co., a subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc.
Maryland Senate Bill 825 - Moist Snuff - Taxation and Regulation.
Reference: Snuff makes strange bedfellows
Proposal to change taxes puts cancer society, R.J. Reynolds on same side by Gadi Dechter, baltimoresun.com. 3/25/2009; Maryland May Change Tax Formula on Chewing Tobacco, Convenience Store News, 1/26/2009.
Posted by tobaccowatch.org Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 4:29 PM 0 comments Links to this post
New Hamsphire - votes down bill to ban smoking in cars when children are present..
March 25, 2009 - House lawmakers yesterday voted down a bill that would ban adults from smoking cigarettes in cars in which children are riding. The bill failed on a narrow vote of 184-167. (The legislation was decided on a "division" vote, meaning that it's impossible to know how any one lawmaker voted or to see the partisan breakdown on the bill.)
The debate on the smoking-in-the-car bill pitted medical evidence on the dangers of secondhand smoke against philosophical questions about the rights of individuals to partake in legal activities and practical concerns about how police officers would enforce such a law.
Representative Mary Griffin of Windham, the sponsor said she took issue with the idea that the bill represented "undue intrusion into parental privacy." "On the contrary, there is a long-established legal prohibition against endangering the welfare of a child."
She reeled off a list of ailments associated with inhaling cigarette smoke, such as asthma and cancer, and she cited a 2006 Harvard School of Public Health study that found cigarettes smoked in cars can generate hazardous levels of smoke in only a few minutes. She said that other states, including Arkansas and Louisiana, have banned smoking in cars with young children. Adults, Griffin said, get to make lifestyle choices, but children don't. "Our infants must be given the right to survive," she said.
Banning smoking when children are in the home or car is a no-brainer - even Philip Morris agrees. On the website of Philip Morris, for example, this cigarette producer admits that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as well as Otits Media (painful middle ear infections) are just two documented health consequences for infants and children due to secondhand cigarette smoke exposure.
Toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke..
Related news briefs: Will Maryland ban smoking in cars when small children present.., Ireland - ban smoking in cars when kids are present..; Further evidence - STOP smoking in the presence of your children..;ASH Calls for a Debate in England on Banning Smoking in Cars with Kids; Among children with asthma, exposure to ETS is related to increased child behavior problems among boys..; U.S. - Children Remain Especially Vulnerable to Secondhand Smoke..; Maine - illegal to smoke in cars while children present.. and Vehicles Most Dangerous Space for Second-Hand Smoke Levels... For others - do a random search.
Reference: Parents can still smoke while driving
House votes down children's health bill by LAUREN R. DORGAN, Concord Monitor, 3/25/2009.
Ontario Businessmen - want government to crack down on illegal cigarettes..
March 25, 2009 - The Ontario Korean Businessman's Association (OKBA -represents 2,500 business owners in Ontario) is calling on the Federal Government to move immediately to crack down on the illegal cigarette trade. Jong Sil (John) Yoon, OKBA President - "Many of our stores are seeing reductions of 50% or more in their business because of the illegal trade. Consumers who used to come in to buy cigarettes would usually pick up other items at the same time. We are losing those sales because those consumers are now buying their cigarettes in a back alley or from the trunk of a car." Members of the OKBA were in Ottawa for meetings with Members of Parliament to discuss their concerns about the impact of the illegal trade on the future of their business.
Illegal cigarettes are sold for as little as $5-6 for 200, whereas the same number of legal cigarettes costs upwards of $70, putting law abiding business owners at a severe competitive disadvantage. "Purchases of illegal tobacco in Ontario have grown from 23% of the market in 2006, to 32% in 2007, to almost 50% today. How much market share can organized crime control before someone takes notice?" asked Yoon.
The OKBA expressed frustration that the only government action on tobacco sales involves ever greater restrictions on the sale of legal tobacco products in their stores. Illegal cigarettes are sold for as little as $5-6 for 200, whereas the same number of legal cigarettes costs upwards of $70, putting law abiding business owners at a severe competitive disadvantage.
"Purchases of illegal tobacco in Ontario have grown from 23% of the market in 2006, to 32% in 2007, to almost 50% today. How much market share can organized crime control before someone takes notice?" asked Yoon.
The OKBA expressed frustration that the only government action on tobacco sales involves ever greater restrictions on the sale of legal tobacco products in their stores. "We abide by all the rules and regulations, whether they deal with advertising, display bans, or tax collection. We do so at a significant cost that comes directly out of our bottom line, and in some cases, involves a redesign of our stores. We absorb these costs because it is the right thing to do, but wonder why the government imposes these additional costs on our operations while illegal product flows into our communities without any regulatory oversight or taxation," stated Yoon.
Reference: Ontario Korean Businessman's Association Calls for Immediate Government Action on Illegal Tobacco, CNW Group, 3/25/2009.
Related news briefs: Imperial Tobacco Canada - slow illegal cigarettes/sue tobacco companies.., As tobacco prices rise - increase in illegal cigarette trafficing.., Taxes to fund SCHIP may slow illegal cigarettes into Canada.., Canada - Obama visit - help STOP cigarette smuggling from U.S..; Canada economic recession losing billions in unpaid tobacco taxes..; Canada - Police arrest 46 in tobacco crackdown..; Imperial Tobacco Survey - Canadian Illegal Tobacco Trade..; Canada - Introduction of Tobacco Stamp to combat contraband ..; Canada tobacco firms admit aiding smuggling...
Imperial Tobacco Canada - slow illegal cigarettes/sue tobacco companies..
March 25, 2009 - Ontario's Attorney General Chris Bentley has introduced new legislation that, if passed, could allow the provincial government to seek billions of dollars in damages from the three big Canadian cigarette manufacturers: Imperial Tobacco; Rothmans, Benson and Hedges; and JTI-Macdonald. Imperial Tobacco Canada stated today, (March 24, 2009) that Ontario's lawmakers should take a stand against
illegal tobacco in Ontario rather than legislation such as the Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act.
In 2008, the Canadian federal and provincial governments together lost
approximately $2.4 billion in taxes and that number is growing as the sale of
illegal cigarettes grows. The federal government's share was $1.1 billion. In
December, the Ontario Auditor General reported that the estimated tax loss for
Ontario in 2006-2007 was $500 million.
Imperial Tobacco Canada believes that if Ontario moves forward with a lawsuit, it will take years to resolve and will cost Ontario taxpayers millions of dollars. A similar action in British Columbia has cost BC tens of millions of dollars and it is still not over.
Reference: Ontario's Healthcare Cost Recovery Act Misses the Mark, Benjamin Kemball, president and CEO of Imperial Tobacco Canada, CNW Telbec, 3/24/2009.
Related news briefs: As tobacco prices rise - increase in illegal cigarette trafficing.., Taxes to fund SCHIP may slow illegal cigarettes into Canada.., Canada - Obama visit - help STOP cigarette smuggling from U.S..; Canada economic recession losing billions in unpaid tobacco taxes..; Canada - Police arrest 46 in tobacco crackdown..; Imperial Tobacco Survey - Canadian Illegal Tobacco Trade..; Canada - Introduction of Tobacco Stamp to combat contraband ..; Canada tobacco firms admit aiding smuggling...
Racial Differences in Incident Heart Failure among Young Adults..
March 24, 2009 - Incident heart failure before 50 years of age is substantially more common among blacks than among whites. Blacks tend to develop heart failure 20 years earlier than whites, a long-running study shows.
Amongst blacks who were current smokers 80.4% used menthol cigarettes in the past month in 2005-2006. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health Cigarette Use Amongst Blacks 2005-2006) - nearly one-fourth of blacks aged 12 or older were current smokers (i.e. - used cigarettes in the past month)
PAPER: Racial Differences in Incident Heart Failure among Young Adults Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, Ph.D., M.D., Mark J. Pletcher, M.D., M.P.H., Feng Lin, M.S., Eric Vittinghoff, Ph.D., Julius M. Gardin, M.D., Alexander Arynchyn, M.D., Cora E. Lewis, M.D., O. Dale Williams, Ph.D., and Stephen B. Hulley, M.D., M.P.H., New England Journal of Medicine 360(12): 1179-1190, ABSTRACT...
Black men who smoke are 48 percent more likely to develop lung cancer than white male smokers have found a possible ...
Posted by tobaccowatch.org Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 5:46 PM 0 comments Links to this post
E-cigarettes need to establish efficacy and safety - FIRST..
March 24, 2009 - New Jersey Senator Frank R. Lautenberg is asking the government to prevent the sale of so-called "electronic cigarettes" until more is known about them.
E-cigarettes are marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking and as a way to kick the habit. They are smokeless and battery-powered, releasing a nicotine vapor into the lungs. Senator Lautenberg wrote the FDA Monday (3/23/2009) warning that there have been no clinical studies verifying such claims or assessing their long-term health effects.
Approval of e-cigarettes by the FDA is needed to justify its efficacy and safety prior to selling the product in the United States. New products containing nicotine have been pushed to the marketplace in recent months without the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Already with the growing nationwide push to ban indoor smoking, some e-cigarette manufacturers have been selling their product as legal to use in restaurants, bars, shopping malls and airplanes. Lautenberg: "I believe the FDA must take immediate action to take these products off the market" until they can be tested."
E-Cigarettes Lack Evidence of Health Benefits..
An FDA spokeswoman says the agency will respond directly to the senator regarding his concerns.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids applauded Senator Frank Lautenberg's call for the Food and Drug Administration to exert its authority and immediately remove e-cigarettes from the market..
Reference: US Senator: Pull plug on electronic cigarettesby KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press, 3/24/2009.
South Carolina a magnet for cigarette black market..
March 24, 2009 - Since 1977, the state's tax has stayed at 7 cents per pack. That's 10 cents less than the next lowest state (Missouri) and $2.68 per pack less than the state with the highest tax (New York). Considering that the average tax nationwide is $1.21, buying cigarettes in South Carolina and trucking them to another state can be very lucrative.
There are two ways smugglers operate, said Earl Woodham, spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office in North and South Carolina. Smugglers buy lots of cigarettes at discount stores, usually in North or South Carolina which do not place stamps on packs making them untraceable. They take the cigarettes to places like New York City where smokers not only pay $2.75 per pack in taxes, but an additional $1.50 in taxes from the city for a total of $4.25 per pack. And that doesn't include the federal taxes and the cost of the cigarettes.
The other way smugglers operate is to steal trailer loads of cigarettes and take them to higher taxing states, he said. There are estimates that smugglers can make a $1 million from a tractor trailer load of stolen cigarettes.
Woodham said the smuggling problems won't change even if South Carolina adds a proposed 50 cent per pack tax. The difference is still so great that the state would need to raise it to $4 per pack to stop the black market trade to New York.
Reference: South Carolina a magnet for cigarette black market, AikensStandard.com, 3/23/2009.
More on cigarette black market: As tobacco prices rise - increase in illegal cigarette trafficing..
South Carolina attempts to increase tobacco tax.. South Carolina - legislators eager to pass cigarette tax increase - the odds are against them??; South Carolina to spend NO money on tobacco prevention..; South Carolina (SC) will NOT devote any resources to anti-smoking programs..; In 2008 will the politicians do what's right for the State of South Carolina??; South Carolina - Tobacco Tax Increase Killed - State House Fails to Override Governor's Veto.. and Tobacco Tax Increase – What’s Wrong with South Carolina??
March 24, 2009 - Smokers have all but stopped purchasing cigarettes by the carton in Rogers, Ark., retailers told The Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Instead, they buy packs of cigarettes in Rogers with which to get by until they can drive to Missouri, 25 miles north, where cigarettes are less expensive, by as much as $10 per carton. Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - Arkansas governor signs tobacco tax increase.. Wednesday, February 18, 2009. On March 1, Arkansas also raised the tax on other tobacco products by 36% on the selling price, up from 32%, for a total rate of 68%.
Vicky Rasnick, owner of a Jiffy Kwick convenience store in Rogers, said her cigarette sales are down about 50% so far in March. "It's awful," she told the newspaper. "Our carton sales are almost none. I've been here 22 years, and this is the worst I've seen it. This month is the single biggest hit we've ever had."
The cost of a carton of cigarettes has jumped by about $10, if not more, so far in March, said the report. Arkansas implemented a new $5.60 per carton tax on March 1, after House Bill 1204 was passed by the Legislature on February 12 and became Act 180. Adding to the burden, major cigarette manufacturers are raising prices at the wholesale level. Then federal government's new $6.17 per carton excise tax goes into effect on April 1, 2009.
Prices per carton at the Jiffy Kwick ranged from $38.99 for Sonoma to $50.49 for Marlboro, before sales taxes, the report added.
Ismail and Jodi Qasem plan to close their Balila Smoke Shop at 2500 N. 17th St. in Rogers at the end of the month. They have owned the shop since August. "I'm going to go bankrupt," Jodi Qasem told the paper. "This is our life savings right here. We were doing fine. Then it just went boom. The manufacturers started raising all the prices."
On March 9, Phillip Morris USA raised the price of Marlboro, its most popular brand, and eight other brands by $7.10 per carton. That's on top of a 90 cent per carton increase last month, bringing the price for a carton of Marlboros to more than $50 in northwestern Arkansas. Phillip Morris increased the price on 10 other brands, including Merit and Saratoga, by $8.07 per carton March 9. That move came after a $1.80 per carton increase February 9 on those 10 brands.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which makes Camel and Kool cigarettes, raised its carton prices March 16. The increases vary from a minimum of $4.10 per carton for some brands to $7.80 for others.
Missouri has the second-lowest state tax on cigarettes in the country, the report said. It charges $1.70 per carton in state taxes, compared with $11.50 per carton in Arkansas, which is 60 cents below the national average. Theoretically, that should make the average carton of cigarettes about $10 cheaper in Missouri.
Related news briefs: C-stores adjusting to SCHIP tobacco price increases..,
, As tobacco prices rise - increase in illegal cigarette trafficing.., Besides federal tax increase - several states want to do the same.., FDA regulation the other shoe to drop...
Reference: Packing It In? Arkansas retailers reporting sharp decline in cigarette carton sales, CSP (Convenience Store Petroleum) Daily News, 3/24/2009.
Dissolving Tobacco Hits Columbus, OH Test Market - see VIDEO..
March 24, 2009 - COLUMBUS, Ohio - has had it fill of being a test site for smokeless tobacco products. We wonder why the good people have not revolted yet..
First it was R.J. Reynolds' (RJR) Camel SNUS, then Lorillard's Triumph SNUS (SNUS made by Swedish Match) followed by Liggett's Grand Prix Snus NOW one of the three test sites (others Portland, OR, Indianapolis, IN)for test marketing Camel Dissolvable products. We now know why RJR selects Portland, Oregon.
We have no problem with inveterate tobacco smokers (smokers who are either unable or unwilling to quit) from using smokeless tobacco products. But it is impossible to limit distribution to only this group of individuals. Our children our future leader will be the ones that will suffer resulting in a life of being totally dependent on nicotine never able to achieve their full potential. You can see the way tobacco companies such as as RJR are promoting and distributing these products they are not being selective on how this is done.
Columbus is a test market for the product—dissolvable tobacco—little orbs, sticks and tiny pouches that dissolve in your mouth. The new product that’s advertised as cold, fresh and refreshing sounds like a soft drink or gum. But, it’s not gum and doctors think what’s in it could kill you.
The ad says you pop it under your lip, wait for the tingle and enjoy the taste for 30 minutes. There’s no smoke or cigarette, but plenty of nicotine. Take a look is it a Camel ORBs or Tic Tacs - both are flavored, look like candy and have attractive packaging. “The brain doesn’t know if it’s a cigarette or a lozenge or a strip you’re getting the nicotine from. You addict the exact same way,“ said Dr. Robert Crane, former chairman of Smoke Free Ohio. “Do you think big tobacco is trying to create a new generation of addicts?“ NBC 4‘s Colleen Marshall asked. “They’ve been trying to create generations of addicts successfully for the last hundred years and we have not been able to stop them,“ Crane said. But the tobacco companies will tell you the new products are alternatives to cigarettes and for smokers who can no longer light up in public, they offer relief.
David Howard, spokesman for RJ Reynolds tobacco company: These are marketed to adult tobacco consumers—an informed decision without bothering others, there is no second hand smoke, there’s no spitting and there’s no litter.“
“They may be safer for adult smokers. It melts in your mouth and not in your lungs. However, for kids, this is a much more dangerous first hook into nicotine and therein lies the rub,“ Crane said. Crane also said kids are more vulnerable than ever. Because the administration of Gov. Ted Strickland redirected the $230 million anti-tobacco fund to provide state budget relief.
But, state health officials said they do have anti-smoking programs. “We have a number of efforts. We have our quit line, many grants to hospitals through our community grant program and also do enforcement of smoke free Ohio,“ said Dr. Alvin Jackson, director of the Ohio Department of Health.
But, will it be enough to combat the campaign that includes a massive free handout of the new smoke free tobacco products? “Every time we find a way to stop them in one arena, they go around,“ Jackson said.
Reference: Dissolving Tobacco Hits Columbus Test Market by Denise Yost - Managing Editor, nbc4i.com, 3/23/2009.
A few related news briefs: Portland, Oregon - Camel ORBS - candy-like tobacco tablets.., U.S. - A contradiction H.R. 1261 Youth Prevention and Tobacco Harm Reduction.., R.J. Reynolds Smokeless so safe - not fair to tax.??, U.S. group acknowledged that smokeless-tobacco products are an option for reducing health risks for tobacco users.., Poison Control Centers - Camel Dissolvables - Nicotine Toxicity.., Nasal snuff another harm reduction product.., Why does R.J. Reynolds Tobacco keep on selecting Portland, OR as a test site.., Camel Tobacco Dissolvables - Natl Assoc of Attorneys General - wait and see!!, STOP the Release of Dissolvable Tobacco Products..; We must stop the launch of dissolvable tobacco products..; Reynolds America moving ahead with dissolvable tobacco products..; STOP - the Proliferation of Flavored Tobacco Products..; R.J. Reynolds Dissolvables - it looks like candy.. and Snus News & Other Tobacco Products: STOP - the Proliferation of Flavored Tobacco Products..
NYC can move forward with reservation cigarette lawsuit..
March 23, 2009 - Judge Carol Bagley Amon of Federal District Court for the Eastern District in Brooklyn ruled today, March 17, 2009 that the stores were not protected from the City’s lawsuit by sovereign immunity, which can bar lawsuits against certain Indian tribes and tribal businesses. The lawsuit filed in federal court back in September 2008 accuses the small cluster of shops on the Poospatuck Indian Reservation of breaking state and federal law by selling massive quantities of cigarettes to bootleggers, who then smuggle the cartons off the reservation and resell them throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
The court found that the cigarette sellers located on the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic, Long Island, did not meet the factors that are necessary to show that the cigarette businesses were operating as part of the tribe’s own economic activity, in part because the store owners, not the tribe itself, profited from the businesses.
The tax losses from the sales by the eight businesses named in the lawsuit alone amount to $195 million for the City and an additional $525 million for the Stat
The cigarettes are sold in the City, not only giving rise to the tax losses described above but injuring legitimate businesses and undercutting smoking prevention programs.
The ruling was announced by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Finance Commissioner Martha Stark and Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo Monday in the City’s case against cigarette dealers located on a Long Island Indian reservation that serves as a major source of bootlegged cigarettes into New York City.
Reference: Judge: NYC can move forward with reservation cigarette lawsuit; rejects 'sovereignty' defense by Michael A. Harris - NY Government Examiner, examiner.com, 3/17/2009.
NC Senators - alternative tobacco regulation bill..
March 23, 2009 - North Carolina's two senators, Republican Sen. Richard Burr and first-year Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan, have submitted joint legislation called the Federal Tobacco Act of 2009 (Burr-Hagan Bill) that would protect the state's tobacco interests from stringent oversight and save tobacco company billions.
Burr and Hagan want to create a separate agency that they say would do a better job of monitoring the tobacco industry than the FDA. The House Energy & Commerce Committee approved alternative legislation H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act (the Waxman Bill), by a vote of 39 to 13 earlier in March. This legislation will give U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the marketing and sales of tobacco.
Tobacco directly employs more than 47,000 people in North Carolina, according to a 2006 study by Duke University. The state agriculture agency estimates the crop has a $7 billion annual impact. In 2005, nearly 24,000 people in North Carolina died from smoking related illnesses.
Under the Burr-Hagan bill, a new agency would restrict some advertising and require a list of ingredients on cigarette and smokeless tobacco packaging. It would not restrict the products' content. The new agency envisioned by Burr and Hagan would cost about $100 million a year, far less than the hundreds of millions a year that would eventually go to the FDA to regulate tobacco under the Waxman bill. Both versions impose fees on tobacco companies to pay for the regulation.
Tobacco groups and employees have given $355,000 in campaign contributions to Burr since he first got elected to Congress in 1995, election records shows. That's second only to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, from tobacco-growing Kentucky, who has accepted $390,000 from the industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Burr's top overall contributor, with $194,000 in donations, is R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and its parent company, which is based in the senator's hometown, Winston-Salem. (Burr key tobacco funds recipient by Lisa Zagaroli, Charlotte Observer, 3/22/2009.) Kay Hagan's is from nearby Greensboro, NC - she received $19,450 from tobacco contributors in 2008. She has stopped short of saying she would filibuster FDA regulation.
Reference: Burr, Hagan join on tobacco Their bill fights tougher regulation by Barbara Barrett - Washington Correspondent, The News & Observer, 3/14/2009.
Archive of Supporting Documentation: U.S. House committee approves FDA tobacco regulation bill..; U.S. House considers legislation for FDA to regulate tobacco..; U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce - legislation to regulate tobacco..; Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids - Need for FDA Regulation of Tobacco..; February 2009 - legislation FDA to regulate tobacco..; FDA Regulation Likely for Tobacco - Let's Do It RIGHT..; President--Elect Barack Obama and Tobacco..; Revise Senate's Version FDA Tobacco Regulation Bill..; FDA tobacco regulation - bill distorted in current form..; AWMA urges grassroots effort to defeat FDA tobacco regulation and SCHIP.."; More - Lorillard-Newport - FDA proposed tobacco regulation..; FDA Tobacco Regulation Bill Overwhelmingly Passed U.S. House..; House to Vote on FDA Regulation of Tobacco..; Bush administration opposes legislation to give FDA authority to regulate tobacco products...; With U.S. FDA tobacco regulations on the horizon Altria already preparing to circumvent the law..; Public health experts are questioning why menthol flavoring in cigarettes, received special protection as Congress tries to regulate tobacco..; Lorillard Tobacco opposes US FDA bill to regulate tobacco..; FDA regulation moves a step closer..; On Tuesday April 1, 1970 President Richard Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect in January 1,..; FDA regulatory control tobacco bill is voted forward..; Reject Proposed Legislation That Would Add Responsibility For Tobacco Regulation to the FDA..; FDA Head: 'No' to Tobacco Cigarettes too "inherently dangerous" to regulate; would "undermine mission."; Federal tobacco regulation backed...; On July 18, 2007, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee postponed a vote on the bill - which would for the first time allow...
Posted by tobaccowatch.org Monday, March 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Portland, Oregon - Camel ORBS - candy-like tobacco tablets..
March 23, 2009 - They may look like mints but they’re loaded with nicotine. They’re called Orbs, the first dissolvable tobacco product introduced by a major tobacco company, R.J. Reynolds. The tablets hit the Portland market in January, the same month the city became smoke free in restaurants and bars.
Oregon Partnership, a nonprofit group that works to prevent drug abuse among teens says the Orbs are a danger to young people.
The tablets have some teenagers doing a double take. "It just looks like a normal mint and if it weren't in that container it would be easy to pass of as a regular mint," said Alex Hailey. “It's a tobacco product with nicotine it's addictive unfortunately kids will probably be attracted to it," said Pete Schulberg. A comparison of Camel Orbs with Tic Tacs which one is the candy - both are flavored and presented in attractive packaging.
But Reynolds denies marketing to kids, saying Orbs are meant for adults. The products are marked with warnings, it may cause mouth cancer and it’s not a safe alternative to cigarettes. While the products may be less harmful because they are smoke-free, they still contain nicotine and can be addictive, no matter what your age.
Comments regarding this article: *-Um I would just like to say, I tried one of these hyped up mints. They are the nastiest thing I have EVER tried, could not have been in mouth 3 seconds. **-This is an obvious attempt to set the hook at a young age so RJ Reynolds has another generation of addicts to fill their coffers and personally it pisses me off.
Reference: Some say candy-like tobacco tablets a danger to teens, By JANE SMITH, KGW Staff, 3/20/2009.
Lorillard - essentially a one-product company - Newport cigarettes..
March 23, 2009 - Barron's online (week of March 23, 2009) - One of the most valuable and lucrative, if controversial, consumer products in the world is Newport cigarettes. Newport's manufacturer, Lorillard, essentially is a one-product company. It has a market value of more than $10 billion, roughly equal to that of Heinz (HNZ) or Campbell Soup (CPB). Newport, gives Lorillard 94% of its revenue, 92% of its volumes, 34% share of all menthol cigarette sales in the US, as well as an overall domestic tobacco market share of 10%. Menthol Market Share Comparison..
While smaller than rivals Reynolds American (RAI) and Altria (MO), Greensboro, N.C.-based Lorillard has the highest profit margins in the U.S. cigarette industry. It also has one of the best growth outlooks, thanks to the strength of the Newport menthol brand, which is popular with black and Hispanic smokers, particularly in the Northeast.
Lorillard Inc could be a takeover target, perhaps at a "sizable" premium to its current share price, according to the latest issue of Barron's. Possible Tobacco Mergers/Acquisitions Involving Lorillard.. - March 17, 2009.
There lately has been talk that Reynolds (RAI.N), maker of the Camel (a growth brand - R.J. Reynolds focuses its investment in Camel and Pall Mall to accelerate the brands' market-share growth and to drive the brands for long-term, accelerated growth and profit.), Winston and Kool brands (both are support brands - R.J. Reynolds will put limited marketing support behind these brands and focus on balancing the brands' scale and long-term profit.), might buy Lorillard for a sizable premium above the recent share price of $61," Barron's reports in its March 23 issue. It said Reynolds and Lorillard declined to comment.
Barron's also reports that, "If Lorillard does go on the block, there could a bidding war that includes Reynolds, Britain's Imperial Tobacco, Japan Tobacco and perhaps even Philip Morris International."
The article said that even if Lorillard is not a takeover target, its shares may be undervalued. "Lorillard has the best developed-market tobacco business in the world," David Adelman, the cigarette analyst at Morgan Stanley, was quoted as saying.
Lorillard cannot do what some competitors have done and focus on overseas for growth. In 1977 Lorillard sold the rights for international sales of its cigarette brands to British American Tobacco (BAT). (TobaccoWatch.org)
Reference: Barron's Online (March 23, 2009) Will Lorillard Meet Its Match? Lorillard's thriving Newport cigarette brand makes the company an attractive takeover target. Why Reynolds may be interested, by Andrew Bary, Barron's pgs: 23 and 24, 3/23/2009 Lorillard could be takeover target - Barron's, Reporting by Paul Thomasch; editing by Richard Chang, Reuters, 2/22/2009.
March 22, 2009 - Budget shortfalls are pushing more than 20 states to look to tobacco for revenue, even those that have long been loath to touch cigarette taxes. Tobacco lobbyists have argued that a 62-cent increase in the federal cigarette tax that will go into effect in April overburdens smokers and will drive down state collections. But the federal increase does not seem to have derailed state efforts, in part because smokers cannot avoid it by crossing state lines.
In the South, where such taxes have been lower than in the rest of the country, Arkansas has nearly doubled its tax, to $1.15 a pack, and Kentucky’s will double, to 60 cents, on April 1. Mississippi’s tax on cigarettes, at 18 cents a pack the nation’s third-lowest, has not been raised since 1985. With the federal stimulus package passed cigarette tax had lost momentum. But with Gov. Haley Barbour (a former tobacco lobbyist, non-longer opposed to an increase, state lawmakers have gone from giving little thought to a tobacco tax increase to arguing over how much the tax should go up and where the money should go.
Increases are also under consideration in other tobacco-growing states like North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. With estimated state budget shortfalls nearing $50 billion, opponents of smoking see an opportunity to make headway with the most reluctant lawmakers.
States whose cigarette taxes are already high are also considering increases. In Oregon, now at $1.18 a pack, Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski has proposed a 60-cent increase. In New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine is asking the Legislature for a 12.5-cent increase over the current $2.58. New York has the highest state tax on cigarettes, $2.75 a pack.
A 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by 3 percent to 5 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and deters young people from picking up the smoking habit.
Reference: States Look at Tobacco to Balance the Budget by SHAILA DEWAN, The New York Times, 3/20/2009.
Posted by tobaccowatch.org Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 8:35 AM 0 comments Links to this post
March 22, 2009 - As part of Reynolds America's initiatives to move ahead with its smokeless-tobacco products they have started again advertising Camel SNUS. Magazines where Reynolds mentioned that ads could be found include: Sports Illustrated, People, Rolling Stone and Car & Driver. (Reynolds has not run print ads for its cigarettes brands for the past 15 months.
Click to see examples of ads appearing in these magazine.
Here's some examples of ads Reynolds has run in entertainment sections of community newspapers.
As an added treat for our loyal readers - here's the cover (front and back) of CSP independent magazine (published five times a year) for March 2009. You've seen the badgers clerks where in c-stores already.
Click on images to enlarge..
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line212
|
__label__wiki
| 0.733629
| 0.733629
|
New Church at Tongwynlais
Jack Davies | August 20, 2019 August 20, 2019
This month we’re stepping back in time to 1875, when the foundation stone for St Michael’s Church was laid. The Western Mail reported on the ceremony, which took place on 10th June 1875. There’s lots of fascinating information and details about village life in the 19th century.
For more history and images of the village and Castell Coch, visit our dedicated history page.
On Thursday the foundation stone of the new church, which it is intended to erect at Tongwynlais, was laid with befitting ceremony. For a long time past it had been felt that the church accommodation in this increasing little village was quite inadequate to its requirements, and it was therefore resolved by several of the principal people in the neighbourhood that a great effort should be made to do away with any complaints that might, not unreasonably, exist in this respect. Active steps were accordingly taken, and soon, by means of a successful bazaar held at Cardiff, a grant from the Llandaff Diocesan Church Extension Society, and a hearty response to the appeal for assistance which the Church Committee had made, the funds were placed in such a position that further delay in commencing the building was unnecessary. So it was decided that the work should be pushed on at once, and, as it was impossible that any substantial progress could be effected until after the foundation stone had been laid, a gathering, having for its object the accomplishment of this necessary and interesting ceremony, took place at Tongwynlais on Thursday.
Tongwynlais Village Then and Now
The village is one of the prettiest little places in the district, and it is astonishing, therefore, that situated as it is, only five or six miles from Cardiff, it should not have received that attention to which, on account of its charming situation and natural beauties, it is undoubtedly entitled. Nestling in a green valley, through which the Taff winds its course on towards Cardiff and the sea, and overlooked by the superbly wooded hill, from Castell Coch, at the summit of which a glorious view of the broad expanse which stretches from Newport to Cowbridge can be obtained, the village only requires to be lighted up by a fair amount of sunshine in order that it may become one of the most pleasant places conceivable for the performance of such a ceremony as the which it on Thursday witnessed. Sunshine to a man in his counting-house or his shop is generally very acceptable, but he is seldom found to indulge either in a paroxysm of joy when it is present, or of grief when a dark cloud takes the place of the clear blue, and the heavy raindrops begin pattering on the pavement outside his window. Sunshine, however, was to the people of Tongwynlais on Thursday a matter of very great consequence indeed, for was not the foundation stone of the new St. Michael’s Church to be laid; had not a silver trowel and a silver-mounted mallet come all the way from London; were not the said trowel and mallet to play a very prominent part in the day’s proceedings; and now, did not the rain appear likely to spoil everything? No doubt these were the questions passed from one villager to another as the rain, after coming down steadily all the morning, gained new strength about noon, and continued for a couple of hours to lash the roadways of the village with such fury that in short time the mud was ankle deep, and a walk of a dozen yards meant a wetting to the skin. About two o’clock, however, a gratifying change came over the weather, and the force of the rain suddenly ceasing, a gentle downpour succeeded. This soon ceased, and the dark clouds clearing as if by magic, revealed the good-natured face of the sun smiling down upon the place from a setting of clear sky as though he would say, “Cheer up I see I have gone quite far enough in the direction of lowering your spirits. Now, behold what I can do?” And the sun did do something too. He dried the roads that an hour before were nearly impassable, he permitted the villagers to venture forth from their dwellings, and to cluster in groups round the shop of Mr. Jeremy, where, in the most prominent place in the window lay the case which contained the trowel and the mallet, of which previous mention has been made, and he disposed of the very grave problems whether the ceremony must not either have to be put off or rendered a failure. There was no longer any fear on that score; the sun had completely answered the question, and the public answered it too, for now they began to appear in bright garments and Sunday suits, and to make their way towards the old church, from the belfrey of which came forth a sound which indicated that the hour was at hand, or to gather round the stone so soon to be laid in its bed, over which the silver trowel would be deftly passed. The party that had made for the church formed a procession, and marched to the site, on which, in the course of the next twelvemonth, will be raised a building of which Upper Whitchurch will have reason to be justly proud.
The stone, which was a handsome, well-proportioned block, was suspended by means of a crane, and close to the bed, into which at the proper moment it would sink, was a platform elevated a few inches above the adjoining ground. This space was reserved, and among those who were privileged to occupy it were the following :- Mrs. and the Misses Booker, Velindra; Mr., Mrs., and Mr, H. Lewis, jun., Greenmeadow; the Rev. J. J. Powell and Mrs. Powell, Tongwynlais; Mrs, Davies, the Vicarage, Whitchurch; the Rev. Mr. Parry and family, Tongwynlais; Mr. E, and Mrs. Griffiths; Rev. Horatio and Mrs. Thomas, Pentyrch; Rev. E. Jenkins, Whitchurch; Rev. G. W. Jones, St. Catharine’s. Pontypridd; Mr. Haddock, Whitchurch; Rev. G. B. Jones, Tenby; and Mr. Mardge, choirmaster. The crowd, which, by the time the platform was filled, was a very numerous one, having gathered round, the Rev. J. J. Powell, the curate in charge of Tongwynlais, arrayed in his surplice, stepped to the front, and commenced reading the order of service suitable for such an occasion. He spoke calmly and distinctly, and every sentence that he uttered could be heard without difficulty by all present. The responses were heartily joined in, and the singing of the choir reflected much credit upon Mr. Mardge, their instructor. Their rendering of the hymn commencing –
The Lord of Hosts, whose glory fills
The bounds of the eternal hills,
was especially good. After that portion of the services commencing, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious,” had been gone through, a bottle was placed upon the mortar in such a position that it would fit into a cavity in the foundation stone which hung immediately overhead. In this bottle were several coins of the present year’s date, and a parchment, on which were engrossed the following words :-
“In the faith of Jesus Christ this foundation stone is placed by Mabel Booker (eldest daughter of Thomas Williams Booker (of Velindra), and Henry Lewis, of Green Meadow, and dedicated to St. Michael, in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, June 10th, 1875.”
Miss Booker then touched the mortar with the trowel, and a signal being given, the stone was lowered into its bed. Mr, Lewis, jun., Greenmeadow, next struck the stone with the mallet, and the ceremony was declared to be complete.
The trowel was of solid silver, exquisitely designed, with an ivory handle, and on the face of it, as well as on the mallet, which was of boxwood, with a circular silver plate inserted in the head, was the following inscription (the blank here left being filled with the name of Miss Booker or Mr. Lewis) :- “Presented to —–, on the laying down of the Foundation Stone. St. Michael’s Church, Tongwynlals, Whitchurch.”
The trowel case was of brown morocco, inlaid with gilt, and lined with violet satin and velvet. The trowel and mallet having been handed about on the platform for inspection, were presented to Miss Booker and Mr. Lewis by the Rev. J. J. Powell. After the ceremony had been brought to a conclusion, the Rev. Horatio Thomas made a few remarks, in the course of which he referred to the sermon by Dean Swift from the text, “He that giveth unto the poor lendeth to the Lord.” He knew nowhere, he said, that was so much in want of a place of worship in connection with the Established Church as that place, which seemed to have been overlooked for a number of years, until certain kindly disposed people took the matter in hand. He did not know what the result might be, but they might rest assured that it would not be an appeal in vain. The church was to be built almost exclusively for the good of the inhabitants of the place, who were, as they knew, not of the wealthy classes. He could only say that he hoped the foundation stone which had been laid that day would be the means of glorifying God, and of promoting the eternal spiritual welfare of the neighbourhood. He thought they could not do better than offer their sincere thanks to those who had taken such a warm interest in the building. The reverend gentleman having concluded his observations, the assembly dispersed. A luncheon was afterwards served to the clergy and others by Mr. Whitney, of the Lewis’s Arms Hotel, Tongwynlais.
The following details of the contemplated new church may be of interest :- It will be built from the plans of Mr. John Prichard, diocesan architect, and the work will be carried out by Mr. Franklin, contractor, of Splotlands, Cardiff, who has had great experience in the building of ecclesiastical structures. The church will be in the early English style, and will consist of a nave, a chancel, a south porch, and a vestry. The belfry will be at the west end, and there will be large east and west windows. The walling will be of native stone, quarried on the Greenmeadow estate, and given by Mr. Lewis, and the dressings will be of box ground stone. The roof is to be open bordered work, covered with small green Penmoyle tiles, and the aisles and chancel will be floored with tiles from the works of Messrs. Godwin and Co., of Lugwardine, near Hereford. The pulpit, stalls, pews, &c., will be of pitched pine, and the building is designed to comfortably seat about 300 persons. The sand used in the building will be given by Mr. Booker. The site, which is central, is the very best that could be selected, and was chosen by Mrs. Lewis. The ground will not be all built upon, but there will be a very pleasant approach, which, when planted with grass and railed in, will have from the road an exceedingly good effect. The total cost will be about £2,000, of which upwards of £1,300 has been already subscribed*. We may state, in conclusion, that Mr. T. W. Booker was absent through illness, and Mr. Prichard, the architect, was not present, having an important engagement in England.
*The Bank of England’s Inflation Calculator works out that goods and services valued at £2,000 in 1875 would cost £226,693.88 in 2018.
Categories History Post navigation
Seven Years On: Looking Back
About Jack Davies
Founder and editor of Tongwynlais.com and mycardiffnorth.com.
1 thought on “New Church at Tongwynlais”
Gale Jolly
How very interesting, I really enjoyed reading that – I wonder where the trowel and mallet are now, if they are still about and if the bottle with the coins in is still in the foundation stone. I love the way this is written, they don’t write articles like this anymore. Thanks Jack for posting.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line217
|
__label__wiki
| 0.919942
| 0.919942
|
HOME / News / Construction Industry Leader M.A. 'Mort' Mortenson Jr. Dies at 82
Construction Industry Leader M.A. 'Mort' Mortenson Jr. Dies at 82
Mortenson led firm for decades and built one of largest construction companies in the United States.
Burl Gilyard
M.A. “Mort” Mortenson Jr.—past president, CEO, and chairman of Golden Valley-based construction firm M.A. Mortenson Co.—died on Saturday at age 82 after a battle with cancer.
Mortenson’s father, M.A. Mortenson Sr., founded the company in 1954; when the younger Mortenson joined the company in 1960 – specifically on June 6, 1960, per company history – he was only its fourth employee. He became president in 1969, president and CEO in 1975, and added chairman to his title in 1980.
Today Mortenson is one of the largest construction firms in the U.S. The trade publication Engineering News-Record ranked the firm as the nation’s 16th largest based on $4.6 billion in revenue for 2018. The company, which now has more than 7,500 employees, ranks as Minnesota’s second largest privately-held company behind Cargill.
Mortenson served as CEO until 2008 and chairman until 2015. His son David Mortenson, who started working for the company in 1991, was named chairman in 2015 as part of a long-planned transition.
“Until he got ill, he was in the office five days a week,” David Mortenson told Twin Cities Business. “That was well into his 70s.”
The firm has become known as a national builder of stadiums and arenas. Local projects have included U.S. Bank Stadium, TCF Bank Stadium, and Allianz Field.
“His favorite thing to do was walk a project site with a superintendent. And he didn’t take a 30-minute job-site tour. He wanted to understand in detail all the challenges and risks that the team was facing, and he wanted to connect with the people,” said David Mortenson. “When he went on a job site, he shook the hands of every foreman, he talked to the craftsmen and women. His father and his grandfather both were carpenters, and he had a deep respect for the true builders in our business.”
Mortenson was named to Twin Cities Business’ Hall of Fame in 2007.
“In terms of lessons that I learned from my dad, business is about people, culture, and values,” said David Mortenson.
Mortenson served on numerous boards over the years. He had been on the board of trustees at St. Paul-based Macalester College for more than four years and was still on the board at the time of his death.
“I got to know him initially through Westminster Presbyterian Church. Macalester is founded by the Presbyterian church and Mort was very connected at Westminster,” said Brian Rosenberg, president of Macalester. “He became very taken by Macalester’s mission. We’re really focused on having a global perspective and on service, and those are both things that were very important to him. He sort of fell in love with the college. He didn’t attend Macalester, but I think he saw it as an asset to the community.”
Rosenberg said that Mortenson brought an important perspective to the board.
“He was a very, very successful business person. One of the things that the board is responsible for doing is fiduciary management of the college. … Having someone with experience leading a large organization is really useful on the board, and he brought that,” said Rosenberg. “Macalester is in his debt for his service and we are very saddened by his loss.”
In 2011, Twin Cities Business gave Mortenson a Minnesota Family Business Award.
Herb Tousley, director of real estate programs at the University of St. Thomas, said that Mortenson he leaves a strong legacy.
“He was a visionary in our business and took that company a long way to get it to the point where it is today. … He did a tremendous job of not only building a company, but building an organization of good people,” Tousley said. “People have worked there for a long time; a lot of people have. To me that’s a testament that it’s a good culture: People like to work there.”
Vikings’ Eagan Office Building Is Filling Up
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line218
|
__label__cc
| 0.726506
| 0.273494
|
Podcast Episode 21 – Olympic Marathon Trials
Chris SmithFebruary 5, 2016
http://teamshenanigans.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/21-Olympic-Marathon-Trials.mp3
In this episode we welcome Runner’s World Senior Editor Scott Douglas to the show to give us a preview of the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials which will be held on Saturday, February 13th in Los Angeles. For the first time ever, the trials will be broadcast live on NBC, and also streamed over the internet, starting at 1pm Eastern.
We discuss the mechanics of the Olympic Marathon Trials, how to qualify, what runners stand a good chance of making the Olympic Team and what parts of the race viewers should be watching most closely in terms of race strategy. We also try to figure out what emotional stories connected to the race will make Caryn cry, and in the process, we make Caryn cry.
Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW the podcast on iTunes. It helps improve our ranking in search results, which means more people will have the opportunity to learn about the joy of running with friends and putting fun in your run.
We want to hear from you! Please follow @TeamShenanigans on Twitter and http://www.facebook.com/TeamShenanigansRunning on Facebook and let us know what you think of the show. If you have feedback, questions or suggestions for future podcasts, you can email us at podcast@TeamShenanigans.org.
Podcast Episode 20 – Run Less, Run Faster
Podcast Episode 22 – Princess Half Marathon Weekend Preview
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line219
|
__label__cc
| 0.538882
| 0.461118
|
redirecting to Pinboard
I had thought that I might be able to resume at least some blogging here, but it's just not going to happen. Too much to do — and soon I will begin blogging in support of my forthcoming book How to Think. Please keep an eye on that site, if thinking is the kind of thing you're into.
I am still of course fascinated by all the themes I have written about here, and am always reading about them. I keep track of much of my reading on my Pinboard page, and will try to remember to use the textpatterns tag to note things that might of of interest to my readers here.
Also, I have essays on Textpatterns-related topics coming out in the journal that hosts this blog, the good old New Atlantis, and also in The Hedgehog Review. I'll point to those, when the time comes, on Twitter.
Posted by Alan Jacobs at 8:18 PM 3 comments
Labels: housekeeping, Pinboard
Can anyone help me understand Ephraim Radner?
While I’m on the twofold subject of (a) reading outside my speciality and (b) asking for help, I want to say something about the theologian Ephraim Radner. Several people I know and admire very much have encouraged me to read Radner, whom they in turn admire very much, and for a good many years now I have tried, repeatedly. But there’s a problem. The problem is that I simply cannot understand what he is saying. I do not know that I’ve ever come across a writer — not even Jacques Lacan — who has defeated me as thoroughly as Radner has. And this genuinely worries me, because while most of these people will acknowledge that Radner is not the most elegant writer, none of them seem to have any trouble making sense of his writing, and seem befuddled by my befuddlement.
Let me take some illustrative examples from Radner’s recent book A Time to Keep: Theology, Mortality, and the Shape of a Human Life. Here is what he describes as his “central argument”:
To have a body and deploy it is bound up with the fact that we are born and we die within a short span of years. And this being born and dying is itself — in all its biology of connection, memory, and hope — a mirror of and vehicle for the truth of God’s life as our creator.
The first sentence there seems clear enough: we know our bodies only as dying bodies. That doesn’t seem like a controversial point, but assuming I have read it correctly, I move on to the next sentence — and immediately run aground. “Being born and dying” has, or is accompanied by, a “biology of connection,” but I have absolutely no idea what might be meant by “biology of connection.” I am not even able to hazard a serious guess: maybe something like, we are biologically wired to be connected to … each other? Or maybe to the rest of the created order, in that we eat other living things? And all this confusion comes before we get to the idea of a biology of memory and hope, which I find even more inscrutable.
But then it gets even tougher. Because this being born and dying, with its accompanying biologies, is a “mirror” of … it would be difficult enough if the rest of the sentence were “God’s life as our creator,” but the phrase “the truth of” comes first, so I am once more wholly at sea. Let’s try to unpack this. God has a life “as our creator,” which I assume must mean something like the life God experiences in relation to Creation, as opposed to the internal life of the Trinitarian godhead. The “truth of” this life is distinguished, I suppose, from false ideas about it? It is, then, the character of that life truly perceived? So that if we perceive the life of God-as-creator truly we will then see that it is a mirror of our lives? — but if so, is it a mirror in the sense of being its opposite, its reversal? And then the brevity of our lives is the “vehicle” by which we perceive the eternal life of our God as creator? Probably not, because God is eternal in himself, not just as our creator … but I’m out of guesses. I cannot make any sense out of this passage, or indeed out of Radner’s writing as a whole.
One might say that all this becomes clearer if you read the whole book. But I have read the whole book — my eyes have passed over every word, I have scribbled thoughts and queries in the margins — and I am no better off.
At the end of the book Radner comments that “the argument of this book has been that thinking about who we are as created human beings comes down to numbering our days,” and while the phrases “numbering our days” and “day-numbering” occur frequently in the book, I’m afraid I don’t know what they mean either. It sometimes seems to me that the whole book does not say anything more or other than what a priest whispers to me each Ash Wednesday, as he inscribes an ashy cross on my forehead: Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return. But there must be more to this book than that. Can anyone help me understand?
Labels: Reading, theology, Writing
how to mark your participation in an academic guild
This is just a brief follow-up to last night’s post on my personal blog about my experience reading biblical scholars. All scholarly guilds have their characteristic markers of valid participation, but they vary considerably. For biblical scholars those markers seem to be, as far as I can tell, largely structural: that is, as I explained in that post, monographs are expected to begin with a methodological introduction and a literature review. But in my field, literary study, the markers tend not to be structural but terminological. We can organize our monographs in a good many ways, but we need to signal our deference to guild sensibilities by deploying certain terms: in one era we needed to point to aporias in the texts we studied, while later on we needed to acknowledge our complicity in the very structures we sought to critique, or to speak with appropriate regretfulness about the power of patriarchy; later on still it was heteronormativity that needed to be acknowledged.
The rules were never specific, and we could always neglect certain terms if we made use of others that were equally au courant; but terminological markers have to be there for a book to be a guild book. It would be interesting to hear from various academics about what they perceive to be the key scholarly markers of membership in their own guilds. Comment below, perhaps? (I'm also to hear challenges to my thoughts on these matters.)
Posted by Alan Jacobs at 12:36 PM 0 comments
Labels: academe
The History of Disenchantment
Here's a brief description of a course I'll be teaching next semester:
In a wonderful early poem, "Merlin Enthralled," Richard Wilbur describes the way that magic drains from the Arthurian world when the wizard is no longer around to generate it:
Fate would be fated; dreams desire to sleep.
This the forsaken will not understand.
Arthur upon the road began to weep
And said to Gawen, "Remember when this hand
Once haled a sword from stone; now no less strong
It cannot dream of such a thing to do."
Their mail grew quainter as they clopped along.
The sky became a still and woven blue.
A hundred years ago the great sociologist Max Weber wrote that “The fate of our times is characterized by rationalization and intellectualization and, above all, by the disenchantment of the world” (Entzauberung der Welt). We experience this, he added, as an “iron cage” of rationalization. The purpose of this course is to explore Weber’s great thesis. Is it correct? If so, what are its consequences? What intellectual strategies have we formed to deal with this disenchantment, to break the bars of this iron cage? And if Weber’s thesis is not right, in what forms has an enchanted world persisted?
Major readings:
Weber, selected writings on the rationalized social order
Charles Taylor, A Secular Age
Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
Neil Gaiman, American Gods
Jason Josephson-Storm, The Myth of Disenchantment
Supplementary readings:
various essays on the “secularization thesis”
Hans Blumenberg, The Legitimacy of the Modern Age
Owen Chadwick, The Secularization of the European Mind in the Nineteenth Century (selections)
Leon Kass, The Beginning of Wisdom: Reading Genesis (selections)
Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic (selections)
C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien on the “enchantment of worldliness”
selected essays and excerpts by Marina Warner
The logic behind many of these choices should be clear -- it's obvious why Taylor's magnum opus will be the central text here -- but a few may need explanation. Gaiman's novel is a great case study in various culturally particular forms of enchantment and disenchantment, and a profound meditation on how technology affects both. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell explores the conditions and consequences of re-enchantment. Josephson-Storm's book puts some hard questions to Weber's thesis and to narratives of secularization more generally. Kass presents Genesis as an intrinsically disenchanting text from the outset, in which it demotes the sun, moon, and stars from the status of deities to that of mere created things -- big lights in the sky, worthy neither of worship nor of terror.
Comments and suggestions welcome.
Posted by Alan Jacobs at 9:38 AM 25 comments
Labels: disenchantment, fantasy, Max Weber, teaching
let joy be unconfined ...
... because there's a new Adam Roberts novel!
No one has yet said to me, “Of course you praise Adam Roberts’s novels, you’re his friend.” But if anyone ever did say that to me I’d reply that Adam and I have become friends in large part because I admire his novels — and his criticism as well. A few months back I commented to Adam that I couldn't remember how we first connected, and he reminded me that it was in the comments section of a now-silent website called The Valve. His posts there intrigued me, I commented, he replied, I decided to read one of his novels — and a friendship was born, one that I greatly value.
So ... am I prejudiced in his favor? Only in what we might call a Hazlittian sense, I would argue: I am prejudiced in favor of Adam’s writing because what I have read by him has consistently given me pleasure. And that is the right kind of prejudice to have.
Which brings me to The Real-Town Murders,which is a really good novel — you should read it. You should buy it. You also should support Adam’s completion of Anthony Burgess’s idea for a book, The Black Prince — please do, or the book won’t be published and I won't get to read it.
But back to The Real-Town Murders. It’s a fantastic read, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat stuff — but it’s also sometimes disorienting, and I want to emphasize the disorientation it produces, because that’s related to something Adam has written about before — with, I think, disarming honesty — which is, not to put too fine a point on it, his neglect by the SF world. Not complete neglect, mind you, but significant neglect, especially of a book with the ambition, profound intelligence, and emotional depth of The Thing Itself, about which I have written here. It’s in light of this neglect, and Adam’s understandable puzzlement at it, that I want to say something about The Real-Town Murders.
As I say, it’s a terrific thriller — Roberts writes masterful chase scenes — most of his books have chase scenes, and they’re always great — but it’s also kinda weird. For instance, it can be really hard in The Real-Town Murders to know if someone is dead. Sometimes you think people must be dead but they turn out not to be. At the risk of a spoiler, here’s an example:
‘You see,’ Pu said. ‘You see, you can’t reinvigorate the Real simply by decreeing it. You can’t make it happen by fiat. You have to make it more attractive than the Shine. More intriguing to the people who … Who …’ Her weight slumped away from Alma, and she struggled to continue holding her upright. But she had gone, and Alma was not strong enough. As slowly as she could she lowered Pu Sto’s body to the ground. The aircars banked overhead and came down into the turf fifteen metres away.
Pu Sto had fainted.
Fainted?? You said “she had gone,” and we know what that means! You said “her body”! Damn you, Roberts! So a little later on, when someone else seems to have been killed, I the reader am waiting, waiting, waiting for the revelation that my assumption was wrong ... again ... but no. This time the assumption is correct. (Isn’t it?)
Here’s another thing: sometimes in this book human language goes awry. That is, certain characters temporarily lose the ability to speak grammatically coherent sentences. Sometimes this happens to automated systems, bots, as:
‘Relevant company documentation and answer any question to podscrip pending in your legally permitted break for lunch,’ said the receptionist. It had been prodded into a less secure margin of its response algorithm.
‘Furious green ideas?’ Alma asked.
‘Profitability supersedes itself in a company atmosphere of positivity and,’ said the receptionist, smiling.
‘Realising that nothing changes,’ Alma tried, ‘change everything.’
‘Happy to leverage all options and drill down to the next level.’
‘Let me ask you a direct question: are you, in fact, not the Ordinary, but rather the Extraordinary Transport Consultancy?’
‘Thank you for your input,’ beamed the receptionist.
‘Teleportation?’ Alma tried. ‘Instant transportation devices?’
‘No comment,’ the receptionist replied, rather too rapidly, and shut down.
But it happens to human beings too — and Roberts never explains why. He just throws us into this weird world where sometimes humans, like digital machines, develop linguistic glitches — and perhaps for the same reasons, given that the future society he describes draws human beings closer and closer to as purely digital a world as can be managed. And there are people who just speak oddly, by my standards, for reasons that might be related to the online world called the Shine or because they have a regional accent that I don't know about or...?
‘I know he works in the world, but his free time is all online. All of it! And you need to own dare stand – I make sure he eats. He has always ate. He used to weight a hefty number. Loves his food. He comes to mine, and I feed him till his stomach bulges. Then it’s o mama and gut-ache mama and I see it shrink down.’
There’s even a (relatively minor) character — one whose language is still more distorted — whose name seems to change: for most of the book he’s called “Lester” but there’s a period where he’s called “Ernest,” and I don't know what to make of that, because, though I’m tempted to say that it’s just a copy-editing oversight, there's another minor character whose name changes repeatedly through the handful of pages in which we see her. (So I’m thinking: is Ernest someone different? Did I miss something? Surely I missed something. But I’m caught up in this story here and don't want to go back to be sure.)
With Roberts, you never know — this is my point. Roberts likes making fictional knight’s moves, which is another way of saying that he is a perverse rather than an accommodating writer. To me, this is endlessly delightful; I enjoy having my legs taken out from under me, from time to time, as I read. I laugh at how Roberts sneaks in a line from Pynchon here, a line from Shakespeare there. I love this novel’s extended, multi-faceted homage to and riff on Hitchcock — another guy who was good at chase scenes — who makes an uncredited appearance here, as he typically did in his own films, but whose name is never mentioned except as the provider of an epigraph for the novel’s second part: “Puns are the highest form of literature.”
It’s all enormous fun. But I suspect that there is a kind of reader — a quite common kind of reader — for whom it would be rather too much. Many readers like their fictional moves to be straight, like those of a rook, or (when they’re in an adventurous mood) on a diagonal, like those of a bishop. This starting out on one path and then suddenly veering off — well, it’s rather disorienting, isn't it? Rather perverse. I say: let Roberts do his thing! Take a ride! But many readers will simply prefer writers who are willing to do more to accommodate the most typical readerly expectations. It’s the way of the world. And this, I think, is why Adam Roberts hasn’t won a major SF award, though he has written several of the very finest SF novels of this millennium.
In addition to the pleasures it provides, The Real-Town Murders is also an extremely thoughtful meditation on one of the classic forms of literary pleasure. People have long asked “Why does tragedy give pleasure?”, which is a very good question — but one might equally well ask why thrillers give pleasure, why mysteries do — why death does, the sudden appearance of death in the midst of life. (In tragedies the most important death comes at the end; in mysteries it comes at the beginning.) It’s a question you might expect both Adam Roberts and Alfred Hitchcock to have some thoughts about. And they do. We could talk about those thoughts once you’ve read the novel.
Posted by Alan Jacobs at 8:17 AM 9 comments
Labels: Adam Roberts, Science Fiction
a great silence cometh
We’re going to have radio silence here at Text Patterns for a while — I’m coming to the end of a year of research leave and have a number of projects, small and large, that I need to wrap up before school resumes in August.
One of those projects is related to my previous post: Our social media put us in an odd situation in relation to words, our own and others’. People say things they don't mean, or that they declare afterwards that they don't mean; they retweet or report or link to statements that they later (when challenged) say they don't endorse. Every day we see people positioning themselves in oblique relation to language. Mikhail Bakhtin — early in his career, which is to say, early in the history of the Soviet Union, when people’s words were already landing them in prison — wrote of the moral imperative of being answerable for one’s language; Wendell Berry, in one of his most important essays, wrote of the inestimable value of “standing by words,” standing by what we say. It’s hard to imagine concepts more foreign to the way language is used on social media today. So I’m writing an essay about the restoration of answerability.
I’m also in the early stages of writing about the changing fortunes of the concept of nature, something that I discussed briefly in a few recent posts.
As usual, I’ll be posting images, links, and very brief reflections (often on Christian matters) at my personal blog.
I’m continuing to think about Anthropocene theology, but that’s going to be a very long-term project.
The next book I write, by the way, will be called Auden and Science.
And then I have various responsibilities concerning the books I’ve already written. How to Think: A Guide for the Perplexed — that’s the subtitle for the U.K. edition, which I like better than the one for the American edition — will be out this fall, and I’ll be involved in the publicity for that. Also, I’ll be blogging about some of the ideas of the book on that site.
The Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Intellectuals and Total War will be out next year from Oxford UP, and I have final revisions to do for that, plus all the questionnaire-answering and form-filling that accompany publication.
AND: I’ll need to start prepping for my fall classes! By the time I return I’ll have been fifteen months out of the classroom, and that’s a long time. I am itching to reconnect with students, believe it or not.
But the research leave was great. I got a lot of work done and have been refreshed by the opportunity to read and think and reflect. This past year also marked the end of a decade of illness in my family, which means that for the past few months I have had the strange and wonderful experience of not having to spend a lot of time caring for a sick loved one. (That’s taken me a while to get used to, oddly enough. I still wake up in the morning casting my mind around for the first thing I need to do for ... oh wait, everyone’s fine!) So I’ll be headed back into teaching with a lot of energy. Lord, may it please you that the next few years are like this one — for me personally, I mean. I’d prefer not to have any more years like this one in American politics.
Labels: housekeeping, self-promotion
I have many questions — real, deep, sincere questions — about this.
Does Katherine Dettwyler really believe that a person deserves torture and death for stealing a poster?
Or does she, rather, believe that a person deserves torture and death for being a clueless privileged culturally-imperialist white male?
Or does she, perhaps, believe that a person deserves not torture and death but maybe arrest for being a clueless privileged culturally-imperialist white male, and just wrote carelessly?
Is she right that a significant number of her white male students "think nothing of raping drunk girls at frat parties and snorting cocaine, cheating on exams, and threatening professors with physical violence"?
How do any or all of these beliefs affect her ability to do her job as a teacher?
How many college teachers share these beliefs?
Is this a situation in which no "beliefs" as such are involved, but Dettwyler's Facebook post was rather an unfocused spur-of-the-moment venting arising from frustration with a lousy job or lousy working conditions?
If your answer to the previous question is "Yes" or "Probably yes," how do you account for the fact that Dettwyler seems to have made very similar comments on blogs?
How might a tendency to go off on unfocused spur-of-the-moment venting arising from frustration with a lousy job or lousy working conditions affect a person's ability to do her or his job as a teacher?
Did the University of Delaware ask Dettwyler for an explanation of her post and/or comments?
Did the university ask her to apologize for them?
Suppose that she did apologize — would that be sufficient for her to keep her job?
What would the University of Delaware have done if a tenured faculty member had made precisely the same comments?
As those outside the academy go apoplectic over these matters, those inside the academy shrug. Is shrugging enough?
What does it mean that so many people these days wish death on strangers whom they dislike or disagree with?
Should we feel better when we're told that people don't really mean it when they, for instance, respond to a tweet expressing a view about English grammar by wishing an entire generation of Americans dead?
Like, if you don't really in your heart of hearts want those people you disagree with to die in a fire or be raped and tortured, then we don't have a problem? Is that the argument?
Presumably all of the above, and worse, has been said to Katherine Dettwyler since her Facebook post went public — does that help?
Does vigilante vengeance have limits?
Even if it's just verbal vengeance?
Is forgiveness a social good?
Labels: academentia, academic freedom, free speech, politics
historical knowledge and world citizenship
Few writers have meant as much to me, as consistently, over many years as Loren Eiseley — I say a bit about my teenage discovery of him in this essay. I am now writing a piece on the new Library of America edition of his essays for Education and Culture, and, man, is it going to be hard for me to keep it below book-length. I keep coming across little gems of provocation and insight. In lieu of buttonholing my family and making them listen to me read passages aloud — though I’m not saying I’ll never do that — I may post some choice quotations here from time to time.
Here’s a wonderful passage from the early pages of The Firmament of Time, Eiseley’s lapidary and meditative history of geology, or rather of what the rise of modern geology did to the human experience of time. I like it because it illuminates certain blind spots of today’s academics — and people more generally — and because it reminds us just how essential the study of history is.
Like other members of the human race, scientists are capable of prejudice. They have occasionally persecuted other scientists, and they have not always been able to see that an old theory, given a hairsbreadth twist, might open an entirely new vista to the human reason. I say this not to defame the profession of learning but to urge the extension of education in scientific history. The study leads both to a better understanding of the process of discovery and to that kind of humbling and contrite wisdom which comes from a long knowledge of human folly in a field supposedly devoid of it. The man who learns how difficult it is to step outside the intellectual climate of his or any age has taken the first step on the road to emancipation, to world citizenship of a high order.
He has learned something of the forces which play upon the supposedly dispassionate mind of the scientist; he has learned how difficult it is to see differently from other men, even when that difference may be incalculably important. It is a study which should bring into the laboratory and the classroom not only greater tolerance for the ideas of others but a clearer realization that even the scientific atmosphere evolves and changes with the society of which it is a part. When the student has become consciously aware of this, he is in a better position to see farther and more dispassionately in the guidance of his own research. A not unimportant by-product of such an awareness may be an extension of his own horizon as a human being.
Labels: academe, History, Loren Eiseley, science
Topsy-turvy, Tono-Bungay
In his blog-through of the works of H. G. Wells, Adam Roberts has reached Tono-Bungay, and there’s much food for thought in the post. Real food, not patent medicine like Tono-Bungay itself. Much of the novel, in Adam’s account, considers just that relationship: between the real and the unreal, the health-giving and the destructive, the truly valuable and mere waste — all the themes that Robertson Davies explores in The Rebel Angels and that are also, therefore, the chief concern of my recent essay on Davies, “Filth Therapy”.
Here I might quote Adam quoting some people who quote some other person:
Patrick Brantlinger and Richard Higgins quote William Cohen’s Introducing Filth: Dirt, Disgust, and Modern Life to the effect that ‘polluting or filthy objects’ can ‘become conceivably productive, the discarded sources in which riches may lie’, adding that ‘“Riches” have often been construed as “waste”’ and noting that ‘the reversibility of the poles — wealth and waste, waste and wealth — became especially apparent with the advent of a so-called consumer society during the latter half of the nineteenth century’ [‘Waste and Value: Thorstein Veblen and H. G. Wells’, Criticism, 48:4 (2006), 453].
This prompts me to want to write a sequel to “Filth Therapy,” though I clearly need to read Introducing Filth first.
It occurs to me that these are matters of longstanding interest to Adam, whose early novel Swiftly I have described as “excresacramental” — it was the first novel by Adam that I read, and given how completely disgusting it is, I’m rather surprised that I kept reading him. But he’s that good, even when he’s dirty-minded, as it were.
These themes make their way into fiction, I think, because of an ongoing suspicion, endemic now in Western culture if not elsewhere, that we have it all wrong, that we have valued what we should not have valued and vice versa, that we have built our house only having first rejected the stone that should be the chief cornerstone. As the old General Confession has it, “We have left undone those thinges whiche we ought to have done, and we have done those thinges which we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us.” This suspicion, which is often muted but never quite goes away, is perhaps the most lasting inheritance of Christianity in a post-Christian world: the feeling that we have not just missed the mark but are utterly topsy-turvy.
Christianity is always therefore suggesting to us the possibility of a “revaluation of all values,” a phrase that Nietzsche in The Antichrist used against Christianity:
I call Christianity the one great curse, the one great intrinsic depravity, the one great instinct for revenge for which no expedient (i.e. A means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but considered improper or immoral) is sufficiently poisonous, secret, subterranean, petty — I call it the one immortal blemish of mankind… And one calculates time from the dies nefastus on which this fatality arose - from the first day of Christianity! Why not rather from its last? From today? Revaluation of all values!
But Nietzsche issues this call because he thinks that Christianity itself has not set us right-side-up, but rather turned us upside-down. It was Christianity that first revalued all values, saying that the first shall be last and the last first, and he who seeks his life will lose it while he who loses his life shall find it, and blessed are the meek, and blessed are the poor in spirit…. Nietzsche’s call is therefore a call for restoration of the values that Christianity flipped: rule by the strong, contempt for the weak. It is, when considered in the long historical term, a profoundly conservative call.
Whether or not Nietzsche’s demand for a new paganism is right, surely it is scarcely necessary: for rule by the strong and contempt for the weak is the Way of the World, always has been and always will be; Christianity even at its most powerful can scarcely distract us from that path, much less set us marching in the opposite direction. Because that Way is so intrinsic to our neural and moral orientation, because we run so smoothly along its well-paved road, it is always useful to us to read books that don’t suggest merely minor adjustments in our customs but rather point to the possibility of something radically other. Such books are at the very least a kind of tonic, and a far better one than the nerve-wracking stimulation of Tono-Bungay.
Labels: Adam Roberts, Christianity, Nietzsche, Science Fiction
the big impediment to going iOS-only
At Macdrifter, Gabe Weatherhead makes a vital point:
But Apple has a blind spot that I think might mean the iPad never has parity with the Mac. The App Store just doesn’t encourage big powerful app development.
The price point on the iOS App Store is too low for many indie developers to succeed. I look at the most powerful apps I use and they come from a handful of companies dedicated to craft but supported by Mac revenue. Omnigraffle, OmniFocus, and OmniOutliner are great. But there are few competitors in this space that can reach the same level of quality and still make a profit. I suspect that in an iOS-only world these apps would end.
Transmit and Coda by Panic are top-tier software, but even they seem to be struggling to justify their existence.
This doesn’t mean that great apps don’t still get released on iOS. They just don’t keep getting supported. My favorite text editors, the best personal databases, the variety of bookmark managers. They might keep rolling out, but the majority aren’t actively developed.
This is exactly right. Even the pro-quality apps that remain in development tend to be updated inconsistently and (in comparison to Mac apps) rarely. Every time I think about going iOS-only, I realize that too many of the apps I rely on are apps … I can’t rely on.
Posted by Alan Jacobs at 10:34 AM 2 comments
Darwin's mail
I’ve just read Janet Browne’s two-volume biography of Charles Darwin, and it’s a magnificent achievement — one of the finest biographies I’ve ever read. I especially admire Browne’s judgment in knowing when to stick with the events of the life and when to pull back her camera to reveal the larger social contexts in which Darwin worked.
One of the interesting subthemes of the book concerns the way Darwin gravitated towards technologies that would allow him to pursue whatever aroused his curiosity — and whenever his curiosity was aroused he tended to become obsessive until he satisfied it. For instance, though he hated having his photograph taken, he made extensive use of photographs in writing his peculiar book on The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.
Also: if you think of the various scientific institutions and journals of the Victorian era as a kind of network, he and his chief supporters (Thomas Henry Huxley above all) skillfully exploited those technologies to spread the news of natural selection far more quickly than it could have been expected to spread otherwise.
But as someone who has a long-standing interest in the postal service, these passages from the early pages of the second volume are especially provocative:
Systematically, he turned his house into the hub of an ever-expanding web of scientific correspondence. Tucked away in his study, day after day, month after month, Darwin wrote letters to a remarkable number and variety of individuals. He relied on these letters for every aspect of his evolutionary endeavour, using them not only to pursue his investigations across the globe but also to give his arguments the international spread and universal application that he and his colleagues regarded as essential footings for any new scientific concept. They were his primary research tool. Furthermore, after the Origin of Species was published, he deliberately used his correspondence to propel his ideas into the public domain—the primary means by which he ensured his book was being read and reviewed. His study inside Down House became an intellectual factory, a centre of administration and calculation, in which he churned out requests for information and processed answers, kept himself at the leading edge of contemporary science, and ultimately orchestrated a transformation in Victorian thought.
Maybe it wasn't the telegraph that was the Victorian internet but rather the penny post — even if it was slower.
And Darwin was utterly unashamed to use letters to get other people (friends, family, and often strangers) to do research for him:
He also hunted down anyone who could help him on specific issues, from civil servants, army officers, diplomats, fur-trappers, horse-breeders, society ladies, Welsh hill-farmers, zookeepers, pigeon-fanciers, gardeners, asylum owners, and kennel hands, through to his own elderly aunts or energetic nieces and nephews. Many of his letters went to residents of far-flung regions — India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, China, Borneo, the Hawaiian Islands — reflecting the increasing European domination of the globe and rapidly improving channels of communication.
It’s a good thing that Darwin was a wealthy man: “In 1851 he spent £20 on ‘stationery, stamps & newspapers’ (nearly £1,000 in modern terms) ... By 1877 Darwin’s expenditure on postage and stationery had doubled to £53 14s. 7d, a sum roughly equal to his butler’s annual salary.”
And here’s Browne’s incisive summary of this method:
If there was any single factor that characterised the heart of Darwin’s scientific undertaking it was this systematic use of correspondence. Darwin made the most of his position as a gentleman and scientific author to obtain what he needed. He was a skilful strategist. The flow of information that he initiated was almost always one-way. Like countless other well-established figures of the period, Darwin regarded his correspondence primarily as a supply system, designed to answer his own wants. “If it would not cause you too much trouble,” he would write. “Pray add to your kindness,” “I feel that you will think you have fallen on a most troublesome petitioner,” “I trust to your kindness to excuse my troubling you.” ...
Alone at his desk, captain of his ship, safely anchored in his country estate on the edge of a tiny village in Kent, he was in turn manager, chief executive, broker, and strategist for a world-wide enterprise. Once, in a passing compulsion, he attached a mirror to the inside of his study window, angled so that he could catch the first glimpse of the postman turning up the drive. It stayed there for the rest of his life.
Labels: Charles Darwin, Janet Browne, postal service, Victorian Internet
Bruno Latour shares with Timothy Morton a determination to overthrow the concept of “nature” because he believes that that concept “makes it possible to recapitulate the hierarchy of beings in a single ordered series.” Therefore any genuine (non-anthropocentric) “political ecology” — of the sort I briefly described in a previous post — requires “the destruction of the idea of nature” (Politics of Nature, p. 25).
As for Morton, he thinks the idea of nature does one basic thing: since nature is, fundamentally and always, “a surrounding medium that sustains our being,” it follows that “Putting something called Nature on a pedestal and admiring it from afar does for the environment what patriarchy does for the figure of Woman. It is a paradoxical act of sadistic admiration” (Ecology without Nature, pp. 4, 5).
We might notice that these two reasons for rejecting the concept of Nature are incompatible. The problem for Latour is that Nature places humans within “a single ordered series,” but at the top of it; for Morton, human beings are outside the order of Nature, which “surrounds” us. I think Morton is closer to being correct than Latour is: the way that Latour describes Nature is actually more appropriate to the concept that preceded it within the discourses of Western thought, Creation. It is from the Jewish and Christian account of Creation — over which human beings have been given “dominion” — that the “single ordered series,” at the top of which humans stand, emerges. But Morton’s critique applies better to the term that has recently succeeded Nature within our talk about such matters, “the environment.”
It’s therefore tempting to say that Nature is the term that bridges the historical gap between Creation and “the environment.” But that would oversimplify the story. And the deficiency that Latour and Morton share is an ahistorical oversimplification of what Raymond Williams calls “perhaps the most complex word in the language” — and even Williams’s account seems condensed in comparison with the one that C. S. Lewis gives in his long essay in Studies in Words. But Williams gets at the really key point here when he issues this caution: “since nature is a word which carries, over a very long period, many of the major variations of human thought — often, in any particular use, only implicitly yet with powerful effect on the character of the argument — it is necessary to be especially aware of its difficulty.” This is just what Morton and Latour fail to do.
And it would do no good to claim to be interested in only one of the many meanings of the word “nature,” because, as Williams points out, they tend to bleed into one another. Nature in the sense of “that which surrounds humans and with which we interact” is always in complex, confusing relation with Nature as the whole show, all that there is, as when Pope writes: “All are but parts of one stupendous whole / Whose body Nature is and God the soul.” Here human beings are clearly part of that “body” (thus Nature is here still a synonym for Creation). But of course we can lose our awareness of our place in that “one stupendous whole,” through pride or simply through participation in technological modernity, and can then come to see our lives as somehow “unnatural”; which can then lead us in turn to seek ways to become “one with Nature.” At the very least we seek what Morton and Donna Haraway both refer to as kinship, and the words “kin” and “kind” are Anglo-Saxon equivalents of Nature: the old name for Mother Nature is Dame Kind.
But kinship is not identity, and this is precisely why “Nature,” “nature,” “natural,” “unnatural,” all drift in and out of focus and shift their meanings like holograms. To understand this you need only read King Lear, where all these notions are ceaselessly deployed and redeployed — where Lear wonder what his nature is while cursing his unnatural daughters, and Edmund reckons with the consequences of being Gloucester’s natural (i.e. bastard) son. We do not know what we are kin to or how close the kinship is; we don’t know what we are like, which means we do not understand our true nature. And so the narrow and historically insensitive definitions offered by Latour and Morton simply won’t do; they are manifestly inadequate to the situation on the ground.
But this we know: kinship is not identity. We have very good reasons to doubt that our creaturely cousins, or siblings — St. Francis’s Brother Sun and Sister Moon, among others — ask these questions. Which means that from them we can learn much but perhaps not everything we want and need to know. As Auden wrote,
But trees are trees, an elm or oak
Already both outside and in,
And cannot, therefore, counsel folk
Who have their unity to win.
Labels: Nature, object-oriented ontology
Q: Why are you reading all this stuff, anyway? It seems pretty obvious that you don’t have much sympathy for it.
A: That’s a good question. I could give several answers. For one thing, I’m not as lacking in sympathy as you think. I have respect for any good-faith attempts to reckon with the immensely vexed question of what it means to be human, and the corollary questions about how we are most healthily related to the nonhuman, and I think Morton and Haraway are really trying to figure these things out. There’s a moral urgency to their writing that I admire.
Q: Is that so? Sure doesn’t sound like it.
A: Well, yeah, I guess that last post was kind of negative. As I was reading Morton I realized that some pretty important intellectual decisions had been made before he even began his argument, and I wanted to register that protest.
Q: But if you feel that a particular philosophical project has gone astray from the start, why not just move along to thinkers and lines of thought you find more fruitful, more resonant with potential?
A: Remember that this is a work in progress: as I said in that post, I’m currently reading Morton, I’m not done. (And in a sense I’m still reading Haraway, even though I put her book aside months ago.) When you’re blogging your way through a reading project, any one post is sure to give an incomplete picture of your response and likely to give a misleading one.
Q: Fair enough, I guess, but there does seem to be a pattern to your writing about a lot of recent work. You read it, think about it, and then declare that there are resources in the history of Christian thought that address these questions — whatever the questions are — better than the stuff you’ve been reading does. So why not just read and think about those Christian figures who always seem to do it better?
A: Because often those non-Christian (or non-religious, or anti-Christian, or anti-religion) thinkers often raise important questions that Christians tend to neglect, and I have to see whether there are in fact such adequate resources from within Christianity to address the questions raised by others. So far I have found that my tradition is indeed up for those challenges, buts its resources are augmented and strengthened by having to address what it never would have asked on its own. I truly believe that Christianity will emerge stronger from a genuinely dialogical encounter with rival traditions, in part because it will (as it has so often in the past) adopt and adapt what is best in those traditions for its own purposes. It doesn’t always work out that way; Hank Hill was right when he said to the praise band leader “You’re not making Christianity better, you’re just making rock-and-roll worse!” But most of the time the genuinely dialogical encounter more than pays for itself.
Q: Maybe. But you often seem out of your depth with the kind of thing —the kind of stuff you’re reading theses days — and often in the mood to kick over the traces. Wouldn’t you be better off sticking with the stuff you actually have a professional level of knowledge of? Auden? Other twentieth century religiously-inclined literary figures?
A: Honestly, you may be right. I often wonder about that very point. And that’s one of the reasons — that’s the main reason, I guess — why I talk about writing books of the technological history of modernity and the Anthropocene condition but end up writing them about the stuff I have spent most of my career teaching.
Q: So why are you even here, man? Why not drop this blog and get back to work in your own field?
A: Because this is a place where I can exercise my habitual curiosity about things I don’t know much about. Because this is a kind of Pensieve for me, a way to clear away thoughts that otherwise would clog up my brain. Because every once in a while something of value coalesces out of all this randomness. I have very few readers and still fewer commenters, so I’m not getting the thrill of regular feedback, but hitting the “Publish” button offers an acceptable simulacrum of accomplishment. Those are probably not very good reasons, but they’re the reasons I have.
But I’m not gonna lie: spending so much time reading stuff with which at a deep level I’m at odds is wearing, it really is. Especially since I know that the people I’m reading — and working so hard to read fairly — are highly unlikely to treat serious Christian thinkers with comparable respect. With any respect. They don’t know that Christian theology that’s deeply and resourcefully engaged with the modern world exists, and if they knew they wouldn’t care. What’s I’m doing when I read thinkers like Morton and Haraway is an engagement on my part, but it’s not a conversation. That’s just what it’s like if you want to bring Christian thought to bear on modern academic discourse. You only do it if you believe you’re called to do it.
Labels: antheo, Anthropocene, object-oriented ontology
in responsibilities begin dreams
Lately I've been reading the philosopher Timothy Morton, who has a lot to say about living in the Anthropocene, and I see that he has a forthcoming book called Humankind: Solidarity with Non-Human People. On his website the book is described thus:
What is it that makes humans human? As science and technology challenge the boundaries between life and non-life, between organic and inorganic, this ancient question is more timely than ever. Acclaimed Object-Oriented philosopher Timothy Morton invites us to consider this philosophical issue as eminently political. It is in our relationship with non-humans that we decided the fate of our humanity. Becoming human, claims Morton, actually means creating a network of kindness and solidarity with non-human beings, in the name of a broader understanding of reality that both includes and overcomes the notion of species. Negotiating the politics of humanity is the first and crucial step to reclaim the upper scales of ecological coexistence, not to let Monsanto and cryogenically suspended billionaires to define them and own them.
The book isn't out yet, but I find this description worrying. The idea that "becoming human ... actually means creating a network of kindness and solidarity with non-human beings" sounds wonderful, in the most abstractly theoretical terms, but I doubt we can solve our and the world's problems simply by "negotiating the politics of humanity" — at least if Morton means, as I suspect he does based on what I have read so far, redefining the sphere of the political to include the whole range of nonhuman creatures, including the vast and ontologically complex phenomena he calls hyperobjects. Because we don't have a great track record of treating one another well, do we? I'm all for "kindness and solidarity with non-human beings," but first things first, you know? A good many people out there can't even manage kindness and solidarity with parents whose children were murdered in school shootings.
I'm reminded here of a comment made by Maciej Ceglowski in a recent talk. Responding to the claims of Silicon Valley futurists that we're just a few decades away from ending the reign of Death and achieving immortality for at least some, Ceglowski said, "I’m not convinced that a civilization that is struggling to cure male-pattern baldness is ready to take on the Grim Reaper." Similarly, I'd encourage those who plan to achieve kinship with all living things to call me back once they can have rational and peaceable conversations with people who live on their block.
I have the same concern with Morton's project as I do with Donna Haraway's theme of "making kin," which I wrote about here. I suspect that much of the appeal of seeking communion with pigeons, plutonium, and black holes (to use examples taken from Haraway and Morton) is that pigeons, plutonium, and black holes don't talk, tweet, or vote. If projects like Haraway's and Morton's don't reckon seriously with this problem, then they are likely to be in equal parts frivolous and evasive.
Such projects raise, for me, a further question, which is whether the language of kinship and solidarity is the right language to accomplish what its users want. Because you can achieve a feeling of kinship or solidarity without taking on any particular responsibility for the well-being of another creature. Here the old Christian language of "stewardship" seems to me to have greater force, and a force that is especially applicable to the Anthropocene moment: We do not own this world, but it has been entrusted to our care, and only if we seriously strive to live up to the terms of that trust will we have a chance of achieving true kinship and solidarity with all that we care for. It seems to me that Yeats had it backwards: it is not the case that "in dreams begin responsibilities," but in responsibilities begin dreams.
After posting this I realized that I'm not done. Morton, Haraway, Graham Hartman, and others working along similar lines are keen to bridge the gaps between humans and nonhumans — or, perhaps it would be better to say, deny the validity of the gaps that human beings perceive to exist between themselves and the rest of the world. They thus conclude that we require a new philosophical orientation to the nonhuman world, though one that employs quite familiar concepts (kinship, solidarity, intention, purpose, desire) — those concepts are just deployed in relation to beings/objects which formerly were thought to be outside the scope of such terms. We're not used to thinking that hammers have desires and black holes have consciousness.
This strategy of employing familiar language in unfamiliar contexts gives the appearance of being radical but may not be quite that. It strikes me as being largely a reversal of Skinnerian behaviorism: the behaviorists said that human beings are nothing special because they're just like animals and plants, responding to stimuli in law-governed ways; now the object-oriented ontologists say that human beings are nothing special because animals and plants (and hammers and black holes) all possess the traits of consciousness and desire that we have traditionally believed to be distinctive to us. The goal of the philosophical redescription seems to be the same: to dethrone humanity, to get us to stop thinking of ourselves as sitting at the pinnacle of the Great Chain of Being.
And underlying this goal is the assumption (often stated explicitly by all these figures, I think) that our belief in our unique and superior status among the rest of the beings/objects in the world has led us to abuse those beings/objects for our own enrichment or amusement.
I think this whole project is unlikely to bear the fruit it wants to bear, and I have several reasons for thinking so, which I will just gesture at here and develop in later posts.
(1) I doubt the power of philosophical redescription. Changes in our practices will lead to changes in description, not the other way around. The failure to recognize the direction that the causal arrow points is the signal failure of people who, being symbol manipulators by profession, think that the manipulation of symbols is the key to All Good Things. (I have written about this often, for instance, here.)
(2) I don't think we have taken the role of Apex Species on the Great Chain of Being too seriously, I think we have failed to take it seriously enough.
(3) I believe that all of these difficulties can best be addressed by living into certain ancient ways of thinking — which, in our neophilic age, is a hard sell, I know.
People will say, "Go back to Christianity? We tried that and it got us into this situation." To which the obvious rejoinder is the Chestertonian one that Christianity hasn't been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried. But perhaps more to the point: everything has failed. Every day I hear lefties say that capitalism has been tried and didn't work, and righties say that socialism has been tried and didn't work — to which each side retorts that its preferred system hasn't really been tried, hasn't been implemented properly and thoroughly.
And all of these people are correct. Every imaginable system has been put into play with partial success at best, and the problems result from incomplete or half-hearted implementation of that system and from flaws inherent to it — which flaws are precisely what make people half-hearted or incomplete in their implementation of it. Everything has been tried and found wanting, and found difficult and left untried. This is the human condition. Attempts to remedy social and personal ills always run aground on both the sheer complexity of our experience and our mixed and conflicting desires (mixed and conflicted both within ourselves and in relation to one another).
New vocabularies, or even the deployment of old vocabularies in supposedly radical new ways, won't fix that. Which is not to say that improvements in conditions are impossible.
Much more on all this later.
Labels: Anthropocene, object-oriented ontology
digital culture through file types
This is a fabulous idea by Mark Sample: studying digital culture through file types. He mentions MP3, GIF, HTML, and JSON, but of course there are many others worthy of attention. Let me mention just two:
XML: XML is remarkably pervasive, providing the underlying document structure for things ranging from RSS and Atom feeds to office productivity software like Microsoft Office and iWork — but secretly so. That is, you could make daily and expert use of a hundred different applications without ever knowing that XML is at work under the hood.
Text: There's a great story to be told about how plain text files went from being the most basic and boring of all file types to a kind of lifestyle choice — a lifestyle choice I myself have made.
If you have other suggestions, please share them here or with Mark.
Labels: Computers, Digital Humanities, Mark Sample, plain text
men ignoring (as well as interrupting) women
The New York Times is wrong about a great many things these days, but it's certainly right about this: men really do interrupt women All. The. Time. (And the NYT has covered this story before.) I have seen the phenomenon myself in many faculty meetings over the years, and it's especially painful when a woman sits in silence through 45 minutes of a meeting, finally decides to say something — and is instantly cut off.
I have often talked too much in meetings, but I don't think I do this — women who have worked with me, please let me know if I'm wrong. Please. (Could you do it in an email instead of in the comments, below, though? That would be a kindness.) But interrupting is just one of many ways confident and articulate men — or confident men who just think they're articulate — can sideline their female colleagues.
Once, some years ago now, a younger colleague asked me to join her for lunch. She wanted to talk to me about something: the fact that I had not expressed interest in or support of her scholarship, even though it overlapped with my own in some areas. My first thought was that I really did admire her work and thought; but that was immediately followed by the realization that I had never told her so. I had completely failed to offer the support and encouragement that would have meant a lot to her as someone making her way in our department and our institution. So I apologized, and asked if she would forgive me, which of course she did.
In the aftermath of that lunch meeting, I thought a lot about why I had so manifestly failed my colleague, and I've continued to think about it since. I don't fully understand the complexities of the situation, and I may be looking for self-exculpation here, but I do think I've identified one element of the problem, and it involves sexually-segregated socializing.
A number of my younger male colleagues had expressed gratitude for my support of them, and when I thought about how I had expressed that support — the advice I had given, the responses to their work — I realized that that had rarely happened on campus, in our offices or hallways, but rather in coffee shops and pubs. When we met on free mornings for coffee to chat as we got through some grading or diminished the size of our inboxes, or met in the evenings after work for a pint or two — that's when I got the chance to say some supportive things.
But while we often asked our female colleagues to join us for such outings, they rarely did. I am honestly not sure whether they just weren't interested, or had conflicting obligations, or didn't hear enough to make it perfectly clear that their presence was really wanted and that we didn't desire to create a Boy's Club. But I do know that I should have been aware of these dynamics and found other ways to let the women in my circles know that I valued their work. Once that single colleague had the boldness to call my attention to my shortcomings in this area, I made an effort to compensate — though I don't know that I ever did enough.
I especially want to ask my fellow academics: What do you think about the account I've given? Does it sound plausible? What am I missing, either about myself or about the general social dynamics?
frequency of citation does not equal quality of research
Google Scholar has just added a set of what it calls Classic papers: "Classic papers are highly-cited papers in their area of research that have stood the test of time. For each area, we list the ten most-cited articles that were published ten years earlier." The problem here is the equating of frequent citation with "standing the test of time." As it happens, many scholarly papers retracted by the journals where they were published continue to be widely cited anyway. Frequency of citation is not a good proxy for "classic" status.
the oven bird imagines the future
This provocative post by Alec Ryrie asks an important question: Why is our culture’s dystopian imagination so absolute? Drawing on a recent history thesis by Olive Hornby that describes outbreaks of plague in early-modern England during which between a third and half of the people in some communities died. Not all but a handful, not 99%, but a little less than half, maybe. Enough to inflict profound damage on the emotional, spiritual, and economic life of a place — but not enough to destroy it altogether. Ryrie:
Most disasters are not absolute. They are real, devastating, and consequential, but they do not wipe the slate clean. Human beings are resilient and are also creatures of habit. You can panic, but you can’t keep panicking, and once you’ve finished, you tend to carry on, because what else is there? The real catastrophes of the West in the past century (world wars, the Spanish flu) have been of this kind: even as the principal imagined one (nuclear war) is of the absolute variety.
We need to learn to be better at imagining serious but non-terminal disasters, the kind which are actually going to hit us. (For a recent cinematic example, the excellent and chilling Contagion.) That way, when we confront such things, we will be less tempted simply to say ‘Game over!’ and to attempt to reboot reality, and will instead try to work out how to deal with real, permanent but not unlimited damage.
In such a case you can’t say “Game over” — he’s quoting Aliens there — because the game isn’t over. The game goes on, in however damaged a form, leaving us all forced to confront the truth taught us by the oven bird:
There is a singer everyone has heard,
Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird,
Who makes the solid tree trunks sound again.
He says that leaves are old and that for flowers
Mid-summer is to spring as one to ten.
He says the early petal-fall is past
When pear and cherry bloom went down in showers
On sunny days a moment overcast;
And comes that other fall we name the fall.
He says the highway dust is over all.
The bird would cease and be as other birds
But that he knows in singing not to sing.
The question that he frames in all but words
Is what to make of a diminished thing.
Labels: dystopia, futurism
literary fiction and climate change, revisited
Here we have Siddhartha Deb making precisely the same inexplicable error that Amitav Ghosh, whom he quotes, made last year — a mistake on which I commented at the time. The thought sequence goes like this:
1) Declare yourself interested only in “literary” fiction;
2) Define literary fiction as a genre concerned only with the quotidian reality of today;
3) Complain that literary fiction is deficient in imaginative speculation about the realities and possibilities of climate change.
But if you have already conflated “literary fiction” and “fiction” — note how Deb uses the terms interchangeably — and have defined the former as having a “need to keep the fluky and the exceptional out of its bounds, conceding the terrain of improbability — cyclones, tornadoes, tsunamis, and earthquakes — to genre fiction,” then you have ensured the infallibility of your thesis. Because any story that engages with “the fluky and the exceptional” (or, riskily, the future) ipso facto becomes “genre fiction” and therefore outside the bounds of your inquiry.
This self-blinkering leads Deb into some very strange statements:
In the United States too, even well meaning liberal fiction, often falling under the rubric of cli-fi, reveals itself as incapable in grappling with [our steadfast rapaciousness]. This is perhaps because to think of modern life as a failure, and to question the idea of progress, requires an extremism of vision or a terrifying kind of independence. An indie bestseller like Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, set in an eco-apocalypse, features rhapsodies on the internet and electricity. Marcel Theroux in Far North includes a paean to modern flight as one of the finest inventions of “our race,” even though the effect of air travel on carbon emissions is quite horrific.
Let me just pause to note that Deb has a rather expansive notion of “the United States,” given that Emily St. John Mandel is Canadian and Marcel Theroux was born in Uganda and educated wholly in England. Setting that aside, Deb’s description of Mandel’s book is farcically inaccurate. It is true that there are characters in the book, some among the handful of people who have survived a plague that killed 99.9% of humanity, who miss the internet and electricity. Does Deb think that in such an world nobody would miss those technologies? Or is it his view that a truly virtuous writer should make a point of suppressing such heretical notions?
Either position is silly. Of course people in such a world would miss technological modernity, for good reasons and bad. At one point we get “an incomplete list” of what’s gone:
No more diving into pools of chlorinated water lit green from below. No more ball games played out under floodlights. No more porch lights with moths fluttering on summer nights. No more trains running under the surface of cities on the dazzling power of the electric third rail. No more cities. No more films, except rarely, except with a generator drowning out half the dialogue, and only then for the first little while until the fuel for the generators ran out, because automobile gas goes stale after two or three years. Aviation gas lasts longer, but it was difficult to come by.
No more screens shining in the half-light as people raise their phones above the crowd to take pictures of concert states. No more concert stages lit by candy-colored halogens, no more electronica, punk, electric guitars.
No more pharmaceuticals. No more certainty of surviving a scratch on one's hand, a cut on a finger while chopping vegetables for dinner, a dog bite....
No more countries, all borders unmanned.
No more fire departments, no more police. No more road maintenance or garbage pickup. No more spacecraft rising up from Cape Canaveral, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, from Vandenburg, Plesetsk, Tanegashima, burning paths through the atmosphere into space.
No more Internet. No more social media, no more scrolling through litanies of dreams and nervous hopes and photographs of lunches, cries for help and expressions of contentment and relationship-status updates with heart icons whole or broken, plans to meet up later, pleas, complaints, desires, pictures of babies dressed as bears or peppers for Halloween. No more reading and commenting on the lives of others, and in so doing, feeling slightly less alone in the room. No more avatars.
Again: Does Deb think people in a devastated world wouldn't think this way? Or does it think it wrong to give voice to such memories and reflections?
Does he think that such a list offers nothing but regret?
The central figures of Station Eleven are the members of a group called the Traveling Orchestra. They play classical music and perform plays.
All three caravans of the Traveling Symphony are labeled as such, THE TRAVELING SYMPHONY lettered in white on both sides, but the lead caravan carries an additional line of text: Because survival is insufficient.
When I first read Station Eleven I had mixed feelings about it, but in the two years since I have thought often about the Traveling Symphony and what it achieved, what it reminded people of, what it made possible. The book offers, especially through the Symphony, a moving and at times profound meditation on the complex relationships that obtain among technology, art, and human flourishing. I’d strongly recommend that Siddhartha Deb read it.
And he should read some Kim Stanley Robinson while he’s at it.
Labels: climate, Fiction, Kim Stanley Robinson, literary fiction, Science Fiction
play as work
Peter Suderman writes about playing the video game Mass Effect: Andromeda,
The game boasts an intricate conversation system, and a substantial portion of the playtime is spent talking to in-game characters, quizzing them for information (much of which adds color but is ultimately irrelevant), asking them for assignments, relaying details of your progress, and then finding out what they would like you to do next.
At a certain point, it started to feel more than a little familiar. It wasn't just that it was a lot like work. It was that it was a lot like my own work as a journalist: interviewing subjects, attempting to figure out which one of the half-dozen questions they had just answered provided useful information, and then moving on to ask someone else about what I had just been told.
Eventually I quit playing. I already have a job, and though I enjoy it quite a bit, I didn't feel as if I needed another one.
But what about those who aren't employed? It's easy to imagine a game like Andromeda taking the place of work.
You should read the whole article, because it’s a fascinating and deeply reflective account of the costs and benefits of a world in which “about three quarters of the increase in leisure time among men since 2000 has gone to gaming.” What I love about Peter’s narrative is that it is sure to make video-game alarmists less alarmed and video-game enthusiasts less enthusiastic.
I have a thousand ideas and questions about this essay, but I’ll mention just one line of thought here: I find myself wondering how, practically speaking, video games got this way. Did game designers learn through focus groups and beta testing that games with a significant work-like component were more addictive? Or were they simply answering to some need in their own psyches? I’m guessing that the correct answer is: some of both. But in any case, there’s a strong suggestion here that human beings experience a deep need for meaningful work, and will accept meaningfulness in small quantities or in fictional form rather than do without it.
Labels: Video Games
Penguin Café
Another music post...
Nearly thirty years ago now I bought a CD on pure impulse, knowing almost nothing about the performers: When in Rome, by the Penguin Café Orchestra. You’ve probably heard some of their songs: “Perpetuum Mobile” — in 15/8 time! — or “Telephone and Rubber Band”, though maybe not my favorite of their songs, “Dirt.” The style is difficult to describe and definitely doesn't work for everyone. Simon Jeffes, who founded the PCO, wrote its songs, and played whatever instruments needed playing for a given tune, called their work “modern semi-acoustic chamber music,” and, in a different context, “imaginary folklore.” I like that latter description: I imagine a hidden land somewhere populated by people of English, Celtic, Portuguese, and Venezuelan descent, playing away on instruments they found in their grandparents’ attics. As I say, not for everyone, but I loved it from the start.
When Simon Jeffes died of a brain tumor in 1997, at the age of 48, it seemed that the story of PCO was over. But a one-off reunion concert on the tenth anniversary of his death, featuring his son Arthur, caused a great many people to say that they want more. So Arthur Jeffes (an archeologist by training) got some musicians together and founded Penguin Café to play his father’s music and some of his own. The results are getting more interesting — for instance, in Cantorum, an attempt to use some of the characteristic rhythms and repetitions of electronic music with analog ones. Check it out:
Labels: music, recording
A few years ago the German pianist/composer/producer Nils Frahm fell out of bed and broke his thumb. As he later recalled,
All of a sudden I had so much time, an unexpected holiday. I cancelled most of my schedule and found myself being a little bored. Even though my doctor told me not to touch a piano for a while, I just couldn’t resist. I started playing a silent song with 5 fingers on my right and the remaining 4 on my left hand. I set up one microphone and recorded another tune every other night before falling asleep.
If you click on the link above, you’ll see that you can download for free the resulting recording, called Screws in honor of what held his thumb together as it was healing.
I like Frahm’s electronic music very much, but it’s his solo piano work that really captivates me. He often uses an upright piano that he has modified slightly by adjusting the size and texture of the felts, though his wonderful 2015 record Solo was recorded on a unique 12-foot-tall piano called the Klavins M370. He can play loud and fast, but his best music is slow and contemplative, and has reminded many people of Erik Satie’s Gymnopédies, though when his improvisations get chordal they remind me a bit of Keith Jarrett’s quieter moments.
Maybe the most important predecessor to Frahm, though, is Glenn Gould — not in pianistic technique, but in recording technique. In his recording sessions, Gould famously insisted that the microphones be placed as close to the piano strings as possible, yielding a very intimate sound — one which was intensified, I think, by his spare use of pedals. Try listening to a random piece from Gould’s version of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier and then compare it to, say Sviatoslav Richter’s (equally great) version, and you’ll immediately envision Richter playing on a big stage in a great concert hall. Gould’s music is for the private listener.
And Frahm takes this emphasis on privacy even further. He has fitted one of his pianos with a pickup that sits inside the instrument, so that you can hear the mechanism moving as the hammers lift and drop and as the pedals engage and disengage. You’re reminded that pianos are made largely of wood — Frahm seems to be playing a living creature rather than a thing. I am not certain that in recording Screws he had the mic inside the piano, but it sounds like it to me; and there are ambient noises from the room in which he recorded it too. In an interview a few years back he commented: “There is something very beautiful about a mono recording of a piano. ‘Screws’ which I just recorded was with one microphone, an old condenser, fed through an EMT stereo reverb and that was it. That was the whole process.” Simple, analog, warm, quiet, private. (Similarly, here’s Nils with one of his favorite toys.)
However: the benefits of such simplicity and warmth are not so easily accessed by the listener. Listening to Frahm’s solo music on a bog-standard pair of earbuds will not allow you to discern many of the subtleties that make it beautiful, and will reveal none of them if there’s any noise at all in the room where you’re listening. My hearing is not nearly as good as it once was, thanks to a youth misspent in too much rock-and-roll played at far too high a volume, but I’ve found that to get the most out of Frahm’s music I benefit from the lossless 24-bit versions he offers on his site, played through a DAC headphone amp and a very good set of headphones. So, as so often in our world today: simplicity and warmth are expensive, and increasingly available only to a privileged few.
But in the best way available to you, check out Nils Frahm’s music. It’s truly remarkable.
alert: latency in posting
Friends: My beloved and I are about to take a road trip to Southern California, where next week I'll be leading a faculty seminar at Biola University. We'll take our time driving out there and driving back, because I've never seen the desert Southwest and plan to enjoy taking some of it in. Blogging will resume soon after our return.
Labels: housekeeping
iOS users and meta-users
The most recent episode of Canvas — the podcast on iOS and "productivity" (a word I hate, but never mind that for now) hosted by Federico Viticci and Fraser Speirs — focused on hopes for the upcoming iOS 11. Merlin Mann joined the podcast as a guest, and the three of them went around and talked about features they'd like to see introduced to iOS.
Some examples: Viticci wants the ability to record, in video and sound, actions performed on the iPad; Speirs imagines having a digital equivalent of a transparent sheet to draw down over the iPad screen on which he could write with an Apple Pencil, thereby marking up, as it were, things that are happening in an app; and Merlin Mann, who has 450 apps on his iOS devices, wishes for the ability to batch-delete apps, for example, ones that he hasn't used in two years or more.
Listening to the episode, I thought: These aren't iOS users, not even power users, they're meta-users. Viticci writes and talks about iOS for a living; Speirs teaches students how to use iPads; Mann makes his way in life talking about productivity, especially (though not only) on digital devices. Their iOS wish-lists make them the edgiest of edge-cases, because their uses are all about the uses of others.
As for me, a user neither power nor meta, many of my wishes for iOS involve things that Apple can't do on its own. For instance:
I wish Bluetooth worked better, but Bluetooth is a standard Apple doesn't control. No matter how well Apple handles its implementation of the standard, they can't control how well device manufacturers handle their implementations. But in any case, given how long Bluetooth has been around, it really, really ought to work better than it does.
This site is on Blogger (sigh), and Google has withdrawn their iOS Blogger app and made sure that the Blogger UI doesn't render properly on Safari for iOS — it seems that they're trying to drive iOS users towards Chrome. (Also, there are no good blogging apps for iOS: some are abandonware, some have hideously ugly and non-intuitive UIs, and one, Blogo, demands that you sign up for an account and turn over your data to its owners.)
Many, many websites just don't render properly on an iPad, and I expect will never do so. Which makes me wonder what Apple can do on its end (besides enabling Reader View, which is great) to improve poor rendering. E.g.: One of the most lasting problems in iOS involves selecting text, which can be extremely unpredictable: sometimes when you touch the screen nothing selects, while at other times when you're trying to select just one word the whole page gets selected instead. But these problems almost always happen on websites, and are a function, I think, of the poor rendering in Safari for iOS. Is there anything that Apple can do about this, I wonder?
Among the things that Apple can definitely do something about, here are a few wishes from me:
When you're connected to a wi-fi network and the signal gets weak or intermittent, and there's another known network with a stronger signal available, your iOS device should switch to that better network automatically. Optimize for best connection.
Apple should strongly push developers to implement Split View.
Apple should strongly push developers of keyboard-friendly apps to implement keyboard shortcuts — and if they have Mac apps, the same shortcuts on both platforms (the people at Omni are great at this).
This is perhaps pie-in-the-sky, but I crave extensive, reliable natural-language image searching in Photos. But I expect we'll get this from Google before we get it from Apple.
Labels: Apple, iOS
"major collegiate disorders"
A follow-up to yesterday's post...
Of course it's possible to reach too far into the past to get context for current events in the university, but this book certainly offers some interesting food for thought:
I love the fact that there was something called the Conic Section Rebellion.
Anyone who said that nothing like this could happen today would, I think, be correct; but I leave as a potentially illuminating exercise for my readers this question: Why couldn't it happen today?
Labels: academentia, university
getting context, and a grip
Several long quotations coming. Please read them in full.
James Kirchik writes,
Of the 100 or so students who confronted [Nicholas] Christakis that day, a young woman who called him “disgusting” and shouted “who the fuck hired you?” before storming off in tears became the most infamous, thanks to an 81-second YouTube clip that went viral. (The video also — thanks to its promotion by various right-wing websites — brought this student a torrent of anonymous harassment). The videos that Tablet exclusively posted last year, which showed a further 25 minutes of what was ultimately an hours-long confrontation, depicted a procession of students berating Christakis. In one clip, a male student strides up to Christakis and, standing mere inches from his face, orders the professor to “look at me.” Assuming this position of physical intimidation, the student then proceeds to declare that Christakis is incapable of understanding what he and his classmates are feeling because Christakis is white, and, ipso facto, cannot be a victim of racism. In another clip, a female student accuses Christakis of “strip[ping] people of their humanity” and “creat[ing] a space for violence to happen,” a line later mocked in an episode of The Simpsons. In the videos, Howard, the dean who wrote the costume provisions, can be seen lurking along the periphery of the mob.
Of Yale’s graduating class, it was these two students whom the Nakanishi Prize selection committee deemed most deserving of a prize for “enhancing race and/or ethnic relations” on campus. Hectoring bullies quick to throw baseless accusations of racism or worse; cosseted brats unscrupulous in their determination to smear the reputations of good people, these individuals in actuality represent the antithesis of everything this award is intended to honor. Yet, in the citation that was read to all the graduating seniors and their families on Class Day, Yale praised the latter student as “a fierce truthteller.”
Let's look at these episodes at Yale in relation to something that happened at Cornell nearly fifty years ago. Paul A. Rahe was an undergraduate at Cornell then, and tells the story:
At dawn on April 18, 1969 — the Saturday of Parents’ Weekend and the day after the student conduct tribunal issued a reprimand (as minor a penalty as was available) to those who had engaged in the “toy-gun spree” — a group of black students, brandishing crowbars, seized control of the student union (Willard Straight Hall), rudely awakened parents sleeping in the guest rooms upstairs, used the crowbars to force open the doors, and ejected them from the union.
Later that day, they brought at least one rifle with a telescopic sight into the building. On Sunday afternoon, the administration agreed to press neither civil nor criminal charges and not to take any other measures to punish those who had occupied Willard Straight Hall, to provide legal assistance to anyone who faced civil charges arising from the occupation, and to recommend that the faculty vote to nullify the reprimands issued to those who had engaged in the “toy-gun spree.” Upon hearing that this agreement had been reached, 110 black students marched out of Willard Straight Hall in military formation to celebrate their victory, carrying more than seventeen rifles and bands of ammunition.
The next day, when the faculty balked and stopped short of accepting the administration’s recommendation, one AAS leader went on the campus radio and threatened to “deal with” three political science professors and three administrators, whom he singled out by name, “as we will deal with all racists.” Finally, on Wednesday, April 23, the faculty met at a special meeting and capitulated to the demands of the AAS, rescinding the reprimand issued by the student conduct tribunal and calling for a restructuring of the university.
At the very least, the Cornell story should give us some context for thinking about what happened at Yale last year. More generally, we should remember that the ceaseless hyperventilation of social media tends to make us think that American culture today is going through a unique process of dissolution. Rick Perlstein is one of my least favorite historians, but he does well to set us straight on that:
“The country is disintegrating,” a friend of mine wrote on Facebook after the massacre of five policemen by black militant Micah Johnson in Dallas. But during most of the years I write about in Nixonland and its sequel covering 1973 through 1976, The Invisible Bridge, the Dallas shootings might have registered as little more than a ripple. On New Year’s Eve in 1972, a New Orleans television station received this message: “Africa greets you. On Dec. 31, 1972, aprx. 11 pm, the downtown New Orleans Police Department will be attacked. Reason — many, but the death of two innocent brothers will be avenged.” Its author was a twenty-three-year-old Navy veteran named Mark James Essex. (In the 1960s, the media had begun referring to killers using middle names, lest any random “James Ray” or “John Gacy” suffer unfairly from the association.) Essex shot three policemen to death, evading arrest. The story got hardly a line of national attention until the following week, when he began cutting down white people at random and held hundreds of officers at bay from a hotel rooftop. Finally, he was cornered and shot from a Marine helicopter on live TV, which also accidentally wounded nine more policemen. The New York Times only found space for that three days later.
Stories like these were routine in the 1970s. Three weeks later, four men identifying themselves as “servants of Allah” holed up in a Brooklyn sporting goods store with nine hostages. One cop died in two days of blazing gun battles before the hostages made a daring rooftop escape. The same week, Richard Nixon gave his second inaugural address, taking credit for quieting an era of “destructive conflict at home.” As usual, Nixon was lying, but this time not all that much. Incidents of Americans turning terrorist and killing other Americans had indeed ticked down a bit over the previous few years — even counting the rise of the Black Liberation Army, which specialized in ambushing police and killed five of them between 1971 and 1972.
In Nixon’s second term, however, they began ticking upward again. There were the “Zebra” murders from October 1973 through April 1974 in San Francisco, in which a group of Black Muslims killed at least fifteen Caucasians at random and wounded many others; other estimates hold them responsible for as many as seventy deaths. There was also the murder of Oakland’s black school superintendent by a new group called the Symbionese Liberation Army, who proceeded to seal their militant renown by kidnapping Patty Hearst in February 1974. Then, in May, after Hearst joined up with her revolutionary captors, law enforcement officials decimated their safe house with more than nine thousand rounds of live ammunition, killing six, also on live TV. Between 1972 and 1974 the FBI counted more than six thousand bombings or attempted bombings in the United States, with a combined death toll of ninety-one. In 1975 there were two presidential assassination attempts in one month.
Let's pause for a moment to think about that: More than six thousand bombings or attempted bombings in two years.
So, is the country disintegrating? In comparison with the Nixon years: No. Not even with Donald Ivanka Kushner Trump in charge. Which is not to say that it couldn't happen, only that it hasn't yet happened, and if we want to avoid further damage we would do well to study the history of fifty years ago with close attention. For the national wounds that were opened in the Sixties may have scabbed over from time to time in the decades since, but they have never healed.
And in relation specifically to the university, we might ask some questions:
How significant is it that most of the people running our universities today were undergraduates when things like the Cornell crisis happened?
If it is significant, what is the significance?
To what extent are the social conflicts that plague some universities today continuations of the conflicts that plagued them fifty years ago?
If universities today seem, to many critics, to have lost their commitment to free speech and reasoned disagreement, have they abandoned those principles any more completely they did at the height of those earlier student protests?
What happened in the intervening decades? Did universities recover their core commitments wholly, or partially, or not at all?
How widespread are protests (and the "coddling" of protestors) today in comparison to that earlier era?
What needs to be fixed in our universities?
Are universities that have gone down this particular path — praising and celebrating students who confront, berate, and in some cases threaten faculty — fixable? (A question only for those who think such behavior is a bug rather than a feature.)
Vital questions all, I think; but not ones that can be answered in ignorance of the relevant history.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line220
|
__label__wiki
| 0.548054
| 0.548054
|
Patent Search Services
Módosítva: 2017. január 30.
Novelty Search with preliminary Patentability Report
Within the scope of the Novelty Search with preliminary Patentability Report patent and other documents will be disclosed and delivered showing to be relevant on the novelty and inventive step of the invention presented by you, furthermore a detailed explaining opinion will be provided on whether the invention meets the requirements of patentability, i.e. the invention appears to be novel and to involve an inventive step over the cited documents and to be industrially applicable.
The opinion on whether the invention meets the patentability criteria is based on comparative analysis, same to methods on which Preliminary Examination Reports are carried out within the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) practice.
- by disclosing the chances of patentability before a patent application is lodged, you can save time, money and tiredness.
- gives an authentic prognosis on the patentability of the invention, which is especially important when during the search a strongly relevant document (very close to the subject of the invention) has arisen.
- gives authentic comparative grounds for preparing a good patent application, for ensuring the broadest protection.
- for ensuring the priority of an already lodged application it can be important to know as soon as possible the chances for lodging the application in other countries.
- you can assess the degree of inventiveness of your application, therefore can determine how remote or neighbouring is your invention to the known art.
Description (search, analysis, report)
The Novelty Search and the Report is carried out on the basis of the description and drawings (if any) presented by you, where the technical solution should be clearly disclosed in English, German, French or Hungarian language. There is no need of a regular patent application, but if a Novelty Search with preliminary Patentability Report is requested it may be helpful to formulate the features of the invention as one or more patent claims, unless the patentability opinion could be less accurate and authentic.
The Novelty Search is performed in specific technical area systemized and up-to-date databases of patent and non-patent literature.
The Novelty Search will contain a brief summary of the cited documents, and their relation to the invention will be shown by means of international applied relevant category codes, i.e. X, Y and A.
In the preliminary Patentability Report a detailed explaining opinion will be provided on whether the invention meets the requirements of patentability over the cited documents (state-of the art), i.e. the invention appears to be novel, to involve an inventive step and to be industrially applicable. The argumentation will contain a comparative analysis of the invention and the cited documents, conducted on the basis of the currently accepted patent examination practice. The opinion regarding the patentability criteria will follow the structure of the description of the invention (based on the claims, if claims were submitted).
A copy of every cited document will be attached to the Novelty Search.
The fee of the service per invention is 195.000 Ft (approx. 780 EUR) + 27% VAT, which includes all the costs related to the service, especially the cited documents copy costs.
The Patentability Report is under given circumstances in the shortest possible period of time, but within 4 weeks from the day on which the request was filed.
General Terms and Conditions (PDF) »
Price List (PDF) »
Contact us (PDF) »
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line222
|
__label__wiki
| 0.51687
| 0.51687
|
Vacation HOME Outdoor Living Living Room Sitting Room Kitchen Bedrooms
Castle Views Beautiful Umbria FAQs Recipes Contact Us
22. What is the history of the castle?
The earliest written record is in the annals of a monastic order which notes that in 1143 the castle was a military outpost of Perugia. The castle resisted a siege in the 1500s, an achievement noted with the date 1526 carved into the massive stone atop the cistern in the center of the castle. Subsequently, and until the early 20th century, it was occupied by farmers employed by a large landholder.
After World War II, the castle was abandoned. In the early 1970s a diverse group of Europeans and Americans purchased the complex. Over the course of the next ten years, the stone buildings were painstakingly restored. Although electricity, telephone, plumbing and central heating were added, all lines were run out-of-sight and all work was done with the utmost respect of the original design. Today, the village is one of the best-preserved castles in the province of Perugia.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line225
|
__label__wiki
| 0.793574
| 0.793574
|
Zambia's Ecotourism Venture Clouded by Ecotroubles
Confusion has erupted among tourism stakeholders in Zambia's tourist capital of Livingstone, the departure point for Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws visitors in numbers that top 300,000 a year.
The Zambian ecotourism business is in disarray just when the United Nations International Year of Ecotourism was supposed to help developing countries make the most of their natural resources to attract foreign currency and conserve the environment at the same time.
Livingstone, Zambia's tourist capital, is one of 10 city councils that the World Bank is trying to help reorganize into economically viable and internationally recognized tourist destinations. But lack of an integrated plan to sort out environmental problems is proving to be a stumbling block.
Two months ahead of the World Ecotourism Summit set for May 19 to 22 in Quebec, Canada, where Zambia would like to put its best foot forward, foreign investors have voiced their concerns over what they call bureacratic confusion of the Zambia Tourist Board, the Environmental Council of Zambia, Zambia Wildlife Authority, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission.
The world's largest falls are awe-inspiring, dropping into a canyon 110 metres (360 feet) deep and just over one mile wide, and sending up a plume of spray that can been seen for miles around.
But the glory of the falls are dimmed by environmental problems that include the dumping of raw sewage into the Zambezi River, a source of drinking water for over 70,000 Livingstone residents and a source of adventure for tourists who come for the riverboarding, white water rafting, and canoeing.
Waste management is another problem hampering tourism development in the city, where human beings join stray dogs and vultures in scavenging from waste dumping sites to survive.
The environment and natural scenic beauty of the city is being harmed by infrastructure and hotel buildings, and the intrusion of large numbers of foreigners with little knowledge and respect for local culture and traditions.
With the Zambian copper industry in decline and up to 80 percent of the people living below the poverty level, the government has been looking to tourism to provide an antidote to Zambia's economic woes.
But ecotourism has evolved into a battle among nature lovers in Livingstone. It is an issue that affects people's psychology, inter-cultural values and human rights.
Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people, says that from the outset the government has treated tourism like a stepchild.
But Minister of Finance and National Planning Emmanuel Kasonde said in his 2002 budget speech that the Zambian government intends to make tourism the third economic giant alongside mining and agriculture.
The people of Livingstone and the surrounding area are looking to ecotourism for job creation and income, but today the tourist industry is falling short of their hopes.
Curio carver Abinot Sibajene says tourism is in a slump after the September 11 terrorist attacks in America, affecting the local people's quality of life.
For women who must keep the home fires burning with whatever income their menfolk make from the curio industry, life is indeed hard. Christina Moonde is a mother of eight. Her husband makes curios for a living, but lately, he has not been able to sell any.
Wood carvers are not the only ones who look to the tourism industry for their livelihood. The mushrooming of brothels in the city is another concern for conservationists and residents alike. There is an upsurge of prostitution and sex-related diseases, and the local economy is being disrupted because female labor is siphoned off from farming to the prostitution-related tourism sector.
Vincent Katanekwa, director of the Livingstone Museum, sees the extent of prostitution in the city, as a danger zone for HIV/AIDS. Katanekwa says the collapse of about 20 textile and blanket factories, shut down in the mid-1990s as a result of the country's structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), has adversely affected the value of labor, driving women into the sex trade.
Faless, 25, is a commercial sex-worker who came from another town to make her fortune from the tourists passing through Livingstone. Like most of those in her line of business, she searches for clients in the popular night clubs of the city.
Burglary of lodges and guest houses is another social problem with an environmental side effect that Livingstone must address. To protect their premises from constant breakins, most lodge owners near the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls have built fences around their premises.
But this action has annoyed the Zambia Wildlife Authority, a wildlife regulatory body, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission. The regulators contend that the fencing of properties situated in Mosi-O-Tunya Zoological Park prevents free movement of animals such as sable antelope, eland, vervet monkeys, warthogs and elephants.
"I would rather you cage the human being and leave animals alone," said Benjamin Mibenge, public relations officer for the National Heritage Conservation Commission.
But tour operators and lodge owners argue that animals are not the ones that break in and steal property worth thousands of U.S. dollars.
Ignitius Lindique, director of the private tour operation United Air Charters, justifies the fencing of business premises in the face of escalating crime in Livingstone.
Lindique is using his helicopter hire company to cooperate with the Zambia Police Service in joint operations to curb crime in Livingstone. "We use helicopters to chase and apprehend armed robbers," said Lindique.
Now, with the establishment of the Mukuni Environmental and Economic Development Trust, there is hope that over 7,000 Livingstone are residents could benefit from tourism revenue. The trust in Mukuni Village is seeking to communicate the people's precolonial history and way of life as a method of enlightening tourists on the richness of African culture.
Senior Chief Mukuni says the trust is composed of civic leaders, representatives from villages and local community organizations.
For every flight on which United Charters takes tourists to view Victoria Falls, one dollar goes to the Mukuni Trust.
The chief, who sits on the boards of the United Air Charter, United Touring Company and Mukuni Industries, says the trust is valuable although one dollar may seem like an insignificant amount compared to the resources needed to transform Livingstone into a vibrant ecotourism center.
Despite the creation of the Mukuni Trust, some foreign investors in the tourism industry feel the lack of coordination among various regulatory agencies is frustrating their business. But for those like the chief who believe in the Mukuni Trust, it is a sign of cleaner, more lucrative ecotourism to come for Livingstone and its residents.
Source: Zambia's Ecotourism Venture Clouded by Ecotroubles (05/03/02)
Labels: ecotourism, livingstone, zambia
Zambia's Ecotourism Venture Clouded by Ecotroubles...
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line228
|
__label__cc
| 0.62065
| 0.37935
|
The Villchur Blog
A blog about the life and career of Edgar Villchur
AR—A Unique Company
Mark Efimovitch Villchur, Part 2
Edgar Villchur’s mother, Part 2
Edgar Villchur’s Grandfather
Roy Allison
Inventing the Speaker
War Stories No. 3: Fixing Radios and Solving Problems
War Stories No. 2: Life in the combat zone
War Stories No. 1: Shipping overseas
Welcome to the Villchur Blog
Archives Select Month May 2017 March 2017 January 2017 November 2016 August 2016 July 2016 May 2016 March 2016 November 2015 September 2015 July 2015 May 2015 March 2015
miriam@miriamvillchurberg.com www.edgarvillchur.com
Blog posts © Miriam Villchur Berg
Tag: Acoustic Research
Welcome to the Villchur Blog. I am Miriam Villchur Berg, the daughter of Edgar Villchur (1917-2011). My father was an inventor, an educator, and a writer. Audiophiles know him as the inventor of the acoustic suspension loudspeaker, which revolutionized the high fidelity industry. Audiologists know him as the inventor of the multichannel compression hearing aid, whose basic design has become the industry standard for hearing aids. In this blog, I hope to tell you some of the details of Edgar Villchur’s history, to introduce you to different sides of his life, and to shed some light on him as a person.
Edgar Villchur was always mechanically adept, even as a young boy growing up on a farm. His family gave him confidence, drive, and a strong leaning toward intellectual pursuits. He studied art history, earning a master’s degree from New York’s City College in 1939. He planned to be a set designer, but World War II changed all that. Villchur was drafted in 1941, a few months before Pearl Harbor, and spent four years in the Pacific—New Guinea, The Philippines, and the Japanese island of Ie Shima. He rose to the rank of Captain in the Army Air Corps (which later became the Air Force). His job was repair and maintenance of the radios and other electronic equipment for the P-47 Thunderbolt fighters of the 348th Fighter Group.
After the war, he decided to put his army training to good use, and opened a small shop repairing radios and building sound systems. Things were very different in those days. The term “high-fidelity” was not coined until the early 1950s, and stereo sound did not become popular for home systems until the late fifties. Radios in those days were large pieces of furniture, centrally located in living rooms and parlors, and families sat around them in the evenings listening to news, music, comedy, and serial dramas. Phonographs played 78 RPM records, which lasted four to five minutes per side. Recording tape was not used commercially until the late fifties.
Villchur took some engineering courses at night to supplement the hands-on education he had received during the war. He analyzed the state of the home sound equipment then available, and realized that the loudspeakers were the weakest link in the systems. In 1954, he came up with a new idea for how to reduce distortion in loudspeakers. He applied for a patent for the acoustic-suspension loudspeaker in 1954, and was granted US patent No. 2775309 in 1956. The story of how he got that patent, and how he started Acoustic Research, Inc. to manufacture loudspeakers, will be the subject of future blog posts.
Villchur’s first speaker, the AR-1, provided better bass response than any speaker then on the market, at the same time radically reducing the size of the cabinet. His next speaker, the AR-2, was a no-frills model designed to be as economical as possible. Despite its low price, it was given the highest rating for quality by the independent testing agency Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine.
Villchur continued to improve loudspeakers, coming out with new models roughly every two years. Acoustic Research continued to produce new loudspeakers and other components for the home audio market. AR’s market share grew to 32 percent by 1966. No audio equipment company had ever achieved that high a percentage of the market, and none has done so since then.
Villchur’s AR-3 speaker is on display in The Smithsonian Institution’s Information Age Exhibit in Washington, DC.
In 1967, Villchur sold AR to Teledyne. When he left AR, Villchur went back to working as a researcher. He chose the field of hearing aids, since he felt that there was considerable room for improvement in these devices. By 1973, he had come up with a revolutionary concept in hearing aid design—the idea of using multi-channel compression to make up for the variable loss of loudness. Each patient’s audiogram, combined with individual testing, would determine the correct program for that person.
He never sought a patent for his hearing aid invention, preferring to offer it freely, through publication in journals, to companies who wanted to use it. Today, virtually all hearing aids make use of his multi-channel compression system.
In future blogs, I will provide more details on Villchur’s inventions, including some of his ideas that have never been published. I also intend to write about his family history, his life outside of work, and his unique personality.
Please contact me if you have specific questions about Edgar Villchur and his work. If I can’t answer them, I have technical experts who probably can.
© Miriam Villchur Berg
Posted on March 21, 2015 July 1, 2015 Author Miriam Villchur BergTags Acoustic Research, Edgar Villchur
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line230
|
__label__wiki
| 0.807989
| 0.807989
|
Media Contact: Richard Quartarone 16 May 2005
richard.quartarone@emory.edu
Emory School of Medicine to Start Construction on New $55 Million Home for Teaching
The Emory University School of Medicine will begin site work this summer on a major new home for teaching and administration, located in the World War I-vintage heart of the health sciences campus adjacent to the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Administration Building (WHSCAB).
The $55 million construction project will create as its centerpiece a dramatic new 116,000-square-foot teaching and administration building adjoining the Anatomy and Physiology Buildings, designed by original campus architect Henry Hornbostel and opened in 1917. Those buildings are currently empty and awaiting renovation.
The initiative will equip the school with state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and classrooms, combined with cutting-edge communications technology, and will allow Emory to continue to compete for the nation's finest medical students.
"It allows us to use 21st century technology to educate the physicians of the 21st century," says Dean Thomas J. Lawley, MD.
"Our goal is not merely to create newer and more aesthetically Pleasing space for students, faculty, and administration, but to anticipate the new kinds of laboratory and classroom facilities that will be required by our evolving curriculum and to build for the next half-century," he adds.
The new 162,000-square-foot complex (which includes 46,000 feet of space in the refurbished Anatomy & Physiology Buildings) will become the home of all medical school activities currently housed in a 1970s-era "Connector" building as well as in WHSCAB, including classrooms and meeting rooms,lecture halls, and student lockers and lounges, along with the School of Administration's administrative offices.
The project has been designed by the Connecticut-based architectural Firm S/L/A/M Collaborative, which also designed the new Emory Children's Center building that opened in September 2004. Major gifts toward the cost of the education building have been received from the Charles F. and Peggy Evans Family as well as other alumni and friends. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees approved the project Thursday, May 12.
Charles T. Andrews, associate vice president for space planning and construction for the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, says the new building will follow Emory's campus design guidelines. It will be clad in stone and roofed with red tile and will be "respectful" of the Hornbostel buildings without trying to imitate either their appearance or that of the modernistic WHSCAB Building on the other side. The new building will have four stories above ground and one floor below ground, where expanded space for cadaveric dissection will be located.
The building will have three large, tiered auditoriums, each holding up to 160 persons.
But in other ways it will be geared to the pedagogy of the 21st century,with many smaller labs and rooms designed to promote case studies and active interaction between students and faculty. It will have 18 problem-based learning rooms for groups of 20 students, four seminar rooms for groups of 40 students, 16 clinical exam rooms equipped with TV cameras for standardized patient testing, and two large computer classrooms, each capable of holding up to 75 students.
"This building is being designed to support much more of an emphasis On active learning," said J. William Eley, MD, MPH, executive associate Dean for medical education. "The Connector building had classrooms and labs, so it was a place for students to learn, but it was not truly a learning center in the sense that this new building will be. The students and faculty are really excited about it."
Upper floors in the building will house the school's admissions office; student support, teaching and administrative space; and the dean's and executive associate deans' offices that are now located on the third floor of WHSCAB.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line235
|
__label__wiki
| 0.567407
| 0.567407
|
Media Contact: Lance Skelly 14 June 2004
lskelly@emory.edu
(404) 686-8538 ((40) 4) -686-8538 [ Print | Email ]
Emory Healthcare's Budd Terrace Nursing Home Undergoing $5 Million Renovations
Emory Healthcare's 250-bed Budd Terrace nursing home is undergoing a more than $5 million renovation project designed to improve each of the resident rooms and many public areas.
"We plan to renovate each resident room, resident bathrooms, common bath areas, day room, nurse's stations and the dining rooms on each resident floor," said Budd Terrace administrator Ray Hayes.
The project is expected to cost just more than $5 million. The Wesley Woods Foundation donated $2.5 million and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation matched it with a $2.5 million grant.
"We are excited to be able to offer a new, modern place to live and work for our residents and staff," said Hayes. The total renovation, which began on May 14, is projected to take about 35 months.
"Facilities like Budd Terrace are more important now than ever," Hayes said. "The number of people in Georgia over age 65 is growing at nearly twice the rate of the younger population, and the 85 plus age group is growing at nearly three times the rate of those under 65."
"We are very grateful to Ms. Lillian Darden and the Wesley Woods Foundation, along with the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation for their generous donations to Budd Terrace," said Peter A. Basler, Jr., chief operating officer, Wesley Woods Center and Emory's Center for Rehab Medicine. "We are excited to start the project and look forward to its completion when we will have not only one of the best nursing homes in the country but one of the most beautiful."
Since 1972, Budd Terrace and its staff have provided thousands of seniors and individuals in need of special care with a beautiful and nurturing home. "The home's welcoming spirit and exceptional healthcare services are remarkable assets to the Atlanta community," said Hayes.
Much of the success of Budd Terrace is due to its commitment to help people age in healthy, affordable and ethical ways. "As residents age, Budd Terrace accommodates their needs by offering skilled nursing care while continuing to attend to residents' physical, spiritual and social needs, including special care for residents with Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases," Hayes said.
In addition to the on-going medical management provided by Emory's board-certified geriatricians, physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, and nursing staff, residents are cared for on both spiritual and emotional levels. Through the family support groups, personalized spiritual programs and 24-hour availability of pastoral care, residents' spiritual needs are acknowledged.
"At Budd Terrace residents enjoy a full spectrum of care. From pastoral services to geriatric healthcare and mental health care needs," said Hayes. "And, all of our services are provided on one campus unlike any other nursing home facility in the area."
In addition to nursing home care, Budd Terrace opened a 26-bed sub-acute care unit for patients who need skilled nursing care on a more temporary basis. Patients, typically on Medicare, are admitted to the sub-acute unit directly from traditional hospitals. These patients are being treated for a variety of reasons, including neurological, orthopaedic, cardiac, respiratory and general debilities associated with recent surgery or illness. The average length of stay is 23.4 days, and patients are generally discharged to their home or an assisted living center. "The sub-acute care unit is an important addition to Budd Terrace," said Hayes. "It decreases the time patients have to stay in a hospital, and it offers a clinical transition to their home." The unit, which opened in August, 2003, is expected to expand to 48 beds over the next two years.
Budd Terrace is located on the campus of Wesley Woods Center of Emory University and affiliated with the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
lance.skelly@emory.edu
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line236
|
__label__wiki
| 0.703361
| 0.703361
|
2018 UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME DATE ANNOUNCED
The Preeminent High School Football Platform in the Country to Kick Off 10-Year Anniversary Game January 4 in Orlando
CHICAGO (Aug. 23, 2017) – Today, Under Armour, Intersport and ESPN announced that the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game has been slated for Thursday, Jan. 4 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. and will be televised live on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. EST. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Under Armour All-America Game, which annually spotlights more than 100 of the nation’s elite high school football players.
Over its 10-year history, the Under Armour All-America Game has produced many of football’s best collegiate and professional players. NFL Pro Bowlers like Julio Jones and A.J. Green competed in the inaugural game, while No. 1 overall NFL Draft selections like Jadeveon Clowney (2011), Jameis Winston (2012) and Myles Garrett (2014) are among the players that participated in later years. In total, 160 alumni of the Under Armour All-America Game have been selected in the NFL Draft, including 41 first-round draft picks and 14 NFL Pro Bowlers.
Since 2008, the Under Armour All-America Game has evolved into a year-round grassroots football platform for the best middle school and high school football players across the country. The platform now includes; the Under Armour Future 50 Underclassman Camp, the Under Armour Next All-America Game, the Under Armour All-America Camp Series, the Under Armour iLLSPEED Challenge, the American Family Insurance Selection Tour, the American Family Insurance #DreamFearlessly Fan Vote, and the American Family Insurance Skills Competition.
Details regarding the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game practice schedule, media availability, tickets, rosters and other related information will be announced at a later date.
For more information on the Under Armour All-America Game, please visit underarmourgame.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
About the UA Next All-American Game (8th Graders)
The latest addition to the Under Armour All-America Game will be introduced in 2018. The UA Next All-America Game is a new platform that will showcase the nation's premier football players across the middle school landscape. The top 8th grade student-athletes are determined in conjunction with the Under Armour All-America Middle School Camp Series and are comprised of players who have proven their worth on the gridiron and in the classroom. These accomplished athletes represent the next generation of Under Armour All-Americans.
About the Future 50 Underclassman Camp
The Future 50 are the best underclassmen high school football players in the nation and Under Armour All-America Game prospects. Each year Under Armour hosts the Future 50 Underclassman Camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the week of the Under Armour All-America Game.
About the Under Armour All-America Camp Series
The Under Armour All-America Camp Series, created in partnership with Intersport and 3STEP Sports, is a new grassroots football skills platform introduced in 2017 for the best middle school and high school football players across the country. These select athletes have the opportunity to hone their on-field skills and earn a coveted bid to the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game. These invite-only camps took place in 10 cities nationwide during the winter and spring of 2017.
Under Armour iLLSPEED Challenge
Under Armour’s proprietary speed challenge, which is designed to test the all-around speed skills of the fastest players in the nation, was conducted at each of the ten Under Armour All-America Camp Series stops across the country. Two finalists were determined from each of these stops, and those finalists competed in the iLLSPEED Finals in Baltimore in June 2017.
About the American Family Insurance Selection Tour
A three-month Selection Tour sponsored by American Family Insurance visits each of the more than 100 Under Armour All-Americans that play in the game each year to present official jerseys in front of their family, friends, classmates and local media.
About the American Family Insurance #DreamFearlessly Fan Vote
The American Family Insurance #DreamFearlessly Fan Vote is a five-week digital media contest that matches up 32 of the top high school football players in the nation in a bracket-style competition. Fans can vote for their favorite players and the player that ultimately receives the most votes from each side of the bracket is selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. More than 1.1 million votes determined the winners in 2017.
About the American Family Insurance Skills Competition
The American Family Insurance Skills Challenge provides another opportunity for the nation’s elite high school players to demonstrate their talents on the football field on ESPN. The skills challenge features five competitions: QB Accuracy, Speed Kick, Ill Speed, Lineman Strength Challenge and Obstacle Course.
About Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour, the originator of performance footwear, apparel and equipment, revolutionized how athletes across the world dress. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand's innovative products are sold worldwide to athletes at all levels. The Under Armour Connected Fitness™ platform powers the world's largest digital health and fitness community through a suite of applications: UA Record, MapMyFitness, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.uabiz.com.
About Intersport
Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle and entertainment-based marketing platforms. With expertise in Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, Hospitality, Customer Engagement, Content Marketing, Productions and Sports Properties, this Chicago-based Marketing & Media Solutions Company helps their clients to create ideas, content and experiences that attract and engage passionate audiences. To learn more about Intersport, visit www.intersportnet.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About 3STEP Sports
3STEP Sports provides world-class, white label event and media solutions for the most popular brands in sports. The 3STEP Sports team is built of experience makers and storytellers dedicated to youth and high school athletics. 3STEP Sports entities impact all key high school sport categories with an extensive focus on Football, Baseball, Basketball and Field Hockey. 3STEP Sports is headquartered in Massachusetts. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.threestep.com.
Steve Flaherty/Intersport
312-467-8131/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Read 2264 times Last modified on Wednesday, 01 November 2017 18:06
Published in 2017 Fall Season
More in this category: « 2017 Fall Junior Varsity Schedule HS Selection Spreadsheet »
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line238
|
__label__wiki
| 0.520711
| 0.520711
|
Most Haunted Leap Castle
Leap Castle has been dubbed as the most haunted place in all of Ireland, and certainly possesses a particularly bloody history. Located in the County Offaly, just outside the town of Roscrea, it was built in the middle of the thirteenth century by the O’Bannon clan and became known as Leim Ui Bhanain or Leap of the O’Bannon’s.
The History of Leap Castle
The O’Bannon’s were subject to the ruling O’Carroll clan. It is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters that in the early sixteenth century the Earl of Kildare, Gerald Fitzgerald attempted to seize the castle but was beaten back by the O’Carroll’s. Around the same time a fierce and bitter battle fomp3Playerr succession ensued amongst the O’Carroll’s which turned them against one another. One brother murdered another, who was a priest, in what has since become known as the ‘Bloody Chapel’ while he was conducting a ceremony.
Another source of evil which may have contributed to the present existence of spirits was discovered in the late nineteenth century. It was an oubliette, a dungeon that is only accessible from a high one square meter hatch in the ceiling, that had spikes placed at the bottom of the shaft from which prisoners were flung onto. If they were not killed instantly they were left gored upon the spikes, until dead from their wounds, but not before suffering from dehydration. It took several workers several days, over three cartloads to carry out all the human bones still at the bottom of the shaft. Many other bones had been neatly stacked against the outer walls of the dungeon. It is because of this bloody history, that the castle had gained the reputation of being one of the most haunted locations in Ireland, as well as Europe. The castle was eventually gutted by a fire of unknown origin and boarded up by the locals living in the vicinity, who then completely avoided going anywhere near the castle.
In 1659, the castle passed into the ownership of the Darby family, of which many bearing the Darby name, became the High Sheriff’s of King’s County (present day, County Offaly). In the late 1800s, Mildred Darby had become involved with the occult and believed responsible for releasing one of the most vile, evil and disturbing of spirits, thought to be an elemental.
It has been reported that trespassers have been kept at bay at the castle, by an apparition of a small hunched figure seen lurking about the chapel and dungeon. Often accompanied by the stench of rotten flesh and of sulfur, it has sent many running from the premises.
The castle was sold in the 1970s to an Australian, Sean Ryan, who attempted to have it exorcised, with no success. Although the exorcist insists the spirit is no longer be malevolent. As Sean has since had several suspicious incidents occur since then, and long after he the castle restoration work had begun, and is not entirely convinced.
The Bloody Chapel
The Bloody Chapel is the home to many of the spirits of Leap Castle. People passing the Castle at night have reported bright light streaming out of the upper windows. This occurrence has been reported since the time of the Darbys. When the castle was left a burnt out shell after the 1922 burning, this event was also reported by passers by. Even now, neighbours have telephoned the Ryans and informed them of the Chapels illumination. Strange smells of rubber have also been reported during peoples visit to the upper hall.
One of the most well known is referred to as the O’Carroll priest. After the death of Mulrooney O’Carroll in 1532, a fierce power struggle developed within the remaining O’Carroll family. Brother fought against brother to gain Chieftainship. Legend has it that an O’Carroll murdered his brother, a priest whilst performing a mass in the upper hall of the Castle. It is believed that the priest started the mass before the arrival of his brother and this was considered to be a great insult. The angered O’Carroll then flew into a rage a slaughtered his brother where he stood. The Priest has been seen on many occasions in the Bloody Chapel. This spirit has also been seen lurking on the stairway below and also leaving the chapel via the western door to the bartizan and down the northern stairs.
One of the more sinister features of the Bloody Chapel is the oubliette. The oubliette is a small chamber located in the North-Eastern corner of the Bloody Chapel. It is thought that the original use for these chambers was to store valuables. They were also used as a place to hide in the event of a siege. The O’Carrolls however, used this chamber for a more sinister purpose. They modified this chamber to serve as a small dungeon where prisoners were thrown in, dead or dying. The entrance to the chamber is a narrow hole originally fitted with a form of trap door. The name is derived from the French “to forget”.
Once someone was thrown into the oubliette, they were simply forgotten about. The O’Carrolls were said to be an extremely cunning and brutal clan, stopping at nothing to achieve domination. Legends tell of several occasions where the O’Carrolls would employ other clans as mercenaries to kill off nearby threats. Upon completion of the job the mercenaries were invited back to Leap Castle for a celebratory feast. Unfortunately for the mercenaries, the feast was poisoned and their throats were cut. The corpses were then thrown into the oubliette. 39 of the O’Neil clan are said to be disposed of in this fashion. In 1599, another deadly deed occurred at Leap Castle. Charles O’Carroll, the last chieftain at Leap, was at war with the Earl of Tyrone and hired the MacMahon clan, from Monaghan as mercenaries. After they had fought for him, the O’Carrolls held a feast for the mercenaries. They were then murdered in their sleep. The MacMahon clan are said to haunt the great hall at Leap Castle.
During the occupation of Leap Castle by the Darbys, the oubliette was cleaned and the contents removed during some of the renovations carried out. It is said that three cartloads of skeletons were removed from the oubliette during this period. Some believe that since this gruesome discovery, an emotional shock-wave was sent through the castle and the many spirits including the Elemental were woken from their dormancy.
Sean Ryan speaks of a man who seems to live in the oubliette. He leaves the Bloody Chapel on occasion and is said to wander down to the lower levels of the castle.
An Elemental Suspected
Leap Castle has been shrouded in mystery and intrigue for hundreds of years, and the exact nature of the occurrences highly suspect. However, an Elemental force as the ‘prime suspect,’ seems to be the most widely accepted possibility, although numerous other theories also been circulated over the years.
It is purported as the most likely source for the Elemental’s presence today is that of Mildred Dill Darby.
Mildred had married Jonathon Charles Darby, who had inherited Leap Castle after his grandfather William Henry Darby died in 1880 and he was the only surviving heir. Mildred was thought to have been drawn Wicca (a nature-oriented practice derived from pre-Christian religions), and as a novice had started dabbling with ancient Wiccan spells, designed to summon the earth spirits, through activities focused on séances and automatic writing.
It is thought that her inexperience with the occult, she may have inadvertently awakened, or summoned, an Elemental force. And since the horrific discovery of the Oubliette had not yet occurred. As the oubliette within the castle’s walls was not known to exist until the early 1900s, when stumbled across by a group of workmen restoring a section of the internal castle walls. Carting out several cartloads of human remains (bones that had piled at the bottom of the shaft).
It then suddenly became obvious that Mary Darby may had been responsible by the release of emotional energy, possibly linked to spirits trapped in the Oubliette by the Elemental Entity, enough to wake up the dormant spirit.
This excerpt is believed to be taken from Mildred Darby’s journal, of her terrifying encounter with the Elemental.
“Suddenly, two hands were laid on my shoulders. I turned round sharply and saw, as clearly as I see you now– a gray ‘Thing’, standing a couple of feet from me, with it’s bent arms raised as if it were cursing me. I cannot describe in words how utterly awful the ‘Thing’ was, it’s very indefinableness rendering the horrible shadow more gruesome. Human in shape, a little shorter than I am, I could just make out the shape of big black holes like great eyes and sharp features, but the whole figure-head, face, hands and all was gray–unclean, blueish gray, something of the color and appearance of common cotton wool. But, oh! so sinister, repulsive and devilish. My friends who are clever about occult things say it is what they call an ‘Elemental.’
The thing was about the size of a sheep, thin, gaunt and shadowy in parts. It’s face was human, or to be more accurate, inhuman, in it’s vileness, with large holes of blackness for eyes, loose slobbery lips, and a thick saliva-dripping jaw, sloping back suddenly into its neck! Nose it had none, only spreading, cancerous cavities, the whole face being a uniform tint of gray. This too, was the color of the dark coarse hair covering its head, neck and body. It’s forearms were thickly coated with the same hair, so were its paws, large, loose and hand-shaped; and it sat on it’s hind legs, one hand or paw was raised, and a claw-like finger was extended ready to scratch the paint. It’s lusterless eyes, which seemed half decomposed, and looked incredibly foul, stared into mine, and the horrible smell which had before offended my nostrils, only a hundred times intensified, came up to my face, filling me with a deadly nausea. I noticed the lower half of the creature was indefinite and seemed semi-transparent-at least, I could see the framework of the door that led into the gallery through its body.”
A letter sent by Mildred Darby to Sydney Carroll on 28 Nov 1915
“The last appearances of the Elemental were on Nov 25th 1915 and I deduce again last November from the gait of my husband really wild with rage, or perhaps fright? Coming into my room at Midnight it flew into me again, “dressing up things to try and frighten me.” On the 25th Nov 1915, two of our servants knowing the ‘master’ would be out late and that I was driving that afternoon had invited ‘friends,’ two soldiers from the Barracks at Birr, distant to the other side of 6 miles. They came rather late and my husband came home early so the visitors had to be kept out of his sight in the lower regions of the castle, in one of the wings (of the Priests House) and we were unable to show them the center tower – the very lofty hall.
At 7.15 my husband and I went up to dress for dinner, my room was in extremity of the house from kitchens, his dressing room next door to mine. Whilst dressing I was startled by a loud yell of a terror stricken male and female voices apparently coming from the hall – and I ran out to see the cause.My husband was out first, well ahead of me. I at his heels passed through the corridor wing and onto the gallery wing that surrounds two sides of tall hall. Two lamps on the gallery and two more in hall below. It was on the gallery, leaning with ‘hands’ resting on the rail I saw the Thing – and smelt it only too well.
At the same moment my husband pulled up sharply about 10 feet from the Thing, and half turning let fly a volley of abuses at me ending up “Dressing up a thing like that to try and make a fool of me. And now you’ll say I’ve seen something and I have not seen anything and there is nothing to see, or ever was. This last speech without a pause, begun waving one hand at the Thing end up by stalking back to his dressing room still abusing me for trying to give him a fright. As he was speaking to the Elemental it grew fainter and fainter until it disappeared. By the sounds from my husband’s room I judged he was employed as I was myself in preparing an empty spot for our coming dinner.He never made any inquiry as to the yell that called us both out, and from that day to this has not mentioned the incident to me.
I heard from our servants that when we went to dress for dinner they had brought their friends just to show them the hall, when all four has suddenly seen ands melt the Elemental looking down at them from the gallery. We all got such a turn, we couldn’t help letting out a bawl then fled to servants quarters where all 4 were very
The Most Haunted Team
One of the cameraman from the filming crew of the television show Most Haunted, describes his encounter with an unknown entity, presumed to be the same elemental encountered during the filming of the television documentary, 18 June 2002.
“I traveled to Leap Castle in order to make a show for a local TV network and this was my first time in the notorious castle I had heard so much about. So the show went well but I wanted to try the UV on the camcorder whilst still shooting.I had sensed something down the old access to the battlements earlier and never went down. I climbed the stairs with the camcorder in front, the light from the UV allowed me to see about 6 ft ahead and no more so I climbed slowly. I opened the Gothic style door and made my way slowly down the narrow passage, about 10ft in I thought I saw something move and I lifted my head, I could feel something was wrong but I had no idea what.
This time with the camera dropped I thought I saw a glow come from around the corner and then it went back in.I stood and studied this for a while and thought it may be a side effect of the UV which can be common, a few steps more and my body was weakening fast, it was a strange sensation. Suddenly this mass of white like mist raced around the corner like a bull, even the rubbish on the floor scattered as it approached at speed. The passage was tight and I turned to my left to try and get out but it was too late, I felt the pain as if something had just pierced under my right rib cage and went all the way through to the back.
This startled me a little and we proceeded to arrange shooting in the cellars. he audio refused to tape again in the cellars and I felt really odd, I was sweating heavily and was becoming very weak and drowned in dread. Right after the incident in the tunnel it felt as if a hole in my chest had been punctured on a spiritual level and my life was seeping into the stones. In order to describe it and let the reader understand they would have had to experience a large blood loss sometime in their lives. As they felt the blood drain this weakness would become prominent, other words they were experiencing the onset of death……I was dying.”
No video? Download the DivX Plus Web Player.
Apocalypse Programming – Knowing the End of Days
Describing Our Universe to an Alien
Are Anonymous: Freedom Fighters or Criminals?
A Perfect Place to Die
2012 alien alien abduction Area 51 BBC conspiracy cover up Crypts to the Paranormal dakota fanning Director's Chair divx Documentary doomsday download divx end of days film ghost ghosts haunted haunting Heather Donahue history channel most haunted movie Nostradamus Effect paranormal paranormal investigations paranormal research Roman Catholic Church Roswell SciFi Screening Room screenplay spirit Steven Spielberg time travel Top 10 UFO & Alien Abduction Films tv mini series ufo UFO Files ufos ufo video video video download web player
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line239
|
__label__cc
| 0.706183
| 0.293817
|
The Scientific Odyssey
Episode 2.25.1: Supplemental-Erwin Schrodinger and the World's Most Famous Cat
The Scientific Odyssey is a podcast exploration of scientific inquiry through it's history and philosophy. New episodes weekly.
A discussion of the life and scientific work of Erwin Schrodinger. Specific attention is paid to the "gedankenexperiment" known as "Schrodinger's Cat" and the implications for the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.
An examination of scientific inquiry through a discussion of the history and philosophy of the scientific endeavor and the people who have participated in it.
© Author: Chad Davies. Content may be used for educational purposes with proper citation.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line241
|
__label__cc
| 0.726481
| 0.273519
|
“Breaking Bread” on the “First Day” of the Week
As the apostle Paul was making his way toward Jerusalem near the end of his third missionary journey, he met with several disciples in the coastal city of Troas. Although he was “hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16), he tarried in Troas for seven days with several other disciples (20:4-6). According to Acts 20:7, “[O]n the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” Since Luke indicates that Paul did not break bread until after his lengthy lesson and the resurrection of Eutychus (20:11), many have questioned whether Paul and the disciples ate of the Lord’s Supper on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday? Others have wondered whether “to break bread” in Acts 20 even has anything to do with the Lord’s Supper. What can be said about such matters?
Admittedly, to “break bread” in Bible times often referred to the eating of common meals. God once warned His prophet Jeremiah not to “break bread for the mourner” (Jeremiah 16:7, RSV). Jesus “took bread...and broke it” with the disciples to whom He appeared on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:30,35). The early Christians are said to have continued daily “breaking bread from house to house” eating “food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:46). Paul once “took bread and...broke it” and instructed his 275 companions on board a ship to Italy to eat it for their “preservation” (Acts 27:34-35, NASB). In ancient times, to “break bread” was a figure of speech known as synecdoche where a part (to break bread) was put for the whole (to eat a common meal, regardless of the kind of food and drink consumed).
In New Testament times, however, the phrase “to break bread” was also used to describe the partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus instituted this special supper while celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread with His disciples shortly before His death.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:26-29, emp. added).
In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul addressed the subject of the Lord’s Supper with these words: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (emp. added). Paul later reminded the Corinthians of the night in which Jesus first instituted this memorial feast, saying, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me’” (1 Corinthians 11:23-24, emp. added). Because part of this memorial supper that Christians are commanded to keep involves the actual breaking of bread, the expression “to break bread” was used in reference to the Lord’s Supper in the early church (cf. Behm, 1965, 3:730). Similar to how this phrase was used as a synecdoche in regard to common meals, it was also used to represent the Lord’s Supper (where consumption of both the bread and the fruit of the vine is referred to as simply “the breaking of bread”).
Because the phrase “to break bread” refers both to common meals and the Lord’s Supper, one must examine the context of passages in order to understand which one is being discussed. For example, since in Acts 2:42 “breaking bread” is listed with other religious activities carried out by the church such as teaching, praying, and fellowshipping (from the Greek koinonia, which may include several aspects of “joint participation,” including free-will offerings on the first day of the week—cf. Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; see Jackson, 2005, p. 31), one may logically conclude that “the breaking of bread” is a reference to the early Christians partaking of the Lord’s Supper. [The use of the article in this verse also leaves the impression that a particular event is under consideration, rather than a common meal where “food” (Greek trophe, a word never used of the Lord’s Supper—Barnes, 1956, p. 59) is served for the purpose of gaining nourishment (e.g., Acts 2:46; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:33-34).]
But what about the use of the phrase “to break bread” in Acts 20:7? What textual indicators are present that warrant the phrase in this passage to be understood as the Lord’s Supper? First, the term “to break bread” is a first aorist active infinitive (Robertson, 1997). Since infinitives in Greek and English denote the objective or purpose of action for the principal verb (cf. Mounce, 1993, p. 298), one can know that Paul, Luke, and the disciples at Troas “gathered together” for the primary purpose of “breaking bread.” When this information is processed in light of the fact that Paul earlier had written to the church at Corinth and implied that the purpose for them coming together was to partake of the Lord’s Supper (in an orderly manner—1 Corinthians 11:20,33), then the passage in Acts 20 makes much better sense: “to break bread” was (or at least included) the eating of the Lord’s Supper. What’s more, Paul remained in Troas for seven days despite being in a hurry to get to Jerusalem before Pentecost (which was about 31 days, 10 stops, and 1,000 miles away—cf. Acts 20:6,13-16; 21:1,3,7,8,15). Why tarry in Troas for seven days? It was not simply to eat a common meal with the saints. Rather, Paul desired to worship with the church in Troas “on the first day of the week,” which included observing “communion” with them (1 Corinthians 10:16).
But did Paul and the church at Troas really observe the Lord’s Supper on Sunday? First, it is possible that the bread Paul broke after spending all night preaching and talking was part of a common meal that he would have gladly received before beginning his extended journey to Jerusalem. Nevertheless, when Luke’s terminology in Acts 20:11 is carefully examined, it appears that Paul ate two separate meals with the disciples: the Lord’s Supper first (“had broken bread”), followed by a common meal (“and eaten”). This latter expression (“and eaten,” Greek geusamenos) “is nowhere used of the celebration of the Supper, whereas in Acts 10:10 it is applied to taking a common meal” (Jamieson, 1997). The former expression (“had broken bread”) has the Greek article before “bread” (lit., “had broken the bread,” ASV, emp. added) and “seems plainly to denote the celebration of the Lord’s Supper; their intention to do so being expressed in Acts 20:7, but their actually doing it nowhere if not here” (Jamieson, 1997; cf. Robertson, 1997; Woods, 1976, pp. 67-70; Wycliffe, 1985).
If Paul, then, waited to “break bread” until after midnight (20:7,11), would this not have been a Monday-morning observance of the Lord’s Supper? Regardless of whether the memorial feast was observed before or after midnight, one can be assured that it took place on Sunday, because it was “on the first day of the week” that the disciples met “to break bread.” The reason that eating the Lord’s Supper after midnight would have been acceptable conduct for many Christians is because the Jewish method of counting time was still widely acknowledged. The Jews and the Romans used different standards for calculating the hours of the day, and although both systems split the day into two periods of twelve hours, a new day for the Romans began at midnight (cf. Pliny, n.d., 2:79), whereas a new day for the Jews began in the evening at sundown and lasted until sundown the following day. Luke, like Matthew and Mark, used the Jewish method of reckoning time in both his gospel account and in the book of Acts (cf. Luke 23:44; Acts 2:15; 23:23; cf. also John 19:14; 20:1,19). Thus, Paul’s pre-midnight preaching corresponded to our Saturday evening, but was the beginning of their “first day.” Regardless of whether they observed the Lord’s Supper on the evening of the first day or the morning of the first day, it was observed on the proper day, the day on which Jesus rose from the grave (Luke 24:1)—the first day of the week.
Christians should count it a privilege and honor to observe the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:22), and commune with the Lord and His people (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Sadly, some in the twenty-first century may attempt to justify observing this sacred supper on some occasion other than the first day by alleging that the early Christians observed it on Saturday night or Monday morning. The important thing to remember in this discussion, however, is that the early disciples came together on the first day of the week to observe this memorial feast. In the first century, when the Jewish method of reckoning time was still widely accepted, the first day began on what we call Saturday evening and ended Sunday evening. In the twenty-first century, most (if not all) people count time from midnight to midnight. Since God did not specify which method of time to use, but did specify the numerical day of the week in which the supper of the Lord is to be kept, Christians should abide by the standards of time wherever they reside.
[For discussion on whether or not Christians should partake of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week, see Miller, 2003]
Barnes, Albert (1956), Notes on the Old and New Testaments: Acts (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).
Behm, Johannes (1965), “klao, klasis, klasma,” Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Kittel (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).
Jackson, Wayne (2005), The Acts of the Apostles: From Jerusalem to Rome (Stockton, CA: Christian Courier Publications).
Jamieson, Robert, et al. (1997), Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary (Electronic Database: Biblesoft).
Miller, Dave (2003), “Sunday and the Lord’s Supper,” [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2304.
Mounce, William D. (1993), Basics of Biblical Greek (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).
Pliny the Elder, The Natural History, trans. Bostock and H.T. Riley, [On-line], URL: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plin.+Nat.+2.79.
Robertson, A.T. (1997), Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament (Electronic Database: Biblesoft).
Woods, Guy N. (1976 reprint), Questions and Answers (Henderson, TN: Freed-Hardeman College).
Wycliffe Bible Commentary (1985), Electronic Database: Biblesoft.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line247
|
__label__cc
| 0.610852
| 0.389148
|
Review: Aberrant by Ruth Silver ★★
Aberrant by Ruth Silver
Genre: YA Dystopian
Series: Aberrant #1
Rating: ★★
Review Copy: ARC
Synopsis: In the future Dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system.
With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.
Oh, cover, you so pretty! Why you lie to meeee?
This book didn't really work for me and there are, on the surface, a lot of reasons why it should have. Firstly, because I love dystopians. And I also love mystery and intrigue. I love friends-to-lovers, and I love YA. What I don't love are books that feel like they're trying to cash in on a popular genre, rather than adding something new or dynamic to it.
ABERRANT tries to be everyone's friend. Kinda like those people you meet who seem to change and morph into a completely new personality right before your eyes depending on what crowd they're in or who they're speaking to, but otherwise seem devoid of their own authentic personality. Maybe they had one once, but they've been pretending to be so many other people for so long in order to fit in, they've forgotten.
You can't please all of the people all of the time. And you can't fool all of the people, either. Adding lots of different (and familiar) ideas from the dystopian genre all into one book, didn't make this the Über Dystopian the author was probably hoping for - the one that has it all, the best bits from all the bestsellers. No, no. It really didn't. It just made a mish mash, a hodge podge of different individual stories that did not, in any way, work as a whole.
As the characters moved from location to location it was like moving through each familiar book. "Oh, look! Now we're in the Hunger Games section!" Or like the author wasn't sure which story she wanted to tell, so she flitted and drifted and refused to settle on one idea. I haven't recapped the plot in my review for this very reason; it was too messy. It would take too long to explain all the little mini stories.
So, this one wasn't the book for me, sadly, but it does have a super pretty cover, so... bygones.
2 Stars ★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line251
|
__label__wiki
| 0.748342
| 0.748342
|
'Bone Tomahawk'
In cinemas February 19th!
First presented at the London Film Festival in October and now to be released on the 19th of February, 'Bone Tomahawk' is a classic western mixed with good humour and gruesome scenes worthy of the best Tarantino's film. Set in the small town of Bright Hope in the middle of nowhere in the 1800s, the's plot is quite straight forward: a rescue party travels to save the town doctor's assistant, Mrs O'Dwyer, and one of the Sheriff's deputies after they have been kidnapped by the extremely violent Native American's clan Troglodyte.
From the beginning, 'Bone Tomahawk' can be considered a traditional western movie. The story starts in medias res, with a scene that instantly sets the graphic tone of the film, and the plot respects the classic themes of every old cowboy picture with a conflict between white conquerors and Native Americans fighting for their land. However, even though all the typical elements represented in a western are there, 'Bone Tomahawk' adds something different to the story by mixing these traditional features with scenes straight out of the drama and horror department. In fact, what renders this movie entertaining and well made, are not only the settings that bring to life this classic western, but also the strong dialogues, which are accurate in adopting the appropriate slurred slang used to recreate the authentic feeling of the old cowboy pictures, and the committed and realistic performances delivered effortlessly by the actors.
Since in all films the cinematography is what helps the audience immerse completely in the story, making it more genuine, in 'Bone Tomahawk' the visual design does its job by being brilliantly realistic and raw. The many panoramic shoots of the wilderness, along with the classical scenography of the small western town, give authenticity to the story by showing primitive and untouched areas, instantly bringing the audience inside the action. Together with the breath taking bird's eye views, the camera also employs many close ups either to avoid the violent and gruesome details of a particular gory scene or bask in their brutality, showing to the audience every horrifying detail.
The pace of the film is quite slow, as it happens with most western movies, however, the irony and the sarcastic lines delivered always by Richard Jenkins' character Chicory makes it more bearable for the audience to follow the story without losing focus or getting restless. Is it precisely the strong comic timing and the great acting skills of the cast ensemble that created the perfect mix of entertainment and action for the film? The dialogues are sharp and fast paced, keeping the audience glued to the story. Each character has his own individuality, creating a well-balanced expedition group that is capable of carrying the entire movie on its shoulder without adding unnecessary special features.
The whole cast worked together effortlessly to bring on the screen remarkable performances that compliment and support one another. Each character has a strong personality that is complementary to the others and thanks to this diversification, the dynamics in the group are well balanced throughout the story. Moreover, since the plot is linear, the film is easy to follow. However this linearity doesn't make the plot dull, on the contrary, since the events are not fully disclosed immediately, throughout the movie new details are given and it becomes easy to piece together everything by simply following the characters in their journey.
At first glance, it might seem like 'Bone Tomahawk' is a film that respects the gender stereotypes in which women are just there to look good and tend to their husbands, while men do all the dirty work, but even though the main female character, Samantha O'Dwyer, is abducted, fitting the profile of a woman in need, she has a powerful strength that keeps her grounded and focused even in the worst of times. Along with her, each man shows some sort of vulnerability and a strong loyalty not only to each other, but also to their female companions, either human or animal.
From Sheriff Hunt to Brooder, a local educated man, and Chicory as well, each man is bonded to a female figure, and they embark on this rescue mission not only to save their own people, but also to protect their small town and their families. Their courage, loyalty and stubbornness is ever present and in showing a different side of their personality throughout the movie, their actions also highlight how much each character is well rounded and layered.
All in all, 'Bone Tomahawk' is great western movie that perfectly balances humour, horror and action and successfully entertains the audience for two hours without boring them to the end.
Review by Federica Roberti.
Rate the film and why not write your own review in the comments?
'Norm Of The North'
In cinemas March 18th!
In an industry that lately gives voice and human traits to animals in order to teach lessons about
humanity, 'Norm of the North' uses the same stratagem to create a character that talks for the
environment and their inhabitants to protect them and create awareness, while at the same time
entertaining the whole family, especially small children. The plot for this movie is quite simple. Norm, a polar bear that has the unique ability to speak human, doesn't precisely fit with the idea of how the "king of the Arctic" should be. When humans threaten the peace and quiet of his home, Norm is the only one that can save his glacial land from Mr Greene, by embarking on an adventure to NYC.
The timing for a movie like this couldn't be more perfect. In fact, while other productions try to
speak more and more to adults, in order to attract a broaden audience, what 'Norm of the North' does is still entertaining both adults and children while teaching a good lesson to the young about respecting the environment. Trying to preserve our world using the best means of communication, a talking bear.
Many of the jokes written in the film are easy to understand by children without being too childish
and leaving out the parents from the entertainment factor. The actors who gave their voices to each
character were capable of expressing every range of emotions effortlessly, giving more depth to
each human or animal.
The story not only tackles global warming, pollution and respect for the world in a simple yet
effective way, it also highlights how important it is to be yourself and believe in your capabilities
and, most importantly, never give up even when the journey becomes difficult and only a handful of
people are ready to stand by you.
The simplicity of the plot is what makes this story worth watching. While other animation feature
films become more and more complex each year, 'Norm of the North' created a simple storyline aimed at children of any age. The jokes are not too elaborate, but they still posses a comic timing that is entertaining both for children and adults alike. The drawings are made with great accuracy, and each character's facial expressions are realistic and help the audience connect on an emotional level with the story.
Since it is a movie for children, the important subject of the environment, and how mankind is
polluting and invading habitats that are there just for animal species, are not analysed in a
complicated way. On the contrary, it is approached in a way to make the lessons more efficient and easily understood by children.
All in all, 'Norm of the North' is a film that, in going back to the origins of the animation feature
film, is making it possible for children to fully understand the core lessons behind the story
while still being capable of entertaining not only them but their parents as well, making it an
experience for the whole family.
'Oddball And The Penguins'
An Australian production inspired by real events, 'Oddball and the Penguins' is a family comedy that
is made for both children and parents, gifting the audience with an entertaining and moving story
about family and friendship.
Set in a remote area in Australia, the film focuses on a family who devoted its entire life to preserve
and save an endangered species of penguins, known as Little Penguins, from the wild foxes that are
hunting them. This flock of penguins are living on a deserted island, supervised by Emily, a young
single mother who gave up her life to keep her late mother's project alive. Unfortunately, since the sea town of Warrnambool, where Emily and her family lives, can't afford surveillance on the island, the foxes are decimating the flock. Throughout the film the numbers of survived penguins keeps dropping and, if by the official counting they will be less than ten, the wild sanctuary will have to be re-purposed.
To try and save the day Emily's daughter Olivia, along with her grandfather, the eccentric Swampy,
will try to coach their untrained and unruly maremmas dog Oddball to guard the penguins and save
the sanctuary.
In 'Oddball and the Penguins' the plot follows the classic standard for these kind of family comedies
that want to entertain both adults and children. The comic aspect of the movie, always related to
Oddball being a tornado and destroying everything in his path, is well balanced with the more serious, as well as tender, scenes that portray the deep bond between this special family that
stood together and helped each other through the best and worst.
Even though Oddball and the Penguins is not a high quality film made with the finest technique and
extraordinary cinematography, the movie is still great to watch. Its main purpose is to create
awareness about an environmental matter that maybe many people ignored by using humour and
emotions to help the audience empathise with the story.
In fact, the movie was inspired by the real events about the Little Penguins species in Middle Island
and the volunteering project that, since 2006, is using maremmas dogs to protect them.
In making this film the director was able to highlight the great effort that many people had to make in order to save this wild sanctuary. Not only that, but he was also able to teach to both children and parents the valuable lesson that in life it is important to believe in something great and that, when the road ahead gets difficult and filled with obstacles, one can always count on their family to go through them and finally reach their goal.
All in all, 'Oddball and the Penguins' is a simple movie that just wants to tell a real story filled with
great principles and it does so by adding entertainment and comedy all enclosed in a huge, furry and extremely sweet maremmas dog.
'Triple 9'
A common debate within any form of entertainment - from books to television shows to movies - is whether character or plot are the most important element. Should plot drive the character or should character drive the plot? As vehemently some may contest their chosen view, there isn't really a true right or wrong answer, but something that varies from each creator or creation to the next. As likely as it is to be either/or, it's just as likely for the focus to be both, or neither, depending on how one chooses to look at it.
It is via this lens that 'Triple 9' is best approached, and it's compelling exploration of human nature can be truly appreciated...
Trapped between the proverbial rock and hard place, a collection of criminals and corrupt cops consider the extreme in order to pull off a seemingly impossible heist.
'Triple 9' feels less like a story and more recorded series of events. Each action has a reaction. Each decision - both noble and despicable - breeds consequences. It's a vicious circle of a narrative that is as chaotic as anything that happens in real life and follows confidently in the footsteps of such similar classics as 'Training Day', 'End of Watch', or, more appropriately, director John Hillcott's previous effort 'Lawless'.
Hillcott weaves the words of relative newcomer Matt Cook into a gritty tapestry of betrayal, fellowship, deceit, and redemption. All of which stem from clearly defined, if occasionally fluctuating, characters. The pace is swift and barely pauses along the way, propelling the audience as breathlessly through moments of reflection and confusion as it does moments of action. As with the aforementioned 'Lawless', there is a palpable sense of escalating tension hanging over proceedings, creating some truly edge-of-the-seat, unpredictable set-pieces in a similar vein to 'The Raid'. Without the martial arts though of course.
At the centre of the events, Casey Affleck ('Gone Baby Gone', 'Manchester By The Sea') is on traditionally sterling form as a rookie detective trying to make sense of everything, with solid support from Anthony Mackie ('The Winter Soldier', 'The Hurt Locker'). Woody Harrelson ('True Detective', 'Zombieland') is on-hand to offer some extra pathos, as well as some much needed levity. Aaron Paul is as phenomenally intense as he ever was in 'Breaking Bad', though it could be argued that his character is a spiritual brother of Jesse Pinkman. And Chiwetel Ejiofor ('12 Years a Slave') continues on his path to world domination, showing once again that there is nothing he can't do. He repeatedly serves as the heart, soul, and a driving, sympathetic force of the film.
The rest of cast list reads like a Who's Who of popular, sought-after, and critically acclaimed Hollywood stars, with everybody from Kate Winslet ('Steve Jobs', 'The Reader') and Norman Reedus ('The Walking Dead') to Michael Kenneth Williams ('Boardwalk Empire', 'The Wire') and the amazonion warrior herself, Gal Gadot ('Wonder Woman') lending their presence to roles that range from inciting to "blink and you might miss them".
Given it's ensemble nature and the fact it meanders back and forth between various threads, it would be easy to dismiss a lot of the positives and negatives of 'Triple 9' and consider it a bit of a mess. There will, no doubt, be those that do. And maybe understandably so. Scratch beneath the Michael Mann-esque surface and there is a lot to enjoy from the brief glimpse into these worlds - in terms of spectacle and distinctly human conflicts.
Although the ending is a slight misstep, ending on slightly the wrong note, and numerous actors are wasted in their roles, Hillcott succeeds up to that point in keeping things not only cohesively on track, but thoroughly exciting and enthralling throughout.
All in all, such minor, niggling flaws aside, 'Triple 9' is a stellar addition to the recent classics of the realistic crime genre, boasting solid writing, occasionally brilliant direction, and some powerhouse performances. An utterly compelling watch well worth giving up hours of your evening for.
Review by Jay Thomas.
Want us to review your work? Get in touch on the Contact page!
Why not add your own review in the comments?
#AHreviews
Independent Film / TV
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line253
|
__label__cc
| 0.581109
| 0.418891
|
ABOUT LAST NIGHT is a romantic comedy from director Steve Pink (HOT TUB TIME MACHINE) based on the 1980s David Mamet play "Sexual Perversity In Chicago" and remaking the 1980s movie starring Rob Lowe and Demi Moore. In this iteration we have two contemporary African American couples discussing sex and dating. Kevin Hart and Regina Hall (THINK LIKE A MAN) play Bernie and Joan who have a one-night stands at the outset of the film and so introduce their friends Danny and Debbie, played by Michael Ealy (BARBERSHOP) and Joy Bryant (Parenthood).
I started off really hating this movie and maybe that's because it focusses up front on Joan and Bernie, who come off as crass, drunk and trying to be funny. It's the kind of humour that asks you to laugh when a couple try to have sex on a toilet and accidentally hit the flush. But at least Kevin Hart was sporadically funny whereas the handsomely banal couple Danny and Debbie are just going through the motions of every other relationship drama we've ever seen on screen. They have an instant chemistry - all is loved up - they move in - he feels cramped - they have a massive argument - they could cheat with ex-es - they don't because they are fundamentally nice people.
I did eventually mellow forward this film. It's an easy enough watch even though it doesn't surprise AT ALL. For instance, you just know that when Danny takes Debbie to the old Irish bar he visited as a kid, and sees it fall on hard times, that there's going to be some kind of hipster-ish extreme makeover. The actors are ok. Kevin Hart and Regina Hall have their comedic moments. But it's one for DVD night at best.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT has a running time of 100 minutes and is rated R. The movie is on release in Canada, the USA, Kenya, Nigeria, the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Ecuador, Australia, South Africa, Malaysia, Uruguay, the UK and Ireland. It opens in April in Philippines, Thailand, India, Chile, Indonesia and New Zealand. It opens in May in Denmark and Taiwan, in June in Hong Kong and Germany.
Labels: comedy, kevin hart, leslye headland, marcus miller, michael barrett, michael ealy, paula patton, romance, steve pink
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER 3D brought to ...
ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE - LFF 2013 - Day Eleven - S...
BFI FLARE - Opening Night Gala - LILTING
PLOT FOR PEACE
300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE 3D
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line254
|
__label__wiki
| 0.563145
| 0.563145
|
WHO WE ARE - Why "Artesian"? - Board of Directors - Faculty and Staff
Leadership Team Values, Approach, and Accomplishments
Artesian Schools, Inc. believes that a values-rich environment inspires students to work hard, take leadership, and treat others with respect. Artesian’s paradigm is a set of values that, if followed, will lead to success in school and life. It hinges upon each school community embracing and living out its values.
Artesian's CEO has an unwavering commitment to provide strong leadership to the Artesian staff, and her approach is rooted in her personal and professional experiences. Priorities are in line with Artesian’s values and include:
Sustainability, both for people and for organization. This is modeled in the team approach to leadership where individuals' strengths, abilities, and experience complement one another, allowing the hard work of running schools to be sustainable—the Leadership Team will not try to be Superman[1]. Additionally, each school's financial model is self-sustaining beginning no later than in its fifth year of operation.
Transparent and clear communication. High expectations of the students and staff are modeled daily. Not only are the mission and vision of the school consistently conveyed, but explicit strategies and tactics to meet them are provided through weekly staff professional development. Staff and students are given regular and specific feedback.
Teamwork. Everyone is held accountable for their actions and outputs, but no one is expected to do everything alone. Teaching Teams and Support Teams meet daily to strategize how to best meet student needs.
Love of learning. Administration, teachers, staff, and students are always learning, reading new books, and expanding their life experiences. They strive to be the best they can be.
Artesian’s Leadership Team will bring experience in both instructional and organizational leadership. Founder and CEO, Ashley Smith, spent three years in leadership roles in a $1 billion company, including most recently serving as her organization’s Analytics Manager for the Eastern Business Unit, before transitioning to founding Artesian Schools, Inc. Ms. Smith received a Master of Business Administration from Goizueta Business School at Emory University and has extensive leadership, management, and operational experience that make her a valuable part of the Artesian team. Her passion for Memphis and excellent educational options for its young people stems from when she tutored at Kingsbury High School during the 2007-08 school year. Ms. Smith spent the past four years serving alongside the leadership teams at various Memphis charter schools and traveling to great schools around the country; these experiences helped solidify her educational philosophy and vision for Artesian.
[1] Waiting for “Superman”. Dir. Davis Guggenheim. Electric Kinney Films, 2010. Film.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line256
|
__label__wiki
| 0.651444
| 0.651444
|
VATICAN – RUSSIA
New bishop in Moscow is reassuring about Church’s “mission” in Russia
During Mgr Pezzi’s entrance ceremony in Mother of God Archdiocese, a message from Alexy II is read, saying that our relations depend on “how effectively we testify to the world about Christian values.” The new metropolitan makes clear that proselytising begins where the real mission ends, adding that if both sides are true missionaries they can pursue unity.
Moscow (AsiaNews) – The entrance ceremony of Mgr Paolo Pezzi as archbishop and head of Moscow’s Mother of God Archdiocese was held in the presence of 1,500 worshippers, 200 priests as well as members of the Orthodox clergy, the diplomatic corps and journalists. With the mass performed in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Moscow on Saturday Mgr Pezzi took over from Mgr Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the former head of the archdiocese in the Russian capital, who moved to Minsk, in Belarus.
During the ceremony Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, deputy chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, read out a message from the Patriarch of Moscow Alexy II. In it the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church voiced his hopes that the tenure of the new head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Moscow would be a time of “good relations between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches and of an early resolution of the problems between us.”
The message ends saying that it all depends on “how effectively we testify to the world about Christian values,” a clear reference to charges made by the Patriarchate against the Catholic Church in Russia and the Vatican over alleged Catholic proselytising, a major obstacle preventing a meeting between Alexy II and the Pope.
Both Mgrs Kondrusiewicz and Pezzi referred to the issue in the days before the ordination of the new archbishop and metropolitan.
The former bishop of Moscow expressed his regrets that in his 16-year tenure he failed “to establish better relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.”
“I have never promoted any proselytising activities, which are contrary to how I see things as well as to Church teachings,” he stressed. “Never the less, the dialogue was not disrupted, and I wish that the new archbishop may do more in this area.”
For his part Mgr Pezzi, from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Charles Borromeo, explained his point of view on “mission.”
In a long interview with the Russian news agency Interfax-Religion he said that “mission is a testimony of evangelical values [. . . whereas] proselytism starts at the point where the real mission ends. Therefore, if all of us—both Catholics and Orthodox—practice ‘mission,’ we can develop good understanding and pursue unity, as there will be no place left for conflicts ”
In the interview the new archbishop also mentioned some of the goals he has set for himself in his new pastoral role, which he views as a continuation of what Mgr Kondrusiewicz started. In addition to ecumenism, he wants greater care for clergy training, greater support for young priests as well as men and women religious and renewed commitment to face the great problems that affect Russian society.
Currently some 600,000 Catholics live in Russia, although some experts say Russian Catholics might account for 1 per cent of the population, or 1.5 million people.
Currently there are 230 Catholic parishes registered in Russia, plus some 30 other organisations. But some 30 per cent of the parishes still do not have their own churches, which were nationalised in Soviet times, something that is still a serious problem.
Some 300 clergymen from many countries around the world carry out pastoral services.
kondrusiewicz
alexy
"The handover of the icon of Kazan is an historic event"
Russia’s only Catholic magazine Svet Evangelia closes
Pope: joy over election of Kirill as patriarch of Moscow
Russia’s Catholics celebrate Christmas, full of memory and gratitude
A memorial lamp for John Paul II in Moscow
Pope to Lutherans: ecumenical dialogue to deepen the 'standing together' of the baptized
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line258
|
__label__wiki
| 0.515364
| 0.515364
|
Category Archives: China’s economy
China’s economy and development
China wins WTO case to sanction US$3.6 billion in US products
The World Trade Organisation on Friday allowed China to levy US$3.6 billion worth of punitive tariffs on US goods in an anti-dumping dispute Beijing brought against Washington in 2013
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3036010/china-wins-wto-case-sanction-us36-billion-us-trade
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/wto-china-us-trade-war-tariffs-anti-dumping-12056172
European Union ‘won’t rush into trade deal’ with China
The European Union is in no rush to seal a major trade deal with China despite Beijing saying good progress had been in the talks, an EU spokesman said after a meeting between top officials on Thursday
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3034461/european-union-wont-rush-trade-deal-china
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2019/10/chinas-top-diplomat-says-confident-of-investment-deal-with-eu/
China’s quarterly economic growth sinks to 26-year low amid US trade war
The world’s second largest economy grew by 6% in the three months ending in September, compared with the same period last year. That was down from 6.2% in the preceding quarter, and was the weakest rate since China began reporting quarterly data in 1993
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/18/chinas-quarterly-economic-growth-sinks-to-26-year-low-amid-us-trade-war
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3033481/chinas-economic-growth-worse-expected-third-quarter-sinking
Beijing Daxing: China’s huge new ‘starfish’ airport opens its doors
Built at a cost of US$63 million, the airport is roughly the size of 100 football fields and is expected to become one of the world’s busiest. It boasts four runways and is expected to handle up to 72 million passengers a year by 2025, eventually reaching 100 million
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-49750182
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3030334/beijing-daxing-airport-worlds-largest-takes-flight
‘Very difficult’ for China’s economy to grow at 6 percent: PM Li Keqiang
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said it is “very difficult” for China’s economy to grow at a rate of 6 percent or more because of the high base from which it was starting and the complicated international backdrop
https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/difficult-china-economy-grow-6-percent-li-190916011749336.html
China, US kick off new round of tariffs in trade war
China and the United States have begun imposing additional tariffs on each other’s goods, the latest escalation in a bruising trade war
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-01/us-china-trade-war-escalates-with-additional-tariffs/11468922?section=world
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3025255/china-us-trade-war-latest-tariffs-take-effect-sides-seek-get
China extends pilot free trade zones to strategic border regions
China will establish new pilot free trade zones (FTZs) in six provinces across the country, extending strategic trials to border regions to help improve trade ties with neighbouring countries and expand the reach of the Belt and Road Initiative
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3024421/china-extends-pilot-free-trade-zones-strategic-border-
China imposes additional tariffs on US$75 billion worth of US goods in retaliation for planned US tariff hike
China said on Friday it will impose retaliatory tariffs against about US$75 billion worth of U.S. goods, putting as much as an extra 10per cent on top of existing rates in the dispute between the world’s top two economies
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/china-us-trade-war-tariffs-11837428
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-imposes-additional-tariffs-on-us-goods-in-retaliation
China suspends purchase of Venezuelan oil
China’s largest energy company, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), is backing away from direct purchases of Venezuelan crude as the United States tightens sanctions against Caracas
https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/china-suspends-purchase-venezuelan-oil-190819094923985.html
US-China trade war takes a breather as Beijing sees ‘positive signal’ in Donald Trump’s tariff delay
Escalating trade tensions between China and the United States eased slightly on Wednesday as Beijing hailed the decision by US President Donald Trump to delay or remove some planned tariffs against Chinese products as a “positive signal”
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3022803/us-china-trade-war-takes-breather-beijing-sees-positive
US worried about ‘the Chinese invasion’ of Israel’s ports
US concern is centred on Haifa Port, which will be run by Chinese interests in 2021. In 2018, Beijing has promised US$ 23 billion in loans and aid to Mideast countries and plans to invest another 28 in infrastructure. The Pentagon warns that the region’s countries risk falling into Beijing’s orbit
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/US-worried-about-%27the-Chinese-invasion%27-of-Israel%26rsquo%3Bs-ports-47722.html
China halts US agriculture purchases as trade war heats up
China announced on Tuesday that it would suspend purchases of US agricultural products in retaliation for a “serious violation” of agreements between its President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Donald Trump
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-halts-us-agriculture-purchases-as-trade-war-heats-up
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3021540/china-suspend-purchases-us-farm-products-retaliation-serious
US, China to hold more trade talks after ‘constructive’ meeting
US and Chinese negotiators agreed to meet again in the United States in September after holding “frank” and “constructive” talks in Shanghai on Wednesday (Jul 31), state media said
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/us-china-to-hold-more-trade-talks-after-constructive-meeting-11769984
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/US-China-trade-talks-in-Shanghai-yield-more-friction-than-fruit
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/31/746916684/no-u-s-china-trade-deal-yet-talks-to-resume-in-september
Chinese private firm makes history with successful orbital mission
A private Chinese company used its own carrier rocket to send two satellites and several experimental payloads into space on Thursday, marking the first successful orbital mission by the country’s commercial space industry
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/236/92/5/1564037218626.html?newsId=89964
China’s GDP growth slumps to 27-year low amid trade war with US
The Chinese economy has suffered a loss of momentum in the second quarter, with the GDP falling to 6.2 % from a 6.4 % expansion in the first three months of the year, figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday
https://www.dw.com/en/chinas-gdp-growth-slumps-to-27-year-low-amid-trade-war-with-us/a-49590781
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48985789
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/154/166/113/1563185502232.html?newsId=88864
France’s Carrefour takes step to exit China with Suning.com deal
Carrefour, Europe’s largest retailer, took a decisive step on Sunday towards a full exit of the Chinese market by selling a majority stake of its activities in the country to Suning.com
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-carrefour-m-a-suning-com/frances-carrefour-takes-step-to-exit-china-with-suning-com-deal-idUKKCN1TO0AD?rpc=401&
China could build 30 ‘Belt and Road’ nuclear reactors by 2030: Official
China could build as many as 30 overseas nuclear reactors through its involvement in the “Belt and Road” Initiative over the next decade, a senior industry official told a meeting of China’s political advisory body this week
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-could-build-30-belt-and-road-nuclear-reactors-by-2030-official
China-Malaysia industrial park project draws US$4.8 billion in investments, fuelled partly by trade war
After a period of slowdown, the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) is picking up steam and expected to attract almost 20 billion ringgit (US$4.8 billion) in investments, a senior Malaysian trade official said on Friday, in a further sign of strengthening economic ties after the stalled East Coast Rail Link project resumed progress in April
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3014584/china-malaysia-industrial-park-project-draws-us48-billion
White paper: China doesn’t want, but isn’t afraid of a trade war
China published a white paper Sunday denouncing US unilateral and protectionist measures, criticizing its backtracking on Sino-US trade talks, and demonstrating China’s stance on trade consultations and pursuit of reasonable solutions
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/64/197/31/1559470398662.html?newsId=84536
http://en.people.cn/NMediaFile/2019/0602/FOREIGN201906021223000329216674614.doc
US-China trade war: What you need to know
What’s at stake in the US-China trade war? What has it cost ordinary people in America and China? And what impact could it have on other economies in Asia and ASEAN, like Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan? Which regions potentially stand to benefit from the trade war? CNA’s Tang See Kit answers some key questions about the trade war after the latest round of tariffs in May 2019
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/us-china-trade-war-what-you-need-to-know-11544448
China to impose tariffs on US goods despite Trump warning
China’s finance ministry said it plans to set import tariffs ranging from five percent to 25 percent on 5,140 US products on a target list worth about $60 billion. It said the tariffs will take effect on June 1
https://www.trtworld.com/business/china-to-impose-tariffs-on-us-goods-despite-trump-warning-26595
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/13/china-is-raising-tariffs-on-60-billion-of-us-goods-starting-june-1.html
US-China trade talks break up after US raises tariffs
Trade talks between the US and China end without a deal, but negotiators from both sides say they held “constructive” talks that went “fairly well” after the US raised tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods and Beijing promised to retaliate
https://www.trtworld.com/business/us-china-trade-talks-break-up-after-us-raises-tariffs-26523
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-state-media-says-three-main-differences-remain-in-us-trade-talks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/china-vows-compromise-principles-trade-talks-190511114350726.html
China expresses regret over US tariff hike, vows countermeasures
China on Friday (May 10) said it “deeply regrets” the United States’ decision to increase tariffs on US$200 billion (S$273 billion) worth of Chinese goods to 25 per cent from 10 per cent, adding without elaborating that it would take necessary countermeasures
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-expresses-regret-over-us-tariff-hike-vows-countermeasures
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190510/p2g/00m/0bu/075000c
Do we need new rules for China at the WTO?
As it enters its 25th year of existence, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is facing its biggest crisis. Who are the culprits? Some say it is the rise of protectionism, especially the unilateralism of the United States. Others say it is the proliferation of regional trade agreements, especially the mega-regionals. But increasingly more commentators are pointing to China as the biggest threat to the multilateral trading system
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2019/04/29/do-we-need-new-rules-for-china-at-the-wto/
Xi and world leaders invite countries to join Belt and Road, reject protectionism
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for more countries to join his pet mega-project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), even as world leaders expressed their support and rejected protectionism
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/xi-and-world-leaders-invite-countries-to-join-belt-and-road-reject-protectionism
China remains major stabilizer of world economy: Xinhua
It’s reassuring to the world that China’s economy has managed to maintain its steady growth and will continue to serve as a major stabilizer for global growth
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/74/178/157/1555496279489.html?newsId=68163
Why is emerging global superpower China still categorised as a ‘developing’ country?
Despite being the world’s second-largest economy and home to the most billionaires, China is still categorised as a “developing” country and enjoys the same “special and differential treatment” afforded to nations like Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-11/why-china-is-still-categorised-as-a-developing-country/10980480?section=world
Malaysia to go ahead with China-backed East Coast Rail link
Malaysia on Friday said it had a signed a fresh deal to proceed with the stalled China-backed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), after months of false starts and contradictory statements from Prime Minister
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/3005831/malaysia-decide-today-stalled-china-backed-east-coast-rail
China’s Infrastructure Development in the Indo-Pacific Region: Challenges & Opportunities
The initial optimism about BRI has already turned into growing concern among neighboring countries in Asia and beyond because BRI has created more challenges than solutions for development in the region in what has been called “debt trap” diplomacy. China has contributed to developing hard and soft infrastructure in BRI countries, enhanced its connectivity with and within the region, and boosted trade and investment between China and BRI countries. China’s increasingly active engagement in infrastructure development, however, posed new challenges to the Indo-Pacific region
https://csis-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/FINAL_Working%20Paper_Shino%20Watanabe.pdf?utm_source=CSIS+All&utm_campaign=872a15a09c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_27_09_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f326fc46b6-872a15a09c-181966409
China, EU Hail Breakthrough Investment Agreement
European Union and China leaders say they intend to enter into what they called an “ambitious” comprehensive investment agreement by 2020
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-eu-hail-breakthrough-investment-agreement/4869700.html
https://www.chinadailyhk.com/articles/212/39/69/1554863137493.html?newsId=67360
http://en.rfi.fr/asia-pacific/20190409-eu-demands-more-rights-european-companies-china
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3005604/hopes-high-eu-china-joint-statement-opening-more-just-words
Greece’s ancient civilisation was once a lure for China’s leaders. Now it could prove their nemesis
After all, with millions of dollars in Chinese investments being pumped into the port, it is now on course to surpass Valencia in Spain and become the busiest container terminal in the Mediterranean by the end of the year
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3005031/greeces-ancient-civilisation-was-once-lure-chinas-leaders-now
Will the New Chinese Investment Law Defuse Trade Tensions?
2018 turned out to be a milestone in China’s economic ties with the developed West, particularly the United States of America. President Donald J. Trump was welcomed by the Chinese society and government when he was elected in 2016
http://ippreview.com/index.php/Home/Blog/single/id/922.html
EU leaders hold out olive branch to Chinese ‘rival’ by saying they want active role in Belt and Road Initiative
European and Chinese leaders sought to reassure each other over economic cooperation on Tuesday despite the increasing US move towards protectionism, as leading EU figures said they were still open to joining China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3003378/eu-leaders-hold-out-olive-branch-chinese-rival-hint-they-are
https://www.asiapacificstar.com/news/260129416/china-eu-stress-importance-of-multilateralism
European Union calls for united trade and tech front against ‘rival’ China
The European Union is urging its leaders to take a tougher stand on mounting China-related trade, technology and geostrategic concerns, a major step that could overshadow the country’s relations with Europe for years to come, analysts said
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3001580/european-union-calls-united-trade-and-tech-front-against-rival
Chinese exports fell more than 20% in February
Last month, dollar-denominated exports plunged 20.7% compared to the same period last year while imports dropped 5.2%, official data released by the General Administration of Customs revealed on Friday
https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/03/article/chinas-exports-plunge-more-than-20/
https://www.asiapacificstar.com/news/259860775/chinese-exports-fell-more-than-20-in-february
China lowers growth target amid trade and debt fears
Beijing is targeting 2019 growth of 6.0 to 6.5 percent, down from the 6.6 percent gross domestic product reported for 2018 – itself the slowest growth in almost 30 years
https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/05/china-lowers-growth-target-amid-trade-and-debt-fears
https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/03/article/china-warns-of-tough-economic-challenges-ahead/
China and Saudi Arabia seal US$28 billion in deals
Saudi Arabia signed US$28 billion worth of economic cooperation agreements with China on Friday as its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, met top Chinese leaders in Beijing
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2187374/china-and-saudi-arabia-seal-us28-billion-deals
https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-strikes-oil-deal-in-china/a-47631495
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/saudi-arabia-strikes-us-10-billion-china-deal-talks-de-11278736
China’s State Council reveals details of ‘Greater Bay Area’ plan to turn Hong Kong and 10 neighbouring cities into economic hub
China’s State Council unveiled a sweeping plan to link Hong Kong and Macau with cities in southern China to create a so-called Greater Bay Area, aiming to make it a high-tech megalopolis to rival California’s Silicon Valley
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2186569/chinas-state-council-reveals-details-greater-bay-area-plan
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-18/china-unveils-plan-to-tie-hong-kong-macau-closer-to-mainland
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/timeline-to-more-integration-outlined-in-greater-bay-area-plan
China’s economy grew at slowest pace in 28 years in 2018
The 6.6 per cent growth comes in above the official target of around 6.5 per cent and matches a forecast by analysts polled by AFP, but is down from the 6.8 per cent chalked up in 2017, according to the National Bureau of Statistics
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/chinas-economy-grew-at-slowest-pace-in-28-years-in-2018-1.1548041001762
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/china-economy-slows-amid-trade-war-to-64-growth-in-q4-weakest-pace-since-2009
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Xiang-Songzuo:-The-pitiful-state-of-the-Chinese-economy-46023.html
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping declare trade truce at G20
Donald Trump has delayed for 90 days his threatened imposition of 25% tariffs on most Chinese imports after a dinner meeting with Xi Jinping, to give time for negotiations on longstanding trade disputes between the two countries, the White House has said
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/02/donald-trump-and-xi-jinping-declare-trade-truce-at-g20
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-War/Trump-and-Xi-declare-a-temporary-truce-to-cool-trade-war-tensions
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/147/12/130/1543721419790.html?newsId=55240
China to widen market access for foreign investors – President Xi
China will widen market access for foreign investors and step up protection of intellectual property rights, China’s President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday ahead of the G20 meeting of world leaders in Argentina
http://ednews.net/en/news/economy/339454-china-to-widen-market-access-for-foreign-investors-president-xi
China says it should receive ‘special treatment’ within World Trade Organisation
China should enjoy “special treatment” as a developing member nation of the World Trade Organisation, a senior Chinese official said on Friday, in an apparent rebuke of a White House adviser’s call to expel the world’s most populous nation from the group
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2174756/china-says-it-should-receive-special-treatment-within-world
Beijing opens state-owned enterprises to private capital
The head of the State-owned Asset Supervision and Administration Commission made the announcement. The government wants to improve the management of big state companies, increasingly shaken by scandals related to bad management and corruption. Vietnam is following the same path
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Beijing-opens-state-owned-enterprises-to-private-capital-45424.html
China’s economic growth slows to lowest rate since financial crisis
China’s economic growth cooled to its weakest quarterly pace since the global financial crisis, with regulators moving quickly to calm nervous investors as a campaign to tackle debt risks and the trade war with the United States began to bite
https://www.france24.com/en/20181019-china-economic-growth-slowing-lowest-rate-financial-crisis-trade-stocks-debt-xi
https://www.newdelhitimes.com/chinas-economic-growth-slows-amid-trade-battle-with-us/
China’s trade surplus with US widens to record $34bn
Despite a worsening tariff war, China’s trade surplus with the United States has widened to a record $34.1bn in September
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/china-trade-surplus-widens-record-341bn-181012085207470.html
Pakistan cuts Chinese ‘Silk Road’ rail project by $2bn
Pakistan has cut the size of the biggest Chinese “Silk Road” project in the country by $2 billion, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed said on Monday, citing government concerns about the country’s debt levels
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/10/01/pakistan-cuts-chinese-silk-road-rail-project-by-2b-due-to-debt-concerns/
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/375054-china-open-to-changes-in-bri-projects
China Sets Tariffs On $60 Billion In U.S. Goods, Retaliating Against U.S. Duties
Hours after President Trump announced tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods, China responded with its own levies on $60 billion worth of U.S. products
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/18/649120519/china-sets-tariffs-on-60-billion-in-u-s-goods-retaliating-against-u-s-duties?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=economy
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/2164686/china-says-it-will-hit-back-against-donald-trumps-latest-trade
China puts off licenses for US companies amid tariff battle
Amid a worsening tariff battle, China is putting off accepting license applications from American companies in financial services and other industries until Washington makes progress toward a settlement, a business group say
https://www.newdelhitimes.com/china-puts-off-licenses-for-us-companies-amid-tariff-battle-2/
US and China hit each other with tariffs in round two of trade war
The U.S. and China hit each other on Thursday with $16 billion of tariffs on imports, as talks between officials from the world’s two biggest economies were unable to resolve the dispute
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-War/US-and-China-hit-each-other-with-tariffs-in-round-two-of-trade-war
China unveils new tariffs on $60bn of US goods in latest tit-for-tat trade war
China has announced retaliatory tariffs on $US60 billion ($81bn) worth of US goods ranging from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to some aircraft and warned of further measures, signalling it will not back down in a protracted trade war with Washington
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-04/china-says-its-latest-proposed-tariffs-on-us-goods-rational/10072296?section=world
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2158225/china-slap-tariffs-25-cent-us60-million-us-goods
China invests in 42 overseas ports under Belt and Road project
Chinese companies have participated in the construction and operation of a total of 42 ports in 34 countries under its Belt and Road initiative launched five years ago, according to China’s Ministry of Transport
https://gbtimes.com/china-invests-in-42-overseas-ports-under-belt-and-road-project
China vows retaliation for latest $200bn US tariff threat
China and the United States face a wider trade war after Beijing vowed on Wednesday to retaliate over Washington’s threat to impose $200bn in additional tariffs on Chinese goods
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/china-vows-retaliation-latest-200bn-tariff-threat-180711055648748.html
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/65/14/129/1531291961278.html
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/china-vows-to-hit-back-over-new-us-tariffs
Trump trade war to become reality as China tariffs hit
The United States is “opening fire” on the world with its threatened tariffs, the Chinese government warned on Thursday (Jul 5), saying Beijing will respond the instant US measures go into effect as the two locked horns in a bitter trade war
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-05/china-says-u-s-tariffs-to-backfire-damaging-the-whole-world
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/trump-trade-war-to-become-reality-as-china-tariffs-hit-10500896
Trump hits China with tariffs on $50 billion of goods; China says it will retaliate
President Trump is enacting a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of Chinese goods “that contain industrially significant technologies,” after months of exchanging threats amid concerns over a potential trade war
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/15/620259820/trump-levies-50-billion-in-tariffs-as-china-says-it-will-retaliate?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=world
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2018-06-15/trump-hits-china-with-list-of-tariffs-video
U.S.-China tensions hit a peak: White House slaps new tariff
After a week-long delay, the White House says on Tuesday said it will impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of Chinese goods with “industrially significant technology.”
http://www.asiapacificstar.com/news/257373180/us-china-tensions-hit-a-peak-white-house-slaps-new-tariff
http://ednews.net/en/news/economy/285702-us-announces-25-per-cent-new-tariffs-on-chinese-tech-goods
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/china-slams-surprise-us-trade-announcement–says-ready-to-fight-10287864
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2148526/united-states-threat-tariffs-chinese-imports-just
US and China call a ceasefire in trade dispute
Both sides this weekend said they had agreed to not impose new tariffs on one another while talks continue, after reaching an initial agreement on trade
http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/19/news/china-united-states-trade-announcement/index.html
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/39/194/85/1526800627197.html
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/china-us-agree-to-abandon-trade-war-china-s-vice-premier-10251524
US-China trade talks start in Beijing, but they’re not giving anything away
China and the United States began talks on Thursday after a senior US delegation of hardliners landed in Beijing, with all eyes on whether the two countries can avert an all-out trade war
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2144586/us-china-trade-talks-start-beijing-theyre-not-giving
https://www.newdelhitimes.com/tech-deficit-underlies-us-china-trade-conflict/
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-says-wont-submit-to-us-threats-as-trade-talks-begin
China targets US soybeans, cars, planes with new 25 per cent tariffs, but leaves room for negotiation
Beijing wasted little time in firing back at Washington’s latest trade action by unveiling plans to slap additional 25 per cent of tariffs on a range of goods it imports from the US, including soybeans, cars and planes, as the world’s two largest economies edge ever closer towards an all-out trade war
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2140263/china-strikes-back-25pc-tariffs-106-us-imports-all-out
http://www.dw.com/en/us-proposes-punitive-tariffs-targeting-50-billion-worth-of-chinese-imports/a-43243114
http://www.france24.com/en/20180404-china-raise-tariffs-billions-us-products-retaliation
China hits back at Trump with retaliatory tariffs on 128 US imports, worth US$3 billion a year
China on Monday imposed tariffs of up to 25 per cent on 128 US imports worth US$3 billion a year, including fruits and pork, in retaliation to US duties on steel and aluminium, fuelling fears of a trade war
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2139858/china-hits-back-trump-retaliatory-tariffs-128-us
http://www.dw.com/en/china-targets-us-meat-fruit-in-retaliation-against-tariffs-on-chinese-goods/a-43222342
China announces retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, deepening fears of a trade war
China on Friday unveiled plans to impose tariffs on 128 products, or $3 billion worth of American goods, including California staples such as wine, fruit and almonds
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-china-tariffs-20180323-story.html
https://www.trtworld.com/asia/china-targets-3-billion-in-us-goods-over-trump-s-steel-tariffs-16154
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-warns-us-actions-could-push-ties-danger-zone/4312973.html
Donald Trump hits China with $50 billion in tariffs, raising fears of new trade war
Donald Trump has announced $50 billion of tariffs on China to punish the country for forcefully acquiring US intellectual property, triggering fears of a new trade war
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/22/china-says-will-not-hide-trade-war-donald-trump-prepares-announce/
http://www.todayonline.com/world/trump-hits-china-trade-measures-white-house-exempts-allies-tariffs
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/22/china-us-sanctions-trade-war
China: Trade war with US would be disastrous
China says it does not want to initiate a trade war with the US following Trump’s decision to impose import tariffs on steel and aluminum. It, however, vows to defend its national interests amid American protectionism
http://www.dw.com/en/china-trade-war-with-us-would-be-disastrous/a-42925378
http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=214947
http://www.atimes.com/article/china-will-try-avoid-trade-war-us-will-retaliate-must/
Europe renews tariffs on Chinese steel pipes as high as 72%
As the world watches breathlessly if Trump will follow through with his threat to slap steel and aluminum import tariffs, Europe continues to quietly ratchet up its own trade war with China and nobody seems to mind
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-06/europe-renews-tariffs-chinese-steel-pipes-high-72
China sets 2018 GDP growth target at around 6.5 pct
China has set its GDP growth target at around 6.5 percent for 2018, unchanged from that for 2017, according to a government work report released Monday
http://en.people.cn/n3/2018/0305/c90000-9432825.html
https://gbtimes.com/china-reduces-annual-gdp-growth-target-for-2018
China, Russia sign deal on lunar exploration at global space agency meeting
The space agencies of China and Russia have signed a deal on lunar exploration, including possible cooperation on orbital and south pole Moon missions and a joint data centre
https://gbtimes.com/china-russia-sign-deal-on-lunar-exploration-at-global-space-agency-meeting
British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves China with over 7 billion euros of trade deals
Her visit has yielded new trade deals worth seven and half billion dollars to Britain which is trying to reinvent itself as a global trading nation after a 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union
http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/02/british-prime-minister-theresa-may-leaves-china-with-over-7-billion-euros-of-trade-deals
Explaining China’s fast rise as an innovative country
In the last few years, China has climbed to the pinnacle of nations of the world in terms of creativity and innovation, especially in the realms where it matters. In fact, China has spurted ahead in the race to the top to the degree it has become noticed and admired but also feared by some
China will surprise world with reforms in 2018, Xi adviser says
China will introduce more reform measures to open up its economy this year, according to Liu He, the top financial and economic adviser to President Xi Jinping
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-24/china-will-surprise-world-with-reforms-in-2018-xi-adviser-says
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/china-s-economic-mastermind-pledges-more-reform-at-davos-9892514
China says foreign direct investment up 7.9% in 2017
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland posted steady growth in 2017, through further opening-up and improved structure of foreign investment
NUARY 2018
France’s Emmanuel Macron secures strategic access to Chinese markets
From high-end wine to the new “Silk Road,” France and China have agreed to enhance economic relations. For Beijing, that meant providing French companies better access to Chinese markets
http://www.dw.com/en/frances-emmanuel-macron-secures-strategic-access-to-chinese-markets/a-42084077
http://www.france24.com/en/20180109-france-china-macron-trade-markets-protectionism
China’s economic power is actually a lot smaller than you think
China’s economic presence on world markets is actually much smaller than that of the United States of America and smaller than our key three Asia-Pacific allies combined
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-01/chinas-economic-power-is-actually-a-lot-smaller-than-you-think/9291700?section=world
Xi sets out economic road map for China Dream
His vision of China becoming a rich and powerful nation gets clearer timeline and goals
http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/xi-sets-out-economic-road-map-for-china-dream
China pushing billions into Iranian economy as Western firms stall
China is financing billions of dollars worth of Chinese-led projects in Iran, making deep inroads into the economy while European competitors struggle to find banks willing to fund their ambitions, Iranian government and industry officials said
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-nuclear-china/china-pushing-billions-into-iranian-economy-as-western-firms-stall-idUKKBN1DU2A8
China’s State-owned entreprises (SOE) reform wrangle
For the past twenty years, Chinese reformers have sought to improve the efficiency of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), with the latest through mixed-ownership reform. Despite the ever-deepening process, so far the new initiatives have not been very fruitful
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/11/29/chinas-seo-reform-wrangle/
Pakistan turns down China’s demand to allow its currency to be used in the Gwadar Free Zone
Pakistan has turned down China’s demand to allow its currency to be used in the Gwadar Free Zone under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework, arguing any such move would compromise its ‘economic sovereignty’
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1564050/2-pakistan-rejects-use-chinese-currency/
China, US ink $250 bn trade deals to mark Donald Trump’s first visit
Cash-rich China on Thursday wooed the US by signing deals worth more than USD 250 billion during President Donald Trump’s first visit, amidst his criticism of the Communist giant’s unfair business practices and the “chronic imbalance” in bilateral trade
http://zeenews.india.com/asia/china-us-ink-250-bn-trade-deals-to-mark-donald-trumps-first-visit-2055769.html
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2119211/deals-galore-us-firms-trumps-china-trip-are-real-trade
https://www.trtworld.com/asia/trump-criticises-trade-deficit-but-says-i-don-t-blame-china–12082
Can China transition to a more innovative economy?
After more than three decades of high growth based on the exploitation of low wages and demographic advantages, as well as incremental market-oriented reforms and international openness, China now confronts higher wages and a shrinking workforce. Future growth will depend increasingly on innovation and increased productivity. What is the likelihood of China making this transition?
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/11/07/can-china-transition-to-a-more-innovative-economy/
How can China afford its science and technology goals?
China is at a historic economic juncture. Its urban-centric growth model has orphaned the rural population while the urban population struggles with incomes below OECD levels and housing, education and health costs above those in Europe
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/10/13/how-can-china-afford-its-science-and-technology-goals/#more-91341
OECD: Chinese GDP to increase 6.8% in 2017
China’s economic growth will reach 6.8 percent year-on-year in 2017, although it may moderate next year to 6.6 percent, according to a forecast released on Wednesday by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2017-09/21/content_32275000.htm
IMF revises China growth forecasts for 2017, 2018 higher
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday revised upwards China’s growth forecasts for 2017 and 2018 to 6.7 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively
http://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/103/30/95/1500896621199.html
Latest Long March rocket fails after launch from southern China
China’s ambitious space programme appeared to suffer a setback on Sunday when a Long March-5 rocket with a communications satellite on board failed to successfully launch
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2100960/latest-long-march-rocket-fails-after-launch-southern
Why Canadians are opposed to a free-trade deal with China
China and Canada have been engaged in exploratory talks towards a free-trade agreement. Yet, in its public statements to Canadians, Ottawa often sounds non-committal. A free-trade deal makes good sense for both countries. So what’s not to like?
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2096867/why-canadians-are-opposed-free-trade-deal-china
China’s new cybersecurity law takes effect, and many are confused
China’s new cybersecurity law takes effect today, and experts are rattled about what it all means
http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/content/chinas-new-cybersecurity-law-goes-effect-rattles-businesses
New Chinese law hurts foreign business say economists & industry organisations
More than 50 world industry organisations have urged the Chinese government to delay enforcement of the country’s first cybersecurity law in a letter sent Monday, May 15
http://www.euronews.com/2017/05/18/new-chinese-law-hurts-foreign-business-says-economists-industry-organisations
https://www.uschina.org/sites/default/files/May%202017%20Global%20Association%20Letter%20on%20Cybersecurity%20Law%20Implementation%20%28ENG%29.pdf
China and Cambodian PMs witness signing of 13 agreements
China signed 13 cooperation documents with Cambodia on Tuesday in areas such as infrastructure, finance, maritime research and tourism as the two countries moved forward to build the Belt and Road
http://www.chinadailyasia.com/articles/119/113/206/1494993590515.html
http://en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/4387-china-to-aid-230-million-for-cambodia-s-development.html
EU rejects China’s vision for ‘modern Silk Road’
The EU has dealt a blow to Chinese president Xi Jinping’s bid to lead a global infrastructure revolution, after its members refused to endorse part of the multibillion-dollar plan because it did not include commitments to social and environmental sustainability and transparency
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/15/eu-china-summit-bejing-xi-jinping-belt-and-road
China hosts Silk Road summit in shadow of North Korea missile
Beijing: China touted on Sunday its new Silk Road as “a project of the century” at a summit highlighting its growing leadership on globalisation, but a North Korean missile test intruded on the meeting
http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/china/china-hosts-silk-road-summit-in-shadow-of-n-korea-missile-1.2027198
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2017-05-14/china-wants-new-silk-road-one-belt-one-road-project-to-help-it-dominate-world-trade/1671328
China, Pakistan Sign Six Memorandums of Understanding to Enhance Bilateral Ties
China and Pakistan signed a total of six Memorandums of Understanding related to cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road, as well as to cooperation on a number of projects, such as Gwadar port and East Bay expressway and Havelian Dry Port and ML1 Karachi-Peshawar railway project
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201705131053575707-china-pakistan-memorandum-understanding/
http://nation.com.pk/business/13-May-2017/pakistan-signs-nearly-500-million-in-china-deals-at-silk-road-summit
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/204228-Nawaz-meets-Chinese-prime-minister-assures-Pakistans-support-for-On-Belt-One-Road
Beijing, US reach trade deal to boost American imports to China in wake of Xi-Trump summit
The United States has reached a trade agreement with Beijing that will boost shipments of American liquefied natural gas, beef and other products, as well as improve its market access of financial services to China
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/2094045/china-us-sign-trade-deal-wake-xi-trump-summit
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/americas/2017/05/13/497313/p2/China-agrees.htm
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39894119
China sends homegrown jumbo passenger jet C919 into sky
Change is in the air in China as the country’s first domestically made airliner – the C919 – successfully completed its much-delayed maiden flight from Shanghai Airport
http://www.euronews.com/2017/05/05/china-s-c919-airliner-gets-set-to-challenge-airbus-and-boeing
http://www.chinadailyasia.com/nation/2017-05/05/content_15608516.html
Rumbling of reform in China’s fiscal foundations
Significant progress is being made towards building the foundations of a fiscal system to undergird rule-based governance. The most important driver of change is the Budget Law and associated documents
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/04/17/rumbling-of-reform-in-chinas-fiscal-foundations/
China, Burma reach deal on oil pipeline after nearly a decade of talks
China and Burma (Myanmar) have reached an agreement on an oil pipeline between the neighbouring countries after almost a decade of talks, with the project due to start “very quickly”, Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2017/04/china-burma-reach-deal-oil-pipeline-nearly-decade-talks/#uvt4L56RjYUdgljc.97
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/25676-myanmar-and-china-sign-crude-oil-pipeline-agreement.html
New Chinese work permit system to rank foreigners
The Chinese government has introduced a new ranking system for foreign nationals applying for working permits
China, Saudi Arabia sign agreements worth about $91 billion
China and Saudi Arabia on Thursday (March 16) signed MOUs and letters of intent potentially worth about US$65 billion (S$91.8 billion) during Saudi King Salman’s visit to Beijing, a senior Chinese diplomat said
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-saudi-arabia-sign-agreements-worth-about-91-billion
Premier Li Keqiang announced the figure on Sunday as he delivered a government report at the opening of the country’s annual session of parliament, the National People’s Congress
http://www.ecns.cn/business/2017/03-05/247926.shtml
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/2076224/amid-brexit-and-trump-uncertainties-china-strikes-note-caution
http://chinaplus.cri.cn/news/china/9/20170305/1083.html
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Perils and Prospects
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has magnified and magnetized the attention of China and non-China watchers at the regional and global levels. The CPEC has received a wide currency and been attributed with different catchphrases, including: the revival of Mackinder theory, the Great Game, New Asia is Emerging, China’s Rise as a Global Power
Weighing up China’s investment in the United States
Chinese investment flows into the United States have reached unprecedented heights over the past two years and the future promises more of the same. The acquisition of US companies accounts for 84 per cent of these investments
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/02/15/weighing-up-chinas-investment-in-the-united-states/
For China, Europe is the new Africa
For the past few years, Chinese investments in Italy have grown exponentially in every sector, from football to engines, fashion to real estate, tourism to energy
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/For-China,-Europe-is-the-new-Africa-39892.html
EU ready to help China fight protectionsim
The EU is ready to stand with China in the fight against protectionism, but Beijing needs to reform to be fair to investors, EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said
http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/content/eu-%E2%80%98ready%E2%80%99-help-china-fight-protectionism
A time of test for the China model of economic growth
The ‘China model’ of economic growth has been essentially a story of a hyper-charged economy led by an authoritarian state. But now the model has become unsustainable, with China experiencing economic slowdown as well as rampant corruption, growing inequality and environmental destruction
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/01/29/a-time-of-test-for-the-china-model-of-economic-growth/
China’s economy grows 6.7% in 2016
China’s economy grew by 6.7% in 2016, compared with 6.9% a year earlier, according to official data, marking its slowest growth since 1990
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-20/china-questionable-gdp-numbers-why-does-it-even-bother/8198196?section=world
China issues white paper on space development
China on Tuesday issued a white paper on the development of space industry since 2011 and major tasks for the next five years
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-27/china-says-space-programme-must-help-protect-national-security/8149676?section=world
The social cost of smashing China’s iron rice bowls
China has ordered state firms to smash the decades-old system of providing cradle-to-grave welfare support, known as the country’s “iron rice bowl.”
http://www.atimes.com/article/social-cost-smashing-chinas-iron-rice-bowls/
US-China trade shows signs of improvement
Trade between the world’s two largest economies has shown signs of improvement as the US trade deficit with China, a long-term US concern, narrowed significantly in October
http://www.chinadailyasia.com/business/2016-12/11/content_15540347.html
China considers easing foreign investment limits
China has indicated it could relax restrictions on foreign investment in some sectors as it struggles to counter an overseas exodus of capital, while facing accusations of protectionism from US President-elect Donald Trump
http://news.asiaone.com/news/business/china-considers-easing-foreign-investment-limits-0
China’s New ‘Cybersecurity’ Rules Look Like Cyberprotectionism Instead
China’s new laws on cybersecurity are no better than trade protectionism in a new guise
http://thediplomat.com/2016/11/chinas-new-cybersecurity-rules-look-like-cyberprotectionism-instead/
China steps up protection for property, intellectual rights
China will increase protection for property rights, including stepping up oversight of the management of state-owned assets, the Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday, citing guidelines issued by the State Council, China’s cabinet
http://www.atimes.com/article/china-steps-protection-property-intellectual-rights/
China working to make yuan key international currency
China government is making strategic moves to construct an Asia-based economic bloc based on the Chinese yuan
http://www.asianews.network/content/china-working-make-yuan-key-international-currency-29417
Evaluating China’s Economy
Can China keep up its growth and deliver on its “harmony” pact with the Chinese people?http://thediplomat.com/2016/11/evaluating-chinas-economy/
Despite the yuan’s devaluation, China’s exports continue to fall
Although the yuan lost about 1.5 per cent against the US dollar last month, Chinese exports still dropped 7.3 per cent in dollar terms compared to a year earlier. October’s decline follows a fall of 10 per cent in September
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Despite-the-yuan’s-devaluation,-China’s-exports-continue-to-fall-39082.html
France and China are set to very soon launch a fund for joint investment in overseas projects
French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault spoke of the plans after meeting with China’s foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing
http://www.euronews.com/2016/10/31/france-and-china-investment-fund-to-seek-global-opportunities
China, Japan and South Korea pledge to promote talks on free trade and energy
Trade chiefs from Japan, China and South Korea agreed on Saturday to promote negotiations on free trade and cooperation in the energy sector at a trilateral meeting in Tokyo
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/2041375/china-japan-and-south-korea-pledge-promote-talks-free-trade-and
The Chinese diaspora’s role in the rise of China
From the outset of China’s economic reform era, diaspora Chinese have provided the lion’s share of inward foreign investment. This has been concentrated in export-oriented sectors, driving growth of transnational production networks that today bind China’s neighbours to it through the world’s most integrated intraregional trading system
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/09/14/the-chinese-diasporas-role-in-the-rise-of-china/#more-52297
Russia-China Economic and Trade Partnership Falters
Russian-Chinese trade fell by 5 percent year-on-year to $28 billion in the first six months of 2016, mainly because of plummeting prices for commodities such as oil, gas, lumber, metal and coal, Russia’s main exports. At the same time, the U.S. remains China’s most important economic relationship with bilateral trade between the two hitting $263 billion in the first half of this year
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-china-economic-trade-partnership-falters-n645291
Reconstructing China’s steel industry
China’s annual production of crude steel reached 804 million tonnes in 2015, 6.3 times higher than the total production in 2000. It accounts for nearly 50 per cent of total global steel output, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/08/18/reconstructing-chinas-steel-industry/#more-51883a jump from only 15 per cent at the end of the previous century
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/08/18/reconstructing-chinas-steel-industry/#more-51883
China upset over Pakistan’s handling of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)° project
Due to delays in the development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the authorities in Beijing have suggested Islamabad to formally rope in the Pakistan Army to ensure smooth execution of the project
http://www.asiapacificstar.com/index.php/sid/245920175
China GDP: Economy beats expectations with 6.7pc growth
In the face of deteriorating conditions, China’s economy has defied expectations of a slowdown with GDP growth for the June quarter holding steady at 6.7 per cent
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-15/chinese-economy-beats-expectations/7632616?section=world
http://www.dw.com/en/chinas-growth-steadies-while-still-raising-concern/a-19401936
China revises GDP calculation
China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has adopted a new method of calculating GDP that it says “better reflects the contribution of innovation to economic growth.”
http://english.cri.cn/12394/2016/07/05/3521s933150.htm
China’s first regional jet takes maiden flight
China’s first commercial regional jet, the ARJ21, took maiden flight from Chengdu city in southwestern China’s Sichuan Province to Beijing on Tuesday, marking a landmark success
http://www.ecns.cn/visual/hd/2016/06-28/97979.shtml
China’s fixed asset investment slumps to 16-year low
China’s fixed asset investment — a proxy for construction and infrastructure spending — slows to its slowest rate of growth since 2000, suggesting the impact of financial stimulus injected into the economy is already starting to wane
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2016-06-13/chinas-fixed-asset-investment-slumps-to-16year-low/1589960
Is China making life difficult for foreign companies?
Once, China welcomed them with open arms, but now overseas firms are complaining about the country’s increasingly hostile business environment as concerns rise over protectionism, forced technology transfers and tightening censorship
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1940397/china-making-life-difficult-foreign-companies
China completes implementation of VAT scheme
China has replaced all business tax with value-added tax (VAT) after extending the policy to cover the construction, real estate, finance and consumer services sectors
China’s ‘Triple Bubble’ Economy Poised to Burst
After a nearly disastrous start to the year in January and February, China’s economy steadied itself in March. Now, the early April indicators suggest a continuation of the uptick
http://worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/gordon-g-chang/china%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98triple-bubble%E2%80%99-economy-poised-burst-0
China manufacturing rebounds unexpectedly
An unexpected expansion in Chinese manufacturing has provided cause for renewed optimism in the world’s second largest economy. Last year China saw its slowest economic growth in a quarter of a century
http://www.dw.com/en/china-manufacturing-rebounds-unexpectedly/a-19157202
China offers $11.5 billion in loans, credit to 5 Mekong River nations
Premier Li Keqiang said that China will be using money to build its influence with its neighbors in Southeast Asia, specifically, the five countries along the Mekong River
http://atimes.com/2016/03/china-offers-11-5-billion-in-loans-credit-to-5-mekong-river-nations/
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/China-to-help-develop-Mekong-River-basin
Lawmakers approve China’s five-year plan against economic headwinds
Chinese lawmakers on Wednesday approved the country’s economic and social development blueprint for the 2016-2020 period, which sets targeted average annual economic growth at above 6.5 percent in the next five years.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/16/c_135194463.htm
http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-a-risky-experiment/a-19120034
Foreigners in China to get better legal service
China’s top judge has asked the courts to improve the legal environment through better handling of disputes involving foreigners, particularly in the marine sector, as the country opens wider to the outside world and tries hard to attract overseas enterprises
http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/foreigners-china-get-better-legal-service
Latin America: China’s power play right under the U.S.
Chinese banks sent nearly $30 billion in loans to Latin American governments last year, more than double the amount from 2014. It’s also more money than the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank gave to the region last year combined, according to the Inter-American Dialogue, a non-profit in Washington.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/11/news/economy/china-latin-america-billions-of-dollars-loans-investments/index.html
China top planner: GDP will grow 6.5% to 7% this year
On the heels of the Chinese manufacturing sector posing its lowest reading in three years, China’s top economic planner reinforced previous forecasts and said the world’s second-biggest economy will grow between 6.5% and 7% this year
http://atimes.com/2016/02/china-top-planner-gdp-will-grow-6-5-to-7-this-year/
http://thediplomat.com/2016/02/facing-economic-headwinds-china-predicts-slower-growth-in-2016/
China economy grew 6.9% in 2015, slowest pace in 25 years
The official figures released on Tuesday (Jan 19) confirm a loss of momentum in the world’s second-largest economy that is rippling around the world and spooking global financial markets
http://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/china-economy-grew-69-in-2015-slowest-pace-in-25-years
http://en.people.cn/business/n3/2016/0119/c90778-9005938.html
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Economic-problems-bring-threat-of-deflation?page=1
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line259
|
__label__wiki
| 0.624571
| 0.624571
|
Our HistoryWeb Admin2017-10-09T15:33:17-07:00
Celebrating more than 70 years of business
Since its humble beginning in 1947, Berkeley Cement, Inc. has evolved from a small residential concrete company into a large commercial concrete contractor, now celebrating over 70 years. BCI combines history, experience, and quality craftsmanship to provide the level of expertise needed in the ever-changing construction industry. BCI continues to maintain the attributes and characteristics held by it’s founder and past leaders well into the third generation. Beginning in 1947, BCI founder Alfred Fadelli, concentrated his cement mason skills on residential concrete work such as; driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Through a reputation of hard work, perseverance and Italian flare, BCI was able to establish key relationships with the City of Berkeley and its local customers. This rapport would prove to stand the test of time and build the foundation of Berkeley Cement, Inc.
You pick the best, we do the rest
In 1960, Al's two sons, Andy and Ron joined Berkeley Cement, Inc. The two brothers teamed up to transition the modest residential company into a thriving commercial concrete contractor. Structural concrete and pump, place & finish work posed new tests for the young duo. The work ethic embedded in Andy & Ron was essential to tackle and conquer new challenges. From cement masons to Owners, Andy & Ron embodied the company model, "You picked the best, we do the rest".
Building relationships with concrete
In the 1980’s, Andy’s sons Scott and Steven, and Ron’s son Ron Jr. joined the family business. Each of them started in the field which is what they’d previously done during summers. Scott has proven to be valuable with contracts and the legal side of the business; while Steven’s skills have played an important role in operations. Ron Jr. progressed and is currently the President and CEO of BCI. The company genetics centered on hard work and respect, the third generation used these to develop the brand of “building relationships with concrete.” These relationships are focused towards customers, but equally as important, BCI employees are valued and respected. BCI has created a genuine atmosphere in which each employee works diligently to keep the company successful.
Concrete construction, four generations strong
Berkeley Cement, Inc. attributes their success to the hard work and relationships built by past and present employees and clients. A delicate balance between old-school principals and new-age innovations has proven vital in the current competitive California construction market. With BCI’s brand thriving and the fourth generation now joining the future looks bright.
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line262
|
__label__wiki
| 0.923632
| 0.923632
|
Movie DVDs
DVD Staff Picks
Interviews Home
Bullz-Eye Home
The Opposite Sex
Bullz-Eye On Location
Stuff to Buy
Movie Buffs
Fitness for Guys
Celebrity Teaser
Hula Cam!
Check out sexy Inessa Chimato in this great bikini video!
Every week Bob Westal whips up a new drink recipe, from the classics we all love to new recipes to try out when you're out or at home.
What's beefy, cheesy, and greasy all over? Thrillist takes a look at America's most bodacious burgers.
Web Bullz-Eye.com
Freakonomics review, Freakonomics Blu-ray review, Freakonomics DVD review
Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Buy the BD
All photos © Magnolia Pictures
Reviewed by Bob Westal
ALSO: Check out Bob Westal's interviews with Morgan Spurlock and Seth Gordon.
f all the intellectual pursuits that make some claim to objectivity, none is so complicated and elusive as economics. The "dismal science" strikes me as accurately named because I wonder if it isn't a doomed project. You're studying the actions of millions of people at once, all making their own buying and selling decisions, all for their own very personal and individual reasons. It's a task that seems somewhere between massively daunting and downright freaking impossible.
Indeed, writer Isaac Asimov cast the equivalent of economics, something he called psycho-history, in science fiction terms in The Foundation Trilogy. The books inspired future Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman into the econ game, but I doubt he'd claim his work is anywhere near as precise as the science dreamed up by Asimov's fictional Hari Seldon. Krugman, you see, is a liberal economist, and a famed political pundit, who agrees on very little with, say, the late conservative economist and fellow Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman.
Politically active religious fanatics or free market fundamentalist global warming deniers notwithstanding, there's no such thing as a politically liberal or conservative biologist or physicist, but we break down economists that way because their work is still a matter of opinion. Like medicine before it became truly useful with the discovery of antibiotics and other 20th century advances, economics is definitely a worthwhile subject for study. It's just possible that it might be centuries before anyone actually benefits very much from it. Or, maybe I'm just prejudiced against anything that highly mathematical because I struggled to get a C in 9th grade algebra.
Economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner pop-econ book, Freakonomics, hasbecame hugely popular with its quirky and often counterintuitive attempts to take a truly objective look at various aspects of modern life. The film version is not an adaptation of the book in the usual sense, but a collection of four short spin-off documentaries by a dream-team of documentarians looking at four different social conundrums, combined with linking material starring the authors and directed by Seth Gordon of the outstanding "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters."
The most prominent linking theme between all of them: incentives. Much as Deep Throat told Woodward and Bernstein to "follow the money" to crack the Watergate scandal, it seems that following the incentives that actually motivate people will get us all much closer to the truth in all kinds of matters. Makes sense to me.
The film opens casually with director Seth Gordon introducing us to the likably matter-of-fact team of Levitt and Dubner as a brief segment explains the Freakomically counterintuitive reality that, despite working strictly on commission, real estate agents may not be motivated to get their clients the absolute highest selling price. That's followed by a discussion of the importance of parenting and how the reason that the kids whose parents take them to museums, concerts, and libraries tend to do better in school is not because of the museum, concerts, and libraries themselves, but because they have the kind of educated parents who think it will help to take them to those places.
From there, we finally arrive at the first and most purely entertaining segment, "A Roshanda by An Other Name," in which Morgan Spurlock ("Super Size Me") looks into the matter of the often exotic sounding names popular in the African-American community and what impact having certain kind of monikers can have on a child's life. It's all done with a jovial, low-key sense of humor and also looks at corresponding trends among names for Caucasian babies. In the end, we find out that, while names that are perceived as belonging only to black people might lead to provable forms of discrimination, a child's overall upbringing is a lot more important than whether they are named "Tyrone" or "Morgan" or perhaps, as in one horrific case, "Winner" or "Loser."
The next segment by Seth Gordon presents some fairly compelling evidence that teachers are cheating on standardized tests, but from there we move on to more heavy duty form of corruption that, alas, is not as interesting as it sounds. Alex Gibney, justly acclaimed Oscar-winning director of the investigative "Taxi to the Dark Side," "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room," and the less successful "Casino Jack and the United State of Money," spent several years in Japan, and so he takes on the seamy side of sumo in "Pure Corruption."
Gibney's segment methodically explores the motivations that would lead athletes to fix games – and engage in perhaps far worse actions – in a sport supposedly driven by a strict code of honor. Gibney can't resist trying to tie in the sporting malfeasance and possible murder with the huge theft orchestrated by Wall Street. Clearly, this is a running theme in Gibney's work, including his upcoming documentary about former New York governor Elliot Spitzer, but the wrestling-high finance connection may be a stretch. Gibney invests his segment with his usual visual and creative fair, but it's a fairly dry time regardless.
The next segment is taken on by Eugene Jarecki of "Why We Fight" and "The Trials of Henry Kissinger." Unafraid of controversy, he takes on a hornet's nest of a piece drawing a fascinating connection between two distinct issues in American life: crime rates and abortion. It's without a doubt the most provocative segment, though it's important to realize that its conclusions aren't really advocating anything, just stating a really fascinating possible unintended consequence of legal abortion. The one possible misstep here is the use of independent African-American filmmaking pioneer, actor-director Melvin Van Peebles ("Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song"), as the narrator. There are certainly cultural resonances with the filmmaker who catalyzed the blaxploitation phenomenon of the 1970s, but Van Peebles' voice is faltering at times and it threatens to become more of a distraction than an enhancement.
The final segments deal directly with incentives and how they impact children. With the help of some amusing animation, economist Levitt explains how he attempted to use M&Ms as bribes to motivate his preschool daughter to us the potty, only to find her using her flexible young urinary tract to extract more and more chocolate candy. That dovetails nicely with the final segment, by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing of "Jesus Camp," which explores the highly controversial educational tactic of using money and other materialistic lures to motivate better performances from 9th grade students. Using two seemingly bright but academically unmotivated boys as examples, the results are interesting but frankly inconclusive.
As with all omnibus-style films "Freakonomics" – which is largely the brainchild of producer Chad Troutwine of 2007's Parisian-themed anthology film, "Paris Je T'Aime" – benefits from the fact that, if you're not crazy about a particular segment, a new segment will be coming along shortly. Moreover, the collective talents of the directors and the often intriguing results of the investigations guarantee that it's a lively enough intellectual ride.
It's probably inevitable that some segments work better than others, and it's fortunate that executive producer and co-director Seth Gordon does a nice job of tying the whole thing together. Considering that it's about the highly complicated subject of economics, "Freakonomics" is easy to follow. Unfortunately, also like the science of economics, it's also easy to wonder if it really actually adds up to much of anything.
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.
All content © 2000-2014 Bullz-Eye.com ® | All Rights Reserved
BULLZ-EYE ARCHIVE
Get Real Guide for Men
James Bond Fan Hub
Stand-up Comics Hall of Fame
Directors Hall of Fame
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line268
|
__label__cc
| 0.640233
| 0.359767
|
Reading and writing assistance increases the chance of getting a Disability Support Pension
Monday, 15 July 2019 19:42 Nary Hong, PhD candidate in Economics, UNSW Press Releases - The Conversation
One in eight disability support claims rejected are because the applicant is unable to supply the requested information.Shutterstock
The 2019 Australian Conference of Economists is taking place in Melbourne from July 14 to 16.
During the conference The Conversation is publishing a selection of articles by the authors of papers being delivered at the conference.
The Disability Support Pension is important in the lives of the Australians who receive it. The latest figures show that’s 4% of the working age population.
Yet a huge proportion of claims for it are rejected. Over the four years from 2011-12 to 2014-15 the average “grant rate” was 43%, meaning 57% of claims were rejected.
The largest non-medical reason given for rejection is failure to supply the requested information, accounting for one in eight rejections.
In a paper to be presented to the Australian Conference of Economists in Melbourne on Tuesday I examine the extent to which that is due to a specific kind of disability – an inability to properly complete the form.
Does form-filling matter?
The Bureau of Statistics survey of disability, ageing and carers provides rich data the on employment, socio-demographic characteristics and health conditions of disabled Australians, including the extent to which they have assistance with reading and writing.
One question is
do/does you/he/she receive assistance from any organised services to help with reading and writing tasks?
Another is
do/does you/he/she receive assistance from anyone else, such as a partner or spouse/parent, family, friends or neighbours to help with reading and writing tasks?
I combined the answers to these questions to create a yes/no answer to the broader question of whether or not an applicant for the Disability Support Pension obtained help with reading and writing from any source.
Confidentialised unit record files from 2003, 2009 and 2015 gave me data on 18,141 disabled Australians between the ages of 16 to 64.
Help with reading does matter…
I found that reading and writing assistance is associated with an increase of about 20% in the probability of getting the Disability Support Pension.
Most of that reading and writing support comes from informal sources (family, friends and neighbours) rather than formal ones.
And it seems to be more than an association. Using statistical techniques to set aside the impact of other things that might be driving the effect, I find that the impact of help with literacy is even greater.
Ideally, help shouldn’t have much impact, but the claim form for the Disability Support Pension is 33 pages long.
Read more: Financial literacy is a public policy problem
The government has introduced new assessment tables in a legitimate and successful attempt to restrain the growth of the Disability Support Pension.
But there can be no case for (unintentionally) using complexity as another means of restraining growth in use of the pension.
…we should be taking it mainstream
The strong positive impact of the reading assistance that has been available builds a case for providing more of it, through formal means, to ensure that fewer people are deterred from applying for benefits for which they are eligible.
Greater formal provision of help would also ease the pressure on informal helpers, making it easier for them to stay in the workforce and improving their emotional well-being.
This finding has implications for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, for which reading and writing is even more important to navigate. The NDIS emphasises individual choices, making the application process particularly complex.
Disability with paperwork should not be a barrier to receiving disability benefits.
Read more: The NDIS hasn't made much difference to carers' opportunities for paid work
Nary Hong acknowledges the Australian Government's support through the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.
Authors: Nary Hong, PhD candidate in Economics, UNSW
Read more http://theconversation.com/reading-and-writing-assistance-increases-the-chance-of-getting-a-disability-support-pension-119980
|
cc/2020-05/en_head_0062.json.gz/line269
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.